lenz – Len Ziehm On Golf

Nick Price has designed a special layout at Florida’s Soleta course

Soleto partners David Turner (left) and Charles Duff (second from right) join course designer Nick Price (second from left) and David Leadbetter, who designed by practice area, at the club’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Joy Sarver Photos)

MYAKKA CITY, Florida – Not all great golfers have evolved into great golf course designers. Nick Price is one who did, as underscored by his just unveiled Soleta course, located a few miles east of Sarasota, FL.

As a golfer Price, now 67, was one of the great ones. No doubt about that.

He was the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Rankings for 43 weeks in the 1990s, a decade in which he topped the PGA Tour money list twice, won the PGA Championship twice and the British Open once and took back-to-back Western Open titles in 1993 and 1994.

Oh, yes. The South African-born Price was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003. Enough said about his playing ability, though his heyday was three decades ago.

Price found his way into course design, but it took a while.

“I started with architecture toward the end of my career but didn’t want to do anything,’’ he said. “You don’t want to when you’re playing well.’’

Four years into his career on PGA Tour Champions that changed.

“I developed a serious elbow injury and had surgery,’’ he said. “When I came back after a year I couldn’t play, so I retired.’’

And a career in course design kicked in. He did 11 co-designs with established architects like Tom Fazio and Steve Smyers before creating his own course. He started his own design firm in 2001 and has has his name on 27 courses (as either designer or consultant) in the Dominican Republic, Ireland, South Africa, Mexico and China in addition to Florida. He lives in Hobe Sound, which is also the site of McArthur Golf Club – a layout he co-designed with Fazio.

Soleta is basically a golf course now, but here’s an artist’s rendering of the projected finished project.

Soleto is something different. The name is from the Native American word for sandhill crane. It’ll eventually be a full-fledged family-oriented private club with about 275 local members and another 100 national ones. At least that’s the plan. On the December day when Soleto officially opened Soleto already had 170 members. Initiation fee is $115,000.

What makes the course special are its meandering (Price calls it “free-standing”) tee areas. They’re as long as 120 yards with eight sets of color-coded markers on each tee. (Only three were designated for play on opening day).

The tee areas aren’t of the runway style at more courses. The Soleto tees are spread around; some even have doglegs.

“I want the members to understand the versatility of the course and enjoy its variety,’’ said Price. “I’ve played on all four corners of the world and have gotten to see a lot of different types of golf. This one is more links-style but I want them to keep in mind that they don’t have to play from a certain spot.’’

The par-3 seventh hole shows how versatile Soleta can play. At left is a tee shot from a front tee, with no water involved. At top/right is a tee further back with water into play and bottom right shows tee placement possibilities on a dogleg, the end result being a challenging long carry over much more water.

Soleto was built on what had been a cow pasture. About 2,000 trees were moved in the construction process. Water comes into play on only two holes (Nos. 11 and 16) and the scorecard says the layout can be played as short as 5,145 yards or as long at 7,411 yards – with plenty of options in between. The No. 8 green is 65 yards long.

Also most noteworthy is the liberal use of sugar sand, a white variety indigenous to the area. It’s all over the layout and creates all sorts of challenges. In short, you have to make contact with the ball first. If your clubs hit the sugar sand first no telling where the ball might go.

The course is a par-72 with the 598-yard fifth the longest par-5. The par-3 seventh is the most picturesque hole and seems the most fitting as the signature hole. The Fish Camp behind the fifth green and sixth tee box is located near the Myakka River and will be used for special events. No. 17 provides the always popular driveable par-4, measuring between 236 and 333 yards.

Sugar sand, a fine sand indigenous to this Florida area, gives Soleta a special touch.

Price made 22 trips to Soleto from the start to the completion of construction about a year later.

“There were times you had to be here a lot,’’ he said. “That what makes a golf course playable.’’

Soleto is going to be much more than a special golf course. It’ll have a new clubhouse, 93 homesites (but in view from only two holes) and racquet sports facilities.

Price isn’t the only popular golf personality involved in the project. David Leadbetter, the famed instructor, designed the 30-acre practice facility that will open soon. It has the latest in TopTracer technology, with four cameras covering all 16 hitting bays on the range. There’ll also be a chipping green, a putting course and a par-3 course to be called the Colt (the name for a small crane). The short course will have six greens and nine tee boxes.

