MONAHAN MEETS THE MEDIA AT THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

  THE TIME IS CHANGING as the summer season approaches at the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 North Roselle Road. So while the simulators are open, the outdoor version of Schaumburg Golf Club all 27 holes are also open. So tee it up at the Schaumburg Golf Club, Chandlers Chophouse is now open. SchaumburgGolf.com (847)-885-9000.

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

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

JAY MONAHAN has spoke to the media at the Players Championship.

He spoke for 59 minutes claim multiple media outlets.

But did what say make any sense, or even sound legit. Because his comments come in a week, that his leadership was challenged by multiple PGA Tour players, including the reigning Fed Ex Cup champion Viktor Hovland.

Monahan used the word-fans plenty of times. Saying the tour is working on giving them a better experience. What wasn’t mentioned at how much more of price increase would that experience cost. But what was interesting, is the feedback fans have been giving the tour. Because the fans don’t like the television coverage. Which means to much coverage of certain players. But that issue is changing as Tiger Woods plays less tournament golf. Because as golf fans increase their golf wagering, or partake in golf fantasy leagues. The need to see the fans favorite players, or the players they have gambled on. Monahan says fans want to see golf from historic venues they have enjoyed for year, and how current players stack up with the results of the past.

The Shack in Glenview has opened their new simulators, including one with theatre stadium seating. The golf season is longer at The Shack Indoor Golf Club-1717 Chestnut in Glenview. (847)-904-2905.

REGARDING LIV and a merger than has been on the table since last summer, he says things are progressing. Well how is that true, as deadline after deadline to wrap things up continues to pass, without a solution.

But Monahan did say it’s important to continue to talk with the Saudi’s about concluding a deal. Because both sides want to “quiet the noise.” But right now most of the noise seems to be coming from his own camp.

LAB GOLF PUTTERS the new DF3 now available in PGA Tour stores.

MONAHAN HAS THE issue of getting money back to the PGA Tour’s investment group SSG, but how is that going to happen. Monahan summed it up this way “networks”. But can TV pay more at this point, sponsors have dropped from the tour. Honda is gone, Wells Fargo is leaving, more tournament sponsors could leave unless things change.

MONAHAN WOULD NOT GO to deep into where the talks are going with the PIF, but did say they are moving forward as they get to know each other better.  Monahan also added that a deal with PIF is in the best interest of the growing game of golf.

SO CAN BOTH SIDES comes together and finish a deal that works for all. So can the players who left for LIV come back, if so how is that done. Monahan says things will take time, but how much time.

MISTWOOD GOLF FITTING TEAM WINS AWARD FROM PING GOLF

  THE SHELL IS COOKING AT THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME-Oliva is pouring drinks at the new bar in the shell (L). Golfers are getting ready for the outdoor season ahead on Toptracer golf. McWethys Sports Bar in the dome, your home for all the college basketball tournament games you want to see. Mistwoodgolfdome.com (630)-739-7600.

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

THE MISTWOOD GOLF FITTING TEAM L-R Eric Russel, Matt Carter and Scott Hogan.

MISTWOOD GOLF FITTING TEAM

Has been named a 2024 Ping Golf Power Fitter.

The credit goes to Eric Russell, Matt Carter and Scott Hogan, for their fitting work in the dome and in the Mistwood Golf Club Performance Center.

Statement from Ping Golf.

“All the winners fit every club in the bag and participate in on-going fitting certification through PING Academy (the company’s online education platform) and other hands-on training opportunities. They are also experts in PING products technology and custom club-building process. As importantly they understand a custom fitting is the beginning of a relationship with golfers.”

THIS WEEK at the Players Championship, statistics show that Fujikura shafts are the No.1 shaft on the woods that players are using at TPC Sawgrass.

MORE FROM MISTWOOD-Registration is now open for the April 6th “Pick Your Pin Scramble” this event sells out-so sign up quickly.

MISTWOOD is currently running the 4 for 3 golf balls sale. So enjoy selecting golf balls from Titleist, Callaway and TaylorMade.

