“Leadership is not a position. It’s an attitude.”
Those are the words of wisdom from the highest ranking female executive at BMW, Ilka Horstmeier, while visiting Northwestern University this weekend. Golf Channel’s Hailey Hunter moderated the fireside chat in Evanston about professional development and how to take advantage of your time at college heading into the new school year.
Meeting about 50 Evans Scholars recipients in Evanston on Saturday, Horstmeier flew from Germany to Chicago for the PGA’s BMW Championship tournament. The second-leg of golf’s FedEx Cup playoffs resulted in Viktor Hovland earning the highly coveted $20,000,000 purse and taking the top leaderboard spot. Hovland shot a 61 on Sunday, which is the lowest score ever posted in a FedEx Cup playoff round.
However, it wasn’t just Hovland who considered himself a winner this weekend. Marisa Wielgos, a junior at Northwestern and on the Evans Scholars executive board, said meeting Horstmeier as she transitions into planning her post-grad professional aspirations was invaluable.
“Seeing Ilka and where she is in her position is just absolutely incredible,” Wielgos said. “You don’t see too many women, even now still, that have these high up positions especially in the golf industry and the sports industry in general.”
Horstmeier is a Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG where her responsibilities include human resources, labor relations, and real estate. On a day-to-day basis when she’s not keeping appointments with Chicago collegians, Ilka manages transformation projects focusing on operational excellence, sustainability, and social impact, and encouraging BMW employees globally to become responsible leaders.
Leadership, which the assembled Evans Scholars on August 19 hope to continue to exemplify after getting to go to college for free. The Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation (WGAESF) awards full four-year tuition and housing scholarships to deserving golf caddies who demonstrate exceptional merit, grades and financial need. Allowing more than 12,000 caddies nationwide to go to the college of their choice since 1930 when the scholarship began.
When speaking to WLS-Radio about how meaningful it is to have college paid for thanks to this scholarship, Horstmeier emphasized, “I think it’s very important to them because they couldn’t afford this.”
“Now, it really gives them a good opportunity to shape their life and to make the best out of it,” Horstmeier continued. “To become great leaders in the future.” Since the partnership with the Evans Scholars Foundation in 2007, BMW has donated approximately $45 million dollars to the organization.
Northwestern was the first chapter of Evans Scholars back in 1930. Now, 24 universities are the current homes of Evans Scholars across the country. During the six-year “The Promise Campaign” which ended in 2022, the WGAESF raised more than $371 million dollars through donations, sponsorships, and their biggest fundraising event of the year the PGA’s BMW Championship where all proceeds go to the Evans Scholars Foundation.
“It’s not only a blessing for me because student debt is a big word today, it’s also a blessing for my entire family,” Ryan Lach, Northwestern Evans Scholars chapter president, highlighted. “I read my [scholarship] letter around the table with them surrounding me because it’s not just for me it’s for them.”
“Their hard work as well really made all of this pay off.” Lach, a junior at Northwestern, shared when talking about his time so far on campus. “It’s a fantastic community. I couldn’t see it any other way than with Evans Scholars.”
Tag Archives: Big John Howell
Unparalleled round of 62, Max Homa top of BMW Championship heap, past Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick
Max Homa wasted no time in firing putts into the back of the cup on his second round of the BMW Championship. Setting a fast pace on his front nine at Olympia Fields Country Club with four birdies for a 32.
However, it would be an even more impressive 30 on the back that would lock in Homa’s final score of 62 sending him to the top of Friday’s leaderboard. A total of 10-birdies today thanks to his red-hot putter on a relatively soft course still drying out from this week’s rain in Chicago.
“I felt that the tee ball set up everything,” Homa said. “It was a major bonus to make as many putts as I did, but it was all really good. I think that out here when you’re in the fairway, it becomes significantly easier, more so than other golf courses.”
Clocking in at almost 7,400 yds. with its thick rough, the North Course at Olympia Fields allows some of the PGA Tour’s longest drivers like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to attack par-4 and par-5 holes with minimal regard for playing outside the runway.
