THE 65TH ILLINOIS OPEN at The Glen Club in Glenview.

DEFENDING CHAMPION JOE KINNEY is in the field.

THE LEADERBOARD at THE GLEN CLUB, PAR 72, 7,194.

1.Michael Davan                       -6   66                                                         2. Alex Burge                            -5    67                                               3.Scott Baines                          -4   68                                                           3. Dustin Korte                         -4   68                                                           3. Brad Hopflinger                    -4   68                                                           3. Michael Schachner              -4   68                                                           7. Bryce Emory                         -3  69                                                         7.Michael Abrahamson (a)      -3   69                                                         7.Thomas O’Bryan                   -3   69                                                           10. Six players at -2 including Jim Sobb.                                                     T-16 Defending Champion Joe Kinney -1

SHOTS OF THE DAY:

Steve Orrick HOLE IN ONE on the 17th, 193 Yards with a 7-iron             Dan Scardina with an eagle on 18.

UPDATE: Trevor Jay-DQ.                                                                           Tee-k-Kelly WD after 9 holes. (Illness)                                                       Hans Larson WD after 4 holes.Last tee time is 2:30 come on out. Admission & Parking are free.

(Glenview)

Round one of the 65th Illinois Open is in the books, and it looks a lot like the leaderboard in the final round of last years open.

Charging late was Michael Davan who had a chance to win last year until a double bogey on the last hole, cost him both the win and a chance to win in a playoff. Today his 6 under par have him another chance with 36 holes to play.

“This tournament has been on calendar the whole year,” said Davan. “It affected me more than I though it would, it’s fuel for me.”

Davan says he has a better game plan for this year, so far it seems to be working.

University of Illinois Golfer Alex Burge is in second place at 5 under par after a 67. Burge called his round “boring golf.” but admitted that’s how coach Mike Small coaches the Illini to play. Burge was 10 up after round one on Coach Small the four-time Illinois Open Champion. Burge made some early putts and just kept coasting along.

Three players are two shots back, including Michael Schachner, who had a chance to win a few years back until he hit a wrong ball in the final round while the championship was played at Hawthorn Woods CC.

Two veteran IPGA senior players Billy Rosina and Jim Sobb are in a group at two under par 70, and tied for 10th.

Right behind them is the defending champion Joe Kinney who said, he didn’t hit it very well. But Kinney was happy to “keep the ball in play” and not get any penalties. Kinney feels he is still in position to win the championship again.

Steve Orrick hit the shot of the day. A 7-iron from 193 yards for a hole-in-one on the par 3, 17th hole. It was a great way to bounce back from the double bogey he took on 16. Orrick was at +1, 73.

Some other scores of note.                                                                         Past Champions: Eric Meierdierks 72 Even, Max Scodro 72 Even, Past IPGA Major champions Travis Johns, Matt Slowinski were at even par with 72’s.

State Amateur champion Raymond Knoll 74 +2. IPGA Match Play Champion Curtis Malm 79 +7.

Tee-K Kelly was taken by ambulance to a local hospital after feeling ill after 9 holes, but returned to the course a few hours later feeling better. He had some heart palpitations in the morning but decided to play, but got dizzy by his 9th hole (the 18th) where he fanned on one shot. He asked for paramedics to be called, who came to the course and recommended he be taken to a hospital for observation. Kelly was the 2013 Illinois State Amateur champion.

Round 2 tee’s off at 7;30 AM, it’s cut down day. Top 50 and ties will play on Wednesday.

Visit Startechglass.com Celebrating 25 years as a Chicago leader in the Commercial Glass Industry

BY: RORY SPEARS 

A WELL DONE RORY MCILROY, you earned it. Stellar play over four straight days, wire-to-wire winner and third major by 25. Hoylake saw some incredible golf this past week, and in the end golf received a stellar “Champion Golfer of the Year.”

The conversation still won’t end on how golf needs Tiger to win again, what golf needed was Rory to get back on track and win that third major and become the dominant figure we saw at Congressional and at Kiawah.

