Longtime Chicago-area friends enjoy milder weather, unite for 24th annual Super Bowl golf outing in Naperville, IL

Seven friends, most originally from the Chicagoland area, have come together for the past 24 years to play golf the afternoon of the Super Bowl. This tradition started when the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl in 1986, and the friends decided to continue the tradition annually. On Sunday, February 7, the group played for its second year in a row at Springbrook Golf Course in Naperville, IL. End Quote

We're happy to accommodate special outings like this. And on other days in the winter we will open if the weather permits.

Chicago, IL (1888PressRelease) February 09, 2010 - How do you find a golf ball in the snow? "Paint it black," says Kevin Wenzel of Naperville. He and 6 friends did just that as they prepared for their 24th annual Super Bowl golf outing at Springbrook Golf Course on Sunday, February 7.

No matter what the weather, this group of men gathers each year to play golf on Super Bowl Sunday. The tradition started on January 26, 1986 when the Chicago Bears played the New England Patriots. "That day it was 58 degrees in Chicago," said Tim Loates, one of the original organizers of the outing. "We thought of it as men's day. What better way to enjoy the day than to go out golfing before the game." After the Bears won the game that day, the men decided to memorialize their victory by having an annual Super Bowl golf outing.

Over the years, the golfers have seen days as cold as 20 degrees below zero, and have golfed in 6 inches of snow.

"Today is one of the best days we've had," said Loates. With sunshine, moderate temperatures and the snow cover in retreat, the golfers looked forward to being able to play at least 9 holes at Springbrook.

"This is our second year at Springbrook," said Kevin Wenzel, a participant from Naperville. The outing has rotated around several area golf courses from year to year. "Since we play golf at Springbrook in the summer, we decided to play here today. It is one of the few courses that will open in the winter. The flags are in. We just draw a circle in the snow around the flag with a driver, and that's our hole. "

Some of the golfers know each other from college, and some from high school. Most are from the Naperville area. This year, one member drove from Chicago and one came from Nashville, Tennessee to play.

Head golf pro Mike Lyzun welcomed the group. "We're happy to accommodate special outings like this. And on other days in the winter we will open if weather permits. If we have a couple of 50-degree days, we may have 100 people out on the course."

Springbrook and Naperbrook Golf Courses are the Naperville Park District's public courses.

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