SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE 2018 CHICAGOLAND GOLF SHOWS

Three golf shows over consecutive February weekends, what better way for the avid golfer to occupy a couple of dreary winter days.  Tinley Park, Grayslake and Rosemont hosted the shows, and I was there to experience the old, the new and everything in between.

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Illinois Golf Hall of fame member Frank Jemsek was at both the Tinley and Rosemont shows, and it is always a pleasure and honor to share a few words with the Cog Hill patriarch.  New for 2018 at Cog Hill is a "Senior Club", where golfers 60 and over receive discounted rates.  But make sure you read the fine print: Good only on courses 1 & 3, anytime Monday - Thursday and Friday before 10 am.  You'll save $13 a round, which means you'll have to play twice to get your $25 club membership fee back, but a good deal for Cog Hill regulars.

On the flip side, Mistwood in Romeoville is removing the Senior card fee in 2018, so you won't have to pony up $20 to enjoy Senior rates at one of the top Windy City facilities.  Seniors 60 and over can play Monday - Thursday anytime and Friday - Sunday after 2 pm for $65, which includes cart and range balls, a good price at Golf Magazine's 2014 renovation of the year for public courses.  But Mistwood is a very walkable layout, so if you can still hoof it at 60, save the $15 and have a sandwich at McWethy's Tavern in the clubhouse.

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The local golf tours were well represented in Rosemont, with the Golfweek Amateur Tour (GWAT), the North American Golf Tour (NAGT) and the Bridges Golf Tour (BGT) in attendance.  The tours basically work the same way: Pay a membership fee, which provides access to the events sponsored by the tour throughout the year.  Each event requires an entry fee, which covers greens fees, administrative costs and prize money.  If you like competition, joining an amateur tour may be a viable option. Check out my story about the amateur golf tours from a few years ago... No "Gimme's" Here...Windy City Amateur Tours Offer Competitive Golf for All Skill Levels

The NAGT is sponsored by Tito's Vodka, and shots were readily available at 9:30 for those so inclined.  Tito's is also sponsoring the United States Golf Challenge, a 2 player team event that feeds into a national championship at the Disney World golf courses at the end of September, with the winners playing in a Ryder Cup style event against a team from Ireland. For more details go to www.usgolfchallenge.com

The Award for "Best Pitchman Who Could Sell an Icebox to an Eskimo" goes to Jimmie Page of the BGT, who talked without seemingly taking a breath about his tour.  If the long term fortunes of the BGT is dependent on his energy and salesman skills, then it will be wildly successful!

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Golf resorts far outnumber the local courses when it comes to representation, and along with instate facilities like Eagle Ridge in Galena, destinations in over a dozen states and the Caribbean were in attendance.  The "You Came Here from There Award?" goes to Sebert Walker, the head pro at the Rosehall estate in Jamaica.  I played the White Witch and Cinnamon Hill, the 2 courses at Rosehall neart Montego Bay, back in 2016, and magnificent ocean views and soaring elevation changes made these layouts as must plays for the adventurous golfer.  Read all about Jamaica golf at "YEH, MON", WORLD CLASS GOLF AWAITS IN MAJESTIC JAMAICA

The "Living Your Dream" award goes to Tim Chrzan.  A veteran golf course manager in Iowa, Tim and his son Jason looked at 41 different golf course properties before he purchased the former Stone Creek golf course in downstate Makanda, just south of Carbondale.  After an influx of cash to bring the course back to playability, the newly named Keller's Crossing at Stone Creek is open for business.

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The "Why Didn't I Think of That" award winner is Bill Mondrella, the owner of Hat Hub.  A rounded piece of molded plastic and a cord to hold the caps in place, and no more crushed, bent or creased caps.  Simple and effective...

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GolfTec has training centers across North America, providing lessons and club fitting with the mission "To Help People Play Better Golf", and goodness knows that this 20 handicapper needs plenty of help!  There are 6 locations in Chicagoland, and they were offering free analysis of swings in Rosemont. The "That Can't Possibly Be My Swing" award was won seconds after reviewing my swing on the monitor, but instead of going home and selling my clubs, I chalked up the mess I saw to several months of inaction.  But a few hours at GolfTec might be needed to fix what I saw...

A more local option for swing analysis and improvement is FitGolf Performance Center in Chicago.  Betsy Voyles is a Physical Therapist and a certified Golf Fitness Instructor who has been featured in a number of national publications. Plus she has a dry sense of humor that will make you smile!

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The "When Is a Golf Show Not a Golf Show" award goes to the Northern Illinois Golf Show in Grayslake.  There were 2 local courses (Shepherd's Crook in Zion and Foss Park in North Chicago) represented, and when there are more home improvement vendors than golf vendors, the 2 year old show needs help.  But my 60 mile drive from Lemont wasn't a total loss as I met up with 2 of my golf buddies and had lunch at Emil's Sports Bar in Mundelein,  Great conversation and the brisket smoked on site was delicious!

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I grew up in Oak Lawn and have always had a special love for the south side courses, and many were in attendance at the snowy Tinley show.  Balmoral Woods, Cardinal Creek, Glenwoodie, Odyssey, Lincoln Oaks, Gleneagles and Green Garden all offer great rates and fun layouts.  Lincoln Oaks was promoting a weekday rate in the mid $20's, and this is a great price point at a hidden classic that weaves through a nostalgic neighborhood in south suburban Crete.

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I've rarely seen anyone make one of the long putt challenges at the shows, but I saw a golfer at the Tinley show make not one, but 2 of the monster putts.  The unnamed master putter wins the "I Want Him on My Scramble Team" award.

After missing three 5 foot putts at the Xfinity booth, I was inspired me to look for a new putter (because I know it can't be my skill level), and soon after I came across Ember Exotic Wood Putters.  The putters are all designed and handmade by husband/wife duo Mike and Barb Keith, and they were gorgeous!  I picked out a flat blade made with 6 exotic hardwoods, and if practice in my family room is any indication, I'll be sinking putts I could only dream of before.  The "I May Not Putt Well but I'll Look Good Trying" award will be firmly in my back pocket!

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And the final award goes to Carbondale Tourism for the "Best Handout", for as much as I like Snickers bars, a bottle of hand sanitizer is so appropriate during cold and flu season!

Let the golf season begin!