Adding spin through that forgiving rough is what yesterday’s co-leader, now T5, McIlroy is hoping to take advantage of for the last two days of play on Saturday and Sunday as the course firms up and dries out from this week’s heavy rain.
“It’s still super receptive,” McIlroy highlighted. “There’s still some greens that you’d almost rather – especially to some of these back pins, you’d rather be hitting out of the rough than out of the fairway because you know it’s not going to spin back on you.”
Echoing McIlroy’s sentiments regarding the rough was current third place competitor, Matt Fitzpatrick who was once again 7-under on Friday. The former Northwestern golfer who played in Evanston for one quarter in 2013 before focusing on his amateur and eventually pro career full time had a clean card with four birdies and a boat-load of pars until 18.
Fitzpatrick came in with his only bogey on the hardest ranked hole of the North Course that is 18. A long par-4 at 509 yds with water on the right side causing some nerves and tricks for the competitors even with the amiable rough.
Both McIlroy and Fitzpatrick predict a more physical puzzle to maneuver on Saturday and Sunday as the course continues to get blasted by the August Chicago sun.
“Hopefully it’s going to get firm and fast,” Fitzpatrick said. “I remember when it was here a couple years ago, and it was fantastic. Come Sunday the greens were boring, erring yellow and the fairways were running, and it becomes a real tough test.”
“You’ve got to hit fairways. It becomes more penal off the fairway and missing the greens, so you’ve really got to plot your way around.”
Still not looking too far into the future though, McIlroy dropped to T5 amongst the Top 50 in the field. Unlike Fitzpatrick who stayed consistent at T3. McIlroy finished today with a 70. The Irishman calling his own performance, “pretty mediocre.” That assessment after one bogey and only one birdie, leveling him net even for the day.
“Gave myself tons of chances. I felt like I hit good putts, just hit a lot of edges, and the ball just sort of slid by.”
McIlroy was in the unlucky putting club, with Jon Rahm, though not as severe as the Spain native and top FedEx Cup Points Leader coming into the BMW Championship. Rahm did not find a single birdie on Friday. Instead picking up a very frustrating four bogeys leading to a final score of 74.
Still, Rahm won’t be fretting too much in Chicago as he’s practically guaranteed his spot in the Tour Championship in Atlanta, GA on August 24-27. The culminating round of the season for the Top 30 players in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Other names of competitors to keep in mind who will likely be sitting tight and heading south for the Tour Championship thanks to their second playoff leg incoming FedEx Cup rankings include: Scottie Scheffler, Lucas Glover, Patrick Cantlay and Chris Kirk.
If you want to come out and watch these PGA players at Olympia Fields transportation and ticket information from the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation is below.
Schedule and Tickets
To purchase tickets, visit bmwchampionship.com/tickets. Youth 15 and under receive free grounds admission when accompanied with an adult. Active duty, retirees, active reserve and veterans of any military branch are offered a complimentary ticket on each day of the BMW Championship. The BMW Championship will use mobile entry, enabling fans to easily manage, view, scan and transfer tickets. More ticket information can be found here.
Parking and Transportation
General fan parking (G-Lot) will be at Lincoln Mall (255 Lincoln Mall Dr., Matteson, Illinois). Passes must be purchased in advance. A complimentary shuttle will take fans to the course; service begins 30 minutes before gates open and runs throughout the day. Shuttle service concludes one hour after play has finished.
The rideshare pick-up and drop-off location is at Gate 1 (3033 203rd St., Olympia Fields, Illinois). Drop-offs and pick-ups are not allowed near the club’s front gate or residential areas. Spectators can also ride the Metra Electric Line (ME) to the Olympia Fields Station, located next to the Gate 1 Entrance, or park their vehicle and utilize Park and Ride Metra stations along the ME route.
Former Northwestern golfer, Matt Fitzpatrick, close to the top of the BMW Championship leaderboard in Chicago south suburbs
Rory McIlroy and Brian Harman pushed through a rainy start for the co-lead of the BMW Championship in Chicago after the first day of competition Thursday. Amongst the Top 50 players in the world who get to shine in this second leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs, it took a pair of 65s to secure that share of the leaderboard top after rounds of 5-under.
