THE 24TH ANNUAL PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN is complete through two rounds, with now professional and former Northwestern women’s team member Hannah Kim leading the way by six shots. Mistwood Golf Club is the home of the Ray Hearn designed golf club, with a full performance center and clubhouse that is the home of McWethy’s Tavern. For more information call (815)-254-3333 or visit mistwoodgc.com

The IWO carries the name of Phil Kosin, the late publisher of Chicagoland Golf and the founder of the Illinois Women’s Open.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS. Director of Content and creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. and Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. At Mistwood Golf Club.

Northwestern University alumni Hannah Kim is destroying Mistwood Golf Club, shooting 68-65 over the first two rounds. She holds a commanding six shot lead heading to the final round on Wednesday.

Kim’s score is the lowest by three shots at the 36 hole mark of the championship. in it’s history.

Kim turned professional after the NCAA National Championship this past May. Kim’s 65 was a seven birdie and no bogey round, it tied the lowest score ever in a round of the IWO. Amy Neff also shot a 65 when she won the championship back in 2008.

University of Illinois Junior Tristyn Nowlin is in second place at 139 after a 68. Nowlin’s was at Mistwood 3 weeks ago, to play in the Women’s Western Golf Association National Amateur Championship Nowlin advanced to the championship match and end up in second place that week as well.

First round co-leader Lexi Harkins shot a second round even par 72 and is in third place, followed by Samantha Postillion who followed an even par start with a four under par 68. Veteran LPGA player Berywn’s very own Nicole Jeray, was tied for the lead after round 1, but shot a one over par 73 in round two to sit in fifth place.

Click here to hear the interview with two time IWO champion Nicole Jeray.

Defending champion Alexandra Farnsworth is in 7th place at one under par after a second round 71.

Making the cut which fell at +7 on the number is Bobbi Stricker, the daughter of PGA Tour player and Illinois Alum Steve Stricker. Steve is playing the role of good dad and caddie for Bobbi this week.

Final round tee times start at 7 AM, with the leaders teeing off at 8:30.

  DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Patrick Flavin at the Illinois State Amateur and Alexandra Farnsworth at this weeks Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club.

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MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB home of this weeks Illinois Women’s Open is located Renwick Road in Romeoville. Call (815)-254-3333 or online see Mistwoodgc.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy., on Facebook or Linkedin. On the 18th green at the Chicago Golf Club home of the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open

It’s in the books, history has been made, and it was one for the ageless.

What special week it was at the Chicago Golf Club, and it all concluded early Sunday afternoon, with little drama as Laura Davies won the first U.S.Sr. Women’s Open by 10 shots over Juli Inkster.

trish Johnson who won the first senior women’s major the LPGA Sr. Women’s Championship at the French Lick Resort in July of 2017, was third. The only other player under par for the championship was Danielle Ammacapne who took fourth after entering the week with little or not expectations.

Laura Davies holds the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open trophy after her win on Sunday.

Davies and johnson were tied heading into round 3 on Saturday, with Inkster right behind, Liselotte Neumann, Helen Alfredson, and Ammacapne were right there as well, it seemed like the weekend would be a shootout. But in the end it was Davies who did all the shooting, when she carded the women’s competitive course record at the Chicago Golf Club with a 7 under par 66, that left everyone in her dust.

The shot or in this case putt, felt around the entire course and all through Wheaton, was Davies 75 footer for eagle on the par 5, 12th hole. The roar was the loudest of the week. The putt broke a foot one way, and then three feet the other way before rolling into the cup. Davies summed up the putt as “good fun.”

The Chicago Golf Club early in the week

When round three was over Inkster was five shots back, and admitted she would need to play some perfect golf to beat Davies on Sunday. While Davies said with a five shot lead she “would not sleep well that night.” With Johnson and Ammacapne now only within shouting distance, and Johnson admitting she did not have her “A-Game” all week, and Ammacapne saying she was tired, the heat was affecting her and she was making tied swings. It was obvious by Sunday it was a two player duel.

Inkster needed a perfect start on Sunday and didn’t get it. For the second straight day the final group waited repeatedly on slow from the group in front of them. Multiple media people and veteran observers, said that Barb Mucha who apparently was warned four times over two days by USGA officials was causing the delays from that group.

Inkster ready to go for the green in two shots on the par 5 second hole, rushed her second shot after a long wait, and proceeded to top her shot and make bogey, while Davies made birdie and opened the lead to seven shots. Inkster still frustrated made bogey on the third hole and quickly trailed by eight shots.

USGA.org

Inkster to her credit rallied with birdies on holes 8 & 9, to cut the lead back to 6 shots. then Davies with her one bad tee shot on Sunday at the Par 3, 10th hole, had to make a testy nine foot par saver, or the lead would have been back to five shots.

