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Chicago Area Golf News Archive for August, 2023
28 articles found for selected month.Looking for current news? Click here for current Chicago golf news.
August 1, 2023
Just as Springbrook returns to normal golf play, plans being made to close, move Naperbrook’s 18th hole
Naperville golfers received a little good news and a little bad courtesy of the Naperville Park Board.
On the positive side, Springbrook Golf Course is back to being fully in play after drought conditions caused a delay of its post-construction reopening and resulted in limited tee times.
Just as Springbrook returns to normal golf play, plans being made to close, move Naperbrook’s 18th hole
- Learn more about Springbrook Golf Course
Naperville golfers received a little good news and a little bad courtesy of the Naperville Park Board.
On the positive side, Springbrook Golf Course is back to being fully in play after drought conditions caused a delay of its post-construction reopening and resulted in limited tee times.
August 2, 2023
Deerfield's Vince India wins Illinois Open
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald
The 74th Illinois Open required a three-hole playoff, but it was worth it to Vince India.
India, who won the tournament in 2018, defeated University of Illinois alum Dylan Meyer after both played the regulation 54 holes in 8-under-par 208. Defending champion David Perkins of East Peoria tied for third.
After starring collegiately at Iowa, India, from Deerfield, earned a berth on the Korn Ferry Tour and tied for 21st in last week's NV5 Invitational at The Glen Club, in Glenview. With the Korn Ferry circuit playing in Utah this week, India opted to play in the Illinois Open at Flossmoor Golf Club and it provided a big confidence boost.
Deerfield's Vince India wins Illinois Open
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald
The 74th Illinois Open required a three-hole playoff, but it was worth it to Vince India.
India, who won the tournament in 2018, defeated University of Illinois alum Dylan Meyer after both played the regulation 54 holes in 8-under-par 208. Defending champion David Perkins of East Peoria tied for third.
After starring collegiately at Iowa, India, from Deerfield, earned a berth on the Korn Ferry Tour and tied for 21st in last week's NV5 Invitational at The Glen Club, in Glenview. With the Korn Ferry circuit playing in Utah this week, India opted to play in the Illinois Open at Flossmoor Golf Club and it provided a big confidence boost.
August 2, 2023
Golf season in full swing at Jackson Park and South Shore courses
Golf season is in full swing at the Jackson Park and South Shore golf courses with a bevy of tournaments, invitationals and free rounds for players 17 and under.
New to the fairway this year, the Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA) hosted its junior golf tournament at the Jackson Park and South Shore golf courses last month, the first time for the event in Chicago in the organization's 57-year history. The July 10 event was produced in partnership with the Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) and drew a total of 55 youth from across the city ranging from 10 to 18 years old.
Golf season in full swing at Jackson Park and South Shore courses
- Learn more about Jackson Park Golf Course
Golf season is in full swing at the Jackson Park and South Shore golf courses with a bevy of tournaments, invitationals and free rounds for players 17 and under.
New to the fairway this year, the Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA) hosted its junior golf tournament at the Jackson Park and South Shore golf courses last month, the first time for the event in Chicago in the organization's 57-year history. The July 10 event was produced in partnership with the Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) and drew a total of 55 youth from across the city ranging from 10 to 18 years old.
August 4, 2023
The PGA Tour swings into Chicago's South Suburbs
Justin Kaufmann, Axios
The PGA returns to greater Chicago this month for a huge tournament at Olympia Fields Country Club.
Why it matters: The BMW Championship will feature 50 of the world's top golfers, including Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
The intrigue: The tournament is back at Olympia Fields for the first time since 2020, when — due to the pandemic — golfers competed on the course without fans in attendance.
Context: The event has been taking place for over a century, under various names including the Western Amateur or the Western Open.
The PGA Tour swings into Chicago's South Suburbs
Justin Kaufmann, Axios
The PGA returns to greater Chicago this month for a huge tournament at Olympia Fields Country Club.
Why it matters: The BMW Championship will feature 50 of the world's top golfers, including Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
The intrigue: The tournament is back at Olympia Fields for the first time since 2020, when — due to the pandemic — golfers competed on the course without fans in attendance.
