No private golf club in Florida matches up with The Legacy

[caption id="attachment_1390" align="alignnone" width="584"]Bob Foisie's The Legacy Bob Foisie’s The Legacy offers many activities that other Florida golf clubs don’t.[/caption] By Len Ziehm PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida – The Legacy may be the most intriguing course in golf-rich Florida. Located in a community that has five 18-holers in close proximity to each other, The Legacy – the only private course among the five — has been around for 32 years and has hosted local qualifiers for many U.S. Opens and other national tournaments. Its designers carry a highly respected name in course architecture circles and its most progressive 82-year old owner has made upgrades that make his club both special and unique. (more…)

Re-opening of Dye Course underscores progress made at PGA Golf Club

[caption id="attachment_1383" align="alignnone" width="584"]PGA Golf Club Pete Dye course Pete Dye’s bunkers were the talk of the day at the re-opening of the Dye Course at PGA Golf Club.[/caption] By Len Ziehm PORT ST. LUCIE, Florida – The PGA Golf Club is the winter home of the PGA of America’s 28,000 members. It’s also one of just two facilities in America that the PGA operates, the other being Valhalla – the organization’s premier tournament venue in Louisville, Ky. PGA Golf Club, with its four 18-hole courses plus a six-hole short course and elaborate learning center, is one of the nation’s top golf resorts. That’s why this week’s re-opening of its Dye Course will have an immediate impact on the game nation-wide. Visitors, both from all parts of the U.S. as well as other countries, will soon be arriving here with a new, most attractive playing option. (more…)

Eaglewood, Appropriately Named “The Little Green Menace”, Delivers!

By Jim Zuccarelli Eaglewood 1st HoleOne glance at the Eaglewood scorecard and doubts immediately popped into my mind. A par 72 course that tops out at a few steps over 6,000 yards is plenty long for this 20 handicap golfer, but how does it defend itself against better golfers armed with 21st century technology? Surprisingly, pretty well, as the resort course in Itasca more than holds its own against all but the very best players. The 60 plus bunkers are menacingly deep and ideally placed, the three ponds and meandering creek at the north end of the course are true hazards, and the sloping greens are perilous from above the hole. (more…)

Another Inkster, Johnson duel at The Legends Championship?

By Len Ziehm [caption id="attachment_1362" align="alignnone" width="584"]Practicing at The Legends Championship The storm is coming, but Legends’ players kept on practicing after their rounds at Pete Dye Course.[/caption] FRENCH LICK, Ind. - Becky Iverson started fast, Juli Inkster finished strong and Trish Johnson’s consistency was critical. In the end they shared the lead after Saturday’s first round of The Legends Championship on the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort. Rounds started off both the Nos. 1 and 10 tees after afternoon rains entered the weather forecast and the last players putted out before the weather turned bad. (more…)

UL International Crown – On-site spectator experiences

Merit-Club

By Audrey Wayne, KemperLesnik

On-site elements at 2016 tournament deliver exciting viewing experiences for juniors, families and golf fans

2016-UL-International-Crown-4cGURNEE, Ill. (July 6, 2016) – Fans at the 2016 UL International Crown can find food, fun, learning opportunities and more when the LPGA comes to town July 19-24 at the Merit Club in Gurnee, Illinois.

From charity initiatives and free admission for kids and military personnel to an energizing first tee environment, the LPGA is committed to bringing fans closer to the world’s best female players to deliver a memorable spectator experience at this major, international competition. (more…)

Arlington Lakes has upped its game to improve yours

Arlington Lakes Golf Club carts Anita M. Pacheco, Superintendent of Marketing and Communications Arlington Heights Park District Located in the heart of the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Arlington Lakes Golf Club boasts a rich tradition of being the kind of golf course people love to call home. The Arlington Lakes Golf Club has undergone an extensive renovation and its new features and trends have re-awakened the 36-year old municipal golf course, which once served as a Nike Missile Base. The NEW Arlington Lakes Golf Club's, 90-acres course offers something for every golfer. The course features strategically placed, fescue edged bunkers that bring a natural look to the course. Living up to its name, water comes into play on nine of the holes. You will find its design will truly test your skills as a golfer. (more…)

Life. Liberty. And the pursuit of great golf.

GolfVisions 4th of July July 4th falls on a Monday this year, which means a bona fide 3-day weekend to celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of great golf! Throughout the GolfVisions Chicagoland family of courses, we are offering plenty of (Yankee Doodle) Dandy specials to enhance your celebration. Please click on course name below to view offers for that course and book online through the facility website. Or call the course to reserve your tee time! ** NORTH/NORTHWEST ** Foxford Hills Golf Club, Cary, IL 18 distinctly spectacular holes amidst an atmosphere that evokes Carolina resort golf, close to home in the NW suburbs. 847-639-0400. (more…)

A new look for golf instruction at Grand Traverse

[caption id="attachment_1275" align="alignnone" width="584"]Mark Hill Grand Traverse Golf Academy Mark Hill believes the most effective golf instruction is done on the course.[/caption] Len Ziehm on GolfBy Len Ziehm ACME, Michigan – The structural changes at Grand Traverse were made last year when owners of the 30-year old resort spent $7 million to renovate the tower that is the facility’s centerpiece. Grand Traverse has three courses on its 1,400 acres and the resort features 660 rooms, diverse restaurants and lounges and 49,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space, unique shops, health club and spa, children’s center and beach club. Last year’s upgrades were – most understandingly – very well received and they’ll keep Grand Traverse in the forefront of U.S. golf destinations for many years to come. That was last year, this is now. (more…)

A big change is coming at Michigan’s Inn at Bay Harbor

[caption id="attachment_1267" align="alignnone" width="584"]The Inn at Bay Harbor is undergoing a three-stage renovation that will make it even more upscale. The Inn at Bay Harbor is undergoing a three-stage renovation that will make it even more upscale.[/caption] Len Ziehm on GolfBy Len Ziehm BAY HARBOR, Michigan – This is anniversary time for Boyne Golf, the biggest golf course conglomerate in the Midwest. It has 10 courses among its three northern Michigan resorts and two are celebrating milestones in 2016. The Heather course at Boyne Highlands – the Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that got the golf boom started in the area – is marking its 50th season and the most upscale of the Boyne layouts – Bay Harbor – is marking its 20th season. (more…)

Your PGA Club Pro: Facts, Fallacies, Function and Family

[caption id="attachment_1253" align="alignnone" width="584"]Steve Dell, PGA and Family Left to Right: PGA Class-A Professional Steve Dell, his wife, Shellie, and their dog, Gracie.[/caption] Contributed by Michelle Zaberdac, freelance correspondent As the PGA of America turns 100 years old, avid golfers have likely seen many changes in the game, at their home course, within its staff and in the industry as a whole. Have you ever thought about what goes into running a club? Have you ever envisioned being a club pro as a “dream job?” I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with 25-year veteran, PGA Class-A Professional Steve Dell, about his career and how it all came together for him. (more…)