North Cook News

Patrick Flavin is aiming to make one of his final amateur competitions unforgettable.

With speculation building that he plans to turn pro before long, the 2014 Highland Park grad is set to play in the Western Amateur Championship at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield starting July 31.

With the Western widely regarded as one of the most prestigious amateur events in the country, Flavin has added motivation for wanting to perform well in Northfield.

“There is so much more to play for,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “If I put myself in position to make the Sweet 16 in the Western Amateur and try and defend my (Illinois State Amateur and Illinois Open) titles, they will be great experiences for me and pay off in the long run.”

The last few months have been a busy season for Flavin, who graduated from Miami University in Ohio back in May with a degree in quantitative economics. Since then, he’s flooded his schedule with a never-ending list of events, all with an eye toward Northfield and his rumored debut as a pro set for September at the Web.com Tour qualifying tournaments.

As part of his preparation for the big stage, Flavin has been soliciting advice from fellow North Shore pro and longtime pal Nick Hardy.

Flavin’s friendship Hardy, a recent University of Illinois grad, goes back to the days when Hardy was staring at Glenbrook North.

“Nick is probably the guy I’ve played the most golf with in my entire life,” Flavin said. “I ask him all the time what are the right things to be doing, who should I be talking to. He’s always been so generous and gives me the honest truth.”

Flavin was named to the All-Mid-American Conference first team all four seasons he played for Miami.