BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
There will be an all-star line-up at this weekend?s Idylwylde Invitational Golf Tournament.
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Defending champ Kurt Kowaluk and five-time champion Vince Palladino look forward to playing in Canada?s oldest match play event this weekend. |
National Hockey League players Todd Bertuzzi and Brian Savage will be there to test their game on the greens.
Top amateurs from across Ontario and Canada will also be vying for the prestigious crown. There will even be five high quality amateurs from California.
?We have a strong field this year and we can?t wait to see them compete,? said Rob Coe, tournament chair. ?It will be great golf and people will see some of the top ranked players in Canada.?
Defending champion, Kurt Kowaluk is looking forward to the challenge.
?Every morning I get up I like to advance my game,? said Kowaluk. I want to prove to myself I am still competitive.?
Kowaluk grew up playing junior tournaments at the historic Idylwylde and loves the course lay out.
?This course is a good test of your physical and mental skills.?
Kowaluk took time off in June to caddie for a friend on the Canadian tour to submerge himself in high profile competition. He?s ready for the tournament.
?I?ve been warming up the last two weeks playing a few events.?
Five time champion, Vince Palladino has no problems finding the proper motivation.
?I?ve won five and I would like to win another to break the tie I have with Fred Silver, who has also won it five times,? said Palladino. ?Winning a sixth one would be nice.?
Palladino has been in every Idylwylde invitational tournament since 1989, except 1996-97.
Palladino said, ?I grew up in a house off the eighth hole and this is my hometown course.?
?We invite the public to come out and see some great golfers,? said Coe. ?There will be no fee and everyone is
welcome.?
This is the 56th version of the distinguished tournament and it?s Canada?s oldest match play event.
Some of the other notables at the contest will be John McCann, who has played the tournament for 41 years, but has never laid claim to the crown and former NHLer Craig Duncanson. Scott Belair, a former Ontario junior
champion will also be there swinging his clubs.
