THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now home to the latest in golf simulators, and a year round golf facility. You can play Top 100 Courses from around the world, while you enjoy the best in food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs. For more information and how to book your cold season tee time see Schaumburggolf.com or (847)-885-9000. Schaumburg Golf Club is located just minutes from Woodfield Mall.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG, by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory to Harbour Town and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

Hilton Head Island is back, not that it was ever gone, but last fall when Hurricane Matthew invaded Hilton Head did take a hit. Some parts of the island where hit worse than others, and fortunately for the home of the RBC Heritage Classic, Harbour Town was not hit as bad.

The golf course is back in outstanding shape, and even in late Jaunary the PGA Tour tournament could have been played that week.

Not a tree limb or leaf was out of place, in fact the course looked like nobody had played there in months, which was far from the truth. The superintendent and crew should be named maintenance crew of the year. Whatever secrets they have should be shared in the industry.

The new Harbour Town Clubhouse

The golf course designed by Pete Dye, with a little help from Jack Nicklaus, has a great history, that runs even beyond the famed lighthouse seen behind the 18th green. Even though it isn’t exactly behind the 18th green, it sits back a bit (see top photo).

This year it will be fun to see what the championship does to honor it’s first winner of the tournament, the King himself, Arnold Palmer.

 THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT RICH HAREVST FARMS in Sugar Grove May19-31 come see two Final-Fours in two weeks in the atmosphere of the 2009 Solheim Cup. You can enjoy free parking, well priced tickets for up close action instead of nose bleed seats. Much better food and beverage selections and pricing. NCAA.com/Tickets and get them now. The famed lighthouse at Harbour Town, Seapines.com. Warm weather is coming, get your golf practice in at MCQs dome Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Mcqsdome.com.

 ON THE FIRST at Harbour Town (L) and the Par 3, 4th (R) with it’s risk-reward tee shot even from the middle tee boxes. Thanks Pete.

The Harbour Town golf course has a reputation for being tight and narrow, and in some places it is, but in many places it’s not what you would think. It’s crafty Dye design has a way of reeling in some of the long bombers, but your driver won’t sleep in the corner of the your golfbag through all 18 holes.

 HARBOUR TOWN has one of the best sets of four par 3 holes that you will find on any golf course, anywher., Ol’ Pete snuck in some water on all of them, bus massive long carries don’t come into play on all of the holes.

The par 3, 17th hole, sets one up for the challenge of the famed lighthouse hole, coming right around the corner.

The Par 3, 17th hole isn’t real long, but as you come out from in between the homes and the trees on the back nine, 16,17 and 18 do expose you to change in the wind and temperatures.

So what you have had through most of your round, can change at the end. For those of you that are playing for something, or might want to post a certain score, don’t wait until too late in round to post a charge, put yourself in a solid position by 15 or 16 at the latest.

After your round visit the brand new clubhouse, and maybe chat with Director of Golf John Farrell, a real ambassador for the course, the property and the game itself. If anyone knows low-country golf it’s Farrell. The new players lounge, open to the public right off the lockroom is a great place to relax post round and has a great view down to the 9th green.

The gift shop at the top of the lighthouse.

If you don’t fine what your looking for in the big pro shop, you can then head over to the famed lightouse for a tour of history up the stairs, and then into the gift shop at the top.

It’s a great view from the top ledge and walkway.

Sea Pines is one of those resorts that at some point, you must put on your golf bucket list if you have not been there.

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy Sea Pines. The PGA Tour’s tournament week in April brings in over 100,000 spectators for the week, you could be one of them, or come down and play Harbour Town when the pro’s are not. It’s a round you will enjoy.

For more information visit Seapines.com or call (866)-561-8802, to stay and play or get information on tickets to attend the RBC Heritage Classic on the PGA Tour.

  THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S NCAA National Championships at Rich Harvest Farms, two final fours in two weeks, come enjoy the collegiate sports atmosphere in the fine setting of Rich Harvest Farms of Sugar Grove, well priced tickets on sale now, enjoy the free parking, and get up close to the action, who needs over priced nose-bleed seats, see the future LPGA and PGA Tour players now, the NCAA Championships from May 19-31 NCAA.Com/tickets. The Championships are hosted by Northern Illinois University of Dekalb. MCQ’S DOME is your place today to go practice while it’s a little cool out, the next couple of days will be warmer, so be ready for that by stopping at McQ’s Dome, enjoy the food, play the ponies, McQsDome.com Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. #MistwoodGolf   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by, RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory into the new simulators of the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road, indoor today, outside tomorrow. More golf at Rory’s Facebook, Linkedin Pages, or on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

There are some new golf holes to be played at the Sea Pines Resort on the Plantation Island of Hilton Head, located in South Carolina.

