THE BAER NINE HAS SEVEN HOLES OPEN-the last two holes 17 & 18 will open in early August. The final phase of construction is underway. See Schaumburggolf.com.     _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG and Golfersongolf.com by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

IT’S OFFICIAL.

The new massive putting green at Erin Hills, called ” The Drumlin” now has an official opening date.

August 1st, 2019.

Are you ready for the putting challenge of a lifetime.

Tee boxes on the 2017 U.S. Open golf course were moved, to make-way for the new putting green.

            The Drumlin green at Erin Hills.

Erin Hills located in Erin Wisconsin, now has many more golf holes to play. Even though they may be shorter ones that are on the U.S. Open course. A course that will become host again, when the USGA Conducts the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. And the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open.

Book your tee times and over night stays for Erin Hills (866)-772-4769. Erinhills.com.

  THE BAER NINE AT SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is getting close to fully opening. The final touches are being applied, to the 17th and 18th holes. For tee times call the club at (847)-885-9000. The final phase of the renovation has started on the Tournament Nine.  ______________________________________________________________________

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

        CANTIGNY GOLF home of the 89th Illinois State Amateur Championship, run by the Chicago District Golf Association.

Ethan Farnam of Crystal Lake and Crystal Lake CC, rallied to win the Illinois State Amateur at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton.

Farnam had a long wait in a shortened final day to capture the crown. So when rain and high heat poked at the championship during round 2, changes were made. Because the weather radar was saying even higher tempartures reaching over 90 degrees, and more rain expected for the final 36 hole day. The decision was made to make the final round, only 18 holes. And that decision turned out to be the right decision, since there was barely time to squeeze in 18 holes.

Because heavy rains, thunder and lightning started pounding the area in the 6 Am hour, and continued until noon-time, tee times were delayed until 1 PM. So the leaders went off closer to 2 PM. Play then ended after 7 PM.

Farnam started the third round 4 shots back of David Perkins of East Peoria/Quail Meadows CC. But, throw in a 70 birdie putt on the par 3, 13th for Farnam, and a double-bogey by Perkins and things change quickly. In the end, Farnam’s 3 under par 69, was enough to win.

“It feels good to be on top of the leaderboad again,” said Farnam, who won the 2015 Illinois Junior Amateur Championship.

Perkins score of 6 under par, earned him a second place tie with Jordan Less of Elmhurst/Oak Brook Golf Club.

Farnam attends Saint Mary’s College.  He called the win, something that makes up for his tough stretch in the game. Because he left the Northwestern University Men’s Golf Team, and then considered giving up golf for good.

Perkins lost a 6 shot lead to Farnam in route to second place, and could only learn from the experience.

“It’s a learning experience. But I’ve had a few of those already. I think I caught myself trying to protect the lead too much and just should have kept on playing golf. He was playing well and I made a few mistakes, and he took advantage,” said Perkins.

Less called the back nine “fun”, because he finished his round with four straight birdies  and it earned him a T-2.

The next CDGA Championship is the, CDGA Amateur Four-Ball at Oak Park Country Club from July 29-31.

THE BAER NINE IS OPEN-THE FIRST SEVEN HOLES FOR NOW. With the last two holes opening shortly. Phase 3 now under construction. Tee times at (847)-885-9000 or visit online Schaumburggolf.com. Renovation work to be done by mid-summer of 2020   _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Saturday Mornings at 10 on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ-AM (L-R) Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger-Rory Spears

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO WEEK #17

Join us for Week #17 of Golfers on Golf Radio, Am 750 the BIG WNDZ-AM Chicago.

Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger and Rory Spears, bring you golf talk with a Chicago flavor to it from 10-11 Am.

Joining us on the tee this morning is Gabe Beronja, the head golf professional at the Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor Michigan.

Harbor Shores aJack Nicklaus signature design will host the 2020 Sr. PGA Championship.

