MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB opens for the 2019 golf season this Thursday April 11th. This includes the Performance Center, and already open is McWethy’s Tavern. Call for tee times at (815)-254-3333. Mistwoodgc.com located on Renwick Road, Romeoville. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Gog Radio this Saturday at 10 AM on the BIG Am 750 WNDZ-Chicago.

MORE NEW GOLF COURSE construction will soon be underway. This time in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu.

Architect Gil Hanse and tour player Tiger Woods, have been named as the designers of the two new courses.

The courses will be in the Makaha Valley Resort. The TGR design team will create the North Course, and the Hanse team will do the South Course.

The resort is 644 acre’s of mixed-use property. It’s developed in conjunction with community leaders, and native cultural practitioners on Hawaii’s third largest island.

L-R Gil Hanse-Tiger Woods- Mr. Du Sha-owner 7 founder of PLI. Pacific Links International

The Makaha Valley is on the west end of Oahu. The valley area is expected to provide some great land for golf course building. The courses will provide enjoyable rounds for golfers because of the great views the valley offers.

There is not an official start date for the project. Nor is there an expected opening date. Work should begin later this year.

There is no word, on whether the resort will seek professional tournaments once the project is completed.

For more details see Pacific Links International on social media sites.

REYNOLDS AT LAKE OCONEE in Greensboro GA. (R) The Great Waters Course by Jack Nicklaus is under renovation. It reopens about Nov. 1st. Reynoldslakeoconee.com. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and or Facebook. The front gates of Augusta National.

It’s that time of year, Green Jacket Season. The flowers start to bloom, and the color of green starts to emerge.

Across America golf clubs that have been asleep in closets, garages start to awaken.

It’s time to buy new golf clubs, golf balls, and a shirt or cap. It’s golf season.

There is something about Masters week that carries over and beyond the gates of the Augusta National Golf Club. Golf season in many parts of America, starts over for another year. It’s time.

WHO WILL WIN the green jacket this year ? Rory McIlroy is the favorite, and if he wins it will be the career Grand Slam for McIlroy, who always plays well at the Masters. Rory just doesn’t cross the finish line in first place, he hasn’t made it to the Butler Cabin on Sunday night but he can this year.

THE SO-CALLED EXPERTS say the Masters Tournament is as wide-open as it’s been in years, so come Sunday night we will see if that’s the case.

WHAT A FURIOUS CHARGE by Wheaton’s Kevin Streelman on Sunday at the Valero Texas Open. Streelman let it all hang out, and was working on a 10 under par round on the par 5, 18th hole. Streelman got home in three shots, he needed a birdie to tie for the lead. He three-putted. Never-the-less, his game is rounding into shape.

THIS WEEKEND, the Kohler Golf Challenge is expected to tee off on the original Blackwolf Run Course, and then the Irish Course. This weekend is the first of three weekends of championships, but will it be. Rumors of big snow could haunt the Midwest and make things in Kohler all white. Let’s hope not. Call (855)-510-7225 to book your spot in the field, besides if it snows, enjoy the Great Waters Spa instead.

MISTWOOD GOLF COURSE in Romeoville will open on Thursday, being one of the last golf courses to do so. As a result the course will be in good shape. Tee times can be booked by calling (815)-254-3333.

THIS WEEKS GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO will be week #3. Details are coming together, but you can bet there will be some Masters talk.

THERE WILL BE SOME WRAP UP on the Augusta Women’s Amateur, and the Drive, Chip and Putt for the junior golfers. Both events add-on to one of the great weeks in sport.

DO YOU have your picks in, because missing out on a Masters Pool is something you don’t want to do. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. Enjoy the Masters because it’s so good. RS

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT-West Baden Hotel, see Frenchlick.com for your next golf destination getaway to Indiana. Further South in the Peachtree State where it is now Green Jacket season, Reynolds at Lake Oconee in GA. See Renoldslakeoconee.com    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. On the tee at the National Golf Course at Reynolds at Lake Oconee.

WEEK 2 in the books for Golfers on Golf Radio, our guests were Jim Nugent from Augusta National Golf Club and the Women’s Amateur, and Mike Scully of Reynolds at Lake Oconee.

CALLAWAY GOLF is offering through May 5th of 2019, a 50% extra bonus on trading in of old clubs towards the purchase of new Callaway Clubs, Callawaygolf.com.

Callaway Golf Club fitting day at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein is April 27th from 10 Am until 2 PM, stop by the clubhouse to sign up for your appointment or call the club at (847)-566-GOLF.

CALLAWAY GOLF APPAREL has signed 16 new ambassadors for 2019, headed up by two-time major champion Retief Goosen. The other players included Brice Garrett, Cody Gribble, Brandon Harkins, John Chin, Roberto Diaz, Steven Brown, Rico Hoey, Nicholas Echavarria, Andres Gallegos, Steven Ihm, Matthew NeSmith, Carlota Ciganda, Emma Talley, Cheynne Knight. For more details see Callawayapparel.com. Callawat Apparel by Perry Ellis International.

