Mike Weir has plans in his future for the Okanagan. The pro golfer is really into the wine business with his Niagara Mike Weir Estate Winery. He has been out here looking around with the former owner of Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Resort, Dick Munn. I understand that he is not only interested in having a winery here but a golf course has been discussed as well. So that could mean a number of things, his group purchasing a golf course here and associating themselves with a golf course where a winery could be built.

The two of them visited a lot of spots and had a good look at the Okanagan and what the future is all about as far as wine and golf is concerned. There are few places on earth as spectacular as the Okanagan Valley, which has lakes like Muskoka combined with a northern California-like climate. There's been an explosion of wineries in these parts, and Weir has taken note.

Weir told reporters this week he's pleased with the success of his Ontario wines, which have garnered solid reviews (including from a panel who sampled his wares for the Toronto Star's 2006 golf magazine).

"It's kind of in the works we're looking at it," he said when asked about supplementing his Ontario wine operations with some B.C. vines. "It's such a great region out here. Fortunately, the brand's doing well and we're looking to grow a little bit."

Fellow wine-maker Greg Norman said he's not about to get into a contest with Weir over who makes the best vino, explaining that it's impossible to compare different styles from different places. Greg Norman is also in the wine business in California and Australia. Norman was here with his lady, former tennis star, Chris Everett. If Big White goes ahead with their plans for a golf course at the resort he would be the architect. Greg Norman Golf design has been involved in seventy courses on six continents.

The Cliffs Over Maple Bay, on Vancouver Island designed by Norman, is a truly spectacular 18-hole championship golf course. Construction of the 6,891-yard, par 72 layout is well underway, with Greg flying there while he was in Canada for the Skins. He was fine tuning the greens and make final adjustments to the course. Breathtaking views cover every direction. This promises to be one of the most memorable, and visually stunning golf courses in the country. It is slated for opening this summer. The firm also has two courses in Ontario, The Vineyard Course at the Grand Niagara Resort and the Wyndance Golf Club in Uxbridge.

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There were a lot of jets parked at the Kelowna International Airport. It was time to entertain the clients at the Skins Game and the companies who were involved brought clients in from everywhere to watch the golf and try the wine. It was a very profitable promotion for the IMG folks who lost the Wakefest Promotion in Kelowna for this summer. Mike Weir has pocketed $20 million in winnings since he began his pro career. All the pros were impressed with the knowledgeable crowd at the event, the hospitality and the course itself. They couldn’t believe the crowd that came out Monday and Tuesday. My favorite all time golfer is still Fred Couples. The Seattle pro has been around awhile and is always a classy guy. In a year he will turn fifty and will play some dates on the Champions Tour.

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Toronto designer Doug Carrick was here last week to talk about his plans for a new addition at Predator Ridge.

Plans are to leave the Redtail and Osprey nine-hole layouts alone, but to have Carrick rework the Peregrine nine-hole layout and add a new nine holes, some of which will overlook Okanagan Lake.

Carrick said he wants the new 18-hole layout, expected to open in 2010, to be a little more friendly than Redtail and Osprey courses.

"We're not trying to dumb it down. We just want it to be an enjoyable challenge."

A tour of the proposed layout reveals some dramatic elevation changes, lovely views of the lake and the mountains to the west and some bare rock outcroppings that Carrick said remind him of his Muskoka Bay layout.