Canadian Mike Weir in a whirlwind of publicity following Masters win

DONNA SPENCER
Canadian Press

Monday, April 14, 2003

CREDIT: (CP/Frank Gunn)

Newly crowned Masters champion Mike Weir waves as he arrives for an autograph signing in Toronto on Monday. (CP/Frank Gunn)

TORONTO (CP) - The lineup for Mike Weir's autograph snaked through automotive supplies, kitchen aids, the paint department and, fittingly, golf equipment.

People rode up and down the escalator in hopes of catching a glimpse over the crowd of the first Canadian man to win a golf major, snapping pictures as they rode up and down. More than a thousand people greeted Weir at a downtown Sears on Monday, indicating the 32-year-old's victory at the Masters the day before has transcended sports into an achievement much more significant.

The introduction of Weir's new line of golf accessories was drowned out by "We want Mike" followed by urges to further glory with "Grand Slam Mike."

"It's going to be just like Tiger Woods in the United States. All the young people are going to want to play golf," Ginette Malone said as the Torontonian waited for a break in the crowds to snap Weir's picture.

In the face of such adulation, Weir displayed the unflappable demeanour that had helped him sink knee-knocking putts the day before in Augusta, Ga., but he was also visibly touched.

"Tremendous. I think people are so excited," said Weir. "I never expected that kind of support.

"I knew there would be a lot of people here today but I didn't expect it to be like that."

But Weir, two-time winner of The Canadian Press male athlete of the year, is prepared for the kind of fame his new profile will generate.

"I think if this were to happen earlier in my career, if I would have somehow fluked and won the Masters in my rookie year, I would have not been able to handle it," he said. "I think I'm old enough now.

"I don't have a problem saying 'no' nicely and prioritizing my time a little bit better. It's going to take some effort to find that balance."

Weir's life turned surreal after donning the green jacket that goes to the Masters' winner - and pocketing $1.08 million US to increase his Tour earnings this season to more than $3.2 million US.

There were calls from Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Ontario Premier Ernie Eves as well as Wayne Gretzky, who was playing in a charity golf tournament in Las Vegas.

Weir and 16 of his friends and family attended the Champions dinner that kept him at Augusta National Golf Club until nearly midnight Sunday.

"We tried to round up a few Canadian beers, but we couldn't find any Canadian beer," he said with a laugh.

Weir was on the phone until about 4 a.m. and managed about an hour of sleep before Sears flew him from Augusta to Toronto in the morning to unveil a line of golf bags, hats and towels.

Weir's face was splashed across the front of almost every newspaper in Canada on Monday, knocking the war in Iraq and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) off some front pages.

"It maybe puts a happier light on what's going on," said Weir. "Right now, there's a lot of negative stuff happening. It is nice to have some good news right now."

Singer Tom Cochrane had a bottle of champagne sent over. Weir was to attend the NHL playoff game Monday night between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers before flying back the same night to Draper, Utah, where he lives with his wife Bricia and two young daughters.

"I'm dragging a little bit now," he admitted. "I want to get back with my family and just it enjoy it with them.

"Just get back to normal life, cutting the grass and taking my kids to where they need to go, dance classes and all that kind of stuff. Those are the sort of things I enjoy when I'm home."

Weir plans to take a three-week break before deciding what his next golf event will be.

"I haven't committed to any tournaments yet," he said.

He will now be sought after both as a premiere player for tournaments and as a spokesperson for corporations.

"I haven't given much thought to it because it's not what drives me in this game," he said of new endorsement possibilities."What it does do is give me a lot of confidence going into the next few majors."

Weir vaulted to No. 5 in the world Monday, the highest ranking for a Canadian since the rankings were introduced in 1986.

Weir's portrait will hang in a gallery of champions in the Augusta National clubhouse.

He will also have a standing invitation to play in the Masters every year as the 2003 champion.

The buzz before the tournament began was whether Augusta National would ever allow a woman to be a member.

"That's old news now," said Weir. "I think there should be a woman member there. There will be eventually."

While growing up and playing at Huron Oaks in Sarnia, Ont., he used to rehearse winning the Masters.

"I always remember being on the putting green and 'this putt is to win the Masters,"' Weir recalled. "Almost every day that would run through my mind, so it was pretty cool that it happened."

While professional golf isn't the most nationalistic of sports, Weir has always worn the Maple Leaf on his sleeve.

"There's a great sense of pride being Canadian and being a Canadian on the PGA Tour because there's not a lot of us out there," he said. "Hopefully I'll inspire some more to get out there."

The director of player development for the Royal Canadian Golf Association hopes so too.

"We've been looking for a champion like this to motivate our young Canadian kids," said Doug Roxburgh. "To show them that a Canadian can work hard and have a plan in place and succeed at the very highest level, it's got to inspire young kids to try and do the same thing."