|
Golf writer Kosin dies at age 58
August 11, 2009
BY TIM CRONIN Staff Writer
One of Chicago's liveliest golf voices has fallen silent.
Phil Kosin, publisher of Chicagoland Golf and host of the similarly-named radio show, died Tuesday morning at Edward Hospital in Naperville after a long illness. He was 58.
The biweekly newspaper, available for free at many area golf courses and coupled with a Saturday morning broadcast, was only the beginning for Mr. Kosin. He also founded a golf tournament, ran a charity devoted to junior golf, and consulted for various golf courses.
All of that made Mr. Kosin a ubiquitous figure on the Chicago golf scene. His presence made a tournament press room more interesting, and his coverage of the game usually found an angle those on daily deadlines had not pursued.
"He had lots of unique ideas about golf and the business of golf," said Frank Jemsek, owner of Cog Hill and Pine Meadow. "He wasn't afraid to write something that would cost him advertising."
While Chicagoland Golf, which he started with four issues in 1989, was his vocation, Mr. Kosin was most proud of the Illinois Women's Open, the tournament he founded in 1995.
Believing that the women playing in the Illinois Open were at a disadvantage against a field largely composed of men, he started a tournament open only to women. He remained in control as tournament director, including this year at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, and estimated before this year's tournament that he had underwritten about $75,000 in losses.
He said it was worth it.
"(C)ollege coaches are saying we're the premier (non-Tour) women's event in the Midwest," Mr. Kosin said.
In 2006, Mr. Kosin estimated that Chicago Friends of Golf, a non-profit entity he started in 1992, had collected and donated more than 50,000 clubs and 200,000 balls to junior golf programs in the area.
His print career started at a predecessor title to this newspaper. Mr. Kosin worked for the Southtown Economist as a printer. He recalled helping then-publisher Bruce Sagan dig the foundation for a new press line in the early 1970s at the paper's printing plant at 60th and Harlem.
Stops at other papers, including the Naperville Sun, followed. The seed for Chicagoland Golf germinated after several years working for other regional golf outlets, including Illinois Golfer.
Mr. Kosin's radio career began in 1980 on local stations in La Grange and Aurora. It resumed in 1994 when the broadcast version of Chicagoland Golf began on WMVP-AM (1000). It moved to WSCR in 1997. Mr. Kosin's last appearance was Aug. 1. He was on the air for the first 25 minutes of a scheduled two-hour show before signing off, weak of voice.
Visitation will be 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew the Apostle, 505 Kingston, Romeoville, with interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Justice.
_________________
fan of Latinspice. fan of DJ Julie. fan of L.E.A.N.
Last edited by Chico Dusty on Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:37 pm, edited 2 times in total.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
