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GUEST ESSAY By A.J. Montecinos
Major memories Priceless: Being on the bag for a PGA champion Editor’s note: A.J. Montecinos was born in Chicago and was 6 years old when his family moved out of the area. He attended Jackson State University and played on the golf team under head coach Eddie Payton, brother of famed Bears running back Walter Payton. Currently he is the caddie for Y.E. Yang, the 2009 PGA Championship winner.
Y
me pretty relaxed. I got a lot of calls that night and everybody was texting me, which was cool. While I was on the putting green before the final round, Yang’s agent came up to me and said Yang was a little bit nervous. I said I’d take care of him, and I just slapped him on the back and said, “Yang, this is just me and you and we’re just playing.” He just shook his head. He’d said his chances were 70-to-1 because Tiger had 70 (PGA Tour) wins and he had one. But I could tell in his eyes that he was ready to play. I knew that, win or lose, he wouldn’t back down. He wasn’t going to beat himself, like a majority of the guys do when they play with Tiger. Tiger was a professional the whole way. They had a couple words here and there, but Tiger was there to do his job and he and (caddie) Steve (Williams) are class acts. I talked to Steve on the course briefly because he’s into auto racing and my grandpa used to take me to Kankakee and Santa Fe speedways when he raced cars. Otherwise, we were pretty focused and so were they. When we got to the 14th, Tiger was in a bunker and we were short left. When Yang pulled the 52-degree (wedge), I was very much a fan of that decision. It was the perfect club, and his ball rolled in like a putt. That got us within one stroke, and at the 17th Yang hit the most beautiful 7-iron right at the flag. The crowd was definitely pulling for us by then. They were eight
PHOTO BY FRANK POLICH
ang was playing very well going into the PGA Championship. I had played Hazeltine National (the site of the PGA Championship) in college and had some memories of it, but basically what I remember was the mosquitoes. I’d played it before they made changes to make it longer. I usually walk nine holes before Yang gets to a tournament, so I got in on Monday and went to work. Brian Mogg, Yang’s teacher, was there, so we spent time in and around the bunkers and on the practice range. On Thursday, Yang shot 73 and was a little up and down. But Yang always fights, no matter how tired or frustrated he is. On Friday I could tell by his mannerisms that it was getting to him. I just said, “Patience, Yang,” but he knows what to do. He was a worldclass player before he hired me. We were 5 over after five holes, but he said patience was no problem. We were in danger of missing the cut, but he hit a beautiful shot to a tough hole location on No. 6 and made a big right-to-left putt for birdie. That gave him some momentum. When Saturday rolled around, I could see he was getting more comfortable with the course and he shot 67. That put him in a pairing with Tiger (Woods) in the final round. I didn’t even think about winning. It never crossed my mind. My roommate that week was Mike Collins, Kevin Streelman’s caddie, and he kept
A.J. Montecinos
to 10 deep and I’d never seen that before. Yang was high-fiving everybody going to the next tee. On 18, he hit a drive that looked good, but it creeped into the first cut of rough. We were far enough back so he could hit a solid shot. The wind brought his approach shot back, and from where we were standing, we felt it was probably 10-20 feet from the hole. Tiger missed the green, and I knew Yang wasn’t going to three-putt. His birdie putt went right in. Then it got so crazy. I hugged him and put my fist in the air. I was very thankful. We made sure we signed the scorecard and shook Tiger’s hand. Tiger held my hand for a minute and said, “A.J., great job.” I respected that. I also got the flag (from the 18th green). Earlier this year, after Yang’s first win, I didn’t know what to do. I looked more professional this time. That night we went to a Korean restaurant. We shared dinner with Yang’s wife and friends from Dallas, and Mike Collins went with us. We shared laughs and tears and toasted. It was just beautiful.
Comments are solely the opinion of the author and not necessarily those of the CDGA. Letters and opinions are welcome at info@cdga.org. NOVEMBER 2009
CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER | 1
November 2009 | Vol. 20 No. 6
Features 15 BEST FOOT FORWARD By Len Ziehm
The Solheim Cup turned out to be a showcase event for the LPGA and Chicago, which leads to an obvious question: Could there be a partnership looming? 26 WEATHERING THE STORM By Chelan David
The trend of fractional living is gaining popularity as Chicagoans look for extended winter golf getaways. 28 SENIOR CLASS By Rich Skyzinski
Vinny Giles capped a memorable week at Beverly Country Club with a thrilling finish.
15 45
43 FINE IN ‘09 By Greg Stewart
The CDGA players of the year all had great seasons, but Brad Benjamin’s effort might merit special consideration. 45 DELIGHTFUL DOMES By Ed Sherman
In Chicago's often-unbearable winters, there still are places that are warm and cozy and everyone has golf on their minds. Departments GUEST ESSAY A.J. Montecinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 AROUND THE CDGA The Mental Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Aces in the Crowd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Foundation Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fit for Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rays of Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 DESTINATION Five top choices for a golf getaway . 16 CLUB CHAMPIONS . . . . . . . . . . . 49
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COVER: The Faldo Legacy Course at Roco Ki Golf Club, photo courtesy of Roco Ki Beach and Golf Resort. TABLE OF CONTENTS (from top): The U.S. Solheim Cup team, photo by Getty Images; TopGolf, photo by Buzz Orr/CDGA; Tidewater Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; photo courtesy Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.
2 | CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER
W W W. C D G A . O R G
CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION F O R E V E RYO N E W H O P L AYS T H E G A M E
VOLUME 20, NUMBER 6
Midwest Golf House | 11855 Archer Avenue | Lemont, IL 60439 | 630-257-2005 | Fax 630-257-2088 | www.cdga.org
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS PRESIDENT Jerry F. Williams, Olympia Fields CC
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE James B. Madison, M.D., Illini CC
TREASURER Michael J. Grandinetti, Calumet CC
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Matthew L. Pekarek, Village Links of Glen Ellyn
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE Lorraine Scodro, Midlothian CC
GENERAL COUNSEL Gerald Skoning, Cog Hill G & CC
SECRETARY Rebecca A. Smith, Chalet Hills GC
EX-OFFICIO Peter B. Carey, Beverly CC
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Keith Frankland, Village Greens of Woodridge
Matt Baylor DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
Andrew Louthain EDITOR
Rich Skyzinski To contact Chicago District Golfer 630-257-2005 • info@cdga.org
GOVERNORS Thomas Allison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beverly CC
Dennis A. Reed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pekin CC
Steven S. Birky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harrison Park GC
Thomas H. Roth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inverness GC
William R. Buecking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Don Schwarz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Prestwick CC
Frank D’Ambra, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Biltmore CC
Lawrence W. Schweik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bartlett Hills GC
David A. Esler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Black Sheep GC
Philip Shannabarger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Den at Fox Creek
David Haverick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glen Flora CC
Sheldon Solow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Briarwood CC
Charles E. Hodgson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arrowhead CC
Christine L. Stevens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cress Creek CC
Gerald R. Hodgson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pekin CC
A. Glenn Stith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arrowhead GC
Alan J. Hunken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bob O’Link GC
Robert J. Stracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Northmoor CC
Nick Mokelke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cog Hill G & CC
Marianne Zito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stonebridge CC
Mike Nass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cantigny Golf
DIRECTORS
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Robert E. Allgyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Old Elm Club
Karl Keller, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kankakee Elks GC
Richard Andre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ridge CC
Jack Kieckhefer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mauh-Nah-Tee-See CC
Thomas R. Artz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sportsman’s CC
William Kingore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Guy Arvia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Exmoor CC
Gary B. Koch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Randy Becker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Winnetka CC
Bill Koeneman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Daniel M. Blouin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Village Greens of Woodridge
Laurence J. LaBoda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kemper Lakes CC
Andrew Boling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chicago GC
Josh Lesnik . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Glen Club
Michael Camino, D.D.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Conway Farms GC
Gregory Liebovich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Big Foot CC
Gordon L. Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Lake CC
R. Scott Malmgren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glen Oak CC
John Caraher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ridge CC
Christopher R. McClear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
ADVERTISING SALES
Frank Charhut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wilmette GC
Richard McCombs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oak Park CC
Steven L. Cherveny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Foxford Hills GC
William E. McNulty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gleneagles CC
Michael J. Choate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .North Shore CC
Elston Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pontiac Elks CC
Michael E. Clark, D.P.M. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CC of Decatur
David Mortell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Balmoral Woods CC
Edward Clissold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Westmoreland CC
Edward Mulcahy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Midlothian CC
Henry Close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aldeen GC
Rudolph E. Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Schaumburg GC
C. Daniel Cochran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Biltmore CC
H. Steven Nichols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Champaign CC
David Crockett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Lawrence Oakford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Woodstock CC
Guy Crucil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Medinah CC
James J. O’Hagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Park Ridge CC
Ronald Davidson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bull Valley GC
John Ozag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rolling Green CC
Chicago • Robert A. Rose & Associates 312-755-1133 Travel and Real Estate • Jereme Day 913-499-7310 Florida/Caribbean • Mary Dees 407-515-2601 Western • Jason Redditt 619-546-8721 Hawaii • Loren Malenchek 808-283-7112 Southwest • Rachel Patel 480-614-5230 Detroit • Flavin Associates Inc. 248-524-9000 East Coast Sales Manager • Henry Robinson 843-261-9008
Anthony DeMarco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Arthur W. Peters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Lake CC
Robert Dutton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Timber Creek CC
Roger L. Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lincolnshire Fields CC
William Finn, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Riverside GC
Ronald Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .White Eagle GC
Michael Forde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Butler National GC
Joseph B. Pringle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Geneva CC
Larry Fulgenzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Old Wayne GC
D. William Robertson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PrairieView GC
Mary Garrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Winnetka GC
Michael Rooney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Butler National GC
Thomas A. Gilley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Flossmoor CC
Samuel M.Sallerson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bryn Mawr CC
Norman Glass, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Olympia Fields CC
Cliff Sanderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pine Meadow GC
Kevin Gratkowski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lost Dunes
Michael J. Scheer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LaGrange CC
Roger D. Greer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skokie CC
Richard J. Skrodzki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LaGrange CC
Michael Griem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Exmoor CC
Craig Slosson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Youche CC
Howard Haberkorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Boulder Ridge CC
Laura Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Charles CC
James J. Hager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lake Barrington Shores GC
Darryl Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Red Tail Run GC
Thomas J. Haggerty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Butterfield CC
C. Nelson Strom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stonewall Orchard GC
Gregory L. Haldeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Whitetail Ridge GC
Mike Sullivan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bloomington CC
J. Loren Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turnberry CC
Nancy L. Sullivan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Westmoreland CC
Eugene N. Halladay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hinsdale GC
Kenneth Urbaszewski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deerfield GC
John L. Hammond, II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evanston GC
David A. Usiak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crestwicke CC
John Henderson, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CC of Peoria
John P. Ver Bockel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merit Club
Robert Hinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Panther Creek CC
Anthony M. Viola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Old Orchard CC
Edward J. Hockfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hillcrest CC
Timothy Vola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harborside International
John C. Hoelscher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WeaverRidge GC
Ben Waldie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .St. Charles CC
Betty Kaufmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Knollwood Club
David A. Walters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crystal Lake CC
J. Patrick Keen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .At Large
Joe Williamson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Briar Ridge CC
Peter Keffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aldeen GC
J.C. Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Plum Tree National GC
CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER (ISSN: #1087-6502) is published six times annually by the Chicago District Golf Association, Midwest Golf House, 11855 Archer Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439. Periodical postage paid at Lemont, IL 60439 and additional mailing offices. Editorial offices are located at Midwest Golf House, 11855 Archer Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chicago District Golfer, Midwest Golf House, 11855 Archer Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439. One-year subscription is $15. Copyright by Chicago District Golf Association. All rights reserved. The advertising space provided in Chicago District Golfer is purchased and paid for by the advertiser. None of the products or services are necessarily endorsed by Turnstile Publishing, the CDGA or its affiliates.
The listing of the CDGA professional staff is available at www.cdga.org.
4 | CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER
W W W. C D G A . O R G
Around the CDGA T H E M E N TA L E D G E
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FIT FOR GOLF
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C D G A U P D AT E
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PEOPLE AND PLACES
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T O U R N A M E N T U P D AT E
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NEWS AND NOTES
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IN THE NEWS
» THE MENTAL EDGE Improvement is possible with the proper game plan GOLF’S OFF-SEASON HAS ARRIVED,
which makes it a good time to ask, “How do I make sure I play better in 2010?” There are multiple components to this answer: Nurture your passion for the game; find a coach who understands how to motivate you and how you learn, and who can teach you to teach yourself; and learn practice methods that can accelerate the pace of improvement. Everyone knows practice is the key to developing any skill, be it golf, a foreign language, a musical instrument, or hitting a fastball. Unfortunately, not all practice yields positive results quickly and efficiently. Golfers who mindlessly hit balls on a wide-open range with no sense of purpose expend a lot of energy for minimal results. Along the way they might even develop more than a few bad habits. Other golfers may spend time practicing with their favorite clubs, grooving what already is a satisfactory swing. To some, it might seem to be a good idea to repeatedly practice with one’s 7-iron, but in truth, it’s a waste of time. The best kind of practice has the golfer operating at the edges of his ability, challenging himself under the guidance of a skilled instructor. In this kind of setting, the instructor provides the student with an overall goal, say, improving the player’s chipping. The instructor breaks down each element of a chipping method into a set of smaller challenges the student will work through in order to achieve the overall goal.
Golf Academy
Chances are, the student will struggle at first, making mistakes as he tries to master each element of the skill. But with the help of the instructor, the student eventually will make fewer mistakes, then begin to figure it out. In a very real way, failure becomes the key to success. The student doesn’t just mimic the coach or “do what the teacher says.” He understands each element of the process for himself and integrates his knowledge into his execution. The player has to know from his own experience what he did wrong and be able to identify it in order to self-correct the problem, either during practice or, more importantly, during a round of golf. This reflective kind of practice is more efficient than just hitting balls, trial and error, or listening to other players who may be incapable of providing the right advice. It can accelerate one’s learning curve exponentially. Instead of spending a month mastering a set of skills, it can take as little as 10 minutes. So, it is possible to play better golf in 2010, but it’s difficult to show dramatic improvement on your own. Find a coach whose philosophy is to teach you how to correct your own mistakes and develop a deep process-oriented practice routine aimed at mastering all the small elements of a certain golf skill. Once a player is able to confidently integrate that skill into their own game, results are sure to follow. Joe Bosco is co-founder with Peter Donahue of the GreenToTee Golf Academy, located at the Glencoe Golf Club. He can be reached at joe.bosco@greentotee.com.
