A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
SPRING EVENTS: White Pines GC Demonstration Day Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public may visit the practice range to see and feel the latest in golf equipment and technology. Golf vendors such as Titleist, Callaway, Cobra, Nike and many others will be in attendance. White Pines GC is located in Bensenville, call (630) 766-0304 or visit website, www.whitepinesgolf.com... Pheasant Run Resort’s second annual Celebrity Pro-Am is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10. Each team consists of four amateurs and a Chicago Sports Hero. Entry fee is $95 per person, please call the golf shop at (630) 584-4914 for details...
PLAYER UPDATES: Tiger Woods had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee April 15 to repair cartilage damage, his second operation in five years on the same knee. He is expected to miss at least a month while he recovers. He most likely will miss The Players Championship, but should return in time to play the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines on June 12... Michelle Wie has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2008 LPGA State Farm Classic at Panther Creek CC in Springfield, July 14-20. The 18-year-old Wie was given one of only two available exemptions for the tournament. The other will be awarded to the winner of the Duramed Futures Players Championship in Decatur, June 9-15. This is the first time Wie will play in the State Farm Classic... John Daly recently had surgery for a torn stomach muscle, citing the injury as the primary reason for his poor play over the last two years, during which he has WDed 8 times and missed 14 cuts in 33 events. The injury dates to the ‘07 Honda Classic, when he tried to stop his swing upon hearing the click of a fan’s camera... After working with David Leadbetter since 1990, Ernie Els switched to Butch Harmon as his swing coach...
KUDOS & CONGRATS: Sarah Lynn Sargent, formerly of St. Charles, competed in the LPGA’s Corona Championship in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. She finished 40th, earning $6,844 with rounds of 76-77-72-72-297...
RULES CLARIFICATION: The Joint Rules Committee (JRC), consisting of representatives of the Rules of Golf Committees of The R&A and the USGA issued an interpretation of Rule 13-4a with respect to testing the condition of a similar hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard). At its customary April meeting, the JRC reviewed several issues relating to Rule 13-4 (Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions), including some that were carried over for resolution from the previous quadrennial Rules revision cycle. One such question was whether a player whose ball lies in a bunker may smooth sand to tidy up another bunker, even though he had not made a stroke from that other bunker.
After discussion, the JRC agreed on the following position, effective immediately: Rule 13-4a prohibits a player from testing the condition of the hazard in which his ball lies or a similar hazard. Yet Exception 3 to the Rule, which was introduced in 2008, allows a player to test the condition of one hazard after playing from that hazard into a similar hazard. Although Decision 13-4/0.5 lists smoothing a bunker with a rake, club or otherwise as an example of testing the condition of the hazard, the Etiquette Section of the Rules of Golf provides that “Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others.”
It is not the intent of Rule 13-4a to prohibit players from practicing the proper etiquette of the game when more than one bunker is involved. Therefore, when the player’s ball lies in a bunker, it would not be a breach of the Rules if the player were to smooth the sand in another bunker, provided (a) the smoothing is for the purpose of tidying up the bunker, (b) the smoothing does not breach Rule 13-2 (Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play) with respect to his next stroke and (c) there is not a reasonable possibility that the smoothing could affect a subsequent stroke by the player.
If the player were to smooth sand in the bunker in which his ball lies prior to making his first stroke in that bunker, he would be in breach of Rule 13-4a.
HOLE-IN-UNOS: Broken Arrow GC reported an ace at the North 6th hole. Using a 7-iron at the 171-yard par-3 Brian Finke of Lockport carded his single while witnesses Son-Cory and Terry Benda looked on... Cog Hill congratulates a couple of their players: Robert Tangorra, Darien aced the 4th hole on course No. 3. He hit a 9-wood 114 yards and watched the ball roll into the cup as his witnesses, Steve Petranek and Anthony deSimore, watched... Mark Sikes, Oak Lawn closed out his round with a band with a hole-in-one at the 17th hole on course No. 1 using a 3-wood...
CHARITY BEAT: CPS, Inc. is sponsoring the 4th Teresa Schueneman Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds from the July 11 event at Carillon support Susan G. Komen Foundation. Cost is $110. Registration will take place the day of the event from 8 8:40 a.m with a 9 a.m. shotgun. Contact Jeff Williams (708) 5318377 to register or for additional info... Chicago Bulls legend Bob Love joins Marklund’s team for the 26th annual Golf Classic May 12 at Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort. Cost is $525 per golfer; $150 fbanquet-only, and sponsor packages are available. For info contact Ron Slucker at 773-474-7150 or visit www.marklund.org/golf...
