My Chicago Tribune editors and I debated a single word before the story under the headline “Women’s tee party in works?” went to print last week. I’d written that if Butler National decided to open its doors to the fairer sex, it “would” bring major championships to Chicago. That was changed to “could.”

My point was this: The only way the club will consider constructing a locker plate that says “SORENSTAM, A.” would be if the USGA or PGA of America assures Butler National it will host a U.S. Open, Ryder Cup or PGA Championship. A BMW Championship wouldn’t even do it, even though it’s a primo FedEx Cup Playoff event.

If the day comes that a pink Flying Lady is launched from the first teemy story cited sources saying the club is conducting a study regarding adding female members–women’s groups might declare victory. But rest assured, the pro-women Butler National members are not trying to make a statement. Except for this one: Let’s return the club to its roots of hosting championship golf. Butler National tortured Western Open competitors from 1974-90. “I lost three balls, my hat and my dignity,” two-time tour winner Butch Baird once said, retaining at least his sense of humor.

Founder Paul Butler, according to accounts, leaned toward creating an open membership policy. But a glut of top-notch family clubs, such as the 27-hole Butterfield CC, already existed in Chicago’s western suburbs in the early 1970s. So to distinguish itself and eliminate the possibility of annoying pool parties, the club went all-male.

Finances were key then. Finances are key now. A U.S. Open in 2020, the first open date, could generate more than $4 million for the club. If the gender barrier falls, Monday corporate outings would return. Though considering Golf Digest ranks Butler National as the nation’s 11th toughest course, companies would be wise to supply free drinks and plan for five-hour rounds.

Butler National’s membership remains strong, but the club is believed to have lowered its initiation fee from $175,000 to $125,000. Only Augusta National seems recession-proof. So what are the chances the golf shop will begin selling skirts? It depends on what the governing bodies say. USGA executive director Mike Davis and the PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka have close ties to Butler National members. Davis played the course in 2006 while in town for the PGA Championship at Medinah. He told me at the 2010 U.S. Open that if Butler National adopted a nondiscriminatory admissions policy, “Sure, I think we would start fresh and take a look at the golf course and the infrastructure.”

Alabama’s Shoal Creek, the club that created the firestorm regarding membership policies in 1990, did that by adding African-Americans and got back in the USGA’s and PGA Tour’s good graces. It held the U.S. Junior in 2008 and began hosting the Regions Tradition, a Champions Tour major, in 2011.

A strong block of Butler National members wants to see the world’s best test their course. Another group wants the status quo, especially if the change would require constructing women’s tees and major work in the clubhouse. If it reaches a vote, three-quarters would have to approve the change. Members might be advised to wear football helmets into that session.

After doctors performed surgery on Ian Kennedy to remove an aneurysm near his right shoulder in May 2009, the then-New York Yankees pitcher was forced to sit out most of the season. The injury, however, didn’t keep him from trying a new sport: golf.

“I took some lessons and got hooked,” says Kennedy, a Huntington Beach, Calif., native who was traded that winter to his current team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Moving to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, where he could play year-round on dozens of quality courses, only increased Kennedy’s appetite for the game. For his 27th birthday last December, his wife, Allison, surprised him with a membership to Ancala CC in Scottsdale. “She knew the repercussions,” he says, “that I was probably going to play a little more.”

Kennedy, a 21-game winner in 2011 who helped Arizona claim the National League West title, believes his baseball acumen comes in handy with his other passion. “I can relate the two,” he says. “Not just the swing and the mechanics, but the head too. The mental approach you have to take with each is really similar.”

COURSES
Before I joined Ancala, I played many of the area’s public courses. Among my favorites are the Monument and Pinnacle courses at Troon North GC. The scenery on both is stunning. The elevation changes offer a lot of challenges and require you to be thinking all through the round.

There are two courses at Talking Stick GC I take buddies to when they come to town. I like the South course a bit better than the North. There’s more variety to the layout. … Kierland GC is a good choice. There are three courses that let you have fun no matter your handicap.

One other spot I like is We-Ko-Pa GC. The two courses there are always in excellent shape, with really nice greens. The Cholla course is more of a desert, target-golf layout, while the Saguaro is more traditional.

DINING

I love Mexican food. In the Old Town section of Scottsdale is one of my favorite places, The Mission. They don’t serve really big portions, but the food is very good. My favorite is the carne asada tacos. The pork and chicken tacos are good too. And don’t skip the guacamole. It’s fantastic.

