A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
KUDOS & CONGRATS: A number of Illinois Women’s Open alumni recorded impressive best finishes as the Duramed Futures Tour season draws to a close. At the recent Gettysburg Championship: T5 Sara Brown (Tucson, Ariz.) 68-76-71-215, $3,341, T24 Noriko Nakazaki (Hanover Park) 73-71-76-220, $830. At the Greater Richmond Classic: T3 Sara Brown (Tucson) 73-68-68-209,) $4,901; T16 Sarah Lynn Sargent (St. Charles) 68-72-74-214, $1,375; T17 Jenna Pearson (Wheaton) 72-70-73-215, $968...
BIZ BEAT: KemperSports recently named Stewart Koch as general manager of Heron Lakes, a 36-hole golf facility located just north of downtown Portland, Ore. With nearly 15 years of industry experience, Koch will oversee the property, including its two Robert Trent Jones, Jr. courses as well as construction of a new clubhouse... WingHaven Country Club in O’Fallon, Mo., selected KemperSports to manage the club, located less than 40 miles west of downtown St. Louis... The Futures Tour along with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has announced that it will award LPGA membership to five additional players this season. The Tour’s top 10 players on the regular season-ending money list will be awarded 2009 LPGA membership at the conclusion of the ILOVENY Championship in Albany, N.Y. That event will be played Sept. 5-7. Prior to this change, only players who finished in places one through five on the Futures Tour as of the conclusion of the last official money event were eligible for LPGA Tour membership...
The Midwestern Amputee Golf Association: (MWAGA), established in 2001, is an organization of amputees from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, North and South Dakota. These amputees are interested in using the game of golf as a vehicle in their physical and mental rehabilitation process. Competition in sporting events in an outdoor setting, combined with the fellowship of people in similar situations, has proven to be a wonderful incentive to help people of all ages and physical challenges achieve the best life they can enjoy.
MWAGA has contacted the “Wounded Warriors” program – armed service veterans who lost a limb as a result of being deployed in the Middle East and other combat areas – and is inviting some of them come out to Pheasant Run for the first round of the tournament (Sept. 6) to have lunch, watch amputee golf and see that life does go on. As as Wounded Warrior amputee, if they would like to play in the tournament proper on Sept 6 and 7, MWAGA will pay their fee for the first year. To make a donation to help MWAGA’s Wounded Warriors golf program, send to: MWAGA, Don Zommer, 519 Orchard Pass, Bartlett IL 60163. For more information on MWAGA, go to www.MWAGA.org..
S.W.I.N.G. - Skillful Women Inspiring New Golfers: Over 750 members of the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) are participating this year to help new golfers get comfortable playing the game. EWGA chapters throughout the country offer the program designed to cover the nuances of golf – etiquette, courtesies and on-course behavior – traditionally not covered in golf instruction programs. New golfers are paired with experienced players who serve as mentors answering questions and offering supportive guidance on the subtleties of the game.
EWGA developed the program to help break down a major barrier to women entering the game of golf. Since it was introduced in 2005, the S.W.I.N.G. program has benefited more than 1500 participants, and has already reached a record number of new golfers participating this year. For more info visit www.ewga.com...
HOLES IN UNO: Chicagoland players have had a lucky summer. Commemorating their aces are: Anthony Franz of Oswego used a 7-iron on Fox Bend’s par-3 No. 15 when he sank his ace. His son, Lucas, witnessed the 160-yard shot... Howard M. Smyth, Orland Park, had the distinction of scoring a single on the White Course at Gleneagles CC using a 4 hybrid on the 12th hole, a 200-yard par-3. Witnessed by Phil La Mantia, Billy Schuld, Joe Flavin. Howard said the ball snuggled up next to the flag, hung, then with a little help from the wind, it dropped into the hole... Connie Krillies singled the 6th hole at Bloomingdale GC using a perfectly struck 3-iron at the 156-yard hole. Witnesses Pete Krillies and Ted Krillies readily attested to the feat... Also at Bloomingdale, Lonny Stare posted a single at the 9th hole. Because of his 190 yard hole-in-one Lonny won a Playstation 3 from his brother. Eric Stare and Brad Stare helped Lonny celebrate the 3-iron ace... Grant Lavery was playing golf at Orchard Valley GC, a local member in the OVGC Junior League when he made his ace on hole No. 6 with an 8-iron playing at 145 yards. Grant’s hole-in-one was witnessed by fellow league members Christina Stengel, Bryce Renninger, and league instructor Justin Wyeth... Also at Orchard Valley, Jerald Pocus was on lucky No. 6 when he made his ace using a 9-iron from 143 yards out. His stroke of perfection was witnessed by Connie Pocus... St. Andrews G&CC reports two holes-in-one: Kelly Guzman was playing golf with Gabriel Bernal on course No. 1 when Kelly hit her 5-iron at 140-yard 3rd hole... Rick Kanak used his driver at the 12th hole, and was shocked when his ball ended up in the hole, 217-yards away. Rick was playing with Gary Garland, Joe Kanak, and Don Kanak at the time... Maple Meadows GC wishes to recognize a couple of skilled hitters: Bill Smith had a hole-in-one from 120 yards away with a pitching wedge while the rest of his group, Dale Fowler and Jim McFarlane looked on... Gary Sanders scored an ace on hole No. 3 from 205 yards away with a 3-wood. Witnessed by Tad Murata... Cog Hill G&CC submitted the following singles: Mario Perricone of Volo aced the 110-yard par-3 4th hole on course No. 3. The 7-iron swing was witnessed by Nazz Ranaldi and Josh Gelvan... Joseph Doe of Orland Park went the distance of 163 yards on the 16th hole, course No. 3. Thankfully, Joseph’s brother-in-law and Joe Roccasalva were there to attest the ace... Narender Reddy of Burr Ridge hit a 6-iron into the 162-yard 12th hole, No. 3 course, to record his hole-in-one. Ed Kasper and Michael Keffe witnessed the magic moment... Tim Grzenia, Orland Park, was playing course No. 1 when he fired his ace at the 4 hole. Tim hit an easy 8-iron at the 135-yard hole while playing partner Chris Pie watched at the ball rolled into the up... Silver Lake CC wishes to acknowledge a recent hole-in-one. Records attest to the fact that: Michael Schoenfeld, Oakforest didn’t notice the ball wasn’t on the green at the 8th hole, rolling course, until his friend Tyler Usterbowski mentioned it. Instead the ball was in the hole and Michael had carded a 113-yard ace with his pitching wedge... Jimmy Smith of Orland actually hooked his tee shot at the 9th hole, rolling course, but a golf shot doesn’t have to be pretty to get the job done. And this shot was lucky enough to roll into the hole 155- yards away. There to attest the hybrid, hooked ace was Tim Carroll and Josh Pericht... Sean Kennedy, Orland Park, hit a 7-iron off the ground and watched in awe as it bounced twice on the green and rolled right into the cup. Playing partners, Derek Schryen and Kevin Scully couldn’t believe that just witnessed a hole-in-one. Sean aced the 166-yard 9th hole on the rolling course... Joshua Pappas, Palos Heights made his one at the 8th hole, rolling course, with a driver at the 123-yard par-3. Pete Pappas and Luie Pappas witnessed the special shot... Balmoral Woods GC has had several aces lately and would like to congratulate the following patrons: Scott Reynolds, Crown Point, IN landed one in the 8th hole using a 5-iron... Ken Czaja of Crete, used his 5-iron to fly 182 yards to the pin on No. 5... John Finnin, New Lenox, made a 138-yard hole-in-one on the 8th hole with a 9-iron... Chad Redel of Chicago went the distance of 168 yards on the 16th hole with a 6-iron for his single...
