BY: RORY SPEARS ASSISTANT EDITOR AND LEAD WRITER.

                                                                  WGAESF.COM      JIM MOORE

Jim Moore a major part of the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation has passed away at age 73.

Moore was a part of the Evans Scholar Program for 47 years, and served the WGA longer than any other employee. Moore held multiple titles during his time with the WGA.

During his time with the program, it grew from 600 scholars in school and 1,000 alumni, to 870 scholars and just under 10,000 alumni.

“Our hearts go out to Jim’s family and all of those whose lives he so deeply touched in his leadership roles in the Western Golf Association, said WGA Chairman Dennis O’Keefe. “Jim was a pillar of our organization and the face of the Evans Scholars Foundation to thousands of young men and women who received the Evans Scholarship over the past five decades. He will be greatly missed.”

Evans Scholar houses now exist on the campus of 14 colleges. When Moore first arrived at the WGA in 1967, he was the assistant educational director. Moore had taught at Rich Central high school in Park Forest, he was also a football and tennis coach.

From 1989 to 2008 he served as the educational director, during that time he improved living conditions at all of the Evans Scholars houses. Homes were replaced, upgraded or rebuilt. He would visit the houses on campus and help mentor kids.

Moore was responsible for increasing standards, and diversity among the Evans Scholars. He introduced Co-ed living at the houses, and making sure each year all of houses had a community service project.

In 2008 he became Sr. VP of foundation advancement. In addition a scholarship in his name was created that year, for his 40 years of service.

“Jim’s legacy also is evident through the lives of the thousands of young people he helped during his many years of service to the Evan Scholars Foundation,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “We are saddened that he will no longer be here to help us on our mission to educate caddies. But his work laid a foundation for the future. His spirit remains with us in the lives of those thousands of caddies he so greatly impacted.”

His interests included sports, golf, and spending time with his grand children. He remained in contact with many of the ESF Alums, he helped mentor over the years.

A celebration of life service is being planned for later date.

Celebrating 25 years in the commercial glass business in Chicago. Visit the show room at 1835 N. Major, or see Startechglass.com.

BY: Rory Spears Lead Writer and Assistant Editor.

WEEKEND IN WISCONSIN, it was and except for the flat tire it a was great one. The opportunity to visit a great future site, and to see a golf course that is getting ready to come back on line was great.

First up was the tour of the new Sand Valley project that is about 30 minutes south of Stevens Point Wisconsin. It is safe to say that Sand Valley is taking shape and a first routing by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw is not official yet, but getting closer to being locked in. Later this week Crenshaw makes his first visit to the site. The 1800 acres that comprise Sand Valley, have had over 600 acres cleared.

On the valley floor of Sand Valley.

Coore has visited the site several times and his put in the flags for some possible tee’s and greens. What’s amazing is the sand base the property has, which is great for golf and great for those building golf on the site.

There are a few spots being looked at for the building of a clubhouse, and the practice facility. When you see what’s been cleared and what the routing might be, it’s gets one anxious for 2016 to come along quickly.

The area that could be used for holes two and three.

There is no date for a grand opening in 2016, that all depends on the construction phase and how the weather in the area goes over the next two summers and winters.

Mike Keiser has not yet announced which architect or architects, will build the second course. But it sounds like many architects are hoping to have a shot at one of the courses that eventually will get built.

The famed par 3, 16th hole at Sentry World, known as the flower hole.

The Sentry World Golf Course is coming around from the renovation by architect Jay Blasi part of the Robert Trent Jones Jr. team for 12 years.

There was a lot to be done when Blasi got to work on the course back in 2012. The progress this year got held up a bit by the long hard winter that not only Wisconsin had, but the entire Midwest.

The good news is that Sentry Insurance under CEO Pete McPartland has decided to redo the entire facility and do it right. Golfers will enjoy the entire product when it’s all completed. While I didn’t play the golf course before the renovation, I heard enough about it from Blasi that the new version with a couple of new holes is a major upgrade.

Work still continues inside clubhouse at Sentry World.

