The Schaumburg Golf Club is open year round for golf. During the current winter season, the simulators in the lower-level of the clubhouse bring you the chance to play courses like next months Players Championship Course TPC Sawgrass. Be ready for the outdoor season, by teeing it up in the indoor season. Schaumburg golf Club is located at 401 N. Roselle Road, visit Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. #golf ______________________________________________________________________

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

2020 it is coming faster than we think, and will be a big year for golf.

Whistling Straits part of the American Club will host the Ryder Cup in late September, along the shores of lake Michigan.

The USA needs a win after the debacle in France last year. Wednesday morning at 8 AM the pieces for TEAM USA will start to come together when, Steve Stricker will be named by the PGA of America as the Captain for Team USA in 2020.

Stricker one of the most liked players on the PGA Tour and PGA Champions Tour is expected to be a popular choice, and his style is expected to be more laid back. Stricker has been a vice-captain for several team events, such as Ryder Cups and President’s Cups in recent years. Stricker being captain in his home state will be an emotional event for everyone.

This marks the first time a Team USA Captain, has not won a major championship. Stricker has been part of the group that changed the Team USA Ryder Cup approach after the 2014 disaster, where in the end, Phil Mickelson was critical of the approach by then captain Tom Watson. The press conference will be shown live on Golf Channel, and I will be there in person to cover for this site, and for Chicagoland Golf Magazine. PS…don’t forget to get the first issue this weekend at the Chicago Golf Show at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, doors open Friday at Noon.

The long putt contest is back again this year.

Former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould will be on the main stage Saturday and Sunday morning at 10 Am. Golf Trick-Shot artist Peter Longo will be on the main stage all three days at various times.

With the Chicago Golf Show being the only game in town this year, there are a large amount of golf courses and resorts that will be in attendance. Equipment Companies are among three of the hottest in golf. Callaway, Wilson and Tour Edge. The IPGA will be giving out free lessons again this year, and other booths will have prizes including the French Lick Resort. Get tickets-Chicagogolfshow.com I’ll see you there starting on Friday.

A FEW OTHER THINGS on my mind. I’m surprised at all the crazy comments on social media about the Matt Kuchar and his caddie deal. If you haven’t heard the story, well go look it up because I’m not ready to explain it again. But Matt Kuchar doesn’t owe the caddie any more money than he agreed to pay him up front. I don’t care how much Kuchar got for winning the tournament. Kuchar is a great guy, and let’s leave it that way.

JB HOLMES wins at Riviera, but takes heat from announcers about his pace of play. JB is a another good guy, but he along with several other guys who need to pick up their pace of play. Maybe some officials need to say, that’s two, and things would change. A great story from the University of Illinois Invitational at Olympia Fields a few years back, players were warned about slow play before the tournament started. It was a weekend where the clocks were being turned back and players needed to keep it moving or run out of daylight. Day 1 four kids were penalized for slow play, last two rounds, nobody got a penalty.

I WENT TO THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Saturday and hit the new Epic Flash Driver and Epic Flash fairway metals. If you have a need for speed, wow. Is all I can say, the ball jumps off the club face at speeds I just haven’t seen before.

Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson swings the Epic Flash Driver and it’s blur !

In the adjoining picture Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson a great stick hits the Epic Flash Driver. The picture that is blur, is the fact my lens can’t up speed wise.

But you get that kind of effect when you see the Flash and Flash fairway metals up close and watch them work.

While I think that both area companies Wilson Golf and it’s new Cortex Driver, and Tour Edge and it’s Exotics EXS are solid drivers. It will take some to top the Epic Flash, Callaway has created an outstanding set of metals.

IT’S GETTING OLD, seeing social media posts of Tiger with a large gallery, and all the current stars having almost nobody following them. What I did see this weekend, was someone doing that, and the truth in this case was, Woods up near the clubhouse where the hillside was packed at Riviera like always, and the pictures of other players well away from the where all the large galleries were out on a distant place on the golf course. Not a fair comparison.

IN TODAY’S MORNING READ, great piece by John Hawkins on betting Tiger Woods Masters week. If your thinking of doing that, read John’s piece first.

IT’S Golf Show week. The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow. RS

SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB 401 N. Roselle Road wants you to be ready when the Baer Nine Opens around July 1st. When the Baer opens Schaumburg will have a full 18 holes complete from renovation. Have your game ready by starting today by getting a few rounds in on Top 100 golf courses or Ryder Cup venues. Schaumburg’s simulators are ready to welcome you for rounds of golf now, during the cold and snow. So go play Pebble Beach, Le Golf National or Whistling Straits. Call the course at (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With the new Fairway Flash, in the Mistwood Golf Dome. For when you have a need for speed.

