Teen gets golfing date with Weir

Sports

Julia Hodgson attended the last two Professional Golf Association Bay Hill Invitational Tournaments in Orlando, Fla. and shook hands with Canadian pro Mike Weir.  The 16-year-old Unionville resident will see the 2003 Masters champion again next week, only this time she will get pointers from Weir and hit the course with him.  Hodgson and five other young Canadian golfers earned an invitation to participate in the inaugural Mike Weir Junior Invitational at the La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. from Dec. 13 to 16.  “It’s definitely a great opportunity,” the Grade 11 Markham District High School student said.  Hodgson earned the invite after receiving a letter in July informing her of Weir’s event and the opening for six young Canadians. Hodgson responded by answering five required questions.  She also had to include a resume and a reference letter from her golf coach, Henry Brunton.  Hodgson received the good news in a phone call about a month ago.  “I wasn’t expecting the call. It was unreal. I was so shocked I dropped to the floor,” she recalled.  Brunton thought Hodgson’s inclusion was well warranted.  “Julia has worked very hard and I’m delighted for her,” the Stouffville resident said.  Her intinerary includes two days of clinics with Weir and his three coaches.  “And we will get to play with him at the course,” she said, adding, “I like to watch him and follow his exploits. And it’s not every day you get to go to California.”  It marked another highlight in a whirlwind season on the links in which she was on the Canadian Junior Golf Association team that competed against Trinidad and Tobago in the third annual Stephen Ames Cup at the Granite Golf Club in Stouffville.  Hodgson hopes to put what she learns in California to good use Dec. 27 to 30 when she goes to Orlando to play in the association’s Junior Invitational Tournament.