The Flower Hole, the par 3 16th has been replanted and come in nicely. If there is a hole anywhere in golf that makes better use of flowers I haven’t seen it.

Chicago area golfers will be glad to know that Hoffman Estates native Brian Dumler is still the head golf professional. Wisconsin native Mike James has returned from West Virginia to be the General Manager. The new golf carts look great and are complete with GPS. There is no date yet when the club will be open for play, but I’ll pass it along when Sentry World announces it.

Between the Kohler courses, Erin Hills, Lawsonia, Sentry World, and in 2016 Sand Valley, a few courses in the Dells and Madison area. Wisconsin is really becoming a golf destination.

For the all the folks at Kohler, the 2014 PGA Championship is in the books, the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling straits is as they say at the draft, “on the clock”.

The second half of summer is here, Go Play. RS

LInks & Tee’s Lake Avenue in Addison, Play or Practice all day for $20 and Foot Golf is coming soon. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275.

BY: RORY SPEARS Lead Writer and Assistant Editor.

 I guess it’s pass the Wanamaker day from one Rory to another, no problem. Rory McIlory you earned a second Wanamaker, and did it in classic style. In a PGA that nobody will ever forget anytime soon, McIlroy showed his time is now. That time could last for a while, hopefully it does.

Golf is good hands now with McIlroy being at No.1, and the talent that is filling in behind him in the rankings. Golf fans like rivalries, whether it’s Arnie and Jack, Jack and Tom, Greg and Nick, Davis and Freddie, Tiger and Phil. Now it’s turning into Rory and Rickie, Fowler that is.

Toss in a little Phil, some Sergio, J Rose, and this rivalry thing is starting to cook. This weekend you had a shootout, you had the names and you had record ratings. You had everything but Tiger on the weekend. Now maybe, just maybe the networks are starting to figure out what some people have known for a while. It’s not all about Tiger anymore.

Brian Hewitt of the Global Golf Post and another writer from a major publication both used the same theme. If Woods appearance at Valhalla was anything, they called it a heavyweight fight. They both said it would have been stopped in the first round, Woods had nothing left but gamely struggled to play 36 holes. His highlight was photo-bombing Fowler in the parking lot. Woods played like a fighter who had stayed a few fights too long, hoping for one last win or payday. In Woods case, he got neither.

There is now enough rivalry with the younger players that the new Era is here. If Woods get healthy he might come back and win a tournament next year, not likely to be a major though. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get one more major win, but 18 or 19 now seems out of the question. Jack’s record is safe for years to come.

A bigger question is how many majors will McIlroy win, he now has four. Is one a year out of the question for the next several years. Can Fowler break through is another question, he came close four times in four tries this year, is 2015 a breakthrough year for him. His group of fans will be following every step, many of them youngsters in Rickie like clothes. The youngest generation is now “Followers of Fowler”.

McIlroy really showed something giving up the lead, going down three shots and then rallying back to win. If you didn’t figure that out after Congressional, Kiawah, Royal Liverpool (HoyLake) you know now, that this kid is the real deal.

He is real off the course too, when Golf Channels Brandel Chamblee looked closely into the camera on Sunday night and said, “McIlroy has showed he can be great on and off the golf course.” It was obvious the message he was trying to send. McIlroy’s story on how he treated a young girl fan in a gas station this week in Louisville raced through the internet. It was heart warming.

If there is one sad thing about McIlroy it’s that, he won’t be on our team for the Ryder Cup. He could be a five point player for the Euro’s, and that might be the difference. But a difference is he making, on and off the golf course. His time is here, embrace it golf fans. His types don’t come along very often.

SPEAKING OF THE RYDER CUP..Tom Watson said some interesting things today. He said he wants guys who are playing well right now, then added he would be foolish not to consider Tiger for Team USA.

Well maybe Watson should consider Tiger, for about two seconds before comes to his senses and Just Says NO. Watson has “Nothing to Gain,” and everything, Cup included to lose, by picking Woods. lat six Ryder Cups, USA 1-0 with no Tiger, 0-5 with him. He wasn’t alone, but he did hurt the USA team at Medinah.