The highly upscale TopTracer technology gives Soleta one of the best practice areas in the country.

Illinois PGA shortens its section championship tourney

Golf schedules at the local level aren’t usually announced until late winter or early spring but the Illinois PGA revealed two major developments in its 2025 schedule.

The Illinois PGA Championship – officially the Illinois Professional Championship now – will be reduced from 54 to 36 holes next year. The tournament, scheduled for Aug. 25-26, has traditionally been contested as a three-day, 54-hole event.

“More (PGA) sections are doing that,’’ said Andy Mickelson, director of golf at Mistwood in Romeoville and tournament committee veteran. “It opens the opportunity to use more sites.’’

Mickelson was the tourney champion in 2021, tied for section in 2023 and tied for third this year when Brian Carroll took the title. Mike Small, the University of Illinois men’s coach, won the tournament a record 14 times.

The IPGA’s biggest event, the Illinois Open on Aug. 4-6, will also have a notable new site in 2025. It’ll be played at Kemper Lakes. The Kildeer site hosted two major championships on the pro tours – the 1989 PGA Championship and the KPMG’s PGA Championship in 2018 on the Ladies PGA circuit. Kemper also hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1992.

While Kemper was a long-tie site for the IPGA Match Play tournament it has never hosted an Illinois Open. Sites are still not determined for the IPGA’s other two major events, the Match Play and the the IPGA Players Championship.

PGA TOUR WRAPUP: Sunday’s wrapup to the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Ga., concluded the 2024 PGA Tour season – a campaign that suggests its Illinois-connected players may have trouble making as many tournament appearances when the 2025 campaign begins in January.

The top 125 in this year’s FedEx Cup standings earned PGA Tour cards for next season. Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim, at No. 71, survived but Northwestern alum Dylan Wu (132), University of Illinois alum Adrien Dumont de Chassart (139), Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman (142) and Northbrook’s Nick Hardy (147) didn’t. Streelman and Hardy are past champions and that may help them get into some events.

Players in the top 150 did earn conditional status for 2025, but the PGA Tour – citing slow play concerns –has announced a reduction in field size at some events.

HERE AND THERE: This IPGA named its new officers. Mike Picciano, of Bull Valley in Woodstrock, is the new president with Mickelson the vice president and Jamie Nieto of Royal Fox, in St. Charles, the secretary. Cog Hill’s Kevin Weeks and Mistwood’s Dan Bradley are newcomers to the board of directors.

Tyler Wolllberg, assistant at The Grove in Long Grove, has been named the director of golf at Pine Meadow, in Mundelein. He replaces the retired Dennis Johnsen.

Terry Hanley, general manager at Cantigny in Wheaton, has announced his retirement effective at the end of this year.

LIV Tour will return to Bolingbrook in 2025

The PGA Tour made its last Chicago area visit in 2019 and the other national golf organizing groups have been absent longer than that. Not the upstart LIV Golf League, though.

LIV, the Saudi-backed circuit that is waging a well-publicized battle with the PGA Tour, announced Tuesday that it will be playing for a fourth straight year in the Chicago area. Rich Harvest Farms, in Sugar Grove, was the tournament site In LIV’s first two seasons. Last year the tourney moved to Bolingbrook Golf Club, and Bolingbrook will also host the next visit, on Aug. 8-10, 2025.

The Chicago stop will also kick off the first-ever Midwest swing for LIV. The following week the circuit will play at The Club at Catham Hills in Westfield, Ind., near Indianapolis. That stop will be LIV’s first visit to Indiana.

Bolingbrook’s tournament will be a bit different than last year’s. Last year’s was announced well into the season and was played as the circuit’s season Individual Championship. Spain’s Jon Rahm was the big winner, taking both that tournament and the season-long titles. Next year’s tournament will be a standards regular season stop, just like the two played at Rich Harvest.

Rahm was a three-shot winner with an 11-under-par 199 total for 54 holes this year on a layout designed by Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest.

Bolingbrook mayor Mary Alexander-Basta was delighted by Tuesday’s announcement.

“We’re excited to welcome the eyes of the golf world and LIV Golf Tour back,’’ she said. “The 2024 event was a tremendous success, and we look forward to building on that momentum to bring another world-class event to tour community.’’

