SIX ENTER ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME-AS THE CLASS OF 2023

THE SHACK INDOOR GOLF CLUB is about to expand to seven simulators and a new putting green. Book your hitting bay at TheShackGolfClub.com 1717 Chestnut Street in Glenview. The Shack’s expansion is expected to be complete in Mid to late January.

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The surviving members of the 2023 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame (L-R) Dr. Randy Kane-Dave Ryan-Tim O’Neal and Bruce Patterson) and or representatives of those inducted who are deceased. Photo by Nick Novelli.

THE ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023 HAS BEEN INDUCTED.

Last month it became official. The Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2023 into the Hall of Fame at the Glen Club, in Glenview Illinois.

This year six new members were inducted.

“This esteemed 20th Illinois Golf Hall of Fame class captures the breadth of golf in the state, with early pioneer and Olympian Margaret Abbott Dunne, modern day standout player Dave Ryan, behind the scenes innovator Dr. Randy Kane, multi-tasker Harry Collins, and charity-minded PGA professionals Tim O’Neal and Bruce Patterson,” said Selection Committee chair Tim Cronin. “It couldn’t be more diverse or vibrant.”

Tim Cronin (L) with inductee Tim O’Neal (R), O’Neal spent 22 years of his golf career as the head golf professional at North Shore Country Club in Glenview. Photo by Nick Novelli.

THE INDUCTEE’S…

MARGARET ABBOTT-DUNNE-who honed her game at the Chicago Golf Club. Abbott Dunne was the first woman to win and Olympic competition during the year 1900 in Paris France.

But when it came to handicaps, she went from a 19-to scratch in one year.

HARRY COLLIS was a golfer, club professional and course architect. Collis also held the role of superintendent and turf grass innovator for some 40 years. So his strain of Bentgrass was planted on Midwest courses from his Flossmoor nursery for decades. Collis had four top 10 finishes in the Western Open.

Work is moving forward on the new simulators at The Shack in Glenview. Coming in mid-to late January. THE SHACK GOLF CLUB 1717 Chestnut Street. 847-904-2905.

DR. RANDY KANE-known as “The Family Doctor” for his work monitoring turf conditions at CDGA courses.

Kane was the first director of turf programs for the CDGA, a position he held for 21 years.

TIM O’NEAL the long time head golf professional at North Shore Country Club. So with O’Neal’s career attached to his mentor the famed NSCC professional Bill Ogden, O’Neal returned to NSCC in 1995 and stayed 22 years. O’Neal was named section professional of the year twice, first in Florida in 1994, then in Illinois in 2005. But still today while retired from NSCC, O’Neal is still serving as President of the Illinois PGA Foundation.

BRUCE PATTERSON is a two-time Illinois PGA Professional of the Year (1993, 1996). But Patterson played a large role in creating the Illinois PGA Foundation, and was President of the foundation for a decade.

But Patterson is widely known for his role as head golf professional/director of golf at the Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook. So during that time in 1995-96 he served as the Illinois PGA Section President. Patterson earned the designation of Master Professional, and was known for teaching his student how to escape from bunkers.

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DAVE RYAN of Taylorville Illinois was a major player in senior amateur golf. Because Ryan won the Illinois Senior Amateur four times (2009, 2013, 2015 and 2016. But the crown jewel of his amateur career was winning the USGA U.S. Senior Amateur at Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis. Because of his stellar senior amateur play, Ryan won the CDGA Senior Player of the Year-seven times in eight years. So Ryan also carries a winning record in the Radix Cup, of 8-5-2, also recording a hole-in-one in Radix Cup play at Oak Park Country Club.

But you can learn more about the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame at IPGA.com. Visiting the IGHOF is free daily at the Glen Club in Glenview Illinois.

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About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.