The Gog Blog returns later with a recap of the weekend in Wisconsin.

Rory Spears, Checks in from the newly renovated Sentry World golf Course in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

It’s Sunday Morning again and time for the Golfers on Golf Radio Show. Teeing off at 9 AM on AM 1240 WSBC, and AM 1470 WCFJ.

If you miss us live, you can get a mulligan, be revisiting this website after it’s posted later in the day or on Monday.

Specials guests today include Host Rory Spears checking in from the newly renovated Sentry World golf Club in Stevens Point Wisconsin. Rory (the hottest name in golf) might add a surprise guest to the show. He will also recap his Saturday visit to the under construction Sand Valley Project in Wisconsin.

Over 600 acres have been cleared and course No.1 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw is coming together.

Joining the program is Illinois PGA Professional Gary Pinns around 9:20, and at 9:40 is Big 3 Partner and veteran Chicago golf writer Len  Ziehm live from Valhalla. Can Rory finish it again.

The Gog Blog returns on Monday, with the Gog Blog Speaks Out.

The Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake Wisconsin, come play the classic public courses that Chicago’s private club members come to play. Chicago architect Williams Langford’s 1930’s Gem, the Links Course. Stay and plays now available, enjoy Langford’s Pub. See Lawsonia.com or call (920)-294-3320.

BY: RORY SPEARS, ASSISTANT EDITOR AND LEAD WRITER.

The third and final phase of the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville is about to begin on August 18th.

The original clubhouse will start to come down, in preparation for the new building’s that will be among the best in the Chicago area.

Phase one was the redoing of the golf course, original architect Ray Hearn was recalled by owner Jim McWethy. Hearn installed 20 sodwall bunkers and made changes on the course that was highlighted by the work done on the third hole, that is now a partial island green.

Phase two was the creation of a new Performance Center that has golfers lined up to improve their game, the food and beverage area has been a draw for golfers on and off the golf course.

The artists drawings of the new clubhouse at Mistwood now on display in the current clubhouse. When the project is done and the clubhouse does reopen which McWethy hopes is in June of 2015, the clubhouse will be actually two buildings. The outside look will be in the same stone that was used on the Performance Center.

Mistwood Owner Jim McWethy, stands on the stone bridge between the Performance Center and where the new clubhouse will be.

One building will be the golfside of the clubhouse complete with proshop and offices, with the other being the banquet area and grill. The locker rooms and cart storage area will be downstairs. The two buildings will be connected by an underground tunnel. One of the first main events in the banquet area, could be the main dinner after the pro-am of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open. But if construction stays on schedule or ends up being ahead of schedule, there might be several events in there in advance the IWO.

While Construction is ongoing this fall and next spring, Mistwood will not close. Most of the courses operations will move into the Performance Center until they can go back into the new clubhouse. The hope is that enough of the work can get done on the buildings so when winter hits, the workers can move inside and work all winter.

Click here to hear the interview with Mistwood owner Jim McWethy.

To play Mistwood Golf Club call (815)-254-3333 or visit on line Mistwoodgc.com.

       Links & Tee’s Lake Avenue in Addison. $20 to play or practice all day. Visit Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 Foot Golf coming soon.

Written By Rory Spears, Assistant Editor and Lead Writer.         

Kelly Hyne LPGA VP and Team Sweden Anna Nordquist (R) recap the International Crown

At the opening event for the 2016 International Crown, several key speakers helped launched the lead up to Rich Harvest Farms.

LPGA Vice President of Properties Kelly Hyne did an interview with Team Swedens Anna Nordquist, below is the audio from that interview.

The first International Crown was just played in Owings Mill Md. and was won by Team Spain. Team Sweden with Nordquist was second, and will be a tough challenger for the next Crown at Rich Harvest Farms.

Click hear to hear the interview. The 2016 International Crown coming to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove in July of 2016.

