It's not basketball season, but some big news came out of the Geneva girls basketball program today.

Athletic director Jim Kafer announced the hiring of longtime sophomore coach Sarah Meadows as the new varsity head coach, and then the family of junior Ashley Santos announced that the 86th rated player in the country (for the class of 2012) verbally committed to Marquette University.

The Beacon News reported today that Aurora Christian Schools has been sued for the rest of a loan payment.

No one knows yet if this means the school won't make it through the summer - but if it doesn't, there will be a very, very talented senior class of athletes looking for a new school to finish out their high school career.

Stay tuned.

In today's Front Nine golf page in the Beacon News, I highly recommended making The French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind. the place you should head to for a "stay and play" golf getaway this summer.

Unfortunately, not everything can get in print, so here is what couldn't make it to black and white.

The Resort

What you see here is the atrium in the lobby of the West Baden Springs Hotel, which is nothing short of a marvel. You can see some of the balconies overlooking the space, which is a great view.
(I can only speak on the West Baden, as I did not stay at the French Lick Springs Hotel - although I did visit the lobby just to check out the look. Built at the turn of the 20th century, the only way to describe it is "they just don't make 'em like this anymore.")
Back to the West Baden - I was able to stay in one of those rooms overlooking the atrium, which was spacious and included a bath with two showers. Room service was quick and the food was amazing!
I also ate at Sinclair's, a wonderful restaurant with an atmosphere you don't see very often here. "Resort casual" was the dress code, but the place carries the feel of fine dining.
Mrs. SportsBeacon took time out to visit The Spa at West Baden, and she raved about the massage and facial treatment she received. She also thoroughly enjoyed her time at The Stables, which included a guided trail ride around the hilly terrain of the hotel.

Later on in the trip, we both visited the casino - we didn't have any luck - but we enjoyed the space, and the availability of affordable tables. For those of us now used to smoke-free gambling, French Lick offers a spacious non-smoking gaming room that includes table games and computer poker games.

The Golf

I made my affinity for The Donald Ross Course (below) known in my column, but I must admit - I'm a traditionalist when it comes to my golf courses. I love Ross designs, but I really do enjoy any layout built in the early 20th century. I just find that those tracks make you play golf, from tee to green, and this course does do that.
I mentioned the frustrating fairway rough, as I did lose 5 balls just off the fairway, and it wasn't just me - I found other balls near where I thought mine had landed, and other players on the course were having similar difficulty. It's never fun to be penalized with a "LB" if you just miss a fairway, so make sure to keep a sharp eye on where you see your ball land.

Aside from that, I had no complaints with the Ross. The design was sublime, as was the course's condition. It totally fits with the Resort's overall feel - a step back in time.

Then, you have The Pete Dye Course.....

This course hosted last year's PGA Professionals National Championship (won by Aurora native and Illinois golf coach Mike Small) and is definitely a championship layout in the modern era of golf.

It's big, it's beastly, and as I said in my column, you'll need your driver to be working to get around without too much stress.

You are required to take a caddy on The Dye, and while that can be intimidating (and oftentimes, an irritating mandate for most public golfers), you need it here. The visual deception that Dye is famous for can really play tricks with not only your eyes, but your mind. There are some holes where you swear it's 800 yards long, or you really don't know where to hit it - having a well-trained caddy is definitely a good thing.

I didn't find too many of the bunkers on either course, which is because I was smart enough (wink, wink) to play the right set of tees and therefore, avoided some of the hazards Ross and Dye designed for longer hitters off back tees. But, the result was narrower landing areas or mounds that could shoot your ball off on various angles - but that's golf.
(I did not get a chance to take a look at The Valley Links Course, but it's sawed off Tom Bendelow design that looks like a great way to get in a quick 9 holes or practice session while the Mrs./girlfriend is taking a historical tour or a qiuck dip in the pool).

And down there, I can say it's truly great golf.

While French Lick seems a world away in southern Indiana, it's not a bad drive once you get out of the west suburbs. The highway travel is smooth and easy, especially once you get out of Illinois and the speed limit hits 70.
If you're more inclined to fly, there are options. If flying privately, there is an airport near the Ross course. If you're flying commercially, you'd head into Louisville and then head north for about 70 minutes to get to the resort.

Geneva QB Matt Williams has verbally committed to Northern Illinois University.

