Author: lenz

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 18th 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 49th 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 17th 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 300th 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 457th 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 177th and he’s 274th 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 42nd 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.

Only three holes are completed now, as the French Lick Resort  awaits the opening of its fourth course. The lights, though, are already up on this completed hole.  Not date for the course opening has been set.

 

 

 

LIV players love Chicago, but tour’s return in 2025 is uncertain

Chicago has had a LIV golf tournament all three years since the Saudi-backed circuit started play in 2022. Last week’s stop at Bolingbrook Golf Club produced a LIV attendance record for its tournaments held in the U.S. and the two before that at Rich Harvest Farms, in Sugar Grove, were also well received.

Still, there’s no indication the circuit will be back in 2025. If that’s the case it’d mean another sparse season for major tournament play in the Chicago area.  The PGA Tour doesn’t return until the President’s Cup at Medinah in 2026.  The LPGA and U.S. Golf Association don’t have a Chicago course on their schedules.

LIV has announced only its first four tournaments for 2025.  The season tees off Feb. 6 at a new site – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Then comes Adelaide, Australia Feb. 14-16, Hong Kong March 7-9 and Singapore March 14-16. Adelaide  drew  a LIV record 94,000 at its tournament this year.

This year’s LIV schedule had 14 tournaments, seven in the U.S. The event at Bolingbrook wasn’t announced until the season was well underway. There may be a wait this time, too, as sources say LIV is interested in taking a tournament to Brickyard Crossing, a Pete Dye design that has four holes running inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That may be a Midwest site that could knock Chicago off the schedule.

What is certain is that the LIV players want to be back in Chicago.

“I have a pretty good track record in Chicago, so I’m always happy to come back,’’ said Jon Rahm, who won both the LIV Individual Championship and LIV/Chicago on Sunday. His feelings are based on more than just his big week at Bolingbrook. He enjoyed his  PGA Tour stops here, too.

“I’ve played Olympia Fields twice and won once,’’ he said.  “I’ve played at Medinah and finished top-five.  I’ve played at Conway Farms and was definitely top-10 and came to Bolingbrook and won. I would encourage (LIV) to come back here. I definitely like coming here and playing golf in this city.’’

Bryson DeChambeau, whose resume includes wins in the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields, the John Deere Classic in downstate Silvis and last year’s LIV stop at Rich Harvest, also wants to come back.

“It’d be great.  Illinois is a fantastic state,’’ he said. “Golf courses are always fantastic and, shoot, Bolingbrook played close to a major championship test.  I’d love to see us come back here and have more of this type of golf.  I truly love it.  I feel our games are well-suited to a place like this.  Hopefully we’ll get another shot.’’

HERE AND THERE: The 38th Illinois State Senior Amateur concludes its three-day run at Itasca Country Club.

Biggest event left on the Chicago calendar is the Illinois PGA Players Championship Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at The Glen Club in Glenview.  It’ll decide who wins the IPGA Player of the Year award.

Two IPGA senior events are in October – the Match Play at Chicago’s  Ridge Country Club Oct. 7-9 and the Senior Players Championship Oct. 14-15 at Twin Orchard, in Long Grove.

Last event on the Chicago District Golf Association schedule is the Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at Ivanhoe.

 

 

 

 

Rahm’s big finish underscores his impact on the LIV Tour

Trophies, rings — and cash– highlight Jon Rahm’s big day. (Joy Sarver Photos)

The PGA Tour was reeling when the LIV Tour signed stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson for its first season in 2022.  The most devastating loss came early this year, however, when Jon Rahm jumped ship for a contract worth well over $100 million.

The exact amount that convinced Rahm to make the jump is uncertain, but getting a young star of his stature gave the Saudi-backed LIV circuit a huge boost, and Rahm didn’t disappoint, either.

He wasn’t an immediate hit.  He needed 11 tournaments to get his first LIV win, but that victory in the United Kingdom set the stage for Rahm’s rousing climax to the season on Sunday at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Winning the LIV Individual Championship isn’t as impressive as winning any of golf’s four majors yet, but it was special – and unique.

Not only did Rahm, 29 and a pro golfer since 2016, pick up an $18 million bonus for winning the season-long title, he also captured the LIV/Chicago crown.  That meant another $4 million. Rahm’s rookie LIV season produced winnings of $34,754,821.

Where the two-championship day fits into the Rahm legacy is to be decided later, but it pads a record of accomplishment that includes the 2023 Masters, the 2021 U.S. Open and DP World Tour wins in 2017, 2019 and 2023.

Rahm’s only opponent for the LIV Individual title was Chile’s Joaquin Niemann.  No one else was mathematically eligible after 11 world-wide tournaments.  Niemann made birdies on two of his first three holes and battled to the end.  Still Rahm was three strokes better.

Sergio Garcia, from Spain – just like Rahm – was the main challenger for the LIV/Chicago title.  Garcia and Niemann were two shots back and still hopeful until Rahm rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt at the 17th to seal the deal.  With rounds of 69, 64 and 66 Rahm was 11 under par for the 54 holes and had a three-shot victory margin over both rivals.

Rahm also captains the Legion XIII team, and that unit made the podium – a LIV tradition for its first three finishers in the individual and team events at each tournament. Legion XIII  finished second to Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers.  They’ll battle again in the season-ending  LIV Team Championship Sept. 20-22 in Dallas.

Winning golf tournaments was nothing knew for Rahm, but captaining a four-man team was. Though Rahm didn’t get a win for a few months, Legion XIII won in the first tournament.

