Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/80982
I also spoke to Pettersson and being a recent convert myself to the long putter, we talked about the benefits of it and the impending rule change. Many guests commented on what an amazing experience it was to have the chance to shoot the breeze with PGA Tour players and how down to earth they were. The audience was then treated to the acoustic style of Kevin Costner and I must admit he was pretty darn good on stage. Later when I spoke to him he said, he does a lot of touring with festivals that have a country flair and enjoys coming to country-music loving Calgary. However, it was veteran Cochrane who blew the audience away with some of his great pieces including Boy Inside the Man, Sinking like a Sunset and of course Life is a Highway had everyone joining in with karaoke confidence. Day 2 was kick started with another fun filled pro-am, this time on the back 9. I was honored to play a few holes with rocker Cochrane. He definitely has game. We chatted golf, music and hockey and I shared with him my favorite song was Big League. He told me it was a true story that a custodian at one of his concert venues imparted to him. He told Cochrane back stage about the recent loss of his son in a highway accident, who had just received a NCAA hockey scholarship to Michigan. It was very touching. That afternoon the players battled it out in the official Skins match with the first 3 holes being worth $20,000 and the final 6 holes bumping up to $25,000 each. Casey came out of the gate hot and fast with a long birdie putt on 13 and an eagle putt on 14 to tie Vegas with $85,000. The final four skins were up for grabs for a total of $100,000. When the game ended up tied it went to a 125 yard "chip off" where Casey knocked it closest for the win. Casey was genuinely thrilled with the victory. "This event has quickly become very special to me, and it's an honour to win it here in Halifax," said Casey. "I had heard so much about the tremendous hospitality here and the city lived up to it and more. The trophy is wonderful, but the friends and the memories we made here are even more valuable. We all appreciated all that TELUS did through this event to support the IWK Health Centre Foundation and I look forward to coming back next year to defend the title." The General Manager of Nike Golf USA, Mike Francis, born and raised in Halifax echoed Casey's praise of the event. "I was very proud to participate in the TELUS World Skins Game…in a city where I grew up and learned to play the game. It was very special. The collaboration with our Nike Golf Canada partners made for a fun week for all involved. The event was PAUL CASEY EMERGED VICTORIOUS AFTER A STRONG DAY TWO RECENTLY CARL PETTERSSON HAS FOUND GREAT SUCCESS WITH THE LONG PUTTER first class and the work done by TELUS, Vity Gomes of Nike Golf Canada and the IMG team lead by Danny Fritz should be recognized as a job well done!" This event truly was a win-win for community and golf fans. I had the good fortune of leading a junior clinic during the afternoon of Day 2 of the Skins Game. Many of the participants were children enrolled in the IWK Health Care programs. They were an amazing and positive group of youngsters all enamoured with learning the game. I took them to the 18th green as the players hit their approach shots and battled it out for the play offs. When the trophy was awarded the children were able to join the players. The 5 pros didn't even notice the TV cameras and their first priority became signing autographs and greeting the children. They were each honored with a drawing from the kids and Casey referred later in the press conference how touching that was and how that is the true meaning of the game. Over $150,000 was raised for the IWK Health Care Foundation and during the closing ceremony on the 18th green TELUS bumped that number up to $200,000. This event will not only have a lasting impact on the golf fans in Halifax but will also change the lives of many families in Atlantic Canada. Golf truly is a great game. Lisa is the 7-Time Canadian Long Drive Champion and ranked #2 in the world. She can be reached through her website www.lisalongball.com. NEWS FROM NIKE Eugene Wong Signs With Nike And IMG North Vancouver's Eugene Wong, after a stellar collegiate career at the University of Oregon signed with IMG last month. Wong, who was named PAC 12 Player of the Year and earned First Team All American Honours in his senior season, has also agreed to an endorsement deal with Nike Golf that will see him join the company's staff of Tour athletes. "I've been dreaming of this day for a long time, and I'm thrilled that it's finally here," said Wong, who helped lead Oregon to the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament this year. "I also consider myself fortunate to begin my career with partners like IMG and Nike Golf. Their combined experiences and assistance will help to make the learning curve at the professional level much easier for me." "We are thrilled to have an athlete who went to college in our backyard," said Mark Thaxton, Global Director of Sports Marketing Operations for Nike Golf. "He is one of the finest collegiate players chasing the professional dream and will be an asset to Nike Golf. The future is bright for this rising star and we're eager to work with him to ensure that he is equipped with the best tools for success." 71 ALL IMAGES CREDIT LISA "LONGBALL" VLOOSWYK