ILLINOIS OPEN TO BE HELD @ HAWTHORN WOODS - I'm liking Mike Small's chances!

HAWTHORN WOODS CC TO HOST THE 62ND ILLINOIS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPHawthorn Woods (Ill.) Country Club has been named the site of the 62nd Illinois Open Championship, scheduled for July 25-27, 2011, the Illinois PGA has announced."We're excited that Hawthorn Woods Country Club will once again host the Illinois Open Championship," said Illinois PGA executive director Michael Miller. "The previous Championships held at Hawthorn Woods were well-received by the players, and the golf course proved to be a stern test for all the participants." This will be the fourth consecutive year that Hawthorn Woods Country Club hosts the Illinois Open Championship, the largest and most prestigious event on the Illinois PGA calendar. The Glen Club in Glenview, Ill., previously hosted six consecutive Illinois Open Championships (2002-2007) and Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles, Ill., hosted an Illinois Open record seven Championships (1991-1995, 2000-2001). Hawthorn Woods Country Club, designed by Arnold Palmer Design Company, opened in 2006 as a highlight of the Toll Brothers master-planned community in Lake County, Ill. A 27,000-square-foot clubhouse is the centerpiece of the Hawthorn Woods community. Eric Meierdierks from Wilmette, Ill., captured the 61st Illinois Open Championship with a one-stroke victory over University of Illinois amateur Luke Guthrie, Quincy, Ill. Meierdierks finished the 54-hole Championship with a total of 201 (-6). He was the only competitor to finish all three rounds under par (65-68-68). Mike Small, the men’s head golf coach at the University of Illinois, will once again have the opportunity to add his name to the record books. Winning this year’s Championship would give Small five titles, tying Gary Pinns' record for most victories in the history of the event. Administered by the Illinois PGA since 1950, the Illinois Open has historical roots dating back to 1922. The "state championship of golf" is a 54-hole championship contested over three days to determine the finest player in the state of Illinois. The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside within the state of Illinois. Qualifying events conducted throughout the month of June finalize the championship field to the top 156 players. TOURNAMENT INFORMATION >>  |  QUALIFYING SITES >>  |  REGISTER NOW >>