A course superintendent, two Tour pros, a nationally recognized executive, an inventor/course designer and a pioneer in breaking golf’s color barrier have been selected for membership in the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. The announcement of the six honorees came May 22. The new members will be feted with a dinner in their honor on Oct. 17 at the Glen Club in Glenview. Below is a list of honorees:
• Dan Dinelli – One of the nation’s leading turfgrass experts, Dinelli has been superintendent at North Shore Country Club for 36 years and a national voice in Phytobiome research, soil health and sustainable agronomy. A third-generation superintendent, his career has been defined by innovation, stewardship and leadership in golf course management.
• Horace McDougal – A Chicago native and pioneer for racial integration in golf, McDougal became the first Black golfer at Northwestern University in 1923 and played in the first Negro National Open in 1926. A powerful advocate through his writing in the Chicago Defender, he also co-founded the Windy City Golf Association and fought lifelong discrimination in the game he loved.
• David Ogrin – A standout golfer from Waukegan, Ogrin won both the Illinois State Amateur and Illinois Open in 1980 before embarking on a long PGA Tour career that included 32 top-10 finishes and a victory at the 1996 Texas Open. He tied for 10th at the 1997 U.S. Open and remains one of the most successful Illinois-born Tour professionals.
• Joe Roseman – An inventive force in early American golf, Roseman’s contributions spanned design, course construction and equipment. He developed the roller-drive mower, introduced modern fairway irrigation, designed courses across the Chicago area and built the first lighted par-3 course in the 1930s.
• Steve Skinner – As CEO of KemperSports, Skinner has played a pivotal role in shaping modern facility management, with a portfolio that includes Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley and Streamsong. A founder of The First Tee – Greater Chicago, Skinner’s leadership has extended into philanthropy, youth development and national event operations.
• Bob Zender – A three-time Illinois State Amateur champion and Purdue All-American, Zender turned professional and quickly won the 1971 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. He went on to a decade-long Tour career and won three consecutive Illinois PGA Championships, tying him for the most in state history. His 62 at Ridgemoor Country Club still stands alongside Ben Hogan’s as the course record. —Kevin Quinn, Illinois PGA