“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.”
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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.
John Howell’s Essential Cuts (07/10) – Kirby Presents His Defense & The IMA Speaks Out
*Ike Ejiochi presents Kirby’s defense of his decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine.
*Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, previews the format, the players, and the dingers coming at the 2023 Home Run Derby.
*Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, discusses two bills that are sitting with Governor Pritzker that the IMA believes will do more harm than good.
*Plus, Jason Nathanson and John Howell ask – why is it en vogue to throw things at singers performing on stage?
How far can good credit get you when buying a home?
David Hochberg, the fearless leader of Team Hochberg at Homeside Financial, joins Ramblin’ Ray and Jane Clauss to answer questions about how far good credit can take you when buying your first or next home, how to properly report your income for a home loan, and what type of buyers are in the market right now.
For all your home buying advice, visit Team Hochberg at 56David.com or give David a call at 855-563-2843.
John Howell: Essential Cuts (02/24) – A “Cocaine Bear” and Predictions for the Election
- Rex Huppke, humor columnist from USA Today, discusses MTG’s idea for a “national divorce” and why he’d be for it.
- Jason Nathanson, ABC News Entertainment correspondent, has the low down on “Cocaine Bear.”
- Bill Cameron, Host of Take 1 on WLS, previews his interview with Mayor Lightfoot and gives his predictions for Tuesday’s election.
- Plus, Steve Cochran and John look ahead at their Election Night special.
Why Hasn’t the CPD Done More About Officers Involved in Hate Groups?
The Chicago City Council had a contentious meeting with CPD officials this week, questioning why they haven’t moved more aggressively against officers who were involved in hate groups and connected to the capitol riot. John Howell speaks with Alderman Matt Martin from Chicago’s 47th Ward to discuss.
Will Lou Dobbs Cost Fox News Cash with Election Fraud Lies?
With Lou Dobbs’ 2020 election fraud lies coming to light, he may cost Fox News a lot of cash. It seems like this could help Dominion Voting’s lawsuit against the company. John Howell is joined by Jacob Sullum, Senior editor at Reason Magazine, to discuss.
John Howell: Essential Cuts (02/15) – FAA Close Calls and A Proposal to Prevent Overdoses
*Jeff Greenfield, five-time Emmy winning network television analyst and author, says that Biden missed a huge opportunity by passing on a Super Bowl interview.
*ABC’s Andy Field has the details on the FAA taking action on close calls.
*Representative La Shawn Ford explains why lawmakers have proposed a drug-injection site to prevent overdoses and provide resources.
*Plus, Bret Gogoel, WLS Defacto Sports Director, gives his thoughts on the Cubs and Sox at the start of Spring training.
We Deserve to Know Who’s Behind the Big Time Money for Big Time Candidates
Super PACs have made large donations to big time Mayoral candidates during this election cycle. This “dark money” has become a contentious issue. John Howell is joined by Alisa Kaplan, Executive Director of Reform for Illinois.
As More Flying Objects Are Shot Down, Is UFO Fever Gripping Congress?
John Howell is joined by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. They review this week’s biggest national political stories, including the flying objects popping up around the country and the apparent rift between Mitch McConnel and Rick Scott.
Mongo Bowl will Benefit Former Bears Player & Celebrate the ‘85 Team
Both the Des Plaines and Aracada Theaters are hosting MONGO BOWL events on Super Sunday. The events will benefit former Bears player, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, with medical bills related to ALS. John Howell is joined by Ron Onesti, President & Founder of Onesti Entertainment, to discuss Mongo, the inspiration for the fundraisers, and all the details. For information, tickets, or a donation link, visit www.oshows.com
McCarthy Tried to “Calm the Troops” Ahead of the SOTU – It Didn’t Quite Work
John Howell is joined by Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent. The two recap last night’s State of the Union address, Washington’s reactions, Governor Huckabee’s response, and McCarthy’s possible “hush.”
Sir John Dempsey: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are at it Again
John Howell is joined by Sir John Dempsey, WLS Golf Commissioner Emeritus & Springsteen Aficionado. The two discuss The Boss and his E Street Band embarking on their first major tour in six years, plus Dempsey relives his favorite Springsteen moments.