CHARITY BEAT: The Legends of Wheaton Kiebler Golf Classic is hosting Center For History annual fundraiser at Arrowhead GC on September 11. Please call (630) 871-6601, or email info@wheatonhistory.com for additional information...
Submit items: schmoozing@chicagolandgolf.com.
Western GA names 7 clubs as Western Am host sites
August, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
ON THE MOVE: Seven Chicago-area clubs will take turns hosting the prestigious Western Amateur championship from 2009 through 2015. The clubs included in the rotation are: 2009, Conway Farms GC, Lake Forest; 2010, Skokie CC, Glencoe; 2011, North Shore CC, Glenview; 2012, Exmoor CC, Highland Park; 2013, Olympia Fields CC (South Course), Olympia Fields; 2014, Beverly CC, Chicago; 2015, Rich Harvest Farms, Sugar Grove.
SPRING EVENTS: The North Shore Team Cham-pionship at Highland Park CC has been scheduled for August 23-24. The best 2-man teams will compete, entry fee is $125 per person, $250 per team. For more information and to enter visit www.golfinvite.com/nstc or call (847) 433-9015...
BIZ BEAT: Portland Parks & Recreation recently announced its selection of KemperSports to manage Heron Lakes, a premier 36-hole golf destination, located just north of downtown Portland. In addition to operating two championship golf courses, KemperSports will also oversee the planning and development of a new clubhouse at the property... KemperSports also released the promotion of Val D’Souza to general manager of the Tom Fazio-designed Butterfield Trail GC, a championship caliber course which. In his new assignment, D’Souza will oversee all daily operations... OakBrook Hotels Inc. has assigned Diane Rosenthal as the new general manager of Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles...
HOLES-IN-UNO: Mark Kryda from Peotone aced the 5th hole at Balmoral Woods. He used a 4- wood form 179 yards away. It was witnessed by Don Duffy and Kevin Matthias... Marc Kaplan had a hole-in-one from 128 yards away with a pitching wedge that was attested by Chris Selvig at Maple Meadows... Manuel Capistrano aced the 14th hole at St. Andrews G&CC during the annual Loretto Hospital golf outing. Witnesses Ryan Wilhelm and Steve Pack helped celebrate the 192-yard, 4-iron shot with Manuel... Joe Arndt was playing golf with Erick Chibhik, Bill DuMong, and Bruce Schumacher at Pine Meadow GC when Joe made went the distance of 157-yard to the 12th hole using a 5-iron... While out at Cog Hill G&CC Michael Cable of Darien aced the 175-yard 9th hole on course No. 3 with a 5-iron. The shot was witnessed by his dentist... A single was scored on Cog’s No. 1 course by John Cesal of Downers Grove. John hit his club into the 168-yard 17th while Ken Quick watched in amazement... Adam Schultz aced the par-3 ninth hole at Mistwood GC in Romeoville with a 6-iron. This 183-yard hole-in-one was witnessed by Nick Dore... Gene Stokes carded a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole at Mistwood. This 158-yard ace was witnessed by Sam Chirich and Rich Swarthout... Willow Crest would like to mention the following recent holes-in-one: Mike Chudzik, Orland Park, finessed his pitching wedge 120 yards at the 3rd hole for his single... Scot Brazelton, Algonquin was able to master the 6th hole with a mighty 156-yard 6-iron... Tae Chou of Lombard made a hole-in-one at the 13th hole when he nailed his 7-wood 116 yards... Scott Bronson, Westmont, also landed an ace at the 13th using a 9-iron at the 133-yard par-3... Jacquelin Heslop of Island Lake used an 8-iron for the lucky drop on the 3rd hole... Makray Memorial GC would like to congratulate the following patrons: Jerry Rodosky holed the 12th hole by hitting a 7-iron into the 155-yard hole. The rest of Jerry’s foursome Charlie Petretti, Bob Kielbas, and Mark Burkes watched in awe as the ball rolled in the cup... Gabe Aprati of New Lenox was competing in the Illinois Junior Golf Associations Championship when he aced the 17th hole. The rare feat was accomplished with a 223-yard hybrid No. 2... Justin Steffen, Chicago also singled the 17th hole, but used a 3-wood off a different set of tees measuring 197-yards... Adeline Mancini of Oakwood Hills used an 8-iron to fly 101 yards to the pin on No. 13... Jim Flood, Chicago holed the 13th hole using an 8-iron into the 158-yard par-3... Silver Lake CC has been busy with all the holes-in-one recently and would like to recognize their lucky players: Dave Fedro, Orland Park didn’t realize his ball went in the 12th hole until he looked in the cup. Playing with Mark Gesiakowski and Steve Duffy, Dave’s 7-iron, 148-yard ace was the only way he got a skin... Anthony Magliocco, Chicago finished his game off with a one at the 18th, North course, using a 7-iron for the 148-yard hole. Matt VanVura can attest to the event... Nannette Hamilton of Orland Park was shocked when she aced the 12th hole on the North course. Melinda Romo, Tinley Park watched the well-struck 4-iron travel 108-yards right into the cup... Lloyd Ottenstroer, Homer Glen singled the 4th hole with a pitching wedge while David Clank and Jack ZuBaty looked on... Bill Nero, Tinley Park, hit a solid 9-iron at the 3rd hole (South course) into the wind and watched in amazement as the ball took one hop and then went in the hole. Gary Amos and Mark Harrah witnessed his feat... Joseph A. Nardone Jr. was screaming and yelling when he saw the ball disappear in the cup at the 13th hole, South course. Tom Joy helped Joseph cheer at the 155 yard 7-iron... Douglas Schuetz, Palos Heights, made his hole-in-one at the 18th hole on the North course with a smooth 7-iron. The ball traveled a perfect 148 yards with Pete Kovacik and Carl Salzman as onlookers... Keith Miller of Mokena was able to record his one while on the final hole of the North course. Keith used his No. 4 hybrid at the 148-yard hole with playing partner Robert Guffin watching... As Tom Billlish, Palos Park, approached the green he could see his ball, but as Thomas Krakowski attested, the ball just disappeared. Both men were shocked the ball dropped in at the 18th, North course. Tom had hit a pitching wedge into the 110-yard green...
CHARITY BEAT: On August 19 the Carillon Lady Golfers will host a Susan G. Komen Rally for the Cure golf outing at The Links of Carillon. Sponsors are needed; contact Joy Mlady at (815) 886-2119... Golfers are sought for The Fox Valley Marine Corps League’s first annual golf outing to benefit veterans on Aug. 27 at Tamarack GC in Naperville. The outing will begin with a shotgun start at noon, the cost for dinner and golf is $95. For more information or to sign up to golf call Hal Withey, (630) 377-5811 or (630) 220-4389... The Legends of Wheaton Kiebler Golf Classic is hosting Center For History annual fundraiser at Arrowhead GC on September 11. Please call (630) 871-6601, or email info@wheatonhistory.com for additional information...
Send items to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, PO Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to schmoozing@chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.