Davies later called that par save the turning point of the round, and now with her lead at 6 with 8 holes to play things seemed safe, and Davies said at that point she felt as if she had “one hand on the trophy.”

When Inkster made double bogey on the par 3, 13th hole, after a pulled drive and a muffed chip, the lead was back to eight shots and with five holes to play it was over.

the galleries around the players on the final holes and then the 18th hole grew a good size, in spite of rising heat/ Tee times were moved up for the second straight day to avoid potential bad weather.

The championship moves on to the Pine Needles Resort and Golf Club in Southern Pines North Carolina for 2019, running from May 16-19. See USGA.org for details and ticket information.

  THE CHICAGO GOLF CLUB IN WHEATON is the home for this weeks U.S. Sr. Women’s Open Tee times moved up for an early start on Sunday. USGA.org for details.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. On the 18th green at the Chicago Golf Club.

LAURA DAVIES  shot a third round 7 under par 66, the competitive course women’s record at the Chicago Golf Club, to take a commanding 5 shot lead into the final round on Sunday.

Tee times are moved up for an early start with the leaders going off about 9:30, for an expected 2 Pm finish.

Juli Inkster sits in second place after a 5 under par 68. Second round co-leader Trish Johnson is in third place after an even par round of 73.

the two rounds in the 60’s on Saturday by Davies and Inkster are the only two rounds in the 60’s all week. Inkster shot the first bogey free round of the championship during Saturdays third round. Danielle Ammacapne is alone in 4th place at 2 under par.

Click here to hear the Round 3 post round interviews with Laura Davies and Juli Inkster.

With the big lead Davies said she is uncomfortable abd it will be hard to sleep tonight, but feels if her lead is still five or more after nine holes she will feel pretty good. Davies thinks a three or four under par round on Sunday will be enough to win. Inkster is not counting herself out, but knows she needs to go low to beat Davies.

On Saturday during her bogey free round, she hit 14 of 14 fairways, and hit 16 greens in regulation. She knows another round that good will be needed to catch Davies.

Ammacapne said she made some tired swings early in the round, but settled down on the back nine and had enough success to move into red numbers after grinding most of the day at even par for the championship.

The shot of the day belonged to Davies, who said she hit the best 3-Iron of her life on the 12th hole. but it ran past the pine some 75 feet. But the double-break putt Davies had found the cup for eagle and the roar was heard all the way across the golf course and back to the clubhouse.

One subject being debated is whether or not the win should move Davies into the LPGA Hall of Fame if she wins. Davies says no, Inkster said yes. Sunday will prove interesting because of now the LPGA would not count the win to put Davies in the hall.

 THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY (L) AND THE U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN TROPHY. IT’S a full week of golf events here n the state of Illinois,     ____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Nancy Lopez

She is on the tee, but something is not right, Nancy Lopez one of the greatest women’s golfers of all time does not have a club in her hand.

Instead Lopez is dressed up in a navy blue blazer and she has a pile of paperwork in her hand.

Thanks to a classy gesture by the USGA, Lopez has a role this week at the first U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, she is the honorary starter.

If the senior women’s open had started 10 years ago Lopez has no doubts she would be playing. But now after a knee replacement and work on both knees, that might yet require another surgery, Lopez just takes in this weeks atmosphere with the smile she is known for.

Click here to hear our interview with Nancy Lopez, on the first U.S.Sr. Women’s Open.

The championship has been moved up on the calendar to May in 2019 at Pine Needles resort in Southern Pines North Carolina. As a result if Lopez has more knee surgery this fall, she might not be where she belongs next year either, but she could be back on the tee making sure her fellow professionals all get a proper introduction before they tee off.

 THE INAUGURAL U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN-TRISH JOHNSON AND LAURA DAVIES lead after 36 holes at 4 under par. Juli Inkster is three shots back.THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC had play suspended with several groups still on the course, as bad weather rolled in close to 8 pm. Doug Ghim was taken from the course after he took ill from the 96 degree heat. Nick Hardy has two holes left to play, and needs to play them in par or better to make the cut. Dylan Meyer will make the cut, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau has WD’d with a shoulder injury. See Johnddereclassic.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook, Linkedin or Insatgram.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO hits the tee box at 10 AM today on AM 750 WNDZ-Chicago, tunes in to her our exclusive interviews with USGA CEO Mike Davis and Hall of Fame inductee  Nancy Lopez  of LPGA fame.

