Marquette links are smooth and green, of course

By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

The golf course is in full swing at Marquette Park. With the weather finally cooperating a bit more, the course is busy. I was talking to Herb, who is an important part of Nick Pulido’s crew at the course. Herb is proud of the job they do at Marquette. We were standing by the clubhouse, a few feet from the first tee, when he pointed down the fairway.

“Look at that. We did our first cut. See how smooth it is? It is 450 yards to the green,” he explained. “And you can see the first hole.” And Herb mentioned how he enjoys seeing so many golfers come back year after year.

“And some have been coming back many, many years,” he said with a smile. It’s always nice to see Herb.

Kathy Headley

Last week one of our members of the Chicago Lawn Historical Society Facebook page posted a picture he came across of a golfer teeing off at the first hole at Marquette in 1947.

The photo created quite a buzz, memories flowed, and compliments to Nick, as well, for the outstanding job he and his crew do in keeping the course in pristine shape. Nick has been the superintendent of the course for the past eight years. As one of the members said, “Hats off to you, sir, for making Marquette Park one of, if not the, best maintained golf course in the Park District.

That said, the time is fast approaching for the 39^th Annual Senior Amateur Championship Golf Tournament at Marquette, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26. The tournament is 18 holes of stroke play each day. Entry fee is $75 and includes green fees, prizes, tee gifts and daily lunch. Golfers must be at least 50 years of age to participate. Sign up at marquetteparkcpdgolf.com.

Congratulation to the 71 Catechism students who made their confirmation at St. Rita of Cascia Church last Saturday. Bishop Daniel Turley OSA, who is in residence at St. Rita, confirmed each student.

This Saturday, June 4, is the monthly bike ride in Marquette Park hosted by the Southwest Collective. Kick-off is at 10 a.m., on the southwest corner of Marquette and Kedzie.

A reminder to current and former St. Adrian parishioners that Saturday, June 4 is the Memorial Mass for Rev. Tom Mescall at St. Adrian Church, 7000 S. Washtenaw, at 10 a.m. The celebrant will be Bishop Andrew Wypych.

Yoga in the Library is still going on every Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie. Following yoga is the Chicago Lawn Yarn in the Stacks Club from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The Yarn Club is recommended for adults, and registration is required. Visit chipublib.org or call the library at (312) 747-0639.

This Sunday, June 5, in honor of Pentecost, there will be a procession with the Blessed Sacrament from St. Rita Church to St. Clare of Montefalco Chapel at 1 p.m. If you see them walking down Washtenaw, feel free to come out and join in.

Sunday, June 5, is also Lithuanian Father’s Day. The date most familiar to us in the USA and many other countries is the third Sunday in June, of course. However, I was also surprised to learn that in Spain, Italy and Portugal, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19, which is known as the Feast of St. Joseph, the patron of fathers.

Across most of Scandinavia, it is celebrated on the second Sunday in November, placing it a half year away from Mother’s Day. Interesting. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers celebrating Lithuanian Father’s Day this Sunday.

On Wednesday, June 8, Very Rev. Tony Pizzo OSA will be installed for his second term as the Prior Provincial of the Midwest Augustinians at the St. Rita Shrine Chapel, 7740 S. Western, beginning at 6 p.m. Refreshments will follow. To make a reservation go to midwestaugustinians.org.

Last week when we visited 1992, a half-hour comedy was airing on WMAQ-TV that had been filmed here in Chicago Lawn. I wondered if anyone remembered the shop on 63^rd Street where it was filmed. No one guessed the correct place. Let’s let it ride for one more week and I’ll give you a hint: It is in the 3300 block and a new restaurant recently opened up in that location this year.