2019 ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE-Len Ziehm (L) and Rory Spears host of Golfers on Golf Radio Am 820 WCPT Saturday mornings at 10 AM. #Golftalk ______________________________________________________________________
Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker has lifted some restrictions on golf starting May 29th.
Foursomes are now a go. Carts are good, with 1 person per-cart, unless you live in the same household. Ranges will open and lessons can happen, with restrictions.
Fore-caddies will be allowed. More details unfolding.
RORY SPEARS (L) Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf, and Len Ziehm (R) contributor to Golfers on Golf Radio on Am 820 WCPT-Saturday’s at 10 AM. _____________________________________________________________________
THE US OPEN at Winged Foot-September 14-20, The U.S. Women’s Open at the Champions Golf Club in Houston Texas December 10-13. Details at USGA.org.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has made several changes to it’s 2020 championship schedule, due to fall out from the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The 120th U.S. Women’s Amateur scheduled for August 3-9 at the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville Maryland, and the 120th U.S. Amateur, scheduled for August 10-16 at Bandon (Ore.) Dunes Golf Resort, will be conducted as scheduled, providing CDC guidelines make it possible to do so.
However the USGA has announced the remainder of the USGA amateur championship schedule has been cancelled for 2020. Those championships include the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur that was scheduled from Aug. 29-Sept. 3 at Berkeley Hall Golf Club in Bluffton S.C., the U.S. Senior Amateur (Aug 29-Sept. 3 at the Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe Farms Mich.); the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Kinloch Golf Club in Manakin-Sabot Va., and Independence Golf Club in Midlothian, Va.); and U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur (Sept.12-17 at the Lakewood in Point Clear, Ala.).
“Throughout this process, our primary focus has been the safety and well-being of everyone involved, including the players, volunteers, host club representatives and staff,” said John Bodenhammer, senior managing director of championships for the USGA. “We have not taken these decisions lightly and wish we had more options. But with a continued, keen interest in doing what is best for all involved, although we are extremely disappointed, this is the right decision.”
Six other championships were previously canceled, including the men’s and women’s Amateur Four-Ball, the boys and girls Junior Amateur’s and the men’s and women’s Senior Open’s.
The Men’s and Women’s U.S. Open’s and the two U.S. Amateur Championships will be held without qualifiers, and the entire fields will be filled through exemptions. For the health and safety of various golf associations across the country that conduct qualifiers, the USGA decided holding them was not seen as a viable option.
“As you can imagine, this was an incredibly difficult decision,as qualifying is the cornerstone of USGA championships,” said Bodenhamer. “We take great pride in the fact that many thousands typically enter to pursue their dream of qualifying for a USGA Championship and we deeply regret that they will not have that opportunity this year. But this structure provides the best path forward for us to conduct these championships in 2020.
Entrance applications for some 2021 USGA Championships have been delayed until the week of July 6th. More details at USGA.org.
THE WEST BADEN HOTEL at the French Lick Resort, in French Lick Indiana, is starting a phased-in reopening of rooms. See Frenchlick.com for more information. ERIN HILLS is now open for the season. See Erinhills.com for current golf information. ____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and LinkedIn or Facebook. In the WCPT AM 820 Studios, home of Golfers on Golf Radio in it’s 30th season.
RAIN-RAIN please go away. It’s bad enough that golf courses have had to deal with the restrictions because of the Covid-19 Virus, but add on these flooding rain storms, and the outlook gets even worse.
Most courses today on Monday May 18th, are closed, or putting out golfers onto very soggy fairways. Regardless of how good the drainage is, at any course.
Blackberry Oaks in Bristol Illinois, and course general manager and head golf professional Chad Johansen have been among the hardest hit by flood waters. It’s sad. Ask any Illinois PGA member who one of the hardest working section members is, and they will tell you Johansen, who is a tireless promoter of the game, and grows the game with kids as good as anybody in the State of Illinois. All Johansen could say on social media today is, he didn’t know when Blackberry Oaks could reopen. Hopefully it will be sooner, than later.
