THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is a year-round golf facility. While the golf course renovation work is happening outside, the warmth of the simulator room is glowing with Top 100 golf courses from around the globe. You can golf the 2018 and 2020 Ryder Cup venues, how the Island Green 17th of TPC Sawgrass, or the loud and rowdy Par 3, 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. While golfing, taking a lesson or going through a club fitting you can enjoy the food and your favorite beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs, and they deliver to your tee box. For details see Schaumburggolf.com you can call the club at (847)-885-9000 or listen below to Gm Jon Parsons for more.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, Linkedin and or Instagram. At the front door of Bellerive Country Club, home of the 100th PGA Championship.

Suzy Whaley has been elected the 41st president of the PGA of America, at the Associations 102nd Annual Meeting.

Whaley is the Director of Golf at Suzy Whaley Golf in Cromwell, Connecticut and PGA Director of Instruction at the Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Florida.

Jim Richerson who has served as Secretary the past two years, moves into the role of Vice President, with John Lindert, PGA of Grand Ledge, Michigan was voted in as Secretary.

Former President Paul Levy moves into the role of Honorary President, as Derek Sprague has completed his two year term in that role.

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 9: PGA of America President, Suzy Whaley during the 102nd PGA Annual Meeting held at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa on November 9, 2018 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/PGA of America

Whaley becomes the first woman to serve as PGA President, Vice President and Secretary. Whaley is known as one of the top instructors in the country.

“Serving the nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals as PGA President is the honor of a lifetime and my way of saying thank you for all the PGA of America has given me,” said Whaley. “I may be the first woman to serve as President, but first, I’m a PGA Professional, and I am incredibly excited by the opportunities that lie ahead. I look forward to helping advance the careers of our members, by highlighting the profound impact PGA Professionals have as coaches, in operations and sales, and as executives. We’re committed to exploring innovative new approaches to coaching that deliver the experience today’s consumer is seeking. Together, we aim to invite everyone to join a game they can play for a lifetime, so our courses closely resemble the communities we serve. I am grateful for the trust our Membership has placed in me, and I look forward to pursuing these opportunities with optimism, purpose and joy.”

Whaley’s resume includes numerous awards including multiple Top 50 Instructor Awards, and two-time Connecticut PGA teacher of the Year. More than 300 children she has instructed have gone on to play college golf.

Jim Richerson is now the Vice President of the PGA of America

Vice president Jim Richerson serves as the Sr. VP of Operations for Troon Golf, the nations leader is golf management. Richerson helps oversee and grow Troon’s portfolio of managed properties. Became National PGA secretary in 2016 after being elected from the Wisconsin PGA Section. He was the first Wisconsin PGA Member to be elected as an officer of the Association. Richerson is a two-time recipient of the Wisconsin Professional of the Year (2013-2016) and won the 2011 Horton Smith Award and in 2012 was name the winner of the sections Bill Strausbaugh Award.

Jon Lindert the new Secretary comes from Grand Ledge Michigan, Lindert a PGA Member for 35 years is the Director of Golf and CEO of The Country Club of Lansing Michigan. Lindert is past president of the Michigan Section, and in 2009 was the Michigan PGA Professional of the Year award winner. He has served on four national PGA committees and has won four Michigan PGA Section Awards in various area’s. Lindert has competed in five PGA Championships and serves on the board of the First Tee of Mid-Michigan, he has been a board member since 2007.

Several PGA Board of Directors were sworn in from several districts, including District 6, that included IPGA member and professional Terry Russell of Medinah C.C. where he works as a teaching professional.

For more details on the officers of the PGA of America, visit PGA.com.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is a year round golf facility. As the cold settles in the simulators are warming up for a season of golf on many Top 100 rated courses from around the world. The food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House upstairs can be delivered to the tee box. For tee times and more Schaumburggolf.com (847)-885-9000.  ______________________________________________________________________

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

THE NEXT NEW GOLF EXPERIENCE in the Chicago area is now being built in Schaumburg.

Located at Rt. 90 and Meacham Road on the corner of the Motorola Campus that, little by little is being dismantled.

Top Golf that is now considered a global sports entertainment leader, has broken ground on a new 65,000 square foot venue and should open for public use in late 2019. It is then expected that the Wood Dale Top Golf, an older design will get shut down.