IT WAS NICE to see a full house at the Mistwood Golf Dome yesterday, the only tough part was seeing the 45 minute wait for bay to hit from. The Mistwood Golf Dome has really turned into one of the places to be for winter golf in the Chicago area. More on the MGD and Callaway Day tomorrow in the Gog Blog Speaks Out.

In addition, tomorrow some thoughts on what’s become a silly story on this Matt Kuchar caddie tip/wages story.

COMING UP NEXT WEEKEND is the only golf show in town, the Chicago Golf Show in the Donald Stephens Convention Center on River Road in Rosemont. Show starts Friday at Noon, and runs through Sunday. Order tickets now at Chicagogolfshow.com. Former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould appears on Saturday and Sunday on the main stage at 10 AM. Plsu the U.S. Sr. Open trophy will appear at the show, this years U.S. Sr. Open will be played at the Warren Course in South Bend Indiana.

Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson vibes through a drive with the Callaway Epic Flash Driver. The Epic Flash, when you have a need for speed. Barry Allen would love it, you will too.

Golf Datatech and Yano Research have released the World Golf Report for 2019.

The report is a full Analysis of the Golf Industry in sales from both the apparel and and equipment market.

The golf equipment market is now valued at $8.41 billion dollars worldwide, and the golf apparel market is now valued at $5.03 billion dollars.

The study began in 2015 and is now released every year.

The study shows that the top five markets for purchases are in order, #1 United States, #2 Japan, #3 South Korea, #4 United Kingdom, #5 Canada. The USA and Japan, control 66% of the worlds golf equipment market, with Korean Golfers spending more of their per capita on their golf equipment and apparel than any other country.

Total golf sales at retail are $13.44 billion in US dollars, and are dead even with sales from 2014. World retail equipment sales were $8.41 billion last year, down 3.5% from 2014, but up 4.1% from 2017. The four largest equipment economies had some of the largest improvements in sales, but the largest increase came from Germany +5.9% growth.

John Krzynowek says that sales are up for three straight years, including clubs in 2018, and the leading club purchases where those of Irons. The overall picture is good, but there is work to be done, to push past some of the record years in the past.

Welcome to the Preserve at Oak Meadows DuPagegolf.org

A limited amount of permanent tee times are now available for the Preserve and or Maple Meadows. groups that had permanent tee times in 2018 get the first choice to renew in 2019.

Great new perk for 2019, weekend permanent tee time holders, get weekday discounts for them and their guests.

KEVIN KURZ has expanded his role at Green Meadows as the new Facility Coordinator, and will lead the pro shop team. At the Preserve head professional Austin Kopp has moved out to Iowa after 10 years, and DuPage Golf and GOG wish him well. As a result the newly engaged (congrats again) Jamie Nieto is now the new head professional at the Preserve, moving over from Pheasant Run Resort. Nieto grew up as a junior golfer at Oak Meadows and is thrilled to be back.

Speaking of the Preserve, renovation architect Greg Martin was awarded an American Society of Golf Course Architects 2018 Design Excellence Award for his work at the Preserve. If you information for your league, or outing now is the time to call (630)-616-8424 for outings or speak with Chris Malek on league information at (630)-451-3400.

WEARE GOLF will host it’s third annual Community Service Project on April 30th, one day ahead of the May 1st National Golf Day. The CSP day helps the National Park Service save four months of labor charges in helping enhance area’s around Washington DC. including several national monuments and memorials, with sodding, planting, aerating, seeding, mowing and mulching. More details at wearegolf.org.

THE BEN HOGAN Golf Equipment Company has announced that they have released new products in 2019. Expanding the success of 2018 the BH Golf Company. Scott White CEO, says “the brand is firmly back and that has been proven to serious golfers.”

Ben Hogan Golf says the will be rolling out new Irons and Wedges that golfers will be excited about. White says clubs will not be released until they are worthy of having Mr. Hogan’s name on them. Ben Hogan has a trade-UP program where 70% of golfers who demo Ben Hogan products, trade in current equipment and end up buying Hogan equipment . Orders of over $150 dollars get free domestic shipping. FOr more information or to follow releases dates of new Ben Hogan products, please visit benhogangolf.com.