While Sea Pines may be known for it’s PGA Tour event on it’s Harbour Town golf course, Harbour Town now has some sister courses that golfers will enjoy.

(More on that course with the lighthouse tomorrow)

Pete Dye who designed Harbour Town has also renovated Heron Point, a fun Dye Course that the resorts golfers enjoy. Bur right next door is what was known as the the Sea Pines-Ocean Course that now after renovation is called the Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III.

The par3, 15th hole on Atlantic Dunes with the ocean running past the backside of the green, is a great place for picture taking.

The Sea Pines Ocean Course was the very first golf course built on Hilton Head Island (known as HHI).

The course has the feel of a seaside links courses, that is accented by the Lowcountry feel, complete with Coquina Shells, and seasdie grasses.

It’s holes mix through the area’s native pine trees, and oak trees that are common to the area.

The resort felt that Love III, the 5-Time RBC Heritage Champion and current reigning Ryder Cup winning Captain, was a proper choice to redesign and modernize the golf course. Love Golf Design that is made up of Davis Love III, his brother Mark and their lead architect Scott Sherman, redesigned holes to fit todays longer game, in addition to creating corridors with scenic views.

    The Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes Clubhouse at Sea Pines (L) and the Par 3, 3rd hole on Atlantic Dunes (R).

Atlantic Dunes by the recreation and restoration of natural sand dunes, adds the benefit of strategic and visual options to the round. other dunes have been created to add to the courses features. There are over ten thousand new plants that give the golf course a more seaside feel.

“Sea Pines is one of my favorite all-time places to play and visit so I’m excited the redesign will be in line with the great golf offered by Harbour Town and Heron Point,” says Love.

Course stats: Love tee’s 7,010, 143 slope, 74.3 rating and a par of 72.

To visit and play golf at Sea Pines Resort, visit Seapines.com or call (843)-842-8484.

         MCQ’S GOLF DOME is ready for your weekday warm up, for the warm weather ahead this weekend. Friday night go see the Blackhawks game at this official Blackhawks Bar, the OTB is open and ready to show you those Kentucky Derby contenders. Get the clubs out and get a lesson from the Mistwood Staff of professionals on site. Go 2 MCQ’s Dome, and visit mcqsdome.com, the new menu is here. THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now a year round golf facility, with the addition of the latest in golf simulators, play golf and enjoy food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs, for more information and to play a TOP 100 golf course, see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000 SGC located at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, near Woodfield.    _____________________________________________________________________

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

IT’S ONE OF THOSE DAYS…

Back in the 1990’s when I used to head down to the Glenwoodie Golf Club, I was usually greeted by a smiling face by the name of Jim Mattas.

I’ll never forget the days when I would head over to play a quick 18 with my former WSCR radio AM-820 co-worker Dan McNeil.

Glenwoodie was one of our haunts in the day, after 18 holes of golf, and on somedays a big half pound burger with cheese, Mac and I would head then head down to Belmont Ave and another air-shift.

Jim Mattas of Cog Hill and Jemsek Golf.

When the Jemseks lost out on keeping Glenwoodie as the lease ran out one year, there were many who wondered what would happen to Jim. Would he be out of job, where would he go.

Thankfully, Frank Jemsek kept him on by giving him a job over at Cog Hill. Upon arrival in the big clubhouse the home of Cog Hill courses 1 & 3, there was Jim, at the counter or close by, and a welcome smile and a handshake. Cog Hill regulars always knew they were in good hands with Jim.

What many people didn’t know was that, in recent years Mattas ran into a cancer battle that he fought hard against. Sadly, this past Superbowl weekend Jim lost his fight with the deadly disease. Thanks to the folks at Cog Hill, I just got the sad news.

The Jemseks on Feb. 4th lost a great worker, the golfers who played Cog Hill over the last 20 some years, lost a friend and smiling face. Golf lost someone special, and the customer service industry lost someone who had the industry mastered. RIP Jim, you will be missed.

MATTAS was 63, he is survived by his wife and two children.