There were more courses in addition to Blackberry Oaks that were closed today, some will still be closed tomorrow. Hopefully things dry-out by the weekend, and those reported 80 degree temperatures for this weekend. actually happen. Golf in Illinois needs a good dry weekend, with a minor heatwave attached.
CLICK HERE to hear thoughts from Len Ziehm about the cancellation of the Illinois State Amateur and the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) Amateur.
I have to admit that I was surprised about the cancelling of the two championships at this point on the calendar. I would have enjoyed a 1-Day shootout at several clubs, to see who qualifies for the field in early July. Kind of like the first two-days of the NCAA basketball tournament #Marchmadness. CDGA-please reconsider.
LEN ZIEHM a 2019 inductee into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, joins us live this Saturday on Golfers on Golf Radio Am 820 WCPT at 10:30 AM.
Len Ziehm the Daily Herald golf columnist, will join us live this Saturday on Golfers on Golf Radio on AM 820 WCPT, about 10:30.
Ziehm posted today on his website Lenziehmongolf.com a feature about the return of live to television yesterday. Check it out.
The TaylorMade Golf Driving Relief event saw Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson win a 19th hole, closest to the pin contest over Matt Wolff and Rickie Fowler, to win the over-all money total that was donated to Covid-19 Relief charities. It was nice to see the historic Seminole Golf Club on television for the first time. But after watching one event in this style, I’m not so sure I want to watch another one next weekend regardless of who is competing.
CLICK HERE to hear the Golfers on Golf Radio interview with golf architect Bobby Weed, designer of Michael Jordan’s new Grove XXIII golf club in Hobe Sound Florida.
Golf architect Bobby Weed-photo not taken at Grove XXIII.
This past Saturday, architect Bobby Weed the designer of the new Grove XXIII golf club, Michael Jordan’s golf club.
After doing some work at the neighboring Medalist Club, Weeds efforts caught Jordan’s eye. That along with a few other recommendations of Weed from golfers Jordan knew, landed Weed the job of walking through dirt-piles with Jordan during the construction phase of Grove XXIII.
Weed moved downstate and lived on the property as Grove XXIII took shape.
All of us at Golfers on Golf enjoyed having Weed make his Chicago media debut on the creation of Michael’s golf course with us. According to Weed Grove XXIII doesn’t look a traditional Florida style golf course. To see some great pictures of the course, check out today’s online posting of Links Magazine.
THE USGA has made some announcements today in regards to not having U.S. Open qualifying this year, what championships will be held and under what guidelines. For more details visit USGA.org.
I will be monitoring course conditions this week, and hope to gain some insight on what the Governor and the State of Illinois are considering on golf restrictions, once we get past the Memorial Day weekend.
THE SEMINOLE GOLF CLUB one of the best Donald Ross designs he ever created, is on TV for the first time today, as home to the TaylorMade Driving Relief charity event. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy LinkedIn or Facebook and Instagram. On day in South Carolina at Palmetto Dunes Resort, that’s much like today in Illinois.
DRIVING RELIEF by Taylormade Golf, live today at 1 PM, local time, with Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson, vs Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff, raising money for Covid-19 relief.
While NASCAR is running today as well, it’s really golf that is leading the USA back into the world live sports.
MORE GOOD NEWS is that some of the golf destination properties are getting their courses open. Or now getting their rooms open along with the golf courses.
Sure there are still restrictions, but even in some states, they are now starting to go away. Hopefully for good.
GAMBLE SANDS IN Washington State, designed by David Kidd, says Fore-or better yet Four on the tee !
GAMBLE SANDS in Washington State is now welcoming Foursomes to the first tee starting today.
You can book your foursome and a Stay & Play at Gamblesands.com or by calling (509)-436-8323.
The course did not have any play in the month of April, so it’s in pristine condition says Gamble Sands. There are no rakes in the bunkers, and do please leave the flagsticks in the holes while putting out.