LIV is far ahead of previous years in setting up its 2025 schedule. The return to Bolingbrook and first-ever visit to Indianapolis were part of an announcement that also included the circuit’s first tournament at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Korea and the return to Dallas, Spain and the United Kingdom for tournaments.

“LIV is growing across the globe in new and returning markets,’’ said LIV commissioner and chief executive officer Greg Norman. “We’re excited to build on the tremendous success we had last year at new venues in Chicago, Dallas and the UK, where we set new league attendance records.’’

The next season begins Feb. 6-8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Indianapolis stop Aug. 15-17 will be the season’s final regular season event. Chatham Hilla was the last design by the late architect Pete Dye. It’ll lead into the season-ending Individual and Team championships. Dates and sites for those events haven’t been announced.

LIV plans another 14-tournament schedule and has set dates and sites for 10 events.

HERE AND THERE: Dennis Johnsen, one of the area’s longest-standing club professionals, has announced his retirement. Johnsen spent 50 years in the golf business. The last 20 seasons were as director of golf at Pine Meadow in Mundelein, which followed a long stint at Pheasant Run in St. Charles. Johnsen was a leader in the creation of the PGA Junior League and the Illinois Super Senior Open.

Fresh Meadow, a Hillside course that opened in 1924, has closed for good. Owned by the Archdiocese of Chicago, the public course was known as Fair Lawn when it opened. Future use of the property has not been announced.

Mike Small, head coach of the University of Illinois men’s team, has signed a special recruit in Dujuan Snyman. Originally from South Africa, Snyman finished in the top four on the Australian Boys Order of Merit in each of the last four years.

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Home Town Takeover TV series will take Sebring in a new direction

This three-dimensional mural spotlights the Central Florida orange groves and is sure to catch the interest of visitors to Sebring’s City on the Circle. (Joy Sarver Photos)

SEBRING, Florida – This charming town of about 11,000 in Central Florida has long been known for its robust golf courses and a famous auto race. Legendary golf course architect Donald Ross started the golf scenario when he designed the Pinecrest course in 1923 and the Sebring International Raceway, which opened in 1950, is one of the oldest continuously-operated road tracks in the United States.

Now, while those attractions continue to flourish, Sebring is making big progress in another direction. Its downtown area is about to get major television exposure. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency spearheaded a campaign to get Sebring a place on “Home Town Takeover!,’’ a smash hit as a series on HGTV.

In early 2025 Sebring will be the focal point of the series in which Ben and Erin Napier headed a team of renovation experts that revitalized the area known as “City on the Circle.’’

“We applied for the first season,’’ said Kristie Vazquez, executive director of Sebring’s Community Development Agency. “Over 5,000 cities responded, and we were chosen for the third season.’’

Cities in Mississippi and Alabama were sites for the well-received series’ first two seasons.

Ben Napier announced Sebring’s selection in February and the downtown area has been buzzing with activity ever since. The goal has been to breath new life into the town with work projects on several homes, several local businesses and the historic aspect that is unique to Sebring.

Said Napier: “Renovating one house at a time is an awesome experience, but the chance to give support to an entire town, where we can help bring an entire community back to life – that’s something we wanted to try.’’

The Sebring CRA has the task of “carrying out economic revitalization, promoting renovation of buildings and assist in coordination and promotion of downtown events.’’

Circle Park will be in the center of the action in the Home Town Takeover television series.

With Home Town Takeover involved the renovation work will get widespread attention.

Vazquez said the show was looking for cities of about Sebring’s size, and its circular downtown was a big plus. There are few such cities left that have a downtown area situated around a circular park. Sebring’s has six avenues feeding into Circle Park.

Sebring’s entire downtown is a designated 1920s Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The positives of that will be enhanced when TV viewers see the renovation work unfold.

The Circle Theater, built in 1923, had been stagnant for almost a year before it was completely renovated. Sophie’s Café, Brew-Haha’s Burger Emporium and Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works area also among the businesses benefitting from the renovation projects and a stunning three-dimensional mural spotlighting the orange groves so prominent in the area will be a big eye-catcher for visitors. They’ll combine to make City on the Circle a busy place.

The 101-year old Circle Theater underwent a total renovation in Sebring’s new look.

