Famously, Lee Trevino is never at a loss for words.
Showing up in Oakville, Ont. to kick off this year’s RBC Canadian Open, the three-time winner of Canada’s national open talked about why handicaps haven’t fallen, why the wedge is his favourite club, and that the game is in a great spot.
“The equipment is better,” he said. “That’s why the game has gotten to this spot.”
As a testament to his legendary career and his commitment to golf in Canada, Trevino was on hand at Glen Abbey Golf Club to assist with the 2018 Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductions on Tuesday. Trevino, a six-time major champion, added two PGA of Canada Championships to his Canadian Open titles, and in 1971 became the first ever golfer to win the Canadian, U.S., and British Opens in a single year.
The induction ceremony honoured former LPGA Tour player and broadcaster Gail Graham and legendary Canadian golf course architect Arthur Vernon (A.V.) Macan. Trevino was also awarded with a trophy to mark his Triple Crown achievement.
On his Canadian Open wins:
Recalling his impressive play in 1971, Trevino said that the Canadian Open—held at Richelieu Valley Golf Club near Montreal that year—fell during one of the finest stretches of his career.
“I was on a roll at the time,” he said. “I was actually on cloud nine when I got here—the hole looked like a bucket.”
In 2000, Tiger Woods became the second player to record the achievement—a season that included three major championships, the Canadian Open, and the Players Championship. Trevino said that he was impressed that Woods accomplished the feat, and that he wasn’t sure it would ever be done again.
“Anytime you can win a country’s open, it’s a feather in your hat,” he said. “I don’t care where it’s at, if it’s the open of that country, every player in that country tried to qualify to get into that tournament, so competition is stiff. I never thought anyone would do it.”
On today’s equipment:
Trevino, who has worked as a spokesman for Bridgestone, said the golf ball isn’t the only factor in the increase in distance. The golf legend said physical conditioning, improvements in golf courses, and equipment are all elements that contribute to the gains.
“Don’t believe all that baloney about it being just the ball,” Trevino said. “It isn’t just about the ball. It is about the athlete. It is about the equipment. It is about the mower. And yes, it is about the ball. But you start adding eight yards for the driver, and eight yards for the shaft and eight yards for the clubhead, all of a sudden, the guy who was hitting it 270 is hitting it 308.
“Unfortunately, it hasn’t helped you—the 18 handicap.”
On the short game
One thing is clear—Trevino’s take on scoring is all about the ability of the player to chip.
“The most important club in your bag—everyone says it is the putter because you use it the most times,” he said. “You can putt with all your clubs. You can’t get out of a bunker with all of them. You can’t chip with all of them. You can’t shoot with all of them. All of the young people who are here—learn how to use a wedge. It is the most important club in your bag.”