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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | 38 HALTON TRANSMISSION 559 SPEERS RD., #UNIT 3 905-842-0725 www.haltontransmission.com Jon Kuiperij Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports "Connected to your Community" Canadian Open jet lures British Open players to Oakville by Jon Kuiperij Beaver Sports Editor When Bill Paul chartered a jet 10 years ago in an attempt to coax some of golf's top players to travel across the continent to compete in the Canadian Open, he might have started a trend. According to the long-time tournament director, many PGA Tour events now rent planes to make things as convenient as possible for their players, to the extent that some golfers might even expect it. And, with this past weekend's British Open not concluding until Monday due to inclement weather in Scotland, the Canadian Open jet is likely a big reason there weren't a slew of withdrawals for Canada's national open championship that begins today (Thursday) at Glen Abbey Golf Club. "I wasn't worried," said Paul, who first chartered a jet when the 2005 Canadian Open was held in Shaughnessy, B.C., and made it a policy in 2007 when the tournament date was moved to the weekend following the British Open. "I knew we had something (players) wanted -- a plane ride back. Everyone I talked to was going to play (in the Canadian Open) regardless. Everyone wanted to make sure they were still on the plane." A chartered flight back to North America was so in demand that, according to Paul, all but one Canadian Open-bound player who missed the British Open cut Saturday remained in Scotland for two days to catch a free ride back across the pond aboard the Mark Cuban-owned, 102-seat aircraft. Jason Day's success in the British Open -- he missed what would have been a four-way playoff Monday by one stroke -- nearly complicated things. Had the Australian won the tournament, he would likely have had to miss the charter to Canada due to media obligations that go along with being the British Open champion. The late finish of the British may not have affected the field for the actual Canadian Open tournament that much, but it did impact events taking place during tournament week. Canadian players Graham DeLaet and David Hearn weren't able to attend Monday's Canada Day Pro-Am (long-time Canadian LPGA play- Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark was among the participants in Monday's Canada Day Pro-Am event that opened RBC Canadian Open tournament week at Glen Abbey Golf Club. | photo by Justin Greaves -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog er Lorie Kane and 17-year-old Canadian golf phenom Brooke Henderson took their place), and there seemed to be fewer players than usual shooting practice rounds Tuesday at Glen Abbey. "They've lost a day of time adjustment," Paul added. "You knew losing the day would be a challenge on these guys, and I include the caddies in that, too." Paul was aboard the Canadian Open jet as well, having attended the British Open at the Old Course at St Andrews along with Golf Canada president Paul McLean and rules chairman Dale Jackson. "It's like Augusta (National, site of the Masters), where the golf world is there. Players, agents, golf (representatives) from different associations and countries. It gives you an opportunity to show your face," Paul said of his motivation to attend the British Open. "My dance card ended up being rather full that week." Paul added he was disappointed by the recent withdrawals of Canadian Mike Weir (personal) and 2013 Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker (hip), but that he fully understood each player's reasonings. "Mike holds a pretty special place in the heart of the game in this country," Paul said of the 2003 Masters champ. "I know he wanted to be here, and it's a void. But he's dealing with some things and we wish him well. He'll deal with it, and he'll be back. "Snedeker, I was with him a couple of times at the British and it just didn't look like Brandt Snedeker. I didn't see it coming but... you can just see when someone's not well. Does he want to be here? Absolutely. Is he disappointed? Yeah. But, like most athletes, it's not just about one event... it's about getting better and making sure you can play in a bunch more. I think he did the right thing, to go home and fix what ails him." Besides, Paul said, the success of the Canadian Open will ultimately be determined by two things: "weather and weather". And a tight leaderboard on Sunday afternoon wouldn't hurt, either. "You're at a point where who's here is here. They're good, they're all good. It doesn't matter if Rory (McIlroy) is here or not. Who thought Zach Johnson would win the Open? Not very many," Paul said. "They've all got talent. You get into a golf zone, and anybody can win. The PGA Tour is that strong." -- A story on the fan-friendly attractions at this week's Canadian Open can be found online at bit.ly/1CQfI7I FREE ADMISSION LittLe League WorLd SerieS is coming through Oakville The road to the Be a part of the Experience! 425 Cornwall road, oakville, oN Please check the website for game times: www.2015ontariolittleleagueprovincials.ca