RICH HARVEST FARMS IS READY FOR LIV GOLF this coming week from September 16-18. The stars of professional golf are finally back in town. Tickets@LIVGolf.com. Singer and Songwriter Jason Derulo will be performing after Round 2 on Saturday. #LIV

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

Bill McCarthy Director of the 2022 Mid-Amateur Championship.

THE 2022 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship is underway.

***BREAKING NEWS***

Todays second round of the 2022 Mid-Amateur Championship will not be played today, due to incoming severe bad weather.

Because heavy rains will hit both Erin Hills and Blue Mound Country Club. The rain fall will not allow for play to continue on Sunday, when rains hit both courses in the 8 Am hour.

Round 2 continues Monday, but the final round could be delayed. For more information see USGA.org.

Heritage Oaks Golf Club on Dundee Road in Northbrook.

FALL EVENTS are coming to Heritage Oaks in Northbrook.

This coming Friday September 16th is couples golf night at Heritage Oaks.

But followed by the Ladies Club Championship on Saturday September 17th.

The following weekend September 24th and 25th is the Men’s Club Championship. So sign up today for the events listed. But there are more events coming including Night golf. So visit Heritageoaksgc.com.

WILMETTE BASED LINKS CAPITAL ADVISORS is handling the sale of two golf courses. The Royal Golf Club in St. Elmo Minnesota, which is located 15 minutes from St. Paul in the Twin-Cities area. St. Elmo is a Arnold Palmer-Annika Sorenstam design. In North Carolina near Pinehurst, located in West End NC is the Seven Lakes Golf Club, now for sale. So for more details see Linkscaptialadvisors.com or call Chris Charnas at (312)-543-7192 or email Chris@links-cap.com.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS will host it’s annual Fighting Illini Invitational this Friday-Sunday 16-18 at the Olympia Fields Country Club. But Illinois with it’s entire team returning from last year, starts the season ranked 11th in the country. Eleven teams are ranked or in the receiving votes category.

THE ILLINI WOMEN’S golf team travels to South Carolina to open their season this week in the Cougar Classic, hosted by the College of Charleston. 18 teams will play the Yeaman’s Hall Club at a par of 71, and yardage set at 6,279 yards.

THE DEERPATH POPSTROKE QUALIFIER was held this past Saturday. The two winners that advance to the nationals in Sarasota Florida were, Justin Hagstrom-1st. With Fabien Duboeuf-2nd. The finals will have $125,000 dollars in prizes.

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S STATE SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP will take place this week at the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa in Galena. There will be 79 players in the field. So for more details at IWGA.org.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-returns tomorrow. RS

LIV GOLF COMES THIS WEEK to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Sept. 16-18. The stars of professional golf are finally back in town. Get your tickets at LIVGolf.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 and Facebook.

Chicago’s Favorite Foursome-Golfers on Golf Radio is back for a 2-week run on WNDZ-AM 750 on Saturday mornings. LIV GOLF is HERE.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO once thought to be done for the year, is back for another two week run on WNDZ AM 750-Chicago.

Hosts Rory Spears and Len Ziehm return for this special edition to preview the upcoming week at Rich Harvest Farms.

Because the “Stars are Back in Town”. For the first time since Medinah in August of 2019, the stars of professional golf are here in the Chicago area.

So join Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cam Smith, Bryson Dechambeau, Harold Varner, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and others at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove (near Aurora) this Friday-Sunday September 16-18.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR Golfers on Golf Radio’s LIV GOLF at Rich Harvest Farms preview show.

Our guests included Rich Harvest Farms Vice President Alex-Kline Wedeen, and the publisher of the Illinois Golfer-Tim Cronin.

Next Saturday-Rory Spears checks in LIV-E from Rich Harvest Farms, with Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger in studio at WNDZ. Len Ziehm will be live at the Palm-Aire studios in Sarasota Florida.

You will hear from LIV players and get recaps of the standing after Round 1. thanks for listening Len and Rory.

THE LIV GOLF SERIES COMES TO RICH HARVEST FARMS next week in Sugar Grove. Chicago-the stars of golf are finally back in town. Tickets at LIVGolf.com #LIV

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

THE 2023 PGA SHOW Jan. 24-27 2023.

2022 saw a return of the PGA Show in Orlando Florida, after a year off because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the return was a show, wasn’t the show everyone remembered.

Because the companies with the biggest booths, the equipment companies didn’t show up. But in-part the equipment companies aren’t waiting until after the holidays to release their products. Because they are getting out in front of Black Friday and the holiday season to sell their clubs and accessories.