04-07-08
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
KUDOS & CONGRATS: The AP is reporting that Jack Nicklaus is to be honored with the PGA Tour’s Lifetime Achievement Award at The Players Championship in Florida... PGA professional Carol Mann, who followed a Hall of Fame competitive career by serving as LPGA president and one of the game’s premier contributors, has been named the recipient of the 2008 PGA First Lady of Golf Award.Born the only daughter among five children to Louis and Ann Mann, Carol began playing golf at age nine and among her first lessons were under the supervision of the late PGA of America teaching legend Bill Strausbaugh. Mann didn’t develop a golf swing until she was 13 years old, after the family moved to Chicago and took a membership at Olympia Fields CC. Commuting to tournaments on trains, Mann won the Western Junior and the Chicago Junior in 1958, and the Chicago Women’s Amateur in 1960.
Mann overcame her insecurities to enjoy one of the most productive careers in women’s golf history. She retired at age 40 and began to branch out in different directions. The Women’s Sports Foundation made her a trustee and she served as president from 1985-1990. She also formed Carol Mann Golf Services, the first woman-owned and operated course design and management firm. Based in Houston, she started teaching at The Woodlands C.C. and took an active role in facilitating the relationship between the Hall of Fame and its members.
Mann, 67, attended the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and turned professional in 1960. She went on to win 38 championships from 1961 through 1981 on the LPGA Tour, including the 1964 Western Open and 1965 U.S. Open.
She was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame (1977) and the World Golf Hall of Fame (1998), and is a trustee and past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Among her many endeavors was joining other prominent women athletes in advocating gender equity through the Title IX Amendment of 1972 with three U.S. presidents and with members of Congress. Inspired by the legendary Patty Berg, an LPGA co-founder, and by such PGA Professionals as Jim Scott of Chicago and Manuel de la Torre of Milwaukee, Mann carried on their passion for teaching.
From 1973 to 1976, Mann served as LPGA president, playing a key role in the formation of the modern LPGA, during which time the association selected its first commissioner and Board of Directors. During this period, the LPGA heightened its focus on marketing, increased purses and network television exposure.
An honorary member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division, Mann was elected to PGA of America membership in 2002. She is one of the country’s most respected PGA Teaching Professionals, having conducted more than 700 golf clinics nationwide. She was a golf analyst for NBC from 1977 through 1984 in assignments on the PGA, Champions and LPGA Tours, and also worked for ABC and ESPN.
From 1980 through 2002, Mann created and produced golf hospitality programs for Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She authored The 19th Hole: Favorite Golf Stories in 1992; wrote an award-winning golf column for the former Houston Post; and has been a frequent contributor to many other golf publications.
She now makes her home in The Woodlands, Texas...
BIZ BEAT: Kemper-Sports has announced Richard Riffle (pictured left) as new general manager of The Glen Club. Riffle will oversee operations of the club, featuring a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, a 48,000-square-foot clubhouse, dining and banquet facilities, overnight accommodations and corporate amenities... KemperSports and LinksCorp Holdings (“LinksCorp”) have reached an agreement whereby KemperSports will assume management of LinksCorp’s 14 properties, the companies have jointly announced. Several of LinksCorp’s executives and staff, including LinksCorp president Ben Blake, will join KemperSports’ senior management team. Blake was part of KemperSports in the 1980s...
BIZARRE HAPPENINGS: TV chef Paul Prudhomme was setting up his cooking tent on the practice range at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf event when he felt a sting in his right arm, just above his elbow. Prudhomme shook his shirt sleeve and a .22-caliber bullet fell to the ground, a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies believe Prudhomme was hit by a falling bullet, probably fired from somewhere within a 1.5 mile radius of the golf course, said Col. John Fortunato. The celebrated chef didn’t require medical attention. Witnesses said the bullet cut Prudhomme’s skin and put a hole in his white chef’s coat. But Prudhomme continued cooking until he left the course. He was at the course to cook for players, their caddies and guests at the PGA Tour event...
CHARITY BEAT: Chicago Bulls legend Bob Love joins Marklund’s team for the 26th annual Golf Classic. Marklund is home to infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. The golf classic will be held on Monday, May 12 at Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort. The cost is $525 per golfer; $150 for banquet-only package., and several sponsorship packages are available.
