ARLINGTON LAKES GOLF CLUB REOPENS on Friday July 1st, be among the first to play the newly renovated course and enjoy the remodeled clubhouse. AHPD.org for more details. Erin Hills home of the 2017 U.S. Open, tickets on sale to the public soon.   ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger. Am 1240 WSBC Sundays at 9 AM through Sept. 11th.

Golfers on Golf Radio is back for Week 6 this morning at 9 AM, on AM 1240 WSBC.

Chicago’s favorite foursome Mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears are ready to bring you another week of golf talk, with a Chicago flavor to it.

This week’s guests include Tim Cronin the publisher of the Illinois Golfer, and the author of several centennial golf books for organziations liek the Western Golf Association, and Chicago area clubs like Medinah, Olympia Fields, Westmoreland, Oak Park and Beverly. Tim is on the tee about 9:10, live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Speedway Golf Course designed by Pete Dye. Following Tim is main man of golf writing in Wisconsin Gary D’Amato from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentennial.  Gary will cover all-things Wisconsin golf and have an update about the new golf course bein proposed on Lake Michigan by the Kohler Company. We hope you will join us.

WGAESF.Org

Breaking News !!!!, the Western Golf Association has confirmed to Golfers on Golf that the 2021 Western Amateur will be played back at it’s orginal home site, the Glenview Club, in Glenview Illinois.

This years Western Amateur will be held at the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest. Future sites include 2017 Skokie Country Club, 2018 Exmoor Country Club, 2019 A return to the Point O’Woods, 2020 Crooked Stick in Indiana, and now in 2021 The Glenview Club.

The WGA has also confirmed that defending Western Amateur champion Dawson Armstrong will be back this year, to defend his title that he won at Rich Harvest Farms in dramatic fashion by holing a bunker shot in a playoff against Aaron Wise.

CONGRATULATIONS to a good friend of Golfers on Golf, Mike Jones who worked at several clubs in the Chicago area before heading off to Maui Hawaii and running the golf operation at Kapalua, has landed a new job in Pennsylvania in the Pittsburgh Area.

Jones will direct the golf operation at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The resort currently has one golf course, but a new second course by Pete Dye is under construction. The resort also has a Spa and a Casino, more details coming soon. Welcome back to the mainland Mike.

The Senior PGA Championship is coming up this week at Harbor Shores in Michigan, more coming up on that during the Gog Blog Speaks Out coming tomorrow. Stay clicked in.

 The Knollwood Club of Lake Forest will host the WGA Western Amateur coming August 1-6, defending champion Dawson Armstrong will be in the field. Admission and parking are free. Arlington Lakes will reopen for golf on July 1st, for information on the grand reopening outing, visit AHPD.org or call the course at (847)-577-3030.                _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by rory spears, editor and director of content, follow rory on facebook,linkedin and twitter @gogblogguy. With a Titleist 915 driver and a Fujikura Speeder Shaft.

Kyle Nathan who won the Illinois State Mid-Amateur championship in 2012, wins the 2016 CDGA Mid-Amateur championship by a score of 3 & 2 over Matt McLaughlin.

Nathan of Glenview and a member of Exmoor Country Club, held only a 1 Up lead after 14 holes, but he won both 15 and 16 to defeat McLaughlin of Barrington.

“They are the events that mean the most,” said Nathan of both the state and CDGA Mid-Am’s. “To win both the match play and the stroke play version is pretty cool. I’m very happy with that.”

Cdga.org

With a 1 Up lead after 14 holes Nathan made an adventure of the of the 15th hole, going from fairway bunker on his tee shot, to greenside bunker on his approach shot. But his bunker shot stopped 10 feet from the hole and Nathan made the putt to go 2 Up.

The 16th hole found Nathan in another greenside bunker, with an awkward stance that left him standing outside the trap. But after blasting out to 25 feet, Nathan rolled in the putt to take the match 3 & 2.

Cody Sundberg and and Andy Johnson were eliminated in the semi-finals.

The next CDGA championship will be the inaugural CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball May 23-26 at Crystal Tree Golf and Country Club in Orland Park.

  Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tarpon Springs Florida just north of Tampa, home of the Copperhead Course and the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour, A PGA Tour course you can play, see Innisbrookgolfresort.com. THE KNOLLWOOD CLUB in Lake Forest will host the 2016 Western Amateur August 1-6, admission and parking are Free. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy at Blackwolf Run in Kohler.

