(more…)
By Len Ziehm
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. - With so many golf facilities struggling these days, Roger Warren's report on the popular Kiawah Resort is eye-catching to say the least.
"We had the best year in the history of the resort last year," said Warren who left the Chicago area for Kiawah in 2003 and has been the resort's president since 2005. "There was a halo effect from (hosting the 2012) PGA Championship, but we experienced four years of double digit growth from 2009 on."
[caption id="attachment_609" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Roger Warren has plenty of good memories from his recent Ryder Cup experiences.[/caption]
Why is that?
“I know it flies in the face of what's happening in the rest of the game, but there's a segment in this country that's doing just fine - and that's my customer," said Warren. "They continue to come here. This is a beautiful island, and there's a lot to do here."
This five-course facility near Charleston, S.C., doesn't need a commercial after already hosting an historic Ryder Cup (in 1991) and a major - the PGA, won by Rory McIlroy. Its Pete Dye-designed Ocean Course has witnessed it all. (more…)
By Len Ziehm
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. - I'll let you in on a secret. The trophy that will go to the winner of the LPGA's biggest-ever event will be one of the most impressive in all of sports.
I received a sneak preview of the prize that the players in the new International Crown event will play for in July during my first visit to LPGA headquarters here (photo below). No pictures of the trophy or descriptions of it were allowed then, and the trophy won't be officially unveiled until April 1 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
(more…)
by Eric Aldrich, PGA Head Golf Professional
Bolingbrook Golf Club
What excites us about getting up at sunrise and carving out at least six hours of our day to play a sport that continually beats us up? And how does this same sport keep us coming back for more? Is it the exercise? The fellowship? The competition? It surely isn't enjoyment, is it? How can we possibly take pleasure in playing something so difficult and something that takes so long to play? But in the end, and at the detriment of future golfers, golf must be enjoyed. But how? One of the best ways to enjoy the game of golf more - Don't play by the rules. (more…)
John Masloroff - Winner of Broken Arrow giveaway - with Steve Kashul, Cheryl Justak and Michael Chen[/caption]
Chicago Bulls Radio Host, Steve Kashul, stopped by GNC's booth at the Tinley Park Golf Show to help announce the winners of our giveaways. Lucky winner, John Masloroff won our Broken Arrow Golf Club "golf foursome" giveaway. Owner of Broken Arrow Golf Club, Michael Chen, helped congratulate our winner! Other winners included: Mike W. (Matteson, IL), Keith T. (Woodridge, IL), Zach M. (Chicago, IL), Tom A. (Highland, IN), Sheila W. (Emington, IL), Keith T. (Orland Park, IL), Mike K. (Merrillville, IN) and Rose R. (Palos Heights, IL). (more…)
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, the 72 hole public golf facility in southwest suburban Lemont, recently unveiled their greens fee schedule for the 2014 season, and new for this year is a twilight rate on the #4 course, the iconic Dubsdread. Beginning at 4 pm each day, a round can be played for $100 (including cart and range access), a 35% discount from the normal rate of $155.
"It was my daughter's idea" stated owner Frank Jemsek, referring to Cog Hill President Katherine, "and we wanted to give golfers who might not be able to afford the regular rate an opportunity to experience the #4 course." In the height of the summer (mid-June to mid-July), the first few twilight times have a good chance of completing the round, so as many as 500 additional golfers can play 18 holes on a course that has held 20 PGA tour events and have some extra dollars left for a drink afterwards. (more…)
The only pro golf tour event in Chicago in 2014 will also headline the 31st Chicago Golf Show.
The Encompass Championship, which made its Chicago debut on the Champions Tour in 2013, will be the presenting sponsor of the winter attraction that begins a three-day run at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on Friday (FEB 21).
Jeff Sluman, the Champions Tour veteran from Hinsdale, will become the fourth former major champion to appear at the show, following John Daly (2008), Craig Stadler (2012) and Lanny Wadkins (2013). Sluman won the 1988 PGA Championship. (more…)
In the meantime, though, there has been a lot going on within the Chicago golf scene even during these extraordinary winter months. Most notable is a management change at Cantigny, the well-regarded 27-hole facility in Wheaton.
Northbrook-based KemperSports will take on management duties in mid-February, leading in to Cantigny 25th anniversary season. Cantigny becomes the 16th Chicago golf facility under the management of KemperSports. (more…)
