COURSE #3 AT MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB has reopened for play following a major renovation by the Australian design firm of OCM. Photo’s by Rory Spears.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AT MCC-nice to return to Medinah Country Club today for the 1-2-3 outing.

EASY AS 1-2-3

It was great to finally return to my job at Medinah Country Club today for the 1-2-3 outing.

1-2-3 means the outing is played over all three of the clubs courses.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!-Finally, but better late than never.

This week parts of the clubs team will head to Royal Montreal for the 2024 Presidents Cup. The Presidents Cup will visit Medinah in fall of 2026, and it will be the first big test for Course #3, that just reopened a little over 60 days ago from renovation.

So far the early reviews are good from those members who have played the golf course, and the raters from a few national golf publications that have been out to play.

2019 BMW Championship champion Justin Thomas snuck out for a round. The word is that Thomas had a normal round of golf, even for a PGA Touring professional. A few birdies, pars and bogeys in a casual round. As for a score, word is that Thomas did break 70.

Course #3 does look really good as it continues to grow in, it should be in really good shape by the time the Presidents Cup rolls around. Next year the club will celebrate it’s centennial, it should be a great year to be a member or a guest at the club. The new short hole course and very large putting green, look pretty sharp too. It makes for a great view. When one drives up the main drive towards the historic and famed Medinah clubhouse.

LAST WEEK I did my first media golf coverage of the year. As I went to the LIV Golf Chicago tournament at Bolingbrook GC. I will write more about the tournament, but now with sometime to think about things even further. I have come away with some real good impressions of the week that was. Kudo’s to Jon Rahm who won the season long LIV Golf individual championship.

TIGER WOODS has announced that he has undergone yet another back surgery, the number of surgeries Woods has been through has become a very big number. So a result, it is time for Woods to retire. But would he could do is sit out a few years. Then go give it a shot on the champions tour.

THIS PAST WEEK I did go play the recently renovated Winnetka Golf Club, the final project by architect Rick Jacobson. Jacobson has decided to retire after a long run in the world of golf course design. I will be writing more about Winnetka GC and the par-3 course in the near future. The par-3 course is really fun, and the course is now under the watchful eye of Northbrook based KemperSports management.

CONGRATULATIONS to now former Callaway sales guy Billy Trimble, as he heads west to Colorado. Trimble will join Titleist Golf out in the Rocky Mountain State.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE the PGA of America clarify a few things in regards as to who is eligible to play in the Ryder Cup, and or the PGA Championship going forward. The recent decision by the PGA, clears the path for LIV golfers to be participants in the Ryder Cup. 2025 Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley made it clear that Team USA will have the best 12 American golfers on the team. No matter which tour they are playing on. Good for Bradley to standing up to some of the politics that have been a thorn in the side of golf the last few years.

I WAS SURPRISED to see the recent story by a Tampa area paper, about LPGA Hall of Fame inductee Jan Stephenson’s Tarpon Woods Golf Course. A town hall type meeting was held at the club, and Stephenson and her manager took some abuse by those in the crowd. It will be interesting to see what ca be done to put the course and clubhouse back on track.

So in closing, it’s good to be back on the Gog Blog. But I do have plenty of catching up to do. Because there has been plenty of good stories that have happened. While I have been on the mend from foot surgery.

But it’s also time to be back on the golf course. Golf season here up north is starting to fade. But I am playing again, and that’s the best feeling of all. RS

  THE ARLINGTON LAKES GOLF CLUB at 1211 South Wilke Road, 18 holes of fun golf. Rounds of 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole and 18-hole are available. Call the club at (847)-577-3030 to book your tee time. Arlington Heights offers the Sunset Meadows practice range and the Nickol Knoll 9-hole par-3 golf course on Payton’s Hill in North Arlington.

THE GOG BLOG is written by RORY SPEARS, the Director of Content and Creation Golf on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter-X and LinkedIn/Facebook and Instagram.

Jon Rahm holds the LIV Bolingbrook Trophy and won the season long Individual LIV championship for 2024. Photo courtesy of LIV Golf.