The Fightin Illini have done it again, they have won their fourth straight NCAA Regional Championship, with a come from behind final round win on the Meadow Valley Course at Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin.

Illinois will now move on to the NCAA National Championships at the Eugene Country Club in Eugene Oregon, that will be played from May 27th through June 1st.

Illinois went into the final round in second place, and played extremely well on the closing holes to edge out Florida for the title. Illinois was seven under in the final round for a total score of 11 under par. Four Illinois golfers placed in the top 25.

Illinois now has the second longest streak in the country with nine consecutive national championship appearences, trailing only USC with 10 straight appearences.

Seniors Thomas Detry and Charlie Danielson a Wisconsin native lead the way for Illinois as they tied for third place at 4 under par. Sophomore Nick Hardy was 12th at 1 under par and Dylan Meyer who set the pace early in round one for Illinois, was 21st at even par.

“Four consecutive regional wins says a lot, that is consistency over time and it’s very hard to do,” said head coach Mike Small. “Out two seniors stood out today. They are the reason right now we are where we are, but the rest of the team piggybacked and played solid. The back nine was the story, we were treading water after nine holes, but we were solid on the back nine. Florida played better than us this week, but we finished stronger.”

More details on Illinois as they prepare for the NCAA National Championships both here on this site and or Fightingillini.com.

THE RUST OLEUM CHAMPIONSHIP coming to Ivanhoe Country Club from June 6-12, tickets on sale now at Rustoleumchampionship.com. The 2016 Sr.PGA Championship at Harbor Shores will take place from May 23-29, see Colin Montgomerie go for a Three-Peat at the Senior PGA Championship, tickets at PGA.com/Srpga. _____________________________________________________________________

Welcome to Erin Hills, home of the 2017 U.S. Open. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The new Web.com championship in Springfield Illinois, the Lincoln Land Charity Championship has named its first sponsor exemption.

University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small received that exemption, which was awarded by tournament officials.

Coach Small the winner of the 2015 Coach of the year award, has guided Illinois to seven Big ten Championships in the last eight years.

Mike Small at Olympia Fields after winning the Illinois PGA Championship.

Small has taken the Illini to the NCAA national championship seven of the last eight seasons.

Small previously played on the PGA Tour and the tour that is now called the web.com tour for five years, but while coaching at Illinois still continues to play at IPGA Section events and other top level tournaments.

“We are excited to have Coach Small competing in the inaugural Lincoln Land Charity Championship,” said Tournament Director Alex McCarty. “Mike’s professional accomplishments, coupled with his success as head men’s golf coach for the University of Illinois, makes for an exciting addition to the tournament field.”

In 2013 Small played in his 9th PGA Championship and his 12th career major. Later that year he was inducted to the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

Tournament officials also announced that a member of the Illinois golf team will receive a sponsor’s exemption into the field through 2020, it will go to the player with the lowest stroke average, unless a player from Illinois wins the Big Ten Championship.

The Land of Lincoln Charity Championship will be played at the Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield Illinois, from July 14-17. Many would prefer to go to a site like GoFundMe to give their charitable donations, but for fans of the sports this event is a great alternative. Tickets are $10 and weekly passes can be purchased for $35. For more information see Lincolnlandcharitychampionship.com.

NOTE: Coach Small and his Illinois Team are currently competing in the NCAA Regionals on the Meadows Valley Course at Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. The top five schools will advance to the NCAA National Championships in Eugene Oregon. Heading into today’s final round, Illinois is alone in second place.

  INNISBROOKGOLFRESORT.COM  in Tarpon Springs Florida just North of Tampa, home of the Valspar Championship, and the recently renovated Copperhead Course. A great place to visit all-year round. The 18th hole at the Meadow Valley Golf Course at Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. Part of the American Club Resort, hosting the NCAA Regional today through Wednesday. Destinationkohler.com Plan your Visit now.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS editor and director of content. At Blackwolf Run, yes they are open for the season. Follow Rory on facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

It’s Prime-Time golf season for college golfers these days, as the six NCAA Regionals are playing out as we type.

No.2 Illinois sits in Fifth place after Day 1 in Kohler on the Meadow Valley Course at Blackwolf Run. Illinois is not far off the lead but needs to move up to make sure they advance to the nationals in Eugene Oregon.

Dylan Meyer lead the team with a 2 Under Par Score of 70 in day 1.

