THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-PPV GIVES OUT MULLIGANS

 JIM MCWETHY’S COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE has made the Mistwood Golf Dome the #1 indoor golf dome in the Chicago area. Now complete with the Toptracer technology, the MGD provides golfers with everything they could need from an indoor golf facility. McWethy’s Sportsbar is another winner, with it’s new look and improved menu, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook.        ______________________________________________________________________

IT FEELS LIKE THIS TODAY, The Pinehurst Par 3 Course The Cradle in Jan. 2018, today there is No Snow in Pinehurst, unlike here in Chicago where winter has arrived. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin and or Facebook.

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR, so they say. This morning the Chicago area has been blasted by a winter storm that has pretty much wiped out any last chance for outside golf before the end of the year.

Early in 2019 the Eskimo Open tee’s off at Cog Hill on Sunday January 6th, with tee times starting at 7 AM. For those of you who are ready to play outside again here in town.

While today seems to be a snow day, it is also Cyber-Monday for those of you who endulge in such things. If you are planning to purchase such golf related items at travel to destination properties, or perhaps some forms of apparel. This could be your day. Destination Kohler up in Wisconsin has specials today, and so does the Salamander resort/hotel chain, that includes properties like Innisbrook near Tampa and Reunion in Orlando. The online Greg Norman apparel people have sales at 35% off today, go hit it.

The hot golf sellers today online seem to be training aids, discounted golf balls, and golf shoes and bags. Enjoy your gifts if your buying.

MCWETHY”S TAVERN at Mistwood Golf Club has a breakfast with the Grinch Dec. 9th, Breakfast with Santa on Dec.16th, and a Murder mystery event on New Years Eve Dec. 31st. Check Mistwoodgc.com for details.

THE COG HILL Holida open house is Saturday Dec. 1st from 10-3 in the 2-4 building.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is open for year round golf. The simulator bays have been upgraded with top new courses, find out which ones at schaumburgolf.com. or call (847)-885-9000

PPV-Pay-Per-View had issues last Friday during Tiger vs Phil, in fact some that paid the $19.95 didn’t get it, and some who didn’t pay at all did get it. Refunds are going out to those who did not get the feed. Can you say Mulligan.

It was unbelievable that some media actually wrote that this kind of event, is something that golf needs more of. SAY WHAT???

AH-NO!!! we don’t. PPV sets a bad precedent, and it certainly didn’t help boxing. If you missed it, Phil Mickelson won on the 22nd hole, after the last three holes (20-21-22) were played on a lighted 93 yard par 3 hole, since the event ran out of daylight. Something that TV should take note of going forward. By all accounts, the golf was bad, with both players spraying it around, and missing many short putts, the announcing was even worse, while those who paid or didn’t, had their issues as well.

The old Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf had some charm, while this event had $$$$ questions, and side bets, that apparently got regulated by the PGA Tour. I didn’t know this was a PGA Tour event. Long before an event like this happens again, and unfortunately another one probably will happen, there are a lot of bugs to get worked out.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm has the Ziehm Machine rolling through the South, and his posted travel stories on the Lake Charles Louisiana area, that has plenty of golf and casino related golf. Ziehm also took his travels to Texas, to visit an old GOG haunt, Horseshoe Bay Resort in Austin Texas, that is in the middle of some serious upgrades and renovations. See Lenziehmongolf.com.

GOOD NEWS for Wilson Golf, reports have the new Cortex Driver winner of the Driver vs Driver 2 show selling very well in it’s early days. Even at the $499.00 mark. For more details on the Cortex, visit Wilsongolf.com.

GOOD NEWS PART 2-The Lake Bluff Park District park board did vote to keep the golf course open for the future. The Park District did come to an agreement with GolfVisions Management Inc. and has them replacing Billy Casper Golf as the courses management firm. The new agreement over the next five years will save tax payers over $2.1 million dollars, and the park will use the savings to fund major repairs and improvements to facilities. More details at Lakebluffparks.org.

This is good news for golfers, and hopefully with more improvements on the golf course the play will pick up on what is a good public golf course.

With that, Go Shop ! or save it for the stores and pro shops, like I am going to do. 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.