The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association (CMSA) is going green. Make that, to the greens.
CMSA launched co-ed golf on June 25, to run through Sept. 21, with up to 48 participants.
"Adding a golf league is something that our membership asked us to do," said CMSA board member Mark Sakalares, who will serve as the golf league commissioner. "Additionally, for us to be able to expand the reach of CMSA to athletes out there who may not play any other CMSA sports is always a goal for the board. Another thing is there are many athletes out there who no longer play softball, football, basketball due to age or injury reasons. Golf is a sport that allows them to continue that competitive spirit."
Sakalares, 51, said CMSA's golf goal also is to introduce the sport to those who have never played.
"The league is going to run in a very simple format," he said. "We are trying to keep things as basic as we can, at least for the first year. We're trying to not over-think this. Basically, golf can be played on any day of the week, [except] Monday at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course. League golfers must golf with one other member of the league in order to confirm the score. Scores then will be submitted online to the league. We will be playing for a period of 12 weeks and golfers must turn in a score from nine of those weeks that [then] will be computed for a handicap. We'll be taking the high score and low score from scores submitted and then divide by the number of rounds remaining to determine a basic handicap. To conclude the season we will be holding an 18-hole tournament of league participants (two 9-hole rounds) to determine a league champion."
Sakalares, who lives in Rogers Park and works in the insurance industry, also plays basketball and softball. He has been a part of three Coady Roundball National Championships, and a golfer since he was 12 when he played rounds with his mother.
"There is nothing more relaxing to me than a round of golf," Sakalares said. "The old saying goes, a bad day on the golf course is better than a good day in the office."
Sakalares said his favorite local golf course is Cog Hill #4 followed by Olympia Fields North. He also praised Aldean Golf Club in Rockford.
And Tiger Woods is his favorite pro. "To maintain the presence he does under the pressure [is something] I find amazing," Sakalares said.
Rental clubs are available at the course for a nominal rental fee, Sakalares confirmed.
"I have been interested in having CMSA put together a golf league for a few years," Sakalares said. "With the recent survey that was completed by a large number of CMSA members, they said they wanted new sports within the organization. The CMSA board decided it was time to expand beyond the sports we've had for years to some new opportunities for athletes. With that, we had interest in Ultimate [Frisbee], table tennis and golf. All three of those are now in the works."
Organizers for CMSA's golf league also include Steve Solari, Matt McGary and Siby Easow.
"As with any of the leagues in Chicago, we are always working at ways to keep costs to a minimum for members," Sakalares said. "To that, I am extremely thankful to Roadhouse 66, which has graciously agreed to be the golf league sponsor this year."
The golf registration party was held at Roadhouse 66 on June 1.
The league also is planning on the first-ever CMSA Best Ball Tournament, scheduled for July 27.
"The best thing about this event is that you don't need to be a CMSA member to play. We want to open the event up to friends of CMSA members in the hopes they become as much in love with the game of golf as we are. The only requirement is that there must be one CMSA member per foursome for the best-ball tourney. There also will be longest drive, closest to the pin, and longest putt competitions on that day."