It was a confident McIlroy we saw hold it together while Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler were taking turns charging on the weekend. Like he said in the press conference,” I knew I was playing good.” Yes he was, in spite of a hick up or so during holes 5-6-7. But the kid bounced back and showed us the love life issues, the management team issues and the equipment changes issues were behind him. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if we now see a McIlroy that’s ready to spread his wings and really fly now. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he wins at Valhalla, and gets the career Grand Slam in Augusta next year. The sky is the limit for McIlroy and the TV networks have a star they can really focus on.

I’m sure the Euro’s are much more fired up about their Ryder Cup squad now with both McIlroy and Garcia playing well. Team USA Captain Tom Watson heard the cheers coming up 18 on Sunday after a 4 under par 68 at age 64. Not bad Tum ! He won’t get cheers like that in three months.

It’s been said that Watson will have a tough job deciding what to do about Tiger Woods, and whether Woods should be on the Ryder Cup Team for Team USA. After Woods went backward again and finished 69th this past weekend, those questions are not so hard to answer. Unless Woods wins at Valhalla next month, he doesn’t even enter the conversation. Did he play himself off the team this past week, no he didn’t. Woods was never on it in the first place. Last six Ryder Cups, Team USA with Woods 0-5, without Woods 1-0. Some numbers don’t lie, and these don’t either.

A few other numbers that don’t lie. Woods in majors. Last nine Masters 0-9. Last six U.S. Open’s 0-6, Last eight British Open’s 0-8, last six PGA’s 0-6 and that might be 0-7 real soon. As Golfweek Magazine wrote a couple of days ago, Woods use to own the majors, now they own him.

The Golf Channel finally conceded that we have entered, “the era of Rory.” That being said, lets see if the social media sites start to get it and realize that World #2 is likely here to stay this time. Maybe, just maybe, the Golf Channel now gets the big picture.

 Play or practice for just $20 all day this summer at Links and Tee’s on Lake Avenue in Addison, and Foot-Golf is coming this August. See Addisonparks.org. or call (630)-233-7275 for more details.

I have been to over 400 golf courses around America and on Saturday I found another special piece of land that’s a true classic. Lawsonia in Green Lake Wisconsin is that place. Lawsonia Golf has 36 holes and I wish it had a few more. I played the famed Links Course, but from what I saw of the Woodlands Course another visit is needed.

The golf is great, the new Langford Pub in the clubhouse is the perfect place to some good food and drink. As time goes on their will be more pictures and memorabilia for golfers to review. I know we hear about the courses at Kohler, Erin Hills, and a few others in Wisconsin. But golfers really need to take note of Lawsonia, it is old classic golf on a course that opened in 1930 that anyone can play. Oliphant Golf is now operating the golf courses, and they will continue to improve the final product.

I played in the Inaugural Langford Shield outing yesterday and it seems like a great time was had by all. Golfers mark your calendars for next year and put this day on your schedule. What I found is that many of the members of Chicago’s top private clubs, know about Lawsonia and what a special place it is. Now it’s time for you and your foursome to learn more about Lawsonia. I took Big 3 Partner Len Ziehm along to be my partner in the tournament, we finished in the middle of the pack but had a great time. Visit Lawsonia and you will too. See Lawsonia.com stay on the grounds as part of your overnight package.

Craig Haltom VP of Oliphant Golf joined us on Golfers on Golf Radio yesterday, pull up the interview to hear more about Lawsonia, and Haltom’s new find in Wisconsin. It’s called Sand Valley, and Mike Keiser is turning it into something special.

The 65th Illinois Open Tee’s off today at the Glen Club. Defending Champion Joe Kinney is back to defend his title. Updates here and at IPGA.com

The Illinois Open tee’s off today at the Glen Club in Glenview. This might be the last year at the Glen Club or the facility might be sharing the championship with another course in 2015 as the IPGA looks to expand the field to more players.

What the IPGA needs is a 36 hole facility or a two courses in close proximity for the new plan to be effective. Let’s hope they get it.

