| by: Press Release - 3/2/2008 9:06:01 AM |
| GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Illinois PGA has announced that Hawthorn Woods (Ill.) Country Club will
serve as host for the 59th Illinois Open Championship, the largest and most prestigious event on the Illinois
PGA calendar, scheduled for July 28-30, 2008.
“We're excited to continue the long-standing tradition of conducting the Illinois Open on a
championship-caliber golf course,” said Illinois PGA Executive Director Michael Miller. “Hawthorn Woods,
while relatively new on the Chicago golf scene, is a premier Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course that will
provide a stern test to the state's top amateur and professional players. The 7100-yard course flows through
forest and wetlands and brings into play some dramatic elevation changes. I think players will truly enjoy the
golf course, and the facilities are among the best of any private club in the area.”
The 59th edition of the Illinois Open Championship will mark the first time in seven years that a course
other than The Glen Club in Glenview, Ill., will host the state championship. The Glen Club previously hosted
six consecutive Illinois Open Championships (2002-2007); Royal Fox Country Club hosted seven
(1991-1995, 2000-2001). The 60th installment of the Illinois Open Championship is tentatively scheduled for
August 3-5, 2009.
“The new venue and dates for this year's Illinois Open are changes we felt were in the best interest of
the event,” said Miller. “The earlier July dates allow us to avoid conflicts with USGA Amateur qualifying,
USGA Mid-Amateur qualifying and the 90th PGA Championship. Avoiding conflicts with these major events
helps to ensure that we have the strongest possible field and allows for greater media coverage.”
Hawthorn Woods Country Club, designed by Arnold Palmer Design Company, opened in 2006 as a
highlight of the Toll Brothers master-planned community in Lake County, Ill. A 27,000-square-foot clubhouse
is the centerpiece of the Hawthorn Woods community.
“It is quite an honor that Hawthorn Woods Country Club has been chosen to host the 2008 Illinois Open
Championship,” said Arnold Palmer. “We are very proud of the course we have designed and hope the players
and spectators enjoy the tournament.”
“Hosting a tournament that carries the prestige of the Illinois Open will mark a milestone for Hawthorn
Woods Country Club,” said Steve Lesnik, chairman of KemperSports, which owns and operates the private
club. “We look forward to working with the Illinois PGA to provide a championship golf experience and a true
test of skill for the finest players in the state.”
University of Illinois men’s head golf coach Mike Small captured the 58th Illinois Open Championship,
his third consecutive and fourth overall, with a two-stroke victory over 2008 PGA Tour rookie Kevin Streelman
and amateur Joe Cermak. Small earned $19,924 – the largest first place award in the history of the event – from
a total purse of $85,735. Small’s four titles (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) are second only to Gary Pinns' five.
Administered by the Illinois PGA since 1950, the Illinois Open has historical roots dating back to 1922.
The “state championship of golf” is a 54-hole championship contested over three days to determine the finest
player in the state of Illinois. The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less
who reside within the state of Illinois. Qualifying events conducted throughout the month of June finalize the
championship field to the top 159 players. |