  THE TOP GOLF FACILITY located in Naperville is currently the most modern Top Golf in the Chicago area. That will change when the Schaumburg Top Golf is built.

“Chicago is the third largest city in the U.S. and Schaumburg is it’s leading suburb, consistently ranked as one of the top places to live in the state,” said Topgolf Chief Development Officer Chris Callaway. “We first opened our doors in Chicago back in 2007, and we are humbled  at the privilege to continue expanding in this market.”

Topgolf is an experience where visitors can have fun, compete in games, while enjoying good food and music. Big screen TV’s that allow guests to see the big game, watch professional golf, or monitor major events.

“The Village of Schaumburg is excited that Topgolf is developing in the newly created Veridian. Topgolf will lead the transformation of the former Motorola campus into a new global place for business that is unique to the Chicago Region.,” said Village President Al Larson. “The area will be a vibrant and prosperous mixed-use center with high quality developments and entertainment venues spurred by Topgolf, and we look forward to its opening.”

Topgolf first opened in Wood Dale in 2007, followed by Naperville in 2015. Both locations employ more than 800 associates. Topgolf is expected to create another 500 full and part-time jobs in Schaumburg.

The three level facility will have 102 climate controlled hitting bays, with a full service restaurant and three bars. 250 high-definition TV’s and a 5,000 square foot patio, will be joined by 3,000 square feet of private event space. Golfers or non-golfers can follow the progress of the facility on Facebook.com/Topgolf-Chicago-Schaumburg, and on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information on Topgolf, visit Topgolf.com

 MCQ’S IS GONE and the Mistwood Golf Dome has replaced it. McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood, has been joined at the dome by McWethy’s Sports Bar. LPGA veteran Nicole Jeray has joined the staff, Toptracer has arrived in Bolingbrook. Mistwoodgolfdome.com ______________________________________________________________________

The lights are on at the Mistwood Golf Dome. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, Linkedin.

The premier golf dome in the Chicago area, just got even better.

Owner Jim McWethy has put his best foot forward again, just as he did at his Mistwood Golf Course in Romeoville.

McWethy working with his GM Dan Bradley, and Director of Golf Andy Mickelson, have brought the golfing public the next step in indoor golf.

MCQ’s Dome is no more, and to put his golf course in-sync with his golf dome, the Mistwood Golf Dome is now the name moving forward. Not only does the Mistwood Golf Dome sound better, it tastes better.

The bar and grill is now McWethy’s Sports Bar, with another upgraded menu that features some award winning chicken wings. Do I hear Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner. You do, because the winning can start in the dome’s OTB, and with one correct bet on the ponies, your experience at the dome can be free of charge, so-to-speak.

 MISTWOOD OWNER JIM MCWETHY explains the changes to his dome, now called the Mistwood Golf Dome (L). Mistwood’s Director of Golf Andy Mickelson looks on while Sales Manager Matt Vinge explains the Toptracer technology found at Top Golf, but now in a dome (Mistwood GD) for the first time in America.

*BREAKING NEWS* Top Golf breaks ground in Schaumburg on a new location.

Among the other news was the addition of Chicago area (Berwyn) native LPGA veteran Nicole Jeray to the professional staff at Mistwood. But McWethy wasn’t dome quite yet, as he and Mickelson announced that Toptracer technology was part of the dome. As a  result, the serious golfers can continue to use to the dome as they have in the past, and those who want to add a Top Golf style of game to enjoy as a single or with a group can do that too.

Toptracer allows one to practice, keep their stats, and continue to monitor improvement, session after session. Long game-short game, and more, Toptracer does it all for you.

   NICOLE JERAY joins the professional staff at Mistwood, and the dome is getting reset with the new targets and more, as Toptracer settles in to a new home in a dome.

Fore more details visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. Located on Rt.53 in Bolingbrook.

 THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is open for business, formerly known as McQ’s, the newly renamed dome has a new look with Toptracer golf and a redone sports bar. Checkout Mistwood golfdome in Bolingbrook, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com For details. THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB 401 N. Roselle Road has it’s simulators open for the winter season ahead, play golf on 2018 Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National and or 2020 Ryder Cup venue Whistling Straits, details at Schaumburggolf.com or (847)-885-9000.

