Next show stop, Tinley Park

Writing from Chicago

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The season for golf shows in the Chicago area continues on Friday, Feb. 17 at the Tinley Park Convention Center with the aptly-named Tinley Park Golf Expo. The three-day run begins at noon on the aforementioned Friday. Admission is $5 on Friday, $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Parking is free all three days. There will be a big demo area, big hitter Joe Hajduch will show you how to hit the ball out of the building, and someone will win golf for life at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, one of the show's backers.

The following weekend will find the Chicago Golf Show back at its usual stand, the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Admission prices are identical to the Tinley show, but parking in the mammoth Rosemont garage will set you back $11 or so. Chip Beck's on the teaching stage Friday, with Craig Stadler there Saturday and Sunday.

Which show is better to go to? It's hard to say, given that Tinley's expo is the inaugural edition. The place is all but sold out of exhibition space, while the Rosemont show has rebounded in the last couple of years. It may be worth hitting both.

And, for the really ambitious with gas in their tank, this Friday starts a three-day run for the West Michigan Golf Show at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Friday's hours are from 3-8 p.m. Central time, with doors opening Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. Central. Don't say we didn't warn you.

– Tim Cronin

Golf Show season begins today

Writing from Chicago

Thursday, February 2, 2012

It's Groundhog Day, which, as all Bill Murray fans know, means repeating the same thing until you come to the last reel of the movie, or something like that. It also means the first golf show of the winter season, a new one. In contrast to the bigger shows at the Tinley Park and Rosemont convention centers, this one is focused on equipment, and is at a golf course.

Visit Cantigny Golf in Wheaton today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., where a number of manufacturers, including Titleist, TaylorMade, Nike, Cleveland, and Chicagoland-based Tour Edge and Wilson Staff, will be showing their wares for the 2012 season, less than a week after their formal introduction at the PGA show in Orlando. Admission is $10, which seems a bit steep, but prizes will be awarded every half-hour and someone will win a Cantigny foursome. Children 12 and under get in free.

– Tim Cronin

Erfurth, Heckel shoot age in PGA's senior series

Writing from Chicago

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Illinois Golf Hall of Famer Bill Erfurth and Steve Heckel, owner of Crab Orchard Golf Club in downstate Carterville, proved in the PGA’s recent Quarter Century Club Championship that age is only a number.

Heckel shot his age – 67 – by scattering six birdies in the opening round, and birdied four of his last five holes to close with a 71 for 138 at PGA Golf Club’s Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to win the 65-through 69 division of the tournament.

Erfurth, ageless though his driver’s license says 82, totaled 151 thanks to rounds of 74 and 77 to share first place in the Half-Century competition with Nunzio Ciampi, of Palm City, Fla. Each had won the title before, Erfurth two years ago, and darkness fell before a playoff could take place. They were named co-champions.

Erfurth’s rounds also tied him with Paul Kelly for first in the 80-84 age bracket, that category earning him $415. Heckel’s haul was $3,100, while mini-tour founder Jerry Tucker, who got his start in golf when Heckel gave him a job at Crab Orchard, pulled in $3,300 for capturing the 60-64 bracket.

– Tim Cronin

Welcome to Illinois Golfer!

Writing from Chicago

Monday, January 30, 2012

A hearty welcome to Illinois Golfer, dedicated to coverage of the game in Illinois and beyond. While our name has the state in it, we're interested in all things golf, inside and outside the borders of the Land of Lincoln, and especially so when Illinoisans, either native or adopted, are involved.

Watch this website for much more in the days to come! And thanks for stopping by.

– Tim Cronin

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