What might equipment companies do in 2023 is still a question. But one can only hope they return, even if the display isn’t quite as big. Demo day wasn’t much of a day this year, participation was small and the weather wasn’t good either. That on the heels of one of the coldest demo days in show history.

Covid isn’t gone. But it’s fading left to right. With the boom golf has had since the start of Covid, returning to the show in 2023 seems to be the smart thing to do. Some companies like apparel leader Travis Mathieu have already announced a return.

The 2023 show will add the following options.

A return of the biennial PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit. introduction of a golf industry career fair and an industry-collaborative launch of a golf leadership summit.

Additional support services for attending PGA professionals. Additional Show Floor improvements including enhancements to the Equipment Test Center, an expanded Golf Travel pavilion. An additional golf fitness programming and the introduction of a new Club Amenities pavilion.

“As the global industry’s launch into the new year and our annual gathering of PGA Professionals, the PGA Show is an important platform to connect, grow and engage the golf community,” said PGA of America President Jim Richerson. “It remains a priority to evolve the PGA Show each year to help PGA Professionals and industry leaders make the most of what’s happening now, prepare for what lies ahead and collectively shape future growth of the sport and business of golf.”

There are enhancements coming to the 2023 PGA Show. So for more information see PGAShow.com.

LIV GOLF COMES THIS WEEK TO RICH HARVEST FARMS IN SUGAR GROVE, are you there. Come see what all the fuss is about. The stars are back in town. LIVgolf.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 and Facebook.

The Pine in Mundelein.

PINE MEADOW GOLF CLUB in Mundelein, has announced some of it’s fall events.

The famed 4-man Fall Scramble is now set for October 1st.

The Denil 3-man amateur event, with some cash getting thrown around, comes up on Sunday October 2nd.

So why not get up to Pine Meadow on the weekend of October 1st and 2nd and enjoy “The Pine”. Two of the great fall team events in the Chicago area, will be here before you know it.

So put your team together and call Pine Meadow at (847)-566-4653 (Golf). Pine Meadow Golf Club is operated by Jemsek Golf.

LIVGOLF COMES TO RICH HARVEST FARMS SEPT. 16-18 TICKETS LIVGOLF.COM

Pinehurst #8 Centennial-Now Open.

IT’s OPEN AGAIN !

Tom Fazio’s Pinehurst #8 that first opened in 1996, is open again for golfers.

The plan was to close #8 around Memorial Day, and reopen about a 100 days later by Labor Day Weekend.

Mission accomplished. As 8 re-opened on September 2nd, in time for Labor Day play. Spread out over 460 acres, #8 is back in shape.

No.8 tees.

The project included a freshening up the course, that had little done to it in it’s first 25 years.

Now the re-grassing, the greens with TiFEagle, new sand, and new conditions.

Both resort owner Bob Dedman, and resort President Tom Pashley agreed, the course needed to retain the look it inherited from architect Tom Fazio.

According to Pinehurst Director of Grounds Bob Farren, that concept has been carried out.

So when you are ready to travel this fall, and the Home of American Golf is on your list. There is longer the need to ask, which courses besides #2 should I play. One correct answer is #8, it’s back and you should be too.

Pinehurst.com where it’s always a beautiful day.

  SEPT 16-18 LIV GOLF and the stars of the game arrive at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. So get tickets while you can and come enjoy all three days of the excitement.

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

L-R Len Ziehm-John Billiter and Rory Spears in the lobby of the new Heritage Oaks Clubhouse.

PART 3 of 3

Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2022, Part 2 of 2 from the Brook Room at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook,

IN THE FINAL CHAPTER of the rebuilding and rebranding of the Heritage Oaks Golf Club, Len Ziehm and Rory Spears sit down with head golf professional John Billiter.

The podcast covers the what’s changed on the technical and teaching side of Heritage Oaks. Which is now a year-round option at the Northbrook golf facility.

Because part of the rebuild at Heritage Oaks was to include two new simulators in the new clubhouse. Upgrades in the practice area’s that are more than just a larger putting and chipping greens. So now golfers can try Trackman on the range, and both sides of it.

Because now if your looking to improve your game, your clubs and how you enjoy the game of golf, Heritage Oaks gives you the options to do just that.

CLICK HERE to hear the podcast with Len Ziehm-Rory Spears and Heritage Oaks head golf professional John Billiter.