Context: The event has been taking place for over a century, under various names including the Western Amateur or the Western Open.
August 4, 2023
Western Amateur semifinals set after grueling day at North Shore Country Club
Colby Powell, Golf Channel
The semifinals are set at the Western Amateur, where Drew Goodman, Christiaan Maas, Kazuma Kobori and Matthew McClean advanced after a grueling day at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois.
Play got underway early Friday morning in the round of 16, and the first match out set the tone for the day. Top-seeded Brendan Valdes was defeated by Carson Bacha, the 16 seed, in 19 holes. Bacha was then toppled by ninth-seeded Kazuma Kobori, 2 up, in the quarters to send Kobori to the semis.
He’ll face McClean with a spot in the finals on the line. McClean, the five seed, started his day with a 2-and-1 victory over Preston Summerhays. He then took down fourth-seeded Gustav Frimodt, 5 and 4, in the quarterfinals. Frimodt defeated 32-year-old Stewart Hagestad in the round of 16. Hagestad has long featured in the game’s prominent amateur events, including three appearances in the Walker Cup.
Western Amateur semifinals set after grueling day at North Shore Country Club
Colby Powell, Golf Channel
The semifinals are set at the Western Amateur, where Drew Goodman, Christiaan Maas, Kazuma Kobori and Matthew McClean advanced after a grueling day at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois.
Play got underway early Friday morning in the round of 16, and the first match out set the tone for the day. Top-seeded Brendan Valdes was defeated by Carson Bacha, the 16 seed, in 19 holes. Bacha was then toppled by ninth-seeded Kazuma Kobori, 2 up, in the quarters to send Kobori to the semis.
He’ll face McClean with a spot in the finals on the line. McClean, the five seed, started his day with a 2-and-1 victory over Preston Summerhays. He then took down fourth-seeded Gustav Frimodt, 5 and 4, in the quarterfinals. Frimodt defeated 32-year-old Stewart Hagestad in the round of 16. Hagestad has long featured in the game’s prominent amateur events, including three appearances in the Walker Cup.
August 4, 2023
Suburban Chicago golf course ranked the best in Illinois – again
Fiona Hurless, NBC Chicago
Golf Digest recently released the best golf course in every state, and America's oldest 18-hole course topped out the list as Illinois' number one course for the 13th consecutive year.
Not only is Chicago Golf Club ranked the best golf course in Illinois, but it made golf history in the U.S. by being the first 18-hole course in the country. C.B. Macdonald, the preeminent golf expert in the U.S. at the time, built both the original course, and a new course of 6,200 yards when the membership moved to Wheaton.
The course was redesigned once again in 1923 by Seth Raynor, who worked alongside Macdonald. Raynor kept Macdonald’s design of keeping O.B. on the left, as it was said that Macdonald sliced the ball.
Suburban Chicago golf course ranked the best in Illinois – again
Fiona Hurless, NBC Chicago
Golf Digest recently released the best golf course in every state, and America's oldest 18-hole course topped out the list as Illinois' number one course for the 13th consecutive year.
Not only is Chicago Golf Club ranked the best golf course in Illinois, but it made golf history in the U.S. by being the first 18-hole course in the country. C.B. Macdonald, the preeminent golf expert in the U.S. at the time, built both the original course, and a new course of 6,200 yards when the membership moved to Wheaton.
The course was redesigned once again in 1923 by Seth Raynor, who worked alongside Macdonald. Raynor kept Macdonald’s design of keeping O.B. on the left, as it was said that Macdonald sliced the ball.
August 5, 2023
Kazuma Kobori wins 121st Western Amateur, captures Elite Amateur Series title
Cameron Jourdan, Golfweek
Kazuma Kobori and Christiaan Maas were locked in a battle when they came to the 17th hole at North Shore Country Club.
The duo were in the final stages of playing their sixth round of golf in three days, this one being for the Western Amateur title in Glenview, Illinois. Kobori, a 21-year-old from New Zealand, also had an Elite Amateur Series championship on the line.
