WINTER 2015
CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER DIGITAL EXTRA | 1
Welcome to Chicago District Golfer Digital Extra, a new member service brought to you by the Chicago District Golf Association. The goal of CDG Extra, which will be a quarterly feature, is to keep you connected with your CDGA membership throughout the year. Despite the cold weather, we know you are still thinking about golf, and we hope that this helps satisfy your appetite until the spring. While CDG Extra will incorporate many of the same elements you enjoy from the print issues of Chicago District Golfer, the online format allows for some new wrinkles you will see in this and the upcoming issues: • • •
Video segments Direct links within articles Interaction using social media
To navigate the publication, use the arrows on the left or right side of the screen. Additionally, any element highlighted with a blue box means it is a hyper link. Put your cursor over the link and click this icon to visit the link. We hope that you enjoy this new feature! If you have any questions, please email info@cdga.org.
DIGITAL EXTRA Winter 2015 | Vol. 1, No. 1
4 Around the CDGA
8 Desert Destination
6 Coming to Chicago
12 Indoor Golf Facilities
Fit for Golf ........................................................4 Golf Shows .......................................................4 Tournament Registration ...............................4 Improve Your Game ........................................5 Top Courses .....................................................5
A large number of high-profile professional and amateur tournaments will be visiting the District this summer.
7 CDGA Member Offers
With almost 200 courses, 330 days of sun shine annually, and numerous top lodging and dining options, Scottsdale is considered by many to be one of the world’s top golf destinations.
Pebble Beach and the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields are offering CDGA members exclusive opportunities.
Cover photo: We-Ko-Pa Saguaro No. 18 Table of Contents photo: Troon North Pinnacle No. 1
There are plenty of facilities throughout the District that allow you to hone your game during the offseason.
Around the CDGA F I T F OR G O L F
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TO U RNAMEN T R EG ISTR ATIO N
» FIT FOR GOLF
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TOP COURS E S
Despite being often overlooked, pre-round stretching is vital to prevent injuries or soreness. By watching the video below, you can learn simple stretching techniques that utilize a golf cart from Jeremy Smith of the Athletico Golf Performance Center. Athletico’s Golf Performance Center is a unique facility that houses orthopedic rehabilitation and year-round golf training with 3-D technology and golf fitness equipment under one roof. For more information, call (630) 572-9700.
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GOLF S H OWS
» GOLF SHOWS
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IM P ROV E YO U R G AM E
The CDGA will return to both major regional golf shows in Chicagoland in 2015. The CDGA will run a putting contest for current members visiting the booths, as well as new members signing up at the golf shows. Prizes will include tickets to professional sporting events in Chicago, major golf events in the region in 2015 and gift cards to golf retailers. Members will also have the opportunity to win membership upgrades and gold membership points. “We’re excited to get out and promote the game of golf in the preseason at these two excellent events,” CDGA Manager of Membership Michael Sullivan said.
Tinley Park Golf Expo
Feb. 6-8 • Tinley Park Convention Center TINLEYPARKGOLFEXPO.COM CLICK HERE FOR AN EXCLUSIVE CDGA MEMBER OFFER
Chicago Golf Show
Feb. 27-March 1 • Donald E. Stephens Convention Center CHICAGOGOLFSHOW.COM
» TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION Registration for the 101st season of CDGA-sponsored events is open to all members. “We have a great schedule lined up for 2015, including some changes and new events,” said Director of Rules & Competitions Nick Scillia. “We would like to thank all of the clubs that are hosting events, and we are looking forward to a great year.” The 96th CDGA Amateur Championship and 85th Illinois State Amateur Championship highlight the slate. The CDGA Am will be held June 22-25 at Knollwood Club for the ninth time. Open to any CDGA member with a handicap index 5.4 or lower, four qualifiers will be held throughout the state leading up to the Championship. The State Am will be contested at a new site, Panther Creek Raymond Knoll - 2014 Illinois State Amateur Champion Country Club, from July 14-16. Any amateur residing in Illinois with a handicap index of 7.4 or lower is eligible for the event, which features nine chances to qualify. Numerous other playing opportunities exist, including many gross/net, flighted or Better Ball events throughout the District. CLICK HERE FOR THE 2015 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE CLICK HERE FOR THE 2015 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE RELEASE 4 | CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER DIGITAL EXTRA
WWW.CDGA.ORG
F I T F OR G O L F
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TO U RNAMEN T R EG ISTR ATIO N
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TOP COURS E S
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GOLF S H OWS
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IM P ROV E YO U R G AM E
» IMPROVE YOUR GAME
» TOP COURSES
While most of the golfer’s focus often is placed on improving swing mechanics, even the best fundamentals can be negated by a poor set up. In the video lesson below, Top 100 Instructor Jim “Doc” Suttie takes you through the proper set-up fundamentals.