JON RAHM is a winner again.

Because closed the individual championship, with a 4 under par 66. Rahm defeated runner-up Joaquin Niemann and Sergio Garcia by three strokes.

Rahm won for the second time in three weeks. So it wasn’t a bad way to finish up his first season the LIV Golf tour.

Top 10’s were the norm for Rahm this season, when he completed all three days of the tournament. Rahm had to WD from the Houston tournament, with a cut on his foot. That was the injury that kept Rahm out of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst a week later.

But what led Rahm to a solid finished was his bogey free weekend in Rounds 2 and 3. Because the only bogey Rahm made all week came on Friday during Round 1. So there was a chance for Rahm to win yet another tournament. But he lost in a playoff to Brooks Koepka in August at the Greenbrier.

Gallery size ran from 15,000 to 16,000 on both weekend days. The largest galleries at LIV tournaments in America for the 2024 season.

Rahm could have lost on Sunday to Niemann without some steady play over the first 10 holes.

Because Niemann came roaring out of the blocks with birdies on two of the first three holes. So the pressure was on Rahm early on the front nine.

But Rahm spread out three birdies over the first holes, that were followed by two clutch par saving putts on holes 11 and 12.

Rahm got home in two shots on the par-5 14th hole, but promptly proceeded to three putt for par. But Rahm made up for that with a birdie on 17 to close out the tournament with a fist-pump and some emotion.

Niemann admitted he knew he would have to do something special if he was going to beat Rahm this week. While he felt like he did play great, it wasn’t good enough to take down Rahm. But Niemann did hit the longest drive of the day, 379.1 yards on the 14th hole.

But for Rahm what made the win so special was that, “I knew I had to win to win the season long championship. So then I went out and did it, which is something to really be proud of.”

Rahm said it was great to have another good week in Chicago. Because Rahm had previously won on the PGA Tour at Olympia Fields, in a playoff over LIV golfer Dustin Johnson. Rahm mentioned his good Top-5 play in 2019 at Medinah during the BMW championship. But Rahm said he would enjoy LIV Golf coming back to the windy city in 2025.

Team Crushers GC won the team championship in Bolingbrook, wrapping up the No.1 seed for the Team finals in Dallas next week. L-R Charles Howell, Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau and Anirban Lahiri.

TEAM CRUSHERS GC

The Team Crushers GC led by Captain Bryson Dechambeau, defeated Rahm’s Legion XIII team by 1 shot to win the team championship in Bolingbrook.

Anirban Lahari led the way on Sunday for Crushers GC with a 3 under par-67. DeChambeau carded a 68, with Casey in at 70 and Howell at 71. Fireballs GC was third two shots back of the Crushers.

Crushers GC had not won a tournament since their win in Hong Kong back in March. But Crushers GC did go back-to-back in Chicago. Because in 2023 DeChambeau won both the individual title and the team title at Rich Harvest Farms.

“It was time to prove a point,” said DeChambeau. “We wanted to prove that we are back, and we wanted momentum heading into next week”. So now we feel like we have put ourselves in a good place. Finishing Bolingbrook at 14 under par, was the second best team score of the year on the LIV Tour.

2025 in CHICAGO. Maybe not, while the LIV Golf players have enjoyed three years in the Chicago market. Two years at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, and one year at Bolingbrook. Next years LIV golf schedule seems to have Indianapolis as the fall Midwest stop on the schedule. There is some speculation that Speedway Golf Course located both next to, and with three holes in the middle of the Indy 500 speedway. Is the front runner to host the LIV tournament next September.

But for more information please visit LIVGolf.com.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club at 1211 South Wilke Wilke Road in Arlington Heights is 18 holes of fun golf, that can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. So call for tee times today at (847)-577-3030 or enjoy the Sunset Meadows practice range & Nickol Knoll Par-3. But don’t forget the Arlington Amateur next month is coming up soon. AHPD.org.

THE GOG BLOG is written by Rory Spears Golfers on Golf Director of Creation and Content for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter-X @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Golfers on Golf Radio is hosted by Ed Stevenson IPGA (L) and veteran journalist Rory Spears (R). IPGA HOF writer Len Ziehm is our third.

