NEW BALANCE GOLF SHOES- Comfortable and athletic. NewBalance.com THE NEW WILSON Cortex Driver, winner of the Driver vs Driver 2. Learn more at Wilsongolf.com. _____________________________________________________________________

Golfersongolf.com written by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or Linkedin and Facebook. On the 18th hole at Mid Pines Golf Course.

The Western Golf Association (WGA), has announced a special admission for it’s new, Evans Scholars Championship, on the Web.com Tour.

Financial investment firm Edward Jones has partnered with the WGA, to provide complimentary admission for golf fans wanting to attend, the Evans Scholars Invitational at the Glen Club from May 23-26.

The brand new web.com event is a 72 hole tournament. Several players with local ties are expected to compete.

2018 Illinois Open Champion at the Glen Club, Vince India is expected to return and compete in the new Web.com event at the Glen Club later this month.

Fans wanting to attend the tournament can register for free tickets. You can do that and more on line at, www.esinvitational.com/2019-tickets.

Fans who sign up online have a chance to upgrade their tickets, to the 1899 club a premium experience. Which includes both food and drink included.

All proceeds do benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, the events sole beneficiary.

“We are thankful to have Edward Jones partner with us in a decision to open the gates and allow fans to attend at no cost,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “Our new partnership will offer more Chicago area golf fans, and their families the opportunity to see the golf’s stars of tomorrow, compete on a local stage.”

The 2019 Evans Scholars Invitational at the Glen Club May 23-26

Since 1930, the Evans Scholars Program, one of golfs leading charities, has sent more than 11,500 caddies with limited financial means to college. They receive full housing and tuition scholarships.

Currently there are 985 Evans Scholars, attending 18 universities nationwide. The WAGESF is working on having the number grow to 1,000, by next year.

Tee times for Rounds 1 & 2 on Thursday and Friday are, from 7 Am to 9:15 and 12:15 to 2:15. There will be threesomes off tees 1 & 10. Saturday and Sunday for Rounds 3 & 4, there will be tee times from 7 Am to 1 Pm off the first tee. Gates do open daily at 6:30 Am.

Gates close at 6:30 Pm on Thursday and Friday, and at 5:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT and it’s 5-Star West Baden Hotel, home of the Pete Dye Golf Course. Visit Frenchlick.com. Mistwood Golf Course in Romeoville is home to McWethy’s Tavern, the Performance Center and 18 holes of golf. Visit Mistwoodgc.com. ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio L-R Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger and Rory Spears at Am 750 WNDZ

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO is back for Week 6, teeing off this morning at 10 AM, on Am 750 WNDZ-Chicago.

Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears, bring you the best in golf news and more, golfers please join us.

This weeks show includes more golf news you can use.

If your feet are tired and sore from walking 18 holes, maybe it time for you to get the newest in comfortable golf shoes. New Balance shoes are no longer just for distance runners, Perry Reynolds joins us to talk golf shoes in the New Balance world.

        NEW BALANCE GOLF SHOES                  TIM CLARKE-WILSON GOLF

Chicago based Wilson Golf is on the move, and President-GM of Wilson Golf Tim Clarke joins us, we will talk the Cortex Driver, D7 Irons, and the new DUO golf ball.

Golfers on Golf Radio Am 750 The Big WNDZ..10 am this morning on the tee. Join us it’s golf season.

THE DOUBLE TREE HILTON in Myrtle Beach, your home for a spot on Myrtle’s Beach.  ______________________________________________________________________

Big Ten Coach of the Year Mike Small

The NCAA has sen the University of Illinois the reigning Big ten Champions to the Myrtle Beach South Carolina Regional.

The Illini will be one of the 14 teams playing at TPC Myrtle Beach, the 6,950 yard par 72 golf course. TPC Myrtle Beach will host the Regional from May 13-15.

The regional will be a 54 hole event, and TPC Myrtle Beach is the former home to the Senior PGA Tour Championship. Illinois the #4 seed in the regional will be joined by Wake Forest, California, Texas Tech, Florida State, UNLV, Oregon, Ohio State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Cal State Fullerton, Middle Tennessee, VCU and Robert Morris.

Big Ten Championship runner up Purdue was sent to Pullman Washington and the Palouse Ridge Golf Club.

In 2018 Illinois was second at the West Lafayette Regional to advance to the championships for the 11th-straight year.

