The modern version of The Skins Game returns for Thanksgiving week.
The Pro Shop, the new golf media company led by “Full Swing” executive producer Chad Mumm, on Thursday announced an agreement with the PGA Tour that brings back The Skins Game for the first time since 2008.
It will be held on the Black Friday after Thanksgiving in 2025, an example of an increased partnership with the PGA Tour to showcase its best players away from traditional golf presentations.
Still to be decided are the meat of the details — who’s playing, for how much, where.
The Skins Game was the foundation of what was once known as the “silly era” in golf. It started in 1983 with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Gary Player (Vin Scully was the announcer) and was held on Thanksgiving weekend in the California desert.
The “skin” went to the player who won the hole, and each hole was worth an amount that increased towards the end of the game. Fred Couples became the face of The Skins Game winning nearly $4.5 million in 11 games. And he had the personality to match the part-time competition.
But interest began to wane, even with Tiger Woods making occasional appearances.
The Skins last game was in 2008. It lost its title sponsor and the 2009 event was cancelled. At that time, the PGA Tour had moved into the closing season of official tournaments held until Thanksgiving.
Mom joined Vox Media’s Mark Olsen, Puck’s Joe Purzycki and David Miller from the PGA Tour to launch Pro Shop, a media, commercial and entertainment company aimed at creating golf content that appeals to younger audiences.
Mom has become well-known recently for her work with the Netflix documentary “Full Swing,” which is now nearing its third season.
The Pro Shop raised nearly $20 million this summer from Powerhouse Capital, the PGA Tour and EP Golf Ventures, among others. It also acquired Skratch, the digital and social media platform the PGA Tour built nearly a decade ago to appeal to a younger audience.
“Reimagining an iconic event like the Skins Game in a modern way that engages today’s sports fan is exactly why the PGA Tour has partnered with the Pro Shop,” said Chris Wandell, PGA Tour senior vice president of media. “We look forward to seeing how the new iteration of the Skins Game unfolds as the Pro Shop and Propagate explore the characters, format and creative process.”
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