Blythefield Members Inside the Ropes with the Pros in the Meijer LPGA Classic
BELMONT – Blythefield Country Club members are more than just great hosts for the Meijer LPGA Classic presented by Kraft. They are passionately involved and working inside the ropes at their cherished golf course, which has been drawing rave reviews from the players.
Megan Skoog is working as a scoring sign bearer, and loving every step.
“I loved it,” she said. “I wanted to be inside the ropes and meet the golfers and it was great.”
Megan, a student and golfer at Forest Hills Eastern who was Division 3 All-State Honorable Mention in 2013-14, was especially surprised at the level of skill displayed by the professionals she is watching and walking with up the fairway.
“They are so good and I think the thing that surprised me most was that they never seem to hit a really bad shot, really no bad shots,” she said. “And if they do make a mistake they recover so well. Amazing.”
The 15-year-old daughter of Jack and Lori Skoog, Megan toted the sign for the threesome of LPGA stars Pat Hurst, the 1997 Oldsmobile Classic winner in East Lansing, Lorie Kane of Prince Edward Island, Canada, and Denmark’s Line Vedel in the first round. Vedel even chased after Megan in the moments after the round to make sure she received an autographed ball.
“They players are so nice, and so talented,” she said. “They seem to really like the course, too. It was cool to be out there with them and watch them like that. I didn’t get tired at all. It was a great walk.”
Blythefield members are involved in every aspect of the tournament, and Patti Butcher, director of golf and club operations, is excited for them.
“They are having a great experience and hearing great things about their club and their golf course,” she said. “The players have been raving about the food from the first morning here, and several have told me how nice the members have been to them. This is a great event for the community and the LPGA Tour and the Blythefield membership is helping every step of the way.”
First-round leader Sandra Gal called the golf course perfect. Inbee Park, a winner of three major championships last year, said the classic golf courses like Blythefield are great to play. Stacy Lewis, the world’s top-ranked female golfer, said the course condition was as good as it gets.
Megan said watching the professionals play has raised her enthusiasm about her own golf game.
“I realize how good you have to be to make it at that level,” she said. “It’s amazing.”
Megan works with Patti on her game, and Patti thought it was great Megan was in a position to watch the professionals up close, and that the members of the club are enjoying getting to know the players in several roles.
“The best players in the world are more than fun to watch,” Patti said. “Getting to know them a little bit is very special. It’s an eye-opening experience for all of our golfers and members, and one I know they are all enjoying.”
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