Joe Kinney is back to defend his title from 2013, and several other past champions including Mike Small looking for his fifth title are in the field. Come out and see the state championship, the final 18 holes are Thursday and wrapping up about 2 pm.

Wilmette Golf Club on Lake Avenue in Wilmette has reopened and the golfers and the tax payers are enjoying the new product. A recent rain storm that would have had the course shut for a day or two, didn’t have much effect on the new product. This past Friday and the weekend the tee sheet on this architect Greg Martin renovation was full from sun up to sun down. Wilmettegolf.com for more information.

This week the International Crown tee’s off at Caves Valley Country Club outside of Baltimore. The new LPGA event and how it plays out should be interesting. I am traveling there to report on and observe the event. When the week is over, I should be able to tell Chicago golf fans what to expect in 2016, when the event comes to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove for the first time. It is expected to return in 2018, and after that we will see.

Stay clicked in here for details on the Crown, expected to become Chicago’s new LPGA event going forward. Among the features I will have here and can only be found here, will be the Rich report. I plan to be speaking with Jerry Rich owner of Rich Harvest Farms and getting his insights on the first International Crown, and bringing the views of the man who helped create the event on to this site. Stay clicked in.

Congrats to Doug Ghim of Arlington Hts. on a runner up finish in the USGA Publinks Championship. Ghim lost on the 37th hole of a 36th hole championship match. Keep going Doug, that trip to Augusta will come for you someday.

The summer is moving forward, so should you to the golf course. Go Play. I’ll be in touch from Baltimore. RS

SEE STARTECHGLASS.COM Showroom at 1835 N. Major in Chicago. Call (773)-745-0800. Celebrating 25 years of being a Chicago Industry leader in Commercial Glass.   

THE 65TH ILLINOIS OPEN AT THE GLEN CLUB. DEFENDING CHAMPION JOE KINNEY IS BACK TO DEFEND HIS TITLE AND TEE’S OFF AT 1:20 IN ROUND ONE. KEEP IT HERE, OR VISIT IPGA.COM FOR RESULTS.

Defending Champion Joe Kinney heads up a stellar field as he defends his title at the 65th Illinois Open at the Glen Club. Kinney won the 2013 championship in a three hole playoff.

It’s now been seven years since a Illinois Open champion has successfully defended his title. With Mike Small being the last to do it.

“The 2013 Illinois Open was my greatest achievement in golf to date,” said Kinney. “I am honored to have the chance to come back and play as the defending champion. I couldn’t be more excited to return to the Glen Club and compete for the title again. It is sure to be another fantastic week and top-tier championship.”

For Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small, it’s yet another chance to get into the record books. Should Small win the title this year, he will tie Gary Pinns record for five Illinois Open titles.

The Glen Club this year will surpass the record of hosted Illinois Open Championships by hosting it’s ninth. The previous record was eight by the Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles.

“This year’s Illinois Open boasts one of the strongest fields in the history of the Championship,” said Illinois PGA executive director Michael Miller. “Led by former nine champions and a record number of amateurs making the final championship field, we are confident The Glen Club will present an excellent test of golf for the top amateurs and professionals in the state of Illinois.”

Besides Kinney and Small,other past champions in the field include Joe Emerich, Curtis Malm, Eric Meierdierks, Brian Payne, Max Scodro, Marty Schiene, Rick Ten Broeck. The field of 156 players includes a record 81 amateurs. After 36 holes the field will be cut to the low 50 scorers and ties. The championship is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside in the state of Illinois.

For the first time in the championship, a father and two sons will all play in the championship. Doug Bauman the head professional of Biltmore Country Club in Barrington, will be joined by sons both amateurs Greg and Riley.

Qualifiers are conducted in the month of June to determine the final 156 player field. Sponsors of the championship this year include Athletic Co, Kemper Sports and Wilson Staff.

Some tee times of note. (First tee time is at 7:30 Am last time is at 2:30 Pm).