» NEWS AND NOTES Aye, laddie: Next stop, Scotland THE CDGA WILL RETURN to Scotland for seven days and six nights June 6-12, 2010. The trip includes three-night accommodations at the Gleneagles Hotel in Gleneagles and the famous Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews. Participants will play a minimum of six rounds of golf at Western Gailes, Gleneagles Kings, Gleneagles PGA (site of 2014 Ryder Cup), Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and the new Castle Course at St. Andrews, as well as ballot for starting times on The Old Course on four days. Ground transportation, caddie fees (not including gratuity) and breakfast are included in the cost, while airfare is not included. To receive a detailed itinerary and pricing, please contact Andrew Louthain at
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alouthain@cdga.org. . . . A 2-year-old joint venture to raise funds for families of military service personnel killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, enjoyed a successful effort during the Illinois PGA Championship at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club. Competitors made donations prior to the tournament and those funds were matched by the IPGA. . . . The Central Illinois Amateur Golf Tour, which was to hold 13 tournaments this year, saw its Lake Shore Amateur canceled for the second time in three years due to lack of interest. Originally slated for mid-August, the tournament might move to a spring date in 2010. . . . Lombard-based club manufacturer Inifiniti Golf is producing prototypes of The Divot Repair Putter, a club invented by Walt Graves of Little River, S.C. Infiniti Golf created 10 putters, which includes a divot repair tool behind
the clubface, to submit to the USGA for approval. The model was approved and Graves placed an order for 1,000. . . . The LPGA State Farm Classic has renewed its contract with title sponsor, State Farm Insurance, through 2011. . . . While the downturn in the economy has put Illinois State University’s plans to rehab its football stadium on hold, plans to upgrade the school’s golf facilities are moving forward. Ground has yet to be broken, but fundraising and planning for a new yearround practice facility has continued. ISU alumnus D.A. Weibring also is involved in the project. The Redbirds’ home course is called Weibring Golf Club in Normal, and Weibring is active in golf course architecture. —Jim Owczarski
• Clarification: In the September issue, the 2007 U.S. Amateur Public Links (Cantigny Golf) and the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open (Merit Club) were inadvertently omitted from a list of USGA championships played in Illinois over the past 20 years.
W W W. C D G A . O R G
MADE IN CHICAGO
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COLLEGE WRAP-UP
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CHIP SHOTS
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FOUNDATION FOCUS
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CDGA ONLINE
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ACES IN THE CROWD
» CHIP SHOTS
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Local players get time with a major champ
Carol Gouty
CHICAGO-BASED WILSON GOLF and the
Chicago District Golf Association teamed up to provide 18 of the District’s top players with an opportunity to spend a day with threetime major champion Padraig Harrington at Naperville Country Club. Harrington conducted a 90-minute clinic and then played a hole with each player. The day was designed for Wilson to reconnect with its hometown and to introduce its new line of irons, the FT Tour. For the company, the venture was a test run. “This is a new initiative,” said Wilson general manager Tim Clarke. “We’ve never done something where we’ve actually targeted our audience. We historically did it with the PGA professionals in the area, but we wanted to do something a little different, a little more consumer-centric, get them closer to the brand and that affiliation.” The CDGA e-mailed about 2,000 members, all of whom had handicaps of 2 or better, with a survey that included a
question about why they would want to spend a day with Harrington. About 250 responded. “It was a grassroots approach,” Clarke said. “The idea was to reacquaint them with Wilson Golf and the FT franchise.” The players were introduced to the FT Tour irons, an FT Tour golf ball and a new, ultra thin leather golf glove. “From the feedback we’ve gotten, everybody had a wonderful encounter with Wilson, which was the idea,” said Clarke. “And they got to understand Padraig’s way of doing things and his thought process.” The players left the day with a set of the irons built to their specifications. “They’ll be good promoters and very good for the brand,” Clarke said. “We wanted to reacquaint ourselves with Chicago, where our home office is, and some of the best players in the state.” —Jim Owczarski
John Daly makes a stop in Peoria of a rib injury that had caused him to end his season prematurely, two-time major champion John Daly fulfilled a commitment to visit two golf clubs and The Children’s Hospital of Illinois for fundraising events for the Peoria hospital. Daly, who was invited to the Den at Fox Creek and Country Club of Peoria by a friend who plays at Fox Creek, was a week removed from surgery and limited in what he could do physically, but he still entertained at a clinic in mid-September at The Den at Fox Creek and played with some of the hospital’s biggest donors at the Country Club the following day. Because of the limitations on his swing, Daly focused primarily on the short game at the clinic, which was attended by about 200 people. “He talked mostly about the short game, and . . . it was probably good to listen to him talk about how important the short game is,” said Den at Fox Creek director of golf Jason Wingate. “He still went out to play with a group and help them read putts and a lot of those things. It was probably something he didn’t feel up to doing, but the guys really enjoyed having him out there.”
DESPITE FEELING THE EFFECTS
NOVEMBER 2009
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TOURNEY TICKER
ACES IN THE CROWD
Woodridge Gouty finished first in the net division of her flight at the 14th Executive Women’s Golf Association Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., in late September. Competing in the fourth flight, Gouty, representing the EWGA’s Chicago chapter, posted a 36-hole net score of 148, good enough to edge runner-up Debbie Gusse of Macedonia, Ohio, by one stroke and Michelle Boyer of Miami, Fla., by seven. The championship included 205 players representing 102 local chapters from 37 states and Canada.
Brad Hopfinger Lake Forest Hopfinger, a junior on the men’s golf team at the University of Iowa, won co-medalist honors at Golfweek’s Conference Challenge held at Blue Top Ridge in Riverside, Iowa. This was Hopfinger’s first win and he shared the victory with Florida State University’s Drew Kittleson. After going head to head with Kittleson in the final round, Hopfinger finished with a 2-under 70 and a final score of 9-under 207. The previous day he had set the course record with a 5-under 67 to grab the lead. Iowa finished second to Florida State.
Tom Porten Northern Illinois University Porten, 45, has been named the new head men’s golf coach at Northern Illinois University. An Ohio native, Porten served as the head men’s golf coach at University of Akron in 200607, was the associate head coach at Kent State University in 2007-08 and prior to that spent 15 years as the head men’s golf coach at Cleveland State University while also starting up and leading the women’s program there. Porten has spent the last year as Director of Instruction at GolfTEC Cleveland East. Porten has received three conference coach of the year honors while at CSU.
Jane Rah Torrance, Calif. Rah, a native of Aurora, was a member of the winning U.S. team at the Junior Solheim Cup. It was her third selection to the team, which, prior to the Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms, regained the Junior Solheim with a seven-point victory at Aurora Country Club, following a loss two years ago. In this year’s competition, she was a partner in victorious four-ball and foursomes matches and lost her singles match. A four-time AllAmerican by the American Junior Golf Association, she currently is a freshman at Oklahoma State University. Aces In The Crowd recognizes noteworthy accomplishments by people in the CDGA coverage area. Prospective candidates for Aces In The Crowd may be submitted via e-mail to info@cdga.org or aparker@golfweek.com.
CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER | 7
once a summer,” said Alex Redenius of the Fox Valley SRA. “It’s great to expose people with disabilities to golf and everything out here, giving them the opportunity to do things that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to do, and letting them feel empowered, being out on the course with such great golfers.” Cary Ferrell, whose father, Cory, is an IPGA professional, was in town to watch the Solheim Cup, but when his son told him about the opportunity to instruct on the range, he jumped at the chance. “There was no question I would help. That’s what the PGA does,” said Cary, the head professional at the Dulles Golf Center in Washington, D.C. “It was fun to teach the athletes. They did excellent. They really were wonderful. It was a great group.” Joining the Ferrells were Maryville Golf Academy’s Juan Espejo, Harborside International’s George Wrede and Phillips Park Golf Course’s Jeff Schmidt and Jason Johansen. “This is the fun part right here,” Schmidt said. “The big picture is, you’re giving instruction and two stalls down you’ve got Pettersen, Gulbis and (Paula) Creamer hitting balls. It’s an opportunity
PHOTOS BY BUZZ ORR/CDGA
Sunshine campers hit alongside Solheim Cup players at the driving range and received instruction and tips from PGA professionals during a fun-filled day at Rich Harvest Farms. NOVEMBER 2009
for them to do something special they’ll never forget because they’re on the same turf, the same tee line as a pro player. It’s a special opportunity that not too many people get.” Espejo couldn’t agree more. “The joy and the spirit of the little stuff makes you appreciate everything more,” he said. “That’s what makes it fun. I love the game more because they’re playing.” It was a special day for the nearly three dozen Sunshine Through Golf participants, many of whom had never set foot on a range as well maintained as the one at Rich Harvest Farms, let alone practice next to some of the best players in the world. “I don’t care if we’ve been here one hour or been here 41 years, all of us— all of us—take in something new,” Espejo said. “All of us share in the excitement. They love a ball in the air. So do I. We share it.” With family and friends watching from behind the ropes, campers were instructed in hitting driver and irons from some of the state’s best teachers. The day began with sessions on pre-round stretching and general swing techniques. “(It’s) great,” said Sean Thompson of Aurora. “The most fun is swinging at the golf ball,” added Eric Ream of Oswego. The day was also a thrill for the volunteers on hand, both from Sunshine Through Golf, the IPGA and the various park districts that participated. Lunch was provided, and then the campers were able to roam the course, watch the practice rounds and collect autographs. “There are two components here,” said Sunshine Through Golf Foundation President Matt Pekarek, “one to expose some other people to this type of program, and that’s very good for participants to be seen by the other side of the world that doesn’t deal with this every day, and then to see that we as the golf community welcome them in to our daily operations. And then for our participants, who have limits in their lives every day, they get to come out to a world-class event.” CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER | 9
Around the CDGA T H E M E N TA L E D G E
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FIT FOR GOLF
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C D G A U P D AT E
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PEOPLE AND PLACES
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T O U R N A M E N T U P D AT E
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NEWS AND NOTES
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IN THE NEWS
» FIT FOR GOLF
» IN THE NEWS
Back pain can derail a swing
Three Aces
AMONG MANY golfers, lower back pain is a common complaint. Three main mechanical causes are the reverse spine angle swing fault, the S-Posture address position, and the early extension swing fault. Though these are mechanical in nature, odds are that each has an underlying physical limitation that causes them to occur. A reverse spine angle is any excessive upper-body backward bending toward the target during the backswing. It is common for a golfer with this swing fault to complain of pain on the lower right side of the back (for a right-handed golfer). The “S-posture” set-up position is described as an excessive arch in one’s lower back at address. This puts great stress across the lower back and limits the amount of rotation one can produce throughout the swing. Often times, this posture is a misinterpretation of simply exaggerating sticking one’s posterior out at address. The early extension swing fault is described as the hips and pelvis moving closer to the golf ball during the downswing. This creates less space for the hands to travel back toward the ball and is said to feel ‘stuck.’ Generally, there are few common physical factors that lead to these faults: A lack of core strength will limit the ability to maintain a good neutral spine position throughout the swing; limited hamstring and low back flexibility will also affect a golfer’s ability to get into a good set-up position and maintain that posture throughout the swing; a lack of internal hip rotation is an often-overlooked limitation that causes the low back to become more mobile throughout the swing and perform duties it is not intended to. For additional information, visit www.athleticogolfcenter.com.
at Downers Grove South High School had not one, not two, but three holes-in-one during a practice round at Zigfield Troy’s Par-3 Golf Course in late August. Freshman Matt Schlichtman got the first one with a pitching wedge from 108 yards on No. 1. Just 20 minutes later, junior Mike Bubenicek also aced the first hole. Sophomore Colin Flynn completed the highlights at the 87-yard ninth. THE BOYS GOLF TEAM
From left to right, Matt Schlichtman, Colin Flynn and Mike Bubenicek.
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Rate is valid through December 31, 2010. Limited number of rooms available. Tax is additional. Offers do not apply to groups and cannot be combined with other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Restrictions may apply. Rate offered is per room, per night and based on availability at time of reservation. Deluxe resort room offered with one king or two double beds. Golf reservations may be made up to 120 days in advance. Breakfast buffet is offered at Blue Sage restaurant.
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W W W. C D G A . O R G
BEST FOOT FORWARD
By Len Ziehm
on’t be surprised if the LPGA has a tour stop back in Chicago starting in 2010. The fourth tournament in the history of the women’s tour was held in Chicago, the Chicago Weathervane, at a course called Sky Crest, in 1950. Since then, the LPGA has been in and out of the city with a series of generally forgettable events, the last being the Kellogg Keebler Classic at Stonebridge in 2004. Now, however, the LPGA is anxious to get back, and based on the throngs that turned out for the Solheim Cup at Rich Harvest Farms, Chicago wants the top women to compete here again. “It’s a market we can succeed in,” said David Higdon, the tour’s chief communications officer. “We bring the best of women’s golf, and Chicago is a demanding sports city.” If the product is good, Chicago sports fans will support it, and the Solheim product was excellent. The best women tour professionals from the U.S. beat the best from Europe, 16-12, in three days of spirited matches that drew an estimated 120,000—far more than any of its previous 10 stagings. Rich Harvest Farms was part of the attraction. The private venue opened its
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doors to the world, and there was a curiosity to see just what Jerry Rich’s palatial estate looked like. Reviews were overwhelmingly favorable, and the competitiveness of the matches and the atmosphere—chants, singing and flag-waving—couldn’t be beat. The event also served as a career bookend for two U.S. players. For Michelle Wie, it was a coming-out party. The 19-year-old rookie went 3-0-1 in her Solheim debut. For 49-year old Juli Inkster, it was a farewell. She said this Solheim would be her last, and it was one filled with plenty of drama. The competition was tied after two days, 8-8, leaving the 12 Sunday singles matches to decide the winner. The U.S. had more than enough to ensure its third straight win and improve its record in the series to 8-3. The only downer was the glacial pace of play as some of the partnered matches lasted nearly six hours. Given the warm response, the LPGA is moving forward. A Solheim Cup staff had been stationed in Chicago for four years and made contacts that could well blossom into the return of a tour stop. “(The Solheim) is a special event. I can’t say an annual event would be like this,” said Higdon. “But we’d love to target Chicago for an annual event. Whether
PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Solheim Cup turned out to be a showcase event for the LPGA and Chicago, which leads to an obvious question: Could there be a partnership looming?