While the pending TV exposure is exciting, it’s not the only attraction impacting Sebring. On the golf front Fore Indoor Golf Club is about to open. It has Uneekor Eye simulators and a pool table, creating what owner William Carroll calls a great entertainment atmosphere with climate control.

A five-year renovation at what had been the Spring Lake golf facility is also paying off. Spring Lake had an 800-yard par-6, which was the longest hole in Florida. Its gone now and what had been a 45-hole complex in the 1970s has been reorganized.

Now known as the Sebring International Golf Resort, it now has three nine-hole courses and a Steve Smyers-designed 12-hole par-3 course. Our touring group participated in the Citrus Golf Trail Open pro-am, preceding a Minor League Golf Tour event at Sun N ’Lake course, and Pinecrest, looking better than ever, was the site of our more traditional Durland Cup scramble.

And, only 22 miles from Sebring, work is beginning on a highly-upscale private facility in the little town of Venus. A little mystery is attached to this project, known as High Grove. It’ll definitely be high-end, as an initiation fee is $200,000 and membership will be capped at 250. Gil Hanse, one of of the hottest of today’s golf course designers, heads the architectural team.

The club plans to have more of a national membership with construction heating up on Jan. 1. Limited lodging and an active orange grove will be on the 1,200-acre property and the course will be walking -only.

Morgan Purvis, the director of membership, said the club is not planning to include residential property and High Grove will have “one single owner.’’ Purvis, who lives in Aiken, S.C., wouldn’t name him, but did describe the owner as “an incredibly passionate active golfer.’’

The target for High Grove being in full operation is Feb. 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Sebring International Raceway has been declared “the birthplace of American endurance racing.’’ Its premier event – 12 Hours of Sebring – will next be staged on March 15, 2025. The golf and auto racing enthusiasts all figure to benefit once the City on the Circle renovations are completed. auto racing fanatics all figure to benefi

Yunii del Cueto, has Sophie’s Cafe ready to provide delicious Cuban food to Circle visitors.

The 301 is an eatery, brewery and distillery that will appeal to a wide range of visitors.

HGTV worked with Sebring’s Community Redevelopment Agency on the Home Town Takeover series.

Caitlin Clark will make her next pro-am at the LPGA’s Annika tourney

Caitlin Clark was a big hit in her first pro-am at the John Deere Classic. (John Deere Classic photo)

Caitlin Clark may be a basketball whiz, but she is making inroads in golf, too.

In July, 2023, Clark made her first golf appearance playing in the pro-am at the John Deere Classic, the PGA Tour stop at TPC Deere Run – a course located near the boarderline of Illinois and Iowa. Now, on Nov. 13, she’ll be the featured at the pro-am warmup for The Annika, the last event of the Ladies PGA Tour’s regular season at Pelican Golf Club in Bellair, FL.

This is a big deal, as Clark’s popularity has been clearly evident via social media – and not just with basketball fans.

Barry Cronin, the veteran media relations director of the John Deere Classic, believes that Clark’s pro-am round at the John Deere, was the start of something big. She played nine holes with Zach Johnson, then the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, and the other nine with Ludvig Aberg, an up-and-coming PGA Tour star from Sweden.

“That pro-am was the first taste of her super stardom to come,’’ recalled Cronin. “She was on the (media interview) podium with Zach afterwards and most of the questions went to her. It was like she was the PGA Tour player. Zach admitted that she was the star of the show that day.’’

Having grown up in DesMoines, Iowa, and starring for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team, Clark already had a local following at that tournament.

“There were thousands, mostly young girls, wearing her No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes jersey around the course,’’ said Cronin. “She was disappointed in how she played, but clearly she was a competent golfer.’’

Things have changed since then. Now more than basketball fans in Iowa know about Caitlin Clark. Her play for the Indiana Fever gave the Women’s National Basketball Association a big boost, and Clark has learned more about golf. She’s even dabbled recently with with being a professional golfer in her offseason – perhaps jokingly, perhaps not.

Anyway, Clark’s appearance at the Pelican will boost a 72-hole tournament that is rapidly becoming among the most popular on the LPGA circuit. She will be paired with tournament host Annika Sorenstam in the pro-am and their honorary caddies will be IndyCar drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson.

Sorenstam, a golfing legend, won’t meet Clark until tournament week, but she’s looking forward to it.

