If you know me at all, you know this : If there’s a golf outing within 150 miles, I’m probably already in the car. Golf is where relationships grow, stories get told, and community bankers learn whether I can actually hit a fairway under pressure. (Spoiler: depends on the day.) This page will always be the first place  I post my plans, official outings, unofficial rounds, spontaneous 18s, and anything that involves good people, good swings, and a cold beverage in the cart. If

Illinois is packed with history, culture, and—let’s be honest—the real reason I travel so much: food.  From Chicago deep-dish to small-town diners where the waitress calls you “hon,” this state has flavors for every mood and every mile of the road. But this isn’t a foodie guide—my palate isn’t sophisticated enough for that. These are simply the kinds of places I actually eat : the restaurants I love, the spots I wander into while traveling the state for work, and the destinat

Sports in Illinois hit different. Sure, we’ve got the big stadiums, big teams, and big-ticket games… but we also have small-town gyms, Friday night lights, minor league ballparks, and college arenas that feel like home. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned traveling this great state: there’s always a game worth going to. Whether it’s Cardinals vs. Cubs, an MVC showdown, an East Suburban Catholic League nail-biter, or a high school basketball game where the whole town shows u