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, Ill. after a long illness. He was 58.

The bi-weekly newspaper, which he founded inn 1989, was available at no charge for many area golf courses and coupled with a Saturday morning broadcast, was just a part of Kosin's repertoire. He also founded the Illinois Women's Open in 1995 and took upon himself to underwrite the expenses; ran a charity devoted to junior golf, and consulted for various golf courses.

During his career, he was an outspoken critic of the golf industry, a keen observer of the rapidly changing market and was bold in all efforts to bring the latest news and opinion to Chicagoland Golf readers.

"The Illinois PGA is deeply saddened by the passing of Phil Kosin," said Michael Miller, executive director of the Illinois PGA. "For over two decades Phil has been synonymous with golf in Illinois. There was no greater supporter of the game and The PGA of America. Through his passion for the game and his dedication to covering and reporting golf at both the local and national levels, Phil earned a reputation as a very credible and respected voice within the industry. His friendship and support will be greatly missed."

Kosin was an ever-present 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 was everything in Chicago golf," said University of Illinois Coach Mike Small, who is competing this week in his fifth PGA Championship. "I can't believe that he's gone. He will be dearly missed."

"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."

Though Chicagoland Golf was his vocation, 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.

"College coaches are saying we're the premier (non-Tour) women's event in the Midwest," said Kosin.

In 2006, 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.

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 (1000-AM). It moved to WSCR (670-AM) in 1997.

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.

He is survived by his wife Kathy, his father Joe, sisters Paula and Maggie and his brother Greg.

Visitation hours 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.