This years NCAA National Championships will be contested from May 24-29 at the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Trent Wallace from Illinois State university has advanced as an individual and will compete in Louisville Kentucky, at the University of Louisville Golf Course.

TIM CLARKE VP-GM of Wilson Golf joins us live Saturday morning on Golfers on Golf Radio, Perry Williams, New Balance shoes joins us after Clarke. 10 AM Am 750 WNDZ. ______________________________________________________________________

The Bull Valley CC Clubhouse

Landscapes Golf Management (LGM) a division of Landscapes Unlimited LLC, has now been managing Bull Valley Golf Club for six months. But they have already introduced it’s technology stack with great early returns.

LGM based in Lincoln Nebraska, comes with over 40 years of experience in golf course operations.

Bull Valley is the companies first course in Illinois, but one of 2 dozen private clubs it is now working with.

“We were really excited to get the team at Landscapes working at Bull Valley,” said Gary Rabine, CEO of the Rabine Group and owner of Bull Valley. “We believe Bull Valley is one of the best tracks in the country, and our goal is to be world class. I am confident Landscapes Golf Management is the world class club management company that will us reach our lofty goals.”

It didn’t take long for LGM to settle in after getting the Bull Valley contract in September 2018. “We began by reviewing the current memberships to align with the market and Gary’s goals. We made a few subtle tweaks to the existing structure, but immediately identified the opportunity to create a new membership type that is unlike anything in the market. ‘The Matador’ is a limited membership option that gives members additional privileges at the course-like personalized golf bags and the ability to entertain guests as part of their member dues,” said LGM VP of Operations, Mike Williams.

Once the membership offerings were in place, LGM installed its propriety technology and stack and lead generation campaigns. New types of ads for the club are now appearing on social media, and a new tee sheet and mobile app now enhance the member experience. “Technology is a key part of our philosophy and increase efficiency on the operations side,” said Williams.

For more details on Bull Valley Golf Club, visit Bullvalleygolfclub.com

NEW BALANCE GOLF SHOES-New Balance shoes, no longer just for runners. Golf, Newbalance.com. SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB the Baer 9, about 60 days out. Club fittings for $65. See Schaumburggolfclub.com and enjoy Chandlers. (847)-885-9000.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With Peakvision sunglasses

THE BIG TEN has announced it’s Men’s Golf All-Conference Teams and post season award winners.

From the University of Iowa, Alex Schaake was named Player of the Year. Northwestern’s Davis Nyfjall was voted Freshman of the Year. Big Ten Conference Champions Illinois, has head coach Mike Small named Coach of the Year.

Schaake became the first Big Ten Player of the Year from Iowa since Vince India in 2011.

Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small

Schaake finished in the Top 15 in six of nine tournaments during the fall and spring season.

Nyfjall earned the Freshman of the Year Award, by having 5 top 15 finishes. He led Northwestern at the Big Ten Conference Championship last weekend when he finished T-11.

Small led Illinois to their 10th Big Ten Championship in 11th years, and their fifth straight. Small has been Coach of the Year 11 times.

The All-Big Ten Team includes Michael Feagles from Illinois and Nyfjall from Northwestern. Second team All Big Ten, includes Bryan Baumgarten, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Giovanni Tadiotto from Illinois. Sportsmanship Award winners included Luke Armbrust from Illinois, and Ryan Lumsden from Northwestern.

Big Ten schools have been notified if they are advancing on to NCAA Regional’s. Big Ten Champion Illinois is headed to Myrtle Beach South Carolina to compete.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS part of DuPage Golf. Visit Dupagegolf.com.         _____________________________________________________________________

WeWill.northwestern.edu

Northwestern University has announced a major renovation to the Gleacher Center, to create one of the top indoor golf facilities in the country.

The renovation is possible with the gift of $5.7 million dollars from University Trustee Eric J. Gleacher (62) and Paula Gleacher.

As part of the overall renovation project, the Patten Gymnasium will also be renovated.

“Providing a world-class experience to our student-athletes academically, socially and athletically is the core of our daily mission, and renovation of the Gleacher Golf Center and Patten Gymnasium will help us deliver on this commitment,” said Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips.

