As much as we may try to hide it, here in Canada we have a long history of national insecurity when the world comes to visit, which is the case this week as the Presidents Cup lands at Royal Montreal.
Maybe it’s because, as a country, we have grown up in the shadow of a big brother who is always the centre (or is it center?) of attention — the guy in a cowboy hat everyone wants to be friends with no matter how loud he is or how many things he breaks at a party.
So, maybe it makes sense that when the attention finally turns to us there’s no more Canadian feeling than hoping our silly inside jokes land, that it doesn’t snow in September and, most importantly, that we don’t end up the butt of the joke.
Sometimes the best bet is just to lean into it and there has been plenty of that this week with Presidents Cup hockey jerseys, players trips to Montreal Canadiens games and beavers galore in the merch tent.
There are going to be bumps in the road, literally in fact, as it was never going to be easy to get 30,000 fans daily to a golf course located on an urban island. Bridge construction (this is Montreal after all) has slowed traffic trying to get to Île Bizard, the home of Royal Montreal Golf Club.
But as of yet, the Mounties haven’t arrested the game’s best player so we’ve got that going for us.
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Early reviews are good with uber-talented International team rookie Min Woo Lee enjoying the wonders of Canada: “Poutine is unreal #Canada,” he posted to social media.
His unprompted commentary was approaching 4,000 likes on X as of Wednesday afternoon.
The story of the 2024 Presidents Cup is yet to be written, but several members of both the International Team and Team USA were asked what comes to mind when they think of Canada.
“The Maple Leafs, maple syrup, the Hosers,” World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler said.
Scheffler was asked to clarify because we admittedly have a few different maple leafs kicking around.
“I mean the hockey team. Actually, I mean — they’re kind of synonymous. My first thought was hockey and then, actually no, then I think of the flag. I’m also thinking of the national anthem,” he said. “One of the coolest things I saw this year, think it was Toronto, the Maple Leafs when they were playing in the playoffs — did they make the final or the semifinal of the Stanley Cup?” (Author’s note: LOLOLOL)
“What Canadian team was in the final?” Scheffler asked.
Edmonton.
“Edmonton, the Oilers. So the Oilers, when they did the Canadian national anthem and the guy sang like the first word and then just put down the mic. It’s really cool in America how we all sing with the person singing the national anthem, but it was pretty special to hear everybody just screaming the national anthem at a hockey game. That was pretty cool.”
Collin Morikawa stuck closer to home.
“I think of La Cañada,” he said.
Come again?
“That’s my hometown. It’s in California. That’s what I think of.”
Then a light bulb seemed to go on.
“My wife is Canadian so I think of her. That’s two.” (Author’s note: Nice save.)
Sahith Theegala sang some of Canada’s greatest hits.
“Just how nice people are, the word ‘sorry,’ snow and really loud hockey fans that are awesome.”
Mr. Fun Patrick Cantlay stayed in character and played it straight down the middle.
“Canadians, cold, green or nature,” he said.
Cantlay was asked what he knew about Poutine.
“It’s fries, gravy and some cheese. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it.”
He must be fun at parties. At least he’s wearing a hat this week.
Australian Jason Day had Canada covered nearly from coast to coast.
“Maple Leafs, Toronto, the hockey team. ‘Eh?’ And then Banff. I don’t know why Banff, but my buddy, I’ve been trying to pressure my buddy into getting married, and I said, ‘I’ll only go to your wedding if it’s in Banff or in my backyard.’ So Banff,” he said.
We barely follow, but sounds like Jason likes Banff and that’s good enough for us.
There you have it, Canada. Keep the greens running fast, the poutine flowing and we’ve got nothing to worry about.