Closer to home. The Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) is hosting it’s national amateur championship this week. The final match is today at the Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove. Tournament Chairman Susan Buchanan checks in with us.

We will discuss the British Open, or do you say the Open Championship. Recaps of this weeks Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood. The Illinois State Amateur Championship at Cantigny.

Join us on the tee at 10 Am on the BIG Am 750 WNDZ-Chicago. It’s hot out, so take a break before you tee it up. Golfers on Golf Radio.

  THE 25TH PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS OPEN at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. The half island third green is one of the best par 5’s in the Chicagoland area. (815)-254-3333. For great food enjoy McWethy’s Tavern inside the clubhouse, details Mistwoodgc.com.   ____________________________________________________________________

Jessica Porvasnik with the Phil Kosin trophy aftrer winning the 25th Illinois Women’s Open

JESSICA PROVASNIK held off a furious charge by Mistwood’s Nicole Jeray, to win the 25th Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open.

Provasnick two years out of Ohio State University, and a member of their women’s golf team. In her senior year Ohio State made the match part of the NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms.

Provasnik emerged as the winner, when on-lookers and media types thought she would be in a playoff. But while the scoreboard had her at 4 under par, she knew all along that was not correct. Her birdie putt on 18 turned out to be the winner. The scorer put down the wrong score for her on the first hole, that went into the live scoring.

Runner-up Nicole Jeray rolls in a 10 foot birdie putt on the 16th hole.

Besides being a teaching professional at Mistwood, Berwyn’s Jeray was in her last chance to win the championship, in all three decades it had been held. Jeray was sitting top 10 after rounds 1 and 2, but waited just too long to mount a charge.

Jeray finally started her rally with a birdie 14, and followed with two more on 15 and 16. Firing at the flag on the par 3, 17th, she missed the green short side, but got up and down. Jeray could only par the par 5, 18th hole, and then sit and wait for a playoff that didn’t happen.

Challenging the toughest part of Mistwood known as “Kelpies Corner” which are holes 14-17 Because the fact is the players go over and around a lake. There are plenty of other issues that jump up and grab you. One of them is a cart path, that vaulted leader Kasey Miller’s ball OB on the 15h hole. Miller bogeyed 15 and 17, then like Jeray and amateur Monica Matsubara,missed a playoff by one shot. Matsubara who plays college golf at Northwestern, ended up edging Racine Wisconsin native Sarah Busey for low-amateur.

Anna Appert Lund who finished T-5, hit the shot of the day. Lund’s 7-Iron from 158 yards on the par 3 ninth hole, found the cup for the tournaments only hole-in-one.

Click here to hear interviews with runner up Nicole Jeray and champion Jessica Porvasnik.

Provasnik who been cashing checks at various women’s state opens in recent month’s, is looking forward to a better showing at Symetra Tour-tour school later this year. This week she will follow in the footsteps of last years IWO winner Hannah Kim. Kim who played college golf at Northwestern, won the IWO and the Tennessee Women’s Open in back-to-back weeks.

This years Phil Kosin IWO had a field of 52 players, down from the expected amount. But the scheduling conflict with the Women’s Western Golf Association amateur championship at Royal Melbourne in Long Grove didn’t help. A scoring recap of the IWO is at Mistwoodgc.com.

THE BAER NINE IS COMING OUT OF HIBERNATION seven holes open already, the last two holes 17-18 in the next couple of weeks. The final nine holes are now under construction, and should be ready for play in Mid-Summer of 2020. Call (847)-885-9000 ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears-Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. For those who neeed some cooling off, with Pinehurst’s Putter Boy.

THE FOR SALE SIGNS ARE BEING TAKEN DOWN, and the Ridges have been sold.

In Galena 22 year homeowner in the Galena Territory Mark Klausner, bought the resort himself. Klausner plans to make across the board at the resort.

The best news is that since he is a golfer, he will revamp the golf operation. While Klausner is admittingly celebrating his first “par” as a golfer last year. He does undertstand what golf means to Eagle Ridge.

