Young Star Villegas and Veteran Montgomerie Added to Field for 2008 TELUS World Skins Game at Predator Ridge

TELUS Skins ‘world’ theme to bring the best in international golf to Okanagan Valley in June

Toronto, ON – One of the most entertaining young stars in golf will be taking on the veteran fan favourites this summer when the TELUS World Skins Game visits British Columbia’s Predator Ridge Golf Resort. Camilo Villegas and Colin Montgomerie were added to the field for the popular Canadian golf event today, joining the previously announced Fred Couples and Greg Norman.

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. Villegas, who will be participating in the TELUS Skins Game for the first time, will represent his native Colombia, while Montgomerie, making only his second career appearance in Canada, will be representing Scotland.

“We are as excited to bring the TELUS World Skins Game in support of BC Children’s Hospital back to British Columbia this summer as we are about the quality of this year’s field,” said Steve Podborski, executive director of TELUS Sport Marketing. “Each year the TELUS World Skins Game aims to showcase not only the best golfers in the sport, but some of the most entertaining personalities in golf. The four players we’ve announced so far, combined with our support for BC Children’s Hospital, will certainly make the 2008 TELUS World Skins Game one of the most exciting golf events of the season.”

The 26-year old Villegas (full name pronounced Ka-mee-low Bee-jay-gaas) has quickly become a PGA Tour fan favourite with his blistering drives and a unique putting routine that sees him crouch down low to the ground to read the slope of the green, earning him the nickname Hombre Araña" (Spider-Man).

“I’m honoured to be invited to participate in the 2008 TELUS World Skins Game alongside such golf greats as Fred Couples, Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie,” said Villegas. “I’ve heard great things about the event, its support of BC Children’s Hospital, and golf in Western Canada, and look forward to being there in June.”

Montgomerie, the eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner, will be looking to redeem himself after he came up empty handed in his first appearance at the TELUS World Skins Game in Collingwood last summer. While he didn’t win any Skins last year, Montgomerie showed why he is such a fan favourite the world over, entertaining the fans with both his golf and his quips.

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 player in the 2008 TELUS World Skins Game field will be announced over the next two weeks prior to tickets going on sale.

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.