For additional information, or to sign up please contact Ron Slucker at 773-474-7150 or visit www.marklund.org/golf...
CORRECTION: Briar Leaf Golf Course is not closed, as reported in the last issue. Broadmoor GC closed several years ago.
FEELING ENTITLED, BUT IGNORED: Colin Montgomerie will not be going to the Masters for only the second time in the last 17 years because he was not among the top finishers in the majors last year and failed to crack the top 50 in the world ranking. And then there’s his birthplace.
In an interview with The Independent newspaper in Britain, the crabby Scot needled Augusta National for its eligibility rules and said the club panders to Asian players because of its television markets.The Masters offered special foreign invitations earlier this year to Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, Liang Wen-hong of China and Jeev Milkha Singh of India. All are ranked below Montgomerie, who is No. 75.
“There has been no call from Augusta and I am not expecting one,’’ Monty said. “Now, if I were the only person in the country, à la China, I might get in. It is a strange way to make up a field for a major championship – television rights. They are quite open about why.’’
He noted that the last time he missed the Masters, in 2005, the club took Shingo Katayama because of Japanese TV rights. “And they have done the same with Thailand and China this time,’’ Monty said. ``I am not the only one who feels that way and not just because I am not in. In or not, I’d be saying the same thing. It is a strange criterion to pick a major field.”
03-26-08
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom: KUDOS & CONGRATS: The AP is reporting that Jack Nicklaus is to be honored with the PGA Tour’s Lifetime Achievement Award at The Players Championship in Florida... OLYMPIA FIELDS' OWN: PGA professional Carol Mann, who followed a Hall of Fame competitive career by serving as LPGA president and one of the game’s premier contributors, has been named the recipient of the 2008 PGA First Lady of Golf Award. Born the only daughter among five children to Louis and Ann Mann, Carol began playing golf at age nine and among her first lessons were under the supervision of the late PGA of America teaching legend Bill Strausbaugh. Mann didn’t develop a golf swing until she was 13 years old, after the family moved to Chicago and took a membership at Olympia Fields CC. Commuting to tournaments on trains, Mann won the Western Junior and the Chicago Junior in 1958, and the Chicago Women’s Amateur in 1960.
Mann overcame her insecurities to enjoy one of the most productive careers in women’s golf history. She retired at age 40 and began to branch out in different directions. The Women’s Sports Foundation made her a trustee and she served as president from 1985-1990. She also formed Carol Mann Golf Services, the first woman-owned and operated course design and management firm. Based in Houston, she started teaching at The Woodlands C.C. and took an active role in facilitating the relationship between the Hall of Fame and its members.
Mann, 67, attended the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and turned professional in 1960. She went on to win 38 championships from 1961 through 1981 on the LPGA Tour, including the 1964 Western Open and 1965 U.S. Open.
She was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame (1977) and the World Golf Hall of Fame (1998), and is a trustee and past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Among her many endeavors was joining other prominent women athletes in advocating gender equity through the Title IX Amendment of 1972 with three U.S. presidents and with members of Congress. Inspired by the legendary Patty Berg, an LPGA co-founder, and by such PGA Professionals as Jim Scott of Chicago and Manuel de la Torre of Milwaukee, Mann carried on their passion for teaching.
From 1973 to 1976, Mann served as LPGA president, playing a key role in the formation of the modern LPGA, during which time the association selected its first commissioner and Board of Directors. During this period, the LPGA heightened its focus on marketing, increased purses and network television exposure.
An honorary member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division, Mann was elected to PGA of America membership in 2002. She is one of the country’s most respected PGA Teaching Professionals, having conducted more than 700 golf clinics nationwide. She was a golf analyst for NBC from 1977 through 1984 in assignments on the PGA, Champions and LPGA Tours, and also worked for ABC and ESPN.
From 1980 through 2002, Mann created and produced golf hospitality programs for Fortune 100 and 500 companies. She authored The 19th Hole: Favorite Golf Stories in 1992; wrote an award-winning golf column for the former Houston Post; and has been a frequent contributor to many other golf publications.
She now makes her home in The Woodlands, Texas...