On the show we will hear from players at both the the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club. Then from players including the defending champion Scott McCarron at the Senior Players Championship at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

First round co-leader and University of Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small followed up a first round 65, with a one under par 71. At 8 under par he is three shots behind leader Scott Parel.

Parel said he got some lucky breaks with his driver in round 2, but he putted very well.

Click here to hear interviews with defending Scott McCarron and Mike Small.

While McCarron moved back into contention in round two, Small fell back ten spots. Small was two under par after two holes, but played the last sixteen holes in 1 over par.

John Daly was badly limping after a second round of four under par 68, but gave no indication that he would drop out of the championship. Kenny Perry who shared the first round lead with Small, fell back into seventh place after the second round.

Tee times for Saturdays third round have been pushed up to start between 8 Am and 10 Am to get play in the third round complete before 3 PM. More information at SPCGolf.com.

 HALL OF FAMER NANCY LOPEZ IS working not playing at this years U.S. Sr. Women’s Open as she recovers from knee surgery, hear more from the LPGA Legend in our interview with her tomorrow Saturday July 14th. The U.S. Sr. Women’s Open is moving up tee times for Saturday’s 3rd round due to expected bad weather, see USGA.org for details. SECOND ROUND LEADERS, With 36 holes in the book and the cut at +12, Trish Johnson and Laura Davies are tied for the lead at 4 under par. Juli Inkster is in third at -1 under par, and Danielle Ammacapane is 4th at even par.              ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. With the U.S. Sr Women’s trophy at the Chicago Golf Club.

IT’S U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN WEEK  at the Chicago Golf Club.

As part of Golfers on Golf’s coverage of the event, I requested the USGA make CEO/Executive Director Mike Davis available for an interview. In fact Golfers on Golf Radio has been requesting Davis for the last fours years to come on the show. For a variety of reasons that has not happened.

After efforts fell short last year, in advance of the U.S. Open at Erin Hills, the USGA said they would provide Davis this year in advance of the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, and they did. I was informed last week that a radio show appearance was not possible, but Davis would speak to me in a 1 on 1 format at the Chicago Golf Club. It was requested I keep my questions to discussing only the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, and no other topics, which for the most part is what I did.

At the CDGA Centennial Dinner in 2014 L-R Rory Spears, Mike Davis, and Tim Cronin.

Davis to his credit did not cancel me yesterday in spite of a high ranking USGA staffer announcing her departure from the organization, that required his immediate attention after the opening ceremonies at the Chicago Golf Club.

In our 20 minutes together I covered several aspects of the brand new championship, and what could he tell me about another USGA Championship headed Chicago’s way in the future.

Davis shed some light on how the CDGA dinner was actually the ice breaker on getting the Senior Women’s Open to Chicago and the Chicago Golf Club. RS.

Click here to hear our one-on-one interview with USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis.

Golfers on Golf Radio AM 750 AM tomorrow morning (Saturday) will play part of this interview live on air.

  THE FIRST U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN at the Chicago Golf Club is underway and you can be a part of it, tickets available at usseniorwomensopen.com. Come see history.      ______________________________________________________________________

NEWS*** stay clicked in for more coverage from the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club, and the SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP AT EXMOOR Country Club in Highland Park, Where Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small is the co-leader with Kenny Perry at 7 under par. While down at the John Deere Classic former U of I player Nick Hardy is T-10 after a 6 under par 65 in round one. Johndeereclassic.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram, with Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez.

THE U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN is no longer being just talked about, it’s happening. A new chapter in golf history, women’s golf history, and in United States Golf Associations history is being written, with the first chapter now complete.

It all started early this morning near the flag pole at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton. People gathered to see USGA Executive Director Mike Davis raise the flag, USGA President Mark Newell make the opening remarks, and Grammy Award winner Heather Headley sing our national anthem.

Then just about seven am the first groups were called to the first and tenth tee boxes, and “Big Momma” 79 year old JoAnne Carner hit the first tee shot straight down the fairway, the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open was underway.

JoAnne Carner hits the first drive down the fairway to begin the U.S. Sr Women’s Open

What followed was a small group headed down the fairway with the players, why, because you could. Credit the USGA for making an outstanding decision on relaxing the ropes around the golf course and letting the fans walk the fairways of the famed Chicago Golf Club.

A great perk to take advantage of, and the people who did enjoyed the walk with the first group down the first fairway together.

If you want to get up close and personal to the players, without paying outrageous prices for seats. Try golf, especially USGA championships where you can, especially the amateur championships. It is fun. Not so much fun was the pin on the tenth hole, where you could not miss it above the hole. That first putt back downhill could end up in the front bunker, as it did for Amy Alcott, who then lipped out the bunker shot and almost made par. Alcott had to feel right there on her first hole that she was at a USGA Championship.