Mistwood has not yet announced an opening day for Mistwood Golf Club, TBD with weather the main factor in announcing when the course will open.

So learn more about Mistwood Golf at Mistwoodgc.com or Mistwoodgolfdome.com.

HERITAGE OAKS OFFERS FITTING DAYS & GOLF BALL SALES

  THE SHACK IS NOW A BIGGER SHACK. Owner Nick Larkin has added four new simulators and a putting green. So get ready for the outdoor season ahead by warming up in the Shack, 1717 Chestnut Ave. Glenview. (847)-904-2905 TheShackgolfclub.com

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

HERITAGE OAKS at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook has both indoor simulators open and the outside driving range open. Course openings are still to be determined, but hopeful for later this month pending the weather.

BUT BETTER NEWS as the outdoor season approaches, next week Heritage Oaks has two fitting days scheduled.

Mistwood Golf Dome-Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook open daily until 10 Pm. Lessons, Club fittings and Toptracer. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600.

TITLEIST ON MARCH 20th will be at the Oaks-schedule an appointment today.

PING COMES IN on March 21st, your $60.00 fitting fee will be applied to any equipment purchase. Book your appointment today.

Heritage Oaks is now having sign up for spring instruction classes, plus a reminder that the Acorn Grill is open Tuesday through Sunday. Taco Tuesday’s, Wings on Wednesday’s and Fish on Friday specials are all happening now.

GOLF BALL SPECIALS-Buy 4 dozen golf balls, pay for three. The four for three golf ball sale is on. See head golf professional John Billiter for more details

HeritageOaksGC.com or call the pro shop at (847)-291-2351.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-THE PLAYERS & BAD RANKINGS

  TIMES ARE CHANGING at the Schaumburg Golf Club. The indoor simulators are open, outdoor 27 holes are now open. Chandlers Chophouse is now open. So why not open your golf season at 401 North Roselle Road-SchaumburgGolf.com or (847)-885-9000.

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

RORY SPEARS on the 10th hole of Pinehurst #10. Opening on April 3rd.

PLAYERS WEEK-

So who will the players be, and on this course the focus will be on the par-3 17th.

But Pete and Alice Dye left us more than the island Green 17th, they left us one difficult golf course. The thought of pot bunkers come to mind.

Scottie Scheffler comes in on a roll, but can he win back to back. Can Rory McIlroy turn it up a notch this week, after a dismal showing at Bay Hill. But what about the other names on the PGA Tour, Jordan Spieth, 2023 Fed Ex Cup winner Victor Hovland, Wyndham Clark, Will Zalatoris, who has game this week. Maybe just maybe Scheffler becomes this years Jon Rahm with a stack of victories.

GET WARMED UP indoors for the outdoor season coming soon. The Mistwood Golf Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is open daily until 10 Pm. Toptracer golf, lessons, club fittings and McWethy’s Sports Bar. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or (630)-739-7600.

TOMORROW PGA TOUR COMMISSIONER FOR NOW-Jay Monahan will address the media and the players about the status of the PGAT, this should be interesting. Because I wonder how many media questions he will actually answer. But it would really be fun to be the fly-on-the-wall when the meeting with the tour players tees off.

NBC has the weekend coverage, with the alumni broadcasting team back on board for the 50th Players Championship. It will be great to hear Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch back  working in the trenches.

SPEAKING OF NBC-just who is posting the ratings of the NBC Golf Pass group. Because while it’s nice to have various ratings panels, the NBC Golf Pass ones for the State of Illinois are horrible. Great tracks have been left out, average ones are somehow on the list. So if your a golfer who enjoys playing the top rated golf courses, just don’t both using the NBC-GP list just brutal.

FOUR FOR THREE so do you need golf balls, and this time of year who doesn’t. Several courses are selling Titleist, Callaway and Taylormade golf balls in the buy four dozen, get charged for three dozen. Add Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook and Pine Meadow GC in Mundelein to the list of clubs running the promotion.

The Shack Indoor Golf Club at 1717 Chestnut Ave. in Glenview open daily, and now with seven simulators AND a putting green. (847)-904-2905.

