Andy Svoboda had the reputation of being a very good player when he took the head professional’s job at Butler National in Oak Brook in 2024, and the former PGA Tour player continues to prove it. Svoboda earned the Illinois PGA Bernardi Player of the Year honor in his first year on the job,…
Author: lenz
Holtz, Tour Edge join Donald as golf big newsmakers
The Ryder Cup, which ended so dramatically in New York on Sunday, ended as a great day for Northwestern alum Luke Donald. He became the first European captain to lead back-to-back victories since Tony Jacklin in 1985 and 1987. Donald’s immediate response was that he won’t be attempting a three-peat in 2027, but time will…
Medinah prepares for Presidents Cup as Ryder Cup closes in
This week it’s Bethpage Black’s turn to host the Ryder Cup. The New York public course will join Chicago’s Medinah and five other U.S. course that have been sites for the Ryder Cup as well as the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Medinah had its turn to host the Ryder Cup in 2012, and it…
Our inside look at the Horse Capital of the World
OCALA, FL. — It was no secret that we were in horse country once we moved to Ocala nearly two years ago. We were quick to find the magnificent World Equestrian Center, a 15-minute drive from our place, and have been frequent visitors for shows, dining, shopping and just prowling the premise. In the horse…
Florida’s golf trail comes with an historical perspective
OCALA, FLORIDA – Lots of states have golf trails. Some spotlight regions, some types of layouts, some architects. All are good ideas, but Florida’s is different than all the others. It puts a premium on history. The Florida Historic Golf Trail was created by the Florida Department of State in 1991 to enhance public awareness…
Haven’t heard of Curly Lambeau? Maybe you should
I’m an avid reader, and always have a book going on some topic or another. That got me to writing book reviews on some of them, and my last three reads have taken me in new directions. The first two led to my taking on books that went well over 1,000 pages for the first…
Ryder Cup countdown is on; Carroll wins another IPGA title
Both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League climaxed their seasons last weekend, but –at least arguably – the biggest event of the year is coming up next month. The Ryder Cup matches are Sept. 26-28 at Bethpage Black, in New York, and that puts Northwestern alum Luke Donald in the spotlight again. Donald captained…
Illinois PGA shortens its most historic championship
The Illinois PGA hasn’t been afraid to make changes to its tournaments – especially the biggest ones. First the section opened its Illinois Women’s Open to out-of-state players because, said IPGA executive director Carrie Williams, “We wanted the strongest field it could be.’’ So did the staff at long-time tourney site Mistwood Golf Club,…
Rahm improves his chances for a LIV repeat
Last week’s LIV/Chicago tourney at Bolingbrook Golf Club set the stage for this week’s LIV Individual Championship at the Club of Chatham Hills in Indianapolis. Last year Bolingbrook hosted that tournament with Jon Rahm winning. Rahm has a mathematical chance to win the top prize again after finishing tied for second at Bolingbrook. He gained…
Stinger sweep provides a climax to LIV/Chicago
It was a rare team sweep in the fourth version of the LIV/Chicago tourney Sunday at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Dean Burmester won the individual title and his Stinger unit won the team crown – and both came in one-hole sudden death playoffs. Burmester, whose only previous LIV win was at Miami last year, watched two…