The District was well-represented in Golf Digest’s biennial “100 Greatest Courses” rankings. 100 GREATEST 14) Chicago Golf Club (Wheaton) 39) Medinah Country Club - No. 3 (Medinah) 46) Butler National Golf Club (Oak Brook) 60) Canyata Golf Club (Marshall) 66) Olympia Fields Country Club - North (Olympia Fields) 81) Rich Harvest Farms (Sugar Grove) 99) Shoreacres (Lake Bluff ) 100 GREATEST PUBLIC 53) Cog Hill Golf & Country Club - No. 4 (Lemont) SECOND 100 GREATEST 184) Olympia Fields Country Club - South (Olympia Fields) 187) Conway Farms Golf Club (Lake Forest)
SCVB Scenery 8.375x5.4375_. 10/1/14 3:21 PM Page 1
You can access the full rankings, including a list of the top-25 courses in Illinois, by clicking here.
B R A N D E L’ S R U L E S F O R S C O T T S D A L E G O L F
1. NEVER FORGET YOUR CAMERA {Because the scenery is spectacular}
“One of the things I love most about golf in Scottsdale is the scenery. Everywhere you look — it's just incredible. And, the Sonoran Desert isn’t bad either.” – Brandel Chamblee
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GOLF CHANNEL ANALYST AND SCOTTSDALE GOLF AMBASSADOR
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Coming to Chicago The summer of 2015 will offer members plenty of opportunities to see the world’s best golfers up close. Seven top professional and amateur events will be visiting the District between June and September.
Palmer Cup
Encompass Championship
Rich Harvest Farms June 12-14 PALMERCUP.ORG
North Shore Country Club July 6-12 ENCOMPASSCHAMPIONSHIP.COM
John Deere Classic
Western Amateur
TPC Deere Run July 6-12 JOHNDEERECLASSIC.COM
Rich Harvest Farms August 3-8 THEWESTERNAMATEUR.COM
PGA Championship
U.S. Amateur
Whistling Straits August 10-16 PGACHAMPIONSHIP.COM
Olympia Fields Country Club August 17-23 2015USAMATEUR.COM
BMW Championship
Conway Farms Golf Club September 14-20 BMWCHAMPIONSHIPUSA.COM
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WWW.CDGA.ORG
CDGA Member Offers As a CDGA member, you have exclusive access to deals on courses, travel, tickets and more! Check out these offers below, and be sure to continually access the “Member Offers” page from My CDGA Caddie.
Pebble Beach
This is the chance you have been waiting for to visit one of the nation’s top golf destinations.
Pebble Beach is offering CDGA members exclusive stay and play packages through March 31. Packages include two nights at The Inn at Spanish Bay or The Lodge at Pebble Beach, one round on Pebble Beach Golf Links, one round at Spanish Bay or Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and a $100 resort credit. For more information and to register, CLICK HERE and utilize promo code GOLFCDGA.
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2015 U.S. Amateur
The 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship is pleased to offer CDGA members the exclusive opportunity to save $10 off volunteer fees.
The $65 CDGA Volunteer Package includes: 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship logo golf shirt 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship logo hat Rain poncho Grounds badge for week of Championship Meal vouchers
To volunteer, CLICK HERE and enter the promo code CDGA2015.
Insta
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Camelback Golf Club
Desert Destination
With almost 200 courses, 330 days of sunshine annually, and numerous top lodging and dining options, Scottsdale is considered by many to be one of the world’s top golf destinations
W
hen choosing a golf destination, the number of options and different opinions can be overwhelming. What better source to rely upon, though, than the pros? More than 40 current and former PGA Tour and LPGA players call the Scottsdale area home, and it’s easy to see why. While it is considered a suburb of Phoenix, Scottsdale has plenty to offer on its own. The city of over 225,000 combines a vibrant scene with unparalleled golf options to form a must-visit for sun-starved Midwest golfers.
