Skins Match To Feature Norman, Couples

2009 Presidents Cup Captains head list of international stars coming to Okanagan Valley in June

Less than a month ago it was announced that golf legends Fred Couples and Greg Norman would captain the U.S. and International teams for the 2009 Presidents Cup, but this summer, they will square off in another international competition, the 2008 TELUS World Skins Game at Predator Ridge Golf Resort, located in the heart of British Columbia's famous Okanagan Valley.

The TELUS World Skins Game returns to Predator Ridge, the site of the 2000 Skins Game, on Monday, June 16 and Tuesday, June 17 and will feature five of the top names in golf, each representing a different country. Couples will represent the United States in the event, with Greg Norman representing his native Australia.

"We are excited to bring the TELUS World Skins Game in support of BC Children's Hospital back to Predator Ridge and the beautiful Okanagan Valley," said Steve Podborski, executive director of TELUS Sport Marketing. "Each year, the TELUS World Skins Game brings many of the biggest names in golf together in support of worthwhile charities and this year it's all for the kids at BC Children's Hospital. Presidents Cup captains Fred Couples and Greg Norman going head-to-head this year at the TELUS World Skins Game will be a thrill to watch."

Couples, a fifteen-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 1992 Masters, is one of the most popular players in the history of professional golf and is certainly no stranger to fans of the TELUS World Skins Game. In his eight appearances in the Canadian golf event, Couples has won 62 Skins for $1,110,000, the most of any player in the event's history. He has also won more than $4 Million in the U.S. Skins Game over the years, giving him the well-earned nickname "King of the Skins".

"I'm very much looking forward to returning to the TELUS World Skins Game," said Couples. "In fact, I have not participated in the TELUS World Skins since the last time it was held at Predator Ridge in 2000, so it will be a nice chance to play again in front of the Canadian fans. They've always had tremendous fields for this event, and I'm looking forward to going up against the other players, including Greg."

The 2008 TELUS World Skins Game will represent Norman's third time playing in the event. He won the event his first time out in 1997 with 13 Skins for $275,000 at Whistler's Nicklaus North Golf Club, interrupting the early success enjoyed by Fred Couples who had won the event three of the previous four years.

Tickets for the 2008 TELUS World Skins Game will go on sale Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m. (PST) and can be purchased by calling 1-866-60SKIN1 (1-866-607-5461) or by visiting www.telusskins.com. The remaining three players in the 2008 field will be announced over the next two weeks prior to tickets going on sale.

"I have enjoyed my previous opportunities to come to Canada to play in the Skins Game and wish to thank TELUS for the invitation to play in this year's event," said Norman. "Given our appointments as Presidents Cup Captains, I look forward to spending time with Fred, and starting what I'm sure will be a spirited competition."

The TELUS World Skins Game is a highlight of the Canadian summer sporting schedule, not only for Canadian golf fans, but for the local community as well. TELUS partners each year for the event with a charitable organization that aligns with TELUS' commitment to "give where we live". The 2008 TELUS World Skins charity partner will be BC Children's Hospital Foundation, which supports the provision of expert care for the province's most seriously ill or injured children.

Predator Ridge is consistently ranked as one of the finest golf courses in the country and is one of only two public golf courses in Western Canada to be named in Score Magazine's Canadian Top 25 for the past eight years. Opened in 1991, Predator Ridge features an incredible 27-hole layout along with a world-class surrounding community. The resort also boasts swimming pools, AVEDA™ spa, fitness centre, restaurants and a new golf course in the making.

Speaking for Predator Ridge, Randy Zien said "we are honoured and proud to be able to bring the TELUS World Skins Game back to Predator. Our staff, our homeowners, and the entire community are ready to deliver the best Skins Game ever."

The TELUS Skins Game, an event owned and operated by IMG in Canada for 16 years, has included many of the biggest names in the game including Jack Nicklaus, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.