Author: lenz

Ownership changes are no problem at Illinois’ Eagle Ridge

 

Here’s a sneak preview of the Vista, Eagle Ridge’s soon-to-be new ballroom. (Joy Sarver Photos)

GALENA, IL. – Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa has been on an upswing since Mark Klausner bought the resort in 2019. He was a hands-on owner and improved all phases of the operation, though the moving of the original spa and creation of the spectacular new Stonedrift Spa was clearly his pet project.

Klausner passed on after a cancer battle on Aug. 8, 2025 at the age of 76. He was a successful businessman before he and wife Kathy moved to Galena 26 years ago.

Kathy took on the role of majority owner  after Mark’s passing, which came a week short of their 55th wedding anniversary. The Klausners had two sets of twins among their six children.

“This (place) was his love,’’ said Kathy.  “We worked so well as a team. Mark always wanted things done on the outside, and I had visions for the inside. It feels like he’s watching me from above. The ballroom was my first priority.’’

The new ballroom will be called the Vista and combine timeless elegance with soaring walls of glass that provide beautiful panoramic views of Lake Galena. It will  be especially desirable for weddings.

General manager Steve Geisz (left) and majority owner Kathy Klausner are Eagle Ridge’s leadership team.

“Mark had a vision, and Kathy is going to continue that vision,’’ said Colin Sanderson, in his 13th year as the resort’s director of sales and marketing. “Mark was very, very proud of this resort and what he did with it.’’

The most notable difference from before Mark took ownership probably was the golf courses. Eagle Ridge has 63 holes, ranging from the North Course which is nearing its 50th anniversary to The General, which opened in 1997 and is a spectacular layout with sweeping elevation changes. All were designed by the late Roger Packard.

“Time took a toll on our golf courses,” admitted Sanderson of the years leading into Klauser taking ownerership. “Once Mark took over he recognized the golf courses needed immediate attention and put capital resources needed to bring the courses back to their original condition and, in some cases, even better. Our sales group typically books 80-85 golf groups (a year) — and that’s of 20 or more people.  One group now has 120 people and we topped 105 golf groups — 40 more than we ever had.”

Director of golf John Schlaman likes the new first cut additions on The General course.

The General got a new look this year as director of golf John Schlaman, in his second term of duty at the resort, unveiled a first cut between the fairways and rough on The General. He hopes to use it at all the resort’s courses

“It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is,’’ said Schlaman. “This year we had lots of rain, and the first cut is the most luscious part of the rough.  It’s nice if you miss the fairway by two or three feet and still have a decent lie. It’s a huge upgrade at any golf course.’’

There were other big changes at the resort, which has 80 guest rooms and over 150 homes located on its 6,800 acres.  Joe Langley came in as restaurant manager and Brandon Veitch is now designing all the menus at the resort’s three restaurants. Steve Geisz continues as the general manager and is responsible for day-to-day operations.

“It’s all been positive,’’ said Kathy Klausner, who is majority owner and heads more of a family ownership group.  Two family members have taken places on the resort’s board of directors.

“There’s so much excitement with new people working here,’’ she said.  “This field can be very transient. Every year you’re opening your house up to people you don’t know and have to make them want to come. It’s scary, but not with good people behind you.’’

And people will come.

Colin Sanderson, the director of sales and marketing, has seen 13 years of growth at Eagle Ridge.

In addition to the abundance of great golf there’s more than ample dining on the outskirts of a most interesting town. Galena is historic, as the home of Ulysses S. Grant, a respected Civil War general and President of the United States. The city also has lots of shops and a variety of dining options to supplement Eagle Ridge’s constantly changing attractions.

The resort has new pickleball courts,  the swimming pool has been refreshed and there’ll be sunset cruises on Lake Galena. In the winter there’ll be a 40 by 80-foot outdoor ice skating rink, a Nordic Center and sledding on the 10th hole of The General and miles of snow shoeing paths. There’ll also be two igloos available for special winter entertaining.

The 12,000 square foot Stonedrift Spa is introducing a floating sound bath in the swimming pool.  It’s billed as a “deeply restorative experience.’’  Also coming are the Ashiatsu barefoot massage and head spa treatments.

