YOU NEVER KNOW who you might find at the new Heritage Oaks Golf Club on Dundee Road in Northbrook. So stop by and all that’s new HeritageOaksgc.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

Abby Glynn blasts from a greenside bunker on the 18th hole, in her round of 16 match vs defending champion Marissa Wenzler.

IT’S NOT OVER.

The long day of match play at the 122nd Women’s Western Amateur is not over.

A lightning delay was the cause of not one-but two delays late in the afternoon at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield.

Afternoon play in the Round 16 was stopped when lightning struck or did it. With four afternoon matches already complete, and four more on the golf course. A weather siren went off in the vicinity of the Sunset Ridge and there was some confusion if it was meant to clear the golf course. First yes-then-no, and then yes.

But the delay was expected to be 15-20 minutes, and that’s what it was. Just before the first blast went off, defending champion Marissa Wenzler (Dayton Ohio-U Kentucky golf team) had tied her match with Abby Glynn from Kansas (Kansas Golf team).

Glynn was 2 Up on Wenzler with six holes to play and seemed in command. But her approach on par-5 13th sailed long and she could not get up and down, while Wenzler made par closing the gap to 1 Dn.

Wenzler hit a 300 yard drive plus on 14, but missed a birdie putt to tie the match. Wenzler had another chance to tie with birdie or par on the par-3 15th hole, but three-putted. Still one down on 16 Wenzler had a 20 foot birdie for yet another tie that lipped out. But finally on the par-3 17th hole, Wenzler’s approach shot was 20 feet under the cup. But after a missed birdie attempt, her par putt was conceded. Glynn then 3-putted from the left side of the green and the match was tied.

Then things got crazy as a horn was heard that did not seem to be from the golf course. The course was cleared. But after the short delay, play continued. Wenzler answered with another long drive the fairway, while Glynn pulled her tee shot in the left fairway bunker.

Glynn hit an amazing sand shot that appeared headed for the green. But on the second bounce, it clipped the corner of the greenside bunker and dropped into the sand. Wenzler then hit a wedge to 30 feet over the cup. But as Glynn lined up her bunker shot, shockingly the siren went off again. This time there was no doubt it came from the Sunset Ridge Clubhouse.

No lightning was seen or heard, and sometimes that’s the case. But after 30 minutes of sitting around, with no lightning, and the light rain had not yet arrived. Bystanders wondered why Glynn and Wenzler weren’t allowed to finish. At least in the end they did finish. Being close to 100 feet short of the pin, Glynn’s bunker blast came up some 25 feet short of the cup.

Wenzler putted for birdie, leaving her putt less than two feet short of the cup, her par was then conceded. Then Glynn’s attempt to force a playoff slid past the cup, and Wenzler escaped 1 Up.

CLICK HERE to hear from defending champion Marissa Wenzler on moving on to the quarterfinals, after surviving tough matches in the Round of 32 and 16.

The other three matches were well behind the Glynn-Wenzler match. In fact some 4-5 holes behind. Grace Curran of New Lenox Illinois had a 4 Up lead during the delay through 12 holes, the match finished with Curran winning 4 Up.

Two matches, one with 2021 runner-up Maddison Hinson-Tolchard leading 1 Up through 13 holes, was stopped for the day. Brooke Bierman (Michigan State) from Wildwood Missouri had a 1 Up lead after 13 holes on Zoe Slaughter (Texas A&M) of Houston Texas, also decided to halt play for the day and finish on Friday morning.

Annabelle Pancake of Zionsville Indiana (Clemson) was the first player to reach the Quarterfinals after a 6 & 4 win over Casey Weidenfeld of Pembroke Pines Florida. Pancake is the daughter of Crooked Stick Golf Club head golf professional Tony Pancake.

Play resumes at 7 Am  Friday morning.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS has the new clubhouse up and running. The DuPage Amateur returns this weekend at both Maple Meadows and the Preserve, so follow the results, then book a tee time. Visit DuPagegolf.com and see the clubhouse.

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.

Emily Lauterbach (L) the first round leader-draws defending champion Marissa Wenzler in the first round of the match play this morning at Sunset Ridge Country Club, in the 122nd Women’s Western Golf Association Amateur Championship.

HIGH WINDS that got worse as the day went on, left much of the 120 player field backing up on the scorecard. All day long players stood over shots, and putts, having to back off as the winds blew.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Marissa Wenzler on advancing to the Match Play.

