GOLF GUIDE
ustin Penner excels at and loves hockey, but he has other passions. Comedy. Golf. Golf. Also, golf. Yes, the message we’re trying to convey is that Penner loves to get on the links as often as possible. The 30-year-old Los Angeles Kings left winger, a Manitoba native who now lives in southern California year-round, first began playing golf seriously at 12 and already has graced the greens of courses all over North America, including the prestigious L.A. Country Club. “I’ve played a lot of great courses.” Penner says. “If I wasn’t an NHL player and I was as passionate about golf as I am about hockey, I’d be pretty satisfied with the courses I’ve played in my lifetime.” A frequent player in summer Pro-Am tournaments, Penner uses the U.S. Golf Association’s handicapping system and last registered a 7.1. He’s played with
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fellow NHLers Joffrey Lupul and Scottie Upshall, and current teammate Brad Richardson, but he’s also had an up-close view of real experts – like PGA regular Brendan Steele – and is in awe of what they do. “Lupul, Upshall, Shane O’Brien and I played with Brendan and you just become spectators,” Penner says. “I wish everyone could play with a PGA pro to see how incredible they are at the game. These guys can put down a quarter anywhere and repeatedly drop the ball on it.” Penner’s best round this past summer was a 79 at the Shady Canyon course in California, but he’s working on his consistency more than anything. And he’s not about to challenge the two NHL players whose golf skills are better than his. “Scottie Upshall and Brad Richardson are very good players,” Penner says. “I’d have a tough time putting money either way if those guys went head-to-head.”
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