Cog Hill, Pine Meadow to host adult/jr. events Aug. 3
Mid-July, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
COMING EVENTS: Cog Hill C&CC is holding the annual Adult/Junior Scramble on August 3, course No. 3. Entry fee is $104, one adult per child and adult may be any relative at least 25 years old. Please call (866) COGHILL ext. 318 for tournament director Jeff Rimsnider... Pine Meadow’s Parent-Child Tournament is August 3. Twoperson, scramble format. Purse and flights based upon registration. Low gross and low net in each flight. Entry fee is $100. Contact (847) 5664653... The 14th annual Links Invitational will be held at Links at Carillon on August 4. The format will be a 18 hole, two-person best ball event. For rules and information please call (815) 886-2132. Entry Fee is $225 per player... August 9-10 Highland Park CC is offering free golf clinics from the PGA professionals during the PGA Championship. Call (847) 433-9015...
REOPENED: Diversey Driving Range is now open after a renovation/revitalization of of the Chicago Park District golf facility. The work included the grading of the site and removal of the existing artificial turf. New artificial turf was installed and surrounded by a concrete curb, better equipping the range for year-round use. A crushed stone track along the fence will provide drainage and assist in maintenance of the range. Additional target greens have been installed giving golfers the ability to practice both their long and short games. See photo on page 19...
BIZ BEAT: KemperSports announced Jamie Fay as sales and marketing director of Chambers Bay, the nationally acclaimed links-style golf course awarded the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open Championships. In this role, Fay will be responsible for steering sales and marketing initiatives and programs for the course...
HOLES IN UNO: Rich Cieslak extended his holiday celebration by acing No. 4 at Village Greens of Woodridge. Rich, of Lisle, fired a 7-iron over the pond and watched it drop into the hole. The feat was witnessed by Bob Zavala, an experienced “acer”... At Point O’Woods on the 17th hole Chicago’s Mark Smolens hit a 5-iron hybrid from 194 yards to the flag. With one hop off the stick the ball sank in the hole. Jay Capaul, Mike, Kathy Piraino witnessed, with the superintendent sitting next to the green in a cart watching... Two years ago Deb Olmsted had two holes-in-one in a month. Recently while at Whitetail Ridge her husband Fred finally got his first ace on the 14th hole. At the 240-yard par-3, he smoked his 5-wood. The group knew he hit a great shot but were not sure if it went in until they reached the green. Now Fred only has to get one more ace to catch up to his wife... Silver Lake CC congratulates their one-hitters: Vivian Welbourn of Palos Park was thrilled when her drive hit on the right and rolled left right into the cup on the South course, No. 15. Kathy Germin and Janice Mitchell witnessed the 7-iron shot that made it 130 yards to the green and in... Thomas Carney of Mokena thought it was about time he had an ace when his ball dropped at the 12th hole on the North course. Andy Moran and Wayne Lode attested to the 9-iron, 148-yard shot... Broken Arrow recognizes the following players for their aces: Kathy Sterling from Mokena singled on the East course at the 3rd hole. The 101-yard shot was witnessed by Kathy’s dad, Brian Sterling... Steven Czech of Naperville, also posted a hole-in-one on the 3rd hole... Cog Hill G&CC has been a lucky golf course lately for: Tom McGrath of Villa Park carded a single on the first hole, course No. 3 “a par 4”. He used a driver on the 257-yard par-4. This great accomplishment was witnessed by Jim Shenoah... Mike Matariyeh of Alsip scored an ace on the 12th hole, course No. 3 with a pitching wedge. The 154-yard drive was witnessed by Vince Kasley... Patrick Baldwin, Downers Grove, scored a one on the 17th hole, course No. 1. The well struck 9-iron went the distance of 160 yards and was attested by Howard Baldwin, Jim Finn, and John Fegan... Dennis Karas of Burr Ridge aced the 10th hole, course No. 1. Witnesses Peter Jeschke and Kristin Karas helped Dennis celebrate the 4-iron tee shot... Blackstone GC has submitted a few aces: Taylor Ellett (sophomore at Hampshire High School) recorded her first career hole-in-one. The rare feat was accomplished on the par-3, 8th hole from 149-yards using her 5-iron. The ace was witnessed by her parents Doug and Sue Ellett along with her sister Connie... George Lewerenz used his 7-iron on the par-3, 11th hole from 163-yards to post his hole-in-one. The single swing was witnessed by his son Brian Lewerenz along with another father/son team Doug and Chad Milliman... Jim Kezios used his 5-wood on the par-3 185-yard 8th hole for a hole-in-one. The shot was witnessed by Ed Reda, Chris Sutter, and Gus Kezios... Tom Martindale hit his 6-iron 170-yards at the 11th hole to record a single. The shot was witnessed by playing partners Sean Mikos and Scot Prindiville... Scott Smith carded his ace during a “Beat the Pro “ contest at the 141-yard 4th. Scott recorded his first hole-in-one using a 9-iron to achieve the rare feat. The shot was witnessed by his playing partners Pat Brennan, Paul Troyke, Gary Scott and Blackstone GC head golf professional Pat Honan... A hole-in-one was made by Colin R. Silvester of Lake Forest after making a light-hearted comment that his lessons from the pro didn’t help. A Thunderhawk GC ranger and three lifelong colleagues witnessed the shot on the 17th hole... Jerry Kane, Highland Park, was also playing at Thunderhawk when he singled the 13th hole with his trusty pitching wedge... Paul Clemins made his hole-in-one on Thunderhawk’s 6th hole. The 178-yard par-3 was aced with Paul’s 6-iron...
CHARITY BEAT: Lakeshore Ski and Sports Club will host its annual outing at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Saturday, July 19. Cost is $76 per person of which includes green, cart and driving range fees and prizes. For further information and to place reservations, call (708) 7863992 or email lakeshoreskiandsportsclub@yahoo.com. Advanced reservations required... Catholic Charities will host its 11th annual Golf Invitational benefiting Catholic Charities’ Family Services Programs on Wednesday, July 23, in Lemont. This year, golfers will play golf at Cog Hill on the Ravines and courses 1 & 3 and at Ruffled Feathers. Golfers will have a chance to “Beat the Cub” at a hole with former Cubs’ pitcher Fergie Jenkins. Additionally, Sister Maryann Dosen, OSF, a math teacher and former golf coach at Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont, challenges golfers to a driving competition during the Invitational. If you would like to receive more information please contact Melissa Michaels at (312) 9486797 or by email at: mmichael@catholiccharities.net or visit www.catholiccharities.net/golf... CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a 501(c)(3) organization for abused and neglected children. CASA’s 4th annual Golf Outing Fundraiser will take place Monday, August 4, 2008 at Stonebridge CC. Ticket per foursome is $1,000 and individual price is $250. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information regarding CASA and our upcoming event please contact Christina Thomas, fund development specialist at Christina@dupagecas.org or (630) 2210889 ext. 308... Golfers are being sought for The Fox Valley Marine Corps League’s first annual golf outing to benefit veterans on Aug. 27 at Tamarack GC in Naperville. The outing will begin with a shotgun start at noon, the cost for dinner and golf is $95. For more information or to sign up to golf call Hal Withey, (630) 377-5811 or (630) 220-4389... On August 19 the Carillon Lady Golfers will host a Susan G. Komen Rally for the Cure golf outing at The Links of Carillon. Sponsors are needed; contact Joy Mlady at (815) 886-2119... The Legends of Wheaton Kiebler Golf Classic is hosting Center For History annual fundraiser at Arrowhead GC on September 11. Please call (630) 871-6601, or email info@wheatonhistory.com for additional information...
Submit items by sending to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, PO Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to schmoozing@chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.
