MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville, is this years host to the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, and the Illinois State Amateur Championship coming next week. But Mistwood can host your game, your group and after your round in McWethy’s Tavern in the clubhouse. So play Mistwood by making a tee time at (815)-254-3333, or go online to Mistwoodgc.com. Mistwood an architect Ray Hearn design. #Top100fitter.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook or LinkedIn.

L-R Kasumi Takahashi, Robin Donnelly, Nicole Jeray and medalist Ellen Port. Photo courtesy of Mistwood GC.

MADE IT.

So after the U.S. Senior Women’s Open had to take a year off because of the pandemic, the qualifiers are back on again.

This years championship will be played at the site is was supposed to be held at in 2020, the Brooklawn Country Club, in Fairfield Conn.

But this past week at the Midlothian Country Club four ladies made it into the field.

One of the four players to qualify was long time former LPGA player, and current Mistwood Golf club teaching professional Nicole Jeray.

Ellen Port was the medalist with a 1 under par score of 72, in the par 73 set-up at Midlothian.

Jeray was a tie-second with a 1 over par score of 74, along with Kasumi Takahashi of Tokyo. Robin Donnelly of Scottsdale Arizona, was the final qualifier of the field of 24.

AFTER STARTING HER ROUND bogey-bogey, Jeray was +3 after ten holes. But then she made birdies on holes 11-12-13-14, getting her back to 1 under par. Bogeys on 15 and 18 left Jeray one over par for the round. But good enough to make it into the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open field.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with U.S. Senior Women’s Open qualifier Mistwood’s Nicole Jeray.

BUT EVEN with making it into the U.S. Senior Women’s Open field, Jeray is still waiting to see if she is into the Senior LPGA Championship at French Lick in late August. Jeray went into the qualifier after a 10th place finish, at the Illinois Women’s Open last week.

DUPAGE GOLF is getting ready to lock-up a date to open their new clubhouse, at the Preserve at Oak Meadows. So follow Dupagegolf.com and you can keep score on when the opening day will be. But good news for golfers, the golf course is now open for play.  _____________________________________________________________________

ZIEHM & SPEARS the 2021 Podcast Series is back, with a special edition from the John Deere Classic, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis Illinois.

ZIEHM and SPEARS…

Len Ziehm and Rory Spears, are back with another edition of the Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 23.

But this time it’s live, on location. At the John Deere Classic in Silvis Illinois. Because the PGA Tour is back in Illinois.

But better yet, the real media are back being able to cover PGA Tour events again.

YES MAYBE-just maybe Magic Does Happen Here at TPC Deere Run, in the Quad Cities.

So this week Len and Rory have a special guest joining them for the third time.

Because long time Quad Cities news paper guy, and now book author, Craig DeVrieze joins the cast-with some real John Deere history.

L-R Len Ziehm-Craig DeVrieze-Rory Spears at the Deere.

But Len and Rory start things off in one of our longest editions of Z & S yet, recapping this years tournament. Before we share several of the most interesting parts of the new book, ‘Magic Happened’ the 50 year history of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities.

So how does the smallest market on the PGA Tour keep growing every year. Continue to win awards every year. Raise record amounts of money for charity every year. You can hear it all in this weeks Ziehm and Spears Volume 23.

The John Deere Classic is one of the most amazing stories in golf, anywhere in the world.

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks edition of Ziehm and Spears, with special guest Craig DeVrieze.

Len Ziehm has covered golf in the Chicago area and beyond for 53 years. Rory Spears has covered golf for 36 years in the Chicago area and beyond. We hope you enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening, Len, Rory & Craig.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB-Home of the Illinois Women’s Open, and in two weeks the Illinois State Amateur Championship. Learn more about Mistwood-Mistwoodgc.com  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

2021 Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open Champion, University of Illinois Alum Tristyn Nowlin.

FOUR…

Because this time second place was out of the question, and Tristyn Nowlin found a way to win.

But victory didn’t come easy. Because in golf it rarely does.

Round 3 started on Wednesday morning with Nowlin holding a 1 shot lead, over Ueakarn (Louk-key) Songprasert. But as the front nine progressed, things went back and forth until at the turn, both players were tied. But that didn’t last. Because Nowlin made birdie on the short par 4 10th hole, and went back up by 1 shot.

Tristyn Nowlin on 18-her second shot on the par 5.

But Songprasert wasn’t finished. Because her birdie on the par 5, 15th hole had the players tied again.

But Nowlin immediately answered on the par 4,16th with a birdie, her lead now back to 1 shot.

