-Osoyoos part of Ontario pair's 400-course tour-

OSOYOOS TIMES-April 30, 2008-

By Chad IngramrnOsoyoos Times

An Ontario couple stopped to play a few rounds of golf at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club last week as part of their attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most golf courses played in one year and to help out some kids in need.
Jonathan and Cathie Weaver began their adventure in Victoria on April 1. By March 31 of next year, the couple hopes to have played 400 golf courses throughout North America.
The Weavers, who are avid golfers, said the idea was something they had been thinking about for a number of years. When Cathie was laid off from her travel industry job a couple of years ago, the couple decided it was the perfect window of opportunity and began booking courses.
We said, 'If we're going to do it, now's the time,' said Jonathan, a Toronto business man, while playing the Osoyoos course on April 22. I can't afford to retire, but I can afford to take a year off.rnThey also contacted the Guinness Book of World Records before they began planning the trip.
When we first inquired, there was no record, Jonathan said.
It took the Weavers about a year-and-a-half to make preparations and to book tee times at the 400 golf courses they will be playing.
But Jonathan said when they called Guinness back just before leaving to make sure there was still no world record, they were informed that someone had beaten them to the punch.
They said, 'Oh, by the way, there's a record now,' he said with a laugh.
Between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007, Glenn Turner of New Zealand had played 383 golf courses throughout the United Kingdom.
To beat this record, the Weavers must play courses that are a full 18 holes and a minimum of 4,000 yards long.
But the couple is not golfing just for the prestige of holding a world record. They are also golfing for a good cause.
The Weavers are hoping to raise $1 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provide care for ill and disabled children.
Jonathan explained that at the courses the Weavers are playing, they have asked course officials to set aside two additional tee times (which would be open to eight players) that can be bought by local golfers with the money going towards the charity.
They are asking that these players donate green fees plus a minimum of $100 to the cause.
In some communities, Jonathan said, local Kinsmen clubs are also holding charity tournaments.
Two of the tour's corporate sponsors, Karbon Golf and Warrior Custom Golf, are also helping out with fundraising.
For each course the Weavers play, Warrior has agreed to donate a set of clubs to Ronald McDonald House, to be auctioned off or used by children.
Karbon has agreed to donate four dollars from every shirt it sells during the tour towards the cause.
As of April 22, the Weavers had raised more than $25,000, and were on their 30th golf course.
As Jonathan explained, they hadn't actually planned on playing at the Osoyoos club, but decided to use it as a contingency course after they were snowed out in Chilliwack.
The course was buried, Jonathan said.
It wasn't like a dusting, it was buried.
One day of snow cost us a day.
After Osoyoos, the Weavers were on their way to the Twin Lakes and Penticton golf courses.
The Canadian leg of the tour will end in St. John's, N.L., on Sept. 31.
After that they plan to head south, playing courses in South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Arizona, California, Maryland, New Mexico and Oregon.
The Weavers will be rating the courses they play for Score Golf Magazine.
For more information on the Weavers' journey, or to make a donation, visit www.golf400.com
reporter@osoyoostimes.com