BIZ BEAT: Kemper-Sports has announced Richard Riffle (pictured left) as new general manager of The Glen Club. Riffle will oversee operations of the club, featuring a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, a 48,000-square-foot clubhouse, dining and banquet facilities, overnight accommodations and corporate amenities... KemperSports and LinksCorp Holdings (“LinksCorp”) have reached an agreement whereby KemperSports will assume management of LinksCorp’s 14 properties, the companies have jointly announced. Several of LinksCorp’s executives and staff, including LinksCorp president Ben Blake, will join KemperSports’ senior management team. Blake was part of KemperSports in the 1980s...
BIZARRE HAPPENINGS: TV chef Paul Prudhomme was setting up his cooking tent on the practice range at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans golf event when he felt a sting in his right arm, just above his elbow. Prudhomme shook his shirt sleeve and a .22-caliber bullet fell to the ground, a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies believe Prudhomme was hit by a falling bullet, probably fired from somewhere within a 1.5 mile radius of the golf course, said Col. John Fortunato. The celebrated chef didn’t require medical attention. Witnesses said the bullet cut Prudhomme’s skin and put a hole in his white chef’s coat. But Prudhomme continued cooking until he left the course. He was at the course to cook for players, their caddies and guests at the PGA Tour event...
CHARITY BEAT: Chicago Bulls legend Bob Love joins Marklund’s team for the 26th annual Golf Classic. Marklund is home to infants, children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. The golf classic will be held on Monday, May 12 at Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort. The cost is $525 per golfer; $150 for banquet-only package., and several sponsorship packages are available.
For additional information, or to sign up please contact Ron Slucker at 773-474-7150 or visit www.marklund.org/golf...
CORRECTION: Briar Leaf Golf Course is not closed, as reported in the last issue. Broadmoor GC closed several years ago. FEELING ENTITLED, BUT IGNORED: Colin Montgomerie will not be going to the Masters for only the second time in the last 17 years because he was not among the top finishers in the majors last year and failed to crack the top 50 in the world ranking. And then there’s his birthplace.
In an interview with The Independent newspaper in Britain, the crabby Scot needled Augusta National for its eligibility rules and said the club panders to Asian players because of its television markets.The Masters offered special foreign invitations earlier this year to Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, Liang Wen-hong of China and Jeev Milkha Singh of India. All are ranked below Montgomerie, who is No. 75.
“There has been no call from Augusta and I am not expecting one,’’ Monty said. “Now, if I were the only person in the country, à la China, I might get in. It is a strange way to make up a field for a major championship – television rights. They are quite open about why.’’
He noted that the last time he missed the Masters, in 2005, the club took Shingo Katayama because of Japanese TV rights.
“And they have done the same with Thailand and China this time,’’ Monty said. ``I am not the only one who feels that way and not just because I am not in. In or not, I’d be saying the same thing. It is a strange criterion to pick a major field.”
Submit items by sending to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to schmoozing@chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
11-19-07
KUDOS & CONGRATS: The Duramed Futures Tour 2008 Qualifying Tournament has been completed and several Illinois residents competed during the November 6 - 9 event. Exempt and non-exempt status will be determined following the completion of LPGA Q-School Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2007: T34 Jessica Schneider, Elgin, 69-74-76-76-295; T40 Jenna Pearson, Wheaton, 74-76-71-75-296; T46 Sarah Lynn Sargent, St. Charles, 72-75-75-75-297. Players who missed 54-hole cut: Noriko Nakazaki, Hanover Park, 73-81-73-227; Megan Godfrey, Homewood, 78-79-81-238... Two local players will compete in the LPGA Q-School (both have played the Big Tour before), Sargent and Berwyn native Nicole Jeray...
GOLF IS COOL, AGAIN: Singer/ actor Justin Timberlake will host the PGA Tour stop in Las Vegas, to be renamed the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Timberlake is the 14th celebrity to host an event, joining notables Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Glen Campbell. The five-year agreement begins next October. The Las Vegas tournament is part of the Fall Series in October, played after the FedEx...
BIZ BEAT: Brunswick Forest LLC announced its selection of KemperSports to manage Cape Fear National, a 27-hole private club being developed five miles south of historic Wilmington in southeast North Carolina... KemperSports also announced its selection to oversee the planning, development and operation of Seneca Hickory Stick GC, 20 minutes north of iconic Niagara Falls...
