High School Golfers Shine at Naperville Country Club All-City Invitational

Seventy-two young male and female high school golfers from Districts 203 and 204 and Benet Academy had the opportunity to play 18 holes against each other on Tuesday, on one of the finest private courses in Northern Illinois, in celebration of a Naperville man who loved student athletics almost as much as he loved the game of golf.  The occasion was the 11th Annual Vern McGonagle Memorial Tournament, hosted by Naperville Country Club.  The Tournament is named for 30-year club member Vern McGonagle, a 9-time Club Champion, active leader and self-appointed club historian.  The tournament is one of the few opportunities the young Naperville- area athletes have to play a private club course, dine with the members and compete across conferences. 

“Vern was an athlete himself, and really followed high school sports,” says Craig Funkhouser, a 16-year club member and organizer of the Tournament. “The club sees this as a way to pay tribute to him and give back to the community.  Every year a number of members come out to act as hosts, accompany threesomes and visit with the kids.  And every year we’re surprised at how well these kids play.  It’s a great experience for everyone.”  Funkhouser played the course with his father, a club member while he was growing up.  He says it was rewarding to see his own son and daughter compete for their high school years later.

Barry Baldwin, Varsity Golf Coach at Naperville Central says the McGonagle is one of the events the kids look forward to most.  “The whole event is done with such class, we really appreciate that such a prestigious club would open its doors to kids, many of whom might never have played a private club before.  This way they get to play a challenging course, and enjoy the camaraderie of players from all over the community.” He adds, “It’s not about the scores, it’s about seeing how other players take on the challenge, and seeing the influence this man had on so many people in the community.  The kids really see it as an honor.”

Mike Naset is a club member who works with young people in a variety of club programs. He says members at Naperville Country Club embrace the young players as the future of the sport and the community. “High School athletics are such an important foundation for kids.  Our members have a commitment to the love of golf and love sharing that with young people. It’s great to share this experience with the families who come out to watch their young people play. ” Some 30 member volunteers came out this year in support of the tournament.  Many of them took time from work to make themselves available.  They escorted each group to facilitate pace of play and help guide the players through the course.

The stroke play competition is funded by members as a tribute to their late colleague, who died in 2002. “Vern was a dear friend of golf, who loved to meet new people and really served as an ambassador for the club,” according to friend and fellow member Gary Delaquila. “He had a special knack for coming along side people, making them feel welcome.  He never missed an opportunity to talk with the young kids who were just learning the game.  He relished those relationships, and he’d be tremendously honored by this tournament.”

Complete results of the 2013 Tournament for teams, men and women are attached.

An oasis of green space located in central Naperville, Naperville Country Club boasts a newly renovated 18-hole private golf course. Redesigned in 2006 by world-renowned architect Steve Forrest of Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest & Associates, the course reflects Forrest’s desire to work with the natural contours of the land and update the course layout for a more modern golfing experience. Each hole of the par 72 layout is individual and distinctive, providing challenging yet player-friendly opportunities for golfers of all skill levels. Players can choose between five sets of tees on each hole based on their skill level and desired level of challenge. Landing areas are generous, yet require the golfer to think strategically as they work their way to contoured greens. The 124 acre course winds its way through rolling terrain, mature trees and ponds –home to an array of birds and other graceful wildlife.

-30-