THE GOG BLOG visits the new look Mistwood Golf Dome today, stay clicked in for updates from the dome, now with Toptracer technology.

   TRAVIS JOHNS OF MEDINAH (L) and JEFF KELLEN of the Rockford based Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club (R) wins the IPGA Assistant Player of the Year Award.

Medinah teaching professional Travis Johns has won the 2018 IPGA Players of the year Award of the Illinois PGA Section Johns second place finish at the season’s final major the IPGA Players Championship at Eagle Ridge in Galena earned him 480 points and that was enough to pass front runner Brian Carroll of Royal Hawk CC, and win the Bernardi Player of the Year Honors. While Kellen was leading the Don Drasler Assistant  POTY honors and wrapped it up by winning the Players Championship and earning another 600 points.

“We have some very talanted PGA Professionals in the Illinois Section and each season Player of the Year races are close and often come down to the final events of the year like they did this year,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section. “Travis and Jeff both played very consistently throughout the season and performed well at major events. Congratulations to both of them for this outstanding achievement.”

Johns a teaching professional at Medinah Country Club and IPGA member since 2010, competed in 10 tournaments in 2018, and finished Top 10 in all of them. He finished in second place in two events including the season finale at Eagle Ridge.

“To win my fourth Player of the Year Award is a great honor,” said Johns. “I could not have won without the support of my professional colleagues and members at Medinah. “I’d like to thank the Illinois PGA staff for managing such great events as well as the sponsors and golf courses that make it possible for us to play our tournament season.”

Kellen returned back to his native Rockford, after playing the mini-tour’s, and accepted a assistant professionals position at the Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club and begin the PGA-PGM program. Kellen played in 12 events this year and won three of them including the fall event at Eagle Ridge the Players Championship.

“To win the Assistant Player of the Year was a goal of mine this season so to win it is very exciting to me,” said Kellen. “The Illinois PGA Section allows us to compete and play on some great golf courses against some great players and I feel fortunate to win this award.”

Carroll has a Top-10 finish at the Players Championship, and ended up in second place for Player of the Year. Dakun Chang of Twin Orchard CC was third.

Two Mistwood Golf Club professionals Andy Mickelson and Chris Ioratti were second and third finishers in the Assistants race for player of the year.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB’s simulators on the lower level of the clubhouse, provide golfers with new Top 100 and Championship Courses including 2018 Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National, see SchaumburgGolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is now open for golf with the Toptracer technology. The former McQ’s Dome is now unified under the Mistwood Name. More details coming on the Mistwood Golf Dome after Thursdays media day. Mistwoodgolf.com #Mcwethys.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, on Facebook and Linkedin. On the Cradle, the new Pinehurst par 3 golf course by Gil Hanse.

THE GOG NEWS COLUMN is so full of news that has come in over the last month, all the news will likely not make it into this one column. So stay clicked in for Part 2 and or Part 3 if needed.

FIRST UP is the indoor golf season in the Chicago area. From the Dome scene the big story are the changes at Chicago’s premier golf dome, now called the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook. The golf side gets a major upgrade with Top Tracer coming in, the F&B area gets an upgrade with the changes and the name change to McWethy’s after owner Jim McWethy. Chicago’s LPGA star Nicole Jeray is now on Andy Mickelson’s staff as a teaching professional. More details coming in on Thursday after media day.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has upgraded it’s simulators, just as it has done with it’s 27 holes and practice area’s outside. Check out the new courses indoors at the Schaumburg Golf Club while you enjoy the great food from Chandlers Chop House upstairs. Visit Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.

THE BUFFALO GROVE Golf Dome will open for the winter season on November 10th, and hours are from 7 Am to 8 Pm. A season pass is $600.00. To reach the dome you can call (847)-353-7575.

The 17th hole on Medinah’s #3 Course, home of the 2019 BMW Championship.

THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP returns to the Chicago area in August of 2019, when the top professionals in the world, return to Medinah Country Club for the first time since the 2012 Ryder Cup. To be on a ticket buying priority list, visit BMWChampionship.com by Wens. Nov 7th (today).

The BMW Championship is part of the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs, that have been moved up to August, so they get completed before the start of the NFL season.

LINKS DAVE LOCKHART and his Golf 360 Program, has a great September Show that can be viewed on line. Features include the award winning Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison. To see the September show and view the upcoming holiday Christmas Show see http://linksvideo.com/golf360tv/. More information on Facebook or Instagram.

