We self-employed folk don't always have an easy time of it (who does?) but being able to take a weekday off to watch professional golf is a perk with a capital "P" in my book, and that's how I spent yesterday. The 2008 Canadian Open goes this week and many of the world's top players were on the Glen Abbey course a half hour west of Toronto when I arrived in the early morning. Between walks to various tee boxes and greens I returned frequently to the practise area where players came together in number. At one point I was watching Jim Furyk putt next to Charlie Hoffman and Bubba Watson, with Camilo Villegas hitting long balls a few feet away, wearing one of his trademark shiny plastic belts. The entrance/exit to the practise area was prime real estate for autograph seekers and picture takers (like me) and I wanted a shot of Mr. Furyk before leaving - but he never stopped putting! I don't think he eats much, or often, because lunch hour clearly meant nothing to him. Maybe that's partly why he's among the very best in the world year after year. It may be a sunny golf course but for these guys it's the office and watching them gathered in one spot you quickly get some impression, right or wrong, of who's there to grind it out and whose approach is a bit laid back. I didn't feel too guilty playing hooky on a Tuesday - there's only one PGA tour event in this country annually and pro golf is probably my favourite spectator sport - but if I needed a reminder about focus and persistence, Mr. Furyk obliged. I hope he makes it a threepeat this weekend. Wherever he finishes on the leader board he'll be back on the practise green the next day I'm betting.
