John Schlaman was just starting his career as a golf professional when Eagle Ridge held a grand opening for its South Course. The now 63-hole Galena facility is virtually Illinois’ only golf resort, and the South’s creation took it to a new level. That came 40 years ago, and the milestone will be celebrated with…
Daily Herald Columns
India could become a rare three-time Illinois Open champion
Deerfield’s Vince India needed to get back into tournament-playing mode in defense of his Illinois Open title next week, and he certainly went after it with enthusiasm. India just completed a six-month suspension for betting on golf with a legal online sportsbook. That was a severe penalty, considering India was not a participant in…
Korn Ferry Tour makes its annual return to Chicago area
The Korn Ferry Tour, the developmental circuit for players trying to make it to the PGA Tour, makes its annual Chicago area stop this week. Its NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank, begins its 72-hole run on Thursday at The Glen Club in Glenview. Scottie Scheffler, now the game’s No. 1 player, was…
State Amateur, Women’s Western Amateur take the spotlight
Scheduling conflicts have been a problem for Chicago’s tournament organizers for years. This week marks the first big conflict of this season, and the two tournaments involved are very big ones. The 93rd Illinois State Amateur and the 124th Women’s Western Amateur both teed of on Tuesday. The State Am concludes on Thursday and the…
This first-time PGA Tour winner also set a JDC scoring record
SILVIS, IL. – Sungjae Im started his Sunday round in the John Deere Classic with five straight birdies, and Ben Griffin also was 5-under through the first five holes, making an eagle, three birdies and a par. Those were extraordinary starts in the $8 million PGA Tour stop at TPC Deere Run, but not nearly…
Another first-time champion looms in the John Deere Classic
SILVIS, IL. – Saturday’s third round was the traditional moving day at the John Deere Classic, and Jordan Spieth set the tone for that. His fast start inspired others with later tee times, especially Davis Thompson. Thompson shot the week’s low round – a 9-under-par 62 – and will take a two-stroke lead over Eric…
Spieth, Streelman, Ghim make it to the weekend at the JDC
SILVIS, IL. – Friday’s cut day at the John Deere Classic wasn’t pretty, but it produced some popular results. Jordan Spieth, a playoff champion at TPC Deere Run twice before skipping the Illinois’ only annual PGA stop the previous nine years, was below the projected cut line with six holes remaining in his…
Spieth’s return gives John Deere Classic a gigantic boost
Jordan Spieth was just a kid – albeit a very promising golfer – when he played in the John Deere Classic for the first time in 2013. To say he took advantage of the opportunity is putting it mildly. Not only did he win the title in the only annual PGA Tour event left…
Cog Hill hosts inaugural Chicago Adaptive Open
Marty Neal, the Libertyville Township Highway Commissioner, has long been an avid golfer. Now 61, he’s been playing for 40 years – and that’s since he lost his right hand after it got caught in a meat-grinder when he was 15. On May 10 he made his first hole-in-one when his tee shot on…
CDGA’s involvement gave Women’s State Amateur a big boost
The Illinois Women’s State Amateur had been conducted by the downstate-based Illinois Women’s Golf Association for 90 years before the IWGA – beset by a loss of members – turned the event over to the Chicago District Golf Association this year. While the site remained at The Grove, in Long Grove, the shift in…