Illinois Women's Open – Phil Kosin's greatest legacy

Writing from Chicago

Friday, July 18, 2025

Phil Kosin was never without an opinion.

The difference between Kosin and most others was his ability to transform a germ of an idea into action.

He had done so in the past, starting a radio show on a small suburban station, then creating Chicagoland Golf, a newspaper dedicated to the game, after working for Gary Holaway at the original Illinois Golfer. Then he added a radio version to the portfolio.

Now, in the summer of 1994, motivated by what he considered exploitation of women, he stepped forward again.

For two years, while the Illinois Open was played at Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles, Kosin chafed while club owner Vince Solano used his host exemptions to invite women to play in the tournament.

“It’s a publicity stunt,” Kosin said. “They have no chance from the tournament tees.”

The tournament and the club got the attention. Of the female competitors in those years, only Renee Heiken, in 1994, made the cut, tying for 49th.

Then, two weeks later, during a rain delay at the LPGA Chicago Challenge at White Eagle Golf Club, Kosin huddled with other golf writers and proposed starting an Illinois Women’s Open. The idea was met with approval, and Kosin, without a course, a date, or outside financial backing, quickly pushed forward.

“This is long overdue,” he wrote in the Fall 1994 issue of Chicagoland Golf. “There are a lot of talented women players in Illinois, and now they will finally have their own state championship.

“We welcome any and all support. There are no egos involved in this project. Let’s just do what needs to be done and get it going.”

Kosin found a supporting sponsor in Tommy Armour Golf. He found a course in Odyssey Golf Course in Tinley Park, with dates in early August 1995. He found rules officials. He dug into his own pocket to fund the original purse, $5,000, with a grand to the winner if a professional. He dealt with an opening-day downpour wiping out the first round of what was slated for 54 holes – foul weather would be a continuing storyline in the tournament – in the inaugural.

He was then rewarded for his toil when Diane Daugherty, head coach of Southern Illinois University’s women’s team, scored 3-under-par 69 on the final day to total 5-under 139 and manage a five-stroke victory over fellow professional Andrea Kellar of Roselle. Proving the value of a statewide competition, a player from the south end of the state took the championship from a field comprised of 38 players, most from the Chicago area.

“Diane was really booming her drives today,” Kellar said. “That 69 was a great score.”

It was the only one under 70 in the tournament.

“This event is long overdue,” Daugherty said at the trophy ceremony. “Pros don’t get much chance to compete in Illinois. The Illinois Women’s Open is a wonderful thing provided all of us. Everybody got good competition.”

The Illinois Women’s Open was off and running.

It is 30 years on now, and the 30th IWO – only 2020 was skipped because of the COVID-19 epidemic – is upon us. It’s set for Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, the site since 1999, this coming Monday and Tuesday. There are 99 entries, including defending champion Lauren Beaudreau, who grew up in Lemont and now registers from Marco Island, Ga., and two-time champion Nicole Jeray, who teaches at Mistwood. Tee times start at 7 a.m. each day.

– Tim Cronin