I give you the greatest wedding in television history....no....the history of the world itself.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald tapped into the Southwest suburbs for the second time in recent years, securing a verbal commitment from Plano's Joseph Jones - the first Division I commitment in the area for the Class of 2012.

"The only thing is he won't have to change colors now heading to Northwestern - just the letters 'P' to 'N'," Reapers coach Jim Green said.
The two-time state champion coach said that in Plano football history, the school has had a player in the 1960's go on to play at Arkansas State and a player in the 1970's go to Middle Tennessee State before Nick Nasti went to Eastern Illinois a few years ago.
"As far as I know, this is number one," Green said.

In 2008 Fitzgerald recruited Oswego RB Tim Riley and converted him to linebacker. Jones will be converted to defensive back.

Jones played in just 2 full games last season with a broken leg, which he injured early in Week 3. But, after proving himself healthy this spring, Northwestern saw all they needed to see.

Want to see Jones in action?
Check out the videos:
Highlight video 1

highlight video 2

Sun-Times Media Network recruiting analyst Tom Lemming says Oswego QB Ryan West (pictured) and Aurora Christian QB Anthony Maddie are two of the top recruits in the state heading into their senior seasons

The Panthers missed the playoffs last season while the Eagles were sent home early. This is a big season for both programs, and they will be leaning on their senior QBs to put up big numbers.

Coach Dave Rakow has really got something going over at Marmion Academy - the Cadets locked up a share of their third straight conference title with a win over Walther Lutheran Thursday afternoon in Melrose Park.
The Cadets advanced to a super-sectional last year and lost not only their ace, but four other regular starters in the lineup. Yet, they reload again and are in good shape heading into the postseason.

One of Aurora's top public courses - and one of the best in the state - hosted a U.S. Open regional qualifier on Monday, drawing some of the best local professionals and amateurs from the area.

The wind picked up but the course was really in fine shape and more than held its own as some of these pro's really took some body blows getting around the course.

That said - we would never play the course the way it was set up for these guys. The rough was allowed to grow for a week or so, and the greens were cut and rolled quite a few times leading into the event.

But, if you feel brave enough, tip it out and give it a go - and see how you might have fared!

which is The French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana - check out an upcoming Beacon News Front Nine golf for a stay-and-play story on the phenomenal golf in southern Indiana.

Thanks to the CDGA for keeping us posted on the final round of the 20th Public Links Championship at Foxford Hills in Cary.

After spending most of the back nine trying to figure where he stood in the final group and field as a whole, Aurora's John Wright took matters into his own hands, carding the low round of the tournament, a one-under 71, to win the 20th Illinois State Public Links Championship at Foxford Hills Golf Club in Cary. Today's victory is Wright's third in the event, having previously won across town at Chalet Hills in 2000 and at Oak Grove in '08.

"I hit the ball solid all day and played well, but, I made the mistake of asking on 17 where I stood," Wright said. "I made my worst swing of the day on 18, but ended up being able to get up and down to save par."

First round co-leader and two-time CDGA Senior Player of the Year Dave Ryan of Taylorville carded a 74 to finish tied for second with Thomas O'Bryan of Aurora and Palatine's Chadd Slutzky--who matched Wright's 71 on Tuesday for low round of the event. The trio finished two strokes behind Wright with a cumulative score of 146.

Ryan's fellow co-leader after 18 holes, 17-year old Nick Robles of Crystal Lake, shot a final round 77 in the day's last group to finish tied for fifth.

The victory makes Wright only the second player to ever win the State Public Links more than twice, joining Naperville's Mark Esposito, who won the event in 1998, 2003, '04 and '07. The four-time champion was forced to withdraw early in Monday's opening round due to injury.

"It's such a treat to win this event and a great way to start the year," Wright added.

Wright will have only a short time to celebrate the victory, as he turns around to play an event this weekend and U.S. Open Local Qualifying on Monday before facing off with 79 of the state's best mid-amateurs in the 19th Illinois State Mid-Amateur Championship at Flossmoor Country Club on May 10-11.

Final Results
1. John Wright Aurora, IL 73-71-144
2. Chadd Slutzky Palatine, IL 75-71-146
Thomas O'bryan Aurora, IL 74-72-146
Dave Ryan Taylorville, IL 72-74-146
5. Wes Zartman Elmhurst, IL 74-75-149
Nick Robles Crystal Lake, IL 72-77-149

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