The Illinois PGA changes its president every two years, and the most recent changing of the guard on Nov. 19 was much different than all the previous ones. When Jim Miller took over the reins from Mark Labiak the section gained an unusual new leader. Rarely has the IPGA had a president from a club…
Author: lenz
Golf is thriving in Lake Charles — and not just at the casino courses
LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana – Casino courses Contraband Bayou and The Country Club at Golden Nugget tend to get the most attention when visiting golfers come to this popular golf spot near the Texas line. That’s not always the case, however. A couple other courses well known to the casino crowd are making major upgrades. Gray…
ISU’s Wallace, Sheppard earn CDGA Player of the Year honors
The Chicago District Golf Association has honored Players of the Year since 1993 and the Senior Player of the Year has been designated since 1995. Those so honored have earned a cherished place in golf history, and some have taken the honor to even greater heights. Joel Hirsch was the first CDGA superstar, winning the…
CDGA GOLFER ESSAY: My FIRST 50 years reporting on golf
Let’s make this perfectly clear from the outset. This is not a farewell/retirement column. It’s a reflection on my first 50 years covering golf in the Chicago area and beyond. It’s been a great run that I envision continuing for many years to come. I consider the start coming at the 1968 Western Open during…
HERE AND THERE: Myrtle Beach’s Fall Classic takes on an expanded new look
The Myrtle Beach Fall Classic had been a four-year success in the South Carolina golf mecca, but the fifth staging – which starts on Sunday and runs through Thursday, Nov. 15 – has turned into an event that’s both bigger and better. Landing Short Par 4 — a golf-inspired subscription service that ships hand curated,…
Tapping into Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – This is no secret. Michigan has been a golf hot spot for, well – almost forever. The state has over 850 public courses, more than any other state in the nation. Grand Rapids is part of the state’s golf mix. The city in the western part of the state has a…
Blalock drops CEO title, changes her role with LPGA’s Legends Tour
After years of campaigning the former stars of the LPGA finally had two major championships to play in this year. The USGA staged its inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club in July and the Senior LPGA Championship was played for the second time at Indiana’s French Lick Resort in October. All is…
Opening of Ozarks National takes Branson’s golf boom to a new level
HOLLISTER, Missouri – Given the history of golf in the Missouri Ozarks, it’s shocking what’s been happening in that area these days. This area 20 miles south of Springfield didn’t have a golf course until 1938 when Don Gardner, a club pro at two of the Chicago area’s premier private clubs – Olympia Fields and…
After an array of upgrades historic Tam O’Shanter is thriving again
Six decades ago the Tam O’Shanter Country Club in suburban Chicago was among the most famous golf courses in the world. It was owned by George S. May back then, and May was a man far ahead of his time when it came to golf promotion. Tam O’Shanter opened in 1925. May took ownership in…
Two majors aren’t enough for players on the Legends Tour
FRENCH LICK, Indiana – This was a big year for the older women golfers who labored on the LPGA tour. After years of campaigning they had two major championships to compete in during the 2018 season and there was no doubt who the best player was. England’s Laura Davies dominated. On Wednesday she was a…