Northwestern’s Stephanie Lau was named Big Ten player of the week after a T-1 at the Ping/Arizona State Invitational. Lau shot 209 (-7).

DEVEREUX NEW ERA-has released some new masters week style hats that are priced at just $35.00. See our social media for pictures and styles. @GogBlogGuy on twitter and the Rory Spears Facebook page. See www.dvrxthreads.com for details.

The Par 3 11th hole at Grande Dunes Golf Club in Myrtle Beach SC.

The South Carolina Golf Course ratings panel, has recently named 13 of the top 32 courses in the state of South Carolina, to be located in the Myrtle Beach-Grand Strand area.

This list includes courses that the public can access. The best course in the Grand Strand region was list as the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.

Other Myrtle Beach Courses included TPC Myrtle Beach, Grande Dunes Golf Club, Pawleys Plantation and three of the courses at the Barefoot Resort. For more details on courses you can play in the Myrtle Beach area, you can visit MyrtleBeachGolftrips.com.

THE WGA HAS ANNOUNCED that CIBC Bank has expanded it’s partnership with the Western Golf Association and will support the CIBC Pro-Am at the inaugural Evans Scholars Invitational and the events volunteer program. the pro-am is May 22 at the Glen Club in Glenview and the tournament is May 23-26. 52 web.com players will play in the pro-am.

Topgolf is ready to open it’s 55th location in the DC area.

Topgolf is ready to open yet another location in America. The newest location is in National Harbor near Washington DC.

Before the new facility opens the plan is to hire at least 500 new positions on the Topgolf team.

The National Harbor location is the 55th location for Topgolf.

More Topgolf locations will open in 2019, including Schaumburg IL. just outside of the Chicago area. Details at Topgolf.com.

COGHILL has announce they have hired their new General Manager to replace Nick Mokelke who is retiring this year, after 56 years with the Jemsek family, and the last 39 years at Cog Hill. Troy Newport joins Cog Hill after coming over from Troon Golf in Kansas.  In addition at Cog Hill teaching professional Kevin Weeks has been named a Top 100 teacher by Golf Magazine. Information on Cog Hill at Coghillgolf.com.

THE MEN’S GOLF TEAM at Illinois took 7th place at the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational. Varun Chopra led the Illini with a score of 213-3 under par. Adrein Dumont De Chassart and Michael Feagles finished at 2 under par. Wake Forest won the championship at -36, 30 shots better than Illinois.

WOMEN”S GOLF DAY is now less than 60 days out. June 4th is the day and since 2016, over 900 locations in 52 countries have participated. More details can be found at WomensGolfDay.com register your golf facility now.

The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow. RS

THE CALLAWAY EPIC FLASH DRIVER-THE MISTWOOD PERFORMANCE CENTER

It’s Callaway Day for the IPGA at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook.

The Callaway Day at Mistwood Golf Course this past week was informative for all who attended from the Illinois PGA Section. There was a large turnout to the event put on by Callaway Golf and Paul Schlimm of Callaway Golf.

THE CALLAWAY INSTRUCTION SEMINAR AND TRAVIS MATHEW LINE DISPLAYED

Callaway’s Golf Line this year includes an upgrade to it’s woods, with the Epic Flash Driver and the Epic Flash Woods. Perfect for when you have a need for speed. The Irons now have the Apex or Big Bertha Lines to pick from. The Wedges by Roger Cleveland, that include the Mack Daddy line, now have the PM Grind 19. These new wedges were co-designed by Cleveland, and tour player Phil Mickelson.

Odyssey and Toulon Putters with the Stroke Lab design improvements have upgraded the putter line. You can order the custom logo’d Truvis Chrome Soft golf balls, because you can expand your options on ball design.

Now your local PGA professional who attended the Callaway seminar at Mistwood or the next day at Medinah Country Club will be well informed on how to put top Callaway Golf products in your golf bag this golf season. The options on Callaway golf bags, gloves, and other accessories

The professionals went through putting, chipping and driving contests to get a feel for the products and see first-hand how well they perform.

Callaway is offering through early May, trade-in discounts on buying new clubs. For more information on Callaway products see, Callawaygolf.com.

For more information the Travis Mathew line of clothing see TravisMathew.com

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT home of the Pete Dye and Donald Ross Golf Courses, book your destination stay and play, see Frenchlick.com. The Mistwood Golf Dome is still open, and the games are on in McWethy’s Sportsbar, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com   _____________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO-Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears in Studio at Am 750 The Big WNDZ

It’s week number 2.

The boys are back again, and this week the show is Georgia themed.

This morning Am 750 WNDZ, tee time is 10 AM, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears bring you Golfers on Golf Radio starting at 10 Am.