There is a hand sanitizer station in-route to the first tee box. The Danny Boy Bar & Grill is now open for Breakfast-Lunch and Dinner, seven days a week from 6:30 am to 9 pm, and their is a full bar available. Gamblesands.com a David Kidd design.
HorseShoe Bay in Austin Texas, the waterfall on Slick Rock.
HorseShoe Bay Resort near Austin Texas, is ready to welcome back golfers and resort guests starting May 29th.
Three of the four resorts golf courses have been recently renovated.
The resort also has one of the most amazing miniature golf courses you will ever play.
For more details on all the courses including the resorts newest course by Jack Nicklaus, visit HSBResort.com Welcome to Texas, the Lone Star State.
THE PGA of AMERICA will introduce a variety of new digital platforms instead of holding the PGA Fashion & Demo Experience that had been scheduled for August 18-19 at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. “We certainly wish we could stage this years PGA Fashion and Demo Experience, the health and well-being of everyone involved is our highest priority,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley.
Blackberry Oaks GM-professional Chad Johansen.
BLACKBERRY OAKS General Manager Chad Johansen who has been active during the Covid-19 pandemic, has created a new junior golf course on the Blackberry Oaks driving range.
The nine hole course has holes ranging from 22 yards, up to almost 100 yards. At the golf course where kids rule, the only issue right now is how to get some standing water off the golf course, after the recent rains.
Golfers can check in with the Blackberry Oaks pro shop at (630)-553-7170 to learn when the temporary junior golf course will reopen.
IN MUNDELEIN at the Pine Meadow Golf Club, Professional Dennis Johnsen has made the Pine Meadow range a 5-hole par 3 golf course, while driving ranges are closed due to the orders of the State of Illinois. Details at Pinemeadowgc.com or call (847)-566-GOLF.
Joe Charles the new Director of Instruction at the Boyne Golf Academy.
BOYNE RESORTS has named Joe Charles as the Director of Instruction for the Boyne Golf Academy, located at the Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain properties.
Charles is a 15-year member of the PGA of America, and a TPI Certified Golf professional who specializes in golf video analysis, biomechanical motion analysis, and launch monitors, a TPI level 2 Junior Golf Certified Instructor, and U.S. Kids Golf Certified Instructor.
“I am excited to be joining the team at Boyne Golf Academy and look forward to bringing my approach to help students achieve their goals and enjoy golf even more as a result,” said Charles. “I believe that every student is different and always strive to take an individual approach incorporating the right mix of comprehensive and fun concepts.”
For more information visit Boynegolf.com
WOODSTOCK COUNTRY CLUB in Woodstock IL., this 9-hole Tom Bendelow classic design is now for sale with an asking price of just under $900,000 for more information see Linkscapitaladvisors.com or contact Chris Charnas at (312)-543-7192.
RYDER CUP CAPTAIN STEVE STRICKER has named Davis Love III and Zach Johnson as Vice-Captains for the 2020 Team USA Ryder Cup team. As of now the Ryder Cup will be played this September at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin. 2003 U.S. Open Champion at Olympia Fields Jim Furyk was named a few months ago by Stricker as a Vice-Captain.
THE FIRST TEE of Greater Chicago has announced that former Illinois Amateur and Illinois Open Champion Patrick Flavin, and Chicago Blackhawk Alex Debrincat have been named ambassadors for the organization. Joining PGA Tour pro Luke Donald and Chicago Cubs infielder Ian Happ. More information at firsteeofgreaterchicago.org.
LEN ZIEHM at PGA Village in Port St. Luice Florida (L), and member of the 2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, adds his thoughts to Golfersongolf.com on a return of live golf to TV. _____________________________________________________________________
BY LEN ZIEHM-A special to Golfers on Golf…..
IT WON’T BE LONG NOW. Live television sports competition is about to return, and golf is leading the way. While tentative tournament schedules were drawn up months ago, now there’s something concrete and-as a purely personal perk-the first two events will be conducted almost in my backyard.
