WINNIPEG — Blake Wheeler is finally going to get his opportunity to tee it up with members of the PGA TOUR Canada.
The veteran Winnipeg Jets right-winger accepted a sponsor’s exemption to play at Southwood Golf and Country Club from Aug. 24 to 27.
Wheeler was originally scheduled to play in the event back in 2018 but was replaced by Mark Scheifele because of a scheduling conflict.
“It’s always been a passion of mine. A few of the guys have done the tournament and had a blast,” said Wheeler. “Competitive golf is always fun. My game is nowhere near where it was before I started having kids. But I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Scheifele was back in the field in 2022 and Kyle Connor (2019) has also accepted the invitation to play on a sponsor’s exemption in recent years.
Wheeler wasn’t making any predictions about how his scores might compare to his Jets’ teammates.
He wasn’t necessarily going to seek any guidance on how to deal with the nerves that both Scheifele and Connor admitted to feeling.
Wheeler is simply planning to soak in the experience and play as well as possible.
“No, I’m more of a feel player. We’ll wing it,” said Wheeler. “I’ll take it as seriously as making sure the ball goes in the hole, but I’m not necessarily going to go out there trying to break any records or anything. We’re just going to try and have a good time.
“Getting away from the house for five hours in the summer, when you’ve got kids, that’s kind of where you want to spend your time. Try to play as much as possible. I’ve tried to nudge my kids into it a little bit, too. I’ll find some time and whatever happens happens.”
Wheeler is the longest serving member of the Jets and is the franchise leader in games played (866), assists (535) and points (793) and is also active in the community along with his wife, Sam – working on the “Ride Inside” charity event in support of CancerCare Manitoba during the past four years.
“A hallmark of PGA TOUR Canada is how we try to engage with the community in which we play,” PGA TOUR Canada executive director Scott Pritchard said in a press release. “Having Blake Wheeler as part of our field will add a spotlight to the tournament and allow Blake to feel a little different type of pressure than perhaps he’s used to.”
At the 2022 Manitoba Open, Parker Coody finished at 27-under par to earn an eight-stroke victory.