Gimme 5: H-F's Ward a Valuable Asset to Coyote Run Golf Course

David Ward's knowledge and experience set him apart from the normal park district greenskeeper crowd.

Homewood resident David Ward is the golf course superintendent at Coyote Run in Flossmoor. He has been in the golf industry pretty much his whole life. He started caddying at a young age and has worked at a number of golf courses in the area over the last 30 years. Ward was in charge at Olympia Fields Country Club when the club hosted the 1997 U.S. Senior Open and 2003 U.S. Open. At Coyote Run, he has a regular routine. He arrives at the course at 4:30 a.m. during the summer months. “Every day is different, based on the weather and the types of jobs we're doing,” Ward said. “I have a small crew that includes me, and I assign myself jobs. “I can be mowing fairways and greens, spraying, watering or changing holes. It depends on what needs to…

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Passion Play: Homewood Native Ward Has Come Full Circle on the Golf Course

From selling golf balls outside Cherry Hills Golf Course, to hosting one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world at Olympia Fields and now running Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's Coyote Run, it truly has been an amazing ride for Dave Ward

You could look at Homewood resident David Ward and say he has had a lot of good luck fall his way during his career. Or you could say Homewood, Flossmoor and the surrounding communities have had been lucky to have him in charge of some of the top golf courses in this area for the last 30 years. Ward is currently the superintendent of golf at the H-F Park District's Coyote Run Golf Course in Flossmoor. This turf expert has come full circle in his life and has no plans on ending his run anytime soon. “I love doing what I do,” Ward said.  “I do not really consider it work as far as I am concerned.” Ward always has had a passion for golf. Even at an early age, his creativity was prevalent. “I used to live five blocks west of where Coyote Run …

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WA Mama

8:52 pm on Sunday, July 17, 2011

Yes, the course plant tour is must - call the park dist to register. First of all, it's a beautiful course, but also, you'll want to see the work that Dave has been doing with reintroducing wetlands, working with native plant species and trying different grass mixes that are friendly to both the golfers and the environment - a very difficult and mostly untried balance on most courses. Dave Ward …   more ›

Patch Picks: 5 Family Parks

Now that summer is in full tilt check out these local parks with your little ones!

This H-F Park District golf course is perfect for those families with tweens and teens looking to tee-off. Make sure to keep an eye out for Wiley, the only H-F Park District canine employee—he keeps geese off the field! Nine acres, an elaborate playhouse and various sporting fields make this Homewood park on Aberdeen Street a must visit. They even have a bike path! This six acre Flossmoor park, located on Hanover Lane and Dixie Highway, boasts tennis courts and a playground with swings, bars and slides. This five acre park on Crescent Drive and Kathleen Lane in Flossmoor offers a playground with plastic tubes and spring bouncers, ball fields and a walking/bike path. In Homewood, hidden away on Turtlecreek Drive. Hollydale has a playfield, …

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Flossmoor Police Blotter: Purple Van Smash & Grab, Chicago Dad DUI, BMW Burglarized, Breakneck Cousin Beatdown

Flossmoor Police Reports, June 19-29.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 Chicago Father Charged With DUI A Chicago father has been charged with driving under the influence after being pulled over with his three young sons in the car. Larry Lemons, 39, of Bowen Avenue, was pulled over around 11:30 p.m. near Vollmer Road and Western Avenue, after an officer observed him make a U-turn and drive eastbound in the westbound lane in the 3100 block of Vollmer, police said. The car crossed the center lane marker, according to the report. After the officer pulled Lemons over, he smelled alcohol, police said. Lemons failed a field sobriety test. In addition to the DUI, Lemons is charged with improper lane usage and operation of an uninsured vehicle. The Department of Children and Family Services was …

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Coyote Run Launches Innovative Video Campaign

Coyote Run is attempting to go viral with its new YouTube video series "How Far Will It Fly?" You can probably guess what it entails.

Lemons, limes, eggs, super balls and marshmallow peeps. All of these things can be seen getting clobbered by Coyote Run Manager Brian Smith's golf club on Coyote Run Golf Course's new YouTube video series: "How Far Will It Fly?"  I was invited to the most recent taping: hacky sacks. The first drive went about 30 yards and remained in tact, contrary to Smith's assumption. "I thought, for sure, it would explode," Smith said. "So far everything's exploded." H-F Park District PR Coordinator Bob Birgel came up with eccentric the idea based on another popular viral video series. "I heard about (Blendtec's) 'Will It Blend?' and thought we should do (something like) that at the golf course and hit weird, random stuff off a tee," Birgel said. Park …

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Patch Picks: Father's Day

Check out our choices for the best activities to do with H-F dads on Father's Day!

Father's Day is this Sunday and H-F Patch knows just how you can spend the day with the best dad in the world!

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Local Sports Notebook

H-F Offers a Variety of Summer Sports Camps

You can go 'camping' right here in your back yard.

Homewood-Flossmoor High School is offering many sports camps this summer. The list runs the gamut from field hockey to girls soccer. For more information on the camps, check out the H-F school web site: HF Summer Camps Coyote Run, owned and operated by the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, is an 18-hole, par-71, 6,478-yard course located in Flossmoor.  Eleven of the 18 holes have water and there are 54 bunkers located throughout the course. For more information on course rates, please follow this link: Coyote Run Golf Rates No matter your skill level, the H-F Ice Arena has options available for you this summer.  There is a main rink, studio rink, party room and a pro shop all ready to serve your needs.  To find out more information about …

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5 Things to Know This Week

Track and Field, Job Fair and Paranormal Activity

H-F Patch lets you know what events and activities you can look forward to in and around H-F in the upcoming week.

Make sure to supportt the girls from H-F High School's track and field team as they go head to head with Bolingbrook on Tuesday from 4:30pm until 8:30pm.  For more information you can visit the high school's site or view their event post on Patch. More than 20 employers are scheduled to attend SXU's 13th Annual Job Fair this Tuesday from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. The fair is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring resumes and to dress professionally.  For more information about the SXU Job Fair, including a complete list of employers and positions for which they are recruiting, contact SXU's Career Services at (773) 298-3131 or check out their Patch event post. Northwoods Coyote Run will be featuring a "Ladies Night at the …

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