The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 16, 2008 - 29 Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2008 Golfer, illustrator team up for children's book Book helps kids have fun with the game By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Among the many unique items spectators will be able to purchase at the RBC Canadian Open next week will be a children's book written about -- you guessed it -- golf. The book, called Marcus' Golfing Adventures, is the result of a pair of Oakville men teaming up to make the world of golf a little better for youth. Conor O'Shea, 25, and Brentton Barkman, 22, spent about six months writing, designing and editing Marcus' Golfing Adventures, which was released just in time for the RBC Canadian Open. "There are lots of psychological, sports-performance books for adults, but I wanted one geared towards golfers of a young age," O'Shea said. "I hope it will do well at the Open." Marcus' Golfing Adventures is a book that teaches children how to deal with the ups and downs of golf. O'Shea, a golfer and a graduate of Charleston Southern University where he played NCAA Division 1 golf, came up with the idea for the book after teaching a junior golf workshop that included tournament play. "I recognized that when the kids were going out to play a tournament, they were in really different places," said O'Shea, who is one of the founders and instructors at a new golf academy at Piper's Heath Golf Club. "Some were really looking forward to going out and playing, while others were stressing out. At a young age, that really isn't what it is about." O'Shea started putting his ideas on paper and looked to Barkman, a fellow Iroquois Ridge High School alumnus, for visuals. Barkman, who is entering his final year of the animation program at RON KUZYK / OAKVILLE BEAVER A GOOD READ: Local golf instructor Conor O'Shea, centre, takes a break from his busy day to take a read through Marcus' Golfing Adventures. O'Shea wrote the book with the help of Oakville-based illustrator Brentton Barkman, right. The book's central character is named after Marcus Khaw, left, one of O'Shea's golf students. The book will be on sale at next week's RBC Canadian Open. Sheridan College, said working with O'Shea on the children's book was a rewarding experience. "He had some ideas visually, so he just needed someone capable of putting that on paper," Barkman said. "Once he told me how he saw it and how he wanted me to do it, I was able to say it will look like this, showed him drawings and he approved it, so we moved forward." Barkman said it was a thrill seeing the finished product, especially since this is the first of what he hopes is many kids' books. "It felt really good because other than being in school for something I really want to do, it was my first major accomplishment," said the Sheridan student. "It gives me the confidence to move forward. It is nice because it is something I've learned that I really want to do in the long run." The central character in the book is Marcus, who is actually named after Marcus Khaw, one of O'Shea's students. "He's a really good kid, he's great to teach and I think he's really symbolic of what this brand is going to be all about, which is playing because you like to do it and not trying to impress anyone but yourself," O'Shea said. The intelligent and golf-minded eight See Book page 30 HOT SUMMER DEALS When you use your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard® on carpeting, you can choose ... "Imperial Treasures" Our Best Carpet At Our Best Price! · 65 oz. · 60 Designer Colours SALE CARPET $ "Revolution Plank" LAMINATE FIBER FLOOR "Fresh Start" 3.49 sq.ft. Reg. $6.99 SALE $ 3.99 sq.ft. Reg. $5.19 From $ 2.09 sq.ft. QEW 3rd Line 4th Line Interest Free Financing for 2 years OR collect points On approved credit. Minimum $200 purchase. See store for details. OAKVILLE 1027 Speers Road, Oakville OUR PROMISE TO YOU: · Quality of service · Knowledgeable sales people · Courteous staff · Reasonable prices · Sears guarantee of satisfaction* *details in store Speers Rd. 905-901-2036