Usually columns for the final issue of a season are used for look-backs at the high (and sometimes – low) points of the goings-on in the previous spring and summer months. This year I’ve coaxed Chicagoland Golf publisher Val Russell into indulging my preference to move in another direction. Rather than looking back at the…
Author: lenz
THE GENERAL AT EAGLE RIDGE
Fun Meter score: 8.5 Location: Galena, Ill. Course architect: Roger B. Packard with Andy North Opened: 1997. Par: 72 Yardage/Rating/Slope: Black 6,726/72.8/141; Gold 6,280/70.7/136; White 5,917/69.1/132; Jade 5,240/66.0/125. Saturday morning green fee: $$135 May though September, $115 October to winter closing. Caddie service: No. Walker friendly: No. Fairways: Pennlinks Bentgrass. Greens: Pennlinks Bentgrass. THE REVIEW…
Medinah’s Johns triggered the creation of IPGA’s Birdies for Charity
The Illinois PGA’s Birdies for Charity event is one of those things that was good from the start and keeps getting better. That’ll be underscored again on Sept. 4 when the event is held for the eighth time at River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst. Birdies for Charity involves golf professionals playing 72 holes in…
Mammoth Dunes opening has taken Sand Valley to a new, most fun level
NEKOOSA, Wisconsin – I accept the premise that if you have one 18-holer you have a golf course, but if you have two – or more – you have a golf destination. Well, Sand Valley is definitely a golf destination now. This Mike Keiser-developed facility in Central Wisconsin opened its first course on May 2,…
Sunset Valley’s re-opening had some special touches
Not all new golf courses have the kind of re-opening celebration that Sunset Valley had this week. Joel Hirsch, a legendary amateur in the Chicago golf ranks, and Patrick Flavin, winner of both the Illinois State Amateur and Illinois Open just a year ago, were the featured attractions. Both started playing golf at Sunset Valley…
TAM O’SHANTER
Location: Niles, Illinois. Architect: Charles Wagstaff, 1925. Restoration: Bob Lohman, Doug Myslinski and Todd Quitno, 2018. Par: 33 Yardage| Rating/Slope: 2,475 (for nine holes) |63.2/110 (when played as 18-holes). Saturday morning green fee: $21. Caddie service: No. (Gas carts and pull carts available). Walker friendly: Absolutely. Fairways: bentgrass. Greens: bentgrass. Phone: 847-965-2344 Website: WWW.GOLFTAM.COM Facebook:…
Sage Run’s drumlin will make a big impact on Michigan golf
BARK RIVER/HARRIS, Michigan – Very few new golf courses are opening these days. That’s just a reflection of these economic times. One did in July in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, however. The Paul Albanese-designed Sage Run is brand new. It’s no renovation built over an existing course. This one was created on previously untouched land as…
Jim Sobb is a golf professional with a great record as a player as well
Jim Sobb’s playing record speaks for itself. The 30-year director of golf at Ivanhoe Club won eight of the Illinois PGA’s four major tournaments, including the IPGA Championship three times. He also won nine of the section’s Senior majors, and this month he’ll go after his sixth title in the IPGA Senior Championship. He has…
Illinois Open win puts Vince India in select state golf company
Unless your name is Vince India the 69th playing of the Illinois Open will likely be an easily forgettable experience. Annually the biggest tournament for Illinois residents, this year’s version was a weather nightmare. Heavy rains delayed the first and second rounds. The weather cleared for the third round, but it couldn’t start until second-round…
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…