A four player charity skins game put on by equipment manufacturer TaylorMade will kick things off on Sunday. It’ll have three of the games top stars-Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler-participating along with a promising up-and-comer, Matt Wolff.
Welcome to Seminole, one of the all time great Donald Ross Classic designs making it’s television debut.
They’ll play at the Seminole Golf Club a famous course in Juno Beach that has never been on television. McIlroy and Johnson will take on Fowler and Wolff, both Oklahoma State alums, in a four hour telecast that will be played without spectators. It’ll raise at least $4 million for Covid-19 relief efforts.
Not only that, but the event-called the TaylorMade Driving Relief-will provide the first look at what tournament golf will be like in the “new normal.” The players won’t have caddies. They’ll be carrying their own bags, practicing social distancing and adhering to a variety of new policies designed to make golf safe in these trying times.
“We have a big responsibility on ourselves to make sure that we practice all the guidelines that the PGA Tour is going to set in place,” said Johnson. “Obviously everyone is going to be watching what we’re doing, so it’s very important to do this correctly.”
RORY MCILROY (L) and DUSTIN JOHNSON (R) team up in the TaylorMade Driving Relief event tomorrow at Seminole Golf Club.
“It’s really cool to bring some live sports back,” said Fowler. “Everyone is taking the right measures to make sure it’s being done the correct way.”
NEXT WEEK the first major tour event since the pandemic concerns kicked in will tee off. The Korean LPGA Championship will have three members of the world’s top 10-all Korean players-among those competing for a $1.8 million dollar purse. There won’t be any American players or TV coverage for that one, but on May 24 another televised event will put the spotlight back on South Florida.
“The Match: Champions for Charity,” another four-player televised event featuring Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, will be played at the Medalist Club in Hobe Sound, which is just 18 miles from Seminole. “This will be more of a fun thing, with legendary quarterbacks rounding out the foursome. Woods will team with Peyton Manning and Mickelson with Tom Brady.
There’s some interesting, off course sidelight to this one, which also won’t have spectators. Mickelson is in the process of establishing a residence in South Florida and is joining Michael Jordan’s new club, Grove XXIII, which is also in Kobe Sound. Brady who signed with a new team-the Tampa Bay Buccaneers- in footballs off-season, recently became a member at Seminole.-LZ.
WCPT-AM 820 home for the 30th season of Golfers on Golf Radio. Tee time is every Saturday Morning at 10 AM. Listen live on the radio or wcpt820.com, watch us on Facebook Live, or check out Tune in Radio APP and search for WCPT820. If you’re on the golf course and miss the show, hear it at Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk. ______________________________________________________________________
Golfers on Golf Radio is (picture above L-R) Ed Stevenson, Rory Spears and Bill Berger.
Week #4 Tomorrow May 16th on WCPT-AM 820 Chicago. Dirk Willis Director of Golf for Kohler Company and Whistling Straits, home of the 2020 Ryder Cup joins us about 10:10. Then it’s Bobby Weed, golf architect and designer of Michael Jordan’s new Grove XXIII club in Florida, is live with us about 10:30.
We will hear from our contributing Hall of Fame Golf writer Len Ziehm with some thoughts on the canceling of the CGDA Amateur and the Illinois State Amateur in July.
We are on the tee, at 10 AM join us. Ed, Bill and Rory.
ERIN HILLS IN ERIN WISCONSIN-Land of the Free, opens for the season on Monday May 18th, see Erinhills.com. Golfers on Golf Radio tomorrow morning at 10 AM on Am 820 WCPT or WCPT820.com or on Facebook-Live, The Tune in Radio APP-Search WCPT 820, or Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk Join Ed-Rory & Bill #WCPT. ____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and LinkedIn or Facebook. Book Club.
BOOK CLUB- IF YOU HAVE a little too much time on your hands these days, as you sit inside during home quarantine, now could be time to catch up with your reading, and by sitting down with some great golf books.