The North course, the older of the two courses, features spectacular views of Black Mountain as it meanders through the Boulders community. Both courses are built right into the desert foothills and offer breathtaking panoramas including stunning boulder formations, striking Sonoran Desert sunsets and natural desert terrain. Keep your eyes open, because desert wildlife is often visible during play. Every day, golfers are surprised to see a bobcat, rabbits, coyotes or a javelina while hunting for a wayward shot. In short, your experience should be a scenic and natural wonder. The South course provides its The Boulders Golf Club players with much of the same ex perience they would find on the A secluded and stunning resort, North course. The scenic views and The Boulders features two chal- desert beauty continue - with even lenging courses sure to make for more locations for the perfect Koan entertaining round. dak moment. While the North 8 | CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER DIGITAL EXTRA
course is the original offering from the resort, many people believe that the South course is the most scenic. In fact, it has holes that go right up into the boulder formations. During your round you will encounter the signature “Boulder Pile” and also “Rosie’s Rock,” two of the resort’s most recognizable rock formations. INFO: theboulders.com
Camelback Golf Club Camelback Golf Club features 36 holes of championship golf in a parkland setting that promises a demanding and dynamic adventure. The 6,903-yard, par 72 Arthur Hills-designed Padre Course features multiple lakes, towering trees, subtle landforms and strategic bunkering to sharpen your game. The 7,014-yard, par 72 Jason Straka-designed Ambiente Course
WWW.CDGA.ORG
offers a distinct challenge where accuracy and a good strategy command the day, as every hole will force even the best players to focus on each and every shot. Golfers will find the eye-catching elevation changes, as well as rolling fairways with significant drops throughout the course, are among its most striking features. The 36,000 square-foot pueblo-styled Clubhouse offers golfers an expansive golf shop, Acacia restaurant, Kierland Golf Club meeting and banquet space, and equally enjoyable and challengthe finest amenities in the Valley. ing. Golfers can enjoy the luxury INFO: camelbackgolf.com of air-conditioned golf carts and a covered driving range. Kierland Kierland Golf Club Golf Club’s innovative FORE-MAX program helps golfers step up This Troon-managed course, de- their performance through imsigned by Scott Miller, features 27 proved fitness, flexibility and nuholes that form a complementary trition. With its customized workcollection of nines - each with its outs, FORE-MAX is also a popular Final Ad 8-5and x 5-5 Streamlined CPage 1 10/16/2014 own flavor strategy, but4:21:40 allPM fitness option for those who don’t
play golf. For a unique golf experience, Kierland Golf Club offers a Scottish golf program, where golfers play in a traditional Scottish kilt, and Segway Golf, where golfers traverse the course on a Segway specially crafted to carry their golf bag. Traditional golf instruction and ProFit custom club fitting also is available. INFO: kierlandgolf.com
GET A QUOTE & BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!
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All the courses you want to play, and all the hotels where you want to stay! We make all the arrangements. You make one simple payment and enjoy the whole experience.
Austi nGol f Trai l .com 888- 588- 2871x2
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es stretching through the natural ravines and foothills of the high Sonoran desert in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak. The challenge, visual sensation and special ambiance of Troon North set the standards by which all others are measured. Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses consistently rank at the top of many golfer’s must play list. Golfers in search of a superb golf experience are returning to Troon North Golf Club to play course-designer Tom Weiskopf’s true vision. New renovations by the former British Open champion have created two new layouts with improved playability. By blending the two tracks together and changing the sequence in which the holes are encountered, the new design allows each layout to be played exactly as the land dictates, while still maintaining the courses’ true character and integrity. The club’s 37,000 square foot clubhouse boasts amenities such as an award-winning golf shop, well-appointed locker rooms and
TPC Scottsdale
dium course in both beauty and playability. The biggest challenge The Phoenician’s 27-hole golf may be deciding which course to course offers the challenge and play first. diversity golfers long for, plus the INFO: tpc.com/scottsdale beauty and tranquility that makes the game even more enjoyable. Troon North Golf Club Grouped into three distinctive nines - the Oasis Nine, the Desert Troon North Golf stands as the Nine and the Canyon Nine - each hallmark of the desert golf expericourse is aptly named for captur- ence, with two 18-hole golf coursing the many profiles of the reLOCAL KNOWLEDGE sort’s acreage, while offering mulResorts tiple 18-hole combinations. • Talking Stick Resort: Luxurious 240,000-square-foot property featuring two INFO: thephoenician.com golf courses, a spa and panoramic views from the award-winnning Orange Sky