Harman, the 2023 Open Championship winner, along with McIlroy, 6-time Ryder Cup competitor, snatched the lead away from former Northwestern University golfer, Matt Fitzpatrick. The Wildcat golfer is currently sitting one stroke behind the leaders, carding a 4-under round of 66 today. The Sheffield, England native played in Evanston for one quarter in the fall of 2013 before leaving to pursue amateur golf full-time in January 2014.
On what it’s like playing again in the Chicagoland area at Olympia Fields Country Club, “I think it’s a great layout. I think it’s a great design.” Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, said.
“It’s a tough golf course,” Fitzpatrick emphasized. “Obviously the rough is up if you miss the fairway, so there’s a premium on that.”
After a two-hour rain delay in the south suburb of Olympia Fields, the course’s rough mated down a number of shots for players. Yet, for current co-leader McIlroy, he used that thick grass density to his advantage to spin in a number of different chips from around the green. Most notably, and audibly from the crowd’s applause, draining a chip on 17 to make birdie. This, after dramatically threading a needle through the trees with McIlroy’s 17th tee-shot into the woods.
Describing what he saw out of those trees, “the window was okay,” McIlroy shared.
“It was more there was a couple of branches above the window I was looking at, and I was like, if it hits those, it’s just going to drop down sort of near that front left bunker and I’ll have a decent angle down the green and mostly have at least a 10-footer or less to save par,” McIlroy emphasized.
He wouldn’t just save par.
McIlroy dunked in a birdie chip on the second to last hole with a huge grin on his face. That major save followed by a par on the 18th locked in his clean scorecard of 65. A spotless and steady showing with 5-birdies and only pars on August 17.
Not a bogey in sight for McIlroy.
Let’s see if that holds true. There are still 72-holes of golf to play for the BMW Championship leaders, Friday-Sunday. Tee times start again tomorrow August 18 at 8:26 a.m. CST, weather permitting.
If you want to come out and watch these PGA players at Olympia Fields before they punch their tickets to the Tour Championship in Atlanta, GA, transportation and ticket information from the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation is below.
Schedule and Tickets
To purchase tickets, visit bmwchampionship.com/tickets. Youth 15 and under receive free grounds admission when accompanied with an adult. Active duty, retirees, active reserve and veterans of any military branch are offered a complimentary ticket on each day of the BMW Championship. The BMW Championship will use mobile entry, enabling fans to easily manage, view, scan and transfer tickets. More ticket information can be found here.
Parking and Transportation
General fan parking (G-Lot) will be at Lincoln Mall (255 Lincoln Mall Dr., Matteson, Illinois). Passes must be purchased in advance. A complimentary shuttle will take fans to the course; service begins 30 minutes before gates open and runs throughout the day. Shuttle service concludes one hour after play has finished.
The rideshare pick-up and drop-off location is at Gate 1 (3033 203rd St., Olympia Fields, Illinois). Drop-offs and pick-ups are not allowed near the club’s front gate or residential areas. Spectators can also ride the Metra Electric Line (ME) to the Olympia Fields Station, located next to the Gate 1 Entrance, or park their vehicle and utilize Park and Ride Metra stations along the ME route.
890 WLS AM is the official Chicago radio home of NASCAR
55-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner Rusty Wallace joins the Steve Cochran Show to talk about his legendary career, the inaugural Chicago NASCAR street race, and how you can hear the NASCAR Cup Series exclusively on 890 WLS AM.
Chris Plante Live — Chevy Chase Country Club
Thank you to everyone that came out to enjoy Chris Plante LIVE!
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray sealed their final deal
Ray followed through on his end, and after all this time so did John.
Volunteer shot while canvassing for 15th Ward candidate Joseph Williams
A campaign worker was recovering Monday after being shot in the leg while campaigning for 15th Ward aldermanic candidate Joseph Williams on Sunday.