THE TWIN ORCHARD COUNTRY CLUB will again hold the year end merchandise sale on Thursday Nov. 15th from 10-8 PM, Friday November 10-8 PM, and on Saturday Nov. 17th from 8 Am to 4 Pm. Sales of 50-60% off clubs, balls, shoes and more. The event accepts cash, check, Visa, Mastercard and Amercian Express.

Len Ziehm of Lenziehmongolf.com

Veteran Golf Writer, and Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Nominee, and BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm has been back on the road this fall in his Ziehm machine.

After a stop in Pinehurst to see the Par 3 Cradle Course designed by Gil Hanse, play the restored # 4 Course again by Hanse, and to test out the food and beverages at the new Pinehurst Brewery, Ziehm took it north to the historic French Lick Resort for the Senior LPGA Championship.

From there it was off to Branson Mo., to see the recently opened Coore and Crenshaw design of Ozark National. Along the way Ziehm penned features on Pinehurst, French Lick and the changing of the guard on the Legends Tour of senior women’s golf. Ziehm writes about the launch of Ozark National. To read all the details, visit Lenziehmongolf.com.

The Cog Hill All-stars are on their way back to Arizona for the national championships of the PGA Jr. League.

There is more good news coming from Cog Hill down in Lemont.

First on the tee is the news that the Cog Hill Junior team has won it’s sectional and will return under Coach Kevin Weeks to the PGA Junior League National Championships.

The annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner from 11 Am to 3 Pm is back for another year, book early as this event normally sells out. The annual Cog Hill Christmas Sale is back on December 2nd from 10 Am to 3 Pm. Come enjoy the Cog Hill Christmas Punch and Snacks while you shop. The Cog Hill range is open year round, winter hours are from 8 Am to 5 Pm. A season membership is $349.00. Details at Coghillgolf.com or call (866)-264-4455.

THE GOLF SCENE with Steve Kashul.

THE GOLF SCENE GOLF Challenge Finals are at the PGA Tour Superstore in Schaumburg, this coming Saturday November 10th at 1:30 PM. The public is invited to view the competition where the 12 finalists will compete for prizes that include a fitted set of Callaway Rogue Irons for first place. Second place is a set of Cleveland Golf Short Game package. Third place is a full season of Titleist Pro V1 Golf balls.

The event was created by Golf Scene president Tom Miller, presenting sponsors are the PGA Tour Superstore and the Golf Scene.

KEMPERSPORTS finishes work on renovation at the Forest Creek Golf Club in Round Rock Texas. Northbrook/Chicago based KemperSports and it’s KSM Team worked with city officials on a 9-month 45.1 million dollar project. The golf course has now reopened for play. The plan included the rebuilding of all 18 greens, the putting green and chipping area to USGA specifications. The creation of a par 3, 19th hole. A full restoration and improvements on the driving range. All the bunkers were reconstructed, drainage was improved, and bridges and other infrastructure on the golf course were replaced. New visual corridors were opened up with a tree removal program. For more details on one of the top rated public courses in central Texas, can be found at ForestCreek.com.

Linkscapitaladvisors.com

Links Capital Advisors and Chris Charnas, are handling the sale of the Minnie Monesse, which is on the market for the asking price of $1.2 million dollars.

The club that opened in 1926 has been one of the top golfing facilities in Kankakee County. The family owned and operated club, is looking for owners of a new generation who can carry-on the history and traditions of the club. For more details contact Chris at (847)-866-7192 or chris@linkscapitaladvisors.com.

The Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) has announced that long time LPGA star Beth Daniel, who served as Captain for the winning Team USA Solheim Cup Team at Rich Harvest Farms in 2009, has been selected as the WWGA’s Woman of Distinction for 2019.

Daniel will be honored at a luncheon on October 3rd of next year at the Glenview Club in Glenview. In 1977 Daniel won the 78th WWGA National Amateur Championship, that was held that year at Flossmoor Country Club.

FOOTJOY has announced the launch of it’s 1857 Collection. It is comprised of shoes, with a woodtrim looking sole, with topsides in a more newer traditional styles. The entire line in the collection is comprised of shoes, apparel and gloves. See Footjoy.com.

