WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. – The Wisconsin Dells area never grew much in population. Its namesake city has never had more than 3,000 residents. Still, the Dells has been one of the Midwest’s most popular travel destinations since its founding in 1856. Boats trips brought tourists in first because they liked the scenery. A wide variety…
Daily Herald Columns
A big win for Mistwood’s Mickelson
The Illinois PGA Championship dates back to 1922, but rarely has it had a tournament like the one that Andy Mickelson won on Wednesday at Ivanhoe Club. Mickelson, the director of golf at Mistwood in Romeoville, was the only player to complete the 54 holes under par. He was at 3-under 213. That was the…
Senior LPGA awaits farewell at French Lick
An era of women’s golf is ending this week. Indiana’s French Lick Resort, a favorite destination for golfers since the 1920s, will host the Senior LPGA Championship for the final time. the The tournament tees off on Friday on the Pete Dye Course. “This is our ninth year working with the senior women,’’ said Dave…
Hardy will become the next Chicago area PGA Tour player
Chicago has another PGA Tour player. Northbrook’s Nick Hardy earned his membership for the 2021-22 season by finishing No. 20 in the point standings during the Korn Ferry Tour’s regular season. It ended on Sunday at the Pinnacle Bank Championship in Omaha, Neb. Hardy missed the cut in that tournament but maintained his spot among…
Heritage Oaks, Oak Meadows projects show major progress
Two of the biggest golf projects in the history of the Chicago area reach milestones this week. The Northbrook Park District’s new Heritage Oaks course holds its dedication ceremony on Thursday while the DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Preserve at Oak Meadows, in Addison, has announced the opening of its new clubhouse. Both were a long…
Illinois Open has put Stonebridge back on the golf tournament scene
Stonebridge Country Club, which is hosting the 72nd Illinois Open this week, has an interesting history. The Aurora private club opened in 1989 with a course designed by the well-respected Tom Fazio. His other Illinois creations include The Glen Club, in Glenview, and Conway Farms, in Lake Forest. The latter two have been frequent…
Illinois Am champion skips Western, takes aim at winning State Open
This week’s 119th playing of the Western Amateur may have one of its strongest fields ever at the Glen View Club, in Golf, but one notable name is missing. Ethan Farnam, who repeated as the Illinois State Amateur champion last week, won’t be there. “I didn’t even apply for the Western Amateur,’’ said Farnam. “Usually…
Here’s how the Illinois PGA events have changed
While the four major championship on the PGA Tour are now history, the Illinois PGA has three of its four still coming up. The next is the Illinois Open, Aug. 2-4 at Stonebridge, in Aurora. IPGA leadership did considerable soul-searching in trying to salvage the pandemic-impacted 2020 season, and their efforts are reflected in…
Streelman looks for a bounce-back at the British Open
Last week’s John Deere Classic wasn’t kind to Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman, the top local player on the PGA Tour. He missed the 36-hole cut at the JDC, but he’s still in this week’s British Open at England’s Royal St. George’s course. “It’s a different level of everything. Everything’s elevated – the adrenalin, the crowds, the…
Glover ends a trend in winning the 50th John Deere Classic
SILVIS, IL. – Lucas Glover isn’t supposed to be the type of guy who wins the John Deere Classic. That event has been one for young players – like Payne Stewart, Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau — to kick-start their careers. They were among the 23 first-time PGA Tour winners among the JDC’s 50 champions….