Maas, a rising sophomore at Texas from South Africa, bogeyed the par-4 17th, giving Kobori a 1 up lead. However, on the 18th hole, Kobori drilled a 20-footer for birdie allowing him to capture the 121st Western Amateur title on Saturday, claiming one of the biggest events in amateur golf.
Kazuma Kobori wins 121st Western Amateur, captures Elite Amateur Series title
Cameron Jourdan, Golfweek
Kazuma Kobori and Christiaan Maas were locked in a battle when they came to the 17th hole at North Shore Country Club.
The duo were in the final stages of playing their sixth round of golf in three days, this one being for the Western Amateur title in Glenview, Illinois. Kobori, a 21-year-old from New Zealand, also had an Elite Amateur Series championship on the line.
Maas, a rising sophomore at Texas from South Africa, bogeyed the par-4 17th, giving Kobori a 1 up lead. However, on the 18th hole, Kobori drilled a 20-footer for birdie allowing him to capture the 121st Western Amateur title on Saturday, claiming one of the biggest events in amateur golf.
August 9, 2023
Willow Hill sports dome now up and running
The Willow Hill Golf Dome is up and running smoothly, thanks to the efforts of owner Kent Knebelkamp.
Willow Hill sports dome now up and running
- Learn more about Willow Hill Golf Course
The Willow Hill Golf Dome is up and running smoothly, thanks to the efforts of owner Kent Knebelkamp.
August 14, 2023
An inside look at what pro golfers will face at Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship
Matt Zahn, CBS Chicago
Olympia Fields Country Club has been hard at work getting everything ready for the BMW Championship, and a large number of fans are expected to be there this week.
CBS 2's Matt Zahn got a close-up look at the famed North Course that will, as in years past, demand the best out of the PGA's best.
"It'll be a great test for the players," said Olympia Fields director of golf Doug Farrell. "In 2020, it was actually the hardest course they played on the PGA Tour, including all the majors. Four-under was the low score. It was a pretty awesome experience. The test this year will be really good. The rough is really long. The golf course is going to play firm and fast."
An inside look at what pro golfers will face at Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship
Matt Zahn, CBS Chicago
Olympia Fields Country Club has been hard at work getting everything ready for the BMW Championship, and a large number of fans are expected to be there this week.
CBS 2's Matt Zahn got a close-up look at the famed North Course that will, as in years past, demand the best out of the PGA's best.
"It'll be a great test for the players," said Olympia Fields director of golf Doug Farrell. "In 2020, it was actually the hardest course they played on the PGA Tour, including all the majors. Four-under was the low score. It was a pretty awesome experience. The test this year will be really good. The rough is really long. The golf course is going to play firm and fast."
August 14, 2023
BMW Championship returns to Olympia Fields without a suburban hopeful
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald
The BMW Championship returns to Olympia Fields this week, but without a local hopeful. University of Illinois alums Nick Hardy and Thomas Detry didn't survive the first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, though Hardy made a great run at it.
Hardy was on the bubble for advancement entering the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, ranking No. 50 of 70 starters. The top 50 after Sunday's round advanced to Olympia Fields, and Hardy was in the hunt until his par putt on the last hole failed to drop.
BMW Championship returns to Olympia Fields without a suburban hopeful
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald
The BMW Championship returns to Olympia Fields this week, but without a local hopeful. University of Illinois alums Nick Hardy and Thomas Detry didn't survive the first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, though Hardy made a great run at it.
Hardy was on the bubble for advancement entering the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, ranking No. 50 of 70 starters. The top 50 after Sunday's round advanced to Olympia Fields, and Hardy was in the hunt until his par putt on the last hole failed to drop.
August 14, 2023
How Olympia Fields—once the world’s largest country club—remains important today
Stephen Hennessey , Golf Digest
This week’s BMW Championship is a return to one of our nation’s original golf enclaves. Olympia Fields Country Club was the largest country club in the world when its North Course opened in 1923, giving the club its fourth 18-hole course. Two-time British Open champion Willie Park Jr. immodestly called his creation, “the equal of any golf course I have ever seen. I know of none that is superior, either in beauty or natural terrain.”