DUPAGE GOLF has announced that The Preserve at Oak Meadows has closed for the season to begin fall maintenance. Green Meadows is expected to remain open until the day before Thanksgiving. Maple Meadows will stay open beyond Thanksgiving weather permitting. For more on DuPage Golf and video on the Golf Scene with Steve Kashul visit DuPagegolf.com

Blackberry Oaks GM and head golf professional Chad Johansen in his putting lab at Blackberry Oaks.

Chad Johansen the GM and Head Golf Professional at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol has announced a new winter partnership with the indoor GOFORIT Sports facility in Yorkville.

GO FOR IT is located less than 5 minutes from Blackberry Oaks. Winter golf practice, lessons, fittings, and clinics will happen all winter long in the sports performance center.

GOFORIT will have places for the juniors golfers to practice their skills all winter long. For more information please visit Blackberryoaks.com or call (630)-553-7170.

PART 2 OF THE GOG NEWS BLOG will get posted later this week. RS

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB a year round golf facility. The simulators are open indoors for the upcoming cold weather months. The Baer Nine is rolling through it’s renovation, and is expected to open around July 1st next summer. The Players Nine reopened to rave reviews this summer and 18 outdoor holes remain open for play. The club is home to Chandlers Chophouse for food and beverage. SchaumburgGolf.com.

Click here to hear more about the Schaumburg Golf Clubs renovation of all 27 holes.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook, Linkedin. With Peakvision Sunglasses peakvision.com

2019 won’t leave the Chicago area with all the top level golf tournaments it has hosted in the last two years, but it will have it’s own major PGA Tour event.

The BMW Championship returns to the Chicago area when it visits Medinah Country Club in Mid-August. This will be the first big golf tournament at Medinah since the Ryder Cup in 2012,  and it’s been many more years since the PGA Tour has visited the club. In fact, it’s been since 1966 when Billy Casper won the third Western Open contested at Medinah, when the PGA Tour last came to golf on Course #3.

The par 3, 13th hole on Medinah’s #3 course is ready for the BMW Championship.

With the PGA Tour schedule changing in 2019, the shuffle of dates for several tournaments will take place.

The Players Championship moves back into the month of March, and the PGA Championship moves from August and forward into May. As a result, the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs have fully moved up into the month of August so they conclude before the NFL season begins. The new August dates for the BMW Championship will have the championship being played before kids return to school, and the weather is expected to be nicer than some of the cooler weeks the BMW has played through in the Chicago area, during the month of September.

The par 4, 5th hole on Medinah Course #3, show’s off the new sand from the clubs bunker renovation program.

While Medinah has renovated or done restoration work on all three of it’s courses over the last decade, there wasn’t much to be done on Course #3 in advance of the BMW.

But that didn’t stop the club from doing a bunker renovation over this past season. No bunkers were taken out, none were added, none of them were moved in preparation for the arrival of the big hitters. All of the popular white tour style sand was replaced, with new bunker liners being added. Drainage in the bunkers was checked or improved where needed. A few bunker faces were redone and bunker edges were cut, trimmed or reshaped. If any other minor work is needed, or requested by the PGA Tour, it will done next summer.

 Medinah’s new Performance Center on the practice range comes with all the comfort’s of home, and some new simulators. The clubs teaching professionals Travis Johns, Rich Dukelow and Sean McLeod have all the tools and technology needed to handle the needs of the clubs membership. While the touring professionals can use the clubs regular practice area during BMW week if needed, the main range for practice will be parts of holes 12 and 13 on Course #1, in between the main driveway and Medinah Road. It will give the players a short walk to the first tee when they complete warming up, and spectators can watch the players on the range while being close to the 18th green and first tee box.

The new food truck moves around the club to all facilities on the property.

As part of Medinah’s 2020 program, the club continues to enhance all of it’s facilities. The first phase of work on it’s three golf courses came before the 2012 Ryder Cup on Course #3 by Rees Jones. Phase two was the renovation of Course #1 that started the morning after the Ryder Cup ended, and was done by Tom Doak. The last piece of course restoration was done in 2016 and 2017 on Course #2, when Jones along with the clubs former Director of Grounds Curtis Tyrell came up with a user friendly plan that has both the membership and it’s guests excited about playing the golf course. Seven sets of tee’s and new playing options around the greens, have made Course #2 so enjoyable to play that many of the clubs male members are flocking to the course that years ago was called the “women’s course.” Having all three courses up and running has allowed the clubs large membership to have no problems in getting tee times, when they wish to tee it up.