Mike Small at 1:20 off of 10 with Max Scodro and Kinney. Curtis Malm at 1:00 off 10, Eric Meierdierks at 12:50 on 10. Travis Johns off of 10 at 1:40, Matt Slowinski at 2:00 off of 10, Michael Schachner at 2:30. New Illinois State Amateur Champion Raymond Knoll 12:30 off of 10.

The public is welcome and admission is free. The final round on Wednesday will conclude about 2:00 PM. Come join in the fun.

STARTECHGLASS.COM OWNER THOMAS STARTEK THE AVID GOLFERS INVITES YOU TO HIS SHOWROOM AT 1835 N. MAJOR IN CHICAGO. CALL (773)-745-0800. CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS A CHICAGO AREA LEADER IN COMMERCIAL GLASS.

SEE LAWSONIA.COM 36 holes, stay and play packages. The Famed Links Course is ready to test your game. Now under the management of Oliphant Golf.

BY: RORY SPEARS LEAD WRITER & ASSISTANT EDITOR.

Golfers on Golf Radio is, standing L-R Mike Munro & Ed Stevenson. Seated Rory Spears and Bill Berger.

SUNDAY morning at 9 Am Golfers on Golf Radio returns to the airwaves. Today we feel we have a great show lined up for you.

Craig Haltom Sr. Vice President of Oliphant Golf and the person who found America’s next great golf destination, Sand Valley in Wisconsin. Is first on the tee.

Rich Harvest Farms Owner Jerry Rich, speaks about the first International Crown to be played this week at Caves Valley CC outside of Baltimore. The Crown will be played at RHF in 2016.

ILLINOIS PGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  Michael Miller to talk about the 2014 Illinois Open that tee’s off at the Glen Club tomorrow. Joe Kinney is defending champion and he will return and defend his title.

IF YOU MISS US LIVE, you do get a mulligan. Click back here on the site to catch a rebroadcast of the show. The show gets reposted here later on Sunday or Monday. That mulligan comes your way when your out on the course, the range or getting a golf lesson.

Join us on the first tee at 9 AM on WSBC Am 1240 & WCFJ Am 1470, Chicago’s longest running golf show. Golfers on Golf check us out.

The British Open will be on going as we air the show, we will have live updates about the final round. Rory McIlroy has it on cruise control and should win the championship, he has a six shot lead. No he is not Greg Norman at the Masters.

CONGRATS TO Doug Ghim of Buffalo Grove. The University of Texas bound Freshman, fought hard but lost in the championship match of the USGA Publinks. Ghim lost the final Publinks championship on the 37th hole of the match. Along the way Ghim defeated defending Publinks Champion and Western Amateur Champion Jordan Niebrugge.

See you at 9 AM on the tee. RS

See Startechglass.com A leader in the Chicago Commercial Glass market for 25 Years

Lawsonia Golf Green Lake Wisconsin, tomorrow the Inaugural Langford Shield Golf Outing. See Lawsoniagolf.com. Check out the stay and play packages.

BY: RORY SPEARS

He is only 18 years old, but that didn’t stop Raymond Knoll from winning the 84th Illinois State Amateur. Knoll defeated Illinois bound Nick Hardy on the 4th playoff hole, when he recorded a par and Hardy had to take a drop after hitting in the hazzard. Both golfers finished the 54 hole event at 8 under par and a score of 280.

“It was great coming here to Cantigny and win this week,” said Knoll. “It’s where I grew up and where I practice. I feel really comfortable here.”

Knoll had a long day on Monday, with a qualifier for the U.S. Amateur, then he opened with a 3 over par 75 in round one on Tuesday. He made seven birdies in round two including five in a row, to shoot 67 and get back into the championship. Round three saw Knoll record eight more birdies and a second 67. Knoll shot a one under par 71 in the final round.

Last week Knoll, who is a sophomore on the University of Iowa golf team went out and Monday qualified for the John Deere Classic.Knoll played well but missed the cut. Knoll had to survive the three hole aggregate playoff to make it to the fourth hole, hardy had a couple of chances to win the championship.

