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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, SEPTEMBER 13,2000 PAGE 9 Pockets $11,220 in first tournament as a pro Derek Gillespie finishes as top Canadian at Open BARRIE ERSK1NE/ Special to Statesman Derek Gillespie hits out of the rough on the 16tli hole on the first day of the Canadian Open ,golf championship. BY BRIAN LEGREE Staff Editor A day after going from nobody to known commodity commodity throughout Canada, Derek Gillespie is still waiting for it all to sink in. The 22-year-old Oshawa resident is the toast of this country's golfing world, finishing finishing as low Canuck in the Bell Canadian Open in his debut as a professional. While Tiger Woods won the title in dramatic fashion over Grant Waite, it was Gillespie who drew the adoration adoration of the huge galleries and national media after shooting 72-72-68-71-283, five-under-par. "No it hasn't really sunk in yet," says Gillespie, who earned $11,220 (in U.S. funds). "I don't know, it was just like it was another tournament." tournament." While pleased with making making the cut in his first tournament, tournament, Gillespie says his greatest strength turned into a source of weakness during the Open. "I caved in my Ping driver about a week before the Open and I had to pick up a Taylor Made and I hit it awful," says the Paul Dwyer High School graduate. "I hit my driver the worst I've hit it in a long, long time. "Usually I'm pretty long and straight, but it wasn't there. My swing didn't feel that good, but I just managed to get it in the hole. I just went out and played. I didn't feel nervous. I didn't play my best, but I made the cut and had a strong showing, so I'm pretty happy about that." Gillespie, who has just finished a four-year scholarship scholarship at the University of Arizona, Arizona, says his greatest difficulty difficulty came off the course, not on it. "Having all those media guys standing in front of me, with cameras in my face, that was kind of new and weird. I saw myself on TV (Sunday night), 1 just haven't thought about it yet," says Gillespie, a member of Oshawa G.C. While Gillespie heard chants of 'Go Gennies Go' in some strange golf-hockey cross-pollination, it was the shirt he wore during the final round that drew the most comments from the gallery and television announcers. (The shirt, a colourful floral number, came from Churchills in the Oshawa Centre.) "I think I was best dressed there," laughed Gillespie. Gillespie's sudden suc cess has sent his confidence soaring as he prepares for the next stage in his career, attempting attempting to cam a card to play either on the PGA tour or the Canadian tour for next season. He'll play in the Canadian tour's fall qualifying school at Royal Ashbum G.C. later this month before trying for his PGA card in October. r i Free Admission i Anyone under 12 years of age with this coupon Bowmanville Jr. "A" Eagles vs. Trenton Sting Home Opener Sunday, Sept. 17th 6:30 pm Rickard Sports Complex Leaf fan rewarded for loyalty Newcastle's Jay Summers wins free tickets BY BRAD KELLY Sports Editor For as long as he can remember, Jay Summers has been a die-hard fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And now, he is about to be recognized for his devotion devotion to the blue and white, The Newcastle resident was one of 45 fans selected from a contest to have their photos and stories featured on tickets for Maple Leaf home games . Each of the 45 winners will receive a framed copy of the tickets bearing their photo, and two tickets to attend the game. In Summers' case, he will be recognized recognized during the pre-season game Tuesday, Sept. 19 against the Vancouver Vancouver Canucks. "My parents sent in (a story and photo) on my behalf," says the 30- year-old of the winning entry that was written by his mom, Anne. The story and photo was in regard to Summers, at age three, wearing the full Leaf uniform without the skates because his feet were too small. The story concludes with 'I'm 30, my feet grew, and my childhood sweater is mounted, hanging in my office. office. If the team needs help, give me a call. Dad's ready too!' "(My parents) entered the story and figured nothing would come out of it," says Summers. "I guess we just got lucky." The contest ran during the summer months and asked people to submit a story and photo of some of their favourite memories about life as a Maple Leaf fan. Hundreds of entries were received, with 45 winners (one for each of the home games this season) season) selected. One of the more notable winners was Canadian-born actor Mike Myers of Hollywood, California, who will be attending the Saturday, Jan. 27 game against the New York Rangers. "For us, the selection process was extremely difficult since all of the stories stories were very personal, touching and special in their own way," says Ken Dryden, president of the Toronto Maple Leaf hockey club. "We always knew that the Maple Leaf tradition was well respected among fans, This project has allowed us to better understand how deeply impacted impacted fans are and how richly woven the Maple Leaf tradition is in their lives." Not unlike the hundreds of fans SALE PRICES END SUN., SEPT. 24, OR WHERE SEARS IS CLOSED, SAT., SEPT. 23, While quantities last RoadHtmdlef Voyager LX tires ïeô£o?r. Save ANDREW IWANOWSK1/Statesman photo Jay Summers of Newcastle um one of 45 fans who received received free tickets to a Toronto Maple Leaf home game this season after winning a contest. 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