IT BECAME 2 shots after Songprasert hit her tee shot on the par 3, 17th hole to nine feet. But her first putt sailed past the hole and she lipped-out the come back putt and ended up with bogey 4. With Nowlin in for par, the lead was back to two shots heading into the 18th hole.

Both players had birdie putts between 15-20 feet. But neither converted, and both made par. Nowlin closed with a 2 under par 70 (-8 ) 208 for the championship. Songprasert shot a final round 71-for her 54 hole total of (-6) 210.

CLICK HERE TO hear the full interview with 2021 IWO Champion Tristyn Nowlin.

Crystal Wang a senior at the university of Illinois was the low-amateur, finishing 4 shots back of her former Illini teammate Nowlin. Emma Carpenter the 18-hole leader, was the only other player finishing under par for the championship at -2 (214).

Mistwood GC Director of Golf Andy Mickelson, Crystal Wang (low amateur) and IPGA Executive Director Carrie Williams (L-R)

MISTWOOD teaching professional and two-time past champion Nicole Jeray finished in 10th place. But Jeray said she came away from the tournament ready, for next weeks U.S. Senior Women’s Open qualifier at Midlothian Country Club.

Nowlin who came into the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, after winning the Michigan Women’s Open. She now heads home to Kentucky to play in her home state Kentucky Women’s Open, trying to make it three wins a in a row. After Kentucky, Nowlin will play in the Tennessee Women’s Open, and then the Florida Women’s Open. With the goal of making enough money to play in the Symetra Tour Q-School that starts in California next month.

CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with IWO runner-up Ueakarn (Louk-Key) Songprasert.

For a full recap on the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, visit IPGA.com.

WELCOME TO MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB and McWethys Tavern on Renwick road in Romeoville-home of this weeks Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open-See Mistwoodgc.com. ______________________________________________________________________THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn/Facebook.

The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville

BOTH THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN and now University of Illinois alum Tristyn Nowlin are back.

Because Nowlin has come so close, twice at Mistwood, could this be the charm.

So in 2018 Nowlin, who was then attending Illinois, came to Mistwood in June for the Women’s Western Golf Association’s amateur championship. She played great. But took second place.

Nowlin returned in July for the Illinois Women’s Open. But while she played great she took second place again.

Nowlin is now a professional, playing in various state opens, hoping to win enough money to attend the Symetra Tour’s Q-School. So first off the tee was the Colorado Women’s Open, where Nowlin made the cut and finished “20 something” as she called it.

But the Michigan Women’s Open was better. Because Nowlin won it, and came into the Illinois Women’s Open with some momentum. Nowlin brought former Illinois teammate Bing Singhsumalee along to caddie, and after two rounds of 69-69 (-6) in 90+ degree heat, Nowlin sits in first place, for a change.

But her lead is only 1 shot. Because of a late charge by Bloomingdale’s Ueakarn Songprasert whose second 18, was a five under par (67). Which left her just one shot behind Nowlin. Elayna Bowser of Michigan is alone in third place, five shots back at 1 under par.

22 players made the cut, including Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray, a two time past champion. But Jeray sits 9 shots back, with 18 holes to play. Two-time past champion Jenna Pearson of Wheaton also made the cut. But Pearson is 15 shots off the lead.

THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS NEW CLUBHOUSE-Opening soon. Follow the plans for grand opening at DuPageGolf.com. But the Preserve at Oak Meadows golf course is open for play. Don’t forget that Maple Meadows & Green Meadows are open.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy at the bar in the new Preserve at Oak Meadows Clubhouse.

JULY IS HERE.

So that makes it tournament time in Illinois. But that normally means that there are too many at once in the same week.

Because this week, there is the Illinois Open at Mistwood Golf Club. But then there is the John Deere Classic of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities.

This year the John Deere Classic (JDC) celebrates turning 50. So go-online and get some tickets, make the drive out if your in the Chicago area. Because once you do it, you will find it’s easy to get there and quicker than you think.

The full field is not yet posted on the website for the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open. But heading into Tuesdays 36-hole rounds. Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray will lead a solid field around Kelpie’s Corner and the sod-walled Mistwood bunkers. Jeray is bidding for her third title on her own turf. Because a third win in the IWO would tie her for the most wins ever, with Kerry Postillion.

THE CUT will fall on Tuesday night. The top 30 players will advance to Wednesdays final round of 18 holes. Golfers on Golf will be at Mistwood both days.

IT’S BACK TO SILVIS ILLINOIS for the JDC at the end of the week. But can defending champion Dylan Frittelli who has missed several straight cuts in a row, find the magic again at TPC Deere Run. We will see.

