Check out PGA's up-and-comers at NV5 Invitational in Glenview on July-27-30

The pro golf scene in the Chicagoland area was once filled with excitement and drama on an annual basis.

But no more. Now, the PGA Tour must feel compelled to toss us a bone every once in a while, almost like, "OK. You can have your Western Open back for a year."

Of course, it's called the BMW Championship now. And, yes, it'll be at Olympia Fields in August.

But after that? Who knows when it will return.

It's sad and pathetic considering the number of championship courses in our area.

In the meantime, it's nice that the Korn Ferry Tour - the breeding ground for the PGA's up-and-comers - makes a stop at the Glen Club in Glenview for the fourth time in five years with the NV5 Invitational. The four-round tourney is July 27-30.

Three of the NV5's past four champions - Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young and Harry Hall - are all thriving on the big tour now. Scheffler, the world's No. 1-ranked golfer, won the 2022 Masters and has pocketed more than $40 million.

Hall, who hails from England and is last year's winner, tied for third at the Charles Schwab Challenge in late May and has made 15 of 24 PGA Tour cuts with three top 10s. He beat out local favorite Nick Hardy in a stirring finish at the Glen Club last year with a birdie on the third playoff hole.

"To win is a big boost of confidence and takes anyone game's to the next level in their career," Hall said. "I'll always cherish that victory as long as I keep playing the game."

Hardy, a 2014 graduate of Glenbrook North, has had a solid campaign as well. He won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April and finished T-21 at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois on July 9.

One big difference this year is the NV5 will be live streamed by Barstool Sports (barstool.tv) every day from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Hall said if that had been the case last year he may have been more prepared to deal with the pressure at the Charles Schwab after he opened with a 62.

"I remember being in that playoff with Nick Hardy and that was probably the most escalated I've ever been on the golf course," Hall said. "It's so great that (they're) doing it with Barstool this year because the players will get used to having those cameras around."

Local focus:

Deerfield's Vince India, Highwood's Patrick Flavin and Lake Forest's Brad Hopfinger are all expected to compete. The 34-year-old Hopfinger is 53rd on the Korn Ferry Tour points list and has three top-15 finishes. Flavin, 28, is in 78th place and has made three straight cuts after missing five in a row. India is in 120th.

Also, keep an eye on rising star Adrien Dumont de Chassart, a University of Illinois alumn. Dumont de Chassart won his first Korn Ferry event on June 11, lost in a playoff in his second event the next week, then finished eighth in his third event on July 2. Those finishes put Dumont de Chassart in sixth on the points list.

The top 30 players on the points list when the Korn Ferry season ends on October 8 earn their 2024 PGA Tour cards.

Where to hang out:

Here are some of the best places to watch the action if you head out to the Glen Club:

Eighth (375 yards, par 4) - This hole features a dramatic dogleg left with a large pond that comes into play on the drive as well as the approach.

Tenth (333 yards, par 4) - Sit by this green and see how many players card birdies on a short, gettable hole. Then stroll to the next tee box to check out the ...

Eleventh (218 yards, par 3) - This beast can play into a prevailing wind and cause players fits. There is a bailout area to the right, but a difficult green means getting up and down is no guarantee.

Eighteenth (589 yards, par 5) - Big hitters can get home in two, but the second shot must fly a large pond that guards the green. It is a risky play, but could lead to a key birdie or even an eagle.

Attending the NV5:

Tickets are $20 for adults each day. They may be purchased at https://nv5invitational.com/tickets. Kids 15 and under are free (two per adult allowed). All proceeds benefit the Evans Scholars foundation.

NV5 Invitational

What: Korn Ferry Tour event

When/where: July 27-30 at the Glen Club in Glenview

Daily tickets: $20 (juniors 15 and under free; two juniors permitted per paying adult)

Viewing: All four rounds will be livestreamed at Barstool.tv from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Defending champ: Harry Hall, who beat Northbrook's Nick Hardy in a three-hole playoff