THE PGA of AMERICA has announced an auction that is now underway through March 3rd. The auction run through, The Golf Auction (TGA) of Tampa Florida. If you wish and place bids on the site see http://thegolfauction.com/catalog.aspx All items sold will come with a letter of provenance. Merchandise includes items from Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods,Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA Ryder Cup items and more. Proceed’s benefit the PGA Reach Program.

LINKS CAPITAL ADVISORS and Chris Charnas have announced that the Minne Monesse Golf Course has been this past week.  No information yet on the selling price or who the new owner is.

BUY THREE DOZEN of the new Callaway ERC Soft golf balls at Cog Hill by April 15th, and get a fourth dozen free. Cog Hill is located in Lemont. (866)-COG-HILL.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY has announced that work on it’s university golf course is near completion by architect Steve Smyers, the golf course should reopen this summer, no date has been given.

KEEP GOLF REAL a group that is supported by several major equipment manufacturers has updated information on counterfeit golf clubs coming into America, if see knock-offs being sold on line or in person, please pass the information along to Keppgolfreal.com. The largest raid ever on a knock-off product facility was just done in China, last November. Over 29,000 pieces of golf equipment were confiscated.

The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow, stay clicked in. RS

 MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is home to Callaway Day, just now underway until 2 PM. Come hit the new Callaway Flash Driver, Barry Allen would love it, and you will to. Fatser than ever before. See CallawayGolf.com and then visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com. Located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, call the dome at (630)-736-7900 for details. #golf.        ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook and Linkedin, with the new Epic Flash Driver. Photo by Larry Spalla.

Do you want to see what the talk is about, and how to fill the need for speed.

Epic Flash Driver getting it goings faster than ever before. The driver that is now is reportedly being used on all tours, and Callaway drivers are now the #1 driver on all tours around the world, according to a recent report.

Callaway has taken it’s Jailbreak technology to a new level with the Epic Flash Driver. Callaway has included on the Flash, much of what they have learned from their meeting with the airplane people of Boeing.

 THE NEW EPIC FLASH DRIVERS-Evan Gibbs the Director R&D for Callaway Woods.

Click here to hear Evan Gibbs discuss the new Epic Flash Driver.

Callaway day at Mistwood, now until 2 PM Callawaygolf.com, See you there.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is now open daily until 10 PM. Now complete with Toptracer range technology, McWethy’s Sportsbar and the OTB that will have you ready for Derby Day in just over 75 days. Get fitted for clubs by fitters that run one of the Top 100 fitting locations in America. Right now you can get a special price on fitting and don’t forget the Mistwood trade-in deal on your old clubs. The Callway Epic Flash day is tomorrow from 8 AM until 2 PM. For details on everything at Mistwood and the Dome see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 #demoday _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. Lights, camera, Callaway, in the Mistwood Golf Dome, Callaway Day tomorrow from 8-2 hit the Flash.

DRIVE FOR SHOW AND PUTT FOR DOUGH, is the old saying.

This past week our features have shown you how to drive it, and put on that show, now it’s time to make some dough.

Can you putt ? do you need help with the right putter, do you need to find the right putter. The answer to those questions and more can be found by looking up what Callaway/Odyssey are doing in the world of putters for 2019.

What do you know about EXO the new line of putters from Odyssey. If you are looking for more details, let us get you started. EXO putters with the Stroke Lab Shafts are a combination of three new creations by Odyssey. EXO construction, White Hot Microhinge Insert, and Stroke Lab Weighting. The finished product is a line of high-tech  putters designed to help golfers sink more putts.

Click here to hear Austie Rollinson the Chief Designer of Odyssey Putters speak to what’s new on the Odyssey Putter Line for 2019.

Odyssey Chief putter designer Austie Rollinson holds a new mallet putter from Odyssey at the PGA Merchandise Show.

EXO available for pre-order on March 15th, is maximum forgiveness on a smoother stroke. The construction allows for more weight to be distributed around the perimeter, which gives the golfer an increased MOI for better speed control and accuracy. The EXO Seven or Seven S, or Rossie putters have all received top ratings, including five stars on the Seven S and Rossie.

Stroke Lab Shaft Weighting should increase your performance on the green, along with the Face-balanced and Toe-Hang options to fit your stroke.