“Things you can’t get in this area,’’ said Sanderson, “and there are lots of things in the process of getting done. Things just keep on going.  We’re fully staffed and ready to go.’’

The indoor swimming pool was rejuvenated in one of Eagle Ridge’s latest upgrades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presidents Cup preparations heat up at Medinah

 

The last of the year’s four major golf championships are over, following Sunday’s conclusion of the British Open.  Next big series of events is the three-tournament FedEx Cup Playoffs, which begin Aug. 13 with the St. Jude Championship in Tennessee.

That series of tournaments will have an added appeal because that’s when the teams will be announced for the Presidents Cup, the Sept. 24-27 team climax to the Chicago season at Medinah Country Club.

Each team will have six automatic qualifiers and six captain’s picks. The current top six for the U.S. side are Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Russell Henley, Sam Burns, Ben Griffin and Colin Morikawa.  Chris Gotterup, who won the John Deere Classic – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event – earlier this month, is seventh in the standings.

The names will be finalized after the BMW Championship at Bellerive, in St. Louis, on Aug. 23. Selections will be made on a weighted system based on FedEx Cup points from Jan. 1, 2025 through Aug. 23.

The International side will determine its six automatic qualifiers by the Official World Golf Rankings after the Tour Championship, in Atlanta, on Aug. 30. The top six at the moment are Si Woo Kim, of South Korea; New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, Australia’s Min Woo Lee, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, South Korea’s Tom Kim and Canada’ Corey Connors.

Though the U.S. holds a 13-1-1 edge in the series, the Internationals might be stronger this time based on results over the last two weeks.  Kim won the Irish Open and Fox took the British Open.

Joie Chitwood, the Presidents Cup executive director, isn’t concerned about the onesided nature of the series.

“My job is to present this stage for the athletes to perform at the highest level,’’ said Chitwood, who has spent the last three-plus years getting things organized at Medinah. “We want to see the competition, and who wins or loses will happen.’’

The International’s lone win came in 1998, in Australia.  The U.S. has won the last 10 meetings.

There’s an interesting sidelight to this staging.  Geoff Ogilvy, captain of the Internationals, was a leader of the architectural team that re-designed Medinah’s No. 3 course.  U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker has already visited Medinah to walk the course several times in preparation for the four days of matches.

Medinah has hosted three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, three Western Opens and the 2012 Ryder Cup. Most recently it was the site of the 2019 BMW Championship.

“Medinah has championship bones,’’ said Chitwood. “We’ve been building this one for a big championship event .  It’s been fast and furious seeing the structures being built. Only three suites are left and we had over 120. People are already grabbing up the parking. As we get closer you can feel the energy.’’

KORN FERRY TOUR: The Evans Scholars Invitational returns to The Glen Club, in Glen View, this week with tournament rounds Thursday through Sunday.

The field includes reigning Illinois Open champion Michael Feagles, a fellow University of Illinois alum in Nick Hardy and Andy Svoboda, the reigning Illinois PGA Player of the Year and this year’s IPGA Match Play champion.

ILLINOIS AMATEUR: Chicago’s Charlie Kulwin, a Loyola University graduate, overcame a six-stroke deficit on the final day of the tourney’s 95th playing at Crestwicke Country Club, in Bloomington. Kulwin shot 68-69 in the 36-hole wrapup to the tournament and was the only player under par for 72 holes.

Kulwin posted a 2-under-par 282 – the highest winning score in the Illinois State Am  since T.C. Ford was also 2-under in winning at Stone Creek, in Urbana, in 2004.

TV TIME FOR WESTERN:  The 124th Western Amateur, starting July 31 at Chicago’s Beverly Country Club, will get TV coverage on ESPN networks.  It’ll have its usual strong field during its run from Monday (JULY 27) though Aug. 1.

Heading the cast is Tyler Watts, ranked third in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.  The incoming freshman  at the University of Tennessee shot a course record 62 in the first round of last year’s Western Am at Skokie and made the cut in both of his two starts on the PGA Tour.

Virginia graduate Ben James won last year’s Western Am and has made the cut in five of his seven PGA Tour starts over the last 14 months. This year’s field has players from 25 countries, including 69 who are ranked in the top 100 in the World Amateur Rankings.

