Thomas Detry was a stalwart on some of coach Mike Small’s powerhouse teams at the University of Illinois, but he was in a more interesting position as a touring pro over the weekend. Detry figured to be defending championship in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, one of the most popular PGA Tour events, until he…
Features
The ’75 U.S. Open at Medinah was something special
THIS COLUMN WAS NAMED THE WINNER OF THE 2025 INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF GOLF MEDIA AWARDS IN THE FEATURE WRITING CATEGORY. IT APPEARED IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF THE CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER IN 2025. This month marks the 50th anniversary of Medinah Country Club’s second U.S. Open. The first was in 1949 when Cary…
Polar Bear Open starts St. Andrews centennial celebration
The weather may suggest otherwise, but the Chicago golf season is ready to tee off. January rounds in snow and frigid weather aren’t unusual in the Chicago area but the Polar Bear Open on Sunday (JAN 4) is different. It not only brings golf diehards together at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West…
Hensby fits right in at pro golf’s most unusual event
CLEARWATER, Florida – When Mark Hensby was getting started in professional golf he was definitely different. He moved from Australia to the Chicago area in 1996, devoted himself to golf and promptly won the Illinois State Amateur. He was known to occasionally sleep in his car in the Cog Hill parking lot in those…
This ING Fall Forum wasn’t like any of its predecessors
SEBRING, FL. — Mike Jamison, executive director of the International Network of Golf, started holding Fall Forums at the Inn on the Lakes Hotel in 2022, ending a run of annual Spring Conferences that started at Hilton Head, S.C., in 1990. It ran through 2019 when the Sebring Raceway Hotel hosted before the pandemic…
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…
This course is definitely different — but in a good way
OCALA, FL. – An 18-hole par-3 course is unusual. More often than not they’re nine-holers. This 18-hole par-3 is called the Skills Course at The Club at Ocala Preserve. It’s played as a par 54 with the shortest hole at 63 yards and the longest at slightly over 200 depending on your tee…
There’s one course that stands out among others at Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – This is a given. If you’re in search of a golf destination Myrtle Beach will never let you down. So many courses, an oceanfront location for beach goers, lots of other entertainment options, lodging and dining options. It’s all there. I’ve made annual trips to MB for about 15 years and…
McIlroy’s win puts this year’s Masters in a class by itself
The 89th Masters golf tournament was followed by people world-wide, golfers or not. It’s not unusual for publishers to use that big event to introduce their newest books, and – since I dabble with book reviews periodically – it’s not unusual for those publishers to send me their books for review purposes. The week…