Heritage Oaks is located at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook, and is celebrating it’s one-year anniversary since reopening from the renovation.

Thanks for listening-Len and Rory.

LIV GOLF is coming to Rich Harvest Farms September 16-18. Tickets are going quickly so get them while you can. See the stars of golf as they return to Chicago. LIVGolf.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 and Facebook.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. With the new BGT Brava Driver shaft, in my Callaway Rogue ST Driver at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook.

THE GREAT NEWS is that Golfers on Golf Radio is coming back.

Because for the next two weeks it returns at it’s normal tee time of 10 Am, Saturday mornings on WNDZ AM 750.

Chicago’s favorite foursome of, The Hall of Famer-the Daily Herald’s Len Ziehm, DuPage County Forest Preserve District’s IPGA Professional Ed Stevenson, the former PGA Tour player Bill Berger, and yours truly will talk the biggest golf show in town.

Because next week-the stars are back in town when LIV Golf comes to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Names like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cam Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and more.

This weekend our preview show looks at LIV Golf and how it continues to take off and change the face of professional tournament golf. Three days, 54 holes and a whole lotta fun (so I hear). We will see what it’s all about. Then on Saturday the 17th, show two looks at tournament in progress, and how Sunday’s finish is shaping up.

I will have more during the week on how Saturdays show is shaping up, as we get closer to the weekend. So stay tuned.

HERB KOHLER at the Baths Opening in June of 2021.

HERB!

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Herbert “Herb” Kohler this weekend.

When you think Wisconsin destination golf, you can’t help but think of Kohler. Even though Sentry World in Stevens Point, had the first course in Wisconsin some think of as the course golfers from other states came to see. It was Herb Kohler that turned the village with his families name on it, into a true golf destination. Because now Wisconsin has places like Erin Hills, Sand Valley, the courses of the Wisconsin Dells, the Lake Geneva area and more. That’s a credit to Kohler getting the golf ball rolling.

I look at Wisconsin in golf terms as the “Myrtle Beach of the Midwest”. With all the great golf options Wisconsin has.

I feel fortunate I got to spend as much time as I did around Mr. Kohler. He really had a way to keep all those around him laughing, and those who worked for him feeling challenged in their jobs.

The stories of Kohler and his architect the late Pete Dye are countless. I would ask the PR team before tournaments at Kohler if Kohler would talk to the media. At first they always seemed a little reserved about doing that. But when Kohler and Dye teamed up for a presser before one of the three PGA Championships, they brought the house down.

When more tournaments came along, the Kohler PR department was always asked by the media, when are Herb and Pete talking. The writers, the TV stations and radio folks had enough material to fill-up the notebooks and air-time, for a full week and then some.

When Whistling Straits was getting built Kohler would be in his office working. But would get a call that Dye was up to something out on the course. Kohler would drive out on the course, through the dirt piles and get his Jaguar stuck in the mud numerous times trying to find Dye. Course workers lost track of how many times Kohler’s car had to be towed out of dirt piles.

The Whistling Straits logo, take a good look at it. As Mr. Kohler told me once, he had a lady in the companies graphic arts department, create a few options. But if you see a little Herb Kohler in it, you should.

IF YOUR EVER playing Whistling Straits and you hear gun fire. It’s from a neighboring gun club on the lake. Kohler tried buying the owner out on several occasions but never could. In fact as the story goes, Kohler once sent the owner a blank check. The guy ripped up the check and mailed it back to Kohler. Kohler didn’t want his guests thinking they had to hit the deck when the rifles went off, or flinch in the middle of their backswings. But in the end, could never get the gun club shut down. But his efforts to do so, have made for great tales around the Village of Kohler.

I’m glad Kohler got to live long enough to see the big Team USA victory in the Ryder Cup last year, he enjoyed every minute of that. Herb Kohler was 83.

SORRY TO SAY I have not yet had a chance to go see architect Greg Martin’s finished product at Settler’s Hill. I toured the property three times during renovation with Martin, and can’t wait to play it. I’ll have more after I get in a full 18 holes, on the hill.

THE RESULTS are amazing when hitting a driver with the new BGT Barney Adams group new Brava driver shaft. I know at $399.99 the shaft is a little pricey for some folks budget. But if you can pop one in your driver, you might really enjoy the gain you will get off the tee. It’s in my new Callaway Rogue ST driver, after testing the numbers at Mistwood Golf Club with fitting specialist Matt Carter.

