THE FRENCH LICK RESORT-The Hotels, Spa, Casino and golf courses are now open. So visit FrenchLick.com. STEVE KASHUL hosts The Golf Scene, this Sunday night at 6:30 PM on NBC Sports Chicago. For a full schedule of shows-see your local listings.    _____________________________________________________________________

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

Marissa Wenzler of Dayton Ohio. The medalist at the 121st Women’s Western Amateur Championship at Park Ridge Country Club.

IT’S DOWN TO TWO!

Only two players remain, of the 120 player field, that started the 121st Women’s Western Amateur Championship at Park Ridge Country Club on Tuesday.

So at 7:30 Am tomorrow morning, on the tee from Dayton Ohio, is medalist 20 year old Marissa Wenzler, and a member of the University of Kentucky women’s golf team.

Her opponent is 19 year old Maddison Hinson-Tolchard of Perth Australia. Hinson-Tolchard helped Oklahoma State to second place finish two months ago at the NCAA National Championships.

Because the championship match is only 18 holes. It could be over sooner than that. So get to Park Ridge Country Club early tomorrow if you would like to watch.

But while Wenzler was the stroke play medalist, she had to over-come a 2 down score after two holes. In her semi-final match against Virginia-Sophomore Jennifer Cleary.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR interviews with Marissa Wenzler and Sarah Arnold after their Round of 32 match in the WWGA Amateur.

Wenzler started the match play strong with a 5 & 4 win over Sarah Arnold from St. Charles. Arnold was the only one of 13 women from Illinois to make the 32 player match play part of the championship.

But Arnold had to survive a 5 hole playoff on Tuesday night, that lasted almost until darkness. She then had 11 hours to be back on the tee against Wenzler. But Arnold said after her match with Wenzler, that she did not drive the ball very well.

Wenzler said there was some “Bluegrass Kentucky pride” at stake in the match. Wenzler playing her college golf at Kentucky, with Arnold on the Western Kentucky University team.

Hinson-Tolchard needed two birdie putts of 25 feet and 40 feet on holes 12 and 14, to win her semi-final match over Sifat Sagoo of New Delhi India.

The winner will add her name added on the trophy alongside great past champions that include, Christie Kerr, Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn.

STEVE KASHUL HOST’S THE GOLF SCENE on NBC Sports Chicago returning with a new episode this Sunday night. So check local listings for this weeks shows. FRENCH LICK Resort is back with it’s hotels, spa, casino’s & golf courses open. FrenchLick.com  _____________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF has heard that the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be held at the NCR Country Club near Dayton Ohio. But watch for a formal announcement that will be coming out during this week by the USGA, at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Len Ziehm (L) and Rory Spears (R) bring you Ziehm and Spears Podcast series 2021. Chicago’s most complete weekly news update.

ZIEHM & SPEARS

Back at it again, this week with Podcast series 2021-Volume 24.

But due to all the tournament action in town this week, much of Len’s and Rory’s focus is on the Women’s Western Golf Associations (WWGA) National Amateur championship at the Park Ridge Country Club.

But there is also the Illinois State Amateur Championship being held at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

So are you ready for more. Because Yes! there are three tournaments in town this week.

The Forme Tour is here, and is being played at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

ON THE architecture front Len and Rory recap some of the news that is coming up in a at length interview with Ray Hearn on his work at Mistwood Golf Club, Flossmoor Golf Club and now Midlothian Country Club. but there is also some preview notes on next weeks Western Amateur at The Glen View Club.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR Ziehm & Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 24.

NEXT WEEK: Len and Rory will discuss the Western Amateur, and preview the 2021 Illinois Open. The 2021 Illinois Open will be played at the Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora.

So thanks for listening, Len & Rory.

GIANTS RIDGE RESORT in Northern Minnesota-home of the #1 rated public course in state, The Quarry Course and to #8 the Legend Course. See GiantsRidge.com/golf. So this week MISTWOOD Golf Club is home to the Illinois State Amateur. But by Friday Mistwood is back to hosting you. So go play one of Chicago’s top public courses, the Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Rd. in Romeoville. 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 @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook or LinkedIn. On the Quarry Course at Giants Ridge Resort in Biwabik Minnesota.

