A family affair

If there was any doubt that Mike Weir is a small town guy, then the festivities on Saturday night at Huron Oaks Country Club in Bright’s Grove, Ontario should put them to rest. Looking as relaxed as ever, Weir mingled with family and friends in an intimate, casual gathering at the place where he learned to play the game and developed the kind of lifelong friends that don’t care if you’re just the guy down the street or the country’s best golfer.

The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inducted its latest honoree in a tribute that makes it one of the most personal and special ceremonies amongst Halls of Fame anywhere. Rather than grouping all of the year’s honourees together in a single ceremony as most Halls of Fame do, the Canadian version allows the inductee to hold the festivities at a time and place where it has more personal meaning to them. When Weir found out in the summer that his induction didn’t have to be at the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame at Glen Abbey he was thrilled that he could take it to Bright’s Grove and recognize the town and the people that made him what he is today.

The formal part of the induction got off to a start with Steve Bennett, the golf pro who hired Weir as a teenager to work the range at Huron Oaks and who later mentored the young golfer as he honed his game. Bennett provided the first evidence that despite the wealth and success, Weir hasn’t strayed too far from his roots. Referencing the group of young guys who hung out at the golf club, Bennett gave them all nicknames, most of which are still in use today. Weir was known as “Hairy”, “Pasquale” and “Geppetto.” No explanation was provided but from the hoots and catcalls in the room, there’s no doubt that each name involved a funny story.

Bennett went on to talk about how hard Weir worked on his game as a kid. He hinted that Mike may not have been the best employee he ever had but was emphatic that he was the most dedicated golfer he ever saw.

Mike’s wife Bricia was up next and let on that she wasn’t much of a public speaker. However when the topic is her husband, passion overcomes jitters and she spoke eloquently about Weir as a husband, father and friend. Bricia let on that Weir is OK with his two daughters occasionally dressing him in drag and painting his toenails; and sometimes wakes her in the middle of the night as he laughs out loud, dreaming about comedian George Lopez. Who knew?

It’s pretty clear that Bricia is a wife and mom first and whatever Mike does to earn a living doesn’t consume them as a family. As Weir later said in his acceptance speech, sometimes she doesn’t even know what city he’s in. Bricia says Mike is pretty grounded and doesn’t get all caught up with the celebrity and glamour associated with being a famous sports star. Even if he did, it wouldn’t get him off the hook when it comes to taking out the garbage or driving the girls to soccer practice.

When it was Mike’s turn to speak, he acknowledged all of the wonderful times he had as a kid in Bright’s Grove. He was clearly emotional that so many of his friends could be with him, especially the guys he grew up with. Referencing his early days as an amateur and later as a young pro, it was obvious that Weir still has a strong connection to the people he met and worked with then, even as his career has moved on to the world stage.

The evening ended with the kind of party you would find in any small town community hall, arena or golf club. Lots of beer, laughter and tall tales. Good friends and family kicking back and not letting anyone get too big for their britches. Weir was as comfortable with these people as he would be in his family room at home. The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame could have rented a glitzy banquet hall in a downtown Toronto hotel, filled it with celebrities and dignitaries, and feted Weir with a black tie ceremony to end all ceremonies but it wouldn’t have meant as much as the small town celebration for a small town guy back where it all began.