PART 2 of our look at the redone and rebranded Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook is here tomorrow. In podcast Part-2, Len Ziehm and I sat down with head golf professional John Billiter to talk the new technology side of the property. Which includes simulators, Trackman, GPS systems and more. Give it a listen.

With that, have a great week and go play some golf. Happy Labor Day everyone. RS

RICH HARVEST FARMS is ready to host the LIV Series of Golf-September 16-18. So get your tickets today, while they remain. The stars of golf are back in the Chicago area.

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

Rory Spears with the new BGT Brava driver shaft, now fitted into his Callaway Rogue ST-Driver. Photo by Ryan Corfield.

GOLF 360 is back tonight at 6 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

There are plenty of good features, including a look at one of Michigan’s top golf resorts, Boyne.

Boyne has 10 courses for now, with architect Ray Hearn building a new par-3 course for 2023.

GOLF360 heads to the PGA Tour store in Vernon Hills, for a look at the new Callaway Rogue Driver. Plus more on the new Wingman putter by Batavia based Tour Edge Golf. Golf360 tonight at 6 PM.

TERRY REAM of Reno Nevada is your winner at the World’s Largest Golf Amateur Tournament in Myrtle Beach. This year over 3,200 golfers teed it up at the tournament, which is also home to the Worlds Largest 19th hole. So for more details see MyrtleBeachWroldAmateur.com.

Chad Johansen GM and head golf professional at Blackberry Oaks, is a Callaway Golf Ambassador.

BLACKBERRY OAKS IN BRISTOL, is far from being done for the year.

The Wally Boughton Senior Open in honor of raising funds for ALS, is coming up September 20-21 at the Oaks.

The four-person scramble is Sunday October 2nd.

The fall golf junior programs at Blackberry Oaks, are rolling with the #Kidsrule format.

GM Chad Johansen says Sunny Skies=PlayGolf. Because the season is far from over. Do you need clubs ? Because Callaway ambassador Chad Johansen will get you fitted into a new set of Callaway Rogue Woods and Irons.

So learn more about “The Oaks” at BlackberryOaks.com (630)-553-7170.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Alums Thomas Detry and Nick Hardy are looking for strong finishes at the Korn Ferry Tour event this week. Heading into the final round Nick Hardy is T-15. But Detry’s week concluded when he missed the cut on Friday.

U of I’s Adrien Dumont de Chassart has been named to the watchlist for the Fred Haskins Award, presented by Golf channel and Golfweek Magazine. For the top golfer in NCAA Collegiate golf.

LAB GOLF PUTTERS is having a Labor Day sale, starting at $275.00 per putter. So check out all the options at LABGolf.com

Blue Tee’s Golf announces new collegiate Series 2 Pro+ range finders.

Los Angeles based Blue Tee’s Golf has retained NCAA licensing to five of the top universities in the country.

“This new collegiate Series 2 Pro= line of rangefinders is perfect for the golfer who wants a high-performance rangefinder, and wants to show their college pride or spirit,” said Blue Tees Golf CEO Chris Markham.

Markham says that early sales show some very active fan bases. Schools available include USC, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Cost is $249.99 and they are available at Dicks Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and PGA Tour Superstores. But for more information see Blueteesgolf.com.

McWethy’s Tavern is back for another season. Reopening this Tuesday September 6th, with a new menu. But the famous chicken wings are back.

MCWETHY’S TAVERN

WILL REOPEN this Tuesday Sept. 6th, in time for the start of the NFL season.

There will be a new menu, that is not completely finalized just yet. But McWethy’s is sure you will love the changes.

No worries for those of you who enjoy the famous award winning chicken wings. They are back.

McWethy’s is part of the Mistwood Golf Dome located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. The golf dome will re-open in November date TBD. Mistwoodgolfdome.com.

The SAM Putt Lab at Club Champion.

DID YOU KNOW !

That September is putter fitting month, and Willowbrook IL. based Club Champion is celebrating it by offering a free putter fitting, with the purchase of a new putter of putter shaft.

This is a $125.00 value.

But this promotion runs through October 2nd. So to learn more visit Clubchampiongolf.com More locations now than ever across America.

                   ELISA GAUDET (L) at the 2022 PGA Merchandise Show and (R) at the recent Top 100 Women Gala Awards in London. Elisa’s work for founding Women’s Golf Day around the the world was recognized by the foundation. Congrats to Elisa, making a difference in golf for women everywhere.

Sea Pines Resort-Hilton Head Island.

