Wes Martin had to go through a grueling qualifier to get into last year’s Rogers Charity Classic. He did it by shooting one of the best rounds of his life – a nine-under-par at the Highwood Golf Club. Martin carried the momentum into the Rogers Charity Classic, and ended up finishing the tournament at four-under-par. He was also the top Canadian, finishing ahead of both Stephen Ames and Mike Weir. “I was playing well last year, and it all just worked out,” he said. “It took one of my best rounds ever to actually get into the tournament.” Can play with the best Martin was playing in his first PGA Tour Champions event, but he wasn’t intimidated. He finished in a tie for 38th place. “I learned that I can – even with my limited amount of time – play and practice. I’m still capable. “Maybe not playing at the highest level, but if I’m at the top of my game, I feel like I can compete.” What does he expect this year Martin is a pipe fitter, so that keeps him busy, and he doesn’t have time to play or practice all of the time. Last year he had to qualify. This year he was given a sponsors’ exemption. That took a lot of pressure of him leading into this year’s event, but he still has high expectations. “I would like to play better than last year, and I’d like to finish higher. “In a perfect world, I would make the top 10 and play next week – but to be realistic, I have to kind of dummy it down and take one shot at a time.” Martin says he still has to pinch himself that he gets to tee it up with some of the best in the world on the PGA Champions tournament. “I don’t know how to look at it to be honest with you,” Martin said. “I look at myself as this average guy who works for a living and wished I was still travelling and playing golf – so the fact that two times, this is my second time at the Classic, yeah I pinch myself.”