Family golf month at Steeple Chase, juniors play free
July, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
SPRING EVENTS: Steeple Chase GC kicks off PGA’s “Family Golf Month” with Kids Play Special. Now through July 31, families and junior golfers of all levels can play a round together, with juniors playing free at Steeple Chase. The course’s Family Golf Program lets children (ages 18 and under) play free every Sunday through Thursday (after 4 p.m.) with a paying adult. Free Junior clubs are also available for use with advance registration. Tee times are now being accepted and can be made by calling (847) 949-8900...
BIZ BEAT: KemperSports recently announced the promotion of Gary Binder to executive vice president. In his new assignment, Binder will continue to oversee the owned and member properties within KemperSports’ expanding portfolio, while also taking a lead role in other corporate initiatives.... Doug Hellman has also been promoted to vice president of business development...
KUDOS & CONGRATS: One of the first albatrosses (double eagle) at Thunderhawk GC was accomplished by Ivan Garcia. The 11th hole is a lengthy par-5 at 512 yards. Garcia hit driver off the tee and a monster 3-wood that landed the ball in the hole...
HOLES IN UNO: Charles Lynch of Manhattan dropped his one hitter in the 5th hole at Green Garden CC. Charles hit a perfectly stuck 6-iron into the 175-yard par-3... Glen Waltrip was playing golf with the North Shore Senior Center at Weber GC when he singled the 2nd hole. The 8-iron ace was witnessed by Fred Johnson, Mike McGinty, Bob Berens and Ray Newguard... Bob Johanson from Oswego aced the 12th hole at Fox Bend GC. He hit a 7-wood from 160 yards... Jim McAleese appeared in the June issue of Chicagoland Golf with two holes-in-one, but we have now learned that he has carded yet another single. Jim again aced the 8th hole at Mill Creek. A big congrats to this very lucky man... Tom Bielanski recorded a one at Orchard Valley on the par-3 6th hole. His stroke of genius was witnessed by Brian Michel, Charles Blake, and Mark Nelson. Tom used a 9-iron at the 128-yard hole... Jason Pekala made a 132-yard hole-in-one on the 13th hole at Bloomingdale GC. Cindy Krebs watched in amazement... James Koch of Aurora scored his first ever hole-in-one at Village Greens GC in Woodridge as witnessed by his playing partner Paul Gran. James used his 5-iron on the 163-yard 17th hole to coax his ball into the hole... St. Andrews G&CC lists two holes-in-one: Robert Samp was playing golf with Thomas Lundeen and Russ Davis when they approached the 12th hole of course No. 1. Robert hit his 3-iron into the 244-yard par-3 and aced it... Larry Becker was also on course No. 1 at the 181-yard 7th hole where he dropped his one hitter. Eddie Hinojosa attested to the ace... Alan Matson from Montgomery was on Broken Arrow’s East course at hole No. 5 when he landed one 165-yards with a 6-iron. Witnesses to the magic moment were Betty Matson, Fred Tansey, and Jo Tansey... Also playing at Broken Arrow was Michael Huber of Woodridge went the distance of 185 yards on the 6th hole, North course while Mike Walser, Tom Walser, Roger Walser, and Doc Munjal looked on... Cog Hill G&CC has reported a couple of singles: An aced was carded by Gilbert Voltaggio of Brookfield. He had it on the par-3 14th hole on the Ravines No. 2 course. The 160-yard 6-iron shot was witnessed by John Groak and William Guckien... Another hole-in-one was posted on the Ravines by Jim McKeown of Lombard. Jim holed the 185-yard 7th hole... Oak Meadows GC would like to congratulate the following players: Andrew Daunhaues fired an ace at the 16th with his pitching wedge. The 126-yard single was witnessed by Mark Rowden... Michael Cagnina used his pitching wedge to fly 130 yards to the pin on No. 16 as Steve Bomberger looked on... Pine Meadow GC would like to recognize the following aces: Jeff Roberts was playing golf with Tony Cros, Whalen Lousis, and Jim Bergswan when he holed the 8th hole. Jeff hit is 7-iron into the 148-yard par-3... During a recent IJGA Tournament, Jason Chase, Lincolnshire, closed out his round with a bang when he used his 7-iron at the 17 hole for his hole-in-one. Witnesses Scott Hedlun and Brad Loren were amazed as they watched the ball roll into the cup...
CHARITY BEAT: The third annual Wilmette Optimist Childhood Cancer Classic will be played on July 14 at the Westmoreland CC. The event will benefit the juvenile oncology unit of Children’s Memorial Hospital and Children’s Oncology Services, Inc., sponsors of Camp One Step for juvenile cancer victims. The $300 entry fee will include a short-game clinic from Westmoreland head pro, Hans Larson. Players can register online at www.wilmetteoptimists.org or can obtain entry forms from Mike Kerrigan, chairman of the club’s golf committee, at (847) 344-0617... Lakeshore Ski and Sports Club will host its annual Golf Outing at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Saturday, July 19. Cost is $76.00 per person of which includes green, cart and driving range fees and prizes. For further information and to place reservations, call (708) 7863992 or email lakeshoreskiandsportsclub@yahoo.com. Advanced reservations required... Catholic Charities will host its 11th annual Golf Invitational benefiting Catholic Charities’ Family Services Programs on Wednesday, July 23, in Lemont. This year, golfers will play golf at Cog Hill on the Ravines and courses 1 & 3 and at Ruffled Feathers. Golfers will have a chance to “Beat the Cub” at a hole with former Cubs’ pitcher Fergie Jenkins. Additionally, Sister Maryann Dosen, OSF, a math teacher and former golf coach at Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont, challenges golfers to a driving competition during the Invitational. If you would like to receive more information please contact Melissa Michaels at (312) 9486797 or by email at: mmichael@catholiccharities.net or visit www.catholiccharities.net/golf... CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a 501(c)(3) organization for abused and nelgected children. CASA’s 4th annual Golf Outing Fundraiser will take place Monday, August 4, 2008 at Stonebridge CC. Ticket per foursome is $1,000 and individual price is $250. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information regarding CASA and our upcoming event please contact Christina Thomas, fund development specialist at Christina@dupagecas.org or (630) 2210889 ext.308... The Legends of Wheaton Kiebler Golf Classic is hosting Center For History annual fundraiser at Arrowhead GC on September 11. Please call (630) 871-6601, or email info@wheatonhistory.com for additional information...
Submit items by sending to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, PO Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to schmoozing@chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.
Miller apologizes for ethnic slurs directed at Mediate
Mid-June, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
SORRY FOR SLURS: NBC Sports golf analyst Johnny Miller apologized for his insensitive description of U.S. Open runnerup Rocco Mediate, saying the comments had “absolutely nothing to do with his ethnicity.’’ Mediate, a 45yearold Pennsylvanian of Italian heritage, held a onestroke lead over Tiger Woods during the fourth round Sunday. Miller said Mediate “looks like the guy who cleans Tiger’s swimming pool.’’ He also said, “Guys with the name ‘Rocco’ don’t get on the trophy, do they?’’
“I apologize to anyone who was offended by my remarks,’’ Miller said in a statement Friday through NBC. “My intention was to convey my affection and admiration for Rocco’s everyman qualities and had absolutely nothing to do with his ethnicity. I chose my words poorly and in the future will be more careful.”
The apology came only after the huge stink raised when Italian-Americans began voicing their offense to NBC and on Internet sites. Arch thinks that if Miller chose those words to “convey [his] affection and admiration for Rocco’s everyman qualities”, he certainly chose a strange way to say it.
