A guy named Thomas with the initials JT could well be a contender when the 126th U.S. Open tees off on Thursday at New York’s Shinnecock Hills course.
The Chicago Adaptive Open already had a champion of that description when Jordan Thomas, a 37-year old Nashville, TN. resident, shot 70-69 in his two rounds at Fox Bend, in Oswego, to win last weekend’s third annual event for golfers with disabilities.
This Thomas (not named Justin) won his fourth straight tournament. The event, conducted by the Chicago District Golf Association and presented by the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, drew 80 players and offered a $30,000 purse. Kim Moore, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., ruled the women’s division.
“It was, unanimously, the best adaptive open tournament aside from the U.S. Adaptive Open on our calendar,’’ said Thomas, who has impairment in both legs but still won wire-to-wire. He lost both legs in a boating accident.
There was competition in 15 different classifications based on the golfers’ disabilities and two Chicago area players were winners. Victor Postillion, of Winfield, won the category for players with leg impairment above the knee and Matt Parker, of Wauconda, won over those with impairment in both arms.
FIRST TEE: Ryan Baker has been named president and chief executive officer of the First Tee of Greater Chicago. The long-time sports and news anchor for CBS is transitioning to the nonprofit sector. He’ll conclude a 35-year career in broadcasting on June 25 and start at First Tee on July 13.
“After a rewarding broadcast media career I’m ready for the next chapter in my life,’’ said Baker. “I’m looking forward to serving the community as CEO of First Tee and I’m ready to build on the organization’s already strong foundation to change lives through the transformative power of golf.’’
Jill Sylvester, who had been the interim CEO, will become chief operating officer.
HERE AND THERE: Thursday’s starting field in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills includes University of Illinois alums Brian Campbell, Nick Hardy and Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Northwestern alum Dylan Wu. Campbell will defend his title in next month’s John Deere Classic – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event.
Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim had his best finish of this PGA Tour season (other than the Zurich Classic team event) with a tie for 15th at the Canadian Open.
The Illinois PGA defeated the CDGA’s amateur stars in the annual Radix Cup matches at Oak Park Country Club. The score was 3 ½-2 ½ in the first rain-shortened match in the event’s 64-year history. The IPGA leads the series 40-22-2.
The 108th Western Junior concludes on Thursday with a 36-hole wrapup for the top 44 and ties after 72 holes of qualifying competition at Knollwood Club, in Lake Forest.
The 106th Chicago District Amateur begins its four-day run on Monday (JUNE 22) at North Shore, in Glenview.
Don Wegrzyn has passed on. He had been both head professional and general manager during his 46-year run at Old Elm in Highland Park. A member of three golf Halls of Fame, Wegrzyn was 88.
The 55th annual Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities All-Star Invitational will be held July 16 at Twin Orchard Country Club, in Long Grove.