Everything here was big: The clubhouse was the biggest in the world at more than 100,000 square feet and its 10,000-square-foot locker room is still among the most massive in golf. Though the club sold the land on which two of its four courses stood for real estate during the hard times of the 1940s, the North and South course today comprise one of the best 36-hole facilities in golf.
How Olympia Fields—once the world’s largest country club—remains important today
Stephen Hennessey , Golf Digest
This week’s BMW Championship is a return to one of our nation’s original golf enclaves. Olympia Fields Country Club was the largest country club in the world when its North Course opened in 1923, giving the club its fourth 18-hole course. Two-time British Open champion Willie Park Jr. immodestly called his creation, “the equal of any golf course I have ever seen. I know of none that is superior, either in beauty or natural terrain.”
Everything here was big: The clubhouse was the biggest in the world at more than 100,000 square feet and its 10,000-square-foot locker room is still among the most massive in golf. Though the club sold the land on which two of its four courses stood for real estate during the hard times of the 1940s, the North and South course today comprise one of the best 36-hole facilities in golf.
August 14, 2023
The First Look: BMW Championship
Adam Stanley, PGA Tour
The fields are getting tighter and the drama is getting higher.
The PGA TOUR heads to Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship – a return after the big-time playoff in 2020 – the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs with a 50-player field all eager to nail their spots at East Lake.
Jon Rahm won the BMW Championship the last time it was contested at Olympia Fields, and he’ll look to recreate some magic at the Midwest venue. He remains No. 1 in the FedExCup standings heading into the BMW Championship thanks to his four wins this season, but Scottie Scheffler is nipping at his heels, remaining just 148 points behind.
The First Look: BMW Championship
Adam Stanley, PGA Tour
The fields are getting tighter and the drama is getting higher.
The PGA TOUR heads to Olympia Fields for the BMW Championship – a return after the big-time playoff in 2020 – the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs with a 50-player field all eager to nail their spots at East Lake.
Jon Rahm won the BMW Championship the last time it was contested at Olympia Fields, and he’ll look to recreate some magic at the Midwest venue. He remains No. 1 in the FedExCup standings heading into the BMW Championship thanks to his four wins this season, but Scottie Scheffler is nipping at his heels, remaining just 148 points behind.
August 15, 2023
8 ways to be a good fan at this weekend's BMW Classic
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald
The 2023 BMW Championship, which as the Western Open debuted in 1899 in Glenview, hits Olympia Fields Country Club through Aug. 20.
The penultimate event of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup contributes all its proceeds to the Glenview-based Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to caddies.
Since 2007 the BMW Championship has provided more than $44.5 million to these scholarships.
That's an aspect important to John Hamilton, a former PGA Tour volunteer of the year who lives in Wheaton.
8 ways to be a good fan at this weekend's BMW Classic
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald
The 2023 BMW Championship, which as the Western Open debuted in 1899 in Glenview, hits Olympia Fields Country Club through Aug. 20.
The penultimate event of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup contributes all its proceeds to the Glenview-based Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to caddies.
Since 2007 the BMW Championship has provided more than $44.5 million to these scholarships.
That's an aspect important to John Hamilton, a former PGA Tour volunteer of the year who lives in Wheaton.
August 15, 2023
Veteran golf pair holds off youngsters to win CDGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald
Reunited once again, amateur golfers John Ramsey of Glenview and Chadd Slutzky of Deer Park did what they do best.
The duo won their fourth overall and second consecutive Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) Amateur Four-Ball Championship Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan.
The event has only been held eight times, according to the CDGA's Casey Richards. Ramsey and Slutzky previously won in 2017, 2020 and 2022.
Ramsey and Slutzky won the Four-Ball in a 20-hole finale against a pair of fifth-year collegiate golfers, Joshua Kirkham of Hinsdale and William Marshall of Elburn.
