Here’s a good indication that golf in Chicago has withstood some tough economic times. Two well-established park district courses that had undergone costly renovations re-opened on consecutive days last week. Glenview Park’s course renovation was a $5.3 million project and another $1.2 million was spent to upgrade the clubhouse. Construction on Mount Prospect’s course renovation…
Daily Herald Columns
BMW spectators will benefit the most from Conway changes
The Western Golf Association’s premier tournament, the BMW Championship, is still nearly two months away, but the WGA showed off the improvements coming for the third tournament of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs Tourney site Conway Farms, in Lake Forest, underwent an extensive renovation since hosting the event in 2013 and spectators — 130,000…
Hopefully men’s Illinois Amateur will have better luck weather-wise than women’s did
The longstanding major golf championships for Illinois’ best players will be coming fast and furious now. First up was the 82nd, rain-shortened Illinois Women’s Amateur at Illini Country Club in Springfield. This week the state’s best men are in the same city, but at Panther Creek Country Club, to decide the winner of the 85th…
Couples, Weibring boost field for Encompass tourney
The Champions Tour’s future in Chicago will be in doubt after this week’s Encompass Championship at North Shore Country Club in Glenview. The sponsor won’t renew its three-year contract, which expires after this year’s event, and North Shore is reportedly considering a major renovation project that would likely rule out its return as host venue…
Donald bested Wilson in duel for a spot in British Open
Luke Donald and Mark Wilson have long been the prime players with Chicago ties competing on the PGA Tour, and they were in the middle of some behind-the-scenes drama last weekend at the Travelers Championship in Hartford, Ct. Neither were qualified for the British Open, which is coming up in two weeks at St. Andrews…
Why change winning routine? Spieth will play next in JDC
Why change a good thing? Jordan Spieth wants to keep his bid for golf’s Grand Slam going. That’s why he was quick to nix a possible schedule change after his victory in the U.S. Open. Spieth, who has won the Masters and U.S. Open already, will make his last competitive tuneup for next month’s British…
Hardy takes momentum from NCAAs into the U.S. Open
Just 10 months ago Northbrook’s Nick Hardy was shaking off a loss in the final of the Illinois State Amateur and getting ready for his freshman year at the University of Illinois. This week, at 19, he’s playing in the 115th U.S. Open at Washington’s Chambers Bay course. Hardy won’t be the youngest player in…
Hossler is in Palmer Cup spotlight at Rich Harvest
Jerry Rich has become the most ambitious golf tournament promoter in Chicago, there’s no doubt about that. The owner of Rich Harvest Farms, Rich has provided a steady diet of top-level competition at his sparkling Sugar Grove layout ever since the LPGA’s Solheim Cup was contested there in 2009. This year, though, Rich has outdone…
Illini season is over, Open sectionals are next
A great season came to an end for the University of Illinois men’s team on Tuesday as the Illini were eliminated by Southern California in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament at Concession Club in Bradenton, Fla. The Illini were Big Ten champions, won their NCAA regional tournament and were the top team in the…
Hallberg in Senior Open qualifier; IPGA competes at Shoreacres
Last week’s Senior PGA Championship in French Lick, Ind., was a big deal, but hardly a season-ender for the best 50-and-over players. Now they’ll compete much closer to home. Barrington Hills hosts a sectional qualifier for the 36th U.S. Senior Open on Wednesday, and Gary Hallberg will head the field. Though he’s long been a…