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Saying goodbye to the du Maurier

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AYLMER, Quebec -- The face of Canada's Lorie Kane on the final hole Sunday told the whole story at the du Maurier Classic. Tears were steadily flowing down her cheeks. On this day, losing to Meg Mallon was the least of Kane's concerns. She was saddened that this was going to be the final round, the final day, the final du Maurier Classic -- the national championship of women's golf in Canada.

She walked up to the green, to the roar of a thunderous ovation, only to see her mentor, Jocelyne Bourassa, waiting to congratulate her on a fine performance. Other north-of-the-border tour players, Nancy Harvey and Gail Graham, were on hand to see the du Maurier Classic laid to rest. Kane then got lost in the moment

SHAG BAG After finishing second to Karrie Webb at the U.S. Open, Meg Mallon ended her nine-year drought at major championships. She also keeps alive her hopes of winning a career Grand Slam. ... Rookie Diana D'Allessio grabbed the first-round lead and the hearts of the Canadians. "I was surprised with the size of my gallery," said D'Allessio, who finished fourth. "I think they thought I was French. Don't tell anyone I'm Italian." ... D'Allessio would have finished tied for third with Annika Sorenstam had she not received a one-shot penalty for her ball moving on the 13th green Saturday. It was not determined if a fly, which was on the ball, or D'Allessio caused the movement. Does anyone think a fly has the strength to move a ball. ... Vandals jumped the fence of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and carved into the first green some words of support for the 11 Canadians in the field. Players were greeted by a very visible "Go Canada" and a squiggly version of "I am Canadian." Guess the Molsons started to kick in? ... Lorie Kane was so much the story all week that she had to change the channel. "I got tired of reading newspapers and watching TV. Normally, the only channels I watch are the sports channels, and every one I appeared on," Kane said. "I watched National Geographic one night, because I was tired of hearing about myself." ... Juli Inkster was right in the thick of things on Saturday until her ball on the fifth hole disappeared in a tree, resulting in a triple bogey. ... The top attraction for the week was the Monet exhibit in Ottawa. ... On Sunday, the tournament held a sunrise service. The LPGA could use all of the prayers that were mustered to try to find a sponsor to save the tournament.

"Coming up to the green and seeing everyone there," Kane said, starting to get choked up again and needing a minute to collect herself. "The du Maurier has been very important to all of us. I wanted to give [a win] to them. And I tried, and it just didn't work out."

Earlier in the week, Kane said it scared her to think when the last putt dropped and the champion was crowned that all this would be gone forever.

In an ironic twist, it was Kane who made the final putt to close the book on the du Maurier Classic. "The whole time I was thinking about that, standing over it. I realized the importance of it, and I had a tear coming down my face," Kane said. "And I said, 'You've got to put the ball in the hole, and then carry on.'"

Twenty-eight years ago, at the first du Maurier Classic, then known as Le Canadienne, another Canadian had the pleasure of making the last putt. In her hometown of Montreal, Bourassa defeated Judy Rankin and Sandra Haynie in a playoff, and the rich history associated with a major championship started. Unbeknownst to Bourassa then, she would be the only Canuck to win the event. "I only won one tournament on the LPGA but I won the most important one," Bourassa said. "My career was complete."

In 1979, the du Maurier Classic was anointed a major and the tournament needed someone to rally the troops. So when Bourassa was approached to take over the reigns, the decision to leave her coaching position at Arizona State University was an easy one. Over the years, Bourassa gave her heart and soul to make sure the players, caddies, sponsors and officials were treated like royalty. "Thanks to du Maurier and their generosity I learned only one way to do things," Bourassa said. "If we weren't going to do it first class, we weren't going to do it."

But because of new Canadian legislation banning tobacco companies from endorsing athletic events, Bourassa is out of a job and Kane is out of a dream. Kane said winning the du Maurier Classic would have meant "the world" to her.

Kane got her start in professional golf playing the du Maurier series, a set of two-day mini-tour events played throughout Canada. She is eternally grateful for that tour, which also is coming to an end because of a lack of a sponsor.

So on Sunday, Kane and Bourassa and the rest of Canada had plenty to be sad about.

While I will not miss having to wear those hideous and stifling red jumpsuits, the thought of not coming to Canada saddens me, too. No more great venues like Priddis Greens in Calgary or Glen Abbey in Toronto, no more loonies, no more large galleries with warm smiles, no more French, no more peeler bars, no more Maple Leaf flags, no more extra alcohol in the beer, no more $1.46 exchange rate, no more perfect weather. No more great golf, eh?

Tom Hanson, a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus section, is a longtime caddie on the LPGA Tour. Click here to send him a question or comment.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.

 

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