BIZ BEAT: Wilson Golf has announced its sponsorship of The First Tee of Chicago and the Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA), locally based organizations that have championed the youth golf movement in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois. Wilson Golf is taking a vested interest in the IJGA as title sponsor of the Youth Development Program (YDP), in which members ages 6-13 focus on the fundamentals, rules, etiquette and overall fun within the game of golf as well as compete in Parent-Junior tournaments and YDP playing events. Throughout the course of the 2008 YDP event season Wilson Golf will contribute age and gender-specific junior golf equipment and accessories to YDP participants as well as provide on-site fitting opportunities at the competitions... John Daly has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2008 edition of the John Deere Classic, July 7-13, at Tournament Players Club Deere Run in Silvis, Ill...
HOLES IN UNO: Silver Lake CC would like to congratulate the following patrons for their holes-in-one: Bill Casto, Tinley Park singled the 4th hole while playing the North course. Witnesses Tom Christy and Jack Speiser attested to the 8-iron, 123-yard shot that bounced once on the green and rolled four feet into the hole... Steven Samson of Orland Park aced the 5th hole on the Rolling course. The perfect 6-iron shot traveled 149-yards to the hole and shocked Steven and playing partner, Erin Stachnik when it went in the cup... Nick Biron, Tinley Park approached the 2nd hole on the Rolling course and couldn’t find his golf ball. He thought it had landed just right of the pin, but was scared to look in the cup. He had his friend, Jeff Fitzgerald, Orland Park, look for him, and there it was. Nick had just earned himself a 171-yard hole-in-one with his 7-iron...
CHARITY BEAT: CPS, Inc. will be sponsoring the Fourth annual Teresa Schueneman Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds will again go to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This year’s outing will be held on Friday, July 11, at The Links at Carillon. The donation for the Teresa Schueneman Memorial Open will again be $110.00. Registration will take place the day of the event from 8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. The event will officially begin with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Contact Jeff Williams (708) 5318377 to register or for additional information... The third annual Wilmette Optimist Childhood Cancer Classic will be played on July 14 at the Westmoreland CC. The event will benefit the juvenile oncology unit of Children’s Memorial Hospital and Children’s Oncology Services, Inc., sponsors of Camp One Step for juvenile cancer victims. The $300 entry fee will include a short-game clinic from Westmoreland head pro, Hans Larson. Players can register online at www.wilmetteoptimists.org or can obtain entry forms from Mike Kerrigan, chairman of the club’s golf committee, at (847) 344-0617... Lakeshore Ski and Sports Club will host its annual Golf Outing at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Saturday, July 19. Cost is $76.00 per person of which includes green, cart and driving range fees and prizes. For further information and to place reservations, call (708) 7863992 or email lakeshoreskiandsportsclub@yahoo.com. Advanced reservations required... Catholic Charities will host its 11th annual Golf Invitational benefiting Catholic Charities’ Family Services Programs on Wednesday, July 23, in Lemont. This year, golfers will play golf at Cog Hill on the Ravines and courses 1 & 3 and at Ruffled Feathers. Golfers will have a chance to “Beat the Cub” at a hole with former Cubs’ pitcher Fergie Jenkins. Additionally, Sister Maryann Dosen, OSF, a math teacher and former golf coach at Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont, challenges golfers to a driving competition during the Invitational. If you would like to receive more information please contact Melissa Michaels at (312) 9486797 or by email at: mmichael@catholiccharities.net or visit www.catholiccharities.net/golf... CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a 501(c)(3) organization for abused and nelgected children. CASA’s 4th annual Golf Outing Fundraiser will take place Monday, August 4, 2008 at Stonebridge CC. Ticket per foursome is $1,000 and individual price is $250. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information regarding CASA and our upcoming event please contact Christina Thomas, fund development specialist at Christina@dupagecas.org or (630) 2210889 ext.308...
TIGER COULD HELP IN RYDER CUP: An American team without Tiger Woods in the Ryder Cup could be just as dangerous if it uses his absence as motivation, Europe captain Nick Faldo said Friday.
“On the one side, it could be a loss,’’ Faldo told The Press Association. “But on the other, they know that they don’t have the option to bank on Tiger this year, and I’m sure they’ll all pull together because of that.’’
Europe has defeated the United States the last three times, including ninepoint margins in 2004 and 2006. The Ryder Cup will be played from Sept. 1921 at Valhalla, near Louisville, KY.
Woods, who said on he will have seasonending surgery on his left knee, has not missed a match since he first played in the Ryder Cup in 1997 at Valderrama. He has a 10-2-13 record, including 3-1-1 in singles.
“I don’t think it’s a given that it improves our chances,’’ Faldo said. “The best player in the world over 18 holes in match play can be very vulnerable. Players raise their game in that kind of situation. Ultimately, we’ll just have to wait and see. And in the meantime, let’s hope that Tiger makes a swift recovery.’’
Makes one wonder if Faldo has a hidden agenda. But which team would these words motivate?
Faldo, a sixtime major champion who works as an analyst for CBS Sports and Golf Channel, said he was surprised to learn that Woods had a double stress fracture and torn knee ligament while playing the U.S. Open, which he won in a 19hole playoff. “I am amazed at what he did,’’ Faldo said. “To go two months without tournament play with minimal practice – I assume he could practice short game and putting, but apparently he only started long game the week before – and nobody knows how much pain he was in’’...
NECROLOGY: The Chicago area lost a great friend of amateur golf recently with the untimely death of Wally Svihula on May 19. Mr. Svihula, 61, passed away after a six-month battle with brain cancer. He was the Northern Illinois Men’s Amateur Golf Association (NIMAGA) vice-president at the time of his passing and was a 34-year NIMAGA member, since 1974. He also served on the NIMAGA board for 27 years. A retired Chicago police officer, Mr. Svihula helped run NIMAGA tournaments in a firm but fair manner. His crowning achievement in NIMAGA was his 1991 Tournament of Winners victory. He will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends he made through his associations with golf...
Submit items by sending to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, PO Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to schmoozing@ chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.
Weekly Challenge Golf Tour ace pool pays member $9,873
June, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
BIG PAYDAY: Just at presstime we learned Glendale Heights resident Mark Bassett during the Weekly Challenge Golf Tour event June 5 at Prairie Landing GC knocked his 4-iron tee shot at the 197-yard, par-3 17th into the hole for an ace. That in itself was cause for much celebration. So was the fact that the shot was worth $9,873 in the WCGT’s Hole-In-One Pool, which Bassett, a 2 handicap non-amateur, cleaned out...
SPRING EVENTS: The Park District of Highland Park and the Highland Park CC invite players to the annual Demo Night Thursday, June 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Highland Park Golf Learning Center. Come out to the Highland Golf Learning Center to test the equipment. Representatives from Callaway, Mizuno, Nike Golf, Tour Edge, and Wilson will be at the facility to demo their products. Call (847) 433-3422 or visit ww.highlandparkgolflearningcenter.org for more information... Junior golfers from as far away as South Africa will return to Bolingbrook June 7-10 to compete in the second annual World Youth Team Challenge at Bolingbrook Golf Club. The South African team will face off against teams from Mexico, Canada, USA teams from the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast, and the defending champion USA National team. The event, hosted by the Illinois Junior Golf Club, is patterned after the Ryder Cup, with combinations of both foursome and four-ball matches. The boys and girls are grouped by their ages, which range from nine to 14. Pairings for the 2008 event and results, videos and photos from 2007 may be found at www.ijgc.com...