Thanks in part to a wonderful weekend by rookie Michelle Wie (left), captain Beth Daniel was able to keep the Solheim Cup in U.S. possession.
we can get one for 2010, I don’t know.” But he’s hopeful. Higdon admits 2009 wasn’t the greatest for the LPGA. The number of tournaments dropped from a record 34 in 2008 to 27. Some of the lost events were expected in a down economy, some weren’t. Along the way, commissioner Carolyn Bivens resigned, and the retirement of Annika Sorenstam and a sub-par season by Lorena Ochoa didn’t help the circuit, either. “Thank God for the Solheim Cup. If we didn’t have it we’d be looking at some tough financial questions,” said Higdon. “The LPGA benefits from a financial perspective on home (Solheim Cups), so I was glad to see traffic jams (on Friday).” The LPGA hopes the momentum built during the Solheim Cup will help get the number of tournaments up to previous levels, and the addition of a Chicago stop would get the circuit into a major market regardless of the number of events on the 2010 calendar. “We’ve had discussions with courses and there’s corporate sponsors interested in Chicago,” said Higdon. “The key is to have a title sponsor step up.” Len Ziehm is a golf writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 15
DESTINATION
Golf Getaways | The mecca of American golf
Monterey As one of the world’s pre-eminent golf destinations, Pebble Beach maintains a special place in American golf lore By Rich Skyzinski
1990s, as part of the Defense Realignment Closure in which many military facilities were downsized or turned over to private enterprise, the courses were purchased by the town of Seaside, and in 2005 the property was leased to the Seaside Resort Development Corporation. The company poured some $13 million into an extensive renovation that was completed late in 2008. Golf course architect Gene Bates kept much of the routing intact at both courses, but his work in removing trees and clearing out dense undergrowth resulted in the creation of spectacular new views of Monterey Bay. The old Bayonet Course had the reputation of being the toughest course on the Peninsula, thanks to low-hanging trees along both sides of holes that made pitching back into the fairway often the only play following wayward tee shots, and while Bayonet still offers plenty of narrow driving corridors, Bates removed the foreboding sense of claustrophobia and allowed new ground to be bathed in sunlight.
The bunkers at Black Horse were created by hand and are maintained the same way.
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W W W. C D G A . O R G
PHOTOS BY JOANN DOST
he allure of Pebble Beach, like the waves that crash upon its shores, is steady, strong and relentless. For nine decades, golfers have been drawn to the breathtaking vistas of Carmel Bay, what famed author Robert Louis Stevenson once labeled “the most felicitous meeting of land and sea in creation.” And while the acclaimed creation of Jack Neville and Douglas S. Grant at Pebble Beach remains America’s crown jewel of golf, a higher-priced version of St. Andrews, if you will, there are more than enough additional choices in and around Carmel and Monterey, Calif., to make it a superb destination, even if the choice is made to never step foot on 17-Mile Drive. The newest gems on the Monterey Peninsula are Bayonet and Black Horse, courses built in 1954 and 1964, respectively, on the grounds of the Fort Ord Military Base. In the late
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Following the No. 1 handicap hole, the par-5 eighth that customarily plays just short of 600 yards, Bates created what might become known as one of the state’s toughest approach shots. From the middle tees, the dogleg-right ninth plays to about 445 yards with a second shot to a green sitting some 50 feet above fairway level. It unquestionably is the highlight of the round for any double-digit handicapper who reaches this green in two. Black Horse allows for more room off the tee, but its green complexes might be more difficult. There are places where a player can use a putter from a collection area just off the green, or a wedge—or both when the first decision backfires and the ball comes rolling back to your feet. What is immediately noticed on the Black Horse is the unique design of the bunkers. They have small peninsulas and inlets, created by hand and maintained the same way. In conjunction with a property that offers so many sweeping vistas, the bunkers are visually stunning as well. The new management acknowledges the courses that have become famous through their use in the rotation of the area’s PGA Tour event—Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Poppy Hills—form a strong drawing card for visitors from around the world. The aim is to fit in underneath that top tier, and prices have been set
Views of Monterey Bay are frequent from Bayonet and Black Horse.
accordingly. For what it costs to play Pebble Beach, a player can get three or four rounds on Bayonet or Black Horse. “There are people who come to the area to play the Pebble Beach Resort courses and that is with good reason,” says Dick Fitzgerald, project director for Seaside Resort Development. “We want Bayonet and Black Horse to serve as that next level of more moderately priced places to play. The wholesale enhancements to Bayonet and Black Horse are staggering and golfers will discover two challenging, strategic and well-conditioned layouts that will rapidly emerge as must-play courses on the Monterey Peninsula.” Over at Pebble Beach—inside the “forest,” as the locals say—are four well-known courses all open to the public: Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, the Links at Spanish Bay, and Poppy Hills, created by the Northern California Golf Association in 1986 as the country’s first course built by a state or regional golf association. [Note: Because of the popularity of these courses, starting times often are reserved weeks or months in advance. Therefore, visitors are advised NOVEMBER 2009
to handle starting times in conjunction with their travel arrangements, i.e., well in advance.] There is no argument that each of these offers a memorable golf experience. The first five holes at Spyglass wind through seaside dunes and are nothing short of magnificent; Spanish Bay was created with firm turf and fescue grasses, designed to replicate a true Scottish links; Poppy Hills is a fine test of golf and the most affordable of the lot; and Pebble Beach speaks for itself. Not only are the views from Pebble Beach known to golfers around the world, but history has been made there as well. Two of golf’s greatest shots were struck at its famed par-3 17th in U.S. Opens played there: a 1-iron by Jack Nicklaus that hit the flagstick in the final round of his win in 1972, and Tom Watson’s 71st-hole pitch-in from the deep rough in 1982. Since much of Carmel and Monterey is high-end, without question the best value a golfer can find on the peninsula is at Pacific Grove Golf Links. For less than $50, this unpretentious municipal course, located on perhaps the area’s premium piece of property, is not to be missed. First-time players often don’t believe this is a municipal course, and its heritage belies that, too; one nine was designed by H. Chandler Egan, a two-time U.S. Amateur champion and one of the game’s top amateurs at the turn of the 20th century, and the second nine was created by Neville, a co-designer of Pebble Beach. Bunkers are few and the greens are small, a joyful trip back to the time when golf was a simpler game. Before Spanish Bay and the courses at Bandon Dunes in Oregon, Pacific Grove might have been the closest thing to an actual links in the U.S. Still, with its spectacular water views, this might be the course that makes you return to Monterey.
TRAVEL TIPS From O’Hare, United has non-stop flights to Monterey, Palm Springs and Spokane; American offers non-stop service to Monterey and Palm Springs; Spirit flies non-stop to Myrtle Beach. From Midway, Southwest flies non-stop to Spokane. Virtually all airlines charge for checked baggage, but many airlines waive these fees for certain membership levels of their frequent flyer program. Check with your airline to see if you qualify. Do not overpack. Even for airlines that waive baggage fees for their frequent flyers, most will charge for overweight baggage. The maximum weight for golf clubs at American Airlines is 70 pounds, but it is 50 pounds for many others. The fee for oversize baggage can be $100 or more. When traveling outside the 50 states, have a valid passport, even if it is not required. Before you leave, check the long-range weather forecast at your destination so you are able to pack appropriately. Items to consider packing in your golf bag: extra socks; sunscreen; bug spray; a rain suit; an umbrella; Band-Aids.
— Amy Parker
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DESTINATION
Golf Getaways | A love for the outdoors
Upper Rockies With tranquil lakes and an abundance of wildlife, Idaho offers a true outdoors experience By Rich Skyzinski and Wayne Mills
or the golfer whose outdoor interests include hunting and fishing, it takes a bit of planning and traveling in order to get sufficiently away from the hubbub of big-city life. It’s not as easy as tossing the gear in the car and making a 30-minute drive. Though there are good spots for the outdoorsman within Illinois and each of the neighboring states, prime territory is far from where we call home. In an expansive part of the Western United States, defined roughly as an area west of Minnesota and north of Iowa, the upper portion of the Continental Divide is remote but spectacular. The most difficult question to answer is: How do I get there? When it comes time for golf, Circling Raven Golf Club, located on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, about 25 miles south of the city of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is not to be missed. This is a terrific golf experience with players being presented with an unending variety of shots uninterrupted by any signs of city life. Golf course designer Gene Bates was given a fabulous piece of property and crafted 18 holes acclaimed by virtually every major golf publication. Golfers on the incoming nine sense that they have the golf course to themselves because no hole can be seen from another. In the picturesque city of Coeur d’Alene, the hub of activity takes place at the lakeside resort of the same name. Its golf offering is what a resort course
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is supposed to be: well maintained and fun. Though on the shortish side—from the middle (tan) markers there are two par 3s less than 125 yards and three par 4s less than 300—there is no shortage of pretty views. The par-3 14th features a floating green, moved via a set of underwater cables so the hole can play to various distances. Perhaps the best course in the area is Indian Canyon Golf Course, which sits almost adjacent to the Spokane Airport. It’s a good idea to toss a camera in the bag because players are certain to pull it out a couple of times around this tour through hillsides covered in 80- to 100-foot-tall ponderosa pines. The course is run by Spokane’s Park and Recreation Department and is one of the best values you’ll find anywhere. Be forewarned: Players who like to walk and carry their clubs are in for a good workout. Further to the southeast, Sun Valley Resort, in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, stakes its claim as the first American ski resort. Back in the 1930s, Averell Harriman, chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, was looking to create a great American resort fashioned after some of the grand alpine resorts of Europe. He enlisted the services of Count The green at Coeur d’Alene’s 14th hole (right) is in a new location daily, but there’s less water to deal with at Circling Raven’s par-5 17th (below).
Felix Schaffgotsch to find the perfect location for his resort, to be reached by train, of course. The Count was about to end his search when he heard about the old mining town of Ketchum, Idaho. Upon reaching the Ketchum Valley, Count Felix was overwhelmed by the area and wired his employer, saying: “This combines more delightful features than any place I have ever seen in Switzerland, Austria or the U.S. for a winter resort.” W W W. C D G A . O R G
COURTESY COEUR D'ALENE GOLF RESORT AND SPA
Trail Creek Course, a highly regarded 1970s Robert Trent Jones, Jr., design, plays mostly in the valley along and across the rushing waters of Trail Creek. The real stunner is the newly opened first nine holes of the magnificent White Clouds Course. Designed by former Jones associate Don Knotts, White Clouds winds its way up some 400 feet onto the hillside and provides stunning views of the Bald Mountain ski slopes and the towns and valleys below. There are few vistas in golf that can match those from White Clouds. The back nine will play back down to the valley floor and along Trail Creek as well. When White Clouds is complete, it promises to be one of the best golf courses in the West. When the golf clubs have been put away in exchange for rod and reel, it won’t take long to realize this state is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Want proof? Idaho lakes and rivers have produced records for rainbow trout (37 pounds), northern pike (38 pounds, 9 ounces) and chinook salmon (42 pounds). Idaho offers some 21.6 million square miles of wilderness, which contains some of the country’s best hunting opportunities. Approximately two-thirds is public land and a new state Fish and Game program, Access Yes!, is providing additional land every year. The season opens in October for North Idaho’s deer, elk and moose. Bear season runs from late summer through October, then again in the spring.
The Count’s enthusiasm spread to Harriman, who rushed to join him, and within days purchased 4,300 acres of what was soon to become Sun Valley. After a frantic seven-month construction schedule, Sun Valley Resort opened for the winter in 1936. The resort was an instant success. Local wildlife was seen sharing the mountain with European nobility and Hollywood royalty. Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Claudette Colbert, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper were all regulars in the lodge, while world champions, including Don and Gretchen Fraser, Gracie Carter Lindley and Andy Hennig used the mountain for Olympic training. Ernest Hemingway first visited in 1939 and returned many NOVEMBER 2009
times, writing “For Whom the Bell Tolls” in room 206 of The Lodge. Eventually Hemingway would move to Ketchum, where he died in 1961 and is buried there. Sun Valley has been benevolently owned since 1977 by Earl Holdings, who also owns Sinclair Oil. Although originally envisioned as a winter resort, Sun Valley has blossomed into a wonderful, warmweather destination as well. Golf has become the centerpiece of the summer in Sun Valley and the centerpiece of the golf is a sumptuous new 58,000-square-foot clubhouse that was given an unlimited budget and then exceeded it. The golf course offerings are very good and getting better. The 18-hole
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DESTINATION
Golf Getaways | Fun in the sun
The Caribbean With the proper planning, golf in the islands is a hands-down winner By Rich Skyzinski
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lanning a golf getaway to the Caribbean isn’t as easy as it might sound. For starters, some islands offer only a few courses and the quality often is suspect. Doing your homework and doing it thoroughly is required in order to plan a reasonable itinerary. Additionally, it hardly is convenient or inexpensive to hopscotch one’s way around the Caribbean in order to play some of the best courses. It might sound like fun to play in the Bahamas one day and Puerto Rico the next, but a little research shows that to be impractical; it’s the equivalent of flying from Chicago to Salt Lake City.
One more consideration to keep in mind: Although a getaway from Chicago might sound idyllic when the leaves start to fall and there’s noticeably less daylight, hurricane season officially lasts through November. Gentle island breezes are one thing; gale-force winds and needing a weather radio are another. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC There’s all the golf anyone would want on one island. Cap Cana is an exquisite resort with six golf courses planned. Jack Nicklaus is scheduled to design three of them, and his first creation there, Punta Espada, is considered a must-play site. Eight holes were routed along the
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Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is home to a Champions Tour event.
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From the Dominican Republic: Cap Cana (above) and Casa de Campo (right).
terrain. It helps to be a good putter here because the greens generally are fast and designer Robert von Hagge built some severe undulation into many of them. The course associated with the Breezes at Runaway Bay offers a more moderately priced 18 holes. Expect to find good conditions regardless of the season. Caddies are a big help, particularly with the greens, and unlike many new courses created along jagged cliffs and unforgiving parts of the waterfront, golfers seldom lose a ball here. The course, which offers some very long par 4s and challenging par 3s, is only minutes from the resort, and another plus is that green fees are included in the cost of the resort. PUERTO RICO The Dorado Beach Resort has four courses from which to choose, but the standouts are the East and West, and either represents a can’t-lose proposition. There are additional similarities: Both
COURTESY CASA DE CAMPO
JAMAICA Half Moon Resort packs a good onetwo punch: The golf course is included on the 2009 ranking of best courses in the Caribbean and Mexico by Golfweek, and Caribbean World magazine named the resort the best in the Caribbean. Robert Trent Jones, Sr., designed the course and it recently was renovated by Roger Rulewich. Golfers of any skill level will enjoy the course—tees start at 5,100 yards and go up to 7,110—that was the site of a PGA European Senior Tour event in 2003 and ’04. Located just minutes from the RitzCarlton Golf & Spa Resort, the White Witch is an attractive mix of holes routed over mountainous terrain, through thick and lush forests, and dramatic waterfront
COURTESY CAP CANA RESORT
shoreline and magnificent water views are provided from virtually every step on the property. Punta Espada was the first course in the The 16th at Dominican Brown Deer Republic Golf Club to be selected for a PGA Tour-sanctioned event; the Champions Tour is in the midst of a three-year agreement to play the Cap Cana Championship there. Casa de Campo generally is regarded as the premier golf destination in the Caribbean. Pete Dye’s acclaimed Teeth of the Dog can play as long as 7,471 yards, and with seven holes playing along a series of rocky coves, it is a brilliant and memorable golf experience. The par-4 15th is one of the world’s best ocean holes. Two other courses here, Dye Fore and the Links, feature dramatic elevation changes and, in places, are more reminiscent of inland layouts more commonly found in the British Isles. Parts of Dye Fore sit some 300 feet above the Chavon River and offer postcard panoramas of both the turquoise Caribbean and the surrounding mountains. Nick Faldo was provided a stunning piece of property at Roco Ki with which to work. At the Faldo Legacy Course, there are holes routed through a lush jungle, others that help to frame four lakes, and several that command unforgettable shots on cliffs pounded by the crashing waves. The 18th, with two shots over ocean inlets, might be one of the best finishing holes in the Caribbean.
were opened in the 1960s, both were designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and within the last decade both underwent changes that resulted in noticeable upgrades. The par-5 fourth on the East is one of the world’s best holes. It is a double dogleg and there are two water hazards that golfers must negotiate. But depending on conditions, an accomplished player can try to carry one or both, thereby cutting up to 100 yards off the length of the hole. There are dozens of ways to play the hole, providing golfers with an unlimited number of strategic options. C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 21
DESTINATION
Golf Getaways | Perfect spot for a road trip
Myrtle Beach,S.C. Stretching up and down the South Carolina coastline, the golf options along the Grand Strand are endless. By Alan Bondin
election is not a problem in the Myrtle Beach golf market. Rather, too many options and too little time is the dilemma most golfers face. The Grand Strand, an 80-mile stretch of coastline from Georgetown, S.C., to Southport, N.C., hit a peak with 120 courses in 2001. That total has come down to just over 100, with all but six open to the public, after a rash of closures from 2005-07 in favor of redevelopment. Courses vary from inexpensive layouts frequented mostly by locals to layouts ranked among the best in the nation with green fees that reach $200, and there is variety and quality in the north, south and central Strand. The Dunes Club is the second-oldest course on the Strand and the one course that actually abuts the Atlantic Ocean. The clubhouse sits along the dunes backing the beach, and the ocean is behind the green on the par-3 ninth hole. The Robert Trent Jones layout opened in 1948 and features slightly elevated greens that put an emphasis on approach shots. The first four holes on the back nine make outstanding use of the terrain, and there are few holes in golf as entertaining as the 13th: a U-shaped par-5 with a daunting second shot over water. The
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PHOTOS COURTESY THE BRANDON AGENCY
Top: The Dunes Club winds its way around, alongside the Atlantic Ocean; Right: The Founders Club highlights natural areas.