The University of Texas roared out to a first day score of 20 under par. Former Western Amateur Champion Beau Hossler who also clinched the winning point for Team USA in the Palmer Cup at Rich Harvest Farms last summer, shot 1 over par and his score wasn’t even needed. Arlington Heights Illinois resident Doug Ghim lead the way with a bogey-free 8 under par 64 on the Vanderbilt Unviersity Course in Tennessee. Nice playing Doug.

The Rust-Oleum Championship coming to the Ivanhoe Country Club next month. The Web.com tour is here.

Today was media day at the Ivanhoe Country Club in Ivanhoe/Mundelein Illinois, as the club and Rust-Oleum prepare for the championships debut next month in Illinois.

To meet the media were tournament and club officials, along with Web.com Tour playerd Brad Hopfinger and Michael Schachner.

Schachner grew up at Ivanhoe as his family were members of the club. Schachner has his name on the wall of the club, as he was the junior club champion several years running.

His sister Nicole is a former Illinois Women’s Open Champion at Mistwood, winning the longest playoff in the championship’s history. But next month it will be Michael making his return to his home club, a great addition to the field in my opinion. Schachner and Hopfinger will not be the only locals in the field, Vince India of Deerfield, runner up in the Illinois Open last year is expected in as well. Tickets are now on sale.

Kyle Bauer of the Glenview Club was the winner of the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship at Kemper Lakes.

Congratulations to Kyle Bauer on winning his second straight IPGA major dating back to last year.

Bauer defeated Travis Johns of Medinah 4 & 3 in the finals at Kemper Lakes last Thursday.

I must add that the quality of play of Kemper Lakes was only matched by the golf course itself. The renovations to the course have made it major championship calibur no doubt.

I have suggested to the club to explore the possibility of landing it’s second PGA Championship, in 2024.

Why 2024, well it’s the next one the PGA of America will hand out. The USGA is already having the U.S. Open at Pinehurst that year, and will mark the 25th Anniversary of the passing of Payne Stewart who won the open in 1999 at Pinehurst.

It would be great for the PGA to do the same, and award the 2024 PGA to Kemper Lakes where Stewart won his first major, and Kemper Lakes is Stewarts connection to the PGA of America.

But while watching the match play finals, I noticed the hat being worn by Johns with the Medinah logo and the year 1924 on the front side. 1924…really, that means Medinah would be celebrating it’s centennial year in 2024.

Well it’s no secret that major clubs do like hosting a big tournament in special years like that. So would Medinah enter the derby and try to land a PGA in 2024, since the Ryder Cup is out of the question already for that year having been awarded to Bethpage Black on Long Island.

I haven’t spoke to anyone at Medinah about what the clubs plans might be for that year, but one would have to think the club could be interested in hosting a championship of some kind in 2024.

Regardless of where a 2024 PGA Championship might go, it would be nice to see the PGA bring it’s championship to Chicago that summer. Whether it’s held before or after the Olympic games that would be played that summer.

Chicago with another major championship, what a great idea. The Gog Blog returns on Tuesday. RS

  A TASTE OF WISCONSIN Erin Hills on the left via the drone is now open for the 2016 Golf Season, remaining tee times and cottage space are selling out fast. Erinhills.com for more information, home of the 2017 U.S. Open. CASSY TULLY-Fine Art, your home for Wisconsin’s best golf art, have Cassy design something for your club cassytully.com. ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, Seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger. 9 AM today on AM 1240 WSBC Chicago. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears.

Golfers on Golf Radio is back for week 5 of the 22 hole season.

Chicago’s favorite foursome of  Ed Stevenson, Mike Munro, Bill Berger and Rory Spears has another exciting week of golf talk lined up for you starting at 9 AM on Am 1240 WSBC.

On the local scene, the Publisher of Chicagoland Golf Val Russell joins us on the tee first, and then from beautiful sunny warm Florida it’s former Kempersports VP and now sales manager Doug Schmidt of the Innisbrook Golf Resort in Tarpon Springs, just North of Tampa. Four courses and that includes Coppherhead home of the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

Would you like to hit this tee shot, off the 16th tee at Whistling Straits.

Why not hint to your family that for Fathers Day, that dad want’s to play Whistling Straits, that was recently home of the 2015 PGA Championship.

Why not send your dad up to play one of the best courses he will ever play, that’s right the Top 100 Modern Classic designed by Pete Dye, Whistling Straits. Home of the 2020 Ryder Cup.

Right now contact Kohler about the Golf Escape package, there is not a better way to say “Thanks Dad” to a golfing father. See Destination Kohler online or you can call (888)-293-7337.

  Innisbrookgolfresort.com home of the recently renovated Copperhead Golf Course.