Maxwell Little was going door to door to garner support for Williams when the shooting occurred at about 1:45 p.m. in the 6600 block of South Marshfield Avenue in the city’s West Englewood neighbourhood.
Little was on the sidewalk and streaming on Facebook Live when a man wearing a red mask shot him. The video shuts off just as he was shot in the leg.
In a statement Sunday afternoon, 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez called the shooting “the same type of mindless gun violence we have seen in other neighbourhoods,” and said gun violence in the area “must be confronted and addressed directly and without excuses.”
11-year-old gets inspired by the movie ‘A Christmas Story’ and puts his tongue on a frozen pole.
11-year-old Spencer Kline from Sandwich Illinois decided to like a frozen pole while sledding. Friends of Kline called for help but he was able to pry himself off the pole before emergency crews arrived.
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray just want to make sure that you shouldn’t try everything you see in the movies.
PAWS Pet of the Week: Helena!
Are you on the search for an active, attentive pal who is full of energy? Then Helena may be the girl for you! She is playful and affectionate and loves to play fetch and snacking on treats! This one-year-old Terrier Mix would be a great walking partner because she can go for miles! She loves to give her owner kisses and to be close to wherever you are. Helena doesn’t like when her humans are gone most of the day. She aims to please, so she’d like a home where she will receive continued training. Helena has most recently been working on crate training and enjoys that! Helena is a strong pup who is looking for an experienced owner. She prefers to be the only dog in the home and would also do best with family members 15 and older.
Helena will be available for adoption tomorrow, Saturday, December 1st at a special suburban dog adoption event at the Walter E. Smithe Oak Brook Showroom, located at 1501 16th Street. PAWS will be bringing larger dogs like Helena, and some puppies who are in need of homes and space to run and play. Stop in from 12-3pm to meet the dogs, talk with PAWS, and take home your new best friend!
Chris Plante: “Nobody can explain everything that’s going on here, Robert Mueller cannot even explain whats going on”
Chris Plante gives Big John and Ramblin’ Ray his thoughts on Robert Mueller’s tip about Roger Stones and WikiLeaks email dump, trying to give us a better understanding of what’s going on.
Thanksgiving Tips: Handling the family squabble.
Big John and Lauren Cohn, in for Ramblin’ Ray, give tips on how to handle your family during the holidays. Giving tips on conversations to avoid and how to change the subject to avoid the arguments.
Ald. Matt O’Shea: 10th annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K
The 10th Annual Beverly Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run and Family Walk will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2018. Proceeds will benefit the 19th Ward Youth Foundation and the John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Alderman Matt O’Shea talks about why you should join and how you’d be helping the community with Big John and Lauren Cohn. Plus they dive into Chicago politics a bit, specifically the mayoral race.
Review of the Chicago Bears win against Minnesota Vikings
From Cody Parkey’s redemption at last nights game to the Chicago Bears defense, ABC7’s Dionne Miller gives a review on Sunday nights game. Big John and Lauren Cohn, in for Ramblin’ Ray, get the details on what we can expect next game and if we should prepare for the Super Bowl.
Heart wrenching photo from the fires in California
Photo was taken by 20-year-old Kellan Hendry from Long Ranch in Simi Valley.
Check out the Big John and Ramblin’ Ray podcasts for the latest on what’s happening in California.
What did we learn today with Big John and Ramblin’ Ray? (10-26-18)
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray teach us about a house in Fresno California that got some serious fire damage in the fight to kill a spider.
Also learn about Ariana Grande’s love for her pet pig, Megan Kelly’s controversial comments, and the move for Halloween to always be on a Saturday.
Bill Cameron: “We’re in the divided states of America”
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray are joined by Bill Cameron, from Connected to Chicago, where they talk about the upcoming elections and the divided between Republican’s and Democrats.
This weeks guest on Connected to Chicago is Mayoral candidate Amara Enyia listen in Sunday night at 7 pm.
When was the last time we had an election where half the country wouldn’t accept the results?