 

Illinois State Amateur won’t have a defending champion

 

The biggest Illinois golf tournaments will be coming fast and furious now with the 95th Illinois State Amateur leading the way. It reaches a climax on Thursday (JULY 16) with the low 35 players and ties after 18-hole rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday going 36 more holes to decide the champion at Crestwicke Country Club, in Bloomington.

Jordan Less covered the 72 holes in 16-under par at Stonebridge, in Aurora, to win last year but did not defend his title. The State Am started with eight qualifying sessions around the state.  They whittled the field from 469 registered entrants to 138 for the 72-hole wrapuup.

While the tournament is generally held in the Chicago area, Crestwicke has had  its share of time in the hosting spotlight.  The Bloomington course, designed by Larry Packard, hosted the tournament in 1979, 1980 and 2005 and hosted U.S. Amateur qualifiers in 2011 and 2012 as well as U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifiers in 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2025.

The State Am champion gets the Louis Emerson Trophy plus a berth in the U.S. Amateur at Merion, in Pennsylvania, Aug. 10-16.

The run of big events actually started with the 126th Women’s Western Amateur last week at River Forest, in Elmhurst.  It came down to a duel between two Western Athletic Conference stars, with Kylee Choi – a 19-year old who had just completed her freshman year at Pepperdine – beating Gonzaga graduate Grace Lee 2 & 1.

The next two big events both begin on Monday (July 20). Here’s a look at what may emerge as the biggest week of the 2026 Chicago tournament season:

EVANS SCHOLARS INVITATIONAL:  The Western Golf Association stages this one at The Glen Club in Glenview with tournament rounds from July 23-26.  It’s part of the Korn Ferry Tour, which provides a pathway to the PGA Tour.

This event started in 2019 with a most notable winner.  Scottie Scheffler is now the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer. Two other winners at The Glen – Cameron Young (2021) and Harry Hall (2022), also went on to win on the PGA Tour and Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, both very successful tour players, are also among the Evans Scholars Invitational alumni.

This year’s tournament offers $1 million in prize money.  Last year’s champion, Johnny Keefer, earned $180,000.

ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN: The IWO also tees off on Monday (JULY 20), at Mistwood in Romeoville but it doesn’t have as long a run as the week-long Evans Scholars. It’s a two-day 36-hole affair created by the late Phil Kosin in 1995.

Over the years amateurs have fared well against the competing professionals in the IWO.  One amateur, Kerry Postillion, won three of the first five titles and amateurs have won twice in the last three years – Grace Curran in 2023 and Kate Brody last year.

WESTERN AMATEUR:  The most physically demanding of all the tournaments will be played at Chicago’s Beverly Country Club from July 27 to August 1.

The Western Golf Association invites the 156 starters who come from around the world, thereby assuring the tournament’s place as one of the toughest fields in amateur golf.  The Western Am is the third oldest of those events.  The British Amateur was first played in 1885 and the U.S. Am in 1895.

The Western was first played in 1899. Chick Evans, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods head a stunning list of past champions. Others who have played in it include Scheffler, Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth and Collin Morakawa.

Fourteen of the Western Am champions have combined to win 52 of golf’s major titles, with Nicklaus and Woods accounting for 32 of those.  The demanding competitive format, though, is what sets the Western Am apart from all other big tournaments.  It begins with  72 holes of stroke play competition, then the low 16 advance to the four rounds of match play portion that determines the champion.

 

 

Women’s Western Amateur brings the best to River Forest

This week’s 126th Women’s Western Amateur is not just one of the oldest tournaments in the Chicago area.  It is by far the most prestigious women’s event on the 2026 calendar with Maelynn Kim, of Katy, TX, the defending champion.

The Women’s Western Am, held without interruption since 1901, completes its 36-hole stroke play qualifying on Wednesday at River Forest, in Elmhurst. Then there’ll be a cut to 32 players for five rounds of match play beginning on Thursday and concluding on Saturday.

“The championship has long been a showcase for the  next generation of stars in women’s golf,’’ said Susan Buchanan, the president of the Women’s Western Golf Association.  WWGA alumni have combined for over 340 Ladies PGA tournament titles, 60 Solheim Cup appearances and 135 major tournament titles.

River Forest hosted the event in 2017. While Maddie Szerzyk won the title that year,  the medalist was Alison Corpuz.  She went on to win the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach.