GALENA’S EAGLE RIDGE RESORT AND SPA proudly annouces a speicla golf VIp eventwith Chicago Bears Kicker Robbie Gould a 3 handicap player, on June 4th, the resort will be offering the ” Good as Gould” package starting at $199 per night. To learn more call (800)-892-2269.

CDGA Celebrated it’s Centennial in 2014

The CDGA Mid-Amateur will be held for the second time, and tee’s off this Monday at the Lake Shore Country Club, that last played host to a CDGA event in 2007,when it was the host site for the CDGA Amateur.

The championship will have a stroke play qualifier on Monday morning, with a 16 player match play event, until the winner is decided in the finals match on Wednesday afternoon.

Last year the field size was 74 and the championship was own by John Ehgrott. Steve Putzel received the clubs sponsors exemption and will be the only LSCC member in the field. The course is par of 71 and plays to a yardage of 6,813 yards. the course was designed by Donald Ross.

THE GUST BUSTER UMBRELLA has been named best Golf Umbrella by Golf Digest, receiving and Editors choice award. GustBuster Umbrella’s are a favorite of the Gog Blog and have proven themselves in the worst conditions. They can withstand winds of 55 MPH without collapsing. For more information on the best umbrella in golf you can call (888)-Gustbuster or online see GustBuster.com.

The front entrance of the Atlantic City Country Club, has been improved from this look back in 2014.

The Ottinger Family owners of three golf courses in the Atlantic City area, including the famed Atlantic City Country Club, has announced the completions of the renovations to the clubhouse and the golf course.

Phase 1 included a makeover to the entrance way and lobby, including the McDermott and Fraser rooms, and the Fraser Library, Grand Ballroom, restrooms and corridors. It also included a new bridal suite that overlooks the golf course and has breath taking views of the AC-Skyline. The kitchens have been redone, along with the completion of a new halfway house.

On the golf course greenside bunkers were renovated on six holes during phase 1. In Phase 2 of the renovations, the famed Taproom Bar Grille were renovated along with two private dining area’s and the creation of a sky deck. Phase 2 of the bunker renovations are underway and are expected to completed in just a few days. The golf course is a par 70 course, that plays 6,577 yards from the back tees. It was designed by John Reid in 1897, and has been renovated by Willie Park (1915) William S. Flynn (1925) and Tom Doak (1999).

The 119 year old Atlantic City Country Club is the home of where the term “birdie” was first coined, is rated the #1 Public Course in New Jersey by three major golf publications. For more information on tee-times and more call (609)-236-4411. Online you can visit accountryclub.com.

Jack Nicklaus (R) at Ferry Point.

Jack Nicklaus winner of 18 major championships and the “Greatest Golfer of All Time”, who once said that “Golf is meant to be fun”, has taken that phrase to a new level with the release of JACK NICKLAUS PERFECT GOLF.

Promoters feel that this is the most realistic computer golf game on the market today. Golfers, Non-golfers and gaming enthusiasts are expected to have hours of fun playing the courses the game has to offer.

“We have developed a number of innovative technologies bringing together the virtual and real worlds into a seamless environment,” says Robert Samuels, the chairman and CEO of Perfect Golf. “We are proud to team with Nicklaus Companies once again and look forward to our shared mutual success.”

For more infomration please visit jacknicklausperfectgolf.com.

CARNOUSTIE GOLF SPORTS WEAR, Father’s Day is coming and Carnoustie Golf has announced it’s Spring/Summer 2016 line of performance knits, and they make a perfect gift for Dad, or maybe the graduate in your family.

The 2016 Performance Knits might feel like silk, but come from a very fine micro polyester. This line produces the quality golfers have received from Carnousties cotton garments.

“We choose to offer only the best quality designed with a current yet refined sensibility,” says CEO Marshall Mancillas.

For more information see Carnoustiesportswearonline.com or visit their facebook or Twitter pages.

ANTIGUA Sportswear now in time for Fathers Day is highlighting one of it’s most popular polo’s, the Element heathered short sleeve polo. Ron McPherson the CEO of Antigua calls this shirt, “our largest selling style in our spring and summer collection.”

To see more of the Element-short sleeve polo visit, Anitgua.com or ShopAnitgua.com.

SPORTSMANS GOLF CLUB in Northbrook has just announced that Golf Board is coming soon to Sportsmans, call the club at (847)-291-2351 for more details on Golf Board, starting in June.