“Twenty years ago we celebrated the completion of the original Gleacher Golf Center with the purpose to develop winning teams,” Gleacher said. “Winning was and is the ultimate goal, which motivated our efforts 20 years ago and continues to motivate us today. Northwestern’s stature in intercollegiate golf has been significantly enhanced as is indicated by the results our coaches and student-athletes have earned. I have no doubt that our achievements over the next 20 years will be even more outstanding.”

The new Gleacher Center will include. An indoor short-game and putting area expanded to 5,400 feet, with raised ceilings and nearly a 3,000 square foot green.

A state-of-the-art training area with three bays that will feature Swing Catayst Force Plates and a Trackman Golf Simulator, as well as a dedicated video instruction bay.

A 19′ x 8′ digitally adjustable putting platform that includes a 3D-modeled green that can be tilted at any angle and an overhead projector that utilizes augmented reality to display putting paths and drills.

Brand-new locker rooms featuring world-class amenities including custom-designed lockers with multiple charging stations and room for a travel bag, luggage and golf bag.

A 1,200-square foot student-athlete lounge with a dedicated study area and full kitchen for integration of Northwestern’s Performance Nutrition program, and a nearly 1,000 square-foot sports performance hub.

“We can not thank Eric and Paula Gleacher enough for their incredible support of Northwestern Golf,” said Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss. “Mr. Gleacher helped pioneer a new era of Northwestern Golf with his vision 20 years ago, and this gift exemplifies that his commitment to our program is stronger than ever.”

A drawing of the new Gleacher Center

Since the founding of the current Gleacher Center, Northwestern Golf programs both men’s and women’s have combined for 50 tournament victories, and seven Big Ten titles.

NU has 10 Top 20 finishes at the NCAA Championships, and 58 individual wins, 71 All-Big ten honorees and 20 All-Americans.

The Gog Blog is written by Rory Spears, Director of content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Linkedin and or Facebook.

NEW BALANCE GOLF SHOES-Not just for runners anymore. See the new line online at Newbalance.com. Reynolds at Lake Oconee-Do you have Georgia on your Mind. 5 courses or 6 courses when Jack Nicklaus gets done. Visit Reynoldslakeoconee.com .     _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS. Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or Linkedin and Facebook. Happy 10th birthday to the Pete Dye Golf Course at the French Lick Resort.

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY to the Pete Dye Golf Course in French Lick Indiana. Last Friday was 10 years since the famed course opened.

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY WISH goes out west to Oregon, Bandon Dunes Celebrates the BIG 2-0 this week. Amazing how time flies sometimes.

HOW ABOUT the Illini. Kudo’s to Illinois Men’s Golf Coach Mike Small and his team for the winning the Big Ten title on Sunday at the Philadelphia Cricket Club by 5 shots over Purdue University.

Purdue had a 1 shot lead with 10 holes to go, but the Illini stormed back during the “Back Nine on Sunday” to build up at one point a 7 shot lead. That lead got down to 4 shots with two holes to go, but a couple of key birdies including one on the stingy 18th hole by Junior Michael Feagles helped him get under par for the day. It also gave some cushion to a shrinking lead.

Click here to hear the interview with Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small after winning the Big Ten men’s Golf Championship for the Fifth straight year.

Another key birdie came for Co-Champion on the individual side, Freshman Adrien Dumont de Chassart who hails from Belgium. Dumont de Chassart (The Big Ten Player of the Week) birdied the long par 3, 240 yard 15th hole down the stretch when Illinois needed it, to hold off a late charge by the Boilermakers. For the Illini, it wasn’t just a fifth Big Ten Title in a row, it was 10 titles in 11 tries. Pretty special, now on to Regional’s. Illinois will learn where that is on Wednesday.

The 2020 Men’s Big 10 Championship returns to Illinois and Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

THIS WEATHER IS AWFUL. Our golf courses deserve a break at this point. Who ordered the snow on Saturday, as May flowers come calling this week. With the current downpour going on outside, after the snow melt-off, things are going to be soggy all week long. You can plan to play next weekend because the seven-day forecast is looking great.

THE NATIONAL PGA CLUB PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP is underway in Bluffton South Carolina. The Illinois PGA Section has 11 players in the field. Currently after Round 1, Curtis Malm of White Eagle CC in Naperville and Adam Schumacher from the Indian Hill Club sit in 52nd place to lead our section players. Keep going guys. The Top 20 finishers get to play in the PGA Championship at Bethpage next month.