TRIPLE DUTY week.

Because normally us golf media types get upset when there are two tournaments in town the same week.

So this week, try three. Our friend Tim Cronin at the Illinois Golfer, says he has a column from Chicago golf writer Tommy Bartlett that goes back to the late 1950’s.

Where the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee was upset about two tournaments being played the same week. Bartlett wrote, it’s obvious our local golf organizations don’t talk with each other. So now over 60 years later, the problem has not gone away. I’ll be spread a little thin this week. But will visit the Women’s Western Amateur at Park Ridge Country Club. The Illinois State Amateur Championship at Mistwood Golf Club. Then finally the Forme Tour event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

DID I MENTION it’s golf season in Chicago!

COLLIN MORIKAWA wins the Claret Jug, and is now the Champion Golfer of the Year. A well done to Collin. When I spoke with Morikawa a few years back at the Western Amateur, you could tell then the way he carried himself, he would likely have a great future in professional golf.

FOR YOU GAMBLERS, a friend who works in the sports books of Las Vegas sent me some golf gambling sheets on golf back around March 1st. So for the record if you had bet Collin Morikawa to win the British Open/Championship back in early March. You could have had him at 40-1. Because all the early hot money was on Rory and DJ.

Louis Oosthuizen was at 50-1, Jon Rahm was 14-1, and former John Deere Classic champion Dylan Frittelli was at 200-1 and Jordan Spieth at 60-1. So let the record show, next year before major season starts, bet early and bet often if things change closer to championship week.

THIS WEEKS ILLINOIS STATE AMATEUR operated by the CDGA will take place at Mistwood. The format is 18 holes tomorrow, 18 on Wednesday and a 36-hole final on Thursday. For the championship Mistwood will play at 6,808 yards and to a par of 72. But the normal Mistwood routing will change. The back nine becomes the front nine. But the 4th hole will be the first hole, with the island green 3rd hole becoming #18. I hope you got that.

THE FIELD is 132 players, from the initial pool of 549 applicants, which is the most since 2017. Illinois residents with a handicap of 7.4 or below were eligible to sign up. 104 players advanced from qualifying, 28 player were exempt from past performances.

Players to watch include, defending champion Ethan Farnam who won at Cantigny in 2019 will return. Mac McClear who won three Illinois State high School titles at Hinsdale Central, and won the Big Ten Championship title this past May. Nick Tenuta who won the CDGA-AM at Bull Valley last month. Jordan Less of Elmhurst a two-time Low-Amateur at the Illinois Open who will turn professional shortly, and Tommy Kuhl a member of the University of Illinois golf team.

THE SAD PART of this event, it was late owner Jim McWethy’s dream to host this event at Mistwood. Unfortunately McWethy passed away last year and won’t be here to see the championship unfold. McWethy bought the club in 2003, and brought original architect Ray Hearn back to renovate the golf course. Golfers on Golf will meet with Hearn this week at Mistwood, to learn more about Hearn’s work at Mistwood and other projects.

THE WOMEN’S WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP will take place at the Park Ridge Country Club this week. It concludes on Saturday with a 18-hole match play championship match. Starting the week 13 women from Illinois are in the field. The Park Ridge Country Club is looking in the best condition for the championship, and coming out of an architect Greg Martin 2020 restoration of the golf course.

THE FOUR DAY FORME TOUR event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club is operated by Kemper Sports. The Forme tour is filling in for the Canadian PGA Tour that was not allowed to play in Canada this year, because of the pandemic. The tour will leave Illinois and head to Indiana for thee events starting next week. Among players in the field this week at Bolingbrook are Illinois alums Dylan Meyer and recent graduate Michael Feagles.

The Gog Blog will be back as much as possible in this crazy week ahead. RS

GIANTS RIDGE RESORT in Biwabik Minnesota. Home of the Quarry and the Legend golf courses, rated #1 & #8 public courses in Minnesota. So visit Giantsridge.com/golf.    _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears. Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook. AT the Quarry Course at Giants Ridge in Biwabik Minnesota.

THE GOG BLOG’S SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME-NEWS COLUMN is back. After a week off.

