any years in the planning and thou- sands of unforgettable experiences in the making, the CDGA’s Three- Hole Sunshine Course and MI*Mag*Jen Clubhouse were formally dedicated Sunday, June 6, under bright blue skies and an appropriately blazing sun. The dedication ceremonies featured a major announcement underscoring how significant the Sunshine Course and the Sunshine Through Golf program are to the Foundation’s ambitions. On June 6, the Foundation’s name officially changed to the Sunshine Through Golf Foundation. CDGA president Robert Berry unveiled the Foundation’s new logo: a smiling golf ball reflecting sun rays. The 500-yard, par-3 Sunshine Course rests on the grounds of the Midwest Golf House in Lemont, across the street from Cog Hill Golf & (Above, L to R) Billy McEnery, Frank Jemsek and Bob Berry take the Country Club. The course was conceived and ceremonial first tee shots on the Three-Hole Sunshine Course. built for the express purpose of serving those (Opposite) Head golf professional at Village Greens, Brandon Evans, assists who might otherwise never tap the benefits of a Sunshine Through Golf participant in playing the Sunshine Course on the game, including beginners, juniors, individu- June 6. als with disabilities, minorities and the economi- cally disadvantaged. Speaking to an audience of 200 comprising Sunshine Through developers will use the course to assess a wide variety of turf- Golf participants, CDGA members and their families, and repre- grasses grown on tees, greens and demonstration plots across sentatives of the organizations that will benefit from the Sunshine the links. “While golfers play,” Berry stated of the project, “turf- by Neal Kotlarek Course, Berry talked about a new beginning for the Foundation grass research is taking place.” and the completion of the Midwest Golf House project. The course serves still another role as an arboretum. Trees, “What you see here today was little more than a dream of the shrubs, flowers and grasses planted across the Midwest Golf CDGA board of directors four years ago,” Berry said. “A prairie House property are a resource to CDGA member clubs along with made up of dirt, gravel and a little grass is now a golf course… nurseries, landscapers and other green industry associations. Today, the dream has become a reality.” Berry’s speech was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony Berry cited the hard work of staff members and volunteers for the new clubhouse located a few steps south of the first tee. involved in all phases of the project. He extended personal Maggie McEnery, who along with daughter Jennifer thanks to the Jemsek family for the donation of the property Christopher founded and runs I*Mag*Jen Charities, spoke used for the golf course and the Midwest Golf House; Brent movingly of the project’s ambitions. “Here’s wishing years and Wadsworth, who donated his time and created an endowment years of happiness to the children who will come and play fund supporting the project; and I*Mag*Jen Charities, which here,” she said. donated funding for the clubhouse. Following the ceremony, McEnery talked about the gift as After describing the golf course and its 12,000-square-foot the culmination of an amazing week in her family’s life. “My putting green, Berry reflected on the Sunshine Through Golf pro- gram and its mission. “The program began as one camp with 10 participants,” Berry said. “The gates of the Sunshine Course are now open to its 700 members.” The USGA recognizes the Sunshine Through Golf program as the largest grassroots golf program for individuals with dis- abilities in the country. The Foundation launched the program in 1999 with the ambition of introducing golf to those who might not otherwise participate in the game. This teaching- camp series has grown in participation each of its first five years. This year, the program extends to 50 public and private golf courses and reaches 700 physically and developmentally impaired children and adults, including stroke victims, amputee golfers and individuals with Down Syndrome. Along with its primary role of introducing and hosting golf for local groups and associations that serve its constituencies, the course will serve as the largest living turf-research laboratory in the nation. Green industry associations and golf course JULY/ AUGUST 2004 15 daughter had a baby earlier in the week,” bunker. The finishing hole plays between garnering attention from diverse Chicago- she said. “The swan on our golf course 60 and 190 yards, slightly uphill. “This is area groups. “Over each of the next three sentryworld Golf Course (Green Garden G.C. in Frankfort) gave my first solo course as a designer,” weeks after the grand opening, we are Is your business