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A COASTAL GOLF MECCA AWAITS Dunes Club is perhaps the course most DON’T BE FOOLED. Golf courses in the suited for tournament play in the area, Myrtle Beach area compete with each having been the site of an LPGA major, other for rounds from vacationing the PGA Tour Q-School final and golfers. the season-ending Champions Tour But the willingness to cooperate in Championship from 1994-1999. It is the midst of the competition is what semi-private but can be accessed by has allowed the Grand Strand to visitors through more than 50 affiliated become a golf mecca. hotels and golf package providers. The marketing cooperative, Myrtle Tidewater Plantation and Golf is one Beach Golf Holiday, is what binds the of the most stunning courses on the layouts. East Coast. Several holes run along the It includes 78 of the area’s nearly 100 Intracoastal Waterway or surrounding public courses, as well as about 90 tidal salt marshes in the Cherry Grove accommodations providers and golf inlet. The Ken Tomlinson design, with package providers that combine rounds a layout assist from Rees Jones, has a and beds for visiting players. pair of dramatic par 3s that back up to Golf Holiday’s budget to promote and each other along a marsh, and par 5s market the area reached approximately that are reachable but not without risk, $8 million in 2008, primarily through including two that curl around the member contributions and some marsh. matching state funds. True Blue Plantation is one of the Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday got its more treacherous and dramatic courses start in 1963 when a handful of course on the Strand. It was one of two and hotel operators formed Golf courses in Pawleys Island designed by Holiday. It merged with another innovative architect Mike Strantz marketing company and became Myrtle before he died of cancer, along with a Beach Golf Holiday in 1967. highly acclaimed sister course, One of its founders, Cecil Brandon, Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. The course has dramatic bunkering and requires precise shotmaking, and has an unusual five par 3s and five par 5s, including three that are at least 599 yards. Leopard’s Chase Golf Club in Sunset Beach, N.C., is one of the latest creations of local architect Tim Cate, who has designed a number of courses on the south coast of North Carolina. It’s an attractive layout made difficult by a multitude of bunkers and fast, undulating bentgrass greens. It features ornamental grasses throughout, with boulders embedded with seashells lining the walls of many water hazards, and a waterfall near the 18th green. The Founders Club of Pawleys Island was designed by Thomas Walker on the site of the No. 8 on the South course at Sea Gull Golf Club. Players who Thistle Golf Club are not hitting out of sand are driving on it as every hole is NOVEMBER 2009
served as the volunteer executive director of the cooperative for three decades. In addition to marketing and promoting the area, Golf Holiday stages several events including the 26-year PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship, which was sponsored by DuPont for 19 years and has attracted at least 3,000 golfers every year since 1991. Golf Holiday sponsored and convinced Golf Channel programming executives to film and air 12 episodes of the 2008 show “Road Trip: Myrtle Beach,” a realitytype program that followed the adventures of a golfing foursome composed of former PGA Tour member Charlie Rymer, musicians Josh Kelley and Mark Bryan, and female touring professional Perry Swenson. Competition and cooperation between courses in Myrtle Beach continue to keep it among the world’s most competitive golf markets.
— Alan Bondin
surrounded by vast waste bunkers. Cart paths are needed only around tees and greens, and each hole has five tee boxes that often are islands amid natural areas. Many fairways were shaped to include changes in elevation, while mounding and pot bunkers add to difficulty. The Barefoot Resort Dye Club is the toughest of the four high-end courses that opened simultaneously in 1999, and might be the most difficult course on the Strand. It is plenty long, and, in typical Pete Dye fashion, is visually imposing off the tee with waste bunkers on nearly every hole, countless pot bunkers, water hazards, wetlands and mounding throughout the layout. High native grasses lurk on the periphery of holes and many fairways are elevated with trouble below on both sides. Alan Bondin covers golf for the Myrtle Beach Sun. C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 23
DESTINATION
Golf Getaways | Winter paradise
Palm Springs A winter oasis, Palm Springs offers favorable conditions across desert terrain
By Matt McKay
ino. Ike. Arnie. Bob. Francis Albert. All used to flock to the Southern California desert from across the country in search of perfect conditions, whether they be for golf or martinis on the veranda. It’s true, some of the quaintness is gone from Palm Springs. The tradeoff is, golf abounds in this oasis, especially during the peak tourist season from January through April. The courses, style, and class the 1950s elite enjoyed are still available to the modern
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traveler. Visitors simply have to know what they’re looking for and where to find it in the modern, grown-up and grown-in Coachella Valley. La Quinta Resort has five golf courses available to guests, including the iconic PGA West Stadium Course and the Nicklaus Tournament Course, both of which serve as venues for the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying. The Stadium Course, generally considered to be Pete Dye’s pièce de rèsistance, has been softened over the years. But the insidious landforms, uneven fairways and some of the world’s deepest bunkers still ensure the sternest test of golf. The Nicklaus is a fine example of the Golden Bear’s design principles employed in a desert landscape. Instead of carrying a barranca or pond, the fairways and
PHOTO COURTESY LA QUINTA RESORT
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PHOTO COURTESY SILVERROCK RESORT
greens are sandwiched between traditional sand bunkers and the traditional look of the ancient desert. The La Quinta Mountain Course, running along and through the Santa Rosa Mountains, is just right for players who like a rugged, natural terrain. The Dunes Course offers two of the desert’s most memorable holes: the 191-yard, par-3 sixth—jokingly called the easiest par 5 in the valley—and the 433-yard, par-4 17th, a dogleg left around a large pond. Resort guests also have access to the PGA West Greg Norman Course. It’s likely the most playable course in the rota, with fewer forced carries and hardpan desert beyond the turf. Built for and recently added to the Bob Hope Classic rotation on the PGA Tour, SilverRock in La Quinta is worth pointing out because of its beauty, challenge, significance to the tour, and its proximity to other golf resorts hidden within La Quinta, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage. The golf course is set at the base of the Santa Rosa and Coral Mountains, and wanders through several outcroppings and exposures. There are plans for a future second course, hotel, and clubhouse. The JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert speaks to the days in the 1980s when Palm Springs became the Coachella Valley as other municipalities became involved in larger destination developments. There are two 18-hole Ted Robinson-designed golf courses. The Palm course, which sits more on the front of the property, is the more popular course, featuring picturesque holes and dramatic waterscapes. The Valley Course’s dominant feature is landforms that, for the most part, have been positioned to help the resort player have a great time in a timely manner. Built in 2007, the casino tower in Indio, owned and operated by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, is accompanied by the Clive Clarkdesigned Eagle Falls Golf Course in Fantasy Springs, Calif. A traditional, wall-to-wall turf course set in the desert,
Left: The PGA West Greg Norman course; Above: The 10th hole at SilverRock Resort.
Clark’s wide fairways are offset by well-positioned, punitive bunkers and native grasses lining the playing areas. Recovery shots and big benders must avoid this grass or be prepared to suffer the consequences. The par-5 18th features a grand waterfall feeding a pond that protects the left side of the fairway and green. Owned and operated by the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians, the South Course at Indian Canyons Resort was renovated in 2004 by Casey O’Callaghan and features awe-inspiring views of the San Jacinto Mountains. The North Course, formerly Canyon Country Club, now is part of the resort. A
traditional 1950s course, the William Bell layout wanders through the mid-century modern houses of South Palm Springs. Indian Wells Resort, the former home of the Skins Game, offers two courses, the Celebrity and Players courses, with four hotel properties on the resort grounds (Hyatt Grand Champions, Renaissance Esmeralda, Miramonte, and Indian Wells). The Celebrity Course was redesigned in 2006 by Clark and is famous for its garden-like setting. The Players Course, updated by John Fought just three years ago, utilizes wide fairways to take players out into the desert before returning to the shadows of the resort buildings. Matt McKay is a freelance writer based in Palm Springs, Calif.
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The trend of fractional living is gaining popularity as Chicagoans look for extended winter golf getaways By Chelan David
Chicago Average daily low in January: 18°F
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living, which allows co-owners to own luxury homes at a fraction of a sole ownership cost. Unlike time shares, fractional interests are secured by a deed to a specific home; the interest can be mortgaged, sold or willed just like any other real estate purchase. It is a growing industry in popular destinations such as mountain or beach resorts, and Southern California has proved to be a popular choice to Chicagoans. After familiarizing himself with the fractional concept, including the ongoing investment plans, the reservation system, access to golf and sale scenarios, Hindsley purchased a one-ninth interest in a freestanding villa at the Residence Club at PGA West in La Quinta. “Traveling great distances to warm weather locations from Chicago makes it hard to own a property and dedicate the
time and resources to make it a true home,” says Hindsley. “The fractional option is a great step, particularly if you believe you will be able to get away in the winter/spring three-five weeks a year.” Dean Poulos, owner of Homer’s Ice Cream in Wilmette, also opted for fractional living at PGA West as a respite from the Windy City’s brutal winters. He compared the residence club’s amenities to a four-star hotel and relishes the flexibility of use and lack of cleaning and maintenance responsibilities. Also, the weather and access to golf are huge pluses for Poulos and his wife, Sandy. “The Palm Springs area,” he says, “has incredible weather with no humidity, beautiful scenery and amazing golf W W W. C D G A . O R G
PHOTO BY DAVIDMARTYN/DREAMSTIME.COM
aul Hindsley knew he wanted a place in Palm Springs, Calif., where he and his family could, for several weeks during the winter, escape the bone-chilling Chicago air. Drawn by warm weather, stunning scenery and first-class golf amenities, Hindsley looked at several properties in the area. Owning a home outright, however, felt like too large a commitment. And time shares had a negative stigma to the 49-year-old investment banker. Then a friend suggested fractional
NOVEMBER 2009
feet and are fully furnished. While it’s a comfortable fit for Hindsley, his wife and their four children, he also enjoys the preferential pricing and starting times at five available golf courses. Some of the courses are challenging; others are suitable for his 11-year-old son and his wife, who only play occasionally. So far he is happy with his purchase. “Our plan is to maintain this fractional ownership until we expect to be able to spend materially more time, or materially less time, in a winter home.” For most buyers, fractional ownership represents a lifestyle choice rather than an investment opportunity. However, in the midst of a flagging economy, with the traditional real estate market struggling mightily, parking money in a fractional interest can potentially lead to dividends down the road. Bailes says that fractional ownership works best in areas in which sole ownership of homes is expensive, such as La Quinta, Calif., Aspen and Vail, Colo., Park City, Utah, and New York
Palm Springs, Calif. Average daily high in January: 70°F City. In many of these areas, the price of fractional interests has increased. Joining the Residence Club was a lifestyle choice for Hindsley and his wife. “In the financial sense, we view the Residence as a neutral investment, meaning we did not join the club with the expectation that the value could increase or decrease materially,” he said. “Importantly, the high quality of the villas and the attraction of the La Quinta area made us comfortable that these assets would continue to be in demand over time, and thus the investment would not materially decline in value over time.” Chelan David is a freelance writer based in Seattle.
PHOTO BY EVAN SCHILLER
courses.” And, naturally, there’s the luxury of being able to play those courses in January or February—in shorts. According to Ted Lennon, president of Lowe Destination Development Desert Operations, fractional living has gained momentum in golf communities during the last couple of years. With residential real estate off in most places around the country, it has proved to be attractive since it requires less capital. Says Lennon, “It is affordable luxury and offers the flexibility that second homeowners seek.” At Stone Eagle, a 700-acre private golf community in Palm Desert, another Palm Springs suburb, the fractional ownership program consists of three fully furnished homes. Prices start in the high $200,000s for two-bedroom residences and go up to the high $400,000s for four-bedroom residences. Concierge services at the resort include pre-arrival groceries and reserved starting times at the Tom Doak-designed golf course. Owners can select three scheduled weeks in-season and any other time of the year subject to availability. Reservation policies for fractional owners vary from property to property, but many, such as the Residence Club, have a rotating selection priority. “We believe the fairest way to allocate time is the use of a rotating priority system, which moves owners to the front of the line,” explained Marc Bailes, owner of the Residence Club’s corporate legal entity. “Once there, that owner will then drop to the end and work back to the beginning.” During mid-summer, Hindsley sends in his request for the specific time periods he would like to stay at the villa and, by August, knows which weeks will be designated as his. Last year, his first full year at the Residence Club, he had no problem making reservations for the weeks he wanted. “We don’t expect that to happen every year, but we believe the combination of the reservation system and nine members per villa will enable us to receive at least two of our priority weeks each year,” he said. The three-bedroom villas at the Residence Club consist of 3,300 square
The Stadium Course at PGA West is one of the courses Residence Club members can play.
