Long hours on the driving range and putting greens are starting to pay off for Mike Mannion.
After a successful 2005 season, Mannion is off to a flying start in 2006, even though the season hasn't officially started yet.
Two weeks ago, Mannion, who is a member at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club (SCGCC), received a call from the British Columbia Golf Association (BCGA) telling him he had been selected to form a two-man team for an international amateur tournament in Bogotá, Colombia.
"Colombia isn't the first place I would consider to travel to or visit, what with the political climate," Mannion admits. "I called up a friend who got to go last year. He raved about the course and put my mind at ease about the security and some of my other concerns."
Mannion will team up with Kent Eger who hails from Predator Ridge. Eger is currently practicing in Phoenix and will turn pro after the event in Colombia. The event is slated for Feb. 24 to 27.
"This certainly isn't a vacation. Your time is spent either at the golf course or in your hotel," Mannion said. "We're going there with the mindset of winning. B.C. has had a lot of success over the years at this event and we want to continue that winning tradition."
According to Kris Jonasson, executive director with the BCGA, the relationship between the association and Colombia has evolved into a positive experience for both.
"There are two international events, one in Colombia and one in Peru," Jonasson explained. "They invite some of the better amateur players from North America to try to expose their players to better competition. South America is a growing market. It never hurts for us to send players to have them exposed to the game and for the South American's to see our players in action and what B.C. has to offer."
Mannion was selected based on his strong showing in the mid-amateur order of merit last season where he finished in the top 10.
"Last year was a good year for me," Mannion said. "I won a couple of tournaments and placed well in the rest."
Mannion was also part of the B.C. mid-amateur team that qualified for the nationals in P.E.I.
Mannion has always been passionate about sports. He really started to get serious with his golf game about seven years ago.
"It's been a lot of hard work, lots of hours on the range and many practice rounds," he said. "Alvie Thompson, who is a member here, volunteered his time to help me. He played on the PGA tour in the 60s. His lessons have been invaluable. He's one of those special people and everyone around here feels fortunate he's a member here."
Following the tournament in Bogotá, Mannion is off to Seattle, where he's been selected as part of a Ryder Cup-style team for an event May 3 to 5 at the Seattle Golf and Country Club.
The event is in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and will pit Team B.C. against teams from Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
"I'm a pretty competitive person. I don't like to lose," Mannion said. "I'm looking forward to both events. It should be two very unique golfing experiences."
