HERITAGE OAKS GOLF CLUB at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook is open for it’s second full season from renovation. The new clubhouse featuring the Acorn Grill, and two new simulators make Heritage Oaks a year-round destination. Trackman is a part of the driving range improvements that include a backside private hitting area for lessons and groups. So book your tee-time at Hertiageoaksgc.com or call (847)-291-2351. John Billiter head golf professional competed in this weeks Illinois Open at Flossmoor GC.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect at LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram
Vince India of Deerfield and the Korn Ferry Tour, won his second Illinois Open at Flossmoor Golf Club in a 3-hole playoff with Dylan Meyer. Photo by Nick Novelli.
VINCE INDIA has done it again, winning his second Illinois Open in a playoff with Dylan Meyer at the Flossmoor Golf Club.
India must love the par-5 18th hole at Flossmoor. Because it took a birdie on the tournaments final hole to get India into the playoff.
But then it was a birdie on the 18th hole again, on the third hole of the playoff, to win the title in a hard fought battle with the former University of Illinois standout.
India who now plays mostly on the Korn Ferry Tour, won the Illinois Open in 2018 at the Glen Club. India played there last weekend in the NV5 Invitational, making it seven straight days of competitive golf. But now India now plans a flight straight to Utah for this weeks Korn Ferry tournament. So should he make the cut, it will be 11 straight days of competitive golf.
The green of the par-4 16th hole at Flossmoor GC.
” I had to be really smart about where I hit my shots today,” said India. “They did a great job setting up the golf course this week. But for the most part, I played carefully, but I rolled the ball really well. So it was my putter that bailed me out this week.”
Both India and Meyer had chances to take over the playoff, but missed opportunities to do that. Meyer on the 16th hole, and India on the 17th hole.
But on 18 it was India who hit the fairway and made it count. While Meyer’s drive landed in deep rough and then a greenside bunker. India got home in two shots, and lagged up for a tap-in birdie. Because that was enough to win, when Meyer’s birdie try, slide past the cup.
Quinn Clifford won the low-amateur award with -6 score for the tournament. Photo Nick Novelli.
Quinn Clifford (a) of Chicago was the low-amateur for the championship.
Clifford totaled a 6 under par score, two shots behind India and Meyer for third place. Clifford shot a 1 under par final round to clinch the low amateur award.
“I had a lot of fun this week,” said Clifford. “I came in with low expectations, which I have learned is the right way to approach golf. The golf course was phenomenal.”
Defending Champion David Perkins (East Peoria) and Luke Gannon rounded out the top five, by tying for third place with Clifford.
Varun Chopra had the low final round of the day a 5 under par (67) that moved him into 6th place. University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small started the final round just one shot back of India and Meyer. But Small fell back with a 76 to tie with Kyle Donovan for the Low Illinois PGA Section professionals and T-13, and a 1 under score for the championship.
The location for the 2024 championship is still to be determined by the Illinois PGA. For more information on the Illinois PGA, please visit IPGA.com.