The Touchstone Golf Management firm is gone from the resort, and Director of Golf Reagan Davis left town with them, and is now working in Texas. So Ryan Brown takes over in the pro shop, after years at Boyne Highlands in Michigan. And a private club near Detroit. He is expected to start developing golf schools, and expand the teaching program.

Because the golf shops will be torn down, pro shops will change. The main restaurant at the General, and the remainder of the building could see changes as well. While the resort has made improvements on the courses in recent years, including better maintanence equipment. On the General course, the native grasseswere trimmed back, trees were cut back or removed. Tee boxes were fixed up. But there is still some work to be done. And don’t be surprised if all the courses, North, South, East and General get reviewed more in depth.

WEAVER RIDGE in Peoria has been sold to Jim and Carol Ring, who own nearby Metamora Fields. Because the Ring’s are not wasting time moving forward, D.A.Weibring has been hired to come in for course renovation work. Weibring will hold a town hall on Thursday night at the club, to get feedback on what the courses regular golfers like and don’t like. And adjoining homeowners can add some input as well.

Having the Ring’s as new owners is a “shot in the arm” for Weaver Ridge. Weibring told Golfers on Golf, that bunker work will be a priority in the renovation project. Matt Rogers who has been the general manager at Metamora Fields, is now serving as GM for both properties.

Rogers says the club will revisit the opportunity to build a hotel at Metamora Fields. Besides, there will be benefits with having two courses under one ownership. Therefore rates are changing, and new season passes will be available for purchase. Because they are good at both courses, golfers should enjoy the benefits.

More details to follow on this story.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has reopened 7 of the 9 holes on the Baer Nine and the last two holes will be open later this month. Stay-ready. The consturction phase on the final nine is underway, and should be ready for play by mid-summer of 2020. For tee times call the club at (847)-885-9000 or check the website at Schaumburggolf.com for more information on everything that the club has to offer. Eat at Chandlers Chophouse.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS-Director of Creation and Content. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook or Linkedin. Putting the big ball at the JDC.

THE 49TH JOHN DEERE CLASSIC is in the books. Dylan Frittelli is the winner and becomes the third texas Longhorn to win the JDC in five years.

Jordan Spieth, Frittelli’s former teammate at Texas has the other two wins.

The John Deere Classic was realy good golf this year. The players had a slightly different golf course to play. TPC Deere Run was in year 6, of a six-year plan to upgrade the quality of the golf course. And it showed. Players who had played in the tournament many times over the years, said it was never in this great condition.

What I saw was firm and fast fairways, that the players enjoyed. A rain free week and a few dry days in front of championship week really helped. Even with so much rainy weather all sprin. The dry and hot weather period came at the right time.

Dylan Frittelli is the 2019 John Deere Classic Champion.

Frittelli went out on Sunday and really grabbed the tournament, by the horns you might say.

It appears he was someone who was ready to win. It would not surprise me, if he played great this week at the Open Championship. Frittelli was the one player who seemed to know the golf course, and had played it in recent years. Rory McIlroy is very motiviated to win in his home country as well. This could be a big week for him.

BACK TO THE DEERE some final thoughts on the 49th. It was great to see the young stars up close and personal. Collin Morikawa, Matt Wolff and Viktor Hovland are all exciting young players to watch. They should have a great futures.

What was troublesome regarding Wolff and Hovland, was the handling they had from a young representitive of their management firm. She was out-of-line on how she played Mother-Hen.

The firm-Wasserman did have a great reputation. They have always done great with Zach Johnson, this weekend they failed. Both kids, are great kids. They are friendly, and Wolff even took time to shake hands with all the media who interviewed him. And thank them. Both players signed plenty of autographs, and didn’t turn down any of the kids. Fans will enjoy watching their aggressive style of play during tournaments.

Golf architect Todd Quitno works on the Baer Nine at the Schaumburg Golf Club, that is now almost fully reopened. Currently Quitno and his team are working on the Tournament Nine, in the final phase of construction at the club.