“What she has done is amazing for women’s basketball but also for women’s sports, young girls and women in general,’’ said Sorenstam. “For her to come out here, it’s awesome that she plays golf. She really has an interest. It’s going to draw a lot of attention.’’

Golf-wise, The Annika is a significant event even without Clark. Two-time champion and world No. 1 Nelly Korda will be there as will Lilia Vu, the defending champion and world’s No. 2-ranked player. The field will be solid because of its dates. The following week is the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, one of the biggest money events in women’s golf, at Tiburon in Naples, FL., and the traditional start of the 2025 season is also in the Sunshine State. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Championship will be played Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at Lake Nona, a club in which Sorenstam is a member.

Clark’s role will supplement — but not overwhelm –The Annika tournament.

“She’s an ambassador for women and sport,’’ said Sorenstam. “She seems very athletic. I’m sure she can do anything she puts her mind to. She played quite a bit of golf growing up, and I believe it’s one of her passions when she’s not on the court making three-pointers.’’

Sorenstam is sure Clark will be worth watching as a golfer, not just because she’s a special athlete.

“I’ve only seen her swing on social media,’’ said Sorenstam, “but I’m not so worried about her. I don’t think she’s worried either. She’s an athlete. She’s used to big crowds. I’m sure she’ll shine, no matter what she does. She’s going to do awesome.’’

Ghim is getting close to his first PGA Tour win

This PGA Tour season wasn’t the best for Chicago regulars Kevin Streelman, Nick Hardy and Doug Ghim. None qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, which concluded the 2023-24 season in September.

The fall events, though, have been most encouraging for all three. Streelman, who Wheaton, had a tie for third and Hardy, from Northbrook, notched a tie for eighth two weeks ago in the Black Diamond Championship in Utah. It was the best finish of the season for both of them.

Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim did even better on Sunday, finishing solo second in the Shriner Chidren’s Open in Las Vegas. That was a career best for the 28-year old who attended Buffalo Grove High School and starred for the University of Texas before turning pro in 2018. He made it to the PGA Tour in 2020 and is still without a victory, but Sunday he came close.

Eventual champion J.T. Poston and Ghim played in the final group on Sunday. Poston, who won the John Deere Classic – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event – in 2022, and Ghim turned the tournament into a two-man duel in the final 18.

Ghim was within two strokes of Poston on the 18^th tee and hit a great approach to the final green, leaving him a six-foot birdie putt. He made it, putting the pressure on Poston to sink a four-footer for par to avoid a playoff. Poston made his putt, too. to claim the title.

It climaxed a stirring final round in which Ghim posted a better score (a 6-under-par 65) but couldn’t top Poston on the tournament leaderboard. Poston won by a shot with a 22-under-262 for the 72 holes.

“I did everything I could,’’ said Ghim. “I haven’t had the best history in final rounds and final groups, so this definitely is going to be a little badge on my chest.’’

The strong showing on his home course also earned Ghim, who now lives in Las Vegas, a place in this week’s no-cut, $8.5 million ZOZO Classic in Japan.

“A lot of players who would like to be there won’t be able to,’’ said Ghim, “so it’ll be a fun challenge. It’s fun playing on the other side of the world, too. I’m grateful for the opportunity.’’

BITS AND PIECES: Roy Biancalana, of The Hawk in St. Charles, won the Illinois PGA Senior Match Play title for the fourth straight year…Lance Olson, of Champaign took the IPGA Senior Championship….Dan Stringfellow, of Medinah, is the Chicago District Golf Association’s Player of the Year and Glen Przbylski, of Frankfort, claimed the same honor for senior players….The University of Illinois men’s team will host an NCAA Regional at Atkins Golf Club, in Urbana, in 2025.

Another of the golfing Ten Broeck family has passed on

The Ten Broeck brothers (from left) Rick, Lance and Jim made a big impact on on the Chicago golf scene. ( Betty Weinstein Photo)

Sadly another member of the golfing Ten Broeck family has passed on.

Rick Ten Broeck died at 76 on Oct. 10 after suffering complications from Parkinson’s disearse and dementia. His younger brother Lance was 67 when he died in April, 2023, in Florida. They were two of the eight children of Willis and Eleanor Ten Broeck, both long-time members of Chicago’s Beverly Country Club .