        THE COURSES OF LAWSONIA. 36 HOLES INCLUDING THE LINKS AND WOODLANDS COURSES. COME SEE HISTORIC CHICAGO ARCHITECH WILLIAM LANGFORD’S CLASSIC DESIGNS. STAY & PLAY PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE. PLAY WHERE THE MEMBERS OF CHICAGO’S TOP PRIVATE CLUBS PLAY. SEE LAWSONIA.COM OR CALL (920)-294-3320.

BY: LEAD WRITER & ASSISTANT EDITOR RORY SPEARS

Day two of the Tiger saga continues, Woods caddie Joe LaCava is at Valhalla and is walking the course and getting his yardages ready in case the boss actually does show up. Even LaCava didn’t know yet what the deal is regarding whether or not Woods plays. We do know this much, Woods pre-tournament press conference has already been postponed. No word yet if it will be rescheduled. In the meantime the golf fans are ready for some golf.

Rory Spears with Anna Nordquist at the Hotel Arista in Naperville. For the 2016 International Crown tee off event.

Closer to home, the 2016 LPGA International Crown launched it’s first tee ball down the fairway with an event at Hotel Arista in Naperville.

Lead by Commissioner Michael Whan, LPGA VP Kelly Hyne, Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich, and Team Sweden player Anna Nordquist the Crown arrived in town.The trophy made by Tiffany’s did too, it will be on display at Rich Harvest Farms until the end of the 2016 Crown.

I have already mentioned how good the first event was, and how it’s going to be better the next time around. Jerry Rich and his team in Sugar Grove are going to run an event that will be on the level with the Ryder Cup. Chicago golf and sports fans will enjoy 2016 at the Crown out on the farm.

Click here to hear my interview with Anna Nordquist.

The publicity and the push for the 2016 Crown has already started, it won’t stop until there aren’t any more tickets to sell. Even then it might not stop anyway, it’s one event everyone should look forward to being at. I’ll have more on the International Crown’s opening event in the days ahead.

TOURNAMENT MONTH..I wrote at the beginning of July that it was tournament month, and called it the most wonderful time of the year. Well I was right, but I am rethinking that. Maybe it’s the most hectic time of the year.

Big 3 partner Len Ziehm and myself had a full month of covering tournaments from start to finish. The conclusion we arrived at was that there are too many tournaments in July. Can we spread the wealth around please. All or part of five tournaments were played in a three week span. Next year it gets worse when the Encompass Championship gets pushed back into July, in 2016 The International Crown will join the fold in July.

Trying to play the Encompass championship, The John Deere Classic, the Illinois State Amateur, the Men’s and Women’s Illinois Open, the Western Amateur all in less than 30 days is a bit much. How about June anyone, anyone ???

The Western Amateur had some of the best amateur golf I’ve seen played in a long time. Congrats to Doug Ghim of Arlington Hts., and Nick Hardy of Northbrook for making a great run in the championship. Both losing to eventual champion Beau Hossler. Both graduates of the Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA), maybe the state is turning out some good young players. Too bad more patrons were not on hand, I have never seen a lower attended Western Amateur. Maybe it’s a south side thing. Beverly is such a great course to see and walk.

The Illinois Women’s Open was well done again. Congrats to champion Emily Collins who played great in tough windy conditions. Another tip of the cap or golf visor to owner Jim McWethy, Dan Phillips, Dan Bradley and the staff at Mistwood for a job well done. They have the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open rolling. Next year when the new clubhouse is built Mistwood will really be something. I’ll share the plans and comments with McWethy here on the site later this week.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm has some some great content on his site Lenziehmongolf.com. The Ziehm machine is off to Valhalla this week, he will have more from the PGA Championship this week.

If you have not picked up the new copy of Chicagoland Golf, you should do so. Publisher Val Russell takes his shot’s at Jake Griffins piece in Daily Herald that unfairly and incorrectly was critical of tax payer supported golf courses. It’s a must read.

I’m back more this week. Stay clicked in. Go play when the courses dry out. RS

     MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB IN ROMEOVILLE-HOME OF THE PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS OPEN. NEW CLUBHOUSE WORKS BEGINS IN AUGUST. MISTWOODGC.COM (815)-254-3333.

                     BY: RORY SPEARS LEAD WRITER & ASSISTANT EDITOR.

