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Brooke Walker ReportingA Utah golf champion is teed off after thieves made off with his clubs. There is some extra urgency in getting them back.
These aren't just any clubs; they are custom designed to handle the speed of the owner's swing. And in this case, a national championship is on the line.
Last year, his swing won Rob Skokos the Utah Junior Long Drive Championship. But today, that swing is not the same.
Rob Skokos, Golf clubs stolen: "It's more than just missing out a set of clubs, it's everything involved."
Skokos has been training for the upcoming Remax National Long Ball Championship, set for later this month. But last Friday, he experienced a serious setback.
Rob Skokos, Golf clubs stolen: "Just like every other day, I took my clubs out and set them by my car. I was waiting for a friend to get here. I ran back inside for about 10 minutes."
During that short time, someone collected.
Rob Skokos, Golf clubs stolen: "It was so quick, I couldn't even imagine someone had enough guts to run in and steal them that quickly."
Skokos went to every pawn shop around, assuming that would be the next move. And sure enough, it was. Someone tried to pawn the set at a shop, but the owner recognized the value, assumed they were stolen, and declined to buy.
Today, police released pictures taken by store surveillance. The photos show two young teens, a boy and a girl, attempting to sell the clubs, valued at more than 2-thousand dollars.
Rob Skokos, Golf clubs stolen: "What's going to hurt the most is if I can't get those clubs back, I don't think there is any way I can get another club here. And there is only two weeks, so I feel I'm out completely."
And while he knows it's a long shot, he desperately hopes someone will come forward.
Rob Skokos: "I feel invaded and I'm very upset over it, because like I said, I've put so much effort and now at the last minute, to have this happen is really upsetting to me."
Skokos is offering a 500-dollar reward for any information leading to the clubs. They are in a blue Ben Hogan golf bag. If you know more, contact Sandy Police.
