Chicago’s dryspell in hosting major golf championships is over. The U.S. Golf Association announced Tuesday that Chicago Golf Club, in Wheaton, will be the site of the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open as well as the 2036 Walker Cup matches. Once a hotbed for major tournament golf, the Chicago area last hosted the U.S. Women’s Open…
Features
Tiger’s PopStroke will test the best putters in national tourney
How could Tiger Woods’ new PopStroke National Putting Championship be scheduled any better for us? The finals are Oct. 26-28 in Sarasota, FL., about three miles from our home here, and the first list of qualifying tournaments included a Sept. 10 elimination at Deerpath, in Lake Forest. We have family members living within walking…
Another big women’s week at French Lick — but this one is different
FRENCH LICK, Indiana – It’s transition time for women golfers at Indiana’s premier golf resort. It’s hard to imagine any golf facility doing more for the women’s game in the last decade than this southern Indiana resort has been willing to step forward for two pro circuits — The Legends for players who have reached…
These Brit golfers can talk the walk
Mark Stewart was still a teen-ager when – with encouragement from his father and grandfather – he started thinking about golf bag designs. His family, from Great Britain, was on vacation in St. Petersburg, FL, at the time. “When we got home I was just curious,’’ said Stewart. “We developed prototypes on and off for…
Sentry will be a more prominent name in golf for years to come
Patience and loyalty are enviable qualities, and they figure to pay off big time for Sentry Insurance once the 2023 golf season gets into gear. Sentry was patient, closing the course at its headquarters in Stevens Points, Wis., for two major renovations in the last 10 years. Now it’s on the clock to host one…
Shipnuck’s “Phil” puts Mickelson’s career in perspective
Having worked in the golf media for over 50 years, I know most of the people who have written books on the sport. I haven’t met Alan Shipnuck, author of the just-released “Phil,’’ which bills itself as “the rip-roaring and unofficial biography of golf’s most colorful superstar.’’ This book has gotten immediate buzz because of…
`Tiger & Phil’ is an important addition to golf history
At first I felt bad for Bob Harig, a friend of mine who authored the recently-released `Tiger & Phil: Golf’s Most Fascinating Rivalry.’ Bob and I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and, while I’m a little older, we became friends over the past few decades while covering the pro golf scene for our…
Rick Reilly’s latest book is another winner
It’s been a while since I’ve done a book report, but Rick Reilly’s “So Help Me Golf’’ (Hachette Books) certainly merits one. It goes on sale May 10, but I was accorded a sneak preview. A great writing talent, that Rick Reilly. I’ve met some of those gifted types and read many more of them…
Scott Gneiser knows what it’s like to caddie in the Masters
IN CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER Every year when April rolls around the world’s best golfers turn their attention to the Masters. That’s true for their caddies, too. Scott Gneiser, a Chicago area resident for 22 years, should know. He’s in his 33rd year as a tour caddie and estimates that he’s worked 15 Masters. “Everybody circles…
Historic Disney World Golf celebrates a 50-year milestone
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – The date was October 1, 1971. The world of travel changed a lot that day. It’s when Disney World opened its gates. The popular tourist destination has welcomed visitors from all ages, backgrounds and countries for 50 years now – and that huge contingent also includes golfers. Opening Day…