The Phoenician Golf Club
TPC Scottsdale
Now there are two reasons to play TPC Scottsdale: the award-winning Stadium course, home to the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, and the all new Champions course. Both courses feature undulating fairways, manicured greens and challenging bunkers. With breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains, the Champions course rivals the Sta10 | CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER DIGITAL EXTRA
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restaurant. MORE INFO Hotel Valley Ho: Boutique hotel in downtown Scottsdale that features the hip OH Pool Bar, which has been voted one of the “World’s Coolest Pools” by Travel + Leisure. MORE INFO Bespoke Inn Cafe & Bicycles: Intimate downtown property that combines the personalized service of a bed and breakfast with the luxurious amenities of a resort. MORE INFO
Dining • • •
Dominick’s Steakhouse: A lavish steakhouse featuring a rooftop atrium, reflecting pond and private dining library. Features aged steaks broiled at 1,600 degrees with clarified butter. MORE INFO El Chorro: Originally created in the 1930s as a lodge that hosted visitors such as Clark Gable and Milton Berle, El Chorro is known for exquisite beef, fish and chicken entrées, and world-famous sticky buns. MORE INFO Elements: Executive chef Beau MacMillan of Food Network fame utilizes fresh, local and seasonal ingredients at this restaurant. MORE INFO
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We-Ko-Pa Golf Club jaw-dropping mountain vistas in every direction. Golfweek ranks the Saguaro course No. 67 in America’s top 100 modern courses and ranks We-Ko-Pa Golf Club the facility’s two courses as the No. The We-Ko-Pa story starts with 1 and No. 4 rated public access its incomparable setting. Locat- courses in the state of Arizona. A ed on the eastern edge of Scott- 21,000 square foot clubhouse feasdale, We-Ko-Pa is blessed with turing a full-service restaurant, bar
and expansive patio completes a golf experience free of homes, commercial development and even out-of-bounds stakes. INFO: wekopa.com
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world class dining. INFO: troonnorthgolf.com
Photos courtesy of Scottsdale CVB. Visit experiencescottsdalegolf.com for more info.
Indoor Golf Facilities Don’t let the cold weather prevent you from enjoying golf! There are plenty of great indoor golf options throughout the state, including these below:
Bogies Indoor Golf Club
Fairways
1501 Mitchell Dr. Oswego, IL 60543 2091 63rd St. Downers Grove, IL 60515 WEBSITE
1141 W. Armitage Chicago, IL 60614 (773) 698-6020 WEBSITE
Golf Academy at Terra Cotta
Golf Learning Center
Green Garden Golf Dome
Just Fore Fun Golf Center
Links & Tees Golf Dome
McQ’s Sports Dome
5200 Pleasant Hill Rd. Prairie Grove, IL 60012 (815) 355-4225 WEBSITE
9511 West Manhattan-Monee Rd. Frankfort, IL 60423 (815) 469-3350 WEBSITE
800 W. Lake St. Addison, IL 60101 (630) 458-2660 WEBSITE
1304 Cross Creek Dr. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 829-4653 WEBSITE
301 Eisner Dr. Champaign, IL 61822 (217) 403-4653 WEBSITE
730 N Bolingbrook Dr. Bolingbrook, IL 60440 (630) 739-7600 WEBSITE
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WWW.CDGA.ORG
Mistwood Performance Center
Score 18
1700 W. Renwick Rd. Romeoville, IL 60446 (815) 254-5773 WEBSITE
1466 E. Chicago Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 (630) 848-7200 WEBSITE
Studio 59 at Piper Glen Golf Club
White Pines Golf Dome
7112 Piper Glen Dr. Springfield, IL 62711 (217) 483-6537 WEBSITE
Mistwood Performance Center - Romeoville
500 W Jefferson St. Bensenville, IL 60106 (630) 422-1060 WEBSITE
Golf Academy at Terra Cotta - Prairie Grove
FEEL THE SUN IN SUNNY ARIZONA Contact our courses below to make your experience special with advantages like best rates, great stay & play specials and MORE! TEGAVAH Par 4, 18th Hole
ASU KARSTEN asukarsten.com/gw/ 480.921.8070
LONGBOW longbowgolf.com/gw 480.807.5400
EAGLE MOUNTAIN eaglemtn.com/gw 480.816.1234
RAVEN GC- PHOENIX ravenphx.com/gw 602.243.3636
PALM VALLEY palmvalleygolf.com/gw 623.935.2500
SEDONA GOLF RESORT sedonagolfresort.com/fore 928.284.9355
MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN mcdowellmountaingc.com 480.502.8200
TEGAVAH tegavahgolf.com/gw 480.471.3232
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Discover your winter golf escape at Indian Wells
Celebrity Course, #14
Two 18-hole championship golf courses ranked in the Top 25 Municipal Courses in the U.S. PGA Tour Skins Game ‘07 & ’08
Golf Channel’s Big Break ‘11
Trip Advisor’s Top 10 Best Reviewed Golf Resorts Grab a cold one at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells after unlimited golf at the Indian Wells Golf Resort with 19th Hole Golf Package. Package includes unlimited golf and $50 dining credit BOOK NOW at indianwells.hyatt.com Use OFFER CODE IWCDGA to reserve this special package
888.753.1270