Medinah’s new trophy wall contains replica’s of the trophies from the major golf events the club has hosted over the years.

Medinah’s 2020 program has been more than just improving it’s golf courses and it’s practice and lesson area’s. It has been a top to bottom overhaul of the entire club.

The pool area and building has been rebuilt, the tennis and paddle ball courts have been redone with a new full sized building that is similar to the building that was created by the driving range.

It’s golf and club history has been restored and put on display in various area’s of the clubhouse. The locker rooms have been repainted. The dining area’s have been upgraded, along with upstairs bar and the dining area that overlooks Courses 2&3. The clubs facilities around the property can have food and beverage services enhanced with the clubs new food truck that can roam the clubs grounds and be placed where needed on any given day. All of the clubs buildings have had a parking space created next to the new buildings to park the food truck. Saving the club’s need to build additional kitchens and food storage area’s all over the property. Tree’s have been removed near the lake to create a new outdoor picnic area, or just having open space for a variety of outdoor events.

The new member deck will be built in 2019.

The backside of the club’s famous and historic clubhouse will get an addition, with the creation of a new member deck slated to open next year.

The clubs members and guests will be able to view activities happening on Courses 2&3 and the back putting green while sitting or standing out on the deck.

So if you are attending the BMW Championship next summer, and you haven’t been to Medinah since the 2012 Ryder Cup or before. There will be plenty of new things to see around the club in addition to all the championship level golf happening out on Course #3.

If you wish to purchase tickets for the BMW Championship, you can sign up for the Priority Ticket Purchase Plan by tomorrow Wednesday Nov. 7th, and be able to purchase tickets in advance of them going on sale to the general public. Please visit BMWChampionship.com for more details and to sign up.

   THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has opened it’s state-of-the art simulator bays for the cold weather season ahead. Schaumburg GC is a full year round golf facility and golfers can play outside or indoors at their choosing. Some of the new courses on the simulators include TPC Scottsdale (L) and TPC Sawgrass (R). For more details on indoor play all fall and in winter months call (847)-885-9000 or Schaumburggolf.com.

Click here for more information by SGC-GM Jon Parsons in the indoor simulator facility.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Like a Rock on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort, French Lick Indiana.

EDITORS NOTE: The Gog Blog would like to thank Barry Cronin at Cronin Communications for keeping us updated on this developing story that affects golfers and the taxpayers of Cook County.

The story goes something like this, and for those who wonder why Cook County is often known as “Crook County” keep reading.

If you don’t know about the Canal Shores Golf Course, you should. It’s not a big course with only a par of 60, but for the moment it does have 18 holes located in Evanston. It’s a not-for-profit that has had plenty of help over the last couple of years, putting it back in shape.

The Northwestern University men’s and women’s golf teams headed up by the schools director of golf Pat Goss and the coaches are among those who have rolled up their sleeves to trim bushes and clean up brush and help fix up the bunkers.

The Canal Shores club logo

The course has received a grant and it’s seen a lot of hard to work to bring back the courses features that had been slowly lost over past years. The issue is now, that a part of the golf course could get lost in the short future.

What’s going on isn’t right, it’s political, and that should come as no surprise to those who live in Cook County, near Chicago, or in the infested politically corrupt state of Illinois. More often than not, the taxpayers get left holding the bag, and that is about to happen again. Who benefits, not you, not me, and not the golfers who play Canal Shores.

Map of the proposed project area

As of now, it’s the Cook County taxpayers who would be on the hook for an estimated $500,000 dollars to put in a 60-by-426 foot road for some private homes, that would pave over most of the par 3, 180 yard 10th hole.

But this proposed road is not just about progress, it’s about the Dick Keefe Development Corporation getting to build four, million dollar plus homes on some property it owns next to the golf course. That land is not accessible from current streets in the area.

