THE ILLINOIS PGA IS GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER GOLF SEASON, COMPLETE
WITH THE 61ST ILLINOIS OPEN AND MORE.

The 61st Illinois Open headlines the 2010 golf season for the Illinois PGA section, a section
that consists of over 800 members and apprentices working at over 325 facilities.

Coming up in just a few days, one of the Illinois PGA sections fund raisers will tee off in Las
Vegas Nevada. The Pro-Am event that runs March 14-18, will let the players and participants
enjoy some of the finest golf around the gaming capital of the United States.

Tournament events for the members begin on April 12, with the spring Pro-Assistants
Championship at Edgewood Country Club.

One of the seasons final events is the Players Championship at Eagle Ridge Resort and
Spa in Galena, on October 4-5.

In addition to running tournaments in Illinois, the Illinois PGA section is involved with some
great golf causes. Including Patriot Golf day and the Illinois junior golf license plates program,
in conjunction with the Illinois Secretary of States Office.

                            
                            MICHAEL MILLER ILLINOIS PGA
                     Photo Courtesy of Nick Novelli/ Illinois PGA     

Michael Miller is the Executive Director of the Illinois PGA. He recently spoke about Illinois PGA
programs and upcoming 2010 golf tournaments, like the Illinois Open at the Chicago Golf Show 

TO HEAR RORY'S INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL MILLER AT THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW CLICK HERE:

Download | Duration: 00:03:22

The 61st Illinois Open will be played again this year at the Hawthorn Woods Country Club. The
defending champion is Rockford area native Brad Benjamin, who also won the USGA Public
Links Championship in 2009. As a result Benjamin will compete in this years Masters Tournament
at Augusta National Golf Club. Benjamin won last years championship in a three hole playoff
with University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small.

                 
                     BRAD BENJAMIN HOLDS THE ILLINOIS OPEN TROPHY
                                Photo courtesy of Nick Novelli/ Illinois PGA

Last August Small went on to win the Illinois PGA Section Championship at Stonewall Orchard 
Golf Club. This August 30th through September 1st, Small is expected to defend that title at
the recently remodeled Olympia Fields Country Club South Course.

            
                ILLINOIS GOLF COACH MIKE SMALL THE ILLINOIS PGA WINNER
                                Photo courtesy of Nick Novelli/ Illinois PGA

Some of the other bigger tournaments on the schedule this summer include. The Illinois Match
Play Championship May 17-20 at Kemper Lakes Golf Club. The Illinois Senior Open Championship
at Pine Meadow on September 27-28. The Illinois Senior PGA Championship will be held at Biltmore
Country Club August 2-3.

FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF ILLINOIS PGA EVENTS AND ILLINOIS PGA SECTION PROGRAMS
PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT http://www.illinoispga.com/

THE ILLINOIS PGA OFFICE IS LOCATED AT THE HOME OF THE ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME.
WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AT THE TOM FAZIO DESIGNED GLEN CLUB IN GLENVIEW.