Now things get serious on the Chicago golf scene. The Illinois PGA conducts the first of its four major championships beginning on Monday at Kemper Lakes in Long Grove with Curtis Malm again the focal point. Malm, in his second season as head professional at White Eagle in Naperville, will go after his fourth straight…
Daily Herald Columns
After four years Affrunti is still a PGA Tour rookie
Joe Affrunti’s rookie season on the PGA Tour started in 2011. A year earlier the 2004 Illinois Open champion from Crystal Lake had earned his PGA Tour playing privileges off his performance on the satellite Web.com Tour. Now, four years later, Affrunti’s rookie PGA season remains a work in progress. It all has to do…
Brunswick gets into golf with its new indoor putting green
Lake Forest-based Brunswick Corporation has had a rich history in producing sports equipment, starting with billiards tables back in 1845. Prominent in the bowling industry from 1890 until its exit last year, the company remains a leader in boating and fitness equipment as well as billiards and table tennis. Brunswick’s latest venture is into golf,…
Conway Farms isn’t quite ready to unveil its major facelift
Consider the Chicago golf season in full swing – almost. Of the area’s primary tournament venues only Conway Farms, the private facility in Lake Forest that will host the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship in September, isn’t taking golfers yet. It’s not expected to open until mid-May The finishing touches are being put on a major…
Streelman, Donald get ready for another Masters
The golf season must really be upon us now. The Masters tournament – a sure sign of spring – is just a week away and two of Illinois’ PGA Tour players are assured spots in the field. Kevin Streelman got in by virtue of his dramatic win – a record seven straight birdies to finish…
Rory’s career Grand Slam bid should overshadow Tiger’s return at the Masters
The Masters tournament always offers a variety of pre-tournament story lines, but the 79th version of the year’s first major championship that tees off on Thursday has more than usual. For one, Tiger Woods is playing again. Beset by back problems, he received a warm welcome when he arrived at Augusta National this week to…
It’s Show-time, not snow time, for Chicago’s golfers
This weekend’s 32nd annual Chicago Golf Show will be highlighted by Lee Trevino’s two appearances on Saturday, but much more will be going on than that during the event’s three-day run at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Winner of six major championships and 29 tournaments on the PGA Tour, Trevino will be joined by…
USGA comes through on Senior Women’s Open — for 2018
The U.S. Golf Assn. has finally committed to holding a national championship for senior women players, though the first such tournament won’t be held until 2018. While the USGA conducts 13 national championships, the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open was long overdue. The only other major event for senior women is put on by the…
Here are the most interesting new golf products for 2015
The recently-concluded PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL., (SHOW WAS JAN. 20-23) with Chicago’s two major club manufacturers playing lead roles. Batavia-based Tour Edge got its usual jump on the competition by formally introducing its line of new irons and putters a day ahead of the 62-year old main event, which drew 40,000 attendees and…
Sainz will begin 2015 PGA campaign at Sony Open
Staying in one place for very long isn’t easy for a golf touring pro. Carlos Sainz Jr. was able to do it from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, when he spent most of the holiday season with family and friends in Elgin. Now, however, the PGA Tour rookie is on the road again and looking forward…