TUESDAY NIGHT IS “THE MATCH” will it be a great match. Because it’s not known who Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie will be. But can Lefty Phil hit bomb’s like Bryson. So what about the QB’s. Can Brady take down Rodgers again. Do stay tuned for that one, and lets hope it’s not a bomb.

OUR 4th member of Chicago’s favorite foursome-Len Ziehm is back in town from Florida. I will be teeing it up with Len at the Preserve today. it’s my first round there in a year, and Len’s first since 2018. I’m sure when we are done, he will have a lot to say.

LEN DID join us live in studio for Golfers on Golf Radio this past Saturday. But if you missed the show, you can catch a replay on the cloud. So take your mulligan at Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk.

It will be a great week for golf in Illinois and beyond. So stay clicked in to see what I have in store coming up later this week. The Ziehm and Spears Podcast will get taped together here in town. So don’t miss out-stay tuned. RS

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN this Tuesday & Wednesday July 6-7 at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. YOU ARE READY TO TRAVEL and it’s time to return to the French Lick Resort in French Lick Indiana. The Pete Dye, Donald Ross and valley links Golf Courses are ready to test your game. Get a room in the new Valley Tower that is connected to the French Lick Casino. Reserve your Play & Stay now FrenchLick.com     _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook/LinkedIn. With Len Ziehm and Bill Berger at WCPT 820 AM-Chicago.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY.

So enjoy your day off, and have some fun. Because you can go play golf, always a great idea.

BUT THERE is golf on TV as well you can watch.

Because the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage tournament is off and running.

But this week there are tournaments in Illinois.

The Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, will host the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open.

BECAUSE THE ILLINOIS Women’s Open is back.

The IWO is named in honor of the late Phil Kosin, who will be inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame on October 1st.

With the new format, 36 holes will be played this Tuesday July 6th. But then the low-30 scores and ties will play the final 18 holes on Wednesday July 7th.

Entries to the championship have closed. Details at MistwoodGC.com

Dylan Frittelli is the defending champion in this weeks John Deere Classic.

NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE.

Because the John Deere Classic is back, with first round play starting on Thursday July 8th.

Dylan Frittelli is still the defending champion from his win in 2019.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of PGA Tour Golf in the Quad Cities.

So there is a 50 year book recapping the history, and other special events to commemorate the 50th championship. Learn more or get tickets at JohnDeereClassic.com.

LISA STROM is the new head coach of the Ohio State Women’s golf team. Strom played for the Buckeye’s from 1995-1999. After playing professionally for years, Strom returned to OSU as an assistant coach from 2011-2016. Before stints at Texas Tech and Kent State.

GOLF 360 with Patrick Mannelly and Dave Lockhart.

GOLF360 is back tonight at 6:30 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

The show is hosted by former Chicago Bear, and current brew master Patrick Mannelly.

So this week’s show includes features on the Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. That will serve as home of this years Illinois Open.

But you can also get instruction from the pro staff at the Boyne Golf resorts in Michigan. But don’t forget to see the latest from Batavia based Tour Edge Golf. GOLF360 tonight on NBC Sports Chicago.

THE BLADE AND BOW LOUNGE will offer a VIP experience for those golfers playing in the Myrtle Beach World’s Largest Amateur from August 30-September 3rd. The B & B VIP experience is an addition to the World’s Largest 19th Hole. This experience is limited to 250 people at a cost of $249.00. So visit MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com for more information.

LAB GOLF Putters, is creating a special edition 4th of July Patriotic Putter, for only $900.00. But this limited edition will have only 15 of it’s kind made. So visit LABGolf.com quickly before they are all sold out. But you can a photo on Facebook under Rory Spears. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

THE NEW CLUBHOUSE at THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS. Food and beverage positions are now being hired. Stay tuned for details on opening day at Dupagegolf.com ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Saturday afternoons for now at 4 Pm. With Ed Stevenson (R), Bill Berger, Len Ziehm and Rory Spears (L). Am 820-WCPT Chicago.

Golfers on Golf Radio Week-12 is here.

So relax after your round of golf today and enjoy the show.

Because the 4th member of Chicago’s favorite foursome, Len Ziehm is in the house up from Florida.

So for the first time in 2 years, the Hall of Fame inductee is with us.

But there is more. Because with the John Deere Classic on the tee for the week ahead. Championship Director Clair Peterson joins us. So does Tiernan Byrne of Club Choice Ireland, live from the Irish Open.

So join us on the tee at 4 PM on WCPT AM 820-Chicago. OR listen live on WCPT820.com OR check us out on Facebook Live on the WCPT820.com website.