BECAUSE THERE was an internet issue for 24 hours, that kept me from posting. But that is not an issue today.

So I was going to post this morning. But decided to see the British Open come to a conclusion instead.

So congratulations to the “Champion Golfer of the Year” Collin Morikawa.

What an exciting final round round it was. Because the players could score a little, since there was not extremely windy conditions.

Len Ziehm enjoys a funny moment while in the WCPT 820 Am studio.

THE FOURTH MEMBER of Golfers on Golf Radio and Chicago’s Favorite Foursome, Len Ziehm has been back in Illinois.

But for the Ziehm Machine, it was the first time in four years he has been back to “The Eagle Ridge-Resort & Spa” in Galena.

During his most recent visit, Ziehm checked out the newly renovated General Clubhouse. Ziehm files a full report on the improvements under new owner Mark Klausner.

Because among the changes, are the reversing of the 9’s on the General. So check out LenZiehmongolf.com to see the latest travel post on Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena.

NEXT SATURDAY is Callaway Golf Fitting Day on the North Course Range from 11-3 at Eagle Ridge. Sign up today. EagleRidgeResort.com

The Golf Scene with Steve Kashul.

THE GOLF SCENE with host Steve Kashul is back for another edition on NBC Sports Chicago.

So showtimes are tonight at 6:30 Pm, tomorrow night Monday at 10 Pm. On Tuesday at 6 pm and this Wednesday at 10:30 Pm.

This edition includes features on White Tail Ridge GC in Yorkville. Woodbine Bend in Stockton. Golf instruction with Brendan Doyle, and a stop at the Sanctuary GC in New Lenox. Watch the Golf Scene with Steve Kashul on NBC Sports Chicago.

THE GREENBRIER RESORT in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia, has announced the addition of Dr. Breann Songer to it’s health care staff. Details at Greenbrier.com

THE UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS has announced that alums Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters will represent their native Belgium in the Olympic games in Tokyo later this month. Pieters just missed a medal in Rio during the 2016 games, finishing 4th.

MORE ON THE ILLINI-Michael Feagles, Adrien de Dumont Chassart have been named Second Team All-Americans, with Jerry Ji earning an Honorable Mention All-American status. Illini Coach Mike Small said,” these players anchored our team all year, and deserved to get this recognition.”

HEY BIG BOMBERS-next Saturday July 24th Foxford Hills in Cary is having a scramble for the big hitters. Because the course will play at it’s full length, close to 7,200 yards. See Foxfordhillsgolfclub.com for more information. $90.00 per player. Tee times start at 8:30-No Shotgun.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN has a new Women’s Assistant Coach, in Kristen Simpson, who comes over from North Carolina. Simpson had also coached at the University of Maryland. So joining Wisconsin is a return to the Big Ten for Simpson.

DALLAS BASED TOPGOLF has announced plans to expand into South America, including Bogota Columbia. See more at Topgolf.com.

AMERICA’S #1 Golf Internship-intern Patrick Koenig (41) has started his play by teeing off at Milwaukee Country Parks Golf Courses. He will play 50 courses in 50 days. Koenig a photographer will visit courses around Wisconsin over the two month period.

Koenig was selected along with Madison native Bobbi Stricker (Steve’s daughter) as the two interns to travel and play Wisconsin golf, to promote Wisconsin in Ryder Cup year. Sticker just won the Wisconsin State Women’s Amateur Championship, with her dad out watching (Steve Stricker skipped the British Open to attend). Both Koenig and Stricker can be followed on Twitter @patrickjkoenig and @bobbistrick.

MYRTLE BEACH GOLF TV

MYRTLE BEACH Tourism Solutions has created Myrtle Beach Golf TV, a streaming channel available on Roku and Amazon’s Firestick.

THIS FREE CHANNEL provides viewers with an in depth look at the Myrtle Beach Golf Scene.

So see more about the Charlie Rymer Golf Show or Golf Paige Spiranac enjoying the best Myrtle Beach has to offer. To subscribe search Myrtle Beach Golf TV on either a Roku or Amazon Firestick. So you can also get swing tips from Allen Terrell who helps Dustin Johnson. See more at GolfTourismSolutions.com.