NEXT YEAR IS the 50th anniversary of the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities.

The tournament has had several different names over the years. But it’s current one the John Deere Classic is probably the most fitting.

Deere and Company have really stepped up, in several area’s. Building TPC Deere Run, adding the British Open plane for the players. What’s around the course tournament week. They run the best charity arm, with their Birdies for Charity program.

For those of us in the media. The cart-barn press room under the clubhouse, beats a tent anyday. The entire history of the tournament will come out next year in book form. Written by longtime Quad Cities golf writer Criag DeVrieze. A project that he has spent over two years working on.

Better news is that they will keep their second week of July dates next year, even though it’s an Olympics summer. Mark it down-July 6-12 in 2020.

THREE IN ONE WEEK. After the debacle that took place last year. I didn’t think it could happen again, but it did. This week there are three tournaments in the same week. Starting tomorrow is the 25th annual Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, at Mistwood.

THE WOMEN’S WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WWGA) has it’s national amateur golf championship at Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove. The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is running the men’s Illinois State Amateur at Cantigny in Wheaton.

What’s amazing is how golf organizations don’t speak with one-another and get things coordinated. Guess how many tournaments there are next week. Yep-Zero. Didn’t someone want the entire spotlight all to their own. The WWGA and the IWO are all costing their fields good players going head-to-head this week. That’s sad. The following week is the Western-Amatuer back at Point O’Woods.

I DON’T CARE who was here first and who scheduled on top of the other event. What I do know is that, myself and several other media types are ready to call-out the guilty parties going forward.

What else I see, is too many days in high-heat that players will be playing 36 holes a day. What’s the rush…lets keep it to 18 in the future.

SOME NEWS. I will have more this week. But both Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena and Weaver Ridge Golf Club in Peoria have been sold to new owners. Look for golf and more improvements at both places in the weeks and months ahead.

IT’s HOT OUT. But drink the fluids and go play. It’s time. RS

CLICK HERE to hear interviews with John Deere Classic Champion Dylan Frittelli and Runner-up Russell Henley. Thanks to our sponsor this week the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. (847)-885-9000 Schaumburggolf.com.

2019 John Deere Classic Champion Dylan Frittelli holds the championship trophy.

THE BATTLE IN THE HEAT is over and Dylan Frittelli, from Johannesburg South Africa is your 2019 John Deere Classic Champion.

Frittelli (-21) won by two shots over Russell Henley (-19).

Who would have thought that Henley, who tee’d off 2 1/2 hours before the leaders, would have a chance to win.

Not Henley, who thought several players would make enough birdies to blow past him in the end. In the end, only Frittelli did.

Henley shot a 10 under par 61, the low round of the week. But it was one for the record books, because it was the low final round in the tournaments 49 year history.

Because Henley came into the week, riding on a run of four-straight missed cuts. He didn’t have much in expections, therefore the ending must have caught him by surprise. What appeared to hurt Henley after his early finish, was that he missed a golden opportunity to birdie the par 5, 17th hole. Because his 8 foot birdie attempt, was pushed a bit, said Henley. In the end, had he made it, he would have lost by 1 shot instead of two.

But at 20 under par, it could have affected how Frittelli played the final holes. Sitting on a 1-shot lead instead of a two shot lead, on the PGA Tour is a big difference.

The final pairing of the day, had the third round leaders who never got going on Sunday.

Cameron Tringalen was not making birdies, while Andrew Landry made a few birdies early. But his climb to get back on top, ran out of steam. A key bogey on 15 wiped out any chance for the comeback. But then all Landery could do was make pars on holes 16-17-18.

If your windering who Dylan Frittelli is, you missed him being the star of a golf video. The video was Frittelli sinking a 30 foot putt back in 2012, to win the NCAA National Championship for the University of Texas. Where he was then immediately mobbed on the green by his teammates. One of those teammates, was 2013 and 2015 John Deere Classic Champion Jordan Spieth.

