RBC Media Day 2010

This is a busy time of year for me and this week is a perfect example. I started out in Toronto on Monday doing an appearance at the Tax & Duty Free store at Pearson Airport where I have partnered with the Nuance Group to launch my ice wine at their stores. This is the first duty free retailer in the world to offer the produce and they'll be selling it exclusively for six months. It's great move and another way I can raise money for my foundation.

Then on Tuesday, it was the RBC Canadian Open Media Day at St. George's G&CC.

I actually started out Tuesday visiting the Bloorview Kids Foundation, which is Canada's largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital and a leader in care, research and education for kids with disabilities and their families. It fits right into a cause that Bricia and I love to support and it will be the beneficiary of my Monday pro-am at the Open.

After that, I headed over to St. George's to see the course and meet with the press. I got to tour around the course and I hit a few chips and took a look at some of the preparations they've been making over there for the Open. It's going to be a pretty remarkable event and I think the course will be a great test. It looks to me as if the greens will be the biggest challenge - there are lots of rolls and bumps and everyone will need to be sharp with the flatstick.

I also sat in on a press conference about the Open alongside last year's champion Nathan Green. He played in the morning and also had good things to say about the track.

I think the biggest news of the day was the field announcement. I'd say it's definitely one of the strongest fields we've had in years and when you consider where this tournament was just a few years ago that it's the week after the British Open, this is excellent. Golf fans will get a real treat watching some of the best in the game - Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Retief Goosen, Fred Couples, Luke Donald, Paul Casey and lots more. Add in a great contingent of Canadians with Stephen, Graham, Chris, Matt Hill and more and has all the makings for a great tournament.

Following that, I headed down to the Memorial for one of the really good events on the PGA Tour. On Wednesday, I got a chance to play a practice round with Matt Hill, who turned pro just this week. He's from the same hometown as me, Bright's Grove, Ont., and I've known Matt for a long time. I think he'll do very well in his new career and I just told him not to rush things, not to think he has to get his entire career jammed into the next few weeks. It takes time to build your game and learn the life of a professional and I think he knows that.

On Monday I'm heading up to Winnipeg for the fourth annual Mike Weir Miracle Golf Drive for Kids. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at St. Charles. It's been a while since I've been to Winnipeg - I remember playing there during my Canadian Tour days and still have good memories.

Since I last wrote here, I've had a big birthday celebration - I turned the big 4-0 in May and I had an amazing celebration with some of my best friends. Bricia arranged a surprise party for me - I thought I was going on a camping trip. We got to our place in Park City and there were some of my best buddies and my brothers and we had a blast of a weekend - starting off with going to a race track and getting to drive these supped up Mustangs (after getting some training!). Then we went fly fishing and finally a little bit of golf. What a great way to celebrate.

Finally, I know a lot of people have been talking about the state of my game this year and I'll certainly be honest - it's not good. I really haven't played well all year. Believe me, no one knows that more than me but I continue to work hard on getting better and I'm starting to see some good things in my swing. I'm hoping that I'm going to have a really good second half and fall season, including the RBC Canadian Open.

As always, thanks for your support.

Mike