This weeks guests live from Georgia include Global Golf Post publisher Jim Nugent at the famed Augusta National Golf Club.

Then former Medinah head golf professional Mike Scully the now the General Manager of Reynolds at Lake Oconee in Greensboro GA. will join us from his destination golf property. That and more, join us on the tee at 10 AM. Am 750 WNDZ.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS opens this Thursday,details at Dupagegolf.com    ____________________________________________________________________

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

Titleist has taken it’s driver level, to a new level, with the addition of the TS4 Driver.

Titleist says it’s TS2 and TS3 are the most played drivers on the PGA Tour. The new TS4 low-spin driver will be put in play this week on tour, at the Texas Valero Open. It will be available to the public, and in pro shops and golf retail stores in late June.

The new TS4 driver is a mix of technologies from the Titleist Speed Project. That gives the TS4 a low, forward CG that neutralizes spin, which produces a longer, more piercing ball flight.

The Titleist TS4 driver, available late June.

“TS drivers have exceeded all our expectations both on tour with golfers all around the world,” said Josh Talge, Vice President of Marketing Titleist Golf Clubs. “When it comes to driver performance, TS has shown that it’s no longer a one-or-two-horse race.”

Talge added there is a need for the TS4.

“While we know most golfers find their best fit in a TS2 or TS3 driver, there is a percentage of players out there with distinct performance needs, such as aggressive spin reduction,” Talge said. “TS4 is the ultra low-spin driver that still produces exceptional ball speed. If you want to hit it longer but are having trouble controlling the spin off the tee, TS4 was made for you.”

The innovations used to drive ball speed in TS2 and TS3 are being used to in TS4’s 430cc Speed Chasis, to reduce spin and still maximize distance for high spin players.

The Ultra-Thin Titanium Crown, 20% thinner than in the Titleist 917 driver. The weight is redistributed low and forward for reduced spin. A thinner faster face, it’s the fastest face Titleist says they have ever made.

The aerodynamic TS4 design is a classic 430cc, pear shape-that reduces drag and allows golfers a faster swing for more distance.

The Titleist SureFit Hosel featuring 16 independent loft and lie settings, allows additional ball flight with a precision fitting.

TS4 golfers will be able to pick from the same four shaft models in TS2 and TS3. Perspective buyers can attend a Titleist fitting day at hundreds of locations around the country. Loft options include 8.5, 9.5-RH & LH, and 10.5. MAP $499.00

More details at Titleist.com/golf-clubs/golf-drivers

THE WEST BADEN DOME part of the French Lick Resort, and one of the ten wonders of the world. Stay in the dome when you visit the French Lick Resort. FrenchLick.com.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Follow Rory (green shirt bottom L) on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, in the Studios at WNDZ.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN AGAIN !

Yes they are, and show #1 is in the books, and we are looking forward to week #2 on Saturday.

Our first guest will be Global Golf Post publisher Jim Nugent, who will be checking in from the Augusta National Golf Club. The Augusta Women’s Amateur will be in it’s final round, and the ladies will be playing at Amen-Corner. How will they do.

This past Saturday, it was nice that Mike Munro stopped by to guest host with the rest of the foursome. In the meantime you can catch up with Mike at the Green Street Grille in Bensenville.  A place where they do serve real beer.

PRAIRIE LANDING in West Chicago is seeing some changes GOG has learned. JR Starnes is headed to the east coast with his family, and Bryant Gaynes the clubs outing coordinator, takes over as Director of Golf Operations. The club will be redoing it’s bar and grill area this summer, and adding an outdoor deck for golfers to watch action on the course while enjoying food and beverage.

UPDATE from the WGC Match Play…watch out for 50 seeds. They can really be dangerous.  #Bjerregaard

FRENCH LICK RESORT is hosting the Symetra Tour in July on the Donald Ross Course, and the Sr. LPGA Championship on the Pete Dye Course in October. Now comes word the resort is working on adding other tournaments. French Lick Resort is now working with local Indiana governments agencies, on adding a sports book for gambling. This would be part of their addition to the casino area, that will already include suites, and a sports bar area.

DUPAGE GOLF will have all of it’s golf courses open by Thursday, when the Preserve at Oak Meadows opens for the season. I’m hoping to have an update on the groundbreaking before long, on the new clubhouse at the preserve at Oak Meadows. Green Meadows opening was delayed until tomorrow, because of work in the parking lot.

FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA…comes news that Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Lodge will be undergoing major renovations that will take over 1 year. One expected improvement will be the enlarging the main dining room, and or grill area. This will showcase much of Palmer’s memorabilia. Expect all rooms to be upgraded as well. ANOTHER ORLANDO property, the Reunion Resort has been sold, no word yet on what changes might happen.

A HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY to PINEHURST RESORT President, Tom Pashley.

CONGRATULATIONS to Canal Shore Golf Club in Evanston, that is turning 100 this year.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS tomorrow. RS