A LAST MINUTE WD was posted by Amy Ellertson from Virginia, she was replaced by Maureen Sheehan of Crystal Lake, who was the first alternate from the qualifier held at Conway Farms in Lake Forest.

The leader board looks like this, Elaine Crosby from Jackson Michigan shot the low round of the day, a three under par 70. No players shot in the 60’s. Crosby also qualified at Conway Farms.

Right behind Crosby one shot back is Trish Johnson the only player in the field to win a senior major, when she won the Senior LPGA Championship last July at the French Lick Resort on the Pete Dye Course.  Johnson is at 2 under par along with Laura Davies who got into red numbers with an eagle on the 18th hole and Liselotte Neumann carded a 71. Helen Afredsson is in 5th place at 1 under par. Pre-tournament favorite of many Juli Inkster heads up a group of four players tied at even par and in sixth place.

Click here to hear interviews with leader Elaine Crosby, Trish Johnson, Juli Inkster and Laura Davies in that order.

Coming up later today, our Golfers on Golf exclusive interview with USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis, and on Saturday our interview with Hall of Fame inductee Nancy Lopez.

   THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park Defending Champion Scott McCarron heads up a strong field that includes Bernhard Langer, David Toms and Jerry Kelly. Tickets available at SPCGolf.com. THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC has defending champion Bryson DeChambeau back to lead a strong field at TPC Deere Run, it includes Doug Ghim and Nick Hardy. Johndeereclassic.com   _____________________________________________________________________

THE INAUGURAL U.S. SR WOMEN’S OPEN at the Chicago Golf Club. History will be made when JoAnne Carner hits the first ball into play at 7 AM tomorrow morning.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @HogBlogGuy and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Insatgram. With the new U.S. Sr. Women’s Trophy at Chicago Golf.

The week at the Chicago Golf Club started on Monday like a high school reunion, as players who have been competitors for years all got reunited.

They all hugged and took pictures together, and asked questions about who was here and who wasn’t. They all felt bad that players like Nancy Lopez (knee replacement) was not playing, a change in tune from back in the days where they wished players like her would take a week or two off from the LPGA Tour.

For some players the wait has been a long one for this championship, JoAnne Carner a winner of two U.S. Women’s Open Championships, and a few other USGA titles, now at 79 wondered if she would live to see this championship ever be played. ow She frequently shoots lower than her age, and she will put the first shot of the championship in play just after 7 Am tomorrow. She wanted it known that she is not just here to be ceremonial golfer, she wants to make the cut and play all four days. That us after she played 18 holes of practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis.

USGA CEO/Executive Director Mike Davis will say a few words before the national anthem is sung, and then it will be play away. Pat Bradley made it clear that she has been waiting for 16 years for this tee time, and she didn’t want to miss it. the good thing is now she wont have to.

Laura Davies wondered if she could take her television on the golf course to watch the World Cup of Soccer. Juli Inskter suggested Shinneock Hills as future site for the championship, so the USGA could have a do-over, and get it right next time. PGA of America Vice President Suzy Whaley is glad to have qualified and can play in a major and can let the USGA do the heavy lifting, while she just plays golf in this non-PGA of America event.

But tomorrow, the fun changes into some serious competition, all 120 of the players want the trophy and the professionals want the check. many would love the novelty of being the first woman to hold the trophy.

Click here to hear interviews with Laura Davies and JoAnne Carner.

USGA.org

Who does have a good chance to win. Juli Inkster who still plays with the younger gals on the LPGA Tour is the pick of many. But England now has a better shot in golf than it does with it’s world cup team to win. LPGA Senior Players Championship winner Trish Johnson who won last July on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort is expected to be in the mix along with Davies. A major win for Davies should get her in the Hall of Fame. Liselotte Neumann with two wins on the Legends Tour this year is the final member of the foursome.

JoAnne Carner discusses hitting the first tee shot at her Pre- championship media session with USGA’s Julia Pine (R)

For some players that have not played real serious competitive golf in a few years, winning this week might be asking a little but much. But when it’s all said and done, the championship that had been closed for so many years, is now open for business, and it appears it is here to stay.

The Chicago Golf Club will be set up to a yardage of just over 6,000 yards and will play to a Par of 73, with the Par 4, 18th hoe being changes to a Par 5 for the championship.

Golfers on Golf will have more reports from U.S. Sr. Women’s Open all week long. Stay clicked in.