IT’S ONE OF THOSE DAYS, and as Big 3 Partner Len Ziehm would say, I have a lot to say. Roar-Ree..Oh Yeah !

First up on the PGA Tour, the circus continues. But is it over for the year, probably not. About the time one would think Tiger Woods is done for 2014, he will probably show up this week at Valhalla and turn the PGA into an event golf fans don’t want to watch. If Woods is done for the year as some are speculating, the most relieved person on the planet will be Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson who won’t be expected to waste a captains pick on Woods.

If for some reason it wasn’t obvious before, then it should be now that there is no room for Woods on this Ryder Cup team. Yes I know what Jack said, but Jack probably wouldn’t have said what he did if he was. Woods was quickly taken back to Florida and did seek medical opinions last night. Those results are not yet known. They might tell Woods to take the rest of 2014 off, they might say take two weeks off. But even that period of time is too much for Woods now, two weeks means the rest of 2014 at this point.

I’m not Woods biggest fan (no kidding), but I’m not going to say he was faking it and then WD’d because he wasn’t playing well. I don’t buy that. I know some comments that have been made about his teacher and coaching style is the cause of Woods injuries. I’m not going there either, because I don’t see that as being true. If Woods felt Foley’s methods were causing him health issues, he would have dumped Foley a longtime back.

What seems best for Woods right now is to go home, rest up get healthy and try again in 2015. Some think his career is over, I don’t see it that way. But I do feel Jack’s record of 18 majors is safe.

RORY is World No.1 again, getting the ranking away from Adam Scott, who also played well but not well enough. The Rory Era does seem to be upon us, should he win this week at Valhalla and go 3 for 3, in starts, wins and two majors in two months. It will be his time. Maybe all the media outlets can quit wasting time with the Tiger Trackers. Of course the new version could come out, it’s called Tiger (in) Traction.

Valhalla is on the tee, the season’s final major. The season’s last great chance to take control of a  spot on the Ryder Cup team, who will do it. Who wont.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out Part 2, comes out later today. Stay Clicked in. Go Play. RS

           The Links of Lawsonia. 36 holes of Classic Golf by Chicago golf architect legend William Langford. Head north to where Chicago’s private club members go. Green Lake Wisconsin. Stay and plays now available, Call (920)-294-3320.  Visit Lawsonia.com.            GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO SUNDAY’S AT 9 AM. Chicago’s No.1 golf radio show and longest running golf radio show. Join Mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears for Chicago’s best hour of golf talk. Hear the guests you don’t get anywhere else. If you miss us live because your on the course or at the range, join us back here on the site for a rebroadcast. Stay clicked in. WSBC AM 1240 and WCFJ AM 1470 on your dial.

Guests this week include. Carrie Williams Director of the Illinois Junior Golf Association, and Val Russell Publisher of Chicagoland Golf. Hear from the winner of the 112th Western Amateur, the commissioner of the LPGA Tour, and a winner of the Illinois Senior Masters award. Emily Collins the winner of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open.

Emily Collins holds the Kosin Cup at Mistwood GC in Romeoville.

Did you know, the 2016 LPGA International Crown tee’d off this week in Illinois. We did, you’ll hear more from the launch at Hotel Arista in Naperville.

Golf is over the TV tonight on Comcast Sportsnet. First on the tee is the Golf Scene hosted by Steve Kashul, that will air at 6 PM.

Then coming up at 9:30 is CDGA TV. both shows have several features from around the area, and a few from out of town. Tune in to both and find out more about golf in and out of the Chicago area. CDGA TV is hosted by Jill Carlson.

Cog Hill has a Scramble Tournament today, teeing off this afternoon at 2 PM and family golf is back tonight at 6 PM. Night golf is coming to Cog Hill on August 29th. Visit Coghillgolf.com for more details.

All of us at Golfers on Golf send our condolences to the friends, and family of Prairie Landing Head Golf Professional John Larson who passed away yesterday after a long illness. he will be missed at Prairie Landing and beyond.

See you on the first tee at 9 AM. The weather is great Go Play.