MORE FROM MYRTLE BEACH-PINE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB has reopened following a 80-day restoration project. So now the oldest golf course in Myrtle Beach has reopened as of July 13th. Pine Lakes parent company, worked with Craig Schreiner at Pine Lakes CC (The Granddaddy). Restoration efforts included, restoring greens to the original size, adding more than 21,000 square feet of putting space.

BUT HERE IS MORE as all greenside bunkers were renovated, a state-of-the-art drainage system was added. The course opened for play in 1927, and was originally designed by St. Andrews of Scotland native Robert White. The courses is less than 1-mile from the Atlantic Ocean and built around a natural dune area. Pine Lakes clubhouse is listed on the National Historic Registry of Historic Places. So learn more at PineLakes.com

JASON KOKRAK has joined Golf Saudi as an ambassador in advance of the Open Championship. Kokrak will share his experiences on how golf can reach new audiences through GolfSaudi.com.

Photo’s from some of the above stories can be found on Facebook-Rory Spears. But also at Twitter @GogBlogGuy Rory Spears

GIANTS RIDGE In Biwabik Minnesota-Play Minnesota’s #1 ranked public course the Quarry & #8 ranked course the Legend. So visit Giantsridge.com/golf. (R) The Lodge at Pine Needles-Southern Pines North Carolina. Ross Resorts is now home to 3 classic Donald Ross golf courses. So see more MidPinesInn.com Pine Needles 2022 #USWO   _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio 4 Pm today on Am 820 WCPT-Chicago. Rory Spears (L)-Ed Stevenson (R), with Bill Berger and Len Ziehm.

Golfers on Golf Radio is back on the tee today at 4 Pm.

Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger-Len Ziehm and Rory Spears, bring Chicago’s longest running golf radio show, and only award winning golf show, Golfers on Golf now in it’s 31st season.

Today’s British Open Show edition, come complete from Minnesota and North Carolina.

Because todays special guests include John Kendall Director of Golf at Giants Ridge, in Biwabik Minnesota. That is home to the #1 and #8 rated public courses in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The 13th hole on The Quarry at Giants Ridge (L)-Pine Needles the Par 3,16th hole.

Kendall will be followed by the owner of Ross Resorts in Southern Pines North Carolina Kelly Miller. Ross Resorts is home to Pine Needles, home of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, Pine Needles, and the newly acquired Southern Pines Country Club. All 3 courses renovated by Kyle Franz.

But there is more. Because today you will hear from the Daily Herald’s Len Ziehm, and from Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray, who just qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

They are going to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open later this month, at Brooklawn CC in Conn. Nicole Jeray is 1st from Right in light blue.

Golfers on Golf Radio is currently on at 4 Pm on WCPT AM 820.

You can listen live in 4 states, IL., Ind., Wis., and parts of Southeast Michigan.

But you can listen live online at WCPT820.com or watch the show via Facebook on the stations website.

But if you have your phone with you. Try the Tune-In radio APP, just search WCPT 820.

But if you miss the show, you can get a mulligan. Because by visiting SoundCloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk And scroll down to the podcast.

So check out Golfers on Golf Radio today, we are on the tee at 4 Pm. Thanks for listening, Ed, Bill, Len and Rory.

GIANTS RIDGE Biwabik Minnesota-36 holes #1 rated golf. See GiantsRidge.com/golf IN ILLINOIS Eagle Ridge of Galena, home to 63 holes and the General. Eagleridge.com ______________________________________________________________________

LEN ZIEHM & RORY SPEARS talk golf at TPC Deere Run, and this week on the Ridges of Eagle and Giants.

LEN ZIEHM-RORY SPEARS

89 Years of covering golf in Chicago and beyond.

Bring you Chicago’s most complete weekly golf wrap-up. So whether it’s Chicago news or beyond, Len and Rory bring it to you.

So after an exciting recap of the John Deere Classic and 50 years of golf in the Quad Cities, this weeks cast spreads it around the fairways of the world.

Because Len and Rory not only wrap up the John Deere Classic. But preview the British Open.