Frittelli with the win, not only earned just over $1,000,000 million dollars, he grabbed the final spot in the this weeks British Open. Frittelli said he has played Royal Portrush in tournaments a couple of times. So he won’t need as many practice rounds. When last seen at Deere Run on Sunday night. Frittelli and his team were headed to the airport to board the John Deere charter plane, to that goes right to that Open Championship.

Safes travels. And congratulations on being the 23rd player to win for the first time, on the PGA Tour and having that win come in the Quad Cities.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 North Roselle Road has reopended the first seven holes of the Baer Nine, with the last two holes 17-18 schedule to reopen later this month. Consturction has started already on the Tournament Nine. For details on the golf course and more, please visit Schaumburggolf.com or call the club at (847)-885-9000.    _____________________________________________________________________

John Deere Classic is underway. See Johndeereclassic.com

The John Deere Classic has 36 holes in the books, and the defending champion Michael Kim has missed his 19th straight cut. He will get the weekend off, after rounds of 73-72.

The cut spent the afternoon moving around, between 3 under par and 4 under par. Three under is what former champion and current John Deere Classic board member Zach Johnson needed to stay for the weekend. And that’s what he got,because his 67 helped him make the weekend on the number.

Former world #1 Luke Donald, and the former Northwestern Wildcat is at 6 under par. He is here at TPC Deere Run for the weekend. Donald was five under par at one point on the back nine for his second round, that had him at 8 under par and in 4th place. But two late bogeys, including a costly 3 putt on the par 5-17th hole droped him back.

Rusell Henley lost two shots late in his round, but at 10 under par sits in a good place headed to the weekend.

“I didn’t hit it as well today,” said Henley. “I had a couple mistakes there on 18. But I feel confident in my game. I haven’t made a cut in a while so it’s been a grind. I am trying to hang in there, but it has been a grind. This weekend I will keep my head down and keep grinding. Everybody out here is good. I’ll stay agressive to my targets and hopefully have a great weekend.”

Johnny Vegas is in first place at 13 under par after a 62 in Round 2, that included nine birdies.

“The holes seemed big today. I’ve been working hard on my putting pretty much all year.,” said Vegas. “That’s one of the area’s I have to get stronger at, if I wish to accomplish mre here on the PGA Tour. I feel like I havebeen playing well all year, but not giving myself a chance to win. I can’t remember the last time I shot 62, but a 63 not long ago. But a 62, I’ll take it.”

Lucas Glover sits in third place after being at 11 under par after 36 holes. Glover had the shot of the day, when he-holed a double-eagle two on the Par 5, 10th hole. The second shot he hit into the cup, was 255 yards with a 3-iron.

It wasn’t a great day for Team University of Illinois, on whats known as U of I day at the John Deere Classic. Both Illini alums missed the cut and badly. Scott Langley finished at 9 over par, and Dylan Meyer missed at 6 over par. Meyer is headed to a Monday qualifier in Kentucky for the Barbasol Championship. But leaves the JDC looking to find his game, and his place in golf.

It took -3 to make the cut and stay for the weekend. Golfers on Golf Radio AM 750 WNDZ Chicago, will have a live guest from the JDC at 10:10 tomorrow morning. Stay tuned in.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 North Roselle Road, has reopened most of the BAER NINE, with the final holes 17-18 coming online soon. Phase 3, the final phase is now under construction on the Tournament Nine, and should be ready to reopen in July of 2020. For tee times call the club at (847)-885-9000 or see Schaumburggolf.com  ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At TPC Deere Run and the John Deere Classic.

IT’s tournament week for the John Deere Classic.

Zach Johnson a past champion and John Deere Classic Board member, spoke to the media this week about the classic.

Later Matthew Wolff the winner of last weeks championship, visited the media center.

First on the tee is Johnson.

“This place helps me get into a groove, I am very familiar here and excited to be here. This tournament does a lot for me and the community, I’m estatic to be back.”

