TheReyiew ‘Tuesday, December 24,1991 — Al3 PRACTISING HIS SWING at Glen Meadows last week, pro. Rob Olson looks forward to spending 1992 on tour. From hockey to golf, Olson trades one life for another by Girard Hengen The Review Where once Rob Olson weaved a bit of magic on the ice, now he’s hoping for the same off it. Outdoors, on the grass and the greens, to be precise. The 21-year-old Sidney resident has switched sports — from the rough, physical grind of junior and minor hockey to the serene, laid- back ranks of professional golf. This winter marks the first time since he was seven that he hasn’t played hockey. “Sure I miss it a little bit. But you have to sacrifice something if you want to perfect others,” said Olson last week, relaxing at the Glen Meadows Golf Club. Lately, perfecting his chip shot has taken precedence over his slap shot. The former allstar centre with the Peninsula Junior B Eagles, who sniped 50 goals one season, got into golf when he was 16. “That took a little more of my interest out of hockey,” said Olson. “I caught on real quick. It’s natural, I guess.” Now, the Glen Meadows pro will be the youngest pro on the Canadian Tour next summer. He won the qualifying tournament in Ontario this fall, where the top 20 golfers earn Tour cards for the following year. Beyond the Canadian Tour, Olson has big plans to gain a berth on the PGA Tour. “Youve got to aim high if you want to succeed.” He succeeded on the recent four-event Canadian PGA Winter Tour in Florida, where he placed seventh on the order of merit and seventh on the money list. The $2,000 he won came close to meeting all the expenses. Granted a person’s got to pay the bills and survive out of a suitcase on the road, but money isn’t the only thing Olson gained in Flonda. “The experience is good too, and being able to keep playing,” he said. “It helps out my confi- dence a lot going into the season.” Like a good wrist shot, a finely- honed golf swing can go rusty if it doesn’t get enough attention. Olson has been playing as often as possible on local courses since returning from southern climes earlier this month. He plans to play more events in Florida or California in the new year, but says “I’m still looking for some help from some sponsors.” There is a Space Coast Tour and a North and South Florida Tour coming up on the east coast, plus some Ben Hogan Tour and even PGA Tour events forthcoming on the west coast. Either of these should take him into the spring, when a mini-tour will be staged in Vancouver. In the meantime, Olson settles into the quiet and routine that is the life of a golf pro. It’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle, bump and grind, dump and chase world of hockey. ISLAND WINDOW COVERINGS LTD. 3372 TENNYSON AVENUE, VICTORIA 383-2500 40% OFF AME: VENETIAN, VERTICAL AND PLEATED BLINDS FLORENCE McCOLM Drapery Consultant “LIVING IN SIDNEY AND AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT YOUR CONVENIENCE” Give Me A Call Store 383-2500 Home 655-3577 Central Saanich Recreation pete $69 95 3 MONTH FITNESS PASS - unlimited classes. Call 652-4444 for info. If It’s Sports Call The Review 656-1151 7806 East Saanich Rd., FOOD SERVICE H ” ALS LIDAY «cos THE PRAGE ON OPEN: Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all Day January Ist AT THE Neighbourhood Pub Saanichton 652-1575 OURS: 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7 Days a Week CLOSED: Christmas Day esmds Funeral Chapels 656-2932 or 388-5155 Offer a complete choice of Professional Service. —TRADITIONAL —MEMORIAL —DIRECT CREMATION —FULL PRE-ARRANGEMENTS SERVICES Services from your church or in either of our chapels at 1803 QUADRA STREET VICTORIA or 317 GOLDSTREAM AVE. COLWOOD 24 HOUR SERVICE 7 DAYS A WEEK if you have been drinking. . . Call my Uncle at MAXWELL’S TOWING and you and your car will get home safely, for only $30.00 plus G.S.T. anywhere on the Peninsula or Victoria. — 659-4442 LUNCHEO *Skookum Burger Served and Changed 7 Days a Week *Home of the awesome Belly Buster 11 Scrumptuous Entrees Prices Ranging From $1 1S to $495 WHICH INCLUDES G.S.T. N SPECIALS *Slick Chicks #8 Oz Prime RID <