SEA PINES RESORT located on beautiful Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, is now offering a Fall & Winter getaway package.

But this package is now available and runs through Feb. 24 of 2023.

So to take advantage of this great offer, you must select a three-night stay.

But included in this package are complimentary dinner offers, and lunch entrees. Preferred rates on the highly rated golf courses, and plenty more. But better news is there are direct flight options on three airlines. So to book this fall or winter trip visit seapines.com/vacation-rentals/specials/fall-winter-getaways or call (866)-561-8802 and use the promo code GETAWAY. But this promotion is not available during holiday periods (Thanksgiving-Christmas or New Years).

The NEW BGT 2-Piece Wedge shafts

BGT Breakthrough Golf Technology has now added 2-Piece Premium Wedge shafts.

This following on the success, of their BGT putter shafts, and the more recently released this past summer Brava driver shafts.

BGT says these new shafts will do the same for your short game, that the other shafts have done for other parts of your game.

CEO Barney Adams says, “We are delighted to launch the ZNE Wedge Shafts. They have been years in the making, and we plan on redefining another part shaft category with our shaft technology. So if you want more control of your wedge game, or more distance from your wedges. ZNE delivers on both fronts.”

Weights are 90-115 or 130g. Test results show 92% of golfers had better distance control, 90% had better dispersion, 100% of golfers said it had a better feel than steel shafts. These shafts are now available for the price of $179.99. Details at BGTgolf.com.

THE GOG BLOG returns on Labor Day Monday-tomorrow RS.

LIV GOLF COMES TO RICH HARVEST FARMS September 16-18. So see what the fuss is about, in a fun golf setting, with many of the worlds best players LIVGolf.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 and Facebook.

Doug Bauman with the Illinois Super Senior Open trophy at Pine Meadow Golf Club.

DOUG BAUMAN won the 2022 Illinois Super Senior Open at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein.

Bauman trailed Billy Rosina by one shot after the first 18 holes. But after a rough start on Day-2, Bauman bounced back to defeat Rosinia by 1 shot.

Bauman joined Roy Biancalana, Jim Sobb, and Mike Harrigan as the only two-time winners of the tournament.

“It feels great to join those guys as the two-time winners, ” said Bauman. “All of those guys are good friends of mine. So this is a nice trophy to earn and good company to join.

Bauman’s great approach shot on the par-4 18th hole, set up a short birdie putt. Which Bauman drained for the win.

Rosinia finished alone in second place. The Illinois Super Senior Open was the final event of the series for 2022. The Illinois PGA thanked sponsors Tito’s Vodka and the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute for sponsoring the series. More information at IPGA.com.

LIV GOLF BRINGS THE STARS OF GOLF Finally back to Chicago. So get your tickets today at LIVGolf.com for the Sept. 16-18 tournament at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove Illinois. Hospitality is nearly sold-out and fans are about ready to see all the action. #CamSmith #PhilMickelson #DustinJohnson #BrysonDechambeau #IanPoulter

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Golfers on Golf Radio is back next Saturday at 10 AM on WNDZ Am 750. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.

L-R Rory Spears, Heritage Oaks head professional John Billiter, Len Ziehm and Heritage Oaks Director of Golf Greg Baron at Heritage Oaks Golf Club.

HERITAGE OAKS IS HERE-PART 2

The Len Ziehm and Rory Spears podcast series will have two parts, on the reopening of the Northbrook IL. golf course.

Because what was Sportsman’s Country Club, is no longer that. It’s now a club taking advantage of it’s history and now calling itself, Heritage Oaks.

But here is Part 2 of the story, which is really part 1 on the podcast side of 2.

Illinois Golf Hall of fame inductee Len Ziehm and Rory Spears sat down in the newly created Brook-Room in the new Heritage Oaks clubhouse 3535 Dundee Road. To discuss the over year long renovation of the club, with Director of Golf Greg Baron.

The process had a few changes along the way. The initial plan was changed. But while the course and facility have reopened, the improvements are not yet complete.

So hear what’s new besides the name at Heritage Oaks by checking out Ziehm and Spears with Greg Baron in the Brook-Room.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR this edition of Ziehm and Spears, with Heritage Oaks Director of Golf, Greg Baron.

Ziehm and Spears returns with Part 3 of the look at the new Heritage Oaks, and podcast part 2 with head golf professional John Billiter. Billiter looks at the teaching side of the club, along with practice areas and club fitting at Heritage Oaks.

So thanks for listening-Len and Rory.