“The competitor in me feels like I can still go out and win and that’s my full intention this week. I love the golf course and I love thr progression of my game right now. Just because people shoot 15-20 under here, doesn’t mean it’s a bad golf course. We just are good players and will get after it”

“When I was 20, or 21 I was trying to crack the top five players at Drake University. Now there are players out here winning at that age. There was just a 15 year old at Wimbleton, are you kidding me. That’s great. The kids today might not undertsand what it means to throw your clubs in thr unk on the Hooters Tour and spend nights in Motel 6 or a Super 8.”

“There has been a lot of frustration in the 2019 season, because I have put the work in and I’m not seeing the results. That’s just the way the process has been. I didn’tknow until somebody posted on social media my world ranking is now out of the top 100 and I’m at 103. But at 43 I am a realist and understand that age can be a factor. But 100% I’d like to play for Steve (Stricker) at the Ryder Cup next year.”

MATTHEW WOLFF

On last weeks win. ” I don’t know if it has really settled in yet. It’s been pretty unreal the last few days, and there has not been a lot of sleep. But getting my card has taken a lot of weight off my shoulders.”

ON TPC DEERE RUN

“My caddies told me that this course would be a little like what we played last week, with the way it sets up. But after playing the pro-am on Monday, I realized the course suited my eye pretty well and I like the look of it. The course is in great shape and the past champions here are pretty decorated guys. It’s an event that people know about and rave about. I’d like to get my second win here this week.

ON BEING PICKED TO WIN THIS WEEK

“That was really special, and didn’t know that until I saw it on Twitter. Obviously Vegas isn’t always right, but it’s really cool to see that.”

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

     THROWBACK THURSDAY-Sponsored by the Schaumburg Golf Club. 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. THE BAER NINE has 7 holes open, 17 and 18 coming online soon. Tee times and more at Schaumburggolf.com or call the club at (847)-885-9000.     _____________________________________________________________________

  THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC is back and on the tee this week at TPC DEER RUN in Silvis Illinois, near the Quad Cities of Western Illinois. An easydrive from the Chicago area. Especially the Western Suburbs. Ticket are available for all days. On the grounds.

The 49th Quad Cities John Deere Classic

Defending Champion Michael Kim is back to try an defend his 2018 John Deere Classic title.

Kim’s game has taken a turn in recent months, after his 27 under par win last July. He has missed 18 consecutive cuts on tour and looks to break out of his slump.

Michael kim with himself in the bobblehead form at media day in May.

The field has a younger look this year, with of the new,young heavy hitters in the field. Including Matthew Wolff who won last weeks 3M Classic in Minnesota.

John Deere Classic board member Zach Johnson, and past champion heads up the veteran list in the field

3-time champion Steve Stricker is off on the PGA Champions Tour this week, and ended his run at the championship for now. He could return next year for the 50th anniversary of the championship.

Two-time winner Jordan Spieth decided at the last minute to skip this years championship, inspite of needing a win. Chicago area native Kevin Streelman was expected to play, but when he found out on Monday he mad it into next weeks Open Championship field. He WD’d and headed over-seas early.

Former No.1 and Northwestern University grad Luke Donald is in the field, and looking to regain his form on tour. Donald is playing on a mediacal exmeption this year, after suffering through a back injury last season. From the University of Illinois side, Scott Langley is in the field, and he is joined by Dylan Meyer who made it in, after shooting 65 at Pinnacle CC, during the JDC’s Monday 4-spot qualifier.

Former champions include Brian Harmon and Ryan Moore, Jonathan Byrd and John Senden. Former Fed Ex Cup Champion Bill Hass returns for the first time in 15 years.

Some of the other young talent includes 2018 US-Am Champion Vicktor Hovland and All-American in multple years Collin Morikawa from Cal-Berkley.

The John Deere Classic is always a great week of golf. Come out to the tournament, you will be glad you did. Johndeereclassic.com.