TAYLOR-MADE FOR THE MASTERS: SUNSHINE FOUNDATION SENDS 16-YEAR-OLD TAYLOR TO THE MASTERS TO SEE HIS GOLFING HERO, MIKE WEIR!

April 3, 2009 (LONDON, ON) … On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, a sixteen-year-old London golfer with special challenges will experience a ‘dream come true’ for any golf fan – watching his hero, Canadian golf legend Mike Weir, play the Wednesday Practice Round at the 2009 Masters Golf Tournament.

With help from The Sunshine Foundation of Canada, a national organization that fulfills dreams for children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, Taylor Tisdall and his family will travel to Augusta, Georgia early this week.    

Born into a family of avid golfers, Taylor Tisdall started swinging a club almost as soon as he started walking, at the age of three-and-a-half. Taylor was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, physical disabilities that seriously affect his balance and speech. But this upbeat teen has never allowed his condition to dampen his love for life.  
 
Despite his physical challenges, Taylor discovered that golf was one sport he could enjoy both as a participant and as a fan. The young left-hander developed his game through early lessons with his dad, Greg, followed by membership in a local “Tee-It-Up” Golf League for children with physical disabilities.    

Since he was a tot, Taylor has closely followed the career of the famed Bright’s Grove native and Canadian golfing legend. ”Mike Weir is Taylor’s hero,” explains mom, Denise. “He first met Mike at a tournament in Bright’s Grove when he was eight. Mike was so friendly and approachable and, since then, Taylor has become Mike’s biggest fan. His room is filled with Mike Weir memorabilia, and there’s even more in our basement. When Mike won The Masters in 2003, we were all glued to the television set!”    

When asked what he admires most about Mike Weir, Taylor explains: “He’s Canadian, he’s a great golfer, he’s a left-hander like me, and he’s a really nice guy.”

The Sunshine Foundation of Canada is among a number of children’s charities that benefit from Mike Weir’s generosity. With Taylor’s Dream, Mike played a hands-on role by providing much-coveted tickets to the Wednesday Practice Round. “Tickets to the Masters are sort of willed to people”, explains Nancy Sutherland, Sunshine Foundation’s National Executive Director. "We approached Mike and his brother Craig, and right away they wanted to help."

Mike Weir’s brother, Craig Weir, states: “On behalf of The Mike Weir Foundation, we are delighted to be able to put a smile on Taylor’s face.”  Craig was among the well-wishers at a recent Sunshine Dream Presentation for Taylor, presenting him with a framed and autographed 2003 Masters’ flag. 

Now Taylor is counting the hours and minutes until he and his family head to Augusta.

“Going to The Masters has been Taylor’s dream for a very long time and it is something we could never have provided for him on our own,” says mom, Denise. “It will mean the world to him to see his golf hero playing in this prestigious tournament. But what matters to him even more is that he can share it with his family.”     

The Sunshine Foundation of Canada makes dreams come true for children who are challenged by severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Sunshine was founded in 1987 by a London, Ontario police officer who lost his teenaged son to muscular dystrophy. Sunshine is now a national organization with volunteer chapters across Canada. In its 21-year history, Sunshine has fulfilled more than 6,500 dreams, ranging from family trips to an exciting destination, to meetings with a favourite celebrity, and gifts like adapted computers or recreational wheelchairs. For more information, visit www.sunshine.ca.    

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For more information, contact:  
Suzanne Edmondson, The Sunshine Foundation of Canada
519.642.0990 x 234, 1.800.461.7935 x 234 or suzanne.edmondson@sunshine.ca