But Len and Rory include some golf travel talk. So have you been to the Ridges. Eagle Ridge in Galena Illinois and Giants Ridge in Biwabik Minnesota. Because both resorts have top rated golf courses.

But this weeks cast includes some French Lick Resort talk, plus a launch of new equipment from Batavia’s Tour Edge Golf.

CLICK HERE to hear Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 24.

Ziehm and Spears tips the golf cap or visor to Mistwood’s teaching professional Nicole Jeray, for qualifying for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at the end of July.

So listen in for all sorts of great golf news. Thanks for listening-Len & Rory.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville, is this years host to the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, and the Illinois State Amateur Championship coming next week. But Mistwood can host your game, your group and after your round in McWethy’s Tavern in the clubhouse. So play Mistwood by making a tee time at (815)-254-3333, or go online to Mistwoodgc.com. Mistwood an architect Ray Hearn design. #Top100fitter.    ______________________________________________________________________

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

L-R Kasumi Takahashi, Robin Donnelly, Nicole Jeray and medalist Ellen Port. Photo courtesy of Mistwood GC.

MADE IT.

So after the U.S. Senior Women’s Open had to take a year off because of the pandemic, the qualifiers are back on again.

This years championship will be played at the site is was supposed to be held at in 2020, the Brooklawn Country Club, in Fairfield Conn.

But this past week at the Midlothian Country Club four ladies made it into the field.

One of the four players to qualify was long time former LPGA player, and current Mistwood Golf club teaching professional Nicole Jeray.

Ellen Port was the medalist with a 1 under par score of 72, in the par 73 set-up at Midlothian.

Jeray was a tie-second with a 1 over par score of 74, along with Kasumi Takahashi of Tokyo. Robin Donnelly of Scottsdale Arizona, was the final qualifier of the field of 24.

AFTER STARTING HER ROUND bogey-bogey, Jeray was +3 after ten holes. But then she made birdies on holes 11-12-13-14, getting her back to 1 under par. Bogeys on 15 and 18 left Jeray one over par for the round. But good enough to make it into the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open field.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with U.S. Senior Women’s Open qualifier Mistwood’s Nicole Jeray.

BUT EVEN with making it into the U.S. Senior Women’s Open field, Jeray is still waiting to see if she is into the Senior LPGA Championship at French Lick in late August. Jeray went into the qualifier after a 10th place finish, at the Illinois Women’s Open last week.

DUPAGE GOLF is getting ready to lock-up a date to open their new clubhouse, at the Preserve at Oak Meadows. So follow Dupagegolf.com and you can keep score on when the opening day will be. But good news for golfers, the golf course is now open for play.  _____________________________________________________________________

ZIEHM & SPEARS the 2021 Podcast Series is back, with a special edition from the John Deere Classic, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis Illinois.

ZIEHM and SPEARS…

Len Ziehm and Rory Spears, are back with another edition of the Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 23.

But this time it’s live, on location. At the John Deere Classic in Silvis Illinois. Because the PGA Tour is back in Illinois.

But better yet, the real media are back being able to cover PGA Tour events again.

YES MAYBE-just maybe Magic Does Happen Here at TPC Deere Run, in the Quad Cities.

So this week Len and Rory have a special guest joining them for the third time.

Because long time Quad Cities news paper guy, and now book author, Craig DeVrieze joins the cast-with some real John Deere history.

L-R Len Ziehm-Craig DeVrieze-Rory Spears at the Deere.

But Len and Rory start things off in one of our longest editions of Z & S yet, recapping this years tournament. Before we share several of the most interesting parts of the new book, ‘Magic Happened’ the 50 year history of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities.

So how does the smallest market on the PGA Tour keep growing every year. Continue to win awards every year. Raise record amounts of money for charity every year. You can hear it all in this weeks Ziehm and Spears Volume 23.

The John Deere Classic is one of the most amazing stories in golf, anywhere in the world.

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks edition of Ziehm and Spears, with special guest Craig DeVrieze.

Len Ziehm has covered golf in the Chicago area and beyond for 53 years. Rory Spears has covered golf for 36 years in the Chicago area and beyond. We hope you enjoy the podcast. Thanks for listening, Len, Rory & Craig.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB-Home of the Illinois Women’s Open, and in two weeks the Illinois State Amateur Championship. Learn more about Mistwood-Mistwoodgc.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 or Facebook.

