Western Amateur ready to tee off at Conway Farms
It's been quite a while, but the tournament described as "the Masters of amateur golf" by 1994 champion Tiger Woods, is back in town.
Just how long has the Western Amateur been away?
Well, the last time the prestigious event, one consistently ranked among the top five amateur tournaments in the world, was held in the area was 1952 at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.
That exile ends this week when gorgeous Conway Farms in Lake Forest serves as the host course for a tournament whose past champions include Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Hal Sutton, Scott Verplank, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and last year's champion, Danny Lee.
"As the number of amateur golf events around the world has increased significantly in recent years - especially with the growth of college golf - the Western Amateur has maintained its position in the upper echelon of international tournaments," said Vince Pellegrino, Western Golf Association vice president of tournaments.
A field of 156 of the world's top amateurs will tee it up beginning Tuesday in an event that combines stroke play and match play formats over a five-day competition.
Local players expected to compete this week include Wilson Bowen (Winnetka), Erik Ciotti (Barrington), Matthew Denison (Northbrook), 2008 Illinois Open champion Joe Emerich (Palatine), Brad Hopfinger (Lake Forest), Matthew Horwitch (Highland Park), Raymond Juskus (Woodridge), Joseph Kinney (Antioch), Kyle Kopsick (Highland Park), Tim Ratty (Northfield), Scott Rowe (Hinsdale) and Kyle Willis (Lake Forest).
Designed by famed golf course architect Tom Fazio, Conway Farms has been regarded as one of the nation's top 100 since it opened in 1991.
It has welcomed several prestigious amateur events, including the NCAA Men's championships (1997), the U.S. Junior (1998), and the Big 10 championship (2006). The club also is the site for the 2012 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.
"Conway Farms' reputation as a first-class venue for amateur golf championships further enhances our reputation," Pellegrino said.
If you go
What: Western Amateur, a five-day tournament featuring 156 top amateur golfers competing in stroke and match play
When: Tuesday-Saturday
Where: Conway Farms, Lake Forest
Tickets: Adult admission is $10 and includes free parking. Those 18 and younger are admitted free.
Schedule
• Tuesday: 18 holes stroke play, 156 players
• Wednesday: 18 holes stroke play, 156 players, cut to low 44 and ties
• Thursday: 36 holes, cut to low 16
• Friday: Eight 18-hole matches in the morning; Four 18-hole matches in afternoon
• Saturday: Two 18-hole matches in the morning; one 18-hole final match in the afternoon