OSCODA, Michigan – I’ve always tended to shy away from dwelling on greens fees in reporting on golf travel destinations. There’s a good reason for that. Course owners, by necessity, are constantly changing what they charge their golfers and these reports can’t keep up with that. They’re written with the expectation of a long shelf…
Author: lenz
Cooke’s bid for a repeat is just one sidelight in Illinois Open
The UL International Crown may wrap up on Sunday, but there’s no break on the area tournament calendar. The 67th Illinois Open begins its three-day run on Monday at two St. Charles clubs, Royal Fox and Royal Hawk. Defending champion is Bolingbrook’s David Cooke, who posted the best 54-hole score (199) and best score in…
Winning the International Crown was huge for Team USA
It’s official. The United States is the best women’s golfing nation. The UL International Crown was created to determine that very thing, and Team USA was up to the challenge in the second playing of the event at the Merit Club. In 2014, the event’s inaugural year, the U.S. couldn’t survive the best ball matches…
Team USA needs a big day vs. Japan to survive in International Crown
Team USA remained in last place in four-team Pool B at the UL International Crown on Friday, but there’s still hope for the home team in this global team event that determines its champion on Sunday. Thursday’s first round of matches was a disaster, the U.S. going 0-2 against England. Friday’s second round showing against…
Hardy’s 28-under, 10-shot win is best in Illinois Amateur’s 86 years
No golfer in the 86-year history of the Illinois State Amateur came close to doing what Northbrook’s Nick Hardy did this week at St. Charles Country Club. A 64-65 finish during Thursday’s concluding double round enabled Hardy to post a 260 total for the event’s 72 holes. The tournament record had been 270 by Bob…
Illini’s Miller survives IWO duel with Badgers’ Ferrell
The 22nd Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open shaped up as a two-player duel between a pair of Big Ten players before Wednesday’s final round even began. Illinois’ Stephanie Miller and Wisconsin’ Brooke Ferrell owned a three-shot lead on the rest of the field entering the last 18 at Mistwood, in Romeoville, and they matched shots…
U.S. players speak out on first day of International Crown week
Finally the biggest event of this Chicago golf season has arrived. The four players on Team U.S. for the second UL International Crown were the first on the course for Tuesday’s practice rounds at the Merit Club and they admitted their task in the eight-team event that tees off on Thursday will be a difficult…
Clockwise or counter-clockwise, The Loop will be an attention-grabber
ROSCOMMON, Michigan – America’s most innovative golf course design is now open for play – at least on a limited basis. The Loop, created by the highly imaginative Michigan architect Tom Doak, is an 18-hole course that can be played in two directions. One day it’s the Black Course – 6,704 yards from the back…
IPGA Senior Masters honors Koschmann, Benson
Lake Shore’s Bob Koschmann and Itasca’s Phil Benson were honored Monday at the 24th Illinois PGA Senior Masters Championship at Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest. Koschmann is wrapping up his 40th, and final, season at Lake Shore in Glenview. He learned of an opening at Lake Shore while working as a caddie for PGA Tour…
St. Andrews’ 90th anniversary celebration is a family affair
This is a milestone year for one of the Chicago area’s very special golf facilities. St. Andrews is turning 90 years old, and only a handful of other golf clubs – private or public — have lasted that long. Not only that, but St. Andrews’ road to success has been done family style. None of…