Veteran golf pair holds off youngsters to win CDGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald
Reunited once again, amateur golfers John Ramsey of Glenview and Chadd Slutzky of Deer Park did what they do best.
The duo won their fourth overall and second consecutive Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) Amateur Four-Ball Championship Wednesday, Aug. 9, at Glen Flora Country Club in Waukegan.
The event has only been held eight times, according to the CDGA's Casey Richards. Ramsey and Slutzky previously won in 2017, 2020 and 2022.
Ramsey and Slutzky won the Four-Ball in a 20-hole finale against a pair of fifth-year collegiate golfers, Joshua Kirkham of Hinsdale and William Marshall of Elburn.
August 16, 2023
Being On Scottie Scheffler's Bag 'Apex' For Chicago Heights Caddie
Jeff Arnold, Patch
Diego Origel knows the lay of the land at Olympia Fields Country Club about as well as one might expect for someone who has spent the better part of eight summers working a golf course that will host the world’s top 50 players this weekend.
Yet, for as many rounds as Origel —a Chicago Heights native and rising sophomore at the University of Illinois Chicago — has caddied at Olympia Fields, he figures his 18-hole walk on Wednesday will be difficult, if not impossible, to top even though his assignment for the day knows plenty about the game that brought them together for the day.
Origel was on the bag of the world’s No. 1-ranked player, Scottie Scheffler, for Wednesday’s BMW Championships pro-am event that precedes this weekend’s tournament at Olympia Fields.
Being On Scottie Scheffler's Bag 'Apex' For Chicago Heights Caddie
Jeff Arnold, Patch
Diego Origel knows the lay of the land at Olympia Fields Country Club about as well as one might expect for someone who has spent the better part of eight summers working a golf course that will host the world’s top 50 players this weekend.
Yet, for as many rounds as Origel —a Chicago Heights native and rising sophomore at the University of Illinois Chicago — has caddied at Olympia Fields, he figures his 18-hole walk on Wednesday will be difficult, if not impossible, to top even though his assignment for the day knows plenty about the game that brought them together for the day.
Origel was on the bag of the world’s No. 1-ranked player, Scottie Scheffler, for Wednesday’s BMW Championships pro-am event that precedes this weekend’s tournament at Olympia Fields.
August 17, 2023
CBS golf analyst would like to see Chicago on regular PGA schedule again
Kyle Porter, CBS Chicago
It was an exciting day one at the BMW Championship in Olympia Fields Thursday, especially with Rory McIlroy playing well.
Chicago area golf fans should enjoy this week because the BMW Championship won't be back until at least 2028. And of course, we don't have a yearly PGA Tour stop either - after many years of the Western Open.
CBS 2's Matt Zahn talked with former PGA tour player and now CBS Sports golf analyst Frank Nobilo about that the lack of a regular event in Chicago – among other subjects.
CBS golf analyst would like to see Chicago on regular PGA schedule again
Kyle Porter, CBS Chicago
It was an exciting day one at the BMW Championship in Olympia Fields Thursday, especially with Rory McIlroy playing well.
Chicago area golf fans should enjoy this week because the BMW Championship won't be back until at least 2028. And of course, we don't have a yearly PGA Tour stop either - after many years of the Western Open.
CBS 2's Matt Zahn talked with former PGA tour player and now CBS Sports golf analyst Frank Nobilo about that the lack of a regular event in Chicago – among other subjects.
August 17, 2023
Illini golf coach Small wins record 14th Illinois PGA Professional Championship
Mike Small, the men's coach at the University of Illinois, won the Illinois PGA Professional Championship for the 14th time and became the winningest PGA Professional at a section championship across the PGA of America's 41 sections nationwide.
His feat came with some unexpected problems, however.
The Illinois PGA was to have a Monday-through-Wednesday run at a new site, Thunderhawk in Zion. Bad weather forced the cancellation of the first round, and that forced the IPGA to reduce the event from the usual 54 holes to 36.
Illini golf coach Small wins record 14th Illinois PGA Professional Championship
- Learn more about Thunderhawk Golf Club
Mike Small, the men's coach at the University of Illinois, won the Illinois PGA Professional Championship for the 14th time and became the winningest PGA Professional at a section championship across the PGA of America's 41 sections nationwide.