This year’s field has 120 players from 27 states and 12 countries.  The champion will be exempt for the next 10 Women’s Western Amateurs, gets a spot in this year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur and spots in four Women’s Elite Amateur Golf Series events in 2027.

The Women’s Western Amateur kicks off a busy month for the Western Golf Association.  The Evans Scholars Invitational, a Korn Ferry Tour event, runs July 23-26 at The Glen Club, in Glenview, and the day after that ends the men’s Western Amateur begins at Chicago’s Beverly Country Club.

NO SMALL FEAT:  University of Illinois men’s coach Mike Small keeps adding to his playing resume.  Last week he won the Illinois PGA Professionals Championship for the eighth time in 10 years and he had to beat former PGA Tour winner Gary Hallberg to do it.

“It’s nice to be mentioned alongside a record like that, but that’s not really a goal of mine,’’ said Small.  “I just enjoy coming out during the summer and playing golf with the guys. I coach all year and like to use these tournaments to test my coaching on myself.  If I ask my players to do certain things I want to make sure I can do them, too.’’

Small shot 65-68 for an 11-under-par 133 total in the 36-hole event and beat Hallberg by four shots.  Hallberg shot his age with a 67 in the second round.

BACK TO DEERE RUN: No sooner had the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic just left town but the Advocates Professional Golf Association is coming to the course for a 54-hole tournament July 14-16.

The APGA Tour, founded in 2010,  will conduct its seventh tournament of this season with the champion receiving $8,000 from a $25,000 purse.  Marcus Byrd, who won at Deere Run in 2023 and 2025, will be seeking his 11th win on the circuit.

The 54-man field includes Illinois players Alec Martinez, of Orland Park; Brian Ohr, Wheeling; and Marcus Smith, Rockford.

BACK TO CONWAY:  Conway Farms, in Lake Forest, hosted many major professional and amateur events over the years and they included visits from the PGA Tour. The club will host the Malbon Buckets Cup Tour on July 13. Its players will compete for a $36,000 purse.

 

 

 

Impressive JDC win has Gotterup ready to repeat in the Irish Open

He’s the champ! Chris Gotterup’s hot final round gave him the John Deere Classic title. (Joy Sarver Photos)

 

SILVIS, IL. – No question Chris Gotterup is ready to defend his title in the Scottish Open this week.  Last year Gotterup was the surprise winner in a duel with Rory McIlroy in that event but – after his impressive victory in the John Deere Classic on Sunday – Gotterup’s game is ready for the biggest European events.

Gotterup, with his brother Patrick working as his caddie, shot a 9-under-par 62 in the final round of the 55th JDC at TPC Deere Run. He needed a spectacular finish like that to get the win.

Starting the day  four shots behind co-leaders Lucas Glover and Lee Hodges, Gotterup birdied four of the first five holes and had climbed 11 positions in the standings when he finished his round. Thanks to 13 one-putt greens, he was at 20-under-par 264 for the 72 holes and earned $1,584,000.

“I got off to a great start to put myself in the mix,’’ he said.  “Hopefully this will be a good prep (for the Scottish and British Opens the next two weeks), but the courses are very different.’’

Ben Kohles had a chance to force a playoff but he hit an approach shot  in the water, then missed a crucial par putt that cost him two shots. He dropped from a chance to win into a tie for third place.

Gotterup was on the practice range warming up while five more groups were finishing their rounds.  Homa finished with a 64, but his tee shot on the last hole hit a tree and his second finished on the fringe of the green.  His birdie putt from there wouldn’t drop. Ben Kohles needed a par at 18 to force a playoff but put his second shot in the water and wound up tied for third with 2021 JDC champion Glover, who had led the first three rounds, and Hodges.

Doug Ghim couldn’t get that first PGA Tour victory but he made his best JDC showing.

Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim shot a bogey-free 68 but his bid for a first PGA Tour win wasn’t to be.  He had his best finish in seven JDC appearances – a tie for sixth – and learned he’d made some golf history off his 65 round on  Saturday. Ghim hit every fairway and every green in regulation, the first such round on the PGA Tour since 2014 and only the 10th recorded since 1983.

