An Ontario business owner got the Hollywood treatment when his golf tees were seen in Happy Gilmore 2.
Mario Caya invented BirTees when he placed a golf ball on an upside down badminton birdie trying to teach his three-year-old son the game in 2005, while also helping his father-in-law who was struggling with conventional tees following a hip replacement.
He launched his initial design in 2008 and tweaked it over the years, most recently in 2022.
Now he’s got clients across North America and as far as Iceland, Tasmania, New Zealand, Europe, and along the Gold Coast in Australia.
When he saw his tee used in the movie of the summer, he couldn’t believe it.
You can see the tee for yourself at the 32:15 mark of Happy Gilmore 2, which is available on Netflix.
Prior to launcing BirTee, Caya was a French Immersion teacher for over three decades.
His company lost money for 12 years which led to him and his wife Sandra maintaining part-time jobs to support his dream.
But he believed in his product and it all changed when he took it to a golf show in Myrtle Beach, Florida.
It’s USGA and R&A approved, meaning golfers can use them on pro tours including the PGA, a dream of Caya.
He said one of his major clients is Full Swing Golf Simulator, which were featured in the film.
That connection is why he believes his product was used in the movie.
He told us he’s had brushes with fame before, with a future NBA hall-of-famer.
As simulators are his main clientele, Caya’s busy season begins in the fall and runs through the winter.
Which he doesn’t mind because, “then I can play golf.”
Using a BirTee, of course.
Story by Grant Deme