Don & Charlie’s on East Camelback in Scottsdale is another good option. Their ribs and steaks are great, and so is the salmon.

Oregano’s Pizza Bistro has the best pizza in town. They have a handful of places all over Phoenix. The locations have a 1950s feel to them, which is pretty neat.

Alice Cooper owns a sports bar near Chase Field called Alice Cooperstown. That’s where a lot of my family goes to eat when they’re in town for a game. It’s got music memorabilia and plenty of big-screen TVs.

WHERE TO STAY

Talking Stick Resort is a pretty neat place. There’s a casino for those who want a little more action besides what they’ll see on the course.

If you’re looking for something a little fancier, you might try the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The TPC Scottsdale is just across the street, and there are stay-and-play packages available for tee times on the Stadium course. Plus it’s got the amenities of a first-class resort: spa, restaurants, pool.

DON’T MISS

Besides, of course, going to a D-Backs game, the Phoenix Zoo is a great place to go if you’re with your family. I’ve taken my nephews and had a nice time. … Another kid-friendly place is The Railroad Park in Scottsdale. There’s a train for kids to ride as well as a big jungle gym.

I also really like Old Town because there are a lot of shops you can’t find elsewhere. It has that feel of the Old West.

If you don’t mind putting the clubs away, I highly recommend heading north to see Sedona. It’s about a two-hour drive. We’ve gone a few times. The views are incredible.

His roots may be from the south (raised in Meridian, Miss., educated at LSU), but for a half-century Eddie Merrins has been a fixture in and around Los Angeles. Following stints as a PGA Tour player and professional at some of the country’s finer private clubs (Merion GC and Westchester CC among them), he landed at tony Bel-Air CC in 1962 and has never left.

As the club’s professional emeritus, the 79-year-old continues to pursue his passion–teaching golf. His clientele has included a host of tour pros, but also several giants of the entertainment industry, including Jack Nicholson, Dean Martin, Sean Connery, Glenn Frey, Ringo Starr, Fred Astaire and Dennis Quaid.

Widely known as “The Little Pro” thanks to his diminutive stature (5-foot-7), Merrins is also famous for his trademark coat and tie. The traditional garb, he says, “conveys a gentlemanly impression of the game, truly what it’s meant to be.”

COURSES

Lost Canyons GC is about 40 minutes outside L.A. in Simi Valley, but is worth the drive. It has the Shadow and the Sky courses, both designed by Pete Dye with Fred Couples collaborating. In addition to the courses, it also has one of the better practice areas–150 yards wide and grass.

Further south, in Newport Beach, is Pelican Hill GC, a high-end facility with two Tom Fazio courses overlooking the ocean. They’re beautiful, and they’re good.

North of the city, near Santa Barbara, is the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. The original design was by George Thomas, whose work includes Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles CC.
It is exquisite, with a lot of history, in a beautiful setting.

In town is the municipal Griffith Park GC, which has two 18-hole courses, both also originally done by Thomas. They get a lot of play, but aren’t so crowded that you can’t get a tee time.

DINING

Dan Tana’s on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood features Italian food, and it’s a favorite of mine. The place hasn’t changed since it opened in 1964, retaining its original charm, and is still one of the most popular restaurants in the area.

Mastro’s Steakhouse on North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, across the street from the Montage, is located on the site of the old Bistro Hotel, a great L.A. landmark. It’s pretty crowded and a spot to see and be seen, but the food is also very good.

In the Brentwood neighborhood of West Los Angeles is another very nice Italian place, Ristorante Peppone. It’s a favorite, particularly during the week of the Northern Trust Open.

In Westwood Village is Barney’s Beanery, a terrific place for watching games. The food and service are good, the price is right and parking, always an issue in this city, is convenient; a large parking structure is across the street.

WHERE TO STAY

The Hotel Bel-Air recently re-opened after being closed for two years for a complete renovation. It has gone modernist, changing the mystique there considerably. Wolfgang Puck now operates the hotel’s signature restaurant.

The Montage Beverly Hills on North Canon Drive is a very good hotel, as is the Beverly Wilshire at the head of Rodeo Drive. … Down in Newport Beach is the Resort at Pelican Hill, which has a magnificent hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the two aforementioned Fazio courses.

DON’T MISS

Pretty much anything you want to do you can find in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. The beach, Hollywood, you name it. For me, I always find Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to be fascinating. It’s only three city blocks but is world-renowned for its shopping, billing itself as the “epicenter of luxury fashion.”