Gotterup was emotional after the win when he reflected on his first JDC appearance, a tie for fourth in 2022 after he got in the field on a sponsor’s exemption. In subsequent times he’s called the tournament “my fifth major.’’

Rickie Fowler, clad in his orange Sunday best, tied for 15th after going 63-68 in the weekend rounds.

“That tournament really kick-started my whole career, honestly,’’ he said.  “At the time I had no (playing) status anywhere. To get a fourth here was the biggest tournament of my life at that point. To be able to come back and win makes it even more special.’’

He divided his college career at Rutgers and Oklahoma before turning pro.

Gotterup returned to the JDC in 2024, missing the cut, and 2025, when he tied for 21st.  He’s had bigger moments as well, topped by the surprise win in the Irish Open and his first PGA Tour victory, in the first playing of the Myrtle Beach Classic in 2024.

The JDC win was his third PGA Tour victory of 2026, following the Phoenix Open and Sony Open in Hawaii.

And another John Deere Classic is history. The bagpipers march in before the trophy presentation.

 

Ghim takes another shot at getting his first PGA Tour victory

A delighted Doug Ghim, flanked by caddies, caps off his 65 on Friday. (Joy Sarver Photos)

SILVIS, IL. – The John Deere Classic is known for its record number of champions who notched their first PGA Tour win here.  There have been 34 of them in the tourney’s first 54 years and, on Sunday, the next one could be Doug Ghim.

Ghim grew up in Arlington Heights and had a great collegiate career at Texas. But, now 30 years old and a tour member since 2018, Ghim still hasn’t had that elusive first victory.

He has come close. He played in the last group at The Players Championship in 2022, but  Justin Thomas won with Ghim finishing sixth.  He tied for second in the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open and led the John Deere Classic for 36 holes last year after shooting  62 in the first round.  But on the weekend he faded to a tie for 31st.

Doug Ghim, the pride of Arlington Heights, had his swing working at TPC Deere Run.

“It gets frustrating seeing guys you grew up with get that win and you wonder if it’ll ever happen to me,’’ said Ghim.  “Maybe it’ll be tomorrow.  If it does or not I’ll be grateful for the opportunity and I’ll learn a lot.  If I perform the way I know I can I’ll have a chance.’’

Ghim certainly performed at a high level in Saturday’s third round, shooting a 6-under-par 65 that boosted him five places into solo sixth place.  He’s at 14-under-par 199 for the first 54 holes. He trails co-leaders Lucas Glover and Lee Hodges by just two strokes and Ben Koles, Jackson Suber and Zac Blair – the trio tied for third – by one.

“I’m excited, especially playing one close to home,’’ said Ghim, “but it’s just golf.  The more you play, the luckier you get. But we all do a good job of thinking too much.’’

Lucas Glover (left) and Lee Hodges share the JDC lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

Ghim can thinking about the players he has to beat. The main one is Glover.  The 46-year old former U.S. Open champion won the JDC in 2021 and has either led solo or shared the lead in all three rounds this year.

Hodges is the only player ahead of Ghim who has a PGA Tour win.  He won the 3M Open in Minnesota in 2023, going wire-to-wire to win by seven shots. Kohles, Suber and Blair will – like Ghim – be seeking their first PGA Tour win on Sunday.

The Fourth of July produced a weather change for the JDC.  Friday night rain led to Saturday play going off in threesomes with rounds starting on both the first and 10th tees.  Preferred lies were also allowed. Still, there wasn’t a dramatic drop in scores.  Rickie Fowler did the best, shooting a 63 to tie the low round of the week.

A late afternoon thunderstorm also created a suspension in play on Friday with six players left on the course, including four atop the leaderboard. Blair was the leader at 16-under.  Kohles had finished at 15-under and Glover,  Suber and Hodges were on the course at that number.

Rickie Fowler shot a sizzling 8-under-par 63 in the third round to climb 45 places in the standings.

 

Veterans may finally have their day in the John Deere Classic

Lucas Glover won the John Deere Classic in 2021, and he might do it again. (Joy Sarver Photos)

 

 

 

SILVIS, IL. – In its first 54 stagings Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour stop was dominated by golf’s young guys.  Twenty-four of them won their first PGA Tour event in the John Deere Classic, and that’s the most of any event on the circuit.

