THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS is enjoying it’s first full season with a new clubhouse. So if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s time to go enjoy. See Dupagegolf.com.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Rory Spears-host of Golfers on Golf Radio in studio at Am 750 WNDZ-Chicago.
IT’S 2022 and the problem continues.
Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Bartlett wrote it back in the 1950’s.
But now over 60 years later, the problem continues, and now maybe it’s worse than ever.
Because the golf organizations are not listening to each other, and not talking to one another. It’s really sad and in some way’s a total disrespect to the players, the fans, the media, people who volunteer at golf tournaments. But also to golf fans who want to go see the best players in the game at all levels.
THE BAD EXAMPLE was this past week. The Illinois PGA has the Illinois Open Monday through Wednesday. But on top of that tournament was the 120th Western Amateur at Exmoor. Which is not exactly located all too close to the White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville.
But these tournaments only cross-over two days. Yes that’s bad-but not real bad. But then located downstate is the Illinois Women’s Golf Association-Illinois Junior Girls championship. But of course there is more.
GET THIS-THE PGA of America actually scheduled it’s national junior tournament this past week as well at Cog Hill. What were they thinking. Well they weren’t thinking at all.
Early in the year when dates were being discussed, the PGA of America national office called the Illinois PGA. The meeting was to discuss dates, ask for tournament operations help from the local IPGA office, and contact information for local media. As the story goes, the national office pitched a few dates to the local IPGA office. One of the dates proposed was August 1-5.
The PGA was told DO NOT pick the first week of August. The local office was running the Illinois Open and the media would be there or at the Western Amateur. So much to the surprise of the local IPGA office, the national office went ahead and scheduled right on top of the other events. This announcement left the local IPGA office stunned.
THE USUAL EXCUSE and it’s over-used and a real bad one is, “it’s the only day-week they/we could do it.” FYI, nobody actually believes that line anymore.
SO GUESS what’s happening next week. You guessed it-nothing. The following week, yep-nothing. This past week-four tournaments on top of each other. But guess what-it gets better in September.
With nothing the first two weeks, the third week has the USGA-Mid Amateur at Erin Hills. On top of that, is the LIV-Series of golf at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. On top of that, is the Fighting Illini NCAA Invitational at Olympia Fields. But yes, there is the annual Women’s Western Golf Association annual meeting and Woman of Distinction Award presentation. Of course all these events are the same week. Guess what is happening in town the rest of the month-yep you guessed it-nothing.
AFTER SO MANY YEARS-it just keeps happening. Next year the WGA Korn Ferry tournament the NV5 Invitational moves into the crowded zone of late July. But it is easy to see why. Because of repeated weather issues on Memorial Day weekend. The new dates make the championship very important as to what’s happening overall in the yearly race to a PGA Tour-Tour Card.
So the players in the hunt for one, will all play. On the surface, these dates MIGHT play-out well. So we will see when everyone makes their tournament date announcements later this year or early next year.
SETTLERS HILL is open in Batavia, can’t wait to go see it. I plan to get there soon. But in the meantime-go book a tee time. You will enjoy the golf course. If your looking for a job in golf, Settlers Hill is hiring for a few positions. See Settlershill.com.
A HOT RUMOR over the weekend at the Western Amateur, was that there are big problems with the greens at Rich Harvest Farms, the site of next month’s LIV Series of Golf.
I traded emails with owner Jerry Rich on the subject. Two greens had POA issues that have been corrected. So there will not be problems with the greens by championship week. I have been invited by Rich to inspect all the greens, and I will do that.
But as for now-I’m saying the story is nothing more than a false alarm. Better news is that sales in all area’s are ahead of expectations. I hope that continues.
The Gog Blog returns all week. RS
WILMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB IS HOME to this weeks 2022 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
