Sycamore Park District Superintendent of Golf Services Paul Price talks up their 2025 season during this week’s Rotary meeting. Price said there were a record number of rounds played at the public course this past year and there was a big jump in the number of junior golfers taking to the links.
Paul Price challenged Rotarians to some golf “slang” trivia as a way to spur interest in using the Park District course this year. Matt Nelson and Dr. Michele Jurkovic were among those getting correct answers and they took home branded golf towels as trophies.
The snow may have been flying outside, but for Sycamore Park District Golf Services Superintendent Paul Price it was time to think spring and golf as he spoke at this week’s Rotary meeting. Price said last year was a record-breaker for the public golf course. There were 33,849 rounds of golf played, up 16% from the prior year. In addition, he said junior golf participation was up 19% from the year before. He also noted that 252 golfers came out for their annual Pumpkin tournament leading to a first-ever two-day event. This was Price’s inaugural year in the Superintendent’s job.
Price said he’s already looking forward to promotional events for 2025. There will be a “swing into spring” sale March 7-9 (hours 8:30-4:30). A “beat the pro” event highlights “Pi” day March 14th where winners get to test their skills and “pie the pro in the face.” Price said his approach to running the golf program at the 102-year old course is much like Rotary’s motto of “service above self.” He sees golf as a way to build relationships and give back to the community.
It's not too early to start planning for the annual Rotary golf outing and dinner. It will be held June 18th with a shotgun start at 1 PM. Proceeds support scholarships, the Shelter Box program, and other Rotary missions. Contact Jonelle Bailey via email at jonelleb@sycparks.org for more information.
February 9, 1773 – The 9th U. S. President, William Henry Harrison, is born in Berkeley, Virginia. He was sworn into office on March 4, 1841 but died 32 days later from complications from a cold he caught during his inaugural ceremonies.
February 11, 1847 – Prolific inventor Thomas Edison is born in Milan, Ohio. Throughout his lifetime he acquires over 1,200 patents.
February 12, 1809 – The 16th President of the U. S., Abraham Lincoln, is born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. By the time he was a young man his family had relocated to Illinois where he became a self-taught lawyer, then served in both the state General Assembly and U. S. Congress. He became President in 1861, guided the Union through the Civil War, and abolished slavery. He was assassinated just a few days after Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox.
February 15, 1809 - Inventor and industrialist Cyrus McCormick is born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He invents a horse-drawn mechanical reaper contributing to development and cultivation of vast areas of the American Great Plains. His reaper forms the basis of International Harvester Corporation.
February 9, 1964 – With his now famous words, “Ladies and gentlemen…The Beatles”, TV host Ed Sullivan brought the British singing group to American television in a program viewed by what was then a record audience estimated at 73 million viewers.
February 11, 1929 – Italian dictator Benito Mussolini granted political independence to Vatican City and recognized the sovereignty of the Pope over the 110-acre site.
February 14, 1929 – The infamous St. Valentine’s Day massacre occurred in Chicago when seven members of the Bugs Moran gang were gunned down by five of Al Capone’s mobsters posing as police.
February 15, 1898 – The U. S. Battleship Maine was blown up while in Havana harbor with 260 crew members lost. Inflamed public opinion (“Remember the Maine”) led to a declaration of war against Spain.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2024-2025
President – Steve Wilder
President Elect – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Nominee) – Becky Springer
Director (President Designee) - Matt Nelson
Past President – Brandon Diviak
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Pat Shafer
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Keicher, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Phil Meyer
December: Larry Berke, Ray Dembinski, Riley Oncken
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Larry Berke, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Pat Shafer
Foundations:Paul Stromborg, Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Brandon Diviak, Bob Hammon, Jeff Jacobson, Steve Kuhn, Phil Meyer, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Scholarships:Tim Neubert, Don Clayberg, Ray Dembinski, Michele Jurkovic, Steve Kuhn, Julie Sgarlata
Service: Brandon Diviak, Alicia Cosky, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert, Brendan Wilson
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