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Marovitz Golf Course Will Host Big Ten Cross-Country Championships

By Justin Breen | October 20, 2015 5:57am | Updated on October 20, 2015 10:21am
 The Big Ten cross-country championship meet is coming to Marovitz Golf Course.
The Big Ten cross-country championship meet is coming to Marovitz Golf Course.
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Northwestern Athletics (l.); Chicago Park District (r.)

CHICAGO — Don't plan to hit the links at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course on Oct. 31 or Nov. 1 — unless you like watching competitive running.

The course will be taken over by the Big Ten's top men's and women's cross-country runners for the conference's championship meet. The event, hosted by Northwestern, will take place Nov. 1, with officials setting up the course on Oct. 31. Golfing during those days won't be allowed.

“Northwestern chose Sydney Marovitz due to its scenic location on Lake Michigan and proximity to downtown Chicago,” said Jered Wieland, Regional Manager for Billy Casper Golf, which oversees Chicago Park District golf courses. “It’s a great opportunity for them to showcase a unique property and call it their own.”

Justin Breen says golf courses are common race sites:

Northwestern does not have a home course and hasn't hosted the Big Ten championships since 1976, according to coach 'A Havahla Haynes. She said golf courses are frequently used to host big cross-country events because they're well-maintained and mowed, to "create a sense of essentially running through fields," Haynes said.

Golf courses closer to Evanston were considered, as was Arlington Park racetrack, but Haynes said Marovitz was the perfect fit.

"It's beautiful, and the course has great sweeping turns and it's great for spectators," Haynes said.

The cross-country course features three 2-kilometer loops for women runners and four for men. The loops begin and end near Marovitz's first tee.

Marovitz has hosted picnics, car shows, cross-country skiing, fishing tournaments and club volleyball events, but never cross-country running.

“The Chicago Park District welcomes alternative uses for their facilities to promote sporting activities and events,” said Bill Colgan, Regional Manager for Chicago Park District Golf.

Admission is free, with parking available at Montrose Harbor, officials said. For more information, click here.

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