Hardy struggled in with a 75 in round two, but came on strong with rounds of 66-69 on Thursday.

Auburn University Senior Daniel Stringfellow took third place, two shots out of the playoff. Stringfellow extended his streak of top 20 finishes in the state amateur to 7 straight years. A second round triple bogey may have kept him from winning the championship.

Chadd Slutzky who lead after rounds 1 & 2, shot 71 and 75 in the final two rounds to finish fourth. Defending Champion Tee-K Kelly finished T-13.

Knoll heads right back into competition next week at the Glen Club when he tee’s it up in the Illinois Open. The following week he will play in the Western Amateur at Beverly. Hardy will join Knoll in the Western Amateur field, after earning an exemption from finishing in second place in the Western Junior Championship.

The low 20 players plus ties, 22 golfers in all. Earned their way into the 2015 Illinois State Amateur Championship, to be held July 14-16 at the Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield. Visit CDGA.org for more information on the state amateur or upcoming CDGA events.

Visit Startechglass.com for your commercial glass needs, showroom located at 1835 N. Major St. Chicago. (773)-745-0800 Celebrating 25 years in 2014.

LINKS & TEE’S LAKE AVENUE IN ADDISON. CHICAGO’S BEST PLAY AND PRACTICE DEAL, $20 FOR THE DAY. USE THE RANGE, PLAY THE SHORT COURSE. (630)-233-7275 SEE ADDISONPARKS.ORG. ***FOOTGOLF IS COMING IN AUGUST.

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears.

Chadd Slutzky holds a two shot lead after 36 holes on the 84th Illinois State Amateur Championship at Cantigny Golf. Slutzky shot a 1 over par 73, that saw his lead over the field shrink from 4 shots to 2 shots after 36 holes. His round was 17 pars and a single bogey.

“Competing against the younger guys and leading after two rounds is pretty incredible,” said the 37 year old Slutzky. “Today was a different day. I wasn’t hitting it quite as close as yesterday and nothing seemed to fall. I made a couple of good par putts to keep my momentum going.”

In second place is 19 year old Kyle Kochevar who shot a 2 under par 70 after opening with a 71. Kochevar who plays for the University of Virginia golf team, is playing in his first state amateur championship.

“It was a steady round,” said Kochevar. “It wasn’t flashy, I hit greens or got up and down when I didn’t.”

Naperville’s Raymond Knoll carded seven birdies including five in a row to move into third place, after shooting a 67. Knoll said his experience of playing in last weeks John Deere Classic has helped him this week.

Today will see the remaining 39 players who survived the cut begin round 3 at 7 AM, the final rounds with leaders Slutzky and Kochevar will have them teeing off at 8:30 and 1 PM. Come see the final day of the championship. Admission is free.

See Startechglass.com and solve your commercial glass needs, owner and avid golfer Thomas Startek invites everyone to visit his showroom at 1835 N. Major in Chicago. Call (773)-745-0800, celebrating 25 years in the commercial glass market in the Chicago area.

Written by Rory Spears, Lead Writer and Assistant Editor.

New golf destinations around the Midwest keep popping up. While Spirit Hollow Golf Club in Burlington Iowa isn’t really new. It’s now making a push to Chicagoan’s to come on down and stay and play golf.

The golf course is designed by one of Chicago’s very own architects the Libertyville based Rick Jacobson, back in 2000.

The Par 5, 10th hole at Spirit Hollow from the elevated tee box, golfers can see three holes.

Spirit Hollow isn’t like many of the other Iowa golf courses that are flat. Spirit Hollow has many of it’s holes running in and out of valley that gives the golf course some great elevation change.

The first hole appears to be just a straight out hole, that is until you come to approach shot and you find a downhill second shot into a green. During some parts of the golf course, golfers not from the area will find it hard to believe that they are in Iowa. Out of town golfers will see the farms fields that lead up to the property, and suspect the golf course is just flat. But once you start seeing the holes, you will think differently.

