“We are thrilled to announce two outstanding championship sites to host the 68th Illinois Open Championship,” said Carrie Williams, executive director of the Illinois PGA. Going forward from that statement, as a guide for readers of Chicago Golf Report who are curious about the 2017 Illinois Open, here is a list of significant numbers offering relevant information about this year’s state Open.
0: The most important number, zero, is the total charge for spectators to attend and park any day at The Glen Club and Briarwood Country Club.
2: The number of sites for the first two rounds of competition in the 2017 Illinois Open. The two sites are The Glen Club, Glenview, and Briarwood Country Club, Deerfield; each contestant will play one 18-hole round at each site before the cut.
3: The number of days of competition to crown the Illinois Open Champion. The days / dates are Monday, August 7 to Wednesday, August 9, 2017.
4: The most times that the Illinois Open Championship was won by an individual: Gary Pinns (3 times as a professional, and once as an amateur); and Mike Small (4 times as a professional).
4: The highest / best position finish by an amateur in the 2016 Illinois Open — Nick Hardy, Northbrook.
8: The number of qualifying sites for the opportunity to advance into the 2017 Illinois Open.
10: The number of times the Illinois Open Championship was won by an amateur entrant.
10: The number of times that The Glen Club will host the championship round of the Illinois Open, the most of any course through the event’s 67-year history.
10: Ten point zero is the maximum verifiable USGA handicap index necessary to submit an application to attempt to qualify for the Illinois Open.
14: The number of amateurs who survived the cut in last year’s 2016 Illinois Open.
17: The most strokes under par, the tournament record, shot in 2016 by Carlos Sainz, Jr.
21: The number of categories for exempt status.
36: The number of holes played during the first two rounds of the Illinois Open to determine the cut-score for entering the 18-hole final round at The Glen Club.
50: The top fifty players’ scores, and ties, after 36 holes will make the cut and play the final round at The Glen Club.
51: The number of years that has passed since Briarwood last hosted the Illinois Open (1966).
54: The number of holes of regulation stroke-play to determine the Illinois Open Champion — additional playoff holes (3), followed by sudden death holes, if necessary, pending identical multiple low scores.
68: The 2017 Illinois Open is the 68th contesting of the event to determine the champion golfer of the year in the Prairie State.
83: The number of exempt players for the 2017 Illinois Open.
145: The number of strokes (or less) taken to make the 36-hole cut in the 2016 Illinois Open.
179: The number of spots available for qualifiers attempting to gain a spot in the 2017 Illinois Open.
208: The fee (in dollars) for amateurs to enter any of the qualifying events for the 68th Illinois Open.
264: The number of golfers in the starting field for the 2017 Illinois Open; the field will be comprised of exempt players plus place-winners in the qualifying events.
6853: The total yardage of the 18 holes at Briarwood CC from the back tees; course rating 73.3/135.
7186: The total yardage of the 18 holes at The Glen Club from the back tees; course rating 75.4/142.
17,500: The winner’s share of the 2016 Illinois Open purse in dollars.
100,000: The total purse in dollars for the 2016 Illinois Open.
With more than 50 years passed since its last opportunity as a host site for the Illinois Open, Briarwood’s head PGA professional, Arnie Glickman, and superintendent, Justin Van Landuit, are eager to showcase their fine facility.
Look for defending champion, Carlos Sainz, Jr., Nick Hardy, Mike Small, Brad Hopfinger, Eric Meierdierks, Michael Schachner, Curtis Malm, Jim Sobb, or Gary Groh to be at the top of the leaderboard nearing the 54th hole on Wednesday. (photo credits: IPGA)
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