SPEAKING OF TAYLORMADE they have sued Costco for infringements of TM designs, that TM says are being used in the new Kirkland Irons. Kirkland Irons just came on the market a few weeks ago, and sold out quickly at $499.00  per-set. So stay tuned.

The week ahead has a few good weather days coming up, so get out and play. It will be a bit cooler by the weekend. But hopefully any clubs selling green beer-will have it cold for St. Patrick’s Day.

AS FOR COURSES OPENING-I suspect that a few more courses will open by late next week. Stay clicked-in right here to see who that might be. RS

CABOT CITRUS FARMS OPENS IT’S ONLINE SHOPPING STORE

  THE SEASON’S ARE CHANGING at the Schaumburg Golf Club 401 North Roselle Road in Schaumburg. So right now all 27 outdoor holes are open. Indoors all three simulators are open, so is Chandlers Chophouse. So now you can play the SGC both indoors and outdoors. Book a tee time at SchaumburgGolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.

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

The golf shirts are here in the Cabot Citrus Farms golf shop.

CABOT CITRUS FARMS

CCF is open and golfers are finding their way to the newest golf property in the country.

Newest yes-even though the courses were built on the grounds of a former golf property.

But nothing at the new Cabot Citrus Farms, resembles the old Worldwoods golf property.

  CABOT CITRUS FARMS is still under construction, but it’s coming together very quickly.

But with Mothers day and Fathers day coming up in less than three months, now is the time to start shopping for the golfers in your life. So the other option is, why not spoil yourself. Plenty of good options to pick from.

The CCF online store is Shop.CabotCitrusFarms.com. Golf is underway, with preview play now happening. But you can sign up and try to get tee times for the later months of this year.

The Karoo Course is open, so is the Squeeze and the Wedge. The other 18 hole course called “The Roost” opens later this year. But more information at Cabotcitrusfarms.com.

NBC BRINGS BACK MALTBIE & KOCH FOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

  SQAIRZ GOLF SHOES VISITS THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME in Bolingbrook on Rt. 53. The simulators and the bar in the shell are new this season, but open while you enjoy the dome and McWethy’s Sports Bar. Mistwood Golf Dome will now be hosting upcoming Mizuno and Cleveland demo days and Scoring clinics. But you must sign up in advance. THE NEW VOKEY SM 10’s are now in pro shops like Mistwood Golf Club. See Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome (630)-739-7600 #SaucemadnessisBack.

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

2021 Players Championship champion Rory McIlroy with the trophy.

NBC is ramping up for next weeks Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Because this years edition is the 50th playing of the championship.

Sadly course designers Pete and Alice Dye have passed away. But it wasn’t too late for NBC to bring back announcers and course reporter Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch as part of the networks broadcast team.

The Shack Indoor Golf Club 1717 Chestnut in Glenview. 4 new simulators including one with theatre style seating. Book a bay today. (847)-904-2905 and come try out the new putting green.

NBC’s Dan Hicks will be joined in the TV booth with Kevin Kisner as the analyst.

But during Round 2 on Friday, Kisner will team up with Smylie Kaufman, and the two will call “Happy Hour” from alongside the the 17th hole.

The Par-3 Island Green.

NBC Announced they were happy with Kisner’s work earlier in the year during the Phoenix Open.

THE GOLF CHANNEL and NBC will wall-to-wall coverage of the Players Championship all week long.

MAPLE MEADOWS & MOUNT PROSPECT TO OPEN TUESDAY 12TH.

  THE SEASON’S ARE CHANGING at the Schaumburg Golf Club 401 North Roselle Road. So it’s time to take it inside or outside-where either way you can play the Schaumburg Golf Club. IN THE SIMUALTORS or on THE Golf Course-the SGC is open for play. So book your time inside or out at SchaumburgGolf.com or (847)-885-9000.

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

  MAPLE MEADOWS OPENS TUESDAY MARCH 12TH.

DuPage Golf has announced that Maple Meadows will open next Tuesday march 12th for the 2024 golf season.