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 14 hits the airwaves today on Am 750 WNDZ-Chicago.

Ed Stevenson and Rory Spears host, Len Ziehm has the week off.

Be ready early today, because tee time is 10am.

This weeks program includes talk about the “late” golf showman Chi Chi Rodriguez.

Guests include Chris Charnas of Links Capital Partners, who has been doing PR work for the former Canal Shores Golf Club in Evanston. The has brought together several golf companies and organizations, to bring a renovation to the property, and a rebranding of the club.

FORMER WILSON GOLF PRESIDENT Tim Clarke joins Tour Edge Golf in the same role, he joins us today. Canal Shores Golf Club has a new name, so we learn more from Chris Charnas.

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 14-with guests Chris Charnas and Tim Clarke.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO-Chicago’s longest running golf program in history, 34 years. Concludes for the season next week, with guests Casey Brozek of Medinah Country Club, and IL PGA Executive Director Carrie Williams.

So thanks for listening-Ed, Rory and Len.

  THE SPECS AND NUMBERS ARE IN. So inside and out the distance and numbers do add up. A better fit, a better feel & more distance. Add a pair of Sqairz. See Sqairz.com.

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

Rory Spears on Pinehurst #2 the 18th green, where Payne Stewart made his historical U.S. Open Winning Putt.

THE 124th U.S. Open

HOSTED BY THE PINEHURST RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB.

The 124th U.S. Open is the fourth open hosted by Pinehurst in 25 years. But if you add the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, it would be the fifth open.

Pinehurst #2 is the classic Donald Ross design, that stands above his work at some other 400+ courses Ross designed. The elevated green on #2 will challenge the worlds best players. The usual question remains, will the approach shots hold. Will the putts stay on the green. Can putting from off the green help (yes it does) and how much will we see players do that.

THE WASTE BUNKERS have been enhanced to make those area’s even tougher to play. Because the fairways have been shrunk down to size, how often will they be hit. U.S. Open championships are won by the players who hit the most fairways.

WHEN BILL COORE and BEN CRENSHAW came in to work the redesign, they restored #2 to what they found in aerial photo’s on Christmas Day in the early 1940’s.

PINEHURST was restored with more waste area’s on all the holes, the shorter par-5 fourth hole, became a par-4. The shorter par-4 fifth, was lengthened and changed into a par-5. But the fact is, it’s still a hard hole to play. So after the 5th, it’s two of the most demanding holes on the course have been played, but tough holes are not finished by any means. Because even the par-3’s have plenty of bunkers to navigate around the greens.

FROM PLAYING the 18th hole in January, and seeing the hole now. Par will be a great score. So you want a high pressure hole, it will be 18 on Friday if your struggling to make the cut. But even better, will be how the players attack it on Sunday, should they need a par or better to win, or be in a playoff.

BUT SPEAKING OF PLAYOFF’S the U.S. Open playoff has now shrunk to two holes on Sunday night. But if there is still no winner, it becomes a sudden death format on the third playoff hole. The par-3 17th hole and the 18th hole are the playoff holes.

The 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst on Pinehurst #2. This week on NBC.

SO WHAT YOU SEE this weekend may not always be what you see going forward, such as in 2029. Because since Pinehurst is now a USGA anchor site, numerous USGA championships will be headed to Pinehurst over the next 25 years. IN 2029 when the U.S. Open is a double with men’s and women’s opens going back to back. The entire hospitality look could be different by then. Because much of what you see in 5 years, will depend on what works or didn’t work this week.

THE OPENING TWO HOLES should not be real tough ones for the players. But if someone hooks the ball through the trees on to Midlane Road, then there is a real issue. The trees right, are an issue, but not as bad as what could be, should the drive go left.

WHILE 4 & 5 will be tricky, lets not rule out the par-3’s. The 6th and 17th will be the toughest. Because they play longer and the greens have more slope, and more bunkers defending them. Par-3 holes 9 and 15 won’t play as long or as tough. So this is where you could see some birdies.

