Weir Pushes Up Hill to World Class

photo & story by Terry Norris

........GOLF

 

  On a day when veteran PGA pro Mike Weir couldn't get a putt to drop he might have taken satisfying solace in knowing that as a "Godfather of Golf" to so many Canadian youngsters he could watch one of those youngsters perform on the PGA stage.  Matt Hill who grew up idolizing Weir was playing in the twosome in front of Weir as they golfed their final rounds at Tiger Wood's AT&T National just outside the American capital in Bethesda, Maryland on a Sunday.

    On the first green Weir took a time out to look over and see the amateur Hill and fellow native of Brights Grove hit to the par three second hole.   Matt Hill grew up a block away from Weir's home in Brights Grove playing the same course Huron Oaks that Weir traversed as a youngster.  Of course after the frustrating round Weir would take no credit as Weir, the classy quiet Canadian started thinking ahead to the British Open and the up coming Canadian Open as his next stops.  But ask Hill and he will acknowledge the impact, influence and thrill of meeting Weir on the practice green at the "Tiger" tournament is a dream beyond imagination.  The classy, quiet and hard working role model of the sport celebrity Weir is a model for all kids whether they made it to the show as Hill has or whether they are playing around in their backyard and it is as Canadian as it can get.   It is not the hype, the image or money either seeks but just play their best golf and represent their family, friends and country.  The story of two quiet, get the puck out of the corner hockey playing kids turned golfers. 
 Even as Hill has made it to the show in a much easier fashion than the tough grind Weir went through to develop his world class skills Hill knows he has lots to learn and improve before he truly will be self satisfied.   Hill is a natural stroker of the ball.  He showed the PGA field he can hit it off the tee and length is no problem and did it with accuracy. Hill's approach shots and solid play were ever present and steady play matched any of the top pros.  The early rounds for Hill where he put up even par numbers were done on the damp rainy greens when balls stuck and putting was not so touchy.   When the greens dried for later rounds the faster PGA greens were more of test for Hill and his putting average dropped with presence of some three putt greens.  With some experience on the PGA type greens Hill will only get better.  It was a great experience for Hill also to play with 17 year pro Paul Goydos, a wily veteran who has made it through the minefields of pro golf and has come on late in a grinding career.    Weir at times in the tournament struggled with the driver and one day got down to only 50% driving accuracy.  But no matter what other parts of his game may not be at the front Weir's shortgame can save any par.  With a hot putter on this Sunday Weir could have gone very low with the numbers.  But that is the game and the grind that exists at the pro level and Hill learned a lot watching Weir and other big names as they toughed out a day not in the limelight.  It is those days the average fan doesn't witness on the tube but is so much the life for tour pros. 

    On the course, the two golfers always want more. In particular Weir, who is one of the top PGA pros and a veteran of tour events and strives to be in the hunt each time out.  Weir expects to win each time out.  Hill on the other hand playing in his first PGA event with the big boys should have been happy having made his first cut in his first tournament.  Somewhat like a baseball player hitting home run in his first at bat or a hockey player scoring on his first shift the 20 year old Hill should have been more than happy.  But like Weir there is that hidden competitive desire that Weir developed in years on lesser tracks and only with dedication, sacrifice and perseverance did it all  pay off.  Hill wants more and his eight wins and NCAA title in 2009 indicate there certainly could be more in store for this protégé of Weir.  Hill was not satisfied looking down the list of players who started the tournament and were not playing because they did not make the cut as Hill had done.   That list is a who's who of PGA golf.  Hill bettered the likes of Azinger, Funk, Pavin and Janzen all PGA greats.  Hill didn't even think about bettering previous tournament winner A.K. Choi.  Rather Matt Hill is looking up the hill at the players at the top of the list and considers his first run with the big boys as his quoted  "B game".    Well with a push from fellow Canadian Weir we certainly will be seeing that young Canadian come with his "eh" game.  Indeed this warm up in the big show for Hill most likely could lead to a top showing at the Glen Abbey course in Oakville for the Canadian Open.  Certainly will be nice for Canadian fans to cheer for Weir plus a new up coming protégé of Weir.

As Weir pushed Hill around the course on Sunday it was a great day for Canadians in the American Capital region and definitely the meeting with Weir will continue to push the kid Hill.  For Canadians golf fans the dream might be to see these two hockey players turned golfers from the "golf capital of Canada" little Brights Grove Ontario in the final twosome at the Canadian Open at Glen Abbey the end of July this year.

    Weir finished at a total 284 71-71-72-70 for six over par in tie for 48th.  Hill finished at a total 290 71-69-75-75 ten over par in a tie for 70th.  Tiger Woods finished at a total 267 64-66-70-67 to win his own tournament. 

    Certainly disappointment for Weir but hopefully gratifying for Weir knowing the part he has played for so many Canadian youngsters.  Hill must be happy but is looking for more.  But as Hill's good friend and swing coach Ralph Bauer put it "the Tiger Tournament has established Matt Hill as a world class golfer not just a college champ".