John Howell: Essential Cuts (02/03) – The GOP Says Goodbye to an Ally & a Surveillance Balloon Flies Across the US
*Kelli Pelc, Founder of The Refilleri in Humboldt Park, joins the show to discuss the zero-waste shop and how to live more sustainably.
*Marissa Lynn Ford, League of Chicago Theaters Executive Director, has the details on Chicago theatres celebrating Black History Month & the upcoming Chicago Theatre Week.
*Axios reporter Victoria Knight explains why the GOP has parted ways with a historical ally: Doctors.
*Plus, ABC’s Alex Stone has the latest details on the surveillance balloon floating above the US.
Another “Special People” Update: Ex-Chicago Firefighter Charged with Jan 6 Involvement
An ex-Chicago Firefighter has just been charged with storming the Capitol with a right-wing militia group. What was he charged with specifically, and why did it take so long to charge him? John Howell is joined by Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune Federal Courts Reporter, who has the details.
Sheriff Tom Dart: Mass Shootings Don’t Have to be the Norm
John Howell is joined by Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Sheriff Dart shares his thoughts on how we can get to a place in our society where mass shootings are no longer considered commonplace. Read his full op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.
John Howell: Essential Cuts (02/02) – Illinois Legislative Oversight and the History of Groundhog Day
*Sophia Van Pelt, Reporter for the Better Government Association, compares Illinois Legislative oversight to that of other states…and we don’t look good.
*POLITICO’s Caitlin Oprysko has the details on where the Uihleins sent their cash after January 6th.
*Sheriff Tom Dart shares his thoughts on how we can get to a place where mass shootings aren’t considered commonplace.
*Plus, John gives a lesson in Groundhog Day history, and Mike Lindell visits Jimmy Kimmel in quite the unique fashion.
We Can Do Better When it Comes to Pollution Control- Especially in Chicago
Three Chicago-area refineries are some of the worst polluters in the country. Why is this such a problem, and how can it be rectified? John Howell is joined by Eric Schaeffer, Environmental Integrity Project’s Executive Director and former Chief of Civil Enforcement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
John Howell: Essential Cuts (02/01) – Should the City Shovel our Sidewalks? And a Forum-Turned-Debate
*Alderman Gil Villegas shares his thoughts on a pilot program for the city shoveling sidewalks.
*Anne Flaherty, Senior National Policy Reporter ABC News Washington, has the details on a GOP-led panel targeting COVID relief dollars for review.
*Mike Emanuel, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent, has the latest on this week’s biggest national political stories.
*Andy Field discusses the FBI search of Biden’s Rehoboth Beach Home.
*Plus, John reviews last night’s contentious mayoral forum, and we talk to Tom Brady’s number one fan about his retirement
Assault Weapons Ban Opponents Have Won a Round in Court
Opponents of the Assault Weapons Ban have won a round in court. An appellate court has upheld a temporary restraining order that blocks part of the ban. Peter Hancock, Statehouse Reporter for Capitol News Illinois, joins John Howell with the details.
Look Up in the Sky! It’s a Bird..It’s a Plane..It’s a Once-in-a-Lifetime Green Comet
Over the next two weeks, we will have a chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime scene in the night sky. The Green Comet will pass within 26 million miles of the planet, and will not return again for tens of thousands of years. John Howell speaks with Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium, about this special comet.