BIZ BEAT: This summer marks the eighth year in which The First Tee of Chicago has introduced the game of golf and valuable life skills the game embodies to local youth and provided ongoing golf instruction to interested juniors free of charge. The staff and participants of The First Tee of Chicago launched the 2008 season with a programming kickoff event on Saturday, June 7, at Marquette Park Learning Center. For more information, visit www.thefirstteechicago.org... Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa has appointed Paul Brown to director of sales and marketing... KemperSports has announced Josh Alsip as head golf professional of the soon-to-open Ridge Creek Dinuba GC, located 30 miles south of Fresno in Dinuba, Calif. Alsip will oversee golf operations and conduct clinics and private lessons for the area’s firstever, 18hole championship golf course, set to debut in July. KemperSports has also reported the promotions of Adrienne Flentge and Laura Cray as well as the appointment of Richard Carter to support the company’s expanding portfolio of golf properties under its ownership and management in addition to continued growth in its sports marketing, hospitality and event management activities...
TINSELTOWN TEE: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and singer Justin Timberlake proved they could break 100 Friday on Torrey Pines’ South Course. The pair joined Today host Matt Lauer and a regular guy from Omaha, Neb., in a foursome bent on disproving Tiger Woods’ theory that no 10-handicap could break 100 on a U.S. Open course. Romo, who missed qualifying for the Open this spring, won with a 13-over 84 after playing the first nine holes in 5-over 40. Timberlake, who claims a 6.0 handicap index, parred the 18th to finish at 27-over 98. Lauer scraped by with a 100 on the par-71 course despite playing with a 6.2 handicap index.
The only one of the four who didn’t seem to mind the scores was John Atkinson, a medical salesman from Omaha, Neb., who was chosen from 56,374 essay applicants to play in the challenge. He finished with a 43-over 114.
HOLES-IN-UNO: Jim McAleese had an amazing month of May. While playing golf at Mill Creek GC he aced the 6th and 8th holes on two separate occasions. The ace at the 6th hole was from the black tees at 154 yards and he used a 9-iron. The second single was a similar 155-yards again using a 9-iron.... Fred Knott from Sugar Grove was playing at the “opening weekend” at the “new” Tanna Farms GC. They had just opened the new nine holes, finally making it an 18-hole course. Fred aced the new 11th hole, 135-yard using a pitching wedge. It was the first hole-in-one on the new part of the course. The witnesses were, Mike O’Connor, Tom O’Connor, and John Wiggins. Fred has played golf for 37 years, and finally got his hole-in-one... Chris Savino from Naperville had a single at Cog Hill’s Ravines course on the 7th hole. The perfect shot was made with a 5-iron and traveled about 169 yards. There to celebrate with Chris was Elliott Thron... Steven Lee was able to card a one at Oak Meadows GC. Witness David Rhee was there to attest the 129-yard shot at the 16th hole... Ernie Pentek of Franksort was playing golf at Gleneagles on the red course when he made his hole-in-one. Ernie used a 3-wood at the 192-yard 8th hole and was thrilled that his golf season got off to such a good start... William Kamberos from Palos Heights singled the 3rd hole at Broken Arrow GC with a well-struck 9-iron on the east course...
CHARITY BEAT: The 50 in 50 will be touring America to raise funds and awareness for early detection of cancer by playing 50 courses in 50 states in 50 days starting on June 9. Co-creator Bill Evans and his close friend, PGA golf professional Craig Forney, will begin their golf odyssey in June and run wild around the United States. Evans and Forney will golf on public golf courses while stopping off to meet with cancer survivors and visit cancer treatment and research centers. Chicago has been put on the schedule for June 29. To get more information about “The 50 in 50” visit them on the web at www.the50in50.com. ... CPS, Inc. will be sponsoring the Fourth annual Teresa Schueneman Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds will again go to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This year’s outing will be held on Friday, July 11, at The Links at Carillon. The donation for the Teresa Schueneman Memorial Open will again be $110.00. Registration will take place the day of the event from 8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. The event will officially begin with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Contact Jeff Williams (708) 5318377 to register or for additional information... Lakeshore Ski and Sports Club will host its annual Golf Outing at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Saturday, July 19. Cost is $76.00 per person of which includes green, cart and driving range fees and prizes. For further information and to place reservations, call (708) 7863992 or email lakeshoreskiandsportsclub@yahoo.com. Advanced reservations required... Catholic Charities will host its 11th annual Golf Invitational benefiting Catholic Charities’ Family Services Programs on Wednesday, July 23, in Lemont. This year, golfers will play golf at Cog Hill on the Ravines and courses 1 & 3 and at Ruffled Feathers. Golfers will have a chance to “Beat the Cub” at a hole with former Cubs’ pitcher Fergie Jenkins. Additionally, Sister Maryann Dosen, OSF, a math teacher and former golf coach at Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont, challenges golfers to a driving competition during the Invitational. If you would like to receive more information please contact Melissa Michaels at (312) 9486797 or by email at: mmichael@catholiccharities.net or visit www.catholiccharities.net/golf... CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a 501(c)(3) organization for abused and nelgected children. CASA’s 4th annual Golf Outing Fundraiser will take place Monday, August 4, 2008 at Stonebridge CC. Ticket per foursome is $1,000 and individual price is $250. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For additional information regarding CASA and our upcoming event please contact Christina Thomas, fund development specialist at Christina@dupagecas.org or (630) 2210889 ext.308...
Submit items by sending to Arch MacDivet c/o Chicagoland Golf, PO Box 4116, Wheaton, IL 60189 or email to schmoozing@chicagolandgolf.com. No attachments will be accepted.
Haney: Woods may return early to play Memorial
Mid-May, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
WOODS RETURN: Tiger Woods says he intends to play at this year’s installment – the 50th – of the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, MI. Currently shelved following knee surgery, Woods’ swing guru Hank Haney says Woods is very much on schedule to return for the U.S. Open and may even come back early and play in The Memorial next week...
SPRING EVENTS: Highland Park CC will be hosting several events: Veterans get a free golf cart fee on Memorial Day, May 26; a U.S. Open Challenge is scheduled for June 14-15, players combine their scores with a PGA Tour player to win prizes; June 15, Father’s pay half price green fee when accompanied with a son or daughter. Call (847) 433-9015 for complete details and prices... Cog Hill G&CC announces the annual Couples Scramble on June 8, call (866) COGHILL to sign up or for additional details... the St. Andrews G&CC Demo Day Weekend is set for Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, at the Practice Center, call (630) 231-3160 for information and vendors...
KUDOS & CONGRATS: The Golf Coaches Association of America has announced the Division III Cleveland Golf AllAmerica Scholars which has recognized Michael De Runtz of Illinois Wesleyan... For 36yearold Bryan DeCorso, it was a long time coming, but the former Golf Channel commentator, who changed golf instructors just three weeks ago, now sits in fourth place on the Nationwide Tour’s money list thanks to a victory at the recent South Georgia Classic. And DeCorso gives Bolingbrook GC PGA master teaching professional Carl Rabito all the credit. They started working together just three weeks ago, and in that time, changed DeCorso’s posture, takeaway, spine angle and downswing. The effect was immediate. Two weeks ago, DeCorso was tied for the lead going into the final round at the Henrico County Open. He finished fourth. Carl Rabito and his instructional staff call Bolingbrook Golf Club home since 2004.