The Ten Broeck golf saga blossomed in 1968 when older brother Jim won the Illinois State Amateur at Prestwick, in Frankfort. Rick finished second that day, with Lance serving as his caddie.

Jim also won the club championship as a junior member at Beverly, a South Side private club that is rich in golf history. Jim and Rick played college golf at Arizona State and Lance at Texas. Rick and Lance outdid Jim with their golf accompllishments in succeeding years.

Rick, the father of three children, lived in Evergreen Park at the time of his death. His father Willis was a multiple winner of the Beverly club championship, but Rick won it a whopping 18 times. He also won two Illinois Opens – in 1973 at Barrington Hills during his brief fling in the professional ranks, and in 1981 at Bon Vivant, in Bourbonnais, as a reinstated amateur. He was also an Illinois Amateur of the Year twice and the Chicago District Golf Association’s senior player-of-the-year in 2005 and 2006.

Lance carried the family name even further golf-wise. Like Rick he starred in the sport at Brother Rice High School. Lance’s first big splash on the national scene came at the 1975 U.S. Open at Medinah when – as a 19-year old amateur – he made the cut and tied for 49^th place. He was also an Illinois Open champion, winning at Flossmoor in 1984.

His subsequent stay in the professional ranks was a long one. He played on the Nationwide, PGA and Champions tours and won the 1984 Magnolia Classic before it was an official PGA Tour event. (It’s now called the Sanderson Farms Championship).

Lance also was a successful caddie. His Florida neighbor, Jesper Parnivik asked his to carry his bag in the 1999 Greater Greeensboro Open, and Parnevik won the title by two strokes over Jim Furyk. Lance continued to work as a caddie but could also get into some events as a player. The most noteworthy of those was in the 2009 Valero Texas Open.

He was on Parnevik’s bag in that PGA Tour stop in the morning and then was told he could fill the spot of a player who had withdrawn in the afternoon. He did it, and posted a score lower than Parnevik’s.

A celebration of Rick Ten Broeck’s life will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Beverly Country Club.

END IT

Streelman’s 300 made cuts is proof of his consistency on the PGA Tour

Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman, at 45 years old, is finishing up his 17^th season on the PGA Tour. This isn’t one of his best ones, but he achieved a significant milestone at last week’s Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi.

Streelman made his 300^th career cut on golf’s premier circuit. There have been 9,711 golfers who have made at least one PGA Tour cut over the years, but only 203 have hit 300. Streelman did it in his 457^th career start.

“It’s a career thing,’’ said Streelman, who is – at least arguably – the best player to come out of the Chicago area in at least six decades . “It’s not just a hot week or a special year, but to do it this year is special to me and my family. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of time on the road, a lot of time away from my family. I’m just really thankful.’’

In his 17 seasons Streelman has won two tournaments, the last in 2014, and $26.7 million. This year, though, he had nine missed cuts and one withdrawal via injury in 20 starts. His ranking in the FedEx Cup standings is down to 177^th and he’s 274^th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

“You don’t want to play for making cuts, because then you end up finishing near cuts. If you’re trying to win tournaments those things take care of themselves,’’ said Streelman, “but this (hitting 300) has been a little bit of weight on my shoulders. I don’t necessarily know why. It’s just a number. I know 20 years from now, no one cares. It’s just something I’m proud of, that I’ve been able to accomplish.’’

Streelman has come a long way in his golf career.

“For a kid who lived out of my car for five years out of college, the dream of getting out here to close to 500 starts and 300 cuts is pretty cool,’’ he said. His first made cut came at Brown Deer Park in Milwaukee in 2005. The tournament, the Greater Milwaukee Open, has been long gone – but not in Streelman’s memory books.

He shot 65 in Monday qualifying to get into the tournament. That alone was a huge deal.

“At the time I had $20 to my name,’’ he said. “To know that last place would be $10,000 or $12,000, that’s a life changing amount of money for a mini-tour golfer. To make the cut I made like $25,000. I was the richest guy in the world that night. It allowed me to pay for Q-School and the next few months of entry fees.’’

Making cuts became less of a concern as Streelman blossomed into a solid journeyman on the PGA Tour and prize money steadily increased. Still, money was a concern.