Maple Meadows that will begin renovation work by architect Greg Martin in late 2025-all permits approved permitting, is the first DuPage Golf Course Course to open for the year.

The 2024 schedule for DuPage Golf as of now is Green Meadows March 22nd-weather permitting. The Preserve at Oak Meadows will be around April 1st-again if the weather does cooperate. So visit DuPagegolf.com for more information.

  THE MT. PROSPECT GOLF CLUB will open fully for the 2024 summer golf season this coming Tuesday March 12th. So be ready to play on Tuesday at 600 S. See Gwun Ave. in Mt. Prospect-call for tee times at (847)-259-4200.

But you can see more openings right here as Golfers on Golf gets the notices from the golf courses. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

FOUR FOR THREE-TIME TO STOCK UP ON GOLF BALLS

  THE SHACK OWNER NICK LARKIN has expanded the product, and the golf season has gotten longer, and now bigger. What was once four simulators is now seven, and there is a putting green. Don’t forget it’s Bay Hill week and Arnie is always at the bar in The Shack. TheShackGolfClub.com or call (847)-904-2905 Book a hitting bay today.

Arnold Palmer is at the bar in The Shack Golf Club 1717 Chestnut Ave, in Glenview. (847)-904-2905 Arnold Palmer invite the Golf Channel and NBC. Luke Donald to serve as analyst in the booth.

FOUR FOR THREE.

YES that normally means a par for birdie in an outing, glad you got a shot on this hole.

But as the summer golf season arrives up north, and new season begins, it is time to stock up on supply’s.

So forget about all the golf balls you left in your golf bag from last October or November, and get fresh new ones to start the season ahead.

Companies such as Callaway, Taylormade, and Titleist are offering the early season buy four dozen golf balls and get one dozen free special.

The new Callaway Chrome Tour Golf ball. Callawaygolf.com.

So clubs such as the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville have deals in the pro shop.

Cog Hill Golf Club in Palos Park has deals.

Blackberry Oaks in Bristol, stop by and see Chad Johansen, the 2023 Callaway staff professional of the year, for specials on Callaway Golf products.

So the major golf companies do have other lines of golf balls. Some of those golf balls are on sale at the discretion of the club, and what balls they have in inventory.

Callaway Golf balls can be purchased for special prices online at Callawaygolf.com.

  THE FITTING TEAM at Mistwood Golf Dome and Golf Club-L-R Eric, Scott and Matt, see MistwoodGolfdome.com. (R) EVERYTHING IS OPEN at the Schaumburg Golf club on Roselle Road in Schaumburg-27 outdoor holes and three simulators indoors. So head out to the SchaumburgGolfClub.com or call the pro shop at (847)-885-9000.

BUT MORE AREA COURSES are opening-details tomorrow. RS

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-THE UNWANTED CADDIE

  OUTSIDE or INSIDE The Schaumburg Golf Club is open at 401 North Roselle Road in Schaumburg-just minutes from Woodfield Mall. Three indoor simulators, or 27 holes outside. But either way you can play the Schaumburg Golf Club. Chandlers is now open inside the clubhouse and the pro shop is stocking up for the summer season ahead. So book a hitting bay or go outside and play. Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.

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

A helpful caddie.

THE UNWANTED CADDIE…

Sadly there is such a thing. Because for so many years the caddie has been a great help on the golf course.

A caddie can help make a great walk around a fantastic golf course even better. Or not.

Recently I started my golf season with a round of golf on Pinehurst No.2. Yeah I know, what a place to start the season. Because No.2 is this years U.S. Open site, and even in January it can play like one. But then playing in 40 degree weather doesn’t help.

But I can say that I had a caddie that day, and Tom is a good one. In fact Pinehurst caddies all seem to be good ones, maybe they are trained that way. My experiences with Pinehurst caddies have all been good ones, the caddie operation is run really well at Pinehurst. You need a caddie-no problem. You don’t need a caddie-no problem.