The virus era, has given many golfers a chance to catch up on their reading of golf materials. Here is my list of some good books to check out, if your grounded at home with time on your hands, and a lack of tee times, due to twosomes only in the State Illinois.
Mentored by the King-by Brad Brewer.
MENTORED BY THE KING by golf professional Brad Brewer.
Brewer in many ways was the right hand man to Arnold Palmer for years. Brewer was selected by the King himself to run the Arnold Palmer Golf Schools.
The book has plenty of chapters or should we say, “Lessons from the King” as Palmer explained himself to Brewer over the years. Brewers Golf Academy is located in Orlando Florida. Brewers staff includes one of Florida’s top teaching professionals Chris Spalla.
THE PGA OF AMERICA CENTENNIAL BOOK
THE PGA OF AMERICA Centennial Book that came out a few years back, in time for the PGA’s 100th year.
It’s a great read, with forwards from both Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam.
The history of the PGA is well explained, and for Chicago area readers, they might enjoy how much of the story line relates to PGA pro’s and events in the Chicago area.
A Golden 18, with an inside look at 18 of the best courses designed by the Golden Bear himself.
A GOLDEN 18, if you enjoy following the only #GOAT in golf, you might enjoy seeing the inside of 18 of the best courses that Jack Nicklaus ever designed.
How they came to be, how they run and operate today, and comments from the people that make them go. Plus how a membership at the clubs on the private list in the book, is enjoyed at the club.
The cover of this book can change but on the book pictured above, Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor Michigan, is open for public play, and currently home every other Memorial Day weekend to the Sr. PGA Championship.
THE GOLDEN AGE OF PINEHURST-by Lee Pace. The rebirth of Pinehurst No.2
THE GOLDEN AGE OF PINEHURST, the Rebirth of Pinehurst No.2, is really a good read if you enjoy Pinehurst golf, and getting an inside look at the restoration of one of golf’s great golf courses, and maybe the best work that Donald Ross ever created.
About 10 years ago the Pinehurst Resort entrusted Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to come in to bring No.2 back to it’s roots,
Coore and Crenshaw hoped to “get it right” and had the pressure of back-to-back U.S. Open’s coming up in 2014. Hear from Bill-Ben and USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis, as the work progressed.
How to purchase any of these books. Use traditional channels online. Pinehurst now has an updated copy of this book, done by Lee Pace after the 2014 U.S. Open. See Pinehurst.com for details.
LEN ZIEHM of the DAILY HERALD (L) at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie Florida, RORY SPEARS of GOLFERS ON GOLF (R), in the WCPT AM 820 STUDIO’S CHICAGO. ______________________________________________________________________
2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Len Ziehm of the Daily Herald and Rory Spears of Golfers on Golf Radio and Golfersongolf.com. Are presenting weekly podcasts through out the Covid-19 Pandemic to keep golfers informed about what’s happening in Illinois Golf and beyond.
Click here to hear the Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2020-Volume 9 from May 13th.
Topics include, live golf returns to Florida this weekend and next. Thoughts on Illinois golf, more tournaments canceled, and which one’s aren’t. That and more, please listen in, and Thanks for Listening-Len and Rory.
RORY SPEARS (L) of Golfers on Golf-with 2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Len Ziehm, have combined to bring you the next in a series of features on golf and destination travel. As the Covid-19 Virus goes away, it will be time for you to get away. _____________________________________________________________________
THE PRIDE OF SOUTHERN INDIANA-Details online at FrenchLick.com.
HISTORY IN SOUTHERN INDIANA has been being made for well over 100 years. The feature below brings out what you find when your travels take you to French Lick Resort.
BY: RORY SPEARS with LEN ZIEHM.
FRENCH LICK is no longer just the town that NBA legend Larry Bird grew up in. It’s a community that has gone through a rebirth, simply because the town’s resort was brought back to life by an Indiana company that wanted to give back to it’s home state.