His feat came with some unexpected problems, however.
The Illinois PGA was to have a Monday-through-Wednesday run at a new site, Thunderhawk in Zion. Bad weather forced the cancellation of the first round, and that forced the IPGA to reduce the event from the usual 54 holes to 36.
August 17, 2023
The best courses in the Chicago area
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest
Often overlooked in the debate about our country’s best regions for golf is the Chicago area, and that’s unfair. Many of the best Golden Age architects—from C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor to Donald Ross and Tom Bendelow—delivered timeless designs around the city. Seven Chicago-area courses (defined as being within an hour of the city) earn a ranking inside our ranking of America’s 100 Greatest or Second 100 Greatest courses, but the depth of fantastic golf extends beyond the top-ranked venues.
The best courses in the Chicago area
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest
Often overlooked in the debate about our country’s best regions for golf is the Chicago area, and that’s unfair. Many of the best Golden Age architects—from C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor to Donald Ross and Tom Bendelow—delivered timeless designs around the city. Seven Chicago-area courses (defined as being within an hour of the city) earn a ranking inside our ranking of America’s 100 Greatest or Second 100 Greatest courses, but the depth of fantastic golf extends beyond the top-ranked venues.
August 17, 2023
Downers Grove Open tees off Sept. 23
The Downers Grove Open will tee off at noon Sept. 23 at Belmont Golf Club, 2420 Haddow Ave., Downers Grove.
Male and female golfers ages 18 and up are eligible to compete in this 9-hole stroke play format open. Tee times begin at noon and continue until all of the golfers have teed off. The fee is $30 (green fee and event fee).
Downers Grove Open tees off Sept. 23
- Learn more about Belmont Golf Club
The Downers Grove Open will tee off at noon Sept. 23 at Belmont Golf Club, 2420 Haddow Ave., Downers Grove.
Male and female golfers ages 18 and up are eligible to compete in this 9-hole stroke play format open. Tee times begin at noon and continue until all of the golfers have teed off. The fee is $30 (green fee and event fee).
August 17, 2023
Rory McIlroy Doesn't Find Many Fairways But Finds Share of Lead at BMW Championship
Bob Harig, Sports Illustrated
The playoff grind is nothing new to Rory McIlroy, so he was hardly about to fret over a driver that went astray a few too many times Thursday during the opening round of the BMW Championship.
McIlroy has won the FedEx Cup title three times in his career and he’s in a great spot to win a fourth regardless of what happens this week at Olympia Fields Country Club.
Rory McIlroy Doesn't Find Many Fairways But Finds Share of Lead at BMW Championship
Bob Harig, Sports Illustrated
The playoff grind is nothing new to Rory McIlroy, so he was hardly about to fret over a driver that went astray a few too many times Thursday during the opening round of the BMW Championship.
McIlroy has won the FedEx Cup title three times in his career and he’s in a great spot to win a fourth regardless of what happens this week at Olympia Fields Country Club.
August 18, 2023
Local artist's mural captures '"golf in Chicago" at Olympia Fields Country Club
Matt Zahn, CBS Chicago
The top 50 professional golfers were dueling it out at the Olympia Fields Country Club this week for the BMW Championship.
The golfers were artists on the course, but anyone who's been out to Olympia Fields saw some cool artwork on the way in. As CBS 2's Matt Zahn reported, there was an interesting story of how it came together.
The Western Golf Association held a contest for area high schoolers to submit works of art capturing the essence of "golf in Chicago." They selected three winners: Miley McCullum of Lyons Township High School, Kayle Davenport of Mother McCauley, and Gavan Little from Schaumburg High School.
Local artist's mural captures '"golf in Chicago" at Olympia Fields Country Club
Matt Zahn, CBS Chicago
The top 50 professional golfers were dueling it out at the Olympia Fields Country Club this week for the BMW Championship.