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Vinny Giles capped a memorable week at Beverly Country Club with a thrilling finish By Rich Skyzinski
very golf administrator goes into a tournament wanting three things: good weather, a great course and good shots that lead to an exciting finish. When the United States Golf Association and the 55th U.S. Senior Amateur rolled into town in midSeptember at Beverly Country Club, luck was on its side as it pulled the lever and came up with three cherries. There was plenty of brilliance to go around, from a week of chamber of commerce weather to the very last stroke, a dramatic putt at the final hole that won the title for 66-year-old Vinny Giles III of Richmond, Va., who managed a 1-up decision over John Grace of Fort Worth, Texas. For much of the 1960s and ’70s Giles was one of the top amateurs in the country; he won the 1972 U.S. Amateur, finished second three consecutive years (1967-69) and lost only two of 15 matches played over the course of being selected to four straight U.S. Walker Cup teams (1969-75). Grace, the U.S. Amateur runner-up from 1974, and Giles were teammates on the ’75 squad that won at St. Andrews, Scotland. After a successful business career in which he helped found Pros Inc., and turn it into one of the game’s most prominent player management companies, Giles sold his stake. He played more golf and set only one goal. “Since I turned 55 the only thing I really wanted to accomplish was to win the Senior Amateur,” Giles said. “It’s by far the most prestigious event we have.”
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Though he had previously advanced to the quarterfinals four times, Giles realized he was facing a huge challenge. “When I was 32 and all the college kids were 22, I didn’t think there was any difference at all,” he said. “I hit it just as long as they did and I know they didn’t have as much experience as I did. But the difference between 66 and 55 (the minimum age requirement for the Senior Amateur) is huge. Frankly, I thought my time had passed. I didn’t know if I’d ever have this chance.” The final began with fireworks as Giles chipped in for birdie from behind the first green—it was reminiscent of Tiger Woods’ chip-in at the 16th hole at the Masters in that the ball seemed to pause on the lip of the hole before falling in—and Grace followed by draining a tricky 18-foot putt that included three feet of break. At the par-5 18th and the match all square, both players reached the green in three, and after referee Tom O’Toole measured to determine that Grace was away by 2 inches— let’s call it 18 feet to 18 feet, 2 inches—Grace’s birdie putt stopped 6 inches short for a conceded 5. Putting straight downhill, Giles barely touched his putt, but it stayed on line and trickled into the center of the hole. “I knew all I had to do was get it on the right line,” said Giles. “It would have been easy to hit it too hard and get it 4 or 5 feet by the hole. But when it was 2 feet away I knew it was in, but like my good friend, Bobby Wadkins, has always said, ‘Early call, the ball won’t fall,’ so I didn’t want to react too early. When the ball went in, it was a great feeling.” Noted Grace, “I didn’t lose the match, Vinny won it, so I have no regrets. Today I wanted to play the very best golf I could and I think I did that.” The win put Giles in the USGA record books. It had been 37 years since his first USGA title, thereby eclipsing the 33 years between Bruce Fleisher’s victories at the 1968 Amateur and 2001 Senior Open. W W W. C D G A . O R G
PHOTO BY STEVE GIBBONS/USGA
Winner of the ‘72 U.S. Amateur, Marvin Giles lll claimed the U.S. Senior Am—37 years later.
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hile many may be happy walking in a winter wonderland, dedicated golfers across the country are left pining after the lush greens and verdant fairways of warmer climes. Thankfully, golf’s greatest sun-soaked destinations boast a bevy of championship courses where snowbirds and locals alike can tee it up far from the sleet and snow of winter. From breathtaking desert tracks to dazzling seaside layouts, these exceptional resort and residential communities offer extraordinary golf experiences for golfers looking to enjoy their beloved sport season after season. So when the weather outside is frightful, give Jack Frost the cold shoulder and treat yourself to an unforgettable winter golf getaway at any one of these outstanding properties.
A desert paradise, the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West provides the perfect golf getaway with its own mountain oasis.
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ust northwest of Tucson, in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, The Gallery at Dove Mountain inspires a true sense of belonging by offering all the hallmarks of upscale desert living surrounded by the striking beauty of Southern Arizona. Among The Gallery’s most appealing qualities are its low population density, variety of lifestyle opportunities and near-perfect weather year round.So when the snow starts to fall across the country, residents of this exceptional community can enjoy their own winter golf getaway in The Gallery’s natural high Sonoran Desert setting. Stretching across 7,410 picturesque yards of lush greenery, the par-72 Gallery North Course features sweeping high Sonoran views in every direction. Golf course architect John Fought and British Open Champion Tom Lehman have created a course reminiscent of more
Set among the Tortolita Mountains, The Gallery at Dove Mountain’s South Course (above and below right) and North Course (below left) both highlight the rustic desert setting with exceptional championship design.
traditional designs, resulting in 18 irresistible holes that are enjoyable for golfers of all levels. Embracing the natural beauty of the land by incorporating countless native trees into its design, the 7,468yard, par-72 Gallery South Course – host of the 2007 and 2008 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship – features subtle elevation changes, 360-degree views from every hole and thousands of giant Saguaros. Fought recently finished overseeing refinements of the green complexes on several holes along with the re-grassing of all 18 greens with bentgrass, thus enhancing what has always been a highly appealing and award-winning design. The South’s construction and design pay
homage to the great Donald Ross’ Pinehurst No. 2, offering golfers a truly spectacular glimpse of golf heaven. Adding to the overall experience, the 30,000-square-foot Gallery Clubhouse features award-winning cuisine, attentive service and more than 100 gallery quality works of art. The Gallery is further enhanced by the 12,000-squarefoot Gallery Sports Club that boasts a full-service fitness and training facility, complete with a lap pool, recreational pool and lighted tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. For more information about The Gallery’s exclusive majestic mountain golf lifestyle, call 520.744.4700 or visit www.GalleryGolf.com.
F orever
Take A Year To Change Your Life, Forever. Featuring two highly acclaimed golf courses, The Gallery’s North and South Courses are a treat for members on a daily basis and have played host to PGA Tour Professionals in both the 2001 Touchstone Energy Tucson Open and the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship in 2007 & 2008. The 12,000 square foot Gallery Sports Club and the wonderful fine dining in The Gallery Clubhouse restaurant round out the facilities, offering the lifestyle change you’ve been longing for in southern Arizona. A limited number of memberships are available at The Gallery, including a 1-year Trial Membership with full privileges. Try it for a year and you’ll embrace The Gallery for a lifetime. For more information, contact Jennifer Price at 888-802-6100, or visit our website at gallerygolf.com.
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owering above the horizon, the majestic peaks of the Santa Rosa, San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains rise from the floor of the Southern California desert to stand guard over the legendary La Quinta Resort & Club. A dazzling jewel located just minutes from the excitement and luxury of Palm Springs, La Quinta Resort offers an endless array of amenities and more than 350 days of sunshine, thus creating the ideal setting for the ultimate winter golf getaway. La Quinta Resort’s magnificently landscaped grounds feature lush palms, vibrant tropical vegetation, shimmering water features and 45 acres of meandering pathways and walking trails. Handsome courtyards and refreshing pools further enhance the scenery, all while creating
stunning centerpieces for the resort’s spacious Spanish hacienda-style casitas, suites and villas. The resort’s extraordinary golf is equally as breathtaking as its setting. Each of the five award-winning layouts has been ranked among America’s best. The resort’s Mountain Course and Dunes Course – both designed by Pete Dye -– present two distinctly different golf experiences. Literally carved into the Santa Rosas, the newly renovated Mountain Course is renowned for its unique design and visually stunning setting, while the traditional links-style Dunes Course provides a completely relaxing round of golf. La Quinta’s golf offerings also include the illustrious courses of PGA West, “The Western Home of Golf in America.” Comprising the heart of this veritable desert golf paradise, each of the three courses – PGA West TPC Stadium Course, Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and Greg Norman Course (crafted by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman respectively) – feature thrilling challenges, spectacular routing and arresting vistas that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Along with a 23,000-square-foot day spa, 4,000-square-foot fitness center and one of the nation’s top tennis clubs and instruction programs, La Quinta Resort & Club offers the very finest in full-service amenities, outstanding service and exciting recreational adventures. To book your exceptional winter golf getaway at La Quinta Resort & Club, call 866.379.7524 or visit www.LaQuintaResort.com.
La Quinta Resort & Club’s golf courses provide picturesque views with rolling greens and mountains in the distance. The Dunes Course (left) and Mountain Course (right) feature unique designs carved from the Santa Rosa Mountains, while the courses at PGA West offer a true desert golf experience.
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eplete with unsurpassed luxury, privilege and tranquility, Miramont sets the gold standard for private country club communities by offering its residents and members the epitome of exclusive golf living. Located in the Prairies and Lakes Region of the Lone Star State – where the sun shines almost all year long – Miramont offers incredible golf and luxury community living, all far removed from winter’s icy grip. Sprawling across 1,000 acres in the city of Bryan, home to Texas A&M University, Miramont provides the finest in recreation, privacy, value and uncompromising standards, all in an environment where lasting memories will be forever formed. Here, residents enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow members – individuals and families who share a common interest in embracing the comfortable yet sophisticated, private club lifestyle. And in addition to exquisite community living, Miramont Country Club also offers an award-winning, 18-hole championship golf course. Gently rolling terrain, vibrant seasonal foliage and multiple water features characterize the par-72, Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed layout. Measuring in at 7,127 yards, Miramont is challenging enough to host any competition but still offers numerous tee and pin placements to ensure enjoyment for all skill levels. Committed to promoting fun for the whole family, the club also features four holes exclusively designated for practice and pleasure. Miramont’s dedication to excellence is evidenced clearly through its wide array of amenities, including fine dining and elegant banquet halls, men’s and women’s locker rooms, full-service pro shops, a state-of-the-art fitness center, world-class tennis complex with eight stadium courts and a swimming facility complete with a resort-style pool, lap lanes and diving and play areas. Along with the club’s tranquil park areas, meticulously maintained grounds, elaborate landscaping and outstanding club amenities, Miramont also offers convenient access to shopping, medical facilities, restaurants and Texas A&M University. For more information about the exceptional Miramont lifestyle, call 979.361.7238 or visit www.Miramont.cc.
With award-winning golf in a luxury community, Miramont sets high standards and surpasses all expectations with its golf lifestyle. As the course winds through tranquil water (No. 13, above) and lush vegetation (No. 12, below), players of all levels enjoy an outstanding experience.
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Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.
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PGA Village offers the ultimate golf experience with 54 holes from which to choose, set amid a scenic backdrop of Florida wetlands and wildlife. Exceptional holes on the Wanamaker Course include No. 9 (left), No. 7 (top right) and No. 10 (right), which all provide stunning views of the surrounding area.
O
ne of Florida’s finest gems, PGA Village continuously ranks among the country’s best golf resorts, thanks to its rich heritage, spectacular setting and truly immaculate amenities. Owned and operated by The PGA of America, this stunning facility is the ultimate golf destination to play, stay, live and learn the game, making it the perfect winter golf escape as the temperatures begin to drop. Crafted by famed architects Tom Fazio and Pete Dye and featuring 54 holes of thrilling championship golf, PGA Golf Club presents a trio of golf treasures whose environmental protection and conservation efforts have earned Audubon International Signature status. Set against a backdrop of marshlands, palm trees and palmettos, the
Fazio-designed Wanamaker Course — named in honor of Rodman Wanamaker, the department store magnate who inspired the birth of The PGA — boasts a classic Florida layout that is among the state’s most picturesque. Meanwhile, the rolling hills, majestic pine trees and challenging water hazards of Fazio’s Ryder Course offer a distinct Carolina feel. And, blending its awe-inspiring surroundings with design elements from traditional British Isles courses, the celebrated Dye Course highlights its native environment and its designer’s penchant for innovative and creative course architecture. The magnificent PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance is an instruction and practice haven that enables golfers to focus on each aspect of their game via expert PGA professional instruction, cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art golf fitness programs. The 35-acre golf park features 100 hitting stations, numerous bunkers that simulate play worldwide, short-game areas, practice greens and the renowned PGA of America Golf Schools. Home to the Ryder Cup Trophy and golf’s four major championship trophies, the PGA Historical Center completes the unrivaled experience by showcasing a variety of golf artifacts. The museum often highlights special exhibits, including PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and Arnold Palmer displays. For more information on enjoying an unforgettable winter golf getaway at PGA Village, call 800.800.GOLF or visit www.PGAVillage.com.
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S
tanding in the shadows of the Tortolita Mountain Range, amid the brilliant landscape of the high Sonoran Desert, is The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain – a divine new destination that not only provides the perfect setting for an exceptional Arizona golf getaway, but also sets the standard for resort living in the Grand Canyon State. Designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and host of the annual World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain features three uniquely distinctive nine-hole layouts that boast large, undulating greens and considerable bunkering.The 3,955-yard Tortolita course winds along the base of its namesake mountain range, through an awe-inspiring canyon and across expansive fairways to offer the trio’s highest elevation; set against a forest of centuries-old cacti, the 3,894-yard Saguaro is notorious for its forced carries over desert washes; and the 3,897-yard Wild Burro – Nicklaus’ favorite – completes the amazing golf experience with its visually impressive panoramic views
of the surrounding mountains and brand-new resort. Along with unmatched golf, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain provides guests with a myriad of elegant accommodations and amenities. Each of the resort’s 250 guest rooms feature Mesquite woods, richly hued fabrics and a touch of Southwestern flair. Outside each room, endless recreation awaits at the full-service, 17,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa, where guests can enjoy relaxing treatments in the comfort of 14 private treatment rooms. The expansive resort also features three swimming pools, which include a unique tanning island, outdoor infinity
pool with cascading waterfall and a 235-foot waterslide that gradually drops four stories. Off site, guests can take advantage of the magnificent surroundings through the resort’s adventure programming – which arranges various excursions, from Old West cattle penning to evening stargazing experiences – further proving that at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, the sky really is the limit. For more information on an exceptional getaway at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, call 520.572.3000 or visit www.RitzCarlton.com/Dove Mountain.
Clockwise from top: The Tortolita, set among the Tortolita mountains, is highlighted by lush scenery and vegetation; With the scenic desert as a backdrop, the Saguaro features the only pond on the course; Set among vistas with incredible views, the Wild Burro showcases the resort and surrounding areas.