SINCE 16 is not playing as a par-5, like it does for members and resort guests. The 16th with it’s small pond and all, will play a little different. But it’s not likely to be a birdie hole. So the winner of the 124th U.S. Open might be the player that makes par on 16-17-18.

THE TWO PAR-5’s are holes 5 and 10. So if you are starting out back-nine first. A birdie right out of the blocks is a must to help post a solid round. But 10 will be the longest hole on the golf course, while the green might be one of the easier ones.

THERE HAVE BEEN different ways to win the U.S. Open. The strategy changes from venue to venue, and what the weather conditions turn out to be. But serious grind along golf, where par is always a good score. Is a strategy that could play out well this week in Pinehurst.

SINCE PINEHURST #2 sits right in the USGA’s back yard, or across the street from their new offices. The USGA and it’s championship team has had plenty of time to study the golf course and how it can or will play this week.

BEN CRENSHAW AND BILL COORE brought Pinehurst back to it’s roots 13 years ago. That style and look has help up well. So there is no reason to doubt that it won’t hold up this week.

IT WON’T TAKE LONG for members and resort guests to be back out on #2, testing it out in U.S. Open like conditions. But if your ready for a test, you can try booking a time for #2 in the weeks and months ahead. There won’t be many times available for a while. But if you book the right golf package, and pick some good dates. The old saying of playing where the pro’s play (or in this case some top amateurs as well), could come true for you.

BUT FOR THIS WEEK, if you do not have tickets for the championship. Do sit back and enjoy the coverage on television, it should be pretty good. But if you have not been to Pinehurst before, or have played Course #2, watch closely this week.

But for information on the Pinehurst Resort and all of it’s golf courses, historic hotels and more. See Pinehurst.com the Home or Cradle of American Golf.

  MISTWOOD & MCWETHY’S-MISTWOOD GOLF DOME & MCWETHY’S TAVERN. So where are you watching the U.S. Open this week. Mistwoodgc.com or (815)-254-3333.

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/FBook

RORY SPEARS in the shop at Heritage Oaks-in Northbrook.

THE HEAVY BAG!

So I’m sorry I had to write this. But seriously folks, is your golf bag too heavy.

Odds are it is. So why are golf bags weighing almost as much as the owners themselves.

The heavy bag is a term to define which punching bag boxers are working out on when training for the next fight. But these days it’s a term for far too many golfers-golf bags.

There is plenty of talk on places like Twitter-X about golf bags that are ready to burst at the seems. Maybe the strap is going to break, or the bottom will fall out.

THE U.S.OPEN this week from Pinehurst North Carolina, on the Donald Ross designed Pinehurst #2.

HOW MANY CLUBS are you carrying? 15 or more, please remove at least one club please, there are rules against that. So do have 14 clubs (legal) and one umbrella, one ball retriever, and one training aid in your bag.

IT’S GETS OLD hearing caddies talking about the weight of the bag, and telling golfers they have to change out the bag, only to have the golfers get mad.

I THINK it would be great if scales were brought in and anything over 40 pounds gets sent to the bench. OR you owe the caddies a tip of at least $2 a pound. The bag drop guys at least a gratuity of $25.

WHERE DID ALL THE WEIGHT COME FROM-golf balls are one of the main culprits when this happens. But I’m sure that some caddies agree with me when I say, you don’t need to fill every pocket with golf balls. Because there is no need to ever have more than like 12 balls in your bag at a time. I don’t care how many you find in your backyard from a neighboring golf course.

TEE’S how many do you need, unless you are playing more than 18 holes, you only really need 18 tees. Bag tags, always room for a few, such as 3 or 4. But 12, no way, please remove at least 8+.

SO TELL ME are you one of the cheapskates smuggling booze in, because you are too cheap to buy your alcohol at the golf course. Do you really need a High Noon that bad anyway, where you are bringing in your own. I do know that your cell phone does not take up that much space, or weigh that much.

IF YOUR ASKING THE QUESTION about what to get the Dad that has everything for Fathers Day. Maybe the answer is a lighter golf bag.