The second shot on the par 4, 1st hole (left) and the second shot from an elevated fairway on the 9th hole. While there are a few holes on the front nine where golfers do see a few homes that are set back from the golf course, most of holes do not have houses on them. Some of the back nine holes have homes way up on top of the ridge with the golf holes running well down below them in the valley.

Golfers will enjoy holes like the par 5 18th hole, that requires two crossing’s of a creek that runs through the ravine. It’s well used and Jacobson’s early days of working with Jack Nicklaus design shine here. Nicklaus is among the best in using creeks in strategic ways, and giving the golf hole a great risk-reward factor.

The par 5, 18th hole (left) is a solid finishing hole. While the par 3, 15th hole (right) is the last par 3 on the golf course and it requires a solid tee shot to carry the water. The par 5’s are the core holes of the golf course, but golfers will enjoy the par 3’s and 4’s.

While Spirit Hollow has some great great Stay & Play deals with the nearby Pzazz resort and Casino, that includes a spa and the Catfish Bend Inn. The stay and play options will soon change at Spirit Hollow.

Spirit Hollow is building in the clubhouse, eight over night rooms that each sleep two people. There will be a private dining area and social area around the fire place for over night guests. For meals you can order a private chef to make them for you or your group.

Eight overnight suites that sleep two each are being built, the club expects them to be completed in Mid to late August. All of the rooms will have views of the golf course, and privates decks or patio’s to enjoy with tables and fire pits. Sign up now and get your package before they start filling up for the fall dates.

Spirit Hollow has great full size practice facilities, and head professional Erin Strieck and the professional staff can tune up your game if it’s in need. So if your ready for a golf getaway, and want to try something a little different. Consider the Hawkeye state, and the new look Spirit Hollow in Burlington Iowa. It’s just 90 minutes south of the Quad Cities.

Visit spirithollowgolfcourse.com or call the course at (319)-752-0004.

Click here to hear Rory’s interview with Erin Strieck head professional at Spirit Hollow Golf Club.

Visit Startechglass.com or drop by the show room at 1835 N. Major, Chicago. Startech Glass an industry leader in commercial glass. (773)-745-0800 Celebrating 25 years.

VISIT LAWSONIA IN GREEN LAKE WISCONSIN. HOME OF 36 HOLES AND THE FAMED WILLIAM LANGFORD LINKS COURSE. LAWSONIA NOW BEING OPERATED BY OLIPHANT GOLF. SIGN UP TODAY FOR THIS SATURDAY’S INAUGURAL LANGFORD SHIELD GOLF OUTING. 18 HOLES, DIFFERENT FORMATS EVERY SIX HOLES, PRIME RIB DINNER AND MORE. CALL THE PRO SHOP AT (920)-294-3320 OR VISIT LAWSONIA.COM.

CDGA.ORG                                       CANTIGNYGOLF.COM

The 66th Illinois State Amateur is off and running at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, cooler temperatures and swirling winds made first round conditions different than expected heading into the championship.

First round leader Chadd Slutzky shot a 6 under par 66, and holds a four shot lead headed into second round play. Today is cut down day at the championship. The 66 shot by Slutzky equaled the best round of golf at Cantigny in state amateur history. Cantigny has hosted the championship before. 126 players are in the championship run by the CDGA, that is celebrating it’s 100th Anniversary.

Cantginy Golf is celebrating it’s 25th year, and is now working with Kempersports management on mapping out the future of the property.

Sitting in second place after recording two under par 70’s are Matt Weber, Blake Johnson, and University of Illinois bound Nick Hardy. Kyle Kochevar heads up a group of players that are T-5 after carding 1 under par 71’s. University of Iowa player Raymond Knoll of Naperville, who played last week in the John Deere Classic after winning a spot in the Monday qualifier was 9 shots back after shooting 75. Round 2 is underway.

The Gog Blog returns later today. RORY SPEARS

Visit Startechglass.com an industry leader for commercial glass in the Chicago area.