In this year’s 55th playing, however, things may be changing.  In Thursday’s first round 46-year old Lucas Glover shot 63 on the TPC Deere Run course to grab the first round lead and 50-year old Zach Johnson was just a shot back.

Both are past JDC champions, Johnson in 2012 and Glover in 2021. Their wins weren’t flukes.  Johnson’s12 PGA Tour wins include the 2007 Masters and 2015 British Open. Glover’s six career victories include the 2009 U.S. Open.

And now, with 36 holes left, both could win again. Glover stayed hot in Round 2, shooting  a 65 to hit the halfway point in the tournament at 14-under 128.  Lee Hodges is second, two shots back, while Johnson dropped into a tie for 11th despite another solid round.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,’’ said Johnson, who led through most of Friday’s morning session.  “I’m not in contention yet.  The way look at it is, I still have 36 holes left, but I still think guys on the Champions (50-and-over) Tour can win out here.’’

Zach Johnson agonized over a missed putt on his last hole Friday. It cost him sole possession of the lead.

Nobody knows the TPC Deere Run layout, site of the tournament since 2000, better than Johnson. He’s played in the tournament every year since 2002. Not only that, but he’s been on the tournament board of directors for many years and is an ambassador for John Deere Company.

“I know what I’m capable of, and what I’m not capable of,’’ he said. “This is just a great opportunity, again, to walk the grounds that I’ve adored and loved for so many years.’’

Glover was given his first start on the PGA Tour in 2002, right after playing college golf at Clemson.

“I’ve been coming here a long time,’’ he said.  “I’ve always been fond of the course, the town, the community, the people. Even struggling like I have this year, you pull down the driveway where you’ve had success and it gives you a good feeling. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that one swing, one round, one week can change a lot.’’

Lucas Glover’s putting style may be unusual, but it’s been working at the John Deere Classic.

While the two vets have been the story the first two days,  they know there’s trouble ahead.

Moments after Johnson made bogey on his last hole Chris Gotterup, playing in the threesome immediately behind him, pulled into a tie for the lead. This young star has already won the Myrtle Beach Classic on the PGA Tour and will defend his Irish Open title next week. Then Jackson Suber led briefly until Glover, playing in the afternoon, took charge by shooting a 5-under-par 31 on his first nine.

Two-time winner Jordan Spieth, Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman, Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim  and reigning Illinois Open champion Michael Feagles all survived the 36-hole cut. Brian Campbell, last year’s JDC winner, didn’t.

Eric Cole had the day’s best round, an unlikely 63 after shooting 76 on Thursday.  He damaged his 8-iron in frustration after stand 140th in the first round and had a whole set of irons shipped to him for Round 2. The new clubs helped him gain a weekend playing spot and made  him the playing coming from the farthest behind to survive in the history of the tournament.

American flags were in abundance as the golf world got ready for the Fourth of July.

 

 

 

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Spieth’s return perks up the John Deere Classic field

 

SILVIS, IL. — The John Deere Classic, Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event, tees off for the 55th time on Thursday at TPC Deere Run with eight past champions, another eight among the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings and two of the top-four finishers at this year’s U.S. Open.

Jordan Spieth, though, was a late entry into the 144-man field and his name may be the most eye-catching.

Spieth was only 19 and a first-time PGA Tour winner when he captured the JDC in 2013.  He won it again two years later after having captured both the Masters and U.S. Open. Both JDC wins came in playoffs. Since then, however, Spieth’s only appearance in the Quad Cities was a tie for 26th in 2024.

Though now 49th in the Official World Golf Rankings Spieth’s return to the field was a boost for tournament director Andrew Lehman. He’s happy to remember the good old days.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jordan join our excellent field,’’ said Lehman.  “His first victory here helped ignite his career and his second was even more thrilling.  He’s a tournament legend and still an extremely popular figure in the Quad Cities.’’

The field will be a good one this year. Besides Spieth the top-50 in the OWGR include Chris Gotterup (13), Ben Griffin (18), Jacob Bridgeman (25), J.T. Poston (32), Keegan Bradley (38), Rickie Fowler (42) and Daniel Berger (50).