That’s it for now, stay clicked in for more golf news. RS

ILLINOIS COACH MIKE SMALL talks the NCAA Regional on the Meadow Valley Course in Kohler Wisconsin. Click here to hear the interview.

 THE KOHLER SPA delivers Wellness and Relaxation. Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run are the American Club’s two golf complexes, each with two golf courses. For more information on the American Club, and it’s golf courses see DestinationKohler.com.         _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Editor and Direcor of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @gogblogguy. At Blackwolf Run in Kohler.

The next step on the road to the 2016 NCAA National Championship is the round of Regional Championships, that starts this coming Monday May 16th, and runs through Wednesda y the 18th.

For the University of Illinois that is ranked #2 in the country, that stop will take them to Kohler Wisconsin and the Blackwolf Run golf complex that’s part of the American Club.

The regional will get played on the Meadow Valley Course, none of the holes from the River Course will be used during the competition. For Illinois this is the schools 9th straight NCAA Regional appearance. The Kohler regional is one of six sites around the country which is being used to determine the national championship field of 30 schools. The national championship will be played at the Eugene Country Club in Eugene Oregon.

The 18th green on the Meadow Valley Course at Blackwolf Run.

The Fighting Illini have won their last three regionals and have been to the national championship for the last eight seasons.

The Kohler Regional will be 54 holes with tee times beginning at 8 Am for the first two rounds. Round three will have tee times starting at 7:30 Am.

Each schoolin the field plays 18 holes per day. The Meadow Valley Course is a par 72 course, and can play 7,404 yards from it’s back tees.

The University of Illinois at it’s practice facility.

The Meadow Valley Course has been listed in the Top 100 Public Courses in America.

Joining Illinois will be 12 teams and 10 individual players from schools who did advance but their team did not.

Top schools joining Illinois include, # 15 Florida State, # 20 Florida, #21 Arkansas, # 29 Baylor, # 31 Penn State, # 35 Memphis, # 48 Kent State, # 54 UCLA, #61 East Tennessee State, # 63 Campbell, along with Idaho and South Dakota State.

The National Championship will be played from May 2-June 1. Illinois Alum Brian Campbell won regional championships in 2014-2015. While Luke Guthrie current PGA Tour player won a regional championship in 2011.

The 2017 NCAA men’s and Women’s golfchampionships will be played in Sugar Grove Illinois at Rich Harvest Farms.

   PAYNE STEWART with the Wanamaker Trophy at Kemper Lakes, the new Kemper Lakes club logo, and the par 5, 15th at Kemper Lakes with a wide open view of the lake. ______________________________________________________________________

At Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The 65th Illinois PGA Match Championship, and the first IPGA Section major championship for 2016 is in the books.

Kyle Bauer the head professional at the Glenview Club in Glenview, defeated Travis Johns the teaching professional at Medinah Country Club in Medinah by a score of 4 & 3.

For Bauer he has now won two consective IPGA majors dating back to last season, when he won the Players Championship at Eagle Ridge.

Kyle Bauer with the IPGA Match Play Championship Trophy.Photo courtesy of the IPGA and Nick Novelli.

It was a long day for the final eight players in the field. On Tuesday there was supposed ot be 2 rounds played, but heavy rain cut play to only 1 round, after a 4 hour and 10 minute delay.

At first the IPGA had thought about a Friday morning finish, but after consultation with the players and the championship director, it was decided that 3 rounds could be played on Thursday. In fact with thre rounds being played on Thursday, at times there was Kemper Lakes members on the course and playing in between the matches.

But the membership of the club fully co-operated with the matches and stepped aside when needed, to let a match play through.

Medinah’s Travis Johns during the championship match. Photo courtesy of the IPGA and master photographer Nick Novelli.

By 2:22 PM the championship match between Bauer and Johns was on the first tee and ready to go.

It appeared early on that Johns had a great chance to win his second Match Play Championship Title, having won the championship back in 2010. But in the end Johns was the runner-up for the second time in three years, after losing to Curtis Malm in 2014.

The turning point was on the fourth hole when the long hitting Johns already 2 Up, hit his drive over the fairway and the ball hit directly on the cart path and bounced Out-of-Bounds. From there Johns made a double bogey 7, and Bauer in spite of going from bunker to bunker made a bogey 6, and closed Johns lead to 1 Up. From there Johns never won another hole.

Kyle Bauer during the championship match. Photo courtesy of the IPGA and Master Photographer Nick Novelli

With Johns hitting his drives some 50-70 yards past Bauer on almost every hole, Bauer kept finding a way to respond on his approach shots and put the pressure back on Johns.