But here’s another catch, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) the lawyer for Keefe, has an ownership interest in the Dick Keefe-DC according to Cullerton’s 2018 Statement of Economic Interest. The land in question is located in the home district, and down the street from the home of Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, who most people and area residents would like to have speaking out against the proposal. In the meantime, Sufferdin has been nowhere to be found, and he seems to be in hiding on the issue. Those close to the vote say it appears as of now, the vote would be 6-3 in favor of building the road.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) was supposed to vote last week on November 1st, that vote has now been pushed back to November 15th, after the mid-term elections. Several of the current board members did not run for re-election and will be lame duck members when the vote is taken. What became apparent at the last meeting where over three-dozen local residents and some local government officials spoke out against the road. Only one person Joe Keefe a family member of the developer spoke in favor of the road. The land Keefe bought was landlocked before he bough it in 1988, so now Keefe expects the taxpayers to bail him out of a bad business deal, and he has Cullerton and his political clout to influence the MWRD board to push through the vote in an attempt to fatten his wallet. The MWRD has jurisdiction over the property because the North Shore Channel of the Sanitary and Ship Canal winds through the golf course.

“Keefe has known for many years that his property was effectively landlocked,” said Canal Shores board member Karl Leinberger. “Why should Cook County taxpayers pay for a road that solely benefits the developers family trust and is strongly opposed by the local community.”

What’s even worse, is if the road gets built, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways gets the cost of maintaining the road. The area that is in the paved area, includes 100 year-old trees and environmentally sensitive wetlands.

Canal Shores built in 1919, serves the community in many ways beyond being just a golf course. The proposed plan to pave over most of the tenth hole, serves nobody except a greedy developer and a politician who helps keep the name “Crook County” active in the vocabulary of most of it’s residents. #SAVEDONTPAVETHETENTH

For more information please visit Canalshores.com/dontpave10 and canalshores.org.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has opened it’s simulators for the end of the fall season and the start of the winter months. New courses include 2018 Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National and 2020 Ryder Cup venue Whistling Straits, to book you tee time on these and other Top 100 Courses, go to Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. If your still ready to play golf outside until the snow hits, listen to our update below. #sgc.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook or Linkedin. At Sand Valley that closes for the season today.

EDITORS NOTE: In 2017 Medinah Country Club held a media day for the press to see the renovation work done on it’s Course #2.

Due to the fact the course would still not be open for at least 1-2 months after the the media event, I held back writing about the upgrades until there was a chance to play the golf course. That round was finally completed this past week. During those additional months, Course #2 has settled in and looks like it has been open for more that just over a year. The course that opened for play in 1925, and originally designed by the great Tom Bendelow might be in it’s best form ever. Bendelow would be very proud. So is Medinah Country Club and it’s membership, and they should be. RS

Click here to hear interviews with Former Medinah Director of Grounds Curtis Tyrell and architect Rees Jones who oversaw the Course #2 restoration project at Medinah.

Welcome to Medinah Course #2, created by architect Tom Bendelow

Little-by-Little in recent years the Medinah Country Club has done renovation or restoration work on it’s three golf courses.

First on the tee was Course #3 in preparation for the 2012 Ryder Cup matches. The work was done by Rees Jones. Immediately after the Ryder Cup ended, in fact the next morning around 5 Am, architect Tom Doak and crew got started on Course #1.

Last but not least was the Course #2 restoration by Tyrell and Jones. The project has members and their guests raving about what was done to complete the improvements to all three golf courses. In fact rounds played on Course #2 outweighed Course #1 this past summer.

L-R Former Medinah Director of Grounds Curtis Tyrell, Rees Jones and Medinah Country Club Director of Golf, Marty DeAngelo.

Course #1 only plays 6,412 yards from the back tees, but it’s front tee’s at 3,018 serve a purpose as well. In fact #2 now has six sets of tee’s, with four of them playing out at less than 6,000 yards. The variety of yardages has turned what was once known as the “ladies course”, into a course for all golfers. Sure it’s great for women, seniors, juniors and those first learning this great game. But Medinah’s men are enjoying it too, and so are the guests who used to only come to Medinah to tackle Course #3.

The opening hole on Medinah #2

The seventh set of tee’s are front markers for smallest of the junior golfers, and who can join their families on the course, and begin at the earliest of ages.

These tee’s address Medinah’s “Golf for Life” program that allows for players at all levels to enjoy golf.