BIZ BEAT: KemperSports has announced Scott DeRosier as general manager of Independence GC, the Virginia State Golf Association Foundation’s statewide home for golf in the commonwealth. In his new assignment, DeRosier will oversee all primary operations of the club, located just east of Richmond in Midlothian, Va... KemperSports has also hired Rosa Guevara as sales and marketing director of the soontoopen Ridge Creek Dinuba GC, located 30 miles south of Fresno in Dinuba, Calif. In the near term, Guevara will steer preopening sales and marketing initiatives of the area’s firstever, 18hole championship golf course, set to debut in July...
HOLES IN UNO: Anthony Millincamp of Willow Springs carded a hole-in-one on the 17th hole at Cog Hill G&CC’s course No. 1. The 175-yard 6-iron shot was witnessed by Jeff Garcia, Nelson Patras, and Paul Brezinski... Also at Cog Hill, Moez Nomanbhoy, Naperville aced the 4th hole on course No. 2. He hit a 7-iron into the 164-yard par-3... Chuck Swangren was enjoying his round of golf at St. Andrews G&CC with playing partners Al Srage, Jason Swangren and Carl Ahlemeyer when they approached the 11th hole on course No. 2. Chuck hit a perfect tee shot into the 189 yard par-3 and everyone cheered with amazement as they watched the ball roll into the cup...
CHARITY BEAT: On Monday, June 9, the Inaugural Chicago Golf Classic at the Briarwood CC to raise funds for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. LRF is the nation’s largest lymphomafocused voluntary health organization devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and health care professionals with critical information on the disease. For more information or to enter please call (312) 994-5691. Foursome cost is $2,000... CPS, Inc. will be sponsoring the Fourth annual Teresa Schueneman Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds will again go to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This year’s outing will be held on Friday, July 11, at The Links at Carillon. The donation for the Teresa Schueneman Memorial Open will again be $110.00. Registration will take place the day of the event from 8:00 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. The event will officially begin with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Contact Jeff Williams (708) 5318377 to register or for additional information... Lakeshore Ski and Sports Club will host its annual Golf Outing at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles on Saturday, July 19. Cost is $76.00 per person of which includes green, cart and driving range fees and prizes. For further information and to place reservations, call (708) 7863992 or email lakeshoreskiandsportsclub@yahoo.com. Advanced reservations required... Catholic Charities will host its 11th annual Golf Invitational benefiting Catholic Charities’ Family Services Programs on Wednesday, July 23, in Lemont. This year, golfers will play golf at Cog Hill on the Ravines and courses 1 & 3 and at Ruffled Feathers. Golfers will have a chance to “Beat the Cub” at a hole with former Cubs’ pitcher Fergie Jenkins. Additionally, Sister Maryann Dosen, OSF, a math teacher and former golf coach at Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont, challenges golfers to a driving competition during the Invitational. If you would like to receive more information please contact Melissa Michaels at (312) 9486797 or by email at: mmichael@catholiccharities.net or visit www.catholiccharities.net/golf...
Eagle Ridge hosts Operation Iraqi Freedom heroes
May, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
HONORING SOLDIERS: Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa saluted the soldiers of the 1133rd battalion with a day at “The General.” Eagle Ridge honored members of the 1133rd Battalion, the longest serving unit in Operation Iraqi Freedom in an allday event where 140 Soldiers played golf. The day of festivities included patriotic performances from local musicians, ceremonial recognition and an honorary dinner for the soldiers. Among the honored in attendance was Brigadier General (ret) William H. Weir, Sergeant Major of the Army (ret) Jack L. Tilley and the Iowa Guard Adjutant General Ron Dardis. About The 1133rd Battalion: known as the Ironman Battalion, the 1133rd received honors while serving in Iraq including the notable Combat Infantryman’s Ribbon. Part of the Iowa National Guard, which includes volunteers from Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, the unit was originally deployed in 2005 and served just short of two years...
SPRING EVENTS: Poplar Creek’s 2-Person Amateur Scratch Scramble has been scheduled for Saturday, May 24. Cost is $180 and the first place team will receive $800. Please call (847) 781-3681 to register or for additional information... Highland Park CC announces the North Shore Team Championship on August 23-24. The event entrance fee is $125 per player, three flights available. Contact (847) 433-9015...
KUDOS & CONGRATS: Sarah Lynn Sargent, formerly of St. Charles, finished T8 at the Jalapeno Duramed Futures Golf Classic in Texas. Sargent put together solid rounds of 71-69-71 -211 (-5) winning $1,628... Nicole Jeray (Berwyn, Ill.) was also competing at the same tournament. She carded 72-71-78-221 (+5) for $505 and finished T61... Jeray also T16 previously at the Louisiana Pelican Classic...
BIZ BEAT: KemperSports has announced Matt Allen as general manager of Chambers Bay, the award-winning links golf course opened in June 2007 just outside of Tacoma in University Place, Wash. In this role, Allen will oversee facility operations of Chambers Bay, awarded the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open Championships in February... KemperSports also released that Joe Wisocki IV has been appointed as general manager of the soon-to-open Ridge Creek Dinuba GC, located 30 miles south of Fresno in Dinuba, Calif. Over the coming months, Wisocki will supervise pre-opening operations of the area’s first-ever, 18-hole championship golf course and oversee facility operations upon the course’s debut in July... Matt Lemcke has joined the management team of Black Sheep Golf Club, a Top 100-ranked private club in Chicago’s western suburbs. A Class A-1 member of the PGA of America, Lemcke was head golf professional at Boulder Ridge CC in Lake in the Hills from 1991 through 2006 and was director of golf operations at Rich Harvest Farms, also in Sugar Grove, before recently joining the Black Sheep staff.
HOLES IN UNO: John Swider of Plainfield was playing golf at Links at Carillon, White course, when he aced the 3rd hole. The par-3 121-yard single was struck with a trusty 7-iron... Paul Pekofske started his round out with a bang at Maple Meadows. On just the second hole, Paul landed an easy 120-yard wedge and watched as the ball rolled in the cup... Tony Iorii, Bloomingdale, made a hole-in-one at Oak Meadows GC. Using a pitching wedge at the 114-yard 16th hole, playing partner Dan Senese was shocked to see Tony’s ball made it’s way into the hole...
CHARITY BEAT: CPS, Inc. will sponsor the 4th Teresa Schueneman Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds will again go to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This year’s outing will be held on Friday, July 11, at The Links at Carillon. The donation for the Teresa Schueneman Memorial Open will be $110. Registration will take place the day of the event from 8 to 8:40 a.m. The event will officially begin 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. 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...
NECROLOGY: Phil Harison, who introduced everyone from Ben Hogan to Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods during his 60 years as the starter on the first tee of the Masters, has died. He was 82. He died April 27 of natural causes, Augusta National Golf Club said. Harison was one of two people to attend every Masters since it began in 1934, and he became a familiar voice to the many fans who grew accustomed to his American Southern drawl and understated manner of announcing each player. “Fore please, Jack Nicklaus now driving,” he would say. Harison recovered from a car accident that badly injured his back to serve as the starter one last time in 2007, mustering enough strength to announce only the first couple of groups. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Phil Harison,” Masters chairman Billy Payne said. “Phil was a cherished member who made significant contributions to the Masters. As the starter on the first tee, he was the face of the Masters to many patrons. He did a wonderful job in that role.” Harison grew up in a house that was beyond the first green at Augusta National and has since been torn down. He joined his father and brother as a member when he was 21...
White Pines Demo Day Extravaganza May 31
Mid-April, 2008
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...
Olympia Fields' Carol Mann to be honored
April, 2008
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.”