SPEAKING OF BETHPAGE..did Taylor Made Golf just make Rory McIlroy the fan favorite at Bethpage. Between now and the start of the tournament, if you buy a new TaylorMade F6 driver, and Rory Mcilroy wins the championship, your $600 new Taylor Made driver is a Freebie. So if your going to buy one do it quickly, because now is the time.

McIlroy, and New York fan favorite Phil Mickelson, along with Jordan Spieth who is attempting to close out the career Grand Slam. Will be the favorites on Long Island.

10 FINALISTS have been named for next months final voting (May 30th), for the 2019 class for the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. Our BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm is one of them. Congratulations to Len on making the first cut.

Finally, I’m off to remember another golfer we lost this morning. Chet Coppeck, I’m hoping your finding the fairways green in skies above that are now your dance floor.

The Gog Blog returns this week. RS

  MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB in Romeoville, where there are a few days left of springs rates. Enjoy and the snow is about gone. Mistwoodgc.com. Happy 10th Birthday to the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort. Plan your getaway today Frenchlick.com.    ____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS. Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and or Facebook. At the Philadelphia Cricket Club-Wissahickon.

THINGS ARE SETTING UP for a great final round at the Men’s Big Ten Golf Championship, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. The oldest Country Club in the country (1854).

Top rated Illinois is tied for the lead with the University of Minnesota, with first round leader Purdue, just one shot back.

The rest of the field, will have hard time making up ground on these top 3 schools.

Varun Chopra leaded Illinois with a +4 74 in Round 2, Illinois in tough conditions saw it’s team score drop 16 shots from Round 1. But still managed to move up into a T-1 with Minnesota. Purdue the first round leader fell back after it’s team score was 27 shots higher than the first round.

Northwestern continues to struggle, and was 18 shots back off the lead after Round 2. The Wildcats will be out early in Sundays final round.

THE COG HILL DEMO DAY TODAY-starting shortly until 1 PM. Cog Hill on Archer Avenue in Lemont. All the major companies Happy 20th Anniversary to Bandon Dunes.  ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Am 750 The BIG WNDZ Chicago. L-R Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger-Rory Spears 10 AM Saturdays.

WEEK #5 Already for Golfers on Golf Radio, on Am 750 The Big WNDZ radio Chicago.

Tee time is 10 AM, and this week, we take a look at this weeks upcoming 20th anniversary of the opening of Bandon Dunes, with the resorts first GM Josh Lesnick of Kemper Sports.

Whatever Mike Keiser was thinking the plan sure worked out just fine.

David Feaser the President of the Myrtle Beach based Peakvision Sun glasses joins us. Sunglasses by golfers for golfers.

We have the 10 finalists for the 2019 Class of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, stay tuned in to see who they are. Tee time is 10 AM, AM 750 WNDZ. To cold outside to play, soak up some golf by joining us. Updates on the B1G Ten Men’s golf championship from the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Join us.

THE COG HILL OUTDOOR DEMO DAY tomorrow from 9 Am to 1 Pm, rain or shine, or snow. Hit under the roof with the heaters going if needed. All the main companies will be there. See Coghillgolf.com. NEW BALANCE GOLF SHOES, New Balance no longer just for runners, just very comfortable shoes for golfers. Please visit Newbalance.com     _____________________________________________________________________

THE 18TH HOLE at the Philadelphia Cricket Club-Wissahickon Course. (R) Rory Spears Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf puts his approach in the right greenside bunker wasting a 304 yard drive on the 18th. You can follow more from Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or on Linkedin and Facebook. #Phillycricketclub.

AFTER ROUND 1 of Men’s Big Ten Golf Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Purdue holds a five shot lead over top rated Illinois (24) and Minnesota.

Varun Chopra and Michael Feagles with +1 scores of 71, lead Illinois. They are tied for 8th place in the championship. Tee times for Round 2 start at 8 Am CST.

The course is set up at a Par 70, and is playing at 7,119 yards. Illinois is the defending champions, having won in 2018 by shots at the Baltimore Country Club.

Live scoring is available at Golfstat.com.

“We didn’t have our best today, but we preserved through a challenging day on the golf course,” said Illinois coach Mike Small. “The course played fast and the pins were tucked.”

Northwestern is T-9 with Nebraska at +15, the Cats are 13 shots back. David Nyfjall led Northwestern with a 2 over par, round of 72.