“Who would have thought that this project could happen in the small town of French Lick Indiana, with a population of 2500 residents. The resort employed 373 people when the Cook Group bought the resort about 15 years ago, and now we employ over 1700 people. The whole town has taken it upon itself to say this is our fabric of life, this is what we do. It’s where we live, and this the pride we have. It’s how we try and approach this.” says Brendan Sweeney, Director of Golf Marketing and Development.
THE WEST BADEN HOTEL is one of two hotels that comprise the French Lick Resort.
“Lots of golf history was made in French Lick before I first arrived in summer of 2009,” says Len Ziehm. “The resort had hosted the 1924 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen (the first of his five straight wins in the tournament) and two LPGA Championships, both won by legendary players-Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright.”
“In 2009 when I got there French Lick was at the very beginning of it’s revival, one created by the generosity and visionary approach of billionaire Bill Cook,” adds Ziehm. ” Cook had just financed the rebuilding of two hotels and the day I first arrived, what is now the Donald Ross Course was just re-opening after a full-scale renovation. The five hour drive to southern Indiana was a big part of what helped create my plan to enter golf travel-writing after a 41 year career at the Chicago Sun-Times. This phase of my writing life has been a joy, and frequent stops at French Lick are a big part of the reason why.”
THE FRENCH LICK SPRINGS HOTEL (L) THE NEW VALLEY TOWER ROOMS (R)
” On my first visit, I got a memorable truck ride with director of golf Dave Harner over what became the spectacular 27 million dollar Pete Dye Course. It wasn’t even grassed at that time, but what a terrific venue it has become. In 11 years since my first visit, I’ve been to French Lick at least once a year, and one year I had three visits. During those times I have seen the creation of the LPGA Legends Championship, the Legends Hall of Fame and the Senior LPGA Championship. The first major championship for women who had done so much for game and the development of the LPGA itself,” says Ziehm.
One of the most interesting things about the Pete Dye course, is that it almost never got built. Dye came down from his home off the 18th fairway at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, just North of Indianapolis and looked at the land where French Lick Resort officials expected the course to be built. Dye walked the land and told resort officials he couldn’t build a golf course there. After driving home that night, Dye started drawing holes on a napkin. Early the next morning he called the resort back and said I think I can build it. So later that morning at a diner South of Indianapolis, a meeting was held, a deal was made, Dye’s legendary volcano bunkers were built, and the rest is history. The resort still has that napkin (more details of this story on the audio interview below with Brendan Sweeney).
Helen Alfredsson won the 2019 Senior LPGA Championship on the Pete Dye Course at French Lick. She won’t get to defend the title this year, due to the cancellation of the championship because of Covid-19 concerns.
When Ziehm first arrived in French Lick, the investment to rebuild the resort was reported to be over $500 million dollars.
As of last year, that number has gone up another $100 million dollars. Ziehm adds that every time he revisits the resort, there is something new on the property to check out.
Most recently the addition of the Valley Tower, with some 80 new rooms is right off the entrance of the casino. Those rooms have adjoining doors, so groups can move back and forth between the rooms, and around the social area’s in between. The Valley Sports Bar is another place for guests to meet, and new sports book where you can bet all the games, is just inside the casino’s entrance.
FORMER MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB CADDIE BRENDAN SWEENEY has been the driving force behind golf at the French Lick Resort-along with director of golf Dave Harner, and head golf professional Andy Fortner.
Welcome to the gates of golf at the French Lick Resort. The Pete Dye Course is currently home to the Senior LPGA Championship. While the Donald Ross course is home to the Symetra Tour’s (the road to the LPGA) Donald Ross Classic. Both events scheduled for July of this summer have been canceled due to health concerns over the Covid-19 Virus. Both Championships will return in 2021.
“One of the reasons we had to cancel the Senior LPGA Championship was due to the kids that come from our charity Riley’s Hospital for Children to help as starters at the championship,” says Sweeney. ” Riley’s was built in Indianapolis in 1924, it’s kind of Indiana’s version of St. Jude’s hospital in Tennessee. One of the biggest heartbreaking things in canceling the Senior Women’s LPGA, was what to do with Riley’s. So we worked out a deal with Riley’s, and will do something special for them. But we could not put these kids in danger, when much of the world is in quarantine.”