540 new homes moving in next to Glenwoodie GC
March, 2008
A conglomeration of interesting and topical notes and news from all over Chicagoland Golfdom:
OF COURSES: To clarify a rumor, there are no immediate plans to reduce Glenwoodie GC to nine holes. However, after a series of contentious meetings the Glenwood Village Board recently approved plans for a 540-home development east of the 18-hole golf course. As part of the plan, the course will get a new clubhouse and a new road from State Street into the housing site. The front and back nines of the course will be divided by the new road, necessitating the relocation of several tees and greens. There are no plans to close the course during construction. Glenwoodie was sold in 1996 by its owner, the Archdiocese of Chicago, to the village of Glenwood, which bid $6.5 million – in Arch’s opinion a surprisingly high number. (Our editor’s rough appraisal at the time was for $3.5 millon — tops.) According to published reports, the course has been losing money in recent years. The village says it will use some of the revenue from this new residential development to retire $11 million in bonds issued to purchase the golf course. Not all Glenwood residents are happy with the residential development; in fact, the village board approved the project by overriding a series of vetoes by the mayor...
KUDOS & CONGRATS: Paul F. Grogan, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, TPC Deere Run, was recognized as a merit winner from the Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, (public facilities category). The ELGA recognizes golf course superintendents and their courses for overall course management excellence in the areas of resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach... Certified Golf Course Superintendent Oscar Miles has been selected as a recipient of the 2008 GCSAA Distinguished Service Award. Miles and two others, Donald Hearn and H. James “Jim” Loke, were acknowledged at the Opening Session (Jan. 31) of the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference in Orlando. Miles, a 45-year GCSAA member, is a retired superintendent who last worked at the Merit Club. He has served on various GCSAA committees and hosted 13 professional golf tournaments, including 12 Western Opens at Butler National and Olympia Fields, as well as the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open at the Merit Club. Miles perhaps is most known for identifying the cause of a turf disease that ravaged greens in the Chicago area early in his career at Butler National. While at Butler National, Miles earned the Distinguished Service Award as the 1985 PGA Tour’s Course of the Year. Golfweek has released its 2008 “Best Courses You Can Play StatebyState 2008,” (publicaccess courses, Includes dailyfee and resort) Illinois: No. Cog Hill (No. 4-Dubsdread); No. 2 Glen Club; No. 3 Eagle Ridge (The General); No. 4 Weaver Ridge; No. 5 TPC at Deere Run; No. 6 Thunderhawk; No. 7 Pine Meadow; No. 8 Cantigny; No. 9 Stonewall Orchard; No. 10 Harborside International GC (Port)... Golfweek 2008 “Best Modern Courses,” (1960present): No. 56 Black Sheep Golf Club, No. 74 Butler National Golf Club... Golfweek 2008 Golfweek’s “Best Classic Courses:” No. 15 Chicago Golf Club; No. 27 Shoreacres Golf Club; No. 42 Olympia Fields Country Club (North); No. 55 Medinah Country Club (No. 3); No. 78 Skokie Country Club; No. 91 Beverly Country Club...
BIZ BEAT: Black Sheep GC recently welcomed local-golfer-made-good Kevin Streelman as the club’s official staff touring professional. A native of Winfield, Illinois Streelman has friends among the club staff and its members. Over the last few years, the Wheaton-Warrenville South graduate would practice and play at the renowned 27-hole facility while in the Chicago area during breaks in his mini-tour schedule. The 29-year-old Duke University graduate even carried a golf bag embroidered with a Black Sheep logo while competing at last year’s PGA Tour Qualifying School tournament, where he earned full Tour playing privileges for the first time... In preparation for the 2009 Solheim Cup, U.S. Team Captain Beth Daniel has selected Meg Mallon and Kelly Robbins as her two assistant captains... Officials from the LPGA and Ladies European Tour have announced that the Solheim Cup will operate under a new platform with a select group of Global Partners at the 2009 and 2011 Solheim Cup competitions. AIB Group and Rolex have committed to join PING, the founding sponsor of The Solheim Cup, as Global Partners to the most prestigious international team event in women’s professional golf. For more information on the 2009 Solheim Cup to be contested August 21-23, 2009, at Rich Harvest Farms, including tickets, a schedule of events, hotels and accommodations, log on to www.solheimcup.com. A hotel reservation network has been established to accommodate spectator’s hotel needs in surrounding communities of Aurora, Naperville and throughout DuPage and Kane Counties.
SPRING TOURNEYS: Highland Park CC is hosting a Spring Scramble on Saturday, March 29. Bring your best foursome, $35 per person, call (847) 433-9015... White Pines GC Final Fore “Tip Off” to the 2008 Golf Season Scramble Tournament on Saturday, April 5. Cost is $240 per team, 4 player teams, to register visit whitepinesgolf.com or call the golf shop at (630)7660304... Heather Ridge’s Spring Fling has been scheduled for April 5 this year. If you would like additional information call (847) 367-6010... Cog Hill G&CC’s annual Spring Scramble will be contested April 4 and 5, call (630) COGHILL for details... St. Andrew’s Spring Scramble Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, April 5, 6 is for 4person teams and is formatted as two separate tournaments. Contact (630) 231-3100... Pine Meadow’s Spring Scramble is a one day event on Sunday, April 5, (847) 566-4653...
HOLES IN UNO: John Talaga of Hoffman Estates aced the 143-yard 4th hole at Highland Woods GC using a 5-iron. There to witness the event were playing partners Steve Zook, Orlando Carini and Ralph Tassistro. An amazing 17 years earlier, John made a hole-in-one at the same hole... Jerry Dugdale singled the 2nd hole at Phillips Park GC. The par-3 was 155-yards, no match for Jerry’s magical 5iron. Witnesses included Rodney Shelton, Neil Wynn, and J.C. Linthicwn... Alan Smith of Sandwich made a hole-in-one at Silver Lake CC while playing the south course. Finishing out his round at the 9th, a 204-yard par-3, Alan hit his 7-wood and watched as the ball rolled towards the cup. The three men, Roger Vandermeer and Art Smith joined Alan, walked up to the green and saw the ball in the cup, Alan let out a “Whoopee”...
NECROLOGY: Robert M. Williams, the first certified golf course superintendent to be inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, passed away Friday, March 7 of heart failure. After stints at Bellaire CC, Ohio State University GC, Medinah CC and Beverly CC, in 1958, Mr. Williams became the head golf course superintendent at Bob O’Link Golf Club until his retirement in 1979. He was assisted by his youngest son, Bruce, at Bob O’Link toward the end of his career and when he retired, Bruce took over the position -- also staying for 21 years. Also in 1958, Mr. Williams was elected president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and was the association’s Distinguished Service Award winner in 1977. He had many accomplishments in his 60-year career, among them designing and building one of the first customized automatic irrigation systems at Bob O’Link. He was also credited with designing the first three-nozzle, tractor-mounted boom sprayer for golf course use. Perhaps his greatest legacy to the profession, however, was his mentorship of nearly 100 students and apprentice superintendents over the years, as well as his teaching and becoming a tireless spokesman for the profession around the world. An innovator, Williams changed golf course maintenance from the era of the “green thumb” trial-and-error approach to today’s high-tech procedures of golf course grooming with an atmosphere of business and management. Mr. Williams also served as president of the Midwest and the International Association of Golf Course Superintendents. In 1996, he was awarded the United States Golf Association’s Green Section Award, which honors persons deserving special recognition for distinguished service to golf through work with turfgrass.
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...
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