In the early 1980s the Chicago amateur ranks were dominated by a fabulous foursome, David Ogrin, Gary Pinns, Gary Hallberg and Jerry Vidovic. Toss in Lance Ten Broeck and Roy Biancalana, who were slightly younger than that group, and you had what I consider the Golden Years of Chicago amateur golf. Ogrin, Hallberg and Ten…
Features
Ghim, India earn coveted spots at Web.com Tour qualifying tourney
The Chicago area has hardly been rich in players on the pro golf tours in recent years, but that situation improved significantly last weekend. Arlington Heights’ Doug Ghim and Deerfield’s Vince India earned spots for 2019 on the Web.com Tour, the PGA Tour’s alternate circuit, and former world No. 1 Luke Donald, shaking off lingering…
Meet the Millers: Like father, like son in Illinois PGA leadership
The Illinois PGA changes its president every two years, and the most recent changing of the guard on Nov. 19 was much different than all the previous ones. When Jim Miller took over the reins from Mark Labiak the section gained an unusual new leader. Rarely has the IPGA had a president from a club…
ISU’s Wallace, Sheppard earn CDGA Player of the Year honors
The Chicago District Golf Association has honored Players of the Year since 1993 and the Senior Player of the Year has been designated since 1995. Those so honored have earned a cherished place in golf history, and some have taken the honor to even greater heights. Joel Hirsch was the first CDGA superstar, winning the…
CDGA GOLFER ESSAY: My FIRST 50 years reporting on golf
Let’s make this perfectly clear from the outset. This is not a farewell/retirement column. It’s a reflection on my first 50 years covering golf in the Chicago area and beyond. It’s been a great run that I envision continuing for many years to come. I consider the start coming at the 1968 Western Open during…
HERE AND THERE: Myrtle Beach’s Fall Classic takes on an expanded new look
The Myrtle Beach Fall Classic had been a four-year success in the South Carolina golf mecca, but the fifth staging – which starts on Sunday and runs through Thursday, Nov. 15 – has turned into an event that’s both bigger and better. Landing Short Par 4 — a golf-inspired subscription service that ships hand curated,…
After an array of upgrades historic Tam O’Shanter is thriving again
Six decades ago the Tam O’Shanter Country Club in suburban Chicago was among the most famous golf courses in the world. It was owned by George S. May back then, and May was a man far ahead of his time when it came to golf promotion. Tam O’Shanter opened in 1925. May took ownership in…
Hamlin, Turner are inducted into the LPGA Legends Hall of Fame
FRENCH LICK, Indiana – Two players are inducted into the LPGA Legends Hall of Fame each year, and this year – for the first time — the two honorees were inducted on separate nights. Shelley Hamlin was honored at Thursday night’s opening night gala preceding the Senior LPGA Championship and Sherri Turner was inducted the…
Pinehurst Brewing Company already adds a lot to this golf mecca
Pinehurst Resort has kept up with the times golf-wise since its opening in 1895, and our regular visits over the last 20 years have described the many new things that Pinehurst has contributed to the golf world. It goes far beyond the big tournaments that have been played there. This time, though, our report on…
History-rich Downers Grove, Tam O’Shanter have found ways to survive
The Downers Grove and Tam O’Shanter golf courses, once among the most famous in the United States, aren’t what they used to be. Both, though, are proof of that time-worn adage – “You CAN teach an old dog new tricks.’’ Downers Grove was, back in 1892, the America’s first 18-hole course. It – or at…