The EXO is not all that’s new for the year ahead, you can also see the new Stroke Lab putters, and the Redball putters, or O-Works. Several options to pick from in weighting and design on all of the putters. To learn more about Callaway/Odyssey putters please visit Odysseygolf.com

REYNOLDS AT LAKE OCONEE, Six golf courses, by five great architects, four marina’s and three choices, resort guest, membership or homeowner, do you have Georgia on Your Mind ? Reynoldslakeoconee.com THE SCHAUMBURGGOLF.COM can show you the way to enjoy year round golf at the Schaumburg Golf Club, simulators bays are open today, go play, be ready for the opening of nine more hole renovated holes about July 1st this summer, The Baer Nine is waiting for you, have your game ready to go. Now more Top 100 courses than ever before, and Ryder Cup venues (847)-885-9000.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With Roger Cleveland designer of Callaway Wedges.

WHEN ROGER CLEVELAND talks, people listen. Especially these days when it comes to wedges.

Cleveland the founder of Cleveland Golf, left the name behind and moved on to Callaway Golf, where he has designed clubs for years for players like Phil Mickelson and Annika Sorenstam.

His latest line of wedges the PM’s initialed after you know who bring yet another level of technology to the clubs that are the first key to any short game success.

Out of the sand, out of the rough, off the tight lie in the fairway, need a green side flop, a long bunker shot, an up and down from the deep hay, something you can bump and run with when that’s what the shot calls for. How about a club that will back up the ball with some spin, on fast greens, or real fast greens.

52-54-56-58-60 or more the new Mack Daddy wedges can get you dialed in, so that next putt is a little easier to make.

CALLAWAY WEDGES on Display at Demo Day were a popular attraction. Callaway wedge designer Roger Cleveland shows off the Mack Daddy’s int he convention center.

What makes Mack Daddy so good that even players like “Lefty” are using them when not using wedges with his PM design involved.

Click here to hear the latest on wedges and wedge design by Callaway wedge lead designer Roger Cleveland.

If your grooves are worn down, and you are not getting spin from them, it’s time for new wedges. If you hit too many line drives that sail over the green from inside of 100 yards, the bounce on your wedges needs to be dialed in. Can get out of the rough, can get out of the bunkers, go get fitted, and get new wedges. The short game is the key to the scoring game, get yours dialed in and lower your scores and handicap.

For more information on Callaway products and Callaway wedges by Roger Cleveland. Visit Callawaygolf.com.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 Roselle Road in Schaumburg is now a year round facility. Be ready for when outdoor golf season arrives, including the opening of the renovated Baer Nine around July 1st, by playing golf all winter long. The simulators have new Top 100 rated courses including Le Golf National in Paris, home of the 2018 Ryder Cup, and Whistling Straits in Kohler/Haven Wiscosnin home of the 2020 Ryder Cup. Book a simulator time at (847)-885-9000 or visit Schaumburgolf.com #golfallyear    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook. With the new Callaway Epic Flash Driver, at the Brad Brewer Academy in Orlando.

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER, or the golf ball, or the wedges, putters, golf bags or shoes.

Callaway Golf has launched a new set of Irons, that like the Epic Flash Driver or the ERC Soft Golf ball, you can now purchase in pro shops and golf retails stores around the country.

Are you ready for a new set of Irons, with much of the focus this at the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show on Drivers and Putters, the irons have somewhat been lost in the shadows.

But Callaway has created a set of irons called the Apex Irons, that will give you some extra distance off the club face.

Steven Sourigno Callaway Golf Product Manager

The new Callaway Forged Distance Iron is the only iron to earn 20 of 20 stars in the Golf Digest Hot List for equipment (matching the Epic Flash Driver that was the only driver to earn the same rating from GD).

What makes the Apex so good, well because it’s everything a golfer looks for when ripping an iron off the fairway or off the tee box, on a par 3, or when solid accuracy is needed.

From a technology standpoint, the Apex Iron is the best iron that Callaway has ever designed.

Click here to hear the interview with Steven Sourigno, Callaway Irons Golf Product manager, and learn more about the new Callaway Apex Irons.

If your looking for more distance from your irons, with a better feel at impact, better ball flight and trajectory, then it’s time that you test out the new Callaway Apex Irons. Find out what all the new technology can bring to your game. Visit Callawaygolf.com and if your thinking about purchasing a new set of Irons, please remember that like with all new clubs, do get fitted. Mistwood Golf Dome is rated a Top 100 fitting location in the country, and has a Callaway Golf Day coming up this Saturday morning starting at 8 AM.

 THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME open every day until 10 PM, come out this Saturday morning for Callaway’s Epic Flash demo day running until 2 PM. After hitting the new Flash, stay for lunch in McWethy’s Sportsbar, the best food service at any dome in the the Chicago area. Located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. See Mistwoodgolfdome.com or you can call (630)-739-7600. Mistwood and Mistwood Golf Dome are rated a Top 100 Club Fitting location in the country by the staff at Golf Digest Magazine. #getfittedfornewclubs ______________________________________________________________________

Golfersongolf.com THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook. In the 18th fairway at Mid-Pines, by Donald Ross, in Southern Pines NC. with Callaway 3-5 Wood steelhead clubs. Photo by Mid-Pines staffer Ross Hutchinson.

FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE. How can that be possible, but it is.

The new Callaway Epic Flash Driver, with the new Flash-face technology.

It’s so fast that Barry Allen would have trouble keeping up with it, okay maybe that’s a stretch since the Flash himself can really move.

But the Epic is back and Callaway says it’s better than before. The Epic Flash Driver has moves, and the ball once you hit it moves even faster. Which = more speed to more distance, and more yardage.

With the Epic Flash Driver, and showing the new target on the Flash face of the club. (photo by Larry Spalla)

The “Flash Face” technology is an improvement to what has been the “jailbreak” technology that was included in the first Epic Driver, and then the Rogue Driver of last year.

Evan Gibbs, Callaway’s Director of R&D for Woods, says that the Boeing team that Callaway worked with in the past, was not involved in the new Epic Flash, but much of what was learned from the time spent with the “airplane people” was used in the creation of the Epic Flash.

Evan Gibbs Director of R&D for Callaway’s wood clubs, holds a new Epic Flash driver in the Callaway booth at the PGA merchandise show.

Callaway added what they call Artificial Intelligence in the creation of the Epic Flash, the first known time that this has been part of the design of a golf club.

“AI” connected with machine learning, gave Callaway the option to create some 15,000 Prototypes of the club. On the average, a new driver by other companies might have 6 or 7 Prototypes before entering into production. 15,000 faces of iterations were studied before the Flash Face that would be the face of the driver was decided upon by Callaway.

Options, for all of you with a “need for speed”.

The face of the new Epic Flash driver, has the target, or sweet spot put right on the face, so you will know if you hit it, or not.

Players that are hitting it, include Callaway professional tour staff player Xander Schauffele who put the Flash Driver in play the first of week of the PGA Tour 2019 season. Schauffele then went on to shoot 62 in the final round of the Sentry Insurance Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, and win the championship. The winning with Epic Flash has not stopped there. This past weekend at Pebble Beach, Phil Mickelson rallied in the final round to defeat Paul Casey and win the title, helping make Phil a front runner for this years U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in June.

Click here to hear the interview with Evan Gibbs, the Callaway Director of R&D for Woods.

For more information on the new Callaway Epic Flash driver, visit Callawaygolf.com.

TIRED OF THE OUTDOOR WINTER SEASON IN CHICAGO, it’s now time to take the game indoors, to be ready for the outdoor season. The simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club are a great way to play some Top 100 and Ryder Cup Courses. Golf in short sleeves, while enjoying the food and beverage of Chandlers Chophouse right upstairs, Schaumburg should have 18 of it’s 27 holes renovated an opened for play by July 1st., so be ready when the course is ready. Go hit it inside now. Schaumburggolf.com or do call (847)-885-9000 and make your tee time today. DO YOU WANT TO LET IT FLY, if your ready for some ball flight head to the home of Toptracer, where you can play the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, while in the Mistwood Golfdome, located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Now open daily until 10 PM. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or (630)-793-7600.    ____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin and Facebook. With the Callaway Epic Flash Driver at the Brad Brewer Academy in Orlando Florida.

THE 2019 PGA SHOW has been over for a couple of weeks, but the good news all the sights and sounds from the show are still coming out here for the time being.

I still have plenty of interviews to share, stories to tell, and pictures to post from the week that started golf for the current year. I will keep you going with many things golf, until you can attend the Chicago Golf Show Feb. 22-24 at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Visit Chicagogolfshow.com and order your tickets today, and take advantage of various discounts being offered.

This coming Saturday at the Mistwood Golf Dome from 8 Am until 2 Pm is a Callaway Day, where you can come and hit the new Epic Flash Driver. If you have any thoughts of being better or longer off the tee this year, the Epic Flash is the perfect way to start.