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray discuss the lack of faith in American institutions and the countries largest political divide since the Civil War, as stated by Executive Editor Carl M. Cannon from Real Clear Politics.
PAWS Pet of the week: Caramel!
CARAMEL
http://www.pawschicago.org/pet-available-for-adoption/showdog/caramel-cassiopeia-cantelope/
Want a sweet treat? Look no further than Caramel! She is a one-year-old Catahoula Leopard dog mix who is looking for an owner who loves to run or walk daily to help her exercise some of her excess energy! Caramel can be a little shy at first but once she warms up, she will be your best buddy for life! She would do best in a moderately active home with adults and no other pets so that she can be the center of attention. Her dream home would have a yard she can play in! Caramel would thrive in the hands of an experienced owner who will continue training.
Meet Caramel today at the PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center, located at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue in Chicago. For more information, visit pawschicago.org or call 773-935-PAWS.
Join PAWS Chicago for a “sweet” Halloween adoption event at Dylan’s Candy Bar this Sunday, October 28 from 12-3pm. Meet adoptable puppies and dogs at 633 N. Michigan Avenue!
What did we learn today with Big John and Ramblin’ Ray? (10-25-18)
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray teach us about an Elmhurst musician, who was hitchhiking in Australia, and gets unexpected helicopter lift from ‘Thor’ actor Chris Hemsworth.
Plus, learn how it’s trout season and that 2 more bombs have been mailed today, one to Robert De Niro another to Vice President Mike Pence.
Michael Goodwin on Andrew Cuomo’s bomb false alarm, plus his appearance on CNN
Big John, Ramblin’ Ray, and NY Post author Michael Goodwin discusses the latest news stories. With the bombs that are being found addressed to political leaders, and the insensitive comments that have been made comparing it to 9-11. Plus his latest article in the New York Post, Liberals won’t admit Trump was right about migrant caravans.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray express the importance of ending Alzheimer’s. They’re joined by Dani Jachino, a participant for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® – Chicago, she gives her story on why she walks and encourages others to get involved to help end Alzheimer’s.
My Mother lived the last year and a half of her life in a dementia unit. My Dad’s brother and sister died of Alzheimer’s, as did another aunt and uncle. Friends’ parents had the disease. Friend’s spouses have the disease. I do not want it and I want an end for future generations.
Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.
Interested in donating or getting involved? Check out Dani Jachino’s page and donate towards her walk, or register and get yourself walking Sunday, October 28th.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2018 Winter Tour with Al Pitrelli
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray have Music Director Al Pitrelli, from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, describe what’s in store for audience members this holiday season.
‘The Ghost of Christmas Eve’ tour will be playing the best of TSO and more.
You’ll have two chances to see them on December 28th at the Allstate Arena. Grab your tickets for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra this holiday season!
What did we learn today with Big John and Ramblin’ Ray? (10-24-18)
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray give the latest location of the caravan heading towards the U.S. border and what we should prepare ourselves for.
Plus what have we learned today? The shows ‘crack staff’ learned about the mega millions winner, how Rainbow cone will be staying open all winter long, and the hotel strikers who are suing the city. Also, learn about how you can own Walter Payton’s 1979 Porche!
Mecum Auctions 2018 at the Schaumburg Convention Center, Oct. 25th-27th
Big John, Ramblin’ Ray, and former professional gridiron football running back Jarrett Payton discuss the 2018 Mecum Auctions. Jarrett Payton is the son of NFL Legend Walter Payton, and he’s put up his father’s 1970 PORSCHE 930 TURBO up for auction.
Check out what’s up for auction for the 2018 Mecum Auctions in Chicago.
Then head over to the Schaumburg Convention Center at 1551 Thoreau Dr N to place your bid. Plus keep an out for Jarrett Payton and his family as they will be there this weekend from October 25th to 27th.
Flight issues? Here’s why you should fly Howell Air.
Big John and Ramblin’ Ray have more reasons to fly Howell Air, with a man who assaults a woman with a game of footsie, and a Chicago flight that couldn’t land because it was too big.