HOLES IN UNO: Jerry Rhea carded a hole-in-one at Fox Run in Elk Grove during the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation Golf Outing. At hole No. 15, 152 yards, Jerry hit a 9-iron to the front of the green and saw the ball release about 5 feet right, into the hole. Witnessed by Wally Pecs, Ron Kaczmarski and Tod Hoffman... During a Make-A-Wish Foundation charity classic at Sanctuary GC, Richard Bendy dropped a one hitter at the 6th hole. There to attest to the 153-yard shot were Jack Mayer and David McCytcheon... Augie Bloom of Hinsdale was playing golf at Makray Memorial GC when he carded an ace at the 4th hole with an 8-iron... Tony Biagi of River Grove was at Heritage Bluffs Public GC when he singled No. 8. There to attest the event was Mike Mermel and Tom Hall... Vince Barrett of Chicago recently recorded a hole-in-one at Gleneagles CC. Vince was on the Woodlands course and used a 2-iron at the 17th hole, a 193-yard par-3. Amazingly this is Vince’s second hole-in-one, he is 72 years old. This great feat was witnessed by Michael Barrett and Joseph Barrett... Richard Gerhardt of Hampshire was on course No. 2 at St. Andrews G&CC when he aced the 11th hole. Dirk Gunderson, Lester and Lenore Richarson can attest to the 187-yard 4-iron... Eric Willson of Winnetka scored his single on the 5th hole at Willowhill GC. Eric hit his pitching wedge into the 125-yard green. Playing partners John Willson, Terry and Mike helped Eric celebrate... Bloomingdale GC would like to congratulate all of their customers who scored holes-in-one: Dennis Delaquila, Bartlett, aced the 6th hole for the second time this year. On this occasion Dennis hit a 6-iron at the 156-yard par-3. Dennis was playing with Jerry DeSimone and Jack D’Amico at the time... Ronald Hansen of Addison posted his hole-in-one at the 16th hole. While Ronald choose his 4-iron for the 164-yard hole, Edward Luikaart and Jim Foody watched in amazement as the ball rolled into the cup... Cog Hill G&CC has two singles to report: Maury Sheely of Downers Grove used his 3-wood for the lucky drop on the 16th hole of course No. 3... Robert J. Fisher, Downers Grove, was playing course No. 2 when he arrived at the 4th hole with John Anderson. Robert hit a perfect 6-iron at the 140 yard hole and was thrilled when it went in the hole... Fox Bend GC sent in two reports of aces: Rick R. Drnek of Schaumburg used his 5-wood to fly 160 yards to the pin on No. 15 while Richard Dase, William Dase, and Jerry Niesen looked on... George Alexiades, Oswego went the perfect distance to card his hole-in-one. George hit a 7-iron at the 15th while the rest of his group Jeff Ansani and Scott McCallum watched... Jon Lange recorded an ace at the 6th hole at Orchard Valley GC with a pitching wedge from 143 yards. His single was witnessed by Frank Montalbano, Nora Suzuki, and Oka Suzuki... Also at Orchard Valley, John Reddy got lucky at the 12th hole with an 8-iron. The hole was playing 125-yards long, and the shot was seen by Austin Real and Tim Reedy... Silver Lake congratulates several of their patrons: John Pfeiffer, Oak Lawn finished his round with a bang, acing the 18th hole on the South course. His 7-iron, 143-yard shot hit the front of the green and rolled in the cup leaving John and playing partners Rick Sorley and Ronald Veager shocked... Joe Henrici, Palos Park tackled the 4th hole on the North course hitting a 9-iron into the 130-yard par-3. Ken Eberhardt, Tinley Park and Nero Patel, Tinley Park were there to help Joe celebrate the single... Sam Salak, Palos Park was playing golf with Neal Sala, Park Ridge and Matt White, Palos Park when Sam made his second career hole-in-one in over thirty years. The 122-yard 4th hole on the North course was no match for the accuracy of Sam’s 8-iron... Willow Crest would like to recognize the following people for their holes-in-one: William Schabowski of Berwyn singled the 8th hole with an 8-iron... Jerry Norys, Inverness, landed his ace at No. 13 with a 176 yard 6-iron... Edward Androwich of Riverside made a 133-yard hole-in-one on the 3rd hole with his trusty wedge... Yun Shim, Oak Brook fired an ace at the 18th hole with a 4-hybrid sailing a perfect 177-yard to the hole... Congratulations to all our readers who achieved one of golf’s most elusive accomplishments in 2007...
Submit items for this column by sending to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, PO Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to: schmoozing[at]chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.