“It’s real. We pay our caddies a lot. Pay for hotel fees and travel, and you’ve got to take care of all that on our own,’’ he said. “A cold stretch with the putter or driver and all of a sudden it gets expensive. That can weigh heavily on Friday afternoons when you’re right on the cut line.’’

Streelman got a dose of reality before the Mississippi tournament wrapped up on Sunday. A struggling 73 in the final round dropped him 29 spots on the leaderboard into a tie for 42^nd place. His paycheck was $26,200 – not bad, but it would have been about $200,000 more had he held the tie for sixth that he had after 54 holes.

Medinah goes on the clock as host club for the 2026 Presidents Cup

NOW IT’S MEDINAH’S TURN: (From left) Jason Gore, Paul Azinger, Michaael Scimo, Vaughn Moore, Geoff Ogilvy and Joie Chitwood get the ball rolling for the 2026 Presidents Cup. (Rory Spears Photo)

There was cause for celebration at Medinah Country Club when the last putt dropped in the Presidents Cup Sunday in Montreal. That meant that Medinah, already rich in golf history, went on the clock for another place in golf history.

Medinah, celebrating its centennial this year, will host the next Presidents Cup from Sept. 14-20 in 2026. When that battle between the U.S. team and an International squad concludes Medinah will be the only club in the country to have hosted a U.S. Open, a PGA Championship, a Ryder Cup and a Presidents Cup.

“We’re so excited,’’ said Joie Chitwood, executive director for the Presidents Cup in the aftermath of a members’ gathering on Wednesday night . “With two years still to go we’re far along in our progress. Forty-three percent of the suites available have already been sold.’’

The Presidents Cup doesn’t have the stature of Medinah’s three biggest tournaments. The club’s last one was the Ryder Cup in 2012. Prior to that Medinah hosted U.S. Opens in 1949, 1975 and 1990 and PGA Championship in 1999 and 2006. The Presidents Cup will also be played on Medinah’s No. 3 course, but this version has been completely renovated by OCM, an Australian firm featuring Geoff Ogilvy, the U.S. Open champion in 2006. The current No. 3 has been played almost entirely by members since its opening this year.

“Geoff’s company did a phenomenal job,’’ said Chitwood. “It created six new holes. It’ll be a great match play course, and it’ll still be `Mighty Medinah.’’’

Ogilvy was on hand for the members’ party as was Paul Azinger a former PGA champion and Ryder Cup captain. He’s withdrawn his name from consideration as the U.S. captain for this Presidents Cup, though. The captain won’t be named until next spring.

The Presidents Cup has been dominated by the U.S. team, which has a 13-1-1 edge in the series and has won the last 10 meetings. There was even some talk in Montreal about the format being changed to make it more competitive or interesting. Even going co-ed, with LPGA players taking a role in the competition on both sides, was suggested.

Chitwood, reflecting on the Americans’ 18 ½-11 ½ victory in Montreal, doesn’t see any changes coming.

“Montreal showcased some of the best golf I’ve ever seen,’’ he said. “The International players were chippy at times during the emotional back and forth those four days. That’s all we can ask for from a team competition perspective.’’

Chitwood is finishing up a busy year. He spent three months as interim director of what had been the Honda Classic, a PGA Tour event held in March in Florida. It underwent a name change and is now the Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches. His family lives in Florida but he also took an apartment in Chicago in June of 2023 to deal with Presidents Cup matters.

“I’ll have been here 3 ½ years before event. That’s how long it’ll take, given the size and scope of this event now,’’ he said. “Montreal did a fantastic job, but we want to have the biggest and best Presidents Cup in history.’’

Kellen, Svoboda are IPGA Winners

Jeff Kellen, of North Shore Country Club in Glenview, won the season-ending Illinois PGA Players Championship at GlenView Club this week to conclude the section’s tournament season. Kellen, who also won the section’s final major title in 2018, was a sizzling 10-under-par 134 for 36 holes in edging Andy Svoboda, of Butler National in Oak Brook, by two strokes.

Svoboda, however, led the season-long Bernardi point standings to earn IPGA Player-of-the-Year honors in his first season in Chicago. The inaugural Illinois PGA Team Championship, also a season-long event, concluded with a team captained by Brian Carroll, of The Hawk in St. Charles, winning the title.

