Calgary native Wes Martin feeling the love at 2025 Rogers Charity Classic
Perhaps not who you'd expect.
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Not Mike Weir.
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Not Stephen Ames.
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'Definitely feeling it,' said Calgary's own Wes Martin, of the love coming his way from the tens of thousands of supporters on hand at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club.
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'Yeah I got more texts (Friday) night and more friends and family showing up (Saturday). And … you know … there's more people out, and it's definitely a lot of 'Go, Wes, go!'
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The fans are awesome.'
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The local is giving them every reason to make him feel that way.
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Martin, 52, carded a 2-under 68 in Saturday's second round to give him the best after-36-hole score — at 5-under 135 — among Canadians.
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Next is Weir, of Brights Grove, Ont., at 1-under 139. Then it's Gordon Burns, of Holland Landing, Ont., at even-par 140. And finally, it's former Calgary resident Ames — a major reason why the tournament came to be — 2-over 142.
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'I played with Mike few times before in the Desert Tour, way back when it was an event at Oak Valley in California,' Martin said. 'Never played with Stephen. And I've played with Gordon.
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'Top Canadian would be pretty cool.'
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That would be a top-10 finish, so he can qualify for next week's event on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, The Ally Challenge in Michigan.
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Martin's tied for 21st heading into Sunday's last 18 holes, so he'll need a final-round push — much better, he knows, than what he accomplished Saturday.
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'I made some good saves — some bogeys that were not horrible,' Martin said. 'The shot (into the water) on the 18 is kind of disappointing, but to make that par save was huge. I found a decent spot (on the drop). I just hit it, and it worked out perfect.'
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Indeed, he knocked it to within a few feet of the pin to ignite the crowd on the final hole.
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And his reaction was priceless, as he turned back and shot his fist into the air.
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His best shot, however, was when he nearly aced the par-3 fifth from 165 yards.
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'I almost holed it,' Martin said. 'Yeah … like the ball mark was about two inches from the hole.
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