The Pete Dye course and the Donald Ross course are only two-thirds of the resorts golf operation. If your looking for a nine-hole round of golf, the Valley Links course might be right for you. Valley Links was designed by Tom Bendelow who also designed the Medinah Country Club’s three courses, among some other famous gems. But Valley Links will get it’s due in the future. The plan is to add nine more holes, hopefully the effect’s of the virus on the economy don’t push this project back too far into the future.
The good news for golfers, is that with the two professional tournaments being canceled in July, there are more tee times available for resort guests to play golf.
The Pete Dye Golf Course, on a fall morning during the 2018 Sr. LPGA Championship.
“We are currently open for golf with restrictions in place,” says Sweeney. “Currently our rooms are not open, but there are a couple of hotels in the area that have rooms. We hope to have some rooms open in May, with soft openings for a couple of our restaurants. The restaurants around French Lick will open by the middle of the month. As for our casino, we are still awaiting word from the governors office on when we can do that.”
Click here to hear the interview with French Lick Resort’s golf marketing director Brendan Sweeney, to learn more about golf in French Lick. The resorts 175 year history, and how the resort has made this historical comeback, to be a leading destination property not only in Indiana, but in America.
Sweeney adds that the resorts maintenance staff has been working hard to make improvements, while the resort has been shut down. So that operations are at full steam ahead, when guests start returning in numbers, after the threat from the Covid-19 virus decreases.
For more information on the French Lick Resort and the safety precautions taken for staff and guests, please visit FrenchLick.com or (888)-936-9360. Book your upcoming “stay and play” today.
THE ONWENTSIA CLUB IN LAKE FOREST-THE GROVE COUNTRY CLUB IN LONG GROVE, both have had their junior golf championships canceled for next month, due to Covid-19 concerns. This was announced jointly by the Western Golf Association (WGA) and the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA).
BY RORY SPEARS: Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf Radio and Golfersongolf.com. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Par 3, 9th hole at the Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest.
The 103rd Western Junior, and the 94th Women’s Western Junior Girls Championships have been canceled for 2020, and will not be played.
The boys were scheduled from June 15-18 at the Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest, and the girls from June 15-19 at the Grove Country Club in Long Grove.
The site for the boys Western Junior Championship will be announced at a later date. The girls junior 2021 championship will be played at the Aurora Country Club from June 21-25.
The Clubhouse at the Grove Country Club in Long Grove IL.
“We’re obviously very disappointed that we won’t be able to conduct our two world-class golf junior championships, the Western Junior Championship’s and the Women’s Western Junior, in 2020, but we feel strongly that this is the right decision under these challenging circumstances,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “Our foremost priority is the health and safety of all of those who would have been involved, including players, their families, the club members and staff and our tournament officials.”
Jackie Wacker, Women’s Western Junior tournament chairman, added that canceling the tournament was a difficult decision.
“We waited as long as possible to see if there might be a significant improvement in the resolution of the ongoing and unprecedented health crisis we are facing,” Wacker said. “However, we ultimately decided the risk is just too great to have so many young girls and their families travel-many from long distances-to compete. We hope and trust all involved will understand we are doing this out of care and concern for the welfare of our players and everyone who would be on hand to support them in the competition.”
The good news is that the Western Amateur Championship scheduled for July 27-August 1st at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, and the Women’s Western Amateur Championship set for July 20-25 at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort Illinois are still scheduled to be played. And their are no plans at this time to alter the schedule according to Pellegrino.
For more details on WGA and WWGA events stay clicked in here, or visit WGAESF.org or WWGA.org.
2019 ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE-Len Ziehm (L) and Rory Spears host of Golfers on Golf Radio Am 820 WCPT Saturday mornings at 10 AM. #Golftalk ______________________________________________________________________