Carroll’s team consisted by Frank Hohenadel, of Mistwood in Romeoville; Doug Bauman, Biltmore in Barrington; Brandon O’Kray, Onwentsia in Lake Forest; Danny Mulhearn, Glen Oak in Glen Ellyn; and B.J. Paul, of Bolingbrook.

Korn Ferry Finals are next on French Lick’s tournament schedule

The pro shop at French Lick’s Pete Dye Course has devoted itself to the next big attraction. (Joy Sarver Photos)

FRENCH LICK, Indiana – Add the Korn Ferry Championship to the long resume of big golf tournaments played on the courses at French Lick Resort. Lots of new things have been going on at the southern Indiana destination, the latest being the staging of the season-ending event for the PGA Tour’s alternative circuit.

The concluding event in the four-tournament Finals be played Sept. 24 through Oct. 6 and when the last putt drops about 30 hopefuls will, in addition to their tournament paychecks, be handed their PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season.

Victoria National, after hosting a regular Korn Ferry stop from 2012-18, was the site of the circuit’s Finals from 2019-23. An ownership change at Victoria National led to French Lick being named the site through 2028.

“It’s great for us,’’ said Dave Harner, long-time director of golf at French Lick. “From all indications this will be very successful. We have six pro-ams, and they’re practically all filled.’’

Those preliminaries will be split between the super-scenic Pete Dye Course, which will host all four tournament rounds starting Oct. 3, and the historic Donald Ross Course. which celebrated its centennial in 2017. It has had its share of big moments, beginning with the 1924 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen that started that legendary player on his way to five straight wins in the event.

Director of golf Dave Harner is no stranger to tournament play coming to French Lick’s courses.

The Ross also hosted the LPGA three straight years from 1958-60, and all were won by famous players. Louise Suggs won the first tournament and the other two went to Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright when the event was designed as the LPGA Championship.

There was a big lull in tournament play after that as the community was known mainly as the home of basketball great Larry Bird. The golf activity started kicking in again around 2010 with the renovation of the Ross course and Dye’s creation of a the dazzling course that bears his name.

French Lick gave the senior LPGA players a huge boost by creating the Legends Championship in 2013. It grew into the LPGA Senior Championship in 2017, which was also played at French Lick. French Lick also found a place for the Senior PGA Championship in 2015, when Colin Montgomerie won the title, and the women’s Symetra (now Epson) circuits.

Also mixed in with those big professional events were three Indiana Opens, seven Big Ten collegiate championships, a U.S. Golf Association Men’s Team Championship and a PGA Professionals National Championship.

Now the Korn Ferry begins its scheduled five-year run.

“It’s only the second of those tournaments that has a group that takes care of the detail work,’’ said Harner. “It’s nice to have the support and knowledge that these guys have.’’

French Lick’s Pete Dye Course is the road to the PGA Tour and the climax to the Korn Ferry season.

Unlike French Lick’s other big tournaments, the Korn Ferry has fall dates.

“That shows us in a different light, when we can all enjoy the fall colors,’’ said Harner. “The temperature should be cooler, we’ll have winds that we didn’t have in the summer and the course is in great shape.’’

A new charity, Golf Gives Back, is also in place. It focuses on early childhood education and funds gained from the tournament will be spread around all of southern Indiana, as was the practice when the tournament was played at Victoria National.

While the Korn Ferry’s arrival is the biggest deal, it’s not the only new thing at French Lick.

A fourth course is under construction that will eventually supplement the Pete Dye, Donald Ross and Valley Links, which is a nine-holer. The new course will have nine holes ranging from 47 to 97 yards, music will be a side attraction and lights will be available for night play. Russ Apple, the superintendent for the Dye course, has done the bulk of the architectural work. The course’s opening is uncertain.

“We want it to be a family experience,’’ said Harner, “but a lot of guys coming off the hills (at the Dye and Ross) will want to knock it around. It’s short but this course has some teeth, sort of a mini-Pete Dye.’’

French Lick has also added a PGA Tour player, Adam Schenk, to its staff.

“We took him on this year to sponsor him,’’ said Harner. “He’s a real nice young man who’s from Vincennes (just a few miles away), so he’s a natural fit for us.’’

Schenk is French Lick’s first major tour player since the days of Bob Rosburg and Marilyn Smith, both stars in the 1960s and 1970s.

Author: lenz