The golfers were artists on the course, but anyone who's been out to Olympia Fields saw some cool artwork on the way in. As CBS 2's Matt Zahn reported, there was an interesting story of how it came together.
The Western Golf Association held a contest for area high schoolers to submit works of art capturing the essence of "golf in Chicago." They selected three winners: Miley McCullum of Lyons Township High School, Kayle Davenport of Mother McCauley, and Gavan Little from Schaumburg High School.
August 18, 2023
Max Homa sets Olympia Fields course record, leads BMW Championship
AP, ESPN
Max Homa was aware of the course record at Olympia Fields, and not just because of how well he was playing Friday in the BMW Championship. He happened to see a video board just as it flashed a message that Chris Kirk was challenging the course record of 63.
"Just randomly saw that today, and then I had to think about it," Homa said.
Homa broke the record even with two bogeys, making 10 birdies in his round of 8-under 62 that gave him a two-shot lead over Kirk (66) going into the weekend of the FedEx Cup postseason event that determines who goes to Tour Championship.
Max Homa sets Olympia Fields course record, leads BMW Championship
AP, ESPN
Max Homa was aware of the course record at Olympia Fields, and not just because of how well he was playing Friday in the BMW Championship. He happened to see a video board just as it flashed a message that Chris Kirk was challenging the course record of 63.
"Just randomly saw that today, and then I had to think about it," Homa said.
Homa broke the record even with two bogeys, making 10 birdies in his round of 8-under 62 that gave him a two-shot lead over Kirk (66) going into the weekend of the FedEx Cup postseason event that determines who goes to Tour Championship.
August 19, 2023
‘The longest rough I’ve ever seen’: Pro whiffs out of rough at BMW Championship
Jack Hirsh, Golf.com
It took three people to help Chris Kirk find his tee shot on the 7th hole Saturday.
That wasn’t because Kirk, blew his golf ball off the planet — it clearly skipped through a fairway bunker up to the top of the lip, just a few yards off the fairway.
No, it was because the rough at Olympia Fields is just swallowing golf balls left and right this week.
“This is some of the longest rough I’ve ever seen in my career,” CBS analyst Trevor Immelman said during Saturday’s third-round broadcast of the BMW Championship.
‘The longest rough I’ve ever seen’: Pro whiffs out of rough at BMW Championship
Jack Hirsh, Golf.com
It took three people to help Chris Kirk find his tee shot on the 7th hole Saturday.
That wasn’t because Kirk, blew his golf ball off the planet — it clearly skipped through a fairway bunker up to the top of the lip, just a few yards off the fairway.
No, it was because the rough at Olympia Fields is just swallowing golf balls left and right this week.
“This is some of the longest rough I’ve ever seen in my career,” CBS analyst Trevor Immelman said during Saturday’s third-round broadcast of the BMW Championship.
August 20, 2023
Victor Hovland rides greatest round of season to victory at BMW Championship
John Dietz, Daily Herald
There's obviously no way to measure who has fired the best round in professional golf in any given season.
It's all a matter of opinion.
So that being the case, we present you with what has to be the front-runner for 2023: Viktor Hovland's course-record 9-under 61 that catapulted the 25-year-old to a BMW Championship title at Olympia Fields on Sunday.
Hovland, who started 3 strokes behind co-leaders Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick, made the turn with a 2-under 33 then rattled off 7 birdies to card a back-nine 28.
Victor Hovland rides greatest round of season to victory at BMW Championship
John Dietz, Daily Herald
There's obviously no way to measure who has fired the best round in professional golf in any given season.
It's all a matter of opinion.
So that being the case, we present you with what has to be the front-runner for 2023: Viktor Hovland's course-record 9-under 61 that catapulted the 25-year-old to a BMW Championship title at Olympia Fields on Sunday.
Hovland, who started 3 strokes behind co-leaders Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick, made the turn with a 2-under 33 then rattled off 7 birdies to card a back-nine 28.
August 20, 2023
Not So Sweet Home Chicago? The BMW Championship Won't Be Back for Years
Bob Harig, Sports Illustrated
It was a bit curious last week when representatives of the Western Golf Association and BMW chose to announce a future tournament location that is not in the same city where the tournament was played this year.