My caddie Tom did all right things a good caddie should do. Carried the bag, had the right yardage, cleaned the ball on the green, read putts when needed, found every golf ball I hit in one of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s waste area’s. Had the wet towel handy to wipe the clubs, and raked the bunkers. He never had my bag 50 yards away when I was ready to hit. Tom and I had some good discussion, but he didn’t chirp in my ear all day long, like he was getting tipped by every word he said.

The Shack Indoor Golf Club has expanded to seven simulators and a new putting green. So get your game ready for the outdoor golf season. TheShackGolfClub.com (847)-904-2905.

TOM WAS ON POINT all day long, and even though the back nine that day got cold, I still had a great time.

I have had great caddies at Oakmont, Merion, Streamsong, Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley, Friar’s Head, Erin Hills and Olympia Fields. But not so much at some other places, including a few Top 100 courses.

BUT THE POINT I am trying to make here, is that there is no better way to pour a bucket of cold water over what should be a great day of golf, than to get stuck with a caddie you don’t want, didn’t ask for, but got stuck with.

So have you ever had that awkward moment where everyone in the foursome looks at each other on the first tee or in the first fairway, and goes I didn’t bring any cash for this guy. Can you cover me. So then several discussions occur that didn’t need to happen, how the caddie will get a gratuity. Will the tip be far below standards, because that’s the only option.

FORCING A CADDIE on a group or every group is not a smart move. If your a club doing this-STOP. Don’t put a bad taste of what the caddie industry is, into the mouth or heads of golfers who want to enjoy their day on the links. Yes-even un-escorted non-members deserve the right to not have a caddie forced on them.

EVEN WORSE than forcing a caddie on a group that doesn’t want one, is sending out an untrained caddie that doesn’t really know what to do. They only show up with a yardage gun, no wet towel. They come under the impression that if they go click-click and supply yardage a few times, they have the right to expect $75 or $100 at the end of the round. When the fact is they deserve ZERO $$$, after not reading a putt, raking a bunker or cleaning a club all round long. So when a caddie can’t find a ball for 18 holes, yes that is an issue as well.

THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA) runs a great caddie training program, so it would be nice if more clubs made their new caddies pass the program before starting out. More caddie masters need to send young or new caddies out on the course for training with members or even good employees on Monday’s, who know the game and it’s traditions.

SOME CADDIEMASTERS will tell you that the level of caddie training is not what it was. That some caddies ride in your cart most of the day, don’t carry a bag and still expect $100.00. The highest rated caddies, should be the only ones allowed to double-bag. Because many of the double-baggers can’t keep-up when carrying two bags.

THERE ARE SOME COURSES that are really must plays with a caddie. Most golfers know where those courses are. Caddie experiences should be a good one, let’s keep it that way. So that golfers continue to ask for caddies, when they play at club where they can get a looper. RS

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-ARNIE’S WEEK

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is open for golf and more. So now it’s Sauce Madness that’s heating up in McWethy’s Sports Bar. But over in the dome shell is the new bar- so get sauced up on the award winning wings. Outdoor golf season is coming soon, so get with Toptracer and hit the ball. Call the dome and book a bay at (630)-739-7600 or visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com. #Lessons #Clubfittings #Wings THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 North Roselle Road is open, both indoors in the simulators and outdoors on all 27 holes. There are some good weather days this week and chandlers Chophouse is open. SchaumburgGolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.

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

Welcome to Bay Hill-home of this weeks Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando. Photo by Larry Spalla.

ARNIE…

That one word stands by itself, and this week the focus should be as much on the man as it is on the tournament that carries his name.

Because while there are some who think golf isn’t in the best of places right now, their are others who know it would be in a better place if Arnold Palmer was still here to have say on things.

Arnold Palmer’s event this week at his beloved Bay Hill in Orlando always held a special meaning. Because even if he wasn’t playing, the Arnold Palmer pre-tournament presser was a can’t miss event.

The Arnold Palmer Statue at Bay Hill.

Media people loved it, it didn’t matter what hot shot PGA Tour player was talking that day. Because all one had to do was listen to Arnie, and then go write Arnie. Before having lunch and enjoying-yes you guessed it- an Arnold Palmer as your beverage.