In a year where new drivers are on the market, the Epic Flash is one of the good ones. The new Titleist TS-2 and TS-3 metals might be the best driver they have designed in a while, and the new Wilson Cortex that won the Driver vs Driver 2 program, sold out it’s first run and has helped Wilson have a resurgence in golf sales. PGA Champions Tour players are warming up with Batavia based Tour Edge Exotics, six top Champions Tour as both of Chicago’s golf club companies are on the move in the right direction.

During my time at the show, I spoke with several of the design leaders at Callaway and Odyssey and will have their stories in the week ahead. CEO Chip Brewer has the company moving in the right direction, and little-by-little Callaway’s numbers keep growing on all the tours, just look closely. Callaway staffer Phil Mickelson just have a big win at Pebble Beach this past weekend, and he is using the new ERC Callaway Soft Golf Ball with the three alignment lines. I have hit the ball and it’s good. It flew well in the 35-45 degree weather I played in, during my recent week in Pinehurst. The new wedges that Phil created with Callaway Wedge designer Roger Cleveland, have a good feel to them as well. I haven’t really tested the Callaway Iron line yet, but they are on the hit list.

Before I wrap it up, a few thoughts. One of the best things I have seen written on the proposed Chicago South Shore Lake Front golf project, was just written by Golf Chicago Magazine Founder Bill Daniels, in this past Sundays SwingU Clubhouse-The Truth about Tigers Chicago Golf Course is really well done. Do check it out, to find out what’s really going on with the project, and some of the Chicago style-politics behind the scene.

I liked the recent poll that suggested when college coaches are helping their players fill out their summer tournament schedules, they are suggesting the top places to play are the Women’s Western Amateur National Amateur Championship, and the Western Amateur. The WGA junior championship for boys was at the top of the list too, and that will be played at Rich Harvest Farms this June. the Women’s Western Amateur hits the ground at Royal Melbourne C.C. designed by the late Bob Spence (Greg Norman).

The Gog Blog returns later tonight. RS

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is Chicago’s premier indoor golf dome. Now complete with Toptracer technology, the Mistwood Golf Dome is also home to McWethy’s Sportsbar, the best dining experience at any dome in the Chicago area. Play the ponies in the OTB and be ready for derby day that is less than 90 days away. See mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has become a year round facility with the addition of it’s simulator bays in the basement. Located on Roselle Road near Woodfield Mall. Schaumburg has added new Top 100 and Ryder Cup courses. Call (847)-885-9000 or Schaumburggolf.com. #golf      _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by RORY SPEARS. Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. On the 17th green at the Ocean Course of the Hammock Beach Resort.

THE BIG TEN MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP went to the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Who thumped Illinois the #1 seed in the semi-finals and earn a chance to play #10 Maryland in the finals. Earlier in the championship, Maryland knocked off #2 Northwestern, that did not play well in the matches.

Ohio State had Illinois down 5-1 late in the match, but Illinois rallied to lose by only a 3.5-2.5 score. Illinois won it’s third place match over Nebraska by a score of 5-1.

Northwestern that entered the matches with a #2 seed, never got going. Losing all three of it’s matches, to Maryland, then Purdue, and finally Michigan State.

THE DORMIE NETWORK  has acquired the Lester George designed Ballyhack Golf Club. The club that fits into the Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke Virginia, and rolls through some 400 acres. George calls the property, “the prettiest piece of land in the entire Shenandoah Valley for a golf course. It has that Scottish Highlands look, and it just intrigued me.”

George known for his work at the acclaimed Kinloch Golf Club near Richmond, needed a while to line up the investors, then purchase the land. George pieced together some two dozen routing’s so that his partners had options to look at. The work began in 2007, and opened in 2009 as the economy went down the drain.

Now entering year four as part of the Dormie Network, improvements continue to be made on this course that has matured into the original vision. For more information on Ballyhack or the Dormie Network, visit Dormienetwork.com, and see what membership can offer to various golf destinations.

THE FIRST TEE of The Quad Cities hires it’s first Executive Director, Sara Cross. Cross has a background in Sports Management, from Northern Illinois University, and had worked previously with the Boy Scouts of America. For more information on the First Tee Program of the Quad Cities Area, see thefirstteequadcities.org.

