The Greater Cleveland Skins Game will begin its 22nd season on April 19th at Fowlers Mill Golf Course in Chesterland.
In customary fashion, the defending champion, Dave Sotka from Chardon, will open the season by hitting the first tee shot for the year, right at 4:30 pm.
And there are some exciting new venues once the 2012 schedule gets rolling. “Several new courses have been added to the schedule this year in an effort to allow players to compete from different regions of Northeast Ohio,” states Director John Niedzialek. “We have had some difficulties in finding openings on Thursday evenings on west side courses and we are still working on that issue. However, I am excited about the expanded courses and thank many of the owners for offering our players great competitive green fee rates to allow for excellent payouts to the players.”
New courses for 2012 are Sleepy Hollow, Manikiki, and Painesville Country Club.
Sotka is also excited about defending his championship and says, “I hope the weather cooperates a little better this year and I am looking forward to having a chance to repeat.”
Sotka won 9 skins and 5 pin shots last season to take home the Thompson Cup with a season total of $1,728. Sotka is a two-time Skins Game champion, having won in 2007 as well.
Once again, there are some bonus benefits that come with competing in the Greater Cleveland Skins Game. First, players will again be able to participate in The Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out, which will be played on Labor Day starting at 12 noon with another great payout. Last year’s champion, Dan Predovic of Berea, took home the $775 first place prize.
Also, Sean Kreft of Mulligan’s Pub in Highland Heights has once again sponsored the Greater Cleveland Skins Game by adding $500 to the Mulligan’s Pub Trophy Pot, to make the season even more interesting. An additional $1,100 was paid out last year to the top ten finishers in the Mulligan’s point standings, with Steve Blackburn Jr. winning the 2011 Mulligan’s Cup and an additional $452 on the year.
All amateurs are welcome to participate in Greater Cleveland Skins game events. No pre-registration is necessary; simply show up 15 minutes prior to the start of the weekly events to get paired up with other competitors.
The weekly entry fee is $30 plus the green fees.
Seniors age 55 or older have the advantage of hitting from the next forward tee box, to keep everyone ‘in the game’.
27 weekly events will make up the 2012 calendar, and the season will culminate at Powderhown Golf Course in Madison on October 11th, where the 2012 champion will receive the Thompson Cup.
Questions? Email us. We look forward to seeing you in 2012 at one of these events!
2012 Greater Cleveland Skins Game Schedule
April 19: Fowlers Mill 4:30 pm
April 26: Aurora Country Club (back) 4:45pm
May 3: Manikiki 5:15 pm
May 10: Powderhorn 5pm
May 17: Tanglewood National 5pm
May 24: Legend Lake Country Club 5pm
May 31: Quail Hollow Country Club (Devlin) 5pm
June 7: Legend Lake Country Club 5pm
June 14: Aurora Country Club (back) 5:40pm ($60 Double Down Event)
June 21: Fowlers Mill 5pm
June 28: Erie Shores 5pm
July 5: Sugarbush 5pm
July 12: Legend Lake 5pm
July 19: Sleepy Hollow (back) 5pm
July 26: Powderhorn 5pm
August 2: Tanglewood National 5pm
August 9: Aurora Country Club (Front) 5pm
August 16: Madison Country Club 5pm
August 23: Quail Hollow Country Club (Devlin) 5pm
August 30: Fowlers Mill 5pm ($60 Double Down Event)
September 3: Greater Cleveland Shoot-Out Fowlers Mill Noon
September 6: Painesville Country Club 5pm
September 13: Manikiki 4:30pm
September 20: Erie Shores 4:30pm
September 27: Legend Lake 4:30pm
October 4: Sleepy Hollow 4:15pm
October 11: Powderhorn 4:15pm ($60 Double Down Event and Trophy Presentation)
Green Fee Rates (includes cart)
Aurora Country Club $22
Erie Shores $16.50
Fowlers Mill $20
Legend Lake Country Club $20
Manikiki $23
Painesville Country Club $20
Powderhorn $15
Quail Hollow Country Club $26
Sleepy Hollow $23
Sugar Bush $20
Tanglewood National $15
SOTKA owns Blackburn.