THIS PAST WEEK at Heritage Oaks I had three customers in less than one hour that had golf bags that were at least over 50 pounds. So what is the point.

Golfers do yourself and everyone else involved a favor, and lighten the golf bag, clean it out. Buy a new LIGHWEIGHT BAG. Your caddie, and bag drop people thank you.

Golf bag companies-start building them lighter, maybe you can start selling them cheaper. Which is another complaint from too many golfers these days. RS

  CHAD JOHANSEN GM & HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL at Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol IL. welcomes all golfers out to “The Oaks” home of 18 holes and the new Oaks Grille. So for more on Blackberry Oaks-visit blackberryoaks.com or call the course at (630)-553-7170. MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville is in full swing for the outdoor golf season ahead. So stop in for golf, great food and drinks in McWethy’s. But Mistwood not only has great golf, but it’s a great place for lessons, club fittings and shopping in the golf shop. See Mistwoodgc.com or (815)-254-3333.

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/IGram

The U.S. Open this week on NBC-from Pinehurst North Carolina, the Home of American Golf.

THE 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

As the week concludes in Dublin Ohio at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village, the players are already thinking ahead to Pinehurst, and the third major of the year.

Because anytime you take the U.S. Open to “The Home of American Golf”, golfers are in for an amazing week of championship caliber play.

Martin Kaymer last won the last U.S. Open played in Pinehurst in 2014. Michael Campbell won in 2005 and of course the late Payne Stewart in 1999. So you can watch the coverage on television all week long, or visit USGA.org.

Carlos Ortiz heads to the 16th green at LIV Golf Houston.

FOUR PLAYERS are tied for the lead heading into todays final round at LIV Golf Houston.

They are Carlos Ortiz, Adrian Meronk, Paul Casey and David Puig.

But on the team side, it’s the Fireballs (Puig) with a four shot lead over Torque’s (Ortiz).

But lurking just one shot back, is Patrick Reed, who is getting plenty of support from his hometown Houston fans.

While some reports have suggested there was almost no gallery present in warm sunny Houston. But pictures tell another story, as golf fans are getting in the spirit of U.S. Open week starting tomorrow. But for more information see LIVGolf.com.

HEADED HOME EARLY or just to Pinehurst. Because they missed the cut at the Memorial, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark are at Pinehurst a little earlier than planned. All three golfers are expected to play a practice round later today.

2023 Illinois Women’s Amateur Champion Sarah Arnold returns to defend her title at The grove Country Club in Long Grove.

2023 Illinois State Amateur Champion Sarah Arnold of Long Grove, returns to defend her title, at the Grove Country Club in Long Grove IL., Monday through Wednesday of this week.

Arnold a recent graduate of Western Kentucky University, heads up a field of 63 players.

This year match play is gone from the event, and a 54 hole stroke play format is now the championships way of play.

So after 36 holes the field will be cut to the low-20 players and ties. The final found will now be Wednesday in a 3-day format-that was previously four days. Because the IWGA has closed it’s doors after 90 years, the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is now running the championship.

But once again this year, the winner receives and exemption into the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills CC, in Tulsa August 5-11.

THE 22ND CDGA SENIOR AMATEUR in now in the books as Brad Kay of Arlington Hts. (Ivanhoe Club) defeated Mark Small of Frankfort and Prestwick Club 3 & 2, in the championship match at Kishwaukee Country Club. But for more details visit CDGA.org.

MYRTLE BEACH South Carolina came out a big winner, in the Golfweek Magazine’s ranking of the Top 20 courses you can play, in the state of South Carolina. So leading the way was the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club at #3, in Pawley’s Island SC. (south Myrtle Beach area). But for the full rankings that included 13 of the Top 20 in the Myrtle Beach area-visit Golfweek.com.

SUPERSTROKE the leader in grips and putting grips, has announced that Cameron McCormick a leading national instructor (Jordan Spieth), has joined SuperStroke as a company ambassador. So for more details see Superstroke/USA.com.

