Weir to face Couples, Mickelson in skins PHIL Mickelson and past-champion Fred Couples will be com- peting against defend- ing champion Mike Weir and Sergio Garcia at the eight annual Canadian Skins Game. The three-day event goes Aug. 6-8 at Predator Ridge Golf Resort near Kelowna. The three-day event includes 2 Celebrity-Am Day on Sunday, August 6, featur- ing a variety of well-known sports and entertainment celebrities: the first nine holes of the Skins Game on Monday, August 7; and the second nine holes on Tuesday, August 8. “Mike was by far the best player last year (at Le Diable, Teemblant, Quebec) and deserved to win,” said “Pm looking forward to playing Predator Ridge and trying to regain the champi- onship.” Couples is a four-time Skins Game champion. He won the 1998 Skins Game at The Links at Crowbush Cove, — Prince Edward [sland with 10 skins and $220,000. His three previous wins were in 1996 at Summerlea Golf Club, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec; in 1994 ar Le Club de Golf de la Vallée du Richelieu, Ste-Julie de Verchéres, Quebec; and in 1993 at the first Export ‘A‘ Skins Game held at Devil’s Pulpit in Caledon, Ontario. His career winnings for the event are $975,000. “t know the competition will be strong against the likes of Freddie, Sergio and Mike,” said Mickelson. “I’m especially looking forward to playing in Canada again, where the golf fans are always tremendous and sup- portive “T receive so many positive messages on my Web site from friends and fans in Canada that it makes playing there even more special.” Phil Mickelson has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2000 PGA Tour season, winning the Buick Invitational in Februar The 1th ranked player in the world, Mickelson is cur- rently seventh on the PGA Tour money list, first in birdie average (5.20) and fifth in scoring average (68.85). Mickelson has 14 career PGA Tour wins and career earnings of more than $9.3 million. The 2000 Skins Game fea- tures a prize pool of $360,000. The first six holes of the competition — are warth $15,000 each, the next six $20,000 each, and the final six $25,000. Other past winners include Mike Weir (1999), Greg Norman (1997) Nick Faldo (1995). Golfers who have compet- ed in the past include David Duval, Mark O'Meara, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Price, Ernie Els, Lee Trevino, John Daly, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, and Ray Floyd. The two days of the Game will be broadcast nationally on CBC Sports from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) on Monday, Aug. 7 and Tuesday, Aug. 8 and on RDS in Quebec from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p-m. The Canadian-version of the Skins Game is sponsored by Export A, a cigarette brand. Tickets sold out in 47 minutes March 10, but tickets for the Celebrity-Am are still available. They can only be pur- chased by telephone through Ticketmaster at $20 each, plus applicable service charges and taxes. Northlands still a work in progress NORTHLANDS general manager Laurie Craddock. From page 26 uphill /sidehiif lie. Northlands is still a work in progress. Two more years of project work will get it to a very reasonable playability posi- tion for most levels of golfers. The greens are now assured to be strong and will provide an excellent putting surface. Drainage problems are not numcrous but there are some testy problems to solve with underground seepage, etc. Bunkers get damaged by heavy rain but some solutions are close at hand and will be tested this summer and fall. All in ail, Northlands is doing very weil, It is hoped that more and more folks will take advantage of the bright, out- door oriented clubhouse and that ‘olfers will continue to enjoy the beauty, the challenge and the enjoyment of the golf experience. Laurie Craddock was a scratch golfer in his youth and worked as a golf pro to fund his business education at university. The carcer business execrtive was a consultant involved in the origi- nal feasibility study of Northlands in 1991. He has been general manager since the public course opened. on down to Carter's and Aw the Oldsmobile family! 3.470 lease Sithouette 2" 1.9% tease aCOMMITMENT TO EXC intrigue 3.9% tease ELLENCE “four North Shore Chovy 887-5231 “If tt has to do witb golf, You've come to the right place!” Combining product knowledge and travel experience, BCAA Travel and Golf Holidays/West!! Over 20 years of experience specializing/customizing in Golf Vacation Packages Locally or throughout Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico or North America, we have the options!