Phelps, 43, is just one decent round away from winning the Saskatchewan Mid-Amateur championship, which wraps up today at the Melfort Golf and Country Club.

Phelps shot a 1-over 73 Thursday afternoon, giving him a three-day total of 10-under 206. He is five strokes ahead of Dallas Lequyer of Lethbridge going into the final round.

“It would be nice to win something big, but I’m not looking at that,” Phelps said. “Winning is not the reason why we’re here. We’re trying to play well and if winning comes with it, that’s great.

“I’m here to make the (four-person provincial) team and represent our province. If winning comes with it, that’s just icing on the cake. That would probably be the biggest thrill I’ve ever had.”

Phelps has fine-tuned his game through the years with help from friends. His constant golf companion is Colin Coben, a fixture on the provincial golf scene and a two-time Saskatchewan Amateur champion.

“I’ve been probably travelling with Colin for six or seven years,” Phelps said. “You’re talking about one of the best amateurs in the province. I ride with Colin. We stay together. I get lots of tips. He’s helped me out tremendously.”

Lequyer fired a 2-under 70 Thursday. Prince Albert’s Martin Ring is third at 216 after carding a 74. Regina’s Tyler Wright, who shot a 72, is fourth at 217. Claude Bourgault of St. Brieux is fifth at 219, followed by Delisle’s Coben, Regina’s Rick Ledingham and Melfort’s Lawrence Campeau, all at 221.

Phelps learned to golf with help from club pro Brad Vinnick during his days at Holiday Park. In 13 years he has won the Holiday Park Open seven times.

His big breakthrough was when he took an early lead at the Central Am about six years ago.

“Six-under after two days and guys are looking around, wondering ‘Who’s that guy?’ and I’m up there having a beer and enjoying golf.

“Then the wind came up — I’m a high-ball hitter and my ball was going everywhere. I’ve kind of learned to bring it down and play the wind a little bit. Colin and Brad Vinnick have helped me out with that.”

In recent years, Phelps has become a year-round player.

“I put lots of time in during the winter,” he said. “I went to that indoor golf simulator and I got a membership there. I was playing three times a week just so I could keep swinging.”

Coben, who won the Sask. Mid-Am in 2000, would like to see his protégé win today.

“He’s got the game,” Coben said of Phelps. “Hopefully he finishes it off and wins the Mid. It would be good for Saskatchewan to get it back because we haven’t won it for a few years.

“He deserves it. He puts a lot of time in. We’ve been bugging him all winter, saying ‘Champion of the golf simulator, how are you doing?’

“You’ve got to watch what you tell him now. That’s what I told him the other day: ‘You’re beating me now — I’m not teaching you anymore.’ ”

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=9912dc6c-6b06-49d1-aff6-c7493bb2efff

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