  THE U.S.SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN the first day is Thursday, history starts promptly at 7 AM. Tickets at usseniorwomensopen.com. THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC is on the tee starting on Thursday, Bryson DeChambeau returns as defending champion, local players Nick Hardy and Doug Ghim have sponsors exemptions. Johndeereclassic.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory ob Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. At Exmoor Country Club home of this weeks Sr. Players Championship

THE SENIOR Players Championship  tee’s off this Thursday at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

Defending Champion Scott McCarron returns to defend his title. Bernhard Langer who won the championship for three straight years before McCarron is back and will head up a strong list of challengers trying to take back the title.

Langer speaking with the media today said he has enjoyed this tournament in the past and loves Exmoor. He played the course for the first time on Thursday morning and came away raving about everything. Which is probably bad news for the rest of the field. Langer had a couple of Champions Tour events in playoffs, and got one win in Houston. He missed the Senior PGA Championship when his son was graduating from high school that weekend.

Langer is not alone in having praise for Exmoor, the third oldest course in the Chicago area behind Chicago Golf and Onwentsia. Three players that did interviews after finishing practice rounds that included former Western Open Champion Joe Durant, Corey Pavin and Paul Goydos who once had a 59 at the John Deere Classic all raves about Exmoor. With Goydos calling it potential U.S. Open Golf Course.

Click here to hear interviews with Joe Durant, Corey Pavin and Paul Goydos and hear their thoughts on Exmoor and their game coming into championship week.

The field includes players with some local ties, including former Barrington native Gary Hallberg, former Hinsdale resident Jeff Sluman, and current university of Illinois golf coach Mike Small, who made the field by his play in several Champions Tour events including his T-10 at Steve Stricker’s recent invite in Madison Wisconsin.

The Senior Players Championship has some great history dating back to it’s first year in 1983 when Miller Barber won. In 1984 and 1985 Arnold Palmer won back-to-back titles and Jack Nicklaus got his one and only title in 1990. Raymond Floyd won twice and the only player with three wins is Langer.

The field of 78 players includes 49 of the top 50 players in the Charles Schwab Cup point standings, Exmoor will play at a yardage of 7,149 yards and to a par of 72. The purse is $2,8 million and the winners check is $420,000. The Golf Channel will have coverage all four days.

The pro-am will be played tomorrow with gates opening to the public. For tickets please visit SPCGolf.com or purchase them at Exmoor.

  IT’S TRIPLE PLAY WEE, FOR GOLF IN ILLINOIS. the Senior Players Championship is on the tee at Exmoor Country Club, tickets at SPCGolf.com. THE John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities has defending champions Bryson DeChanbeau back to defend his title,  Doug Ghim and Nick Hardy join the filed on exemptions tickets at Johndeereclissic.com  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Linkedin , Facebook, and now Instagram. At the Chicago Golf Club home of this weeks U.S. Sr Women’s Open.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK of the newest U.S Open is in the books. The U.S. Sr. Women’s Open week is underway at the Chicago Golf Club.

The was some golf played, and plenty of range balls got hit The putting green really got a workout. But first and foremost it was old home week. So many of the players had no seen each other in years.

In some ways it looked like the USGA had put on a high school reunion. But Monday is Monday at a USGA Golf championship, and by Thursday they will all want to beat each other out of both the trophy and the check. For some a check and an exemption into next years championship at Pine Needles Lodge in Southern Pines North Carolina will be enough.

For one player it was 21 years of hard work finally coming to fruition. That would be Jane Blalock who started having talks with the USGA for this event back before the turn of the century.

Jane Blalock wraps up a range workout on Day 1 of the U.S. Sr Women’s Open

When Blalock who runs the LPGA Legends Tour spoke with reporters this past January at the PGA Merchandise Show, she said her win at the Dinah Shore, before it was the Dinah Shore, and before it was major, wasn’t counting towards an exemption into the championship. Plain and simple she was going to have to go qualify if she was going to play this week.

She fully planned to go to a qualify site and try to play her way in. then she looked at her schedule, and realized that the only course she had time to qualify at, was a course she did not play well. She knew things did not look good for making it to Wheaton. Then one day while in her car, her phone rang, it was the USGA. Blalock was told the championship committee had awarded her an exemption into the field. It left Blalock so speechless, she almost couldn’t get the words to come out of her mouth to say Thank You.

While Blalock practiced on the range and in an around the clubhouse, numerous players stopped her and thanked her for making this week happen. Blalock admits when she got her car on Sunday to head to the airport and fly to Chicago, it really hit her that she was going to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, and she was playing in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. The other 119 players teeing it up on Thursday, should all be glad Blalock gave them a place to play this week.

Click here to hear the interview with Jane Blalock on the U.S. senior Women’s open and more.

The Gog Blog returns on Tuesday with more from the Senior Players Championship at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.