Things weren’t quite so bad for the very early starters. But late goes had their hands full from a conditions standpoint. When the day was over, and it wasn’t over early. Because it took a 9 for 3 playoff for players at +9 to see who would make the match play field.

2021 finalists-defending champion Marissa Wenzler avoided the playoff by one shot to make it back into the match play. Wenzler a member of the University of Kentucky women’s golf team, opened her round in the last tee time off the day Double Bogey-Bogey-Bogey before settling down on the back nine. Wenzler needed a crucial up and down from a greenside bunker on 15. Then hit her approach 4 feet from 150 yards to save par on 18 to avoid the playoff by a shot after carding a 78 (+6).

2021 runner-up at Park Ridge Maddison Hinson-Tolchard also made the match play. But playing in the last group with Wenzler struggled with the wind. Tolchard the current Big-12 Women’s player of the year and second team All-American at Oklahoma State. Says she’s ready to go one-step further this year and take home the trophy.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with 2021 runner-up Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.

First round leader Emily Lauterbach from Wisconsin, couldn’t find the fairway off the tee on many holes. But her superb putting made her an early entry into the match play. Lauterbach who has already won the Wisconsin Women’s Open and State Amateur plays Wenzler in the first round of the match play.

ILLINOIS AREA players fared pretty well. Both Megan Furtney of St. Charles and Sarah Arnold of Geneva advanced into the match play. They survived the 9 for 3 playoff. Grace Curran of New Lenox also advanced.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Sarah Arnold, after her round. But before the 9 for 3 playoff Arnold advanced from into the match play.

The round of 32 and the round of 16 will be played on Thursday. The round of 8 and the semi-finals will be played Friday. With the championship match on Saturday morning.

THE ACORN GRILL IS PART OF THE NEW LOOK HERITAGE OAKS at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook. Book at tee time by calling (847)-291-2351 or Heritageoaksgc.com.

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.

Marissa Wenzler is back to defend her WWGA-Amateur title, this time with her brother Ryan on the bag to caddie.

THE 122nd Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) will play it’s amateur championship this week at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield.

Defending Champion Marissa Wenzler heads-up a powerful field, as she attempts to be the first player to go back-to-back since Meredith Duncan won in 2000 and 2001.

Wenzler won the 2021 title at Park Ridge Country Club in a playoff, over Maddison Hinson-Tolchard who returns in another attempt to win the championship.

Wenzler from Dayton Ohio, plays out of her home club NCR Country Club that will host the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open next month. Wenzler is a member of the University of Kentucky women’s golf team. Hinson-Tolchard made Third-Team All-American honors from Golfweek Magazine after a solid sophomore season at Oklahoma State.

But the top level competition doesn’t end there. Kristen Rudgeley from Perth Australia is the #1 amateur in Australia, and finished 8th at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this year is expected to contend.

Marissa Wenzler driving the ball during her Monday practice round.

The 120 player field has representation from 28 states and 12 countries.

13 players are from Illinois, including Lauren Beaudreau of Lemont, Megan Furtney of St. Charles, Grace Curran of New Lenox and Caroline Smith from Inverness. Mara Janess of Barrington the winner of the 2021 WWGA-Junior championship, is looking to earn both WWGA titles with a win this week.

Tuesday and Wednesday the players will play 18-holes of stroke play. After which the low 32 players will move to match play.

The five rounds of match play begin on Thursday morning, with the 18-hole championship match being played on Saturday morning.

Sunset Ridge Country Club has a long history with the Women’s Western Golf Association. Previously playing host to five WWGA championships. First hosting the 1935 Women’s Western Open (won by Opal Hill). But then in 1942 Betty Jamison won the WWGA-Amateur. Anne Richardson and Ann Baker won the WWGA Junior Championships in 1953 and 1961.

The club’s history dates back to 1923, when architect Bill Diddel one of the founding members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) designed the golf course. Rick Jacobson did oversee a 2006 renovation project at the club.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW with defending champion Marissa Wenzler of Dayton Ohio.

Admission to the championship is free. But for more information on the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) please visit WWGA.org.

THE ACORN GRILL at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook is part of the new facility. But golfers are enjoying the new golf course, driving range with Trackman and indoor simulators. So make tee-times by calling (847)-291-2351 and visit HeritageOaksgc.com

J.T. Compher and the Stanley Cup visited Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook last Friday. Compher plays LW on the Colorado Avalanche, but grew up in Northbrook.