Bettinardi Studio B now open in Oak Brook, are you ready for Fathers Day.

BETTINARDI GOLF

NO longer just putters to choose from. Because now there is wedges AND irons.

BUT IN HONOR OF FATHERS DAY, Bettinardi Golf is announcing a Queen B-14 remix.

But if your still undecided, how about a Bettinardi Golf gift card, for dad or another golfer in your group.

So learn more, and schedule your putter fitting at Bettinardi.com.

The Korn Ferry Tour and the NV5 Invitational return to the Glen Club, July 22-28.

THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA) has announced that tickets are now sale for this years NV5 invitational at the Glen Club in Glenview-from July 22-28.

Golf fans can now purchase tickets at Nv5inivtational.com/tickets.

So you can purchase general admission tickets, or upgraded experiences in the Trophy Club, complete with a beer garden on the par-3 17th hole. Kids 15 and under are complimentary for grounds admission tickets.

“We say that the Korn Ferry Tour is where future PGA Tour stars prove themselves, and our champions have lived up that,” said Vince Pellegrino WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “We can’t wait to welcome Chicagoland’s incredible golf fans back to the Glen Club. This years NV5 Invitational promises to be another exciting week of golf.”

LAST YEAR Trace Crowe now on the PGA Tour, survived a playoff with Patrick Fishburn to win the title. But the winner of the tournament first played in 2019, was current Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler also won the tournament in a playoff settled on the 18th green.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, that awards scholarships to deserving caddies to attend college. Details at WGAESF.org

COG HILL GOLF will hold a fitting day on Friday June 14th from 12 to 4p at the Cog Hill fitting center. But you must register in advance at Coghillgolf.com or call Cog Hill at (866)-COG-HILL.

LAB GOLF IS BACK WITH MORE.

LAB GOLF PUTTERS

YES the announcement you have been waiting for.

Because the new DF3 Broomstick and Arm Lock build putters are finally here.

So you have been patient and now you have been rewarded.

Plenty of colors to choose from.

So learn more about the new putter head’s the weight increase compensate for the size of the putters. So see all the specs at LABGolf.com.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

  CHAD JOHANSEN welcomes all golfers to Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol, The Oaks is home to fun golf-great food and rinks in the Oaks Grille, and plenty of fun events. So to learn more visit BlackberryOaks.com or call the club at (630)-553-7170.

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/InstaG

                            GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO is L-R Ed Stevenson-Rory Spears and Len Ziehm.

Golfers on Golf Radio-WNDZ AM 750 Chicago. Tee time on Saturday mornings is 9 Am.

Ed Stevenson IPGA is the Director of Golf at DuPage Golf in DuPage County, Rory Spears is a 39-year media veteran of the sports and golf industry, plus 6-time national ING Award winner. Len Ziehm is a 55 year veteran of the sports and golf media industry. Len was inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in 2019.

OUR FOURTH MEMBER of the show for 16 years, Bill Berger sadly passed away from cancer last month.

THIS WEEKS SHOW-includes Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson, and Director of Golf Operations Greg Wood from Tot Hill Farm a Mike Strantz design in Asheboro North Carolina, and three other courses in South Carolina.

   ANDY MICKELSON of Mistwood Golf Club-Welcome to Tot Hill Farm in Asheboro NC.

CLICK HERE to hear the entire Week 6 broadcast of Golfers on Golf Radio, with Len Ziehm and Rory Spears. Ed Stevenson had the week off.

The show centered around golf talk and the Memorial Tournament, in which host Jack Nicklaus announced he didn’t like his new dates from the PGA Tour. But there was also some U.S. Open preview included around our guest interviews.

The Gog Blog returns all week. RS

   CHAD JOHANSEN the 2023 Callaway Golf Staff Professional of the Year, welcomes everyone to Blackberry Oaks Golf Club. So learn more at Blackberryoaks.com or call The Oaks at (630)-553-7170. Chad Johansen Golf Academy home to 800 Jr. golfers.

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/FBook

The Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews in Scotland.

ST. ANDREWS

The Home of Golf announces a record year in 2023, with unprecedented demand, and revenue across its golf courses and facilities.