BUT YOU CAN listen on your phone via The Tune-In Radio APP search WCPT820.

BUT IF YOU NEED a mulligan, head to Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk. And then just scroll down to the podcast.

So join us live at the top of the hour 4 PM WCPT 820 AM. Thanks for listening, Ed, Billy, Len and Rory.

THE PRO SHOP IS TAKING SHAPE and the Scoreboard is up. The New Clubhouse at the Preserve at Oak Meadows is getting ready to open. So follow all the details on the grand opening of this new gem off the course, at DupageGolf.com DuPage golf is now holding interviews for food and beverage staff employment opportunities. #DupageGolf   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook/LinkedIn.

Welcome to Pine Valley Golf Club

THE PINE VALLEY GOLF CLUB, the long time No. 1 rated course in America, has changed it’s membership guidelines.

Because for years Pine Valley was for men only. But not anymore.

Club President Jim Davis informed the membership, that the club has admitted three female members.

The three new members all have solid backgrounds in golf. World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Annika Sorenstam, Sarah Ingram, and Meghan Stasi.

While Sorenstam had a long outstanding career in professional golf. Both Ingram and Stasi have distinguished amateur careers in golf. Ingram and Stasi are both winners of the USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur championship. Both were top college players, and have played in and won amateur other championships. Ingram in Tennessee and Stasi in the Philadelphia. Both ladies have represented the United States as members of the Curtis Cup team.

Ingram and Stasi have both participated in the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur Championship, with Ingram winning the amateur championship in 1991.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS is getting ready to open it’s new clubhouse, and hiring continues today from 12-3 for the food and beverage staff at Oak Meadows. But in the meantime the golf course is open for play. See more by visiting Dupagegolf.com  _____________________________________________________________________

Former Chicago Bear Patrick Mannelly presents Golf360.

GOLF360 has a special 4th of July Edition.

So check out NBC Sports Chicago Sunday night at 6:30 PM.

Because former Chicago Bear Longsnapper Patrick Mannelly presents GOLF360.

Mannelly and fellow Brew-master Dave “Links” Lockhart

This Star-Spangled Show features a look at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora, that will host the 2021 Illinois Open next month.

But there is more on this coming weeks John Deere Classic in Silvis Illinois, as the championship celebrates it’s 50th year as part of the PGA Tour. How about some golf instruction from the pro’s at Michigan’s Boyne Golf Resort.

What’s happening with Batavia’s Tour Edge Golf, that is a growing presence on the PGA Champions Tour.

So are you ready to visit the UP of Michigan. If so the Island Resort & Casino’s Sweetgrass and Sage Run Golf Clubs, make a great spot to stop and play.

Watch it all on Golf360 Sunday night at 6:30 PM on NBC Sports Chicago, before the fireworks really start.

THE BALTIMORE COUNTRY CLUB-Five Farms (L) and CAVES VALLEY GOLF CLUB (R) are front runners on the Baltimore golf scene. Old and Modern Classic Course. So stay tuned for a series on golf on where the BMW Championship will drive to in 2021.    _____________________________________________________________________

Len Ziehm and Rory Spears in the Port St. Lucie Florida studio. Ziehm and Spears coming from Illinois in the weeks ahead.

ZIEHM & SPEARS are back again with Podcast Series 2021-Volume 22.

This week Len and Rory discuss a variety of golf topics, including right off the first tee, the surprising caddie change for Bryson DeChambeau, at this weeks PGA Tour stop in Detroit.

But it doesn’t stop there. Because other topics include, sports stars outside of golf promoting certain tournaments, or golf itself.

But you also get a teaser about what golf company might be having some new product coming out on the market in about two weeks.

But of course some pre-John Deere Classic chatter. More on the Illinois Women’s Open coming up this week at Mistwood Golf. That is in advance of the Illinois State Amateur Championship also at Mistwood in 3 weeks.

Updates on the opening of Heritage Oaks in Northbrook, and new developments and staffing interviews for the Preserve at Oak Meadows. So which apparel company did a new 3 year deal with the Western Golf Association.

CLICK HERE to hear the latest edition of the Ziehm & Spears 2021 Podcast Series with Volume 22.

Len Ziehm has covered golf in Chicago and beyond for 53 years, and is a member of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. Rory Spears has covered golf in Chicago and beyond for 36 years. He grew up working 11 years at the Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Heights and the Chevy Chase golf club in Wheeling Illinois.

Len and Rory provide Chicago’s most complete weekly golf update, with some national golf news mixed in too. Enjoy and Thanks for Listening, Len and Rory.