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

CAM SMITH is one player on the PGA I don’t think I have ever interviewed. So he might be a great guy, I don’t know. But he did as The Golf Channel suggested in the “post-round” show, ruin a Hollywood ending to the 150th Open Championship.

RORY MCILROY should have won. But in the end he didn’t. McIlroy is the only player in open history, to lead after three rounds, and hit every green in regulation in the fourth round, and not 3-putt one green either, and lose the championship. THAT is nothing short of heartbreaking.

I picked McIlroy in a fantasy golf pool the first week of January, and for a moment on Saturday and early Sunday thought it was a great choice. Then the heartbreak.

But when it comes to betting, McIlroy was the betting favorite. Not only in the parlors in the United Kingdom (UK), but every where else betting is legal, including Las Vegas and other places. Because these days many folks could use a few extra bucks to pay bills, on high gas prices, food prices and other expensive things, it’s really heartbreaking to see them not-fatten their wallets. In my fantasy league, nobody really won, because nobody, not one person picked “The Cam’s”. Heartbreaking.

PRIOR TO the final group teeing off, NBC analyst Paul Azinger said 100% of the people at St. Andrews were rooting for Rory. So maybe Viktor Hovland didn’t have a chance. Well in the end, he didn’t. Hovland wasn’t the threat-the Cam’s were. So the major’s are done for 2022, but Rory could still win the Fed Ex Cup. Yeah I know, heartbreaking.

THOSE LIV GUYS, if some media reports are correct the mass defections to the LIV Series of Golf are coming.

HENRIK STENSON 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain has announced he is leaving for LIV, Northwestern University alum Luke Donald could be named captain in Stenson’s place.

CAM SMITH remember him, yeah the heartbreaker. Is negotiating his fee to join LIV as I write this. After all Smith is an Aussie and probably grew up admiring Greg Norman. Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau could be out door to LIV along with Smith.

FINAL OPEN THOUGHTS- Royal Liverpool is next year’s venue. This years championship outdrew even the year Tiger won his career Grand Slam, by over 60,000 patrons. So who says you need Tiger Woods to draw a crowd at a golf tournament.

SPEAKING OF TW, Dan Hicks should be fined every-time he mentions Woods name on a weekend, after Tiger misses the cut. Hicks-give it a rest, or give up the PBP chair.

THE NETWORKS SHOULD ZERO CLASS during Round 1, both NBC-USA and partners not showing LIV players unless they were in the fescue or a pot bunker was so unprofessional. But after being called out in the media or on social media, coverage improved. But you can add the R&A to the poor class list, after not inviting LIV players to the press tent for pre-tourney pressers, and lack of coverage suggestions to media outlets.

JON RAHM joined Rory McIlroy in calling for some sort of peace talks between the major golf bodies and LIV. Rahm wants to play with fellow countryman Sergio Garcia in the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.

THIS WEEK in town starting on Tuesday, is the Illinois State Amateur at Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette. But there is also the Women’s Western Golf Association Amateur at Sunset Ridge. Golf fans, admission is free, come out and watch some great golf.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS ALL WEEK-RS

HERITAGE OAKS 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook was proud to welcome the Stanley Cup to it’s new clubhouse and the Acorn Grill. See more at HeritageOaksgc.com or get a tee time by calling the club at (847)-291-2351. Heritage Oaks-new course and more.

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

Christmas Mountain Golf in the Wisconsin Dells. Photo by Joy Sarver.

LEN ZIEHM and the Ziehm Machine have been roaming around the State of Wisconsin.

So while visiting the Wisconsin Dells, Ziehm’s travels took him to the recently renovated Christmas Mountain design.

Ziehm has a full recap on what’s new at Christmas Mountain. But additionally what else is happening in the Wisconsin Dells.

Because that includes the new putting green and 12-hole par-3 course at trappers Turn. So read all the news at LenZiehmongolf.com.

September 16-18 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove IL.

You can see some of the biggest stars in professional golf, in the Chicago area, this September 16th through the 18th.

The tournament will be held at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Money raised will be donated to six different local charities.

So for tickets and more information visit LIVGolf.com.

Taking a look at Nebraska-The Dormie Network and the Sandhills area.