The restoration to course #2 had no major re-routing’s but fairway acreage did increase from 21 to 34 acres. So of the holes through tree removal and other changes, now have fairway corridors that connect to adjoining holes. Something not seen much today, but something that was popular back a century ago.

The Par 3, 8th hole is one of the more demanding holes on Course #2, with maybe the courses most challenging green.

The restoration team worked from a collection of photographs that went back 80 years. Among the changes made from using the historic photography, was the removal of some bunkers and bunker complexes, while others were reintroduced to the golf course.

The green complexes, were reshaped and restored to to Bendelow’s original contouring. As a result the greens are now longer, deeper, raised up in height, and have more definition in the putting surfaces.

The greens were rebuilt to USGA specifications and are equipped for sub-surface vacuuming. The tees include a sand mix that allows for better drainage. The bunkers have improved drainage, erosion liners and now all have the same type of sand. Tees fairways and greens were re-grassed with the same blend of bentgrass, and the rough is complete with Kentucky Blue grass.

Course recently served as the venue for the first the University of Illinois Women’s Golf Invitational, that was won by Purdue University, with Illinois finishing third behind Kent State. The club has extended the event through 2020. Course #2 received rave reviews from the players and coaches of the universities and colleges that competed in the tournament.

MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB will host the 2019 BMW Championship on it’s Course #3 next August. A priority ticket purchase plan is now in place if you sign up by November 7th, please visit BMWChampionship.com for additional details.

  IT’S YEAR ROUND GOLF AT THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB, THE SIMULATORS ARE NOW OPEN, hear more about cold weather golf from SGC GM Jon Parsons.

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation, with Milwaukee based Artist Cassy Tully whose artwork was up for bid at the WGA Black Tie Dinner last night. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook.

THE ANNUAL WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA) fund raising Black Tie Dinner in Chicago was held Friday night in downtown Chicago.

This years guest speaker was Mark O’Meara, the 1998 Masters and British Open champion, who is also former U.S Amateur Champion.

O’Meara who has played in numerous Western Open’s and Western Amateurs at Point O’Woods the site of the 2019 Western Amateur, spoke about his memories competing in WGA Championships.and the role of the caddie in golf at all levels today.

O’Meara’s first major title was the 1998 Masters where he out-dueled his playing partner in the final group Fred Couples. Ironically it was Couples, who in extra holes during the match play, who ended O’Meara’s best ever run during the Western Amateur. Before O’Meara sat down for a fireside chat with MC Mark Rolfing during the dinner, he spoke with some assembled media.

Click here to hear Mark O’Meara’s interview during the media session at the WGA Black Tie Dinner last night in Chicago.

World Golf Hall of Fame member Mark O’Meara sits for his media session at the WGA Black Tie Dinner.

The Black Tie Dinner is one of the Western Golf Associations biggest fund-raisers, with money being raised through bids on golf options at various private clubs and resorts around the country, who also share the vision of having caddies as part of their golf experience.

The Evans Scholarships are awarded to caddies who excel both on the golf course and in the classroom, in addition to coming from a family that could use financial assistance at the college education level. The BMW Championship that supports the WGA-Evans Scholars Foundation will return to the Chicago area next August, and will be played at the Medinah Country Club.

Right now golf fans can sign up to get tickets during the priority ticket program if they register at BMW Championship.com by this Wednesday November 7th.

The WGA-Evans Scholars Foundation has a goal of putting 1,000 caddies a year in college by the year 2020. For more information please visit wgaesf.org.

 AS WINTER CLOSES IN the golf golf season is continuing both inside and outdoors at the Schaumburg Golf on Roselle Road in Schaumburg. The Players Nine has reopened from renovation and the Championship Nine is open as the Baer Nine moves through renovation. Visit Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000 for tee times, both inside and outside. Simulators now with Le Golf National and Whistling Straits #RyderCups      _____________________________________________________________________

THE LAKE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS main building.

The Lake County Fairgrounds will not host a golf show this coming winter. The Golf Expo that was held in 2017 and 2018 has been cancelled for 2019, according to show organizers.

The show in both years was lacking in both booth’s sold and attendee’s to the event. On some days in both years, bad weather certainly affected attendance.

The same organizers operate the Tinley Park Golf Expo that is also held in February. No dates for the 2019 Tinley Park Golf Expo have yet been announced by show organizers.

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook or Linkedin and now on Instagram.