The fact that the tournament—once anchored in the Chicago area for 44 consecutive years through 2007—has been leaving the Windy City more frequently in recent times remains a bit of a sore subject locally. The idea of one of the country’s best golf markets going without a tournament annually is still somewhat hard to believe.
Not So Sweet Home Chicago? The BMW Championship Won't Be Back for Years
Bob Harig, Sports Illustrated
It was a bit curious last week when representatives of the Western Golf Association and BMW chose to announce a future tournament location that is not in the same city where the tournament was played this year.
The fact that the tournament—once anchored in the Chicago area for 44 consecutive years through 2007—has been leaving the Windy City more frequently in recent times remains a bit of a sore subject locally. The idea of one of the country’s best golf markets going without a tournament annually is still somewhat hard to believe.
August 22, 2023
Why doesn't golf's BMW Championship stay in the Chicago area? Money.
John Dietz, Daily Herald
John Kaczkowski, the President and CEO of the Western Golf Association, said the WGA brings in far more for the Evans Scholars program when it goes to sites like Caves Valley in Maryland (2021) and Wilmington Country Club in Delaware (2022).
"Chicago has everything," said Kaczkowski, who resides in Mount Prospect. "We are so spoiled when it comes to entertainment possibilities.
"When we go to other towns, they don't have a lot of major things. They certainly don't have golf. So a lot of these markets are golf-starved. ... If you have an event once every 10 years, you're gonna support it."
Why doesn't golf's BMW Championship stay in the Chicago area? Money.
John Dietz, Daily Herald
John Kaczkowski, the President and CEO of the Western Golf Association, said the WGA brings in far more for the Evans Scholars program when it goes to sites like Caves Valley in Maryland (2021) and Wilmington Country Club in Delaware (2022).
"Chicago has everything," said Kaczkowski, who resides in Mount Prospect. "We are so spoiled when it comes to entertainment possibilities.
"When we go to other towns, they don't have a lot of major things. They certainly don't have golf. So a lot of these markets are golf-starved. ... If you have an event once every 10 years, you're gonna support it."
August 23, 2023
Glenbrook North golfer Kuwahara suffers shock
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald
In April, she won her 14-15 girls age group at the national Drive, Chip & Putt contest at Augusta National Golf Club.
In May, she won the Illinois Junior Golf Association Medinah Shrine Junior Invitational.
What's shocking is Kuwahara has played well since suffering an electric shock in a malfunctioning Jacuzzi in July.
Glenbrook North golfer Kuwahara suffers shock
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald
In April, she won her 14-15 girls age group at the national Drive, Chip & Putt contest at Augusta National Golf Club.
In May, she won the Illinois Junior Golf Association Medinah Shrine Junior Invitational.
What's shocking is Kuwahara has played well since suffering an electric shock in a malfunctioning Jacuzzi in July.
August 29, 2023
Village officials investigating discrepancies in inventory audit at Oak Brook Pro Shop
Oak Brook officials have decided to investigate discrepancies found recently with inventory at the Oak Brook Golf Club Pro Shop.
A review of the audit results of an Aug. 14 planned inventory by village staff revealed that significant discrepancies exist between reported sales and inventory versus actual inventory on hand, Village President Larry Herman said.
“The village takes this matter very seriously, and an internal investigation to determine the extent of the issue, identify the cause of the discrepancies, and rectify the situation has been launched,” he said.
Village officials investigating discrepancies in inventory audit at Oak Brook Pro Shop
- Learn more about Oak Brook Golf Club
Oak Brook officials have decided to investigate discrepancies found recently with inventory at the Oak Brook Golf Club Pro Shop.
A review of the audit results of an Aug. 14 planned inventory by village staff revealed that significant discrepancies exist between reported sales and inventory versus actual inventory on hand, Village President Larry Herman said.
“The village takes this matter very seriously, and an internal investigation to determine the extent of the issue, identify the cause of the discrepancies, and rectify the situation has been launched,” he said.
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