THE DORMIE NEWTORK is brining their latest club addition to the area of the Sandhills in Nebraska.

Dormie Network has hired Bandon Dunes and Mammoth Dunes golf architect David Kidd to design the new golf course.

Graybull will be the name of the course, which is scheduled to open for play in 2024. So for more information please visit Dormienetwork.com.

COG HILL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB will set up Course #4 (Dubsdread) like the course was setup for the final round of the 2011 BMW Championship on Monday July 25th. So to register for the shotgun start, go to Coghillgolf.com or call Cog Hill at (866)-264-4455.

The Illinois State Amateur this week at Westmoreland Country Club.

THE 91st Illinois State Amateur comes to the Northshore Area of Chicago for the first time in it’s history.

Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette will host the 72 hole championship. The field of 136 players will play 18 holes on Tuesday, 18 then 18 more on Wednesday. But then the top 35 players and ties, will make the cut and advance to a 36-hole final on Thursday. So for more information on this weeks championship see CDGA.org.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

HERITAGE OAKS 3535 DUNDEE ROAD IN NORTHBROOK has a new look in 2022. A brand new clubhouse, golf course, double sided practice range with Trackman, large putting green, indoor simulators. Tee times at HeritageOaksgc.com (847)-291-2351.

Chicago’s Favorite Foursome Ed Stevenson, Len Ziehm, Bill Berger and Rory Spears at WNDZ AM 750.

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 11 is here.

ON THE TEE at 10 AM with your hosts, Chicago’s Favorite Foursome, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger, Len Ziehm and Rory Spears.

This week Len joins us live from Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa Wisconsin.

Susan Buchanan President of the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) in advance of this weeks WWGA-Amateur at Sunset Ridge Country Club.

Rich Tock from Erin Hills on the 2022 USGA Mid-Amateur coming in September.

CLICK HERE to hear the show, if you missed the original broadcast.

Joins us live at 10 AM and thanks for listening, Ed, Bill, Len and Rory.

THE NEW PRESERVE CLUBHOUSE IS OPEN-WITH THE TASTE OF DUPAGE BREWS AT THE BAR. DuPage Golf is taking entries for the DuPage Amateur for only a few more hours. So sign up at DuPagegolf.com and come out and play the Preserve.

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.

Wingman by Tour Edge is back.

WINGMAN the putter by Tour Edge Golf is back, and better than before.

Because the new Wingman 700 Series line of putters, includes three new mini-mallet designs and six total hosel options.

Three innovative designs add an optimized alignment optics on the widely effective Lock-On technology alignment system, improved acoustics and a softer feel.

“The original Wingman putters enjoyed a cult-like success, and over the last two years, we’ve been improving upon that success in every way possible,” said David Glod Tour Edge President and chief designer. “The feedback we received was that the Lock-On Alignment and extreme stability of the putters were truly revolutionary for golfers. So we put our focus on expanding the series to fit more player preferences in the shaping, and to really upgrade the look, sound and feel of the putters in a big way.”

Wingman 700 series putters coming August 1st, at a price of $199.99.

Glod adds, “the result of our two-year revamp is six putter models that are going to represent some of the highest MOI putters on the market. This will help you reduce the number of putts you are taking per-round.”

So hang-on golfers. Because the wait for the new Wingman 700 Series is almost over.

Wingman 700 putters are available for purchase on August 1st, at the cost of $199.99.

Tour Edge Wingman Models 701 and 702 are the Super max MOI. 701 is a Mid-Toe Hang. The 702 is a face balanced model. Models 703 and 704 are Max MOI, feature a removal of the wings and move the interchangeable weights more forward. This design is for those looking for a smaller footprint, while providing massive MOI properties.

Models 705 and 706 HIGH MOI/MINI-MALLET. 705 is a Mid-Toe Hang, with 706 being a center shafted putter.

The faces of the Wingman putters include a MicroGroove Face Technology that provides a thermoplastic TPU insert for an improved feel. The grip, is a Sink Fit Pistol Grip from Lamkin. It has a distinctive contoured shape and finger print technology. So this encourages a lighter grip pressure and smoother putting stroke.

Wingman 700 series putters, come with a stock shaft from KBS, the CT Tour putter shaft. Currently all models are 33″-34″35″ inches and in Right Handed models only.