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A
“Texas Colonial” landmark with its own legacy of supreme luxury and impeccable service, The Westin La Cantera Resort reflects the traditions and culture of the great Lone Star State. Located at the gateway of the Texas Hill Country, just 20 minutes from historic downtown San Antonio, this lavish hilltop retreat is home to an impressive array of amenities and a golf
experience that is second to none. So, as the cold weather approaches, there’s no need to put away your clubs – head to The Westin La Cantera for an extraordinary winter escape. Featuring 36 holes of exceptional golf, The Westin La Cantera has quickly become one of the premier golf destinations in all of Texas. Designed by renowned golf course architects Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf, The Resort Course at La Cantera is a gorgeous, 7,001-yard design that played host to the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open for 15 exciting years. The stunning par-72 course, carved from the limestone walls of a Texas Hill Country quarry, combines dramatic bunkers and dazzling vistas with live oaks and rambling streams, resulting in a truly exhilarating game of golf. Adding to The Westin’s remarkable golf reputation is The Palmer Course at La Cantera – the very first Arnold Palmer Signature Course in South Texas. The 6,998-yard layout sprawls across 250 acres of the state’s undulating hillsides. Carefully woven into the natural landscape, the par-71 championship course features striking rock outcroppings, magnificent panoramas and native vegetation and wildlife. The 18th green provides an incredible view of the Palmer clubhouse as a spectacular finale. Capping off the world-class golf experience is The Academy at La Cantera, which features a custom-designed learning center, indoor hitting bay, covered tee areas and a state-of-the-art video swing analysis system. The Westin La Cantera Resort also offers the finest accommodations, outstanding amenities and a wealth of high-end shopping at The Shops at La Cantera. For more information on a world-class winter golf getaway at The Westin La Cantera Resort, call 210.558.6500 or visit www.WestinLaCantera.com.
Known for its exceptional amenities, The Westin La Cantera Resort offers a lavish retreat as it seamlessly combines luxury and recreation. Whether you’re taking a dip in the Lost Quarry Pools (bottom) or taking in the breathtaking views from the Citadel Tower (top), the experience is unforgettable.
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N
o place does thrilling, one-of-akind golf better than Las Vegas. Where action and excitement are inescapable, this electrifying town in the heart of the Nevada desert is known as one of the game’s most extraordinary destinations. And with so many incredible options, golfers look to OB Sports Golf Management to find the area’s best courses for the perfect golf getaway. Gleaming against the stunning desert background, OB Sports’ three phenomenal golf clubs outshine even the brightest of lights on the Vegas Strip. In a city of extravagance, this trio boasts courses that are so good, they’re practically sinful. Honored as the “Best New Course in Las Vegas” upon opening, Aliante Golf Club is challenging yet fair, with strategic bunkering, numerous risk/reward opportunities and a rocky arroyo that winds throughout the course.
Overlooking Red Rock Canyon and the Las Vegas Valley, Angel Park Golf Club features four unique courses atop an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet. Creative design elements and intriguing hazards test both skill and strategy on the Arnold Palmer-designed Palm and Mountain Courses, while the lighted Cloud Nine Short Course and the natural grass Putting Course offer fun and enjoyment for all. Every bit the premier Vegas course, The Legacy Golf Club – home to the notorious “Devil’s Triangle” and “The Suits” (featuring tee boxes carved into the shape of playing card suits) – combines classic Scottish ambiance with natural desert terrain for a memorable layout from start to finish. For more information on the Vegas winter getaway of a lifetime, call 866.676.7397 (Aliante), 888.851.4114 (Angel Park/The Legacy) or visit www.OBSports.com/Vegas.
“The Suits” at The Legacy Golf Club features unique tee boxes shaped like playing card suits.
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CDGA
P L AY E R S O F T H E Y E A R
This year’s honorees all enjoyed great seasons, but Brad Benjamin’s effort might merit special consideration etween the third and fourth rounds of the 2009 Illinois State Amateur Championship, a handful of the state’s top players were standing near the 18th green at Bloomington Country Club when one of them said: “If Benjamin wins this, it would have to be regarded as the best season ever in Illinois golf.” Brad Benjamin did not win the State Amateur—a bogey on the 72nd hole allowed Luke Guthrie to claim that title— but it seemed as if the Rockford native won just about every other time he teed it up in ’09. Considering how he finished in the state’s top events, and a national title to go with it, it’s certainly worthy of discussing if Benjamin’s 2009 was the best year ever for an Illinois golfer. Benjamin, who won the U.S. Public Links Championship and the Illinois Open, compiled 965 points in the CDGA Player of the Year points race. That’s the largest total since 2001. It’s also 365 more than runner-up Todd Mitchell, the largest margin of victory since 2001. “It’s pretty exciting,” Benjamin said. “I’ve played in so many CDGA events
PHOTO BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
By Greg Stewart
B
Point Totals CDGA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1 2 3 4
Brad Benjamin (Rockford)
965
Todd Mitchell (Bloomington)
600
Luke Guthrie (Quincy)
560
John Ehrgott (Peoria)
390
CENTRAL ILLINOIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1 2 3 4
Todd Mitchell (Bloomington)
675
Zach Barlow (Percy)
595
Kyle Peterman (Springfield)
500
John Ehrgott (Peoria)
390
SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1 2 3 4
Dave Ryan (Taylorville)
400
Tom Studer (Joliet)
305
Greg Wohlford (Bloomington)
300
Tom Miler (Kewanee)
210
NOVEMBER 2009
Brad Benjamin
Player of the Year
BRAD BENJAMIN over the years, it’s nice to know the hard work has paid off.” Benjamin, a product of Rockford’s Guilford High School and a 2009 graduate of the University of Memphis, started his tear in June, when he shot a course-record 65 at Lick Creek Golf Course in Pekin to advance to the Public Links. Once there, at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club in Norman, Okla., Benjamin played nine rounds, culminating with a 7-and-6 victory over highly regarded Canadian Nick Taylor. He continued to build his résumé shortly after his return home. In late July, Benjamin won the Illinois Open in dramatic fashion. Tied at 208 after 54 holes, Benjamin defeated University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small by one shot in a threehole playoff. Small is widely regarded as the best player in the state, pro or amateur, but on this day he had to tip his cap to the skinny lefthander who desperately wanted to play college golf at Illinois but wasn’t offered a scholarship. Benjamin, who plays out of Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford, added a secondplace finish in the Illinois State Public Links Championship and the heartbreaking runner-up finish in the State Amateur to his stellar season.
“I wish I could have won, but I had my share this season,” Benjamin said of the State Amateur. “I played well that week, but Luke played a little bit better. I was disappointed I didn’t win, but it’s nice to know I got beat and didn’t beat myself. Benjamin pointed to one moment, a Monday qualifier for the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic, that led to his fantastic season. “I was playing with Dicky Pride,” he recalled. “He shot 64 to win it and I made bogey on the last hole to miss by one. I was right there with him tee to green, hitting it by him off the tee and playing my iron shots just as well, if not better. But around the greens, he was hands-down way better than me. “After the round, he told me I had all the shots, but I just had to stop trying so hard and get out of my own way. He’s been around the block—he’s no Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson or anything— but any time you can get some advice from a veteran Tour player, you listen. “The next week at the Public Links, I hate to say this because I don’t want to give away too many little secrets, but I didn’t try as hard.” Benjamin, who will remain an amateur so he can accept his invitation to the 2010 Masters, said he isn’t surprised by his sudden success, but instead satisfied that he’s finally found the potential he knew he always had. “I’ve had some small successes in high C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 43
CDGA
Todd Mitchell
PHOTO BY BUZZ ORR/CDGA
school and college,� he said. “But I always knew I was capable of playing better. (In 2009) I didn’t necessarily feel like I was a different player, but I finally felt like I played like I knew I always could.� Central Illinois Player of the Year
TODD MITCHELL Todd Mitchell is no stranger to CDGA awards, but the 31-year-old Bloomington resident will receive a new one this year. Sort of.
P L AY E R S O F T H E Y E A R
Mitchell is the CDGA Central Illinois Player of the Year. Formerly called the Heartland Player of the Year, recognition for the top player in downstate Illinois has previously gone to Mitchell four times (’03, ’05, ’06, ’08). Only two other players, Dave Ryan (’98, ’00) and PGA Tour player D.A. Points (’96, ’97), have won multiple Central Illinois honors in the 15 years it has been given. “It’s always a good honor,� said Mitchell, a two-time winner of the State Amateur. “There are a lot of good players in this area, so it’s always a big accomplishment.� Mitchell tied for second this year at the State Am, was fourth in the Illinois State Mid-Amateur and was exempt into the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur championships. He also teamed with Carlos Sainz and John Ehrgott to help Illinois finish third in the USGA State Team Championship. Despite his national profile, or maybe because of it, Mitchell wasn’t satisfied with his play this season.
“Overall, it was kind of a disappointing year,� said Mitchell, who made the final of the 2008 U.S. MidAmateur. “I had exemptions into the U.S. Am and U.S. Mid-Am and didn’t make match play in either event. But I do feel fortunate to play as well as I did at the State Am. The level of amateur golf in Illinois is extremely high right now and it keeps getting better.� Senior Player of the Year
DAVE RYAN Dave Ryan is like a rookie on the Champions Tour. Turning 55, like 50-year olds in the professional ranks, has given the Taylorville resident a competitive rebirth on the golf course. Not that he needed one. Ryan, who plays out of Lakeshore Golf Course and Piper Glen Golf Club, has long been regarded as the best amateur in the Springfield area, regardless of age.
ENJOY GOLF YEAR ROUND
HILL, ST. ANDREWS AND PINE MEADOW
Dave Ryan
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In September, Ryan showed the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top senior players that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best in the state among his peersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;this year, anyway. In his first year eligible for the event, the 55-year-old retiree added to his hefty collection of titles by winning the Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship at Coyote Creek Golf Club, near Bartonville. His season also included solid finishes in four other CDGA events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is very gratifying,â&#x20AC;? Ryan said upon learning of his Senior Player of the Year honor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any time you win a state championship, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care what level, you have to play really good golf.â&#x20AC;? Greg Stewart covers golf for the Peoria Journal Star. W W W. C D G A . O R G
White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville.
White Pines Golf Dome enables players to fine tune their games during winter.
ike Munro loves nasty winter weather. Snow? Cold? Biting winds? Bring it on. Munro isn’t a glutton for punishment. Rather, he is a businessman. As owner of the White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville, he knows that poor conditions mean good business. When the snow starts falling and the temperatures drop, golfers flock to his dome. “Weather definitely affects our business,” Munro said. “The first snow fall is a big day for us. It gets people thinking about indoor
PHOTOS BY BUZZ ORR/CDGA
M
NOVEMBER 2009
C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 45
When the temperature drops, players head to White Pines Golf Dome to brush up on swing skills once golf season has been put into hibernation by the snow.
activities. Snow is like white gold for us.” Munro is a veteran at this game. He is in his 19th year as the owner-operator of the White Pines Golf Dome. Back when it opened in 1991, his facility was only the eighth golf dome in the United States. Now there are several in the Chicago area alone. They include The Golf Dome at Green Garden in Frankfort; the Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports Center; and Links and Tees Golf in Addison, among others. These golf domes offer an indoor refuge from the cold for golfers. They provide players with the perfect chance to get the feel for swinging the club without losing the feeling in their hands if they tried to do it outside. Plus, with the back walls between 75 and 100 yards away, those dramatic hooks and slices don’t seem as severe. For serious players, the golf domes also provide an ideal training ground for working on the swing. “It’s very difficult to make the major changes in the summer,” said Munro,
WINTER IN CHICAGO: THE PERFECT TIME TO IMPROVE YOUR GOLF GAME.
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W W W. C D G A . O R G
TopGolf provides interactive feedback.
TOPGOLF: GAMES ON THE RANGE THE CONCEPT OF THE PRACTICE RANGE HASN’T changed much through the years. Mainly, it is just a hitting area with some flags out in the distance. Most of the time, the place is filled with driver-obsessed golfers who aimlessly whack their big club until they fall over from exhaustion. In the end, all they’ve accomplished is to become tired. Now thanks to TopGolf in Wood Dale, it doesn’t have to be that way. TopGolf looks to be the prototype for the driving range in the 21st century. It is a futuristic facility featuring video screens, golf balls with computer chips in them, and multiple targets that record all sorts of information. The set-up is sort of like playing an interactive video game, except you are using your own clubs. “It’s challenging to explain it for the first time, because it is so different from the image of a traditional driving range,” said Joe Vrankin, chief operating officer for TopGolf. “Once people see it in person, they go, ‘Oh, now I get it.’ ” Here’s how it works: Each ball has a chip that will record it as your ball. A player hits those balls into 11 dartboard-like greens, which have underground readers that transmit data about the shot back to the computer monitor at the golfer’s station. The player gets an exact reading of how far the ball traveled and how close it came to hitting the flag. No more guessing, “Is that flag 150 yards or 175 yards?” Golfers can do without all the bells and whistles and just hit balls as they would at a range, albeit with better
feedback. However, the real allure of TopGolf is being able to play games, which keeps practice more fun. Consisting of 20 balls, TopGolf gives the players several options. The most basic game is scoring points by hitting balls into any of the 11 targets. Another game, called TopPressure, tests the short game by requiring players to chip into nine segments of a green. Players can play against themselves or in a group of up to four. The T-O-P in TopGolf stands for “target oriented practice.” “People find the games appealing,” Vrankin said. “You forget you’re out there practicing.” The $8 million facility opened in the fall of 2007. This year, TopGolf expects to host more than 135,000 visitors. TopGolf is open year-round, and a heavy snow isn’t a major obstacle. It can get the area clear in less than three hours. The hitting bays also are heated and have wind shields to keep players warm. In addition to catering to avid players, TopGolf also has attracted novice players who normally wouldn’t have much fun at a driving range. However, throw in some computers and make a game of it, and this is a whole new ballgame. “It’s hard to find a place that appeals to the avid and novice players,” Vrankin said. “Avid players love it, and people who pick up a club for the first time love it.” —Ed Sherman
who is a scratch player. “Either you have a match coming up, or a game with your friends, and you don’t want to be tinkering with your swing. In the winter, you can just concentrate on your swing without worrying about your score the next day. It’s a great time to take lessons. The (teaching professionals) do things in the winter that they wouldn’t dare do in the summer in making major swing changes.” The winter can be the perfect time to work on your game. To help maximize your effort, Chicago District Golfer talked to several teaching professionals to get their advice. QUESTION: Why is it important to keep swinging the clubs in the winter? ANSWER: Todd Russell who will be teaching at the Green Garden Golf Dome: “The benefits to practicing golf throughout the winter include staying sharp with eyehand coordination and ball-striking as well as maintaining the flexibility needed to perform the golf swing. Many players lose a lot of their golf conditioning during the winter because of lack of repetition. Continuing to hit balls NOVEMBER 2009
C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 47
throughout the winter not only helps with the physical aspect of the golf swing, but it promotes overall conditioning as well.” Q: Why is winter the best time to take lessons and make swing changes? A: Derek Domaleski of the Dynamic Golf Institute, who will be teaching at the Buffalo Grove dome: “During the summer, most golfers have a hard time committing to swing changes because they are uncomfortable. This leads to a pattern of ‘trying out’ the new swing and then reverting back to the old comfortable swing when they are in any type of pressure situation such as being on the golf course. Whether this is a conscious decision or not, it's one of the reasons that the average handicap has not changed in the last 20 years despite better instruction and technology. “The winter is a perfect time to commit to these changes because you have adequate time to work on them without the distraction of being on a golf course. The winter also limits the ability to see ball flight which can be good when a golfer is working on changes. This allows them to focus on the movements and feelings that their body is making rather than just the outcome or the ball flight.” Q: Can you work on your short game and chipping in the dome?
