Fellow H-O-F-er David Graham will join Trevino at nation’s top consumer golf show®
CHICAGO, Illinois (February 4, 2015) – World Golf Hall of Fame member Lee Trevino, one of the most dynamic personalities in the game, will headline the 32nd annual Chicago Golf Show Presented by The Encompass Championship, Feb. 27-March 1, at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
Trevino will appear twice, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, on the Daily Herald Main Stage along with his close friend and fellow Hall-of-Fame member David Graham. The two legends will reflect on the historic – and often hysterical – experiences they had playing the pro circuit during golf’s Golden Age.
“The Chicago Golf Show is beyond thrilled to welcome the great Lee Trevino and have him meet our many loyal and enthusiastic fans,” said show operator Tom Corcoran. “Lee Trevino not only is a six-time major champion and a Hall of Famer, his uniquely American rags-to-riches story also is an inspiration to golfers and non-golfers alike.”
With the appearances of Trevino and Graham, the Chicago Golf Show will have hosted six major champions since 2008, representing 13 victories over four decades.
Trevino’s 29 PGA TOUR victories included six major titles – two U.S. Opens (1968, 1971), two consecutive British Opens (1971-’72) and two PGA Championships (1974, 1984). In four of those majors, Jack Nicklaus finished runner-up.
Younger fans might recognize Trevino from his cameo role in the 1996 comedy movie “Happy Gilmore” starring Adam Sandler.
Graham was the first Australian to win the U.S. Open, in 1981. He also won the 1979 PGA Championship and recorded more than 20 victories on six continents, including eight on the PGA TOUR.
Trevino also won 29 times on the Champions Tour, and helped give viability to the over-50 circuit.
“The Encompass Championship is honored that Lee Trevino – who played such a significant role in the development of the Champions Tour – will be meeting our fans at the Chicago Golf Show®,” said tournament director Mike Galeski. “And we couldn’t be happier that he is being joined by David Graham, one of the world’s first truly international players.”
The Encompass Championship – which is Presenting Sponsor of the Chicago Golf Show® for the second consecutive year – is giving away a free ticket to the first 1,000 fans each day of the Show.
In addition, everyone who attends the Chicago Golf Show® is eligible to receive a free round of golf courtesy of Billy Casper Golf, which operates 23 participating courses in the Chicago area, including 11 Cook County Forest Preserve-owned courses and seven Chicago Park District courses.
Chicago golf fans may recall that Trevino competed in 10 Western Opens between 1967 and 1989. Notably, in 1975, Trevino was struck by lightning at Butler National Golf Club during the second round of the Western, sustaining serious back injuries that likely prevented him from reaching even greater heights in the game.
In 1990, Trevino joined the over-50 Champions Tour and helped the nostalgia circuit maintain its popularity. He stopped playing competitively after the 2011 season. He won 29 times on the senior tour, and won 10 more times playing in various other senior events.
The Encompass Championship is scheduled for July 8-12 at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, with such legendary players as defending champion Tom Lehman, 2014 Charles Schwab Cup winner Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Rocco Mediate, Hale Irwin, Nick Price, 2013 Encompass Championship winner Craig Stadler and many others are expected to compete.
The Chicago Golf Show® is a perfect place for golfers to get ready for the coming golf season. Attendees will find incredibly low prices on clubs, balls, shoes, apparel and more. They can check out dozens of domestic and international golf travel destinations They can take free One-on-One Lessons from Illinois PGA golf professionals, and find a pro who works in a location close to where they would prefer to take instruction. And they can attend game improvement seminars at the Main Stage, where top instructors share their insights on how to hit the ball 10 yards farther off the tee, make more putts or hit more fairways.
Last year’s Chicago Golf Show® attracted approximately 17,000 attendees for the three-day weekend event, one of the largest crowds in the 31-year history of the event. Having started in 1984, the Chicago Golf Show® is the nation’s oldest consumer Golf Show®.
The Chicago Golf Show® is the only Golf Show® supported by the Illinois PGA. As always, dozens of Illinois PGA professionals will be on hand to offer attendees free lessons on the full swing, short game, and putting. Esteemed golf instructors will conduct seminars on the Main Stage to help attendees get their games in shape for the coming season.
Another major Chicago Golf Show® supporter is the Illinois Junior Golf Association, which will provide information on its competitive tournament programs and once again will conduct its popular scavenger hunt for young golfers.
The Chicago Golf Show® also is supported by the Chicago District Golf Association.
For more information visit www.chicagogolfshow.com. You also may follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Hours and admission fees for the Chicago Golf Show® are as follows:
Friday, Feb. 27 Noon-7PM $5
Saturday, Feb. 28 9:30A-6P $10
Sunday, March 1 9:30A-4P $10
Under age 12 Free
Ages 12-15 $4
Our Best Deal: The Carpool Combo Buy-Three-Tickets-Get-One-Free $27 (online only)
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
bcronin@cronincommunications.com
847-698-1801