2021 Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open Champion, University of Illinois Alum Tristyn Nowlin.

FOUR…

Because this time second place was out of the question, and Tristyn Nowlin found a way to win.

But victory didn’t come easy. Because in golf it rarely does.

Round 3 started on Wednesday morning with Nowlin holding a 1 shot lead, over Ueakarn (Louk-key) Songprasert. But as the front nine progressed, things went back and forth until at the turn, both players were tied. But that didn’t last. Because Nowlin made birdie on the short par 4 10th hole, and went back up by 1 shot.

Tristyn Nowlin on 18-her second shot on the par 5.

But Songprasert wasn’t finished. Because her birdie on the par 5, 15th hole had the players tied again.

But Nowlin immediately answered on the par 4,16th with a birdie, her lead now back to 1 shot.

IT BECAME 2 shots after Songprasert hit her tee shot on the par 3, 17th hole to nine feet. But her first putt sailed past the hole and she lipped-out the come back putt and ended up with bogey 4. With Nowlin in for par, the lead was back to two shots heading into the 18th hole.

Both players had birdie putts between 15-20 feet. But neither converted, and both made par. Nowlin closed with a 2 under par 70 (-8 ) 208 for the championship. Songprasert shot a final round 71-for her 54 hole total of (-6) 210.

CLICK HERE TO hear the full interview with 2021 IWO Champion Tristyn Nowlin.

Crystal Wang a senior at the university of Illinois was the low-amateur, finishing 4 shots back of her former Illini teammate Nowlin. Emma Carpenter the 18-hole leader, was the only other player finishing under par for the championship at -2 (214).

Mistwood GC Director of Golf Andy Mickelson, Crystal Wang (low amateur) and IPGA Executive Director Carrie Williams (L-R)

MISTWOOD teaching professional and two-time past champion Nicole Jeray finished in 10th place. But Jeray said she came away from the tournament ready, for next weeks U.S. Senior Women’s Open qualifier at Midlothian Country Club.

Nowlin who came into the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, after winning the Michigan Women’s Open. She now heads home to Kentucky to play in her home state Kentucky Women’s Open, trying to make it three wins a in a row. After Kentucky, Nowlin will play in the Tennessee Women’s Open, and then the Florida Women’s Open. With the goal of making enough money to play in the Symetra Tour Q-School that starts in California next month.

CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with IWO runner-up Ueakarn (Louk-Key) Songprasert.

For a full recap on the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, visit IPGA.com.

WELCOME TO MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB and McWethys Tavern on Renwick road in Romeoville-home of this weeks Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open-See Mistwoodgc.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/Facebook.

The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville

BOTH THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN and now University of Illinois alum Tristyn Nowlin are back.

Because Nowlin has come so close, twice at Mistwood, could this be the charm.

So in 2018 Nowlin, who was then attending Illinois, came to Mistwood in June for the Women’s Western Golf Association’s amateur championship. She played great. But took second place.

Nowlin returned in July for the Illinois Women’s Open. But while she played great she took second place again.

Nowlin is now a professional, playing in various state opens, hoping to win enough money to attend the Symetra Tour’s Q-School. So first off the tee was the Colorado Women’s Open, where Nowlin made the cut and finished “20 something” as she called it.

But the Michigan Women’s Open was better. Because Nowlin won it, and came into the Illinois Women’s Open with some momentum. Nowlin brought former Illinois teammate Bing Singhsumalee along to caddie, and after two rounds of 69-69 (-6) in 90+ degree heat, Nowlin sits in first place, for a change.

But her lead is only 1 shot. Because of a late charge by Bloomingdale’s Ueakarn Songprasert whose second 18, was a five under par (67). Which left her just one shot behind Nowlin. Elayna Bowser of Michigan is alone in third place, five shots back at 1 under par.

22 players made the cut, including Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray, a two time past champion. But Jeray sits 9 shots back, with 18 holes to play. Two-time past champion Jenna Pearson of Wheaton also made the cut. But Pearson is 15 shots off the lead.