“I wasn’t sure how that was going to go,’’ said Rahm, `but it wasn’t that big of an adjustment.  It’s been a lot of fun.’’

Rahm caught a flight home Sunday night to join his family.  The arrival of the Rahms third child is imminent.

With just one tournament left in the season Rahm reflected on his dramatic decision to leave the PGA Tour.

“LIV is different than any other golf tour out there, but yet it’s closer to any other sport out there,’’ he said. “I enjoyed all the places we went to this year.  It was fun.  I absolutely love being out here. It’s been a fantastic experience for me and my family.’’

It wasn’t by any means an easy season, though.  His wife Kelly experienced complications in her pregnancy that was disconcerting. His driver wasn’t working in the early part of the year, and the problem wasn’t solved until he changed shafts at mid-season.  Winning – or lack there of – was also frustrating.

Though he had 10 top-10 finishes that first win didn’t come until the season was winding down.  He got it at the United Kingdom, then one got away at  West Virginia’s Greenbrier when he lost in a playoff to Brooks Koepka.  Those two events led into the visit to Bolingbrook, a course with no big-tournament history. Rahm made only one bogey in the tournament, and none in the weekend rounds.

“During the practice rounds I thought that would be impossible,’’ he said. After that he was a clutch player.  On Sunday he not only picked up big money, he also took home two trophies and a dazzling ring.

“This season wasn’t a bumpy road, but it was a windy one,’’ he said. `I wasn’t clutch in the season, but I was here. When I decided to join LIV I felt I could make an impact. I accomplished a goal.’’

 

 

 

Rahm could be the big winner in LIV/Chicago climax

 

A 64 on Saturday has put Jon Rahm in position to win two titles on LIV Tour. (Joy Sarver Photos)


A golf tourney’s never over until the last putt drops, and that won’t happen in the LIV Individual Championship until late Sunday.

After Saturday’s second round at Bolingbrook Golf Course, however, a couple things seem likely:

Jon Rahm figures to win the $18 million bonus for his play through the 13-event regular season, which concludes with the 54-man shootout at Bolingbrook.  Only Joaquin Niemann can beat him, and he must overcome a three-shot deficit in the final round.  Rahm goes into it with 235.17 points to Niemann’s 208.20.

Rahm started the tournament with a slight lead in the standings.  Niemann passed him after shooting one stroke better in Friday’s first round and Rahm answered with a bogey-free 64 on Saturday to Niemann’s 69.

That means Rahm is in prime position to win both the LIV Individual Championship as well as the third playing of LIV/Chicago. The first two LIV/Chicago champions – Cam Smith and Bryson DeChambeau — were crowned at Rich Harvest Farms, in Sugar Grove.  Bolingbrook, hosting the biggest competition in its 22-year history, has proven to be tougher than expected.

Rahm is at 7-under-par 133 as the 36-hole leader and he has a one-shot lead over Sergio Garcia, who posted a 65 on Saturday. They’ll play together in Sunday’s final round with Brooks Koepka, the first round leader who followed his opening 62 with a 73 and is in third place.

Those three will start at No. 1 in the LIV’s shotgun format that has all players starting their rounds at the same time.  Sunday’s start is at 12:05 and Niemann will start his round off No. 1, too, but in the second group with Adrian Meronk and Ian Poulter as his partners.

This missed putt on his final hole on Saturday kept Sergio Garci from a share of the LIV/Chicago lead.

“It’s going to be a fun day, no matter what,’’ said Rahm. “It’s a weird combination – a championship within a championship.  It’d be nice to play with (Niemann) so I can see what’s going on. I’m looking forward to it, but at the end of the day it’s what we work for all year.’’

Rahm jumped from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed circuit at the start of this season. His departure was a huge blow to the PGA Tour, and LIV was a challenge for him.  He won only one tournament in 11 starts but was top-10 in the others. His long-awaited first win came in the United Kingdom two starts ago.  He lost to Koepka in a playoff in Greenbrier, in West Virginia, leading into the Bolingbrook stop.

Garcia and Rahm, both from Spain,  have won the Masters. Garcia, 44, did it in 2017 and Rahm, 29, in 2023.  Rahm also has a big win in Chicago, capturing the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields in 2020.  That was a pandemic year and the tournament was played with no fans in attendance.  Rahm’s win was dramatic, coming when he rolled in a 65-foot putt to beat Dustin Johnson in a playoff.

Like Rahm, Garcia has only one win on the LIV circuit. It came this year at Valderrama, the world-famous course in Spain.  Garcia, who has played all three LIV seasons, sees similaries between Valderrama and Bolingbrook.

“(Bolingbrook) isn’t playing easy,’’ said Garcia.  “It’s been a combination of a bit of wind with small, hard greens.  You have to be very precise, and I appreciate all the opportunities I get with LIV and in the majors. At my age I still feel I’ve got some game in me.’’

Only 18 of the 54 players are under par for the first 36 holes.  That impressed Rahm, who has played two rounds without making a bogey.

“I didn’t see scores being that high at all,’’ he said.  “On paper the course should be fairly easy, but the chips can be tricky. That makes it a bit complicated.’’

Saturday’s round featured a hole-in-one by England’s Tyrrell Hatton on the No. 6 hole.  LIV said attendance was “more than 15,000 and reported it was the biggest LIV crowd for a tournament at a United States venue.

The team title in the tournament will also be decided on Sunday, with the defending champion Crushers and Cleeks tied for the lead.