283,082 rounds of golf where played at the historic golf venue.

St. Andrews Links and Trust, that manages the historic courses of St. Andrews, says 2023 had an 11% increase in play over the record in 2019. Occupancy was at 78% last season.

The Links Golf Academy has 7.6m balls hit at St. Andrews, which is a jump of over 2 million balls, of the previous record. St. Andrews retail had a 20% increase, with Food and beverage up 29%. Because of the increase in play from late 2022 and in 2023, the financial reserves from money lost have been restored.

Because St. Andrews is a charitable trust, all profits are reinvested into the operation, both maintenance and preservation of the Links at St. Andrews. As a result, the Trust has announced an investment strategy to upgrade the aging infrastructure. The following is a list of the key projects.

The multi-year upgrade of irrigation systems across all seven courses. Improvements to the Links Clubhouse and Golf Academy. But there is a plan coming together on how to keep the Castle Course open year-round. The trust will work to help area coastline from eroding, and stop area flooding.

STATEMENT FROM NEIL COULSON-Chief Executive of St. Andrews Links and Trust.

“These unprecedented results for 2023 underline the renown in which the Home of Golf is held. Both here in St. Andrews and around the world. The demand, not just on our golf courses but across all facilities, has been incredible. So this has accelerated our recovery from the difficult period of 2020 and 2021.”

“But the recovery of our balance sheet and reserves allows us to revisit a strategy. This strategy in our physical and digital infrastructure, will further enhance the golfers in St. Andrews. These investments will continue to protect the links for future generations to come.

The St. Andrews Links and Trust manages seven courses including the historic Old Course, that has hosted the Open Championship a record 30 times.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville is open for summer golf and the annual Stars and Stripes Classic is coming up soon. Great golf, lessons, club fittings and McWethy’s Tavern are all part of Mistwood Golf, home of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open in July. So learn more at Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333 today.

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/Igram

the new Titleist drivers are coming this week-GT 2-3 and 4.

TITLEIST ANNOUNES GT2 GT3 and GT4.

But no they won’t be in pro shops this week. But they will be at Muirfield Village on the PGA Tour.

Titleist says their drivers have been the most played drivers on the PGA Tour for the last five years.

But the GT drivers are not alone. Because GT fairway metals are coming out this week at Muirfield as well.

“The whole (Titleist R&D Team) from top to bottom is obsessed with making things as great as they can. Because they have a deep understanding of the players on the PGA Tour and golfers in general,” said Titleist Brand Ambassador Cameron Young. “They have seen it all and there is not anything you can bring them, that isn’t fixable if needed. Their deep knowledge of the equipment, provides a solution to what your needs are.”

Titleist Tour reps will work with players all week to gather feedback on the clubs performance. Among some of the players on tour using Titleist drivers include Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Max Homa, and Jordan Spieth.

Titleist drivers were the most played driver at the men’s (51 percent) and women’s (33 percent) NCAA Division 1 championships. But there is still no date announced for all golfers to place orders, or see the clubs in golf shops or retail stores.

So for more information visit Titleist.com

  CHAD JOHANSEN’S GOLF ACADEMY is rolling into another summer at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol IL., the 2023 Callaway Golf professional of the year is filling “The Oaks” with junior golfers, senior golfers and with the ladies. But there is still tee times left for you. So why not come out and enjoy “The Oaks Grille” and BBO-Golf (630)-553-7170.

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears-Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on X-Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook. At the clock on the Medinah CC range.

ONE U.S. OPEN IN THE BOOKS and now Pinehurst is closing in later this month.

I have had the pleasure of playing Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania a few times, and this William Flynn classic is really good.

The upgrades suggested by the USGA and Mike Davis who was then the CEO/EX. Director in 2015 are really good, and have help up for this past weeks championship.

Granted some of the “big names” did not survive the cut. But there was plenty of great golf by the ladies who did stick around for the weekend.

THE USGA talks about “anchor sites” such as Pinehurst. I would hope that they would consider a club like Lancaster an anchor club for a variety of championships.

