Page 67 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

WGA_Program_2018_V5__ 6/28/2018 3:43 PM Page 65

In early 1970, WGA leadership
informed the North Shore-area clubs
that, after a 44-year hiatus, it was time
for a Western Open to be held in
Chicago’s northern suburbs. The
WGA believed that having a North
Shore venue would energize the
tournament with increased attendance,
new sponsors and a fresh group of
enthusiastic volunteers. The WGA
also wanted to pay homage to north
suburban golf enthusiasts who
consistently supported the Evans
Scholars Foundation. Aerial view of the clubhouse in 1972.
During this time, Sunset Ridge was in
The WGA believed that the newly and a financial agreement was made
the final months of a $900,000 (nearly expanded Sunset Ridge clubhouse, for the temporary use of their land.
$6.5 million in 2018 dollars) clubhouse
featuring a spacious men’s locker room A swath of Techny farmland from the
expansion and renovation which was along with Sunset Ridge’s challenging corner of Willow and Waukegan Roads
one of the most ambitious and costly
course with perilous greens, would be east to the club’s second- and sixth-
clubhouse projects in the Chicago area. an ideal North Shore destination for hole boundary would be transformed
Sunset Ridge also had three of its
the Western Open in 1972. into a temporary parking lot and
members Robert “Tubby” Bacon, Jr., spectator entrance/exit for the Western
Gordon C. Anderson and Arthur C. Also tipping the Western Open Open. Golf fans arriving from all
Prine, Jr. on the WGA Board, and scale in favor of Sunset Ridge: directions would have easy access to
each of these gentlemen were also parking. All other North Shore clubs the Sunset Ridge grounds thanks to the
simultaneously serving Sunset Ridge were landlocked in residential proximity and convenience of the
as the club’s President, Vice President neighborhoods. However, Sunset Ridge Techny parking lot and gate.
and Secretary, respectively. was unique due to the land adjacent to
the club’s western border (the second In early 1971, with the Techny parking
At a meeting in 1970, the WGA Board
and sixth holes) that at the time was agreement in place, the WGA officially
informed Sunset Ridge leadership that acres of vacant farm land owned by named Sunset Ridge Country Club the
their evaluation of North Shore-area
the Catholic order of Techny priests. host of the 1972 Western Open. The
clubs had put Sunset Ridge at the top Sunset Ridge and WGA leadership tournament would be embraced by
of their list to host the Western Open.
approached the superiors of Techny Sunset Ridge membership and staff as
a 50th Anniversary gift to the club from
the WGA and PGA TOUR.
THE WESTERN OPEN TEES OFF
In June of 1972 the club’s monthly
newsletter, The Sunset Shadows,
reported that Sunset Ridge was ready
to be put on the national stage and
anxiously awaited the arrival and
challenge of the world’s best players.
The club’s newsletter continued with,
“The honor and prestige of hosting the
Western Open will distinguish Sunset
Ridge as one of the finest venues not

Sunset Ridge County Club entrance during the 1972 Western Open.

2018 WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP History of Sunset Ridge Country Club 65