[Matt_Cohn]

http://www.golfweek.com/amateur/men/story/westernammoving_news_011408

Generally, the contract with the WGA is up and the organization will be taking the tournament to other courses, including hopefully some in the Chicago area. Click for more.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

I wonder of Da Mare has the vision to make a pitch for Harborside?

Otherwise, paging Jeff Goldman and/or Jerry Rich.  That said, I have a feeling I know why this is happening and what's going on.  Saturday morning sideline soccer field talk during the fall is apparently coming to fruition.

The Western Am made Point O' Woods...it's a big blow to them...

Jerry Rich was the first person that I thought of when I read this.

[Andy Troeger]

Personally I love Point O'Woods, I've played it quite a few times and I think its really a neat golf course and has been a good host for the Western for many years. I can't really disagree with Shivas that the Point has benefitted greatly from hosting the Western, but at the same time I think it stands pretty well on its own merit.

The rotation makes more sense to me really, especially now that the Western Open is not going to be in Chicago every year. The Western Junior also rotates to different courses so it just brings all three events in line with each other in that sense. The Point is also not exactly near a golf-loving population center compared to the Chicago area venues.

The golf course itself has held up very well over the years though all things considered. I still think its a top 100 course even if its fallen off the GD list.

[PCCraig]

This is a shame!

One of the highlights of my short competitive golf life was qualifying for the Western Am. stroke play at Point O' Woods. Such a neat atmosphere to play golf.

PCC

[Anthony_Nysse]

This is too bad for both parties. The Point is a great, soild, old track that has been a very good site for this event. The Point has really gotten that shaft the last could years with rankings and now this....

Tony Nysse
Asst. Supt.
Colonial CC
Ft. Worth, TX

[Mark Smolens]

I don't believe that the membership at the Point wanted to keep the Western Am every year.  The two guys I know were constantly bitching about having to "give up" their course during the peak part of the season.  It is a wonderful place to play.

Harborside would be a great alternative, but only if we could convince the  super to shut the fairway sprinklers off for a month.  Balls bouncing in the fairways on a "links style" golf course -- imagine the concept. . .

[John Moore II]

I see nothing wrong with taking the Western Am away from a fixed site. The Western Open did the same thing. Since this is a championship of a regional golf association, I see nothing wrong with rotating sites like the Southern Am does.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Little birdie tells me that North Shore CC is in the offing.

Shivas,

I think that would be a good fit (especially it was the first stop on a rotation).  Would you agree?

[tlavin]

I'm a Director for the WGA and I can assure you that the WGA wanted to keep the Western Amateur at the Point.  The membership was obviously tiring of the big black hole in the middle of their golf season.  If the WGA is able to get a number of courses to form a rota, it might wind up being a terrific change for the event, even if it means more logistical headaches for the organization.  All things come to an end...

[Andy Troeger]

Terry,
Thanks for the post, I was wondering if that was the truth but would have been guessing to post it. I hope it works out well for the Point and the WGA to be able to move it around.

[J_ Crisham]

What a wonderful opportunity to showcase the depth of the courses in the Midwest-also trying to get up to the Point is a pain in the ass given the traffic in the area. I would love to see it return to a rotational scenario. In respect to the Point it's a great track!

[John Moore II]

As I said before, I think it is excellent to move a regional golf championship like this around to other great golf courses in the region, same as the USGA moves its events around the nation.

[Matt_Cohn]

It should certainly help increase awareness of the tournament among the general public, for whatever that's worth. You just can't expect people outside of the amateur golf community to hear about something that happens in Benton Harbor, Michigan every summer. Bring it to Chicago a couple of times and that might change.

[Joe Hancock]

Is there any relationship of this announcement to the fact there is a new Nicklaus course being built in Benton Harbor?

Joe

[J_ Crisham]

Joe, None whatsoever.

[Joe Hancock]

Thanks, Jack.

I have not heard a thing, it was just a question that came to mind.

Joe

[Andy Troeger]

Joe,
Last I heard the new JN course has been postponed indefinitely due to some permitting issues or something of the like. It may not be a go at all. They'll fight about it for awhile and make up their minds eventually

[PCCraig]

North Shore??

It sure would Be close to watch. But I could think of other spots.

[Dan Moore]

Any news on future venues for the WGA Amateur? 

I'd like to see it return to Glen View site of the first Western championships and then make the rounds of other worthy Chicago area courses that once hosted the event. 

[Jim Colton]

.

[erichunter]

I think you are referring to the Western Jr in '92 at CGC.

[J_ Crisham]

The tentative list is Conway Farms, Rich Harvest, Exmoor, Beverly, North Shore and two others that I can't remember. Certainly a worthy rotation. I suspect they may draw better from the Chicago metro fan base. Jack

[Steve Kline]

I think the problem with drawing players for that tournament is that unless you are exempt you must qualify and the qualifying was always close to Point o' Woods. One year I had an exemption as a semi-finalist of the Western Junior. The next year I tried to qualify. It really sucks having to go all that way for a round on a not so great course and then not make it. They should make it all exempt or expand the qualifying.

Oh...and get rid of the ridiculous rule that you must wear pants for a tournament in the Midwest in August. That immediately crosses it off my list of tournaments I'd like to play.

[Jeff Goldman]

I believe that there is also an agreement in principle to host the Western Am on the re-opened South Course at Olympia Fields as well.  Long-time member Sam DiGiovanni is a past head of the Western Golf Association, and when he and the WGA asked the club to pitch in, everyone thought that it would be great to put it on the South Course. 

[JohnV]

What a wonderful opportunity to showcase the depth of the courses in the Midwest-also trying to get up to the Point is a pain in the ass given the traffic in the area. I would love to see it return to a rotational scenario. In respect to the Point it's a great track!

Don't assume that it will stay in the Midwest.  After all the Western Junior was just played at Sea Island so I'm guessing the Western in their name means the Western Hemisphere.

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