Ex-NCAA champ Lepp creates his own line of street-style golf footwear

ABBOTSFORD, British Columbia -- James Lepp, the 2005 NCAA individual champion and now a professional golfer, has launched his own brand of golf footwear, called Kikkor.

The shoes are modeled after what so many younger players wear off the course -- flat bottomed, trendy, and comfortable street shoes. In addition, Lepp said, Kikkors have the highest performance attributes necessary, providing what serious golfers expect with a stable, waterproof and durable golf shoe.

As a former top collegiate golfer and a representative of the newer "core" golfer, Lepp said he understood that style and performance are both non-negotiable in golf footwear.

Lepp, who graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree in 2006, always had the idea of having a "street-style" golf shoe growing up.

"I used to play in my street shoes all the time, but I could only do so when it was warm and dry out. Any hint of moisture and I'd be slippin' all over the place," he said. "Street shoes are way more comfortable, they match my personal style better, and frankly, if they had spikes, they would provide everything that I would need out of a golf shoe.

"I couldn't see any legitimate reason why there wasn't a shoe out there like this, so instead of waiting and with the help of some friends I decided to do it myself," he explained. "What started as just some random designs on my computer about a year ago has turned into what Kikkor is today."

So far there has been a great response in Canada, where Kikkor is based, and interest is starting to spread throughout the United States. Lepp is aiming to launch his shoe line in earnest next spring.