Golf Nation at Palatine offers the benefits of a health club, cafe and lounge included, as well as indoor practice areas and virtual golf.
A: Chuck Lynch, the director of instruction at White Pines: “Definitely. There are a lot of things you could do. As an instructor, I might work with students on their short games as much as I do the full swing in the dome. I have students work on the hip high to hip high swing with all different clubs. The old 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock swing. It’s a great drill for instilling proper mechanics. We also have various target greens and target buckets. Try to see how many balls you can knock in the bucket. Be creative and have fun with it. It’ll make you a better player. Q: What should golfers be careful to avoid while practicing in the winter? A: Domaleski: Golfers can be fooled on a mat by hitting slightly behind the ball and getting a pretty good ball flight. Just don't let yourself be tricked by the ball flight. If the club hits the ground before the ball, it will not ‘feel’ as crisp as a shot where you hit the ball first. The other thing to remember in the winter is that if you spend all winter working on a sloppy swing with bad mechanics, you will get good at repeating that sloppy swing. This is another reason to take some lessons.
Ed Sherman is a retired golf writer for the Chicago Tribune. 48 | C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R
W W W. C D G A . O R G
2009 CLUB CHAMPIONS Aldeen Golf Club Chris Beto (Men’s) Arrowhead Golf Club Hamilton White (Men’s) Mark Post (Men’s Senior) Brock Jameson (Boys’Junior) Aspen Ridge Tim Milner (Men’s) Tom Erazmus (Men’s Senior) Aurora Country Club Mike Jurasek (Men’s) Peggy Benton (Women’s) Joey Ways (Boys’ Junior) Balmoral Woods Country Club John Finnin (Men’s) Barrington Hills Country Club Scott Stahr (Men’s) Sally Douglas (Women’s) Bartlett Hills Golf Club Rick Dern (Men’s) Suzanne LaPlante (Women’s) Bill Sittig (Men’s Senior) Beverly Country Club Craig McDonnell (Men’s) Erin Kielty (Women’s) Rick TenBroeck (Senior Men’s) Big Foot Country Club Dick Pfeil (Men’s) Patti Petersen (Women’s) Bob Fates (Men’s Senior) Dylan Freytag (Boys’ Junior) Hallie Dunn (Girls’ Junior) Billy Caldwell Golf Course Mark Tortorella (Men’s) Thomas Ball (Men’s Senior) Biltmore Country Club Gene McAlester (Men’s) Katie Lopez (Women’s) Gene McAlester (Men’s Senior) Sue Swail (Women’s Senior) J.P. Talbot (Boys’ Junior) Black Sheep Golf Club Bill Souders (Men’s) Blackberry Oaks Golf Course Hamilton White (Men’s) Larry Lynd (Men’s Senior) Rodney Clayton (Boys’ Junior) Blackstone Golf Club Scot Prindiville (Men’s) Bloomington Country Club Brad Barker (Men’s) Nancy Brady (Women’s) Jim Stevens (Men’s Senior) Nancy Hoeferle (Women’s Senior) Parker Miller (Boys’ Junior) Bob O’Link Golf Club Phil Kenny (Men’s)
NOVEMBER 2009
Bolingbrook Golf Club Phil Hakim (Men’s) Kathy Kazmar (Women’s)
Chalet Hills Golf Club John Morris (Men’s) Cathy Mysliwiec (Women’s)
Crystal Woods Golf Club Bob Carroll (Men’s) Therese Youel (Women’s)
Bonnie Brook Golf Course Dale Paavilainen (Men’s) Jane Nam (Women’s) Ron Petitclair (Men’s Senior)
Charleston Country Club Steve Poffinbarger (Men’s) Barb Ippolito (Women’s)
Deer Park Country Club Steve Witek (Men’s) Kristy Pytel (Women’s) Steve Roberts (Men’s Senior) Brent Anderson (Boys’ Junior) Carrie Riordan (Girls’ Junior)
Boone Creek Golf Club Rich Kindstrom (Men’s) Gwen Boje (Women’s) John Nesheim (Senior Men’s) Boulder Ridge Country Club Dave Rich (Men’s) Pat McGough (Women’s) Dave Rich (Men’s Senior) Connor Maytnier (Boys’ Junior) Katie Thrailkill (Girls’ Junior) The Brassie Golf Club Dave Vlasic (Men’s) Mary Pomeroy (Women’s) Briar Ridge Country Club Terry Werner (Men’s) Debbie Coccia (Women’s) Jim Kasprzyk (Men’s Senior) Briarwood Country Club Larry Elbaum (Men’s) Susie Mandel (Women’s) Jane Seder (Girls’ Junior) Broken Arrow Golf Club Jason Buffone (Men’s) Kathy Sterling (Women’s) Bryn Mawr Country Club Brian Rubin (Men’s) Angela Berman (Women’s) Jay Canel (Men’s Senior) Buck’s Barn Golf Resort Lew Lehnhardt (Men’s) Linda Smit (Women’s) Bull Valley Golf Club Pat Becker (Men’s) Janyce Dorr (Women’s) George Bull (Men’s Senior) Butler National Golf Club David Lind (Men’s) Lester Chernick (Men’s Senior) Calumet Country Club Ken Larney (Men’s) Nancy Arnos (Women’s) Bob Hart (Men’s Senior) Cantigny Golf Terry Gallaher (Men’s) Brad Palmer (Men’s Senior) Cardinal Golf Club Don Bingman (Men’s) Cary Country Club Bill Walkiewicz (Men’s) Diane Bihun (Women’s)
Chicago Golf Club Bill Shean (Men’s) Char Delaney (Women’s) Brad Kinsey (Men’s Senior)
Deerfield Golf Club Tom Boettcher (Men’s) Sue Mangin (Women’s)
Chick Evans Golf Course Cliff Cline (Men’s) Thomas Ball (Men’s Senior)
Deerpath Golf Course Gary Beardman (Men’s) Kim Shettel (Women’s) Jake Kunz (Boys’ Junior)
Clinton Country Club John Reynolds (Men’s) Vickie Harbach (Women’s) Shawn Evans (Boys’ Junior)
Dunes Club Larry Kolinski (Men’s) Linda Greco (Women’s)
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club Gary Granback (Men’s) Gayle Green (Women’s) Mike Bodendorfer (Men’s Senior) Pat Heslin (Boys’ Junior)
Eagle Brook Country Club Doug McCoy (Men’s) Danis Bobbe (Women’s) Jim Hurckes (Men’s Senior) Karen Romano (Women’s Senior) Jake Sidoti (Boys’ Junior) Jori Hurckes (Girls’ Junior)
Conway Farms Golf Club Brent Mumford (Men’s) Sue O’Connor (Women’s) Tim Taylor (Men’s Senior) Drew Barrett (Boys’ Junior) Kimberely Stafford (Girls’ Junior)
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa Jim Tracey (Men’s) Jan Hoedebecke (Women’s)
Country Club of Decatur Larry Osborne (Men’s) Judy Wineinger (Women’s) Doug Barding (Men’s Senior) Jonathan Moon (Boys’ Junior)
Edgewood Golf Club Ken Ross (Men’s) Barb Long (Women’s) Edgewood Park Golf Club Ryan Harvey (Men’s) Barb McCumber (Women’s) Larry Bequeath (Men’s Senior)
Coyote Creek Golf Club Hylie Kemp (Men’s) Cress Creek Country Club Paul Krentz (Men’s) Lindsey Noble (Women’s) Randy Noble (Men’s Senior) Ann Mead (Women’s Senior) Ryan Gottschalk (Boys’ Junior) Sarah Degeeter (Girls’ Junior)
Edgewood Valley Country Club James Lynch (Men’s) Val Metcalf (Women’s) Chris Kopp (Boys’ Junior) Effingham Country Club Scott Kabbes (Men’s) Jackson Wendling (Boys’ Junior) Miranda Rohlfing (Girls’ Junior)
Crestwicke Country Club Dave Shulman (Men’s) Colleen Curran (Women’s) Dave Shulman (Men’s Senior) Colleen Curran (Women’s Senior) Giles Roll (Boys’ Junior) Catherine Chu (Girls’ Junior) Crystal Lake Country Club Mike Karney (Men’s) Amy Holz (Women’s) Jack Hamm (Senior Men’s) Nancy Winkelmann (Senior Women’s) Luke Waggoner (Junior Boys’)
Elgin Country Club Gary Hanson (Men’s) Annie Koo (Women’s) Harry Channon (Men’s Senior) Mark Weber (Boys’ Junior) Dena Capitani (Girls’ Junior) Evanston Golf Club Dave Stahler (Men’s) Pat Koch (Women’s) Tom Luft (Men’s Senior) Mikey Abrahamson (Boys’ Junior)
Crystal Tree Golf & Country Club Patrick Doherty (Men’s) Terri Kies (Women’s) Bob Wolski (Men’s Senior)
C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 49
2009 CLUB CHAMPIONS Exmoor Country Club Blake Johnson (Men’s) Suzanne Dennis (Women’s) Steve Murray (Men’s Senior) Sue Watson (Women’s Senior) Nolan Dohnalek (Boys’ Junior) Nikki Dennis (Girls’ Junior) Flossmoor Country Club Pete Vrdolyak (Men’s) Betty Hruska (Women’s) Greg Underwood (Senior Men’s) Tim Gowen (Junior Boys’) Forest Hills Country Club Tom Budd (Men’s) Marissa Capriola (Women’s) Doug Smith (Men’s Senior) Fox Bend Golf Course Eric Ransford (Men’s) Nancy Hatten (Women’s) Andrew Borneman (Boys’ Junior) Ellen Turner (Girls’ Junior) Fox Lake Country Club Mike Nank (Men’s) Jody Gullifor (Women’s) Bill Penkava (Men’s Senior) Eugene Petrungaro, Jr. (Boys’ Junior) Lexi Nelson (Girls’ Junior) Fox Run Golf Links Steve Dlugosinski (Men’s) Nancy Laser (Women’s) Foxford Hills Golf Club Jeff Buxton (Men’s) Geneva Golf Club Jim Whitley (Men’s) Barb Lewis (Women’s) Walt Busker (Men’s Senior) Bobbie Kallstrom (Women’s Senior) Jake Kerr (Boys’ Junior) Nicole Hassels (Girls’ Junior) The Glen Club Matt McElwee (Men’s) Debra DiMaggio (Women’s) Glen Flora Country Club Billy Whitney (Men’s) Laura Johnson (Women’s) Alex Applebaum (Boys’ Junior) Madeline Bond (Girls’ Junior) Glen Oak Country Club Jeff Scott (Men’s) Christine Malmgren (Women’s) Bob Ross (Men’s Senior) Glen View Club Robert Schriver (Men’s) Bridget Schroeder (Women’s) Robert Schriver (Men’s Senior) Katie Hackbarth (Women’s Senior) Glencoe Golf Club Bob LaLonde (Men’s) Sandy Honaker (Women’s) Gleneagles Country Club William Duggan (Men’s)
50 | C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R
Glenview Park Golf Club Brad Inguagiato (Men’s) Mary Kay Prchal (Women’s) David Lee (Men’s Senior) Danny Baddeloo (Boys’ Junior) Arina Kim (Girls’ Junior)
Joliet Country Club Tom Studer (Men’s) Hai Kyung Lee (Women’s) Bob Baron (Men’s Senior) Johnny Smithwick (Boys’ Junior) Jen Filotto (Girls’ Junior)
Golf Club Of Illinois Scot Prindiville (Men’s)
Kankakee Country Club Dave Crawford (Men’s) Connie Kendziorek (Women’s) Tim Lee (Men’s Senior)
Harrison Park Golf Course Denny Wendell (Men’s) Marsha Gritton (Women’s) Tim Wheeler (Men’s Senior) Hawthorn Woods Country Club Jerry White (Men’s) Ann O’Connell (Women’s) Brian Miller (Boys’ Junior) Hickory Point Golf Course Brad Scherer (Men’s) Highland Park Golf Course Ginny Bartges (Women’s) The Highlands of Elgin Golf Club Michael Sainz (Men’s) Jeff Stroebe (Men’s Senior) Hinsdale Golf Club Steve Swanson (Men’s) Linda Moran (Women’s) Jack Cooper (Men’s Senior) Curtiss House (Boys’ Junior) Idlewild Country Club Jim Matese (Men’s) Cindy Benzaquen (Women’s) Illini Country Club Alan Schuermann (Men’s) Nichole Inkel-Pongracz (Women’s) Kurt Southworth (Boys’ Junior) Clare Arentzen (Girls’ Junior) Indian Hill Club Colin Dunn (Men’s) Jan Douaire (Women’s) Landon Hoyt (Men’s Senior) Nancy Kurz (Women’s Senior) Jack Lindblad (Boys’ Junior) Becka Lindblad (Girls’ Junior) Indian Oaks Country Club Rodney Jandt (Men’s) Jacki Johnson (Women’s) Bob McDonald (Men’s Senior) Marilyn Nearing (Women’s Senior) Inverness Golf Club Michael Rice (Men’s) Liz Rodney (Women’s) Itasca Country Club Bill Fates (Men’s) Leslie Page (Women’s) Ivanhoe Club Bob Schachner (Men’s) Diane Neumann (Women’s) Howard Strauss (Men’s Senior) Tommy Schofield (Boys’ Junior) Jacksonville Country Club Jim Costello (Men’s) Karen Benton (Women’s)
Kankakee Elks Golf Club Brock Boudreau (Men’s) Ellen Uthe (Women’s) Kemper Lakes Golf Club Keith Halvorsen (Men’s) Bonnie Ma (Women’s) Ryan Rehbock (Boys’ Junior) Gina McCoy (Girls’ Junior) Kenosha Country Club Bill Aiello (Men’s) Rocco Pallin (Women’s) Kishwaukee Country Club Chris Kaiser (Men’s) Bobbie Cesarek (Women’s) Jimmy Russell (Boys’ Junior) Maggie Russell (Girls’ Junior) Klein Creek Golf Club Rick Dern (Men’s) Knollwood Club John Gregorio (Men’s) Charmaine Comerford (Women’s) Bob Keller (Men’s Senior) Charlie Marshall (Boys’ Junior)
