The IPGA Match Play Championship finals are today at Kemper Lakes Golf Club - definitely work swinging by if you're in the area. There is nothing like match play, especially when played by the best around.
But the big news of the week was the "official" kickstart to the Western Golf Association's season here in the Chicago area with its "introduction" of Conway Farms as the host of the 2009 tournament on Aug. 3-8 in Lake Forest.
Read on to see a list of notable past champions, runners-up and stroke play medalists...
We have a ton of events in Illinois this year following the Match Play ...
June 4-7: LPGA Tour's State Farm Classic in Springfield
July 9-12: PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Silvis
July 10-11; 18-19: Aurora City Championship at Fox Valley Golf Club & Phillips Park
July 27-29: Illinois Open at Hawthorn Woods
August 3-8: Western Amateur in Lake Forest
August 21-23: LPGA Tour's Solheim Cup in Sugar Grove
Aug.31-Sept. 2: IPGA Championship in Grayslake
Sept. 10-13: PGA Tour's BMW Championship in Lemont
Sept. 12-17: USGA's U.S. Senior Amateur in Chicago
Sugar Grove resident and Mistwood Golf Club Director of Golf Dan Phillips offered up some great tips of the week, including this one for getting over water hazards...
You may not realize this but, when there is water or out of bounds on a hole, the last thing that most players look at before making their swing is the water or out of bounds. The brain will only do what you program it to do. If you look at water and not the intended target, then the intended target becomes water. Always make sure that your last look is where you want the golf ball to go, your target.
But he also offered up these outstanding tips - with some humor too
How to win today's bet.
* In golf most bets are won or lost before you even tee up your first shot. Negotiation is the key to success. Do not let your ego get in the way. Make a true evaluation of how you have been playing against your opponents recent rounds. During your round never give up a shot or a hole, keep playing until the ball is holed.
Play it safe and make sure you hit the fairway even if it means taking less club, your driver can cost you a bet but it will never win one. Look to the center of the green for your approaches and don't short side yourself going after sucker pins.
Remember these tips and your pockets will become full again, unless you and I are in a match. Then forget what you read and I get ten aside with automatic one down presses.
* Three keys to green side sand bunker play.
1. Use the bounce not the leading edge of your sand wedge to strike the sand and have the sand push the ball onto the green.
2. Strike the sand approximately two inches behind the ball.
3. Always finish your swing.
If these three tips do not work for you, this last one will. When no one is looking put your sand wedge in one hand and in the other pick up your ball and a hand full of sand.
Next, as you are swinging the club with one hand, use the other to throw the sand and your golf ball onto the green. Quickly put both hands on the club and hold your finish. If you are playing for money and someone catches you never, I repeat never, mention my name.
Speaking of Mistwood - which is a quick jaunt for us west suburbanites -
Here's another cool thing about Mistwood - they do a Cubs-Sox crosstown match play for the two sides to duke it out on the golf course.
And, besides that, it benefits a great cause.
This from Dan Bradley: The Crosstown Classic is Mistwood's most popular event. It is a unique golf tournament that allows Cubs fans to compete against Sox fans on the golf course in a two-person scramble format, with two Sox fans against two Cubs fans in each group. Contestants are encouraged to wear their fan gear for the event, and to participate in the numerous pre-game festivities which in the past have included contests such as a long drive with a corked bat and a disco record toss. Participants will "line-up" for the national anthem and fireworks, and the billy goat will once again be present to curse the Cubs contestants.
A charity raffle as well as a live and silent auction will be held during dinner, and all money raised will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House near Advocate Hope Children's Hospital. We are currently in the process of securing donations for auction.
Read on for a great video of the event...
As for when the event is: We hold the tournament one time every year. It originally was scheduled during one of the times the Cubs and Sox played each other, but those dates don't work out every year. This year it is on Friday, May 29th so it will not be during the actual games.
Why the Western Am is a must see....and why the program is a must-save
Notable Western Amateur champions
Jack Nicklaus (1961)
Tom Weiskopf (1963)
Lanny Wadkins (1970)
Andy North (1971)
Ben Crenshaw (1973)
Curtis Strange (1974)
Hal Sutton (1980)
Scott Verplank (1985)
Chris DiMarco (1988)
Phil Mickelson (1991)
Justin Leonard (1992, 1993)
Tiger Woods (1994)
Notable runner ups
David Ogrin (1980)
Rocco Mediate (1984)
Craig Perks (1987)
Justin Leonard (1991)
Ben Curtis (2000)
Notable troke play medalists
Tom Kite (1970)
Tom Watson (co-medalist; 1971)
Ben Crenshaw (1972-73)
Curtis Strange (1974)
Mark O'Meara (1980)
Scott Verplank (1984-85)
Phil Mickelson (1991)
Camilo Villegas (co-medalist; 2002)
Here's a great video of the Crosstown Match Play at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville...
Rick Armstrong 
Jim Owczarski 
Mike Knapp 
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