The John Howell Christmas Song Playlist
The following is a partial list of the Holiday Songs from my private stash that you might have heard this season on WLS-AM 890. I recommend all of them. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays! -John Howell
*Christmas In Killarney/Al Jarreau (Super talent)
*Let It Be Christmas/Alan Jackson (Nice original tune)
*Yule Swing/Anna Wilson (Great swinging chart)
*The Christmas Song/Arthur Blythe Quartet (Spirited)
*Jingle Bells/Arturo Sandoval (Best import from Cuba since cigars)
*Xmas In Jail/Asleep At The Wheel (Very funny; somewhat sad)
*Merry Christmas Baby/B.B. King (Smoking)
*Linus & Lucy/Béla Fleck & The Flecktones (So good)
*Feliz Navidad/Billy Joe Shaver (Billy Joe was an American treasure)
*Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo/Billy May (Billy was a genius LA arranger, very funny)
*The Christmas Waltz/Brecker Brothers w/Steve Kahn (Very hip, of course)
*You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch/Brian Setzer Orchestra (Very strong)
*Bach’s Bell/Canadian Brass (Classy)
*Christmas Time Is Here/Canadian Brass (Makes me want to drink)
*It`s Bad To Have The Blues (At Christmas Time)/Charlie Daniels (Charlie was a political nutjob, but one of my favorites musically)
*White Christmas/Charlie Parker (Pure genius)
*Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow/Dave McKenna (Used to watch Dave play in Boston dive bars)
*The Christmas Song/Dexter Gordon (My favorite tenor player)
*March of the Toys/Doc Severinsen (This is why I watched Carson)
*Jingle Bells/Duke Ellington (Duke: The greatest, period.)
*Santa Claus Is Back In Town/Dwight Yoakam (Tex-Mex Elvis)
*Santa Baby/Eartha Kitt (Madonna wishes she had this talent)
*The Secret of Christmas/Ella Fitzgerald (So great)
*Christmas Time Is Here/Eric Marienthal (I played with Eric at Berklee, he doesn’t remember me)
*For Christ’s Sake, It’s Christmas/George Strait (Great title)
*The Happy Elf/Harry Connick Jr. (Goofy, but cool)
*Happy Hanukkah My Friend/Grady Tate & Houston Person (Nice ballad)
*Brazilian Sleigh Bells/Harry James (I must have been drinking…not great)
*Deck The Halls/Herbie Hancock (Chicago’s own)
*Winter Wonderland/Huey Lewis (Very strong)
*We Wish You A Merry Christmas/Jerry Jeff Walker (Gonzo)
*Greensleeves/John Coltrane (Don’t be scared…just enjoy)
*Winter Wonderland/John Anderson (Such a voice, gifted)
*I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/John Mellencamp (Stupid song, smart singer)
*Christmas In Prison/John Prine (Real pick me upper)
*Cool Yule/Kurt Elling (Chicago’s own)
*God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Lou Rawls (So cool)
*Zat You Santa Claus?/Louis Armstrong (Pops!!)
*Even Santa Claus Gets The Blues/Marty Stuart (Guy’s totally underrated)
*Christmas Medley/Maynard Ferguson (The Boss!!)
*I’ll Be Home For Christmas/McCoy Tyner (Creative…and then some)
*If We Make It Through December/Merle Haggard (Spoiler alert: The marriage didn’t survive)
*Santa Claus Is Comin to Town/Ray Charles (Brother Ray. Enough said)
*Winter Wonderland/Ray Charles (Great chart)
*Sleigh Ride/Richie Cole & Art Pepper Quintet (Self indulgent, but who cares?)
*O Come All Ye Faithful/Ricky Skaggs (Just beautiful)
*Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow/Ricochet (Nice, concise)
*My Favorite Things/Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass (Tribute to Coltrane)
*Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/Roomful Of Blues (The entire album swings)
*Deck the Halls/Singers Unlimited (Chicago studio legends)
*Jazz Musician’s Christmas/Jack Sheldon w/The Tom Kubis Big Band (Very funny)
*The Twelve Days of Christmas (My Agent Gave to Me)/Jack Sheldon w/The Tom Kubis Big Band
*I’ll Be Home for Christmas/Tony Bennett (With Basie Band)
*Run Rudolph Run/Tractors (Earthy)
*Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy/Travis Tritt (Loads of talent)
*Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!/Wynton Marsalis (He’s better than me)
Merry Christmas, listen to something new, aim higher.
Politics and a Pint with John Howell
Thank you to everyone that came out to Billy Goat Tavern last night for the Politics and a Pint live broadcast with John Howell!
The Chicago Mayoral Candidate Forum: Night One
John Howell is joined with Jerry Joyce and Garry McCarthy for the first mayoral candidate forum. The candidates discussed how they will work for the people of Chicago.