LaGrange Country Club Robert Bower (Men’s) Barbara Roloff (Women’s) Rick Skrodzki (Men’s Senior) Charlie Netzel (Boys’ Junior) Lake Barrington Shores GC Howard Knickels (Men’s) Dolores Rood (Women’s) Thomas Palmer (Men’s Senior) Elaine Teschner (Women’s Senior) Lake Geneva Country Club Richard Pfeil (Men’s) Darlene O’Neill (Women’s) Bart Love (Men’s Senior) Connor O’Halleran (Boys’ Junior) Lake of the Woods Golf Course Ronalde Johnson (Men’s) Cheryl Easter (Women’s) Lake Shore Country Club Neal Hirsch (Men’s) Rebecca Haltern (Women’s) Lansing Golf Club Chuck Gist (Men’s) Judi Loria (Women’s) Lick Creek Golf Course Curt Minkel (Men’s) Tom Freeman (Men’s Senior)
Lincoln Elks Club Dave Lockenour (Men’s) Christine Logeman (Women’s) John Russell (Men’s Senior) Johnnie Jario (Women’s Senior) Lincoln Oaks Golf Course Rick Bender (Men’s) Lincolnshire Country Club Tony Zarlengo (Men’s) Jill Williams (Women’s) Lincolnshire Fields Country Club Justin Kirby (Men’s) Cathy Gorman (Women’s) Roger Peterson (Men’s Senior) Nate Stringer (Boys’ Junior) Madie Baillon (Girls’ Junior) Long Beach Country Club Martin Bergerson (Men’s) Peg King (Women’s) Steve Glidden (Men’s Senior) Billy Nondorf (Boys’ Junior) Lucy Caplice (Girls’ Junior) Lost Dunes Neil Trivedi (Men’s) Patty Rees (Women’s) Makray Memorial Golf Club Larry Brady (Men’s) Colleen McArthur (Women’s) Marengo Ridge Golf & Country Club Dave Schwartz (Men’s) Holly Puckner (Women’s) Al Musial (Men’s Senior) The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club Johnny Canova (Men’s) Cindy Jacobson (Women’s) Randy Reese (Men’s Senior) Pat Murawski (Women’s Senior) McHenry Country Club Joe Schmidt (Men’s) Char McLear (Women’s) Ed Buss (Men’s Senior) Meadows Golf Club of Blue Island Mark Bermele (Men’s) Vanessa Rojas (Women’s) Ray Hunt (Men’s Senior) Dee Marnell (Women’s Senior) Kade Vidovic (Boys’ Junior) Medinah Country Club Doug Auw (Men’s) Jane Gneiser (Women’s) John Kneen (Men’s Senior) C.J. Koroll (Boys’ Junior) Merit Club Marty Carmody (Men’s) Sarah Opler (Women’s)
Midlothian Country Club Joe Rundle (Men’s) Sue Hennessy (Women’s) Dave Rundle (Men’s Senior) Patrick Finucane (Boys’ Junior) Theresa Rosatera (Girls’ Junior) Mission Hills Country Club Dave Borun (Men’s) Linda Abbey (Women’s) Steve Messing (Men’s Senior) W W W. C D G A . O R G
2009 CLUB CHAMPIONS Morris Country Club Grant Whybark (Men’s) Cheri Russell (Women’s) Mt. Hawley Country Club Brooks Biggs (Men’s) Maria Thompson (Women’s) Tom Henrichs (Men’s Senior) Jordan Fahel (Boys’ Junior) Mt. Prospect Golf Club Dan Caporusso (Men’s) Michelle Caporusso (Women’s) Tom Pawlowski (Men’s Senior)
Panther Creek Country Club Ryan Wolfe (Men’s) Pam Sherry (Women’s) Dale Blankenship (Men’s Senior) Pam Sherry (Women’s Senior) Josh Giganti (Boys’ Junior) Maggie Ambrose (Girls’ Junior) Park Ridge Country Club Rick Strotman (Men’s) Lisa Simpson (Women’s) Rick Strotman (Men’s Senior) Pat Cullen (Boys’ Junior) Annie Krall (Girls’ Junior)
Ravinia Green Country Club Michael Fields (Men’s) Karan Schneider (Women’s) Ronald Sandler (Men’s Senior)
Schaumburg Golf Club Kerry Dean (Men’s) Ann Jenkins (Women’s) Bill Sittig (Men’s Senior)
Red Tail Run GC Dave White (Men’s) Tom Armstrong (Men’s Senior)
Scovill Golf Club Bob Stewart, Jr. (Men’s)
Renwood Golf Course Steve Stark (Men’s) Betty Spanley (Women’s) Redtail Golf Club Neal Golyshko (Men’s)
Naperville Country Club Sean Murphy (Men’s) Tanya Olson (Women’s) Jerry Henningson (Men’s Senior) Kevin Schnoebelen (Boys’ Junior) Kate Collom (Girls’ Junior)
Pheasant Run Resort Nicholas Jan (Men’s) Nicholas Jan (Boys’ Junior)
Ridge Country Club Marty Hynes (Men’s) Belinda Lusk (Women’s)
Phillips Park Golf Course Jason Frantzen (Men’s)
North Shore Country Club Rich Tilghman, IV (Men’s) Kelly Kenny (Women’s) Jim Kane (Men’s Senior) Creighton Helms (Boys’ Junior) Isabelle Kane (Girls’ Junior)
Pigbodies Golf Association Tom Breason (Men’s)
Ridgemoor Country Club Stan Kapka (Men’s) Virginia McGathey (Women’s) Jack Smollen (Boys’ Junior) Nina Puch (Girls’ Junior)
Northmoor Country Club David Marx (Men’s) Jill Selati (Women’s) David Ascher (Men’s Senior) Brandon Nasitir (Boys’ Junior) Oak Brook Golf Club John Wright (Men’s) Erana Moroni (Women’s) Tim Creighton (Men’s Senior) Myeong Chi (Women’s Senior) Oak Park Country Club Mark Roche (Men’s) Becky Smith (Women’s) David Tridle (Men’s Senior) Ginny Beacom (Women’s Senior) Patrick Gleason (Boys’ Junior) Lizzie Mavrogenes (Girls’ Junior) Oak Springs Golf Club Jeff Voss (Men’s) Nancy Cyr (Women’s) Old Elm Club R.K. Schmid (Men’s) N.D. Chabraja (Men’s Senior) Olympia Fields Country Club Troy Logan (Men’s) Louise Allard (Women’s) Brandt Oosterbaan (Men’s Senior) Trevor Kelly (Boys’ Junior) Alyssa Newling (Girls’ Junior) Onwentsia Club Kirk Sweet, III (Men’s) Linda Steers (Women’s) Joseph McGowan, III (Men’s Senior) Chase Wheatley (Boys’ Junior) Palatine Hills Golf Course Mark Johnson (Men’s) Kim Dickerson (Women’s) Danny Masrin (Boys’ Junior) Kelly Voigt (Girls’ Junior)
NOVEMBER 2009
Pine Meadow Golf Club Steve Jacobs (Men’s) Jane Nam (Women’s) Kerry Dean (Men’s Senior) Sean Humphrey (Boys’ Junior) Piper Glen Golf Club Mark Ryan (Men’s) Jane Frech (Women’s) Dennis Votaw (Men’s Senior) George Tate (Boys’ Junior) Plum Tree National Golf Club Chad Wombacher (Men’s) Valerie Sheldon (Women’s) Lanny Brasile (Men’s Senior) Pontiac Elks Country Club Mike Cushing (Men’s) Cindy Warren (Women’s) Poplar Creek Country Club Greg Ring (Men’s) Ron Palacz (Men’s Senior) Kevin Warden (Boys’ Junior) Pottawatomie Golf Club Brian Charles (Men’s) Diana Sandberg (Women’s) Tim May (Men’s Senior) Jordan Wetsch (Boys’ Junior) Leslie Reading (Girls’ Junior) Prairie Landing Golf Club Cole Ferguson (Men’s) PrairieView Golf Club Jake Schertz (Men’s) Deb Watson (Women’s) Gregg Marinelli (Men’s Senior) Brady Szuminski (Boys’ Junior) Elizabeth Curtiss (Girls’ Junior) Prestwick Country Club Jim Johnson, Jr. (Men’s) Janice Larson (Women’s) Jim Shanahan (Men’s Senior) Lee Hill (Boys’ Junior) Bridget Curtin (Girls’ Junior) Railside Golf Club Hunter Prescott (Men’s) Bev Jensen (Women’s)
River Forest Country Club Terry Flynn (Men’s) Kathy Donnelly (Women’s) Dennis Sowa (Men’s Senior) Kevin McCarty (Boys’ Junior) Kelly Carlquist (Girls’ Junior) River Pointe Country Club Cortie Wilson (Men’s) Aletta Hicks (Women’s) Bill Poe (Men’s Senior) Riverside Golf Club Martin Finn (Men’s) Sandi Dvorak (Women’s) John Bert (Men’s Senior) Tom Finn, Jr. (Boys’ Junior) Rolling Green Country Club Brad Kay (Men’s) Jennifer Schlesak (Women’s) Jim Malik (Men’s Senior) Joe Ferrari (Boys’ Junior) Christine Garmoe (Girls’ Junior) Royal Fox Country Club Eric Heil (Men’s) Jennifer Meade (Women’s) Frank Giannetto (Men’s Senior) Royal Hawk Country Club Mike Eberhardt (Men’s) Jen Lazar (Women’s) Royal Melbourne Steve Feldman (Men’s) Marsha Eder (Women’s) Steve Feldman (Men’s Senior) Trevor Osmond (Boys’ Junior) Ruth Lake Country Club Vic Postillion (Men’s) Linda Quirk (Women’s) Kevin Lavery (Men’s Senior) David Whiney (Boys’ Junior) Sand Creek Country Club Scott Vidimos (Men’s) Sandra Teal (Women’s) Scott Vidimos (Men’s Senior)
Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Mike Adams (Men’s) Seven Bridges Golf Club Glenn Pryzbilski (Men’s) Shewami Country Club Charles Hopkins (Men’s) Jennifer Dixon (Women’s) Shoreacres Web Browning (Men’s) Robin Donnelley (Women’s) Chris Burke (Men’s Senior) Corbon Heizer (Boys’ Junior)
Skokie Country Club Rob Bice (Men’s) Char Delaney (Women’s) Andy Holden (Boys’ Junior) Irene Hickey (Girls’ Junior) Soangetaha Country Club Coby Thompson (Men’s) Jaclyn Thompson (Women’s) Bob Bondi (Men’s Senior) Nick Anderson (Boys’ Junior) Abby Ball (Girls’ Junior) South Shore Golf Club Clint Gagnon (Men’s) Kellie English (Women’s) Mike Lucas (Senior Men’s) South Side Country Club Bret Jerger (Men’s) Mary Van Alstine (Women’s) Jack Rebert (Men’s Senior) Ian Freeman (Boys’ Junior) Sportsman’s Country Club Julius Leterman (Men’s) Amy Binstein (Women’s) John Brandell (Men’s Senior) Troy Carroll (Boys’ Junior) Spring Creek Golf Course Jim Moskalewicz (Men’s) Carrie Riordan (Women’s) Phillip Nanni (Boys’ Junior) Olivia Dean (Girls’ Junior) St. Andrews Golf & Country Club Mark Prysmiki (Men’s) Merritt Cook (Women’s) St. Charles Country Club Dave Chappell (Men’s) Merry Andelman (Women’s) Jon Woods (Boys’ Junior) Meghan VanThournout (Girls’ Junior) Steeple Chase Golf Club John Pierpont, III (Men’s) Young Lee (Women’s) Ed Tentes (Men’s Senior)
C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R | 51
2009 CLUB CHAMPIONS Stonebridge Country Club Matt Patterson (Men’s) Brenda Brazik (Women’s) Roger Savage (Men’s Senior) Joyce Duncan (Women’s Senior) Paul Asheim (Boys’ Junior) Brynne Miller (Girls’ Junior)
Twin Orchard Country Club David Dorfman (Men’s) Linda Weinstein (Women’s) Mickey Sanderman (Men’s Senior) Peggy Jacobs (Women’s Senior) Jacob Fishbein (Boys’ Junior) Sam Steinberg (Girls’ Junior)
Stonewall Orchard Golf Club Ryan Dorner (Men’s)
University Of Illinois Golf Course Tim Hoss, Jr. (Men’s) Judy Tennant (Women’s) Ron Zehr (Men’s Senior)
Sunset Ridge Country Club Jeff Walker (Men’s) Pam Lungmus (Women’s) Craig Clough (Men’s Senior) Blair Robinson (Boys’ Junior) Tamarack Golf Club Brian Gerber (Men’s) Martha Rash (Women’s) Carl Keller (Men’s Senior) ThunderHawk Golf Club Steve Fussell (Men’s)
Urbana Golf & Country Club Ronalde Johnson (Men’s) Cathy Mitchell (Women’s) C.G. Facer (Boys’ Junior) Village Links Of Glen Ellyn Doug Polacek (Men’s) Becky Roscich (Women’s) Ed Boddy (Men’s Senior) Michael Saletta (Boys’ Junior)
Westmoreland Country Club Chris Crawshaw (Men’s) Nancy Sullivan (Women’s) Craig Busey (Men’s Senior) David Berlinghof (Boys’ Junior) White Deer Run Tony Corso (Men’s) Tony Corso (Men’s Senior) Lando Kowolski (Boys’ Junior) White Eagle Golf Club Tony Ducato (Men’s) Lisa Fullerton (Women’s) Alan Casey (Men’s Senior) Jeremy Weiland (Boys’ Junior) Maddie Phillips (Girls’ Junior) White Hawk Country Club Chris Kostouros (Men’s) Brianna Davy (Women’s) Rick Kwiatkowski (Men’s Senior)
Traditions at Chevy Chase Cyndie Abbott (Women’s)
Water’s Edge Golf Club Ben Simms (Men’s) Christina Simms (Women’s)
Whitetail Ridge Golf Club Hamilton White (Men’s) Linda Couch (Women’s) Steve Schultz (Men’s Senior)
Turnberry Country Club Mike Dryden (Men’s) Laura Will (Women’s) J.B. Garoufalis (Boys’ Junior)
Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Country Club Casey Blodgett (Men’s) Denise Ayers (Women’s) Dan Cufaude (Men’s Senior)
Wilmette Golf Club Pat Corr (Men’s) Rose Schneider (Women’s) Gary Benson (Men’s Senior)
52 | C H I C A G O D I S T R I C T G O L F E R
Winnetka Golf Club Mike Kennedy (Men’s) Chris Falasco (Women’s) Gil Fitzgerald (Men’s Senior) Nancy Seabury (Women’s Senior) Mills Rendell (Boys’ Junior) Dana Gullen (Girls’ Junior) Wolf Creek Golf Club Robb Dietzen (Men’s) Betty Pintar (Women’s) Tom Bann (Men’s Senior) Woodbine Golf Course Steven Levy (Men’s) Woodruff Golf Course David Hester (Men’s) Wyaton Hills Golf Course Laramie Storm (Men’s) Nancy Bland (Women’s) Alex Kinsley (Boys’ Junior) Wynstone Golf Club Chris Pethley (Men’s) Diane Grzelak (Women’s) Chris Pethley (Men’s Senior) Diane Grzelak (Women’s Senior) Thomas Byrne, Jr. (Boys’ Junior) Hannah Heider (Girls’ Junior) Youche Country Club Adam Vandercar (Men’s) Nancy Forsythe (Women’s) James Olszewski (Men’s Senior)
W W W. C D G A . O R G
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