looking for Wisconsin’s golf treasure birth. My son got accepted to Notre Jemsek said. “I’m really proud of the way hosting the Chicago Public Schools, the affluent, passionate golfers? Dame. And now the clubhouse is opened the course turned out.” Physically Limited Golf Association and You just found them! They’re for everyone to enjoy.” Brent Wadsworth, president and three of our teaching camps.” reading Chicago District Golfer, Also highlighting the celebration was a founder of Wadsworth Construction, Alfred added that the donation of two just as you are! ceremonial shot off the first tee launched talked about the mission of the golf course. state-of-the-art single-rider golf carts by Sunshine Through Golf program par- “I’ve been to hundreds of golf course grand will open up the golf course to players ticipant Laura Klick, who watched in openings,” he said, “but this one is really who might have been previously unable delight as her ball settled on the back left special with all these young kids out here to access putting greens. “The carts side of the green. She was followed on on all the greens and all the tees.” allow physically limited golfers to putt the tee by Frank Jemsek of Jemsek Golf, Among the CDGA’s allied associations while sitting in the carts,” he said. America’s Premier Golf Publishing CDGA president Berry and Billy McEnery that are expected to utilize the golf course “These lightweight carts can move and Marketing Company Signature Flower Hole No. 16 of I*Mag*Jen Charities. as an education, rehabilitative, therapeutic across the greens without damaging Visit us at www.tpgsports.com, or call 1-800-597-5656 ❂ STEVENS POINT, Wisconsin The Sunshine Course layout is a Joe T. or recreational tool are: Illinois Special them.” The carts were donated by Designed by Robert Jemsek design; Wadsworth Construction Olympics, Indiana Special Olympics, Nadler Golf Car Sales. Trent Jones II, DULUTH actually built the course. The younger National Amputee Golf Association, Cog Tee times at the Sunshine Course are SentryWorld is a 255 MI. EAGLE RIVER Jemsek attended the dedication cere- Hill Junior Program, The First Tee and reserved for organized programs and championship golf 115 MI. MINNEAPOLIS monies and spoke of his involvement in Physically Limited Golf Association. special-needs groups. For more informa- ST. PAUL course with acres of 195 MI. EAU CLAIRE the project. “It’s a golf course everyone According to Todd Alfred, director of the tion and updated schedules on Sunshine 110 MI. spring-fed lakes, GREEN BAY 90 MI. can enjoy,” he said. “From certain tees on Sunshine Through Golf program, the Through Golf camps and the Sunshine LA CROSSE WIS DELLS native birch trees and 120 MI. OSHKOSH every hole, you can putt the ball all the opening of the golf course signals “a new Course, visit the CDGA Web site 76 MI. 75 MI. majestic green pines. way to the green if you want to.” The era” for the program. “Since the camps (www.cdga.org) or contact the Foundation MADISON MILWAUKEE 110 MI. 150 MI. course begins with a modest 100-yard started, they’ve been held at golf properties offices at 630-257-2005. DUBUQUE Call today! 190 MI. CHICAGO hole featuring a large rolling green and all across the area,” he said. “Now, we have 245 MI. gets progressively longer. The second a place where members can come to us.” Neal Kotlarek is a regular contributor to 601 N. Michigan Ave. • Stevens Point, WI 54481 hole incorporates wetlands and a sand Alfred stated that the new course is already Chicago District Golfer. 1-866-479-6753 • sentryworld.com CLASSIC DESIGN BY ROBERT TRENT JONES,JR. The vision of a great architect is complemented by the latest in GPS technology that enhances the experience of our traditional links-style layout. Call or visit our web site to book your tee time today! Prairie Landing Gol f 2325 Longest Driv e West Chicago, IL 60185 (630) 208-7600 www.prairielanding.com 16 WWW. CDGA. ORG JULY/ AUGUST 2004 17 Study in intensity: Tiger reads a green at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah CC. or most people, Tiger Woods burst onto Chicago’s golf scene when he won the 1997 Western Open, his final round remembered more for the thou- sands of fans who walked behind him down the last 150 yards of Dubsdread’s 18th fairway than for the 4-under-par 68 Fhe scored to break a 54-hole tie with Justin a Leonard and Loren Roberts. The 68 set up the postcard moment at Cog Hill, but pictures have a way of super- seding statistics, and even a collection of superb shots, which Woods stitched together on that steamy Sunday in Lemont, plays second best in the mind’s iger eye seven summers later. Indelible though it was, that was not Woods’ first appearance in the Western Open, or even in Chicago.