The Par-4 third hole at Lancaster CC, the home of last weeks USGA Women’s Open.

BACK IN 2015-it was Lancaster that finally broke the attendance record for a U.S. Women’s Open, that was held by Kohler and Blackwolf Run for several years.

So can they do it again, it will be good to see if they can.

The golf course has some great elevation change, and some tricky but very fair greens. So if you ever have the chance to play Lancaster, which is a private club, don’t pass it up. It’s a really great round of golf, I hope the USGA returns as soon as LCC welcomes them back.

The perfect gift for the Dad who likes to walk. Stride-from Oak Brook Terrace based Zero Friction- Zerofriction.com or call (630)-317-7700.

MORE FROM THE WORLD OF CLUBS.

So do you want to trade it in. Because if your golf season is not off to the start you want it to be. New clubs should still be in the plan.

Callaway Golf is currently for a limited time, running the 2X bonus trade-in deal. So right now get the new AI Smoke clubs, for prices that you would only find at a close-out of a line of product.

That is off course with your trade-in clubs. How much is trade-in worth?

Well that depends. Because if you have a newer set of clubs, and if they are Callaway Clubs, your value can go up. But even older Callaway clubs kept in good shape can earn you a good trade in value. So to learn more please visit Callawaygolf.com. Callaway Golf has also announced a limited edition of AI Smoke clubs in a all-black finish.

   IT HAS FINALLY ARRIVED-my new Callaway AI-ONE-TT with an insert. I am now almost ready to start the competition to see who wins the starting QB job-on the greens.

WILD SPRING DUNES-the latest and greatest from Dream Golf, Mike Keiser and his sons Mike and Chris. So it’s located “Deep in the Heart” of Texas and about 2 hours from both Dallas (se) and Houston (north). But more good news is that architects with a great history of working with the Keiser family are back. So add Tom Doak and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to the project.

So as one of the first two media members to see Sand Valley, I am excited to follow this project as it moves forward. Stay here for details.

John Hardy and his dog Sadie, both new at Chad Johansen’s Blackberry Oaks. Photo courtesy of Chad Johansen.

IT’S GREAT NEWS that another step forward is being taken at Blackberry Oaks Golf Club.

Managed by Mr. Kids Rule himself Chad Johansen, Chad has taken another step to upgrade the BBO golf facility.

After the passing of the previous superintendent, Johansen was introduced to John Hardy, who has joined BBO as the No.1 superintendent.

Hardy joins Blackberry Oaks, coming over from the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, after working for over 4 years at clubs on the East Coast. Hardy tells Golfers on Golf he will start his focus on the practice range area at “The Oaks”.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with Chad Johansen and new superintendent John Hardy.

IT WAS GREAT hearing from both Cantigny Golf GM Terry Hanley yesterday on the Golfers on Golf Radio Show. But if you missed it, catch the replay here at Golfersongolf.com. I think architect Todd Quitno will do a great job, and I am looking forward to him joining us on the radio show. The renovation project will take 4 years, but at all times there will be 18 holes open for play. Youth Links golf course will remain open for play during the renovation. But even better news is that Youth Links will be welcoming adults at some times during the week. So visit Cantignygolf.com for more information.

THE WEATHER HAS CHANGED for the better in Northern Michigan, and at the Boyne Golf properties. A special thanks to sales and marketing guru Ken Griffin for jumping in to give us the low down on everything Boyne. But there is still no official opening date for the architect Ray Hearn designed par-3 course at the resort. Doon Brae is still at a point where it is growing in.

RICHARD BLAND a member of the LIV Golf Tour was last weeks winner of the Senior PGA Championship at the Harbor Shores Golf Club, in Benton Harbor Michigan. Bland’s final round 63-gave him a three shot victory over multiple players on the Jack Nicklaus signature designed golf course. Harbor Shores is open daily for public play, and a fun track. So try it out if you have not played there before, it’s about 3 hours drive time, with the time change to EST from CST in Chicago. Bland won using a LAB Golf putter- a Mezz 1 MAX.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS