With the Canadian Open lacking a sponsor, rumours continue to circulate about who might be willing to pay out the cash needed to prop up the tournament. Apparently there are some that are interested — Bob Weeks at Score has reported that there have been at least seven calls, and yesterday I had a call from a CEO friend who runs a large Canadian business and is interested in putting up the cash for the tournament. The question in this exec’s mind was how much and what’s the return on investment?
The Ontario golf course rumour is in full-on mode these days with speculation that Osprey Valley, the great, but also a bit strange, golf facility near Orangeville will be sold to ClubLink. Bob Poile, CL’s CEO told me a month ago that his organization was actively looking to acquire new facilities, and it is well known that CL has offered to acquire Osprey Valley several times. But Jerry Humeniuk continues to rebuff any advances and there is even speculation he might build another course.
Anyway, Osprey Golf director Bob McClure says there’s nothing to the latest rumours. “We hear them four or five times a year,” he says.
One rumor that is true is the apparent delay of t
he opening of Muskoka Bay, the much anticipated course in Gravenhurst designed by Doug Carrick. Apparently a couple of green were late in being seeded and the course, which was supposed to open in early July, could be delayed by a few weeks. I’m a betting man and I say don’t count on it. Owners will want dollars in their pockets, even if that means initial customers don’t see the course at its best. Apparently a decision will be made by the end of next week.
Angus Glen owner Gordon Stollery is in the midst of constructing a new public golf course in Uxbridge with the aim of being open next summer. The routing and design, which was done several years ago, was created by English architect Donald Steel (who is responsible for Redtail), but since Steel retired, two of his former partners are building the course. Word has it that the land is terrific.
Around the course: Retief Goosen doesn’t use a swing coach and apparently there’s a good reason. He tells AP’s Doug Ferguson that: “There were times that I wouldn’t see him for a couple of weeks, and when I did see him, it’s when I just started feeling like I found my golf swing. He wants to change something, and then I’m all messed up again. Eventually, you’re thinking that there’s constantly something wrong with your swing. When are you ever going to think that you’re swinging a club well if the coach is there every day working on it?” …. Inspirational Casey Martin is taking a job as a golf coach …. Golf blogger Jay Flemma has a preview of what you can expect to see at Winged Foot in a month.