Poston was the JDC champion in 2022 and tied with Keith Mitchell (who is also entered here) as the co-fourth-place finishers in the U.S. Open two weeks ago.  The top two finishers in last year’s JDC – winner Brian Campbell and Emilio Grillo – are also back. So are Chicago favorites Kevin Streelman, Doug Ghim and Nick Hardy and past JDC winners Zac Johnson, Michael Kim, Dylan Fritelli, Lucas Glover and Davis Thompson.

Mix in Eric Cole, Max Homa, Tony Finau and Tom Kim and the JDC has one of its strongest fields even though its dates directly followed the U.S. Open and Travelers Championship – one of the PGA Tour’s Signature events.

Campbell’s bid to retain his title didn’t look good after he missed three straight cuts and then didn’t play in the U.S. Open during a month-long stretch. Things looked a little better  after he tied for 47th in the Travelers Championship on Sunday. The JDC hasn’t had a repeat champion since Steve Stricker won three in a row from 2009-2011.

HERE AND THERE: The Women’s Western Amateur immediately follows the JDC, with a Monday (JULY 6) start at River Forest, in Elmhurst. First played in 1901, the list of past champions include Patty Berg, Louise Suggs, Brittany Lang, Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn.

Medinah’s Daniel Stringfellow won the 106th Chicago District Amateur at North Shore, in Glenview.  Last year’s runner-up, Stringfellow defeated Brody McCarthy, of Mistwood, 5 and 4, in this year’s title match.

The Concerts on the Course feature at the John Deere Classic will feature Carrie Underwood after play ends on Saturday and Old Dominion following the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday.

Illinois men’s coach Mike Small expects to have a new/old coaching sidekick next season.  Justin Bardgett, who spent three years as Small’s assistant before taking a job with the PGA Tour, has accepted a position as Small’s associate head coach, subject to the approval of the school’s board of trustees at July’s board meeting.

The Illini have another winner of the NCAA’s Byron Nelson Award.  Ryan Voois was named this year’s winner after former teammate Jackson Buchanan won in 2025.

One of Chicago’s most popular charity outings, the 55th annual Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities All-Star Invitational, will be played July 16 at Twin Orchard, in Long Grove.

 

 

 

 

 

Local tournament performances made up for a tough U.S. Open

Last week’s erf Open was a rousing success for champion Wyndham Clark, but not for Illinois-connected players.  Only Adrien Dumont deChassart, who attended the University of Illinois, and Dylan Wu, a Northwestern alum, survived the 36-hole cut at Shinnecock Hills and neither was among the top 50 finishers.

Amateur competition within the Chicago area was another story. There were two spectacular performances within the area.

Campbell Ray — from Long Grove and Stevenson High School—won the Illinois girls qualifier for the Junior PGA Championship by a whopping 10 shots.  She shot 69-72 at Kemper Lakes  to earn the state’s lone spot in the Junior PGA Championship July 28-31 in Frisco, Texas.

Not only that, but Ray also committed to North Carolina-Asheville’s Division I program starting in the fall of 2027. Barrington’s Sam Uutala won the boys spot in the Junior PGA nationals.

Meanwhile Andrew Sciortino, an 18-year old from Brentwood, Tenn., captured the 108th Western Junior title by nine shots at Knollwood Club in Lake Forest.  After posting 67-68 in the 36-hole final day his 7-under-par 277 was the lowest score since the prestigious tournament went to a 72-hole format in 1999.

Sciortino, who will begin his college career at Lipscomb, in Nashville, Tenn., joins a roster of Western Junior champions that includes Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler and Colin Morikawa. Evanston’s Lester Low and Glen Ellyn’s Owen Conjaris were the best of the Chicago players, finishing in a tie for 16th.

ILLINOIS SR. OPEN – Illinois men’s coach Mike Small won for the fourth time in four years at Hawthorn Woods, shooting a 3-under 141 for 36 holes. Lakewood’s Doug Bauman, who climbed 25 spots on the leaderboard after his second round 68, was second and Park Ridge’s Rick Stewart and John Ehrgott of downstate Edwards, tied for third and shared low amateur honors.

The IPGA Senior Championship starts its two-day run on Monday (JUNE 29) at Flossmoor.

CDGA – The 106th Chicago District Amateur has two days of match play left at North Shore, in Glenview.  The tourney began on Monday with a 36-hole session to determine 16 qualifiers for the match play portion of the event.

