(CHICAGO) – The legendary Billy Casper, who tallied more winning points in his career than any American in Ryder Cup history, will make special guest appearances during Ryder Cup week at two venues managed by the company that bears his name – Billy Casper Golf.
Casper, who played in eight Ryder Cup events amassing a record of 20-10-7 for 23 ½ points and was the victorious captain of the 1979 U.S. Ryder Cup Team, will sign copies of his autobiography, The Big Three and Me, at the Chicago Park District’s Clocktower Café on Monday, Sept. 24 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. and at Whisper Creek Golf Club in Huntley on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Both events are open to the public.
The Sept. 24 event at Clocktower Café is a book signing and meet & greet event. There is no cost to attend and reservations are not necessary. The Clocktower Café is located adjacent to the Waveland Clocktower and the Sydney Marovitz Golf Course at 3600 North Recreation Drive on the North Side.
The special appearance by Casper on Saturday, Sept. 29 will take place at Whisper Creek Golf Club which is located within the Del Webb Sun City Huntley community. The event will feature a meet and greet reception, dinner, presentation by Casper, and a book signing session. The cost for the dinner is $45 per person and includes a copy of the hardcover edition of The Big Three and Me. Reservations are required: 847-515-7680, extension 3 or www.whispercreekgolf.com.
Casper’s autobiography, which has been nominated for the USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award for outstanding contributions to golf literature, will be on sale at both events for $27. A limited-edition, leather bound edition with an autographed Ryder Cup pin flag will be available for $125.00.
A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Casper won 51 times on the PGA Tour. His distinguished career was highlighted by his Ryder Cup triumphs and victories in three major championships – the U.S. Open in 1959 and 1966, and the 1970 Masters. Considered one of the greatest putters ever, Casper mirrored his game and playing demeanor after his friend and mentor, Ben Hogan.
In his fascinating memoir The Big Three and Me, Casper, 81, tells his life story, shining candid insight into the man who quietly collected the seventh highest number of victories in golf history. It is a true rags-to-riches tale that began at age four on a homemade golf hole in a New Mexico pasture during the Great Depression and culminated with extraordinary success in what many consider golf’s most glorious era.
Casper joined the PGA tour in 1955 on borrowed money. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Tommy Bolt were playing when he started; Tom Watson, Johnny Miller and Lee Trevino were on the stage when his 25-year career on the regular Tour ended. In his prime, he went head-to-head with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, winning more tournaments from 1964-1970 than any man in golf. With the unassuming candor that characterized his career, in The Big Three and Me Casper gives a blow-by-blow account of his legendary triumph at the 1966 U.S. Open, where he made up seven shots on Arnold Palmer on the back nine on Sunday and captured the trophy in the next day’s 18-hole playoff. He tells of purposely patterning his game after Hogan, about placing no more emphasis on major Championships than any other event on Tour, and about playing in lock-step with Palmer, the most popular golfer of all time.
About Clocktower Café
The Chicago Park District’s Clocktower Café, operated by Billy Casper Golf (BCG) is located adjacent to the Waveland Clocktower at 3600 North Recreation Drive on the North Side of Chicago.
With an unbeatable location – east of Lake Shore Drive and Irving Park and close to the No. 9 green at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course – and fantastic views of Lake Michigan, Clocktower Café is fast becoming part of the fabric of its neighborhood.
Clocktower Café includes flat-screen televisions and two outdoor decks – one overlooking the park and city, the other Lake Michigan. Serving grill fare for lunch and dinner with a festive atmosphere, the restaurant has seating for 148 people with a 25-seat bar and is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
About Whisper Creek
With a variety of features, Whisper Creek – designed by Billy Casper and Greg Nash – is a par-72, 7,103-yard test for golfers of all skill levels. Whisper Creek features a blend of manicured bentgrass tees, fairways and greens which wind through strategically-placed character pine and specimen hardwood trees. Rich bluegrass rough, native fescue grasses, protected wetland environments, and magnificent rock formations with cascading waterfalls make Whisper Creek one of the most picturesque Chicagoland golf courses.
For more information about Whisper Creek or to reserve a tee time: www.whispercreekgolf.com, 847.515.7682.
Contact:
Nick Lashinsky
Public Relations Manager
Billy Casper Golf / Buffalo Communications
Office 703.891.3324
Cell 703.635.5409
Fax 703.893.3504
www.billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
@nlashinsky18
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