THE GOG BLOG’S-SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME-NEWS COLUMN

THE 2023 U.S. SENIOR OPEN at Sentry World in Stevens Point Wisconsin. So do you have your tickets yet. You can learn more at USGA.org. Padraig Harrington will defend.

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

B1G Ten Champions Illinois are making a run at the National Championship.

THE FIGHTING ILLINI

ARE IN CONTENTION for a national championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale Arizona.

Illinois will survive the first cut, that takes the field from 30 to 15 teams, for the fourth and final round of stroke play. So then on Monday, the field drops from 15 to 8, and the Match Play starts on Tuesday to bring it down to the Final Four. But then on Wednesday the national Championship will be decided. So catch the action on the Golf Channel.

Ohio State the only other B1G Ten team at nationals, will likely not survive the first cut at 54 holes.

Len Ziehm in Pinehurst North Carolina.

Golfers on Golf is proud to announce that our very own Len Ziehm is on the road again.

Ziehm one of the leading travel writers across the country, has been making trips through the southern states of America.

IN ALABAMA Ziehm has a report on one of the great destination properties in Alabama-Farm Links.

But along with Farm Links is Ziehm’s recap of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses that run through out Alabama.

Another Ziehm trip and recent story showcased the State of Mississippi and courses that included The Dancing Rabbit. So for more on golf travel with Len Ziehm-visit LenZiehmongolf.com.

Awards to Illinois Golf-on Display at the Atkins Golf Course in Urbana.

The University of Illinois golf programs have earned their share of golf awards in recent years.

But there is a chance that more could be on their way, or are on their way.

Crystal Wang became the women’s golf program first-First Team All-American since Illini Coach Renee Sloan was honored in 1993.

Wang also won the Mary Fossum Award for low-stroke average in the B1G Ten. She set the record for the lowest score in conference tournament history. Wang shot a final round 9 under par 63 at the Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh.

THE MEN’S Team saw the five starting Illini players-all be named to the Men’s D1 Ping All-Midwest team. Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Piercen Hunt, Mattias Besard, Tommy Kuhl, and Jackson Buchanan. While Kuhl and Chassart both made the final watch list for the Fred Haskins award for the best golfer in Division 1 NCAA golf. The award will be presented this Wednesday June 1st. Dumont de Chassart is also a finalist for the Jack Nicklaus Award.

FOUNDERS GROUP INTERNATIONAL has joined with Nicklaus design for a restoration of the Pawley’s Plantation Golf Country Club. The Jack Nicklaus design closed this past week, for a greens, bunkers and clubhouse redesign. Architect Troy Vincent will lead the project that should run for 4-months. The course first opened in 1998. So currently 78,600 feet of of putting surface will return to 117,000 square feet.

The new green surface will become TifEagle Bermudagrass. But large bunkers on 10 holes, will be replaced by smaller fairway bunkers. Pawley’s Pub will be enlarged with a better view of the 18th hole. Founders Group International has made reinvesting in our courses a top priority,” said FGI president Steve Mays. So for more information visit PawleysPlantation.com.

Club Champion in Willowbrook-the largest club fitting chain in America.

WILLOWBROOK BASED CLUB CHAMPION

Has now united it’s four brands under one roof. The Founders TXG (Canada), Golf Principals (UK), PureForm Golf (Australia) and Club Champion (USA) in the new Fathers of Fitting podcast.

Nick Sherburne, Ian Fraser, Jason MacNiven and Paul Jenner will join forces to talk fitting, equipment, and all things golf in this new program.

Each episode will answer questions from golfers. The video version can be found on YouTube, and audio version on podcast platforms such as Apple and Spotify. Learn more about Clubchampiongolf.com.

VEGAS-Golf the Game or get the I need Beer towel to signal the beverage cart.

DO YOU NEED AN ON COURSE GAMBLING GAME.

SO IF you like to wager on the golf course, yes you do.

Vegasgolfthegame.com is your answer on how to keep every round interesting.

Plus with the heat of the summer ahead, order your I NEED BEER towel now. So you don’t have to go without a cold one on a hot day. Vegasgolfthegame.com.

TEPETONKA CLUB’S SHORT COURSE

TEPETONKA CLUB a new private 228 acre facility, has announced that CBS commentator Jim Nantz will serve as design consultant.

Nantz will work with Australian design firm OCM (currently working at Medinah) on the golf course.

Having known owner Mark Haugejorde for over 40 years. Nantz says over a year ago he spoke with Haugejorde and OCM, and knew this project would be something special. The PROX course will be the clubs short course. Nantz says he will be one of the founding members. Details at Tepetonka.com.

PATRIOT GOLF WEEKEND in honor of Memorial Day, GolfForever the stretching device used by Masters Champions Scottie Scheffler and Zach Johnson, this weekend all devices sold will generate a $10 donation to both Folds of Honor and the VGA. But local courses also donating this weekend to the Folds of Honor include Bull Valley Country Club and Village Links of Glen Ellyn.

WOMEN’S WORLD AMATEUR #1 Rose Zhang of Stanford, and first back-to-back NCAA Women’s National Championship winner. Will turn professional this week and take a sponsors exemption into the LPGA’s Mizuho’s America’s Open at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

ISLAND RESORT and CASINO in the UP-of Michigan will host it’s 12th annual tournament on the Epson Tour-The road to the LPGA Tour. Island Resort is home to two 18 golf courses, both Sweetgrass and Sage Run. Championship week is June 23-25.  So learn more details at Islandresortandcasino.com.

CANTIGNY GOLF in Wheaton is waiving it’s base $20 caddie fee, in an effort to introduce more golfers to Cantigny’s caddie program. But you must request your caddie when making a reservation. So visit Cantignygolf.com for more information.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW-RS

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About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.