Sadly, just before the 2016 Ryder Cup, Palmer passed away on the night before a scheduled surgery. I will never forget his Ryder Cup bag on the first tee that week at Hazeltine. The USA won that week of course, behind the stellar play of yes-Patrick Reed. Ryan Moore who won the 2016 John Deere Classic-captured the winning point for Team USA.

The umbrella sign among others is up at Bay Hill. Photo by Larry Spalla.

What is funny is how some of today’s younger generation doesn’t know Arnold Palmer the golfer. But they do enjoy an Arnold Palmer on a hot day at their favorite watering hole.

I ordered an Arnold Palmer one day, and the bartender a young gal about 21 I will say, asked me, do you know who this guy Arnold Palmer was.

Me: Well you came to the right place. I have some history and a few stories for you. I won’t ever forget being the only on course reporter working for the new WSCR-AM 820 and going live with George Ofman every 30 minutes with an update. As Palmer and Michael Jordan played in a pro-am together in front of 18,000 people at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora.

During the press conferences afterwards, Rick Telander of the Chicago-Sun-Times asked Jordan if he thought he could play professional golf once his NBA career was over. Jordan responded that he could. Palmer sitting between both myself and broadcast partner Jerry Kuc, nudged both of us and shook his head-no, on a Jordan pro golf career. Something that Palmer figured out, long before MJ did.

If Arnie was still alive today, you have to wonder what role in the grand scheme of things Palmer would be playing.

Because it would have been really special to see Palmer having summoned PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, and LIV CEO Greg Norman to a room at Bay Hill for a pow-wow, when the LIV Golf-PGA Tour fight started.

The SHACK in Glenview now has 7 simulators and a new putting green. So stop in and get your game ready for the summer season that is quickly approaching. 1717 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. (847)-904-2905.

Palmer might have said, boys the door is locked and we aren’t going anywhere until this thing gets settled. Plenty of dollars in legal fees might have been saved. Norman who had the API stolen from him one year by Robert Gamez, who holed an eagle from the fairway to beat Norman by one shot, might have settled quickly so he didn’t have to look out on the 18th green and recall such memories.

Palmer lifted golf in many ways, becoming a pitchman for several products. Palmers tractor in Latrobe PA., was subject of plenty of questions from people who would meet Palmer for years after the commercials for Valvoline Oil stopping running. Today with NBC’s logo all over The Golf Channel, people forget that it was Palmer who helped launch the network, and without his input The Golf Channel might not exist.

Palmer pitched this weeks API sponsor Mastercard, and was a Callaway Golf guy as well. So when you watch how Callaway Golf has developed in recent years, one wonders how much better the company could be, if they still had Arnie around to pick his brain now and then. I’m sure Callaway Golf CEO Chip Brewer might have gotten a few calls from “The King” himself. With Palmer adding some input on todays Callaway golf products.

Palmer had his own golf course design company for years. But since Palmer’s passing, many of the talented architects who worked on the team have gone into business for themselves. So hopefully they have brought a little bit of what they have learned from Palmer as they set out to design their own projects, or fix up one of Arnie’s former golf designs.

Arnold Palmer last spoke in Illinois, at the Arnold Palmer Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in 2015. The tournament was held again at RHF in 2021.

Palmer’s last visit to Illinois came in 2015, for the Arnold Palmer Cup.

He spoke outside at Rich Harvest Farms, but his remarks were short. Palmer was still feeling the effects from a bad fall he had taken a few month’s before.

Rich Harvest Farms was also the location of the last Arnold Palmer Cup he attended in person. But the tournament still continues, what was formerly an event for boys. Now has the girls as part of the field as well.

THIS WEEK as the Arnold Palmer Invitational tee’s off, enjoy the golf, maybe an Arnold Palmer or two. Hopefully NBC and TGC will let us relive some of The Kings best moments, and see some of the great work the Arnold Palmer’s Children’s Hospital is doing these days, for all those kids that need the help. RS