Tour Edge has been on the market for 36 years, and involved in 10 PGA Tour wins, and 17 wins on the PGA Tour Champions. But for more information please visit Touredge.com.

THE LAWN AT DEERPATH GOLF IN LAKE FOREST IS OPEN. 30,000 Square foot putting green and chipping green. The Lawn is a great place to putt, for all aged golfers.

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.

Maurice Allen comes to Harborside International, this Monday July 18th.

The Illinois PGA proudly presents World Long Drive Championship Maurice Allen, the 2018 World Long Drive Champion.

Allen will appear this coming Monday July 18th at the Harborside International Golf Center in Chicago.

Allen is also a 9-time finalist in the World Long Drive Championships.

Start time for the clinic by Allen is at 1 pm and runs until 3 pm.

This clinic is a junior golf clinic and there is no charge to attend. But for more information visit IPGA.com or call Harborside International Golf Center. Harborside is located at 11001 Doty Ave East, in Chicago.

HERITAGE OAKS 3535 DUNDEE ROAD IN NORTHBROOK is back with a new name, a new clubhouse, a new big-size putting green, a driving range with now with Trackman, and of course, a new look golf course. So make a tee-time at Heritageoaksgc.com or call the club at (847)-291-2351. Heritage Oaks is part of the Northbrook Park District.

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.

Jamie Fischer with Conway Farms caddie Jose Ornelas at Heritage Oaks Golf Club.

JAMIE FISCHER IS GOING HOME!

Even with a bogey on the par 4, 18th hole, Conway Farms Golf Club teaching professional Jamie Fischer stayed out of a playoff.

Fischer’s drive on 18, found a fairway bunker, so she started asking her caddie Jose Ornelas where do we stand.

Ornelas offered solid advice telling Fischer, lets just make concentrate on making a par. But even with a bogey, Fischer was 2 shots clear of a playoff. Because Fischer was in the last group to tee off, she was the last player from the Heritage Oaks Golf Club’s qualifier to make it into the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

But while making it into the U.S. Senior Women’s Open is pretty special in-itself. For Fischer, it’s a trip back home to the neighborhood where she grew up in Dayton Ohio. So one thing Fischer won’t need to look for tournament week, is a hotel room.

With her mom still having the house in the neighborhood Fischer grew-up in, Fischer will stay with mom that week in her childhood home. So the commute over to host site NCR Country Club will be a short one.

But another thing going for Fischer, is that she played in the 1986 U.S. Women’s Open on NCR’s championship South Course (won by Jane Geddes). So she has seen NCR’s set-up for a USGA championship. But the defending champion from the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be Annika Sorenstam, who is tough to beat on any golf course.

Heritage Oaks in Northbrook played host to the USGA Men’s Senior Amateur qualifier in the morning. Followed by the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in the afternoon.

Fischer will have company from Illinois when she heads to Dayton in late August for open week. (August 22-28).

While Tracy Hanson with a score of 4 under par won the qualifier, runner up was Audra Burks from Springfield.

Earlier this year, Mistwood Golf Club teaching professional Nicole Jeray received word from the USGA, that she would be exempt directly into the field at NCR.

Both NCR Courses-North and South were originally designed by Dick Wilson, known for his work in the Chicago area with his design of Cog Hill #4 (Dubsdread).

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with Jamie Fischer who qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

So for more information on the U.S. Senior Women’s Open please visit USGA.org.

ACORN GRILL part of the new look Heritage Oaks on Dundee Road in Northbrook. So come out and enjoy the new golf course and clubhouse, then see what else is new at Heritage Oaks. Book your tee time at (847)-291-2351 and visit Hertiageoaksgc.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.

The colorful Callaway staff golf bags for the 150th edition of the Open Championship.

THE NEW MAJOR BAGS ARE HERE!

Callaway Golf has announced a student from St. Andrews, has designed the golf bags that will be used by 34 Callaway staff players who are playing in the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

The championship begins on Thursday and concludes on Sunday.

Students from two schools submitted entries for judging.

Staff players that took part in the judging included Danny Willett a past Dunhill Cup winner at St. Andrews, and former Masters Champion. Another staff player was Min Woo Lee.

17 year-old Iona Turner had her design chosen by Callaway. “It will be surreal seeing my bag alongside some of the world’s best golfers,” said Turner.

Neil Coulson the Chief Executive of St. Andrews Links, was quick to congratulate Iona for her spectacular winning design.