For many of us golf fans, getting to see a PGA event in person is a distant dream but next week a very close replacement is coming to the Red Deer Golf and Country Club.
The 14th Annual Skins game takes place June 25th and four very talented Canadian golfers will go head to head for more than $15,000 in skins.
The field includes Mike Mezei who has toiled on the Canadian Tour since 2005 and was the number one ranked amateur in our country back in 2002, winning the Alberta Amateur in 2003.
James Love has been to our City before, had a 10th place finish in the Canadian Tour Edmonton Open in 2012 and was a national team member in 2005 and 2006.
Steven Lecuyer is the third member of the group and he is coming off a 2012 Canadian Tour season where he made seven of eight cuts. The former winner of the Alberta Amateur in 2010 also has an NCAA tournament win on his resume.
Rounding out the foursome of pros is likely the most recognizable member of the group and that would be James Lepp.
The founder of Kikkor Golf has made an impression in the area of golf footwear but any golf fan that watched the reality show The Big Break Greenbrier on the Golf Channel would know him as the runner up on the show.
He was also a two-time winner when playing on the Canadian Tour and was the first Canadian to win the NCAA Individual championship back in 2005.
RDG&CC assistant pro Roy Hide is a part of the mix and he brings his ‘A’ game when up against this field.
So you can see from the credits these guys have some game so being able to get up close enough to see them work the ball is a real treat.
It has been my experience with this event that not only can the boys play the game well, they can talk the trash just as easy. There always seems to be a couple of players willing to help someone read a putt which could force a carryover of a skin so the rest have a chance at the cash.
The good natured ribbing is part of the personality which makes this event a great bit of entertainment and the players have no problem interacting with the fans.
The Skins game starts at 5 p.m. at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club, June 25th.
As the PGA says, these guys can play-well so can this bunch and you can see it for yourself.
sports@reddeerexpress.com
