Visit Startechglass.com Celebrating 25 years as a Chicago leader in the Commercial Glass Industry
BY: RORY SPEARS 
A WELL DONE RORY MCILROY, you earned it. Stellar play over four straight days, wire-to-wire winner and third major by 25. Hoylake saw some incredible golf this past week, and in the end golf received a stellar “Champion Golfer of the Year.”
The conversation still won’t end on how golf needs Tiger to win again, what golf needed was Rory to get back on track and win that third major and become the dominant figure we saw at Congressional and at Kiawah.
It was a confident McIlroy we saw hold it together while Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler were taking turns charging on the weekend. Like he said in the press conference,” I knew I was playing good.” Yes he was, in spite of a hick up or so during holes 5-6-7. But the kid bounced back and showed us the love life issues, the management team issues and the equipment changes issues were behind him. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if we now see a McIlroy that’s ready to spread his wings and really fly now. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he wins at Valhalla, and gets the career Grand Slam in Augusta next year. The sky is the limit for McIlroy and the TV networks have a star they can really focus on.
I’m sure the Euro’s are much more fired up about their Ryder Cup squad now with both McIlroy and Garcia playing well. Team USA Captain Tom Watson heard the cheers coming up 18 on Sunday after a 4 under par 68 at age 64. Not bad Tum ! He won’t get cheers like that in three months.
It’s been said that Watson will have a tough job deciding what to do about Tiger Woods, and whether Woods should be on the Ryder Cup Team for Team USA. After Woods went backward again and finished 69th this past weekend, those questions are not so hard to answer. Unless Woods wins at Valhalla next month, he doesn’t even enter the conversation. Did he play himself off the team this past week, no he didn’t. Woods was never on it in the first place. Last six Ryder Cups, Team USA with Woods 0-5, without Woods 1-0. Some numbers don’t lie, and these don’t either.
A few other numbers that don’t lie. Woods in majors. Last nine Masters 0-9. Last six U.S. Open’s 0-6, Last eight British Open’s 0-8, last six PGA’s 0-6 and that might be 0-7 real soon. As Golfweek Magazine wrote a couple of days ago, Woods use to own the majors, now they own him.
The Golf Channel finally conceded that we have entered, “the era of Rory.” That being said, lets see if the social media sites start to get it and realize that World #2 is likely here to stay this time. Maybe, just maybe, the Golf Channel now gets the big picture.
Play or practice for just $20 all day this summer at Links and Tee’s on Lake Avenue in Addison, and Foot-Golf is coming this August. See Addisonparks.org. or call (630)-233-7275 for more details.
I have been to over 400 golf courses around America and on Saturday I found another special piece of land that’s a true classic. Lawsonia in Green Lake Wisconsin is that place. Lawsonia Golf has 36 holes and I wish it had a few more. I played the famed Links Course, but from what I saw of the Woodlands Course another visit is needed.
The golf is great, the new Langford Pub in the clubhouse is the perfect place to some good food and drink. As time goes on their will be more pictures and memorabilia for golfers to review. I know we hear about the courses at Kohler, Erin Hills, and a few others in Wisconsin. But golfers really need to take note of Lawsonia, it is old classic golf on a course that opened in 1930 that anyone can play. Oliphant Golf is now operating the golf courses, and they will continue to improve the final product.
I played in the Inaugural Langford Shield outing yesterday and it seems like a great time was had by all. Golfers mark your calendars for next year and put this day on your schedule. What I found is that many of the members of Chicago’s top private clubs, know about Lawsonia and what a special place it is. Now it’s time for you and your foursome to learn more about Lawsonia. I took Big 3 Partner Len Ziehm along to be my partner in the tournament, we finished in the middle of the pack but had a great time. Visit Lawsonia and you will too. See Lawsonia.com stay on the grounds as part of your overnight package.
Craig Haltom VP of Oliphant Golf joined us on Golfers on Golf Radio yesterday, pull up the interview to hear more about Lawsonia, and Haltom’s new find in Wisconsin. It’s called Sand Valley, and Mike Keiser is turning it into something special.
The 65th Illinois Open Tee’s off today at the Glen Club. Defending Champion Joe Kinney is back to defend his title. Updates here and at IPGA.com
The Illinois Open tee’s off today at the Glen Club in Glenview. This might be the last year at the Glen Club or the facility might be sharing the championship with another course in 2015 as the IPGA looks to expand the field to more players.
What the IPGA needs is a 36 hole facility or a two courses in close proximity for the new plan to be effective. Let’s hope they get it.
Joe Kinney is back to defend his title from 2013, and several other past champions including Mike Small looking for his fifth title are in the field. Come out and see the state championship, the final 18 holes are Thursday and wrapping up about 2 pm.
Wilmette Golf Club on Lake Avenue in Wilmette has reopened and the golfers and the tax payers are enjoying the new product. A recent rain storm that would have had the course shut for a day or two, didn’t have much effect on the new product. This past Friday and the weekend the tee sheet on this architect Greg Martin renovation was full from sun up to sun down. Wilmettegolf.com for more information.
This week the International Crown tee’s off at Caves Valley Country Club outside of Baltimore. The new LPGA event and how it plays out should be interesting. I am traveling there to report on and observe the event. When the week is over, I should be able to tell Chicago golf fans what to expect in 2016, when the event comes to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove for the first time. It is expected to return in 2018, and after that we will see.
Stay clicked in here for details on the Crown, expected to become Chicago’s new LPGA event going forward. Among the features I will have here and can only be found here, will be the Rich report. I plan to be speaking with Jerry Rich owner of Rich Harvest Farms and getting his insights on the first International Crown, and bringing the views of the man who helped create the event on to this site. Stay clicked in.
Congrats to Doug Ghim of Arlington Hts. on a runner up finish in the USGA Publinks Championship. Ghim lost on the 37th hole of a 36th hole championship match. Keep going Doug, that trip to Augusta will come for you someday.
The summer is moving forward, so should you to the golf course. Go Play. I’ll be in touch from Baltimore. RS