All is right in Jeff Sluman’s world these days. He and the Cubs are both winning, something that hasn’t always been a common occurrence in recent years.
“Yeah, let’s hope we can keep it up,” Sluman said.
Sluman, a Hinsdale resident, is doing his part. He recently broke through with his first victory on the Champions Tour, winning the Bank of America Championship on June 22.
The title made Sluman a full-fledged member of the “Life is good at 50” club.
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“Any time you win, it feels great,” Sluman said.
Sluman was expected to be a big winner on the older circuit when he hit the big 5-0 last September. He had been one of those players who remained competitive on the PGA Tour deep into his 40s.
Some people assumed, and with good reason, that the combination of playing shorter courses and players not named Tiger Woods would have Sluman turning the Champions Tour into his personal ATM machine. Sluman, though, knew otherwise.
“People who thought I would go out there and dominate don’t know much about golf,” Sluman said. “These guys are used to putting up low numbers. These guys are super competitive and they take great pleasure in beating the rookies.”
Sluman also had issues with his game. Last summer his driver went south, joining his chipping and putting.
“A bad trifecta for a golfer,” Sluman said.
Sluman has been working to get his game back into shape. Sure enough, he began to see progress in the spring with a runner-up and a third-place finish.
Then Sluman pulled himself into the lead during the final round of the Bank of America. It should have been familiar territory for a guy who won six times on the PGA Tour, including the 1988 PGA Championship.
But his last win came six years ago.
“It felt like you had to relearn it again,” Sluman said. “You have to relearn the nuances [of contending]. Will I get too quick? Can I make that putt? There’s no secret, really. If you trust your ability that got you to this point with six holes left, eventually you’re going to win.”
Sluman found the trust, making birdie on three of the last four holes to win. He earned $247,000.
Just as important, Sluman also got on the board on the Champions Tour.
“Yeah, I’m glad it’s out of the way,” he said.
Over the weekend, Sluman tied for fourth in the Commerce Bank Championship, earning $86,400. His schedule calls for three weeks on, one week off.Sluman won’t get a home game, though. Chicago is without a Champions Tour stop and there isn’t one looming on the horizon.
“I know they have some feelers out there,” Sluman said. “It would be special to have it in Chicago.”
Instead, Sluman will have to follow the Cubs from afar. He isn’t complaining. He’s grateful to have the chance to play and be competitive again.
The Champions Tour isn’t the PGA Tour, but the golf still is top-notch and he doesn’t have to go up against players young enough to be his son.
“Fifty’s not so bad,” Sluman said. “I’m glad I made it.”
Tap-ins
Olympia Fields Country Club has completed renovations to its South course done by architect Steve Smyers. The South layout is terrific and would get more attention if it weren’t overshadowed by the North course, site of the 2003 U.S. Open. … Paul Voykin is retiring after 47 years as superintendent at Briarwood Country Club in Deerfield.
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