As a result, when Johns three putted the fifth hole Bauer pulled back to All-Square.

That would not be the the last time Johns putter let him down.

Johns failed to birdie the 7th hole from 12 feet for a win. That seemed to inspire Bauer who drained a 15 footer on the eight hole to go 1Up and take his first lead. After Johns could not get up and down from right of the green on the 9th, Bauer went 2 Up at the turn.

Johns hit a magnificent recovery from the trees right of the fairway on the 10th hole, stopping the ball inside of 10 feet from the cup. But Johns missed that birdie putt as well and the players halved the hole.

Bauer drained a 15 foot birdie on the par 5, 11th hole to go 3 Up. Johns lost a chance to go for the green in two shots, when hit drive hit a tree and bounced backward 10 yards.

Johns had a birdie putt on 13, and with Bauer over the green, it appeared he chance to tighten up the match. But Johns missed his birdie putt and Bauer’s pitch to 3 feet allowed him to halve the hole.

With Johns looking at 12 feet for birdie on 14, and Bauer’s ball right behind Johns and 15 feet from the cup, Bauer putted first and made his birdie while Johns missed again.

When both players parred the par 5, 15th hole the match was concluded.

Click here to hear interviews with the two finalists Kyle Bauer and Travis Johns.

Both players are attempting to qualify for the U.S. Open at Oakmont. Johns did not advance on Monday in the South Bend Regional, Bauer will try next Monday at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

To advance to the championship match Bauer defeated Scott Baines 6 & 5 and Johns defeated Brian Brodell 2 & 1 in the Semi-finals.

The Quarterfinals that started just after 7 Am, saw Bauer deated Matt Slowinski 2 & 1, Scott Baines over Doug Bauman 7 & 6, Johns over David Paeglow 5 & 4, and Brodell over Jim Sobb 2 & 1.

Both Bauer and Johns say they will compete in the next IPGA major championship the Illinois Open at Royal Fox Country Club in July. With his win Bauer collected the $5,200 first place check.

 THE KEMPER LAKES CLUBHOUSE, NEW LOGO AND GLOW OF PAYNE STEWART, Kemper Lakes home of this weeks Illinois PGA Match Play Championship. ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Rain, rain go away,come back another day, could have been one of the phrases used at Kemper Lakes on Tuesday, as the first major championship of the year on the IPGA calednar spent Tuesday dodging the rain drops.

Play started as schedule in the 7 Am hour, but was halted around 10:45 when the steady rain really started to come down.

As a result, there was a delay until 3 PM, when players finally got back on the golf course. Seven matches did finish before the delay. But the cost of a 4+ hour delay allowed for only the completion of Round 2, and Round 3 will be played today. The Elite 8, Final 4, and Championship match will all be held on Thursday.

Click here to hear interviews with Second Round winners and past champions Curtis Malm, and Matt Slowinski.

Second round winners included last years finalists Brian Brodell of Mistwood and Champion Jim Billiter of Merit Club and Past Champions Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small, Medinah’s Travis Johns, White Eagle’s Curtis Malm, and Conway Farms Matt Slowinski.

The Gog Blog will cover Thursdays final matches at Kemper Lakes.

  Titleist the new stand and carry bag, the new Titleist Bob Vokey SM6 Wedges, see more from Titleist at Titleist.com. There are more Titleist products available this year.      _____________________________________________________________________

Fujikura Shafts are now available with Titleist Clubs. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Are you ready for Titleist Thursdays, coming to courses and ranges near you.

All through May and June Titleist will be offering free club fittings, or will have experts to answer questions.

The product experts will be at over 80 facilties across the country.

Golfers regardless of their ability or handicap, can get fit for the latest in Titleist golf club technology, which now includs the 915 metal woods and the 816 Hybrids, 716 Irons, Vokey Design SM6 wedges and Titleist Concept products.

Titleist 816 Hyrbid.

There is no charge to attend a Thursday fitting, you can schedule a time to come and be fit or just walk up.

For a complete list of facitlies that are a part of the process, you can visit online titleist.com/thursdays.

During the Thursday fitting process.

You can not only get fit for the products listed above, but you can try the entire Titleist product line.

Get you Titleist questions answered, there are fittings to put you in the proper Titleist golf ball including the Pro V1x and the Pro V1. The data collected with the Trackman ball flight monitor.

Visit Titleist.com/thursday for all the details. Running now through the last Thursday in June of this year.