FOXFORD HILLS in Cary will host it’s 16th annual Night-Golf Event “Pars Under The Stars on Friday May 10th starting at 5 PM, and the event runs through 10 PM. $280 per foursome, includes golf/cart, glow in the dark golf balls, dinner Italian Choices, dessert an raffle prizes. To register call the golf shop at (847)-639-0400.

KEMPERSPORTS has announced that Jody Graham as been promoted to Vice President of Business Development for the company’s eastern region. He will lead KSM’s growth strategy for the portfolio if it’s managed properties, that includes public, private and resort courses. Graham has more than 25 years of experience in the golf industry, and is entering his fifth year with KSM.

 THE FRENCH LICK HOTEL is ready to welcome you or your group to the heart of Southern Indiana. Enjoy courses by Pete Dye, Donald Ross,and Tom Bendelow, while you stay in one of two classic and historic hotels. Plan your play and stay and don’t forget to enjoy onsite gaming in the resorts spacious casino. Visit Frenchlick.com today. THE ARLINGTON LAKES Golf Club is now taking permanent tee times for the 2019 golf season, or booking dates for your golf outing. Sign up at (847)-577-3030 Ahpd.org  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. DETAILS coming soon about the return of Golfers on Golf Radio for the 2019 season, starting earlier than ever before. No April fools, we will be Marching down the fairways and airways before you know it. Ed-Billy and Rory.

THE ILLINOIS PGA has announced it tournament schedule for the 2019 golf season.

In 2019 the 70th Illinois Open will tee off from August 5-7 at the permanent home of the Illinois Open, The Glen Club, and this years second course that is keep with mixing in one the Chicago area’s more classic venues, is the addition of Ridgemoor Country Club.

Ridgemoor underwent a renovation just a few years ago, so the course so prove to be a worthy challenge for this years contestants.

Another big change for 2019 is the addition of Ruth Lake Country Club to play host to the IPGA Section Championship, that breaks up the three course rota, that has just been Olympia Fields Country Club, Medinah Country Club, and Stonewall Orchard Golf Club for years.

Carrie Williams is the executive director of the Illinois PGA.

“We are thrilled to announce the 2019 Illinois PGA tournament schedule which includes two outstanding championship sites to host the 70th Illinois Open Championship,” said Carrie Williams, executive director of the Illinois PGA. “The Glen Club has been a longtime partner of the Illinois PGA and is home to our Section headquarters, and Ridgemoor,known as the city’s country club, will be a great addition. The two courses combined will provide challenging play for the championship field.”

The Illinois PGA tournament season tees off on April 8th with the Pro-Pro-Pro Scramble at the Harborside International-Port Course. The first IPGA Section major championship, the IPGA Match Play, will be contested at the Kemper Lakes Golf Club May 6-9. The Illinois PGA Assistants Championship is July 15th at Elgin Country Club. The Illinois PGA Senior Championship is August 12-13 at the Merit Club, The Illinois Senior Open Championship is September 16th and 17th at the Royal Fox Country Club, and the Illinois Super Senior Open Championship is October 8-9 at Makray Memorial G.C.

The starting field for the Illinois Open will be comprised at 264 players who will join the field by qualifying in one of the seven qualifying events held from June 24, through to July 31, in addition to those players who are exempt from qualifying.

Vince India is the 2018 Illinois Open champion.

Vince India is the defending Illinois Open Champion, but has said during an interview with 2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame nominee, Len Ziehm. That due to his promotion to the Web.com tour, is not planning on defending his Illinois Open title.

India who won the Illinois Open with a score of 202 (14 under par), is planning to play at the Glen Club this summer during the Evans Scholars Invitational on the Web.com tour. During the interview with Ziehm, India called the Evans Scholars event his Illinois Open for 2019.

The qualifiers for the Illinois Open are: #1 Calumet C.C. Monday June 24th, #2 Deerfield G.C. Wednesday June 26th, #3 Maple Meadows G.C. Wednesday July 3rd, #4 Deerpath G.C. Thursday July 11th, #5 Stone Creek G.C. Wednesday July 17th, #6 The Hawk C.C. Tuesday July 23rd, and the final qualifier is Willow Creek G.C. Wednesday July 31st.

 VISIT CHICAGO’S top indoor golf facilities the Mistwood Golf Dome,now open until 10 Pm daily located in Bolingbrook, Mistwoodgolfdome.com or the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road. book your simulator tee time at (847)-885-9000 #allyeargolf

For more information on the Illinois PGA Section and it’s playing events for 2019, please visit IPGA.com.