Joe Sisolak ... gone but never to be forgotten
Waukegan, Lake County and the golfing community as a whole lost a legend last week with the passing of Joe Sisolak.
Sisolak spent most of his 92 years in Waukegan teaching golf to whoever had a club and was willing to listen.
(Thomas Delany Jr./News-Sun)
When that person didn't have a club, Sisolak usually found a way to get the player one.
While Sisolak, who learned about the game as a caddy and assistant pro at Glen Flora County Club in the 1930's, would give pointers to anyone who asked free of charge, he saved his best tips on golf and life to youngsters in the area.
He could be found at Bonnie Brook, local schoolyards, the First Tee program at Foss Park, or his old driving range, which used to light up Sheridan Road in Beach Park.
Sisolak's positive influence on countless young lives couldn't be measured, but numerous organizations -- including the Illinois PGA Hall of Fame and Waukegan Sports Hall of Fame -- knew he was a worthy honoree.
He, and his late wife Marie, even had a golf course (now closed) named after them at the V.A. hospital in North Chicago as a tribute to their 52 years of volunteer service with the Swing Club at the hospital.
While Sisolak is no longer with us, his legacy will live on for years to come.
Several of his former pupils have gone on to be teaching and playing golf professionals -- including 2001 Waukegan High graduate and former Robert Morris College star Jill Franz, who is currently a junior/women's teaching pro at prestigious Medinah County Club in Lemont.
Jill's words best describe the impact that Sisolak had on her life, and it's is similar to his impact on numerous other students over the years.
"Joe has been one of the most influential people in my life.
Year after year, we spent hundreds of hours together working on my swing and getting me prepared for numerous tournaments and events.
Whenever my swing would go wrong, if I had a bad round or I needed a lesson, Joe was always my go-to person and would drop whatever he had going on to come and help me. He did this all out of the kindness of his heart and never once asked for anything in return.
I never knew that the skills he taught me, the time he dedicated to this sport, the love he had for teaching kids and his passion and love for the game would eventually become a part of me.
He taught me how to be good at this game, to love this game, and to give back to the game.
I can now see that I have accomplished all three of these things and would make Joe proud. He produced his prodigy, I love the game and I now give back to the game as a golf professional.
I have a passion for teaching junior golf and have a passion to coach and share my knowledge ,just as he did.
I wouldn't have it any other way and I have Joe to thank. I would not be who I am today if it wasn't for him and I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for him."
Well said Jill.
Joe Sisolak's Honors
• First recipient of the prestigious Chick Evans Award in 1972 for his commitment to amateur golf.
• Waukegan Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.
• PGA Illinois Sectional, Hall of Fame in 2003.
• Waukegan Park District named the park across from Clark School as Joe Sisolak Park in 1997.
• Waukegan Exchange Club, Book of Golden Deeds Award.
• Life Member of the PGA Half Century Club.
• Grand Marshal of the 1998 Waukegan Fourth of July Parade.
• Assistant coach for Waukegan High's state-championship girls golf team in 1991.