LAWSONIA GOLF, IN GREEN LAKE WISCONSIN. VISIT LAWSONIA.COM, Sign up to play in this Saturday’s Langford Shield Golf Outing. 18 holes 2-Man teams, varied formats every six holes. Call the pro shop and sign up today. (920)-294-3320.

BY: RORY SPEARS, LEAD WRITER AND ASSISTANT EDITOR OF GOLFERS ON GOLF

(Burlington, Iowa)

The 2014 John Deere Classic is in the books, no Steve Stricker , Zach Johnson or even Jordan Spieth didn’t win. But they all played well enough that they could have won, they all needed just a few more putts to fall.

Brian Harman did win. He is the 20th player to make the PGA event in the Quad Cities win number #1. He is not the first lefty to win the tournament either. Sam Adams did that back in the 1970’s. What Harman is, is the 6th University of Georgia Bulldog to win on the PGA Tour this year. What he got besides the trophy and the check was a ride to the British Open this week at Hoylake. Where Justin Rose comes in as the favorite to win.

Harman isn’t a big guy. He’s only 5’7″ and about 155 pounds. But he hits it big and his win this week will not be his last. Harman is one of Johnson’s neighbor’s in Georgia, and has played a lot of golf with Zach. As a result, Johnson was quick to say that it was no surprise to see Harman win. Stricker on the other hand was proud to admit he was there to see Harman get win number one.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth played well on the weekend, and made his finish respectable. But win #2 for him will have to wait. JDC fans can’t wait for next year already, another Stricker, Johnson, Harman and Spieth battle will keep everyone entertained in 2015. Here is hoping the fans get just that.

 VS 

What the Illinois golf fans will get next year is two professional golf events going to head to head, and competing for golf fans and the public golf dollar. I for one don’t like it and think the golf fans of this state deserve better.

In Chicago the Encompass Championship has been pushed back to July to switch dates with the U.S. Sr. Open that will take the Encompass June dates. Encompass is being pushed right into John Deere week in July. Spare me the it’s different tours and the two events are about 3 hours apart bit. It’s bad enough the BMW Championship keeps leaving town every other year, now this conflict.

Mike Galeski and his team are doing a nice job of growing the Encompass Championship in Chicago. While Clair Peterson and his staff have turned the John Deere Classic into a winner of an event every year, regardless of the fact it’s the week before a major and regardless of what players show up or don’t.

Both tournaments deserve all the fans they can get. Hopefully next year the fans will take turns and go to both tournaments in the same week. Us media types will have some tough calls to make, unless the bosses just make them for us.

I wondered if with the U.S. Open being in Seattle next year, that a more logical stop for the players just in 2015, would be John Deere instead of Hartford the week after Chambers Bay. That the Travelers would be a great stop the week before the British, and an easy skip over to the open from Connecticut. Not a bad idea right !, you bet it is which is exactly why it won’t happen.

During Sunday’s round I spoke with Peterson and ran my two cents past him, while he understood my plan, he won’t be going to commissioner Tim Finchem anytime soon for a 1-year date change request.

Click below to hear JDC-Tournament Director Clair Peterson comments on changing the John Deere Classic tournament dates.

I can’t say I disagree with his point of view. But I still don’t like two professional tour events in Illinois in the same week. John Deere appeared to be setting attendance and income records every day this week. Birdies for Charity should do just fine also, as the JDC is a tour leader and award winner in the donations they make after the event to groups around the Quad Cities. Here’s hoping they do even better in 2015.

The Encompass Championship’s contract runs out after 2015, the Deere contract expires after 2016. I’m hoping the date change doesn’t cause either company to not renew the contract or move their championship. We will see.

At least in 2015 the BMW Championship is back at Conway Farms, and that will help the big picture next year.

The Gog Blog tee’s it up at the Rick Jacobson designed Spirit Hollow Golf Club today, you will hear more about the course later this week. Until then, Go Play, and stop by the state amateur championship at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton. RS