Quarterfinals and semifinal matches will be played today (WEDNESDAY) and the two survivors will battle for the title over 36 holes on Thursday.

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour stop is closing in.  The July 2-5 event at TPC Deere Run in downstate Silvis will mark the tourney’s 55th annual playing. Brian Campbell is its defending champion, though the former Illinois star has missed the cut in his last three starts of this season.

Once again the JDC field is filled with promising young stars. Youngest is 19-year old Blades Brown, who earned special PGA Tour membership after getting four top-25 finishes in seven starts.

Luke Clanton, 24, and Michael Thorbjornsen, 24, tied for second in the JDC in 2024. Michael Brennan, 24, a sponsor exemption, made the cut at this year’s U.S. Open. Neil Shipley, 25, was the low amateur at the Masters and U.S. Open in 2024 and made the cut at Shinnecock Hills. South African Aldrich Potgieter, 21, almost won a PGA Tour event but lost to defending JDC champ Campbell in a playoff at the 2025 Mexico Open.

ILLINOIS OPEN:  Registration has closed for the 77th annual event scheduled for Aug. 10-12 at Wynstone, in Barrington. The first of seven qualifying seasions in June 29 at Mistwood, in Romeoville, and the Last Chance qualifier is Aug. 5 at Countryside, in Mundelein.

 

Jordan Thomas had an impressive Chicago Adaptive Open win

 

A guy named Thomas with the initials JT could well be a contender  when the 126th U.S. Open tees off on Thursday at New York’s Shinnecock Hills course.

The Chicago Adaptive Open  already had a champion of that description when Jordan Thomas, a 37-year old Nashville, TN. resident, shot 70-69 in his two rounds at Fox Bend, in Oswego, to win last weekend’s third annual event for golfers with disabilities.

This Thomas (not named Justin) won his fourth straight tournament.  The event, conducted by the Chicago District Golf Association and presented by the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, drew 80 players and offered a $30,000 purse. Kim Moore, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., ruled the women’s division.

“It was, unanimously, the best adaptive open tournament aside from the U.S. Adaptive Open on our calendar,’’ said Thomas, who has impairment in both legs but still won wire-to-wire. He lost both legs in a boating accident.

There was competition in 15 different classifications based on the golfers’ disabilities and two Chicago area players were winners.   Victor Postillion, of Winfield, won the category for players with leg impairment above the knee and Matt Parker, of Wauconda, won over those with impairment in both arms.

FIRST TEE: Ryan Baker has been named president and chief executive officer of the First Tee of Greater Chicago.  The long-time sports and news anchor for CBS is transitioning to the nonprofit sector.  He’ll conclude a 35-year career in broadcasting on June 25 and start at First Tee on July 13.

“After  a rewarding broadcast media career I’m ready for the next chapter in my life,’’ said Baker. “I’m looking forward to serving the community as CEO of First Tee and I’m ready to build on the organization’s already strong foundation to change lives through the transformative power of golf.’’

Jill Sylvester, who had been the interim CEO, will become chief operating officer.

HERE AND THERE: Thursday’s starting field in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills includes University of Illinois alums Brian Campbell, Nick Hardy and Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Northwestern alum Dylan Wu. Campbell will defend his title in next month’s John Deere Classic – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event.

Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim had his best finish of this PGA Tour season (other than the Zurich Classic team event) with a tie for 15th at the Canadian Open.

The Illinois PGA defeated the CDGA’s amateur stars in the annual Radix Cup matches at Oak Park Country Club.  The score was 3 ½-2 ½ in the first rain-shortened match in the event’s 64-year history.  The IPGA leads the series 40-22-2.

The 108th Western Junior concludes on Thursday with a 36-hole wrapup for the top 44 and ties after 72 holes of qualifying competition at Knollwood Club, in Lake Forest.

The 106th Chicago District Amateur begins its four-day run on Monday (JUNE 22) at North Shore, in Glenview.

Don Wegrzyn has passed on.  He had been both head professional and general manager during his 46-year run at Old Elm in Highland Park. A member of three golf Halls of Fame, Wegrzyn was 88.

The 55th annual Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities All-Star Invitational will be held July 16 at Twin Orchard Country Club, in Long Grove.