  MCQ’S DOME ON RT. 53 IN BOLINGBROOK, is your place for warm winter golf workouts, be ready for outside golf this weekend, with an indoor session in the dome during the week, grab a lesson from the Mistwood professionals. McQs Dome your home for Blackhawks Hockey, and horse racing in the OTB. Visit Mcqsdome.com. The SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB located at 401 N.Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg, now has the latest and greatest in simulators, play several Top 100 courses, call (847)-885-9000 ______________________________________________________________________

ILLINOIS PGA PROFESSIONAL JIM BILLITER JOINS KEMPER LAKES GOLF CLUB, Billiter with the Illinois PGA Section Championship Trophy (L) and with the Illinois PGA Section Match Play Championship Trophy (R). 

THE GOG BLOG, by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Kemper Lakes and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

On a day that the National Hockey League had as it’s trade deadline day, it seems the Illinois PGA is making moves of it’s own.

Jim Billiter a two-time IPGA Section major championship winner, has putted out at the Merit Club, and moved over to Kemper Lakes, to become the clubs head professional.

Billiter will start his duties at Kemper Lakes on March 10th. He joins the club after 10 years at the Merit Club, where since 2010 he served as the First-Assistant. Billiter helped oversee the LPGA International Crown in 2016, and will be right back to work with the LPGA/PGA when the KPMG Championship arrives at Kemper Lakes in 2018.

Billiter is a past champion of the Illinois PGA Section Match Play Championship, that is played ever year on his new home course. Billiter won the IPGA Section Championship at Medinah in 2015.

Jim grew up in Gurnee and played golf at Warren high school, his brother John is the head professional at the Sportsmans Golf Club in Northbrook.

IPGA Professional news of the day also included, Simon Allan moving from Prestwick CC to become the Director of Golf at Flossmoor Country Club.

Garrett Chaussard moves from Chicago Highlands to the Skokie County Club as the teaching professional.

 MARCH IS HERE, lets play golf. Warm up for the warm-weekend ahead by getting your practice in-inside at the new simulators of the SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB located at 401 N. Roselle Road, call for your tee time today at (847)-885-9000. In Bolingbrook stop at MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53, this golf dome, OTB and official Blackhawks Bar is a one stop place for fun, see the Blackhawks battle Pittsburgh tonight at 7 PM. Golfers grab a pre-summer lesson at MCQ’s where the Mistwood pros hang out. Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. MCQs Dome part of Mistwood Golf.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the Loop at Forest Dunes Golf Club, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

This past weekend I attended the Chicago Golf Show, and it was great to visit the destination golf property booths that were on the show floor.

One booth in particular caught my eye.

The Forest Dunes and the Loop Course booth that was. I made a visit late last June up to Forest Dunes and the Loop, to see the new Loop course.

The Loop is the reversable course that was designed by Tom Doak, it is quite concept and it is being copied by other architects in other places in the country. My visit to Forest Dunes a fantastic Top 100 rated course and property by mulitple national publications was not only to play the courses, but write a story on the new Loop golf course. To my surprise last August, CDGA used my story of the Loop and the new Mike Keiser Sand Valley design in Wisconsin as the cover story. Always a proud moment for those in the writing business.

L-R Forest Dunes Operations Manager Don Helinski, GM Chad Maveus, Head Professional Elliott Oscar show off The Loop and Forest Dunes courses to Chicago Golfers.

As I toured the golf show last Friday, I went past the Forest Dunes and Loop booth, and what did I find.

But my story highlighted up on the easel of the booth. There’s a first time for everything, and that was my first golf show in booth promo.

For that, special thanks to Don Helinski, Chad Maveus and Elliott Oscar for the extra promotion of my work.

That being said, it’s easy to write and promote great facilities like Forest Dunes located in Roscommon Michigan. Now Roscommon is not a big town, it’s a bit remote and it’s located about 1 hour south east of Gaylord.

   THE TEE MARKERS ON THE LOOP, and the flag on the 18th green of both the Black and the Red Routing of the Loop course.

   WELCOME TO FOREST DUNES and how about this shot on the Par 3, 9th hole on the Forest Dunes Course.

While the Forest Dunes course doesn’t change much, the Loop course changes every day, from Black to Red and back to Black. So if you play one routing one day, you get the other direction and other color the next day.

Which direction will be your favorite route around the Loop, well travel to Forest Dunes and play the Loop, then decide for yourself.

For more information on Forest Dunes, see Forestdunesgolf.com or call (989)-275-0700. Then again visit CDGA.org, there is a story from last August you can read as well.