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Best Golfers from Each State: Illinois Golf and Bill Mehlhorn

By Christopher O'Day

13th July 1927: American golfer Bill Mehlhorn follows through on a drive at the fourth tee, during the Open Golf Championship at St Andrews, Fife. The Royal and Ancient golf club at St Andrews was founded in 1754 and recognised as the Governing Authority on the rules of the game in 1897. There are now more than 100 countries and associations affiliated to the famous club. (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
13th July 1927: American golfer Bill Mehlhorn follows through on a drive at the fourth tee, during the Open Golf Championship at St Andrews, Fife. The Royal and Ancient golf club at St Andrews was founded in 1754 and recognised as the Governing Authority on the rules of the game in 1897. There are now more than 100 countries and associations affiliated to the famous club. (Photo by Kirby/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) /
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We move to the “Prairie State”, to see the best Illinois Golf Product. We head back in time to the 19th Century and Bill Mehlhorn.

In one of the furthest back entrants to our series, Bill Mehlhorn takes the honors as the top Illinois Golf Product. If the article was about the top athlete who has played professional golf from Illinois, then it would likely go to someone else.

That honor would do to Joanne Winter. She was an original member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Over 100 wins, 2.06 ERA, and an incredible amount of other records. After she retired, she became a golf teacher for 30 years.

This is an article on the top player to come from Illinois Golf, and that honor goes to Bill Mehlhorn.

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Born back in 98… 1898, that is, Wild Bill stood out from his competitors by wearing a cowboy hat while out on the course. I can’t even imagine seeing someone like that now, but it sure would be nice to see. Maybe someone like Callaway could help themselves out ana popularize cowboy hats for golf.

We all know of great golfers who haven’t found their way to a major win. Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, and Steve Stricker are some of the names that come to mind. Bill Mehlhorn is actually third all-time when it comes to most wins without a Major.

He did come close a couple of times, finishing with four top-fives at the U.S. Open in itself. HIs closest came in 1925 at the PGA Championship. He finishing in second place, losing 6&5 to Walter Hagan. Even though his last win was in 1930, he was still competitive, playing in the first-ever Masters.

Like many golfers from the early part of the 20th century, just because he retired doesn’t mean that he stepped away from the world of golf. At first, he got into the world of design, helping design a handful of courses throughout the United States.

After another retirement, he would go on to help coach at Florida International University. 20 wins on the PGA Tour, designing courses, and a nice coaching career leads to Mehlhorn

Next. Callaway Golf is in trouble. dark

That’ll do it for this entrant into the top golfer from each state. Check back for the next entry and the top golfer from Indiana.

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