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The Gog Blog attended the annual PGA Merchandise this past January in Orlando Florida.

One of exhibitors was the famed sun glasses company from Hawaii, Maui Jim that burst on the scene years ago when they started bringing sun glasses to the first tournaments held at the Kapalua Resort.

The Gog Blog is written by Editor and Director of Content Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Visit MauiJim.Com

Do you wear sunglasses on the golf course? if you do, Maui Jim a leading name in sun glass eye wear has a some tips for you.

The statistics say the average golfer plays about once a week for a total of 46 rounds per year. That makes for quite a few hours you eyes are exposed to the sun. So if your looking for eye protection, or just want to reduce the glare while you play golf, checkout what Maui Jim brings to the table when you walk to the first tee box.

The Castaways by Maui Jim

What the sun can do to your eyes is increase the chances for you getting cataracts, age-related macular degeneration,or glaucoma that can impair your vision. In some cases these situations might possibly be irreversible.

It’s now believed that by the time you turn 60 years of age, your eyes have been exposed to as much UV light as what is created in a nuclear-blast. All types of Maui Jim sunglasses have been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin because they block 100 percent of UV rays on both sides of each lens.

The River Jetty from Maui Jim.

Maui Jim uses PolarizedPlus2 lens technology to not only cut glare, but uses three rare earth elements and other compounds in the lens to enhance colors, depth of field and definition in what you see.

What this gives you the golfer, is the ability to detect undulations in the fairway and on the greens. It should also help you judge distance better. Maui Jim’s new MauiPure lenses are the world’s clearest non-glass lens, they are lightweight, scratch and impact-resistant and available in several styles which are good for a long round of golf.

Red Sands by Maui Jim

If you are a frequent golfer, you might wish to have sunglasses for various levels of sunshine. This could require you having as many as two or three pairs of sunglasses.

Maui Jim does create some pairs of glasses that have lens styles that wont require you change glasses even when the amount of sun exposure does change. Maui Jim does make prescription sunglasses as well.

The new PolarizedPlus2 technology enhances your view in all types of sunlight conditions, lens colors include Neutral Grey, Maui Rose, HCL Bronze, and Maui HT.

So if you are looking for your next pair shades, for on or off the golf course, visit MauiJim.com, or call on Mainland USA (888)-628-4546.

         THE BEST DEAL IN DUPAGE, open today from 8 AM until 10 PM. Outdoor golf season has arrived, get that spring tune up lesson from the professional staff so your game is ready to go. Links & Tee’s Golf Facility, indoor and outdoor golf. 880 West Lake Avenue in Addison, call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4.

BY: RORY SPEARS, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

The Glen Club, home of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The first cut has been made and the field has been narrowed. No we are not talking about the grass at Augusta National.

While masters week is about to be upon us, it’s another Hall of Fame so to speak that is making news.

The Illinois Golf Hall of Fame that is located at the Glen Club in Glenview, will soon be welcoming more members into the hall this year. There was 25 nominee’s in the field to make the Class of 2015, but after the first round of voting that number is now down to just 10 finalists.

The remaining nominee’s include the following gentleman.

H.Chandler Egan, Emil Esposito, Gary Hallberg, Phil Kosin, William Langford, Leon McNair, Francis Peabody, Harry Radix, Jerry Rich, and Jim Sobb.

“This is a marvelous group of candidates covering both the scope of the game and the evolution of it in the state,” said Tim Cronin, hall of fame committee chairman. “We have great players, a renowned architect, and boosters of the game through their words and deeds. The committee will have a difficult job on selection night.”

Based on how the voting process works at the final time of selection, as few as three candidates or as many as seven could be inducted in the Class of 2015.

   Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich (L), and long time club professional and state champion Emil Esposito (R) are two of the 10 remaining finalists.

The current class will join the other 79 members of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame on selection night, which is May 13th. The 18 members of the selection committee will hear final presentations for the finalists. The committee will be allowed to ask questions of the presenters before casting their final ballot. Committee members can vote for up to five candidates.

Following the vote, the numbers will be counted and the new members of the hall will be notified, and the results will be announced.

The selection committee is comprised of representatives of the WGA, IPGA, CDGA, IJGA, Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, Hall of Fame veterans, local media, and at-large appointments.

The Hall of Fame is located in the main hallways of the Glen Club, and is open to the public and free of charge to visit. The Gog Blog will have the results as soon as they are made public on the night of voting, May 13th.

      The Best Deal in DuPage. Links & Tee’s Golf Dome. The outdoor range and golf course of Links & Tee’s will be open soon. 880 West Lake Street, in Addison. (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4, or visit online Addisonparks.org.

BY: Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin & Twitter @GogBlogGuy

    Cog Hill in Lemont is ready for the 2015 Golf Season, Courses 1 & 2 & 3 are open and Dubsdread, Course No.4 is just 8 days away. Call (866)-Cog-Hill for details.

The par 3, 6th hole on Cog Hill Course No.4, Dubsdread.

The 2015 outdoor season is here, you can register scores now to your handicap and more. Clubs are posting sign up’s for their first events of the year. Cog Hill in Lemont is no different.

The Chicago area’s flagship property for public golf, is getting ready for another season. Courses 1-2 and 3 are already open. Course No.4 opens on April 11th.

Cog Hill does head into the year with a few changes. David Impastato joins Cog Hill as the new Director of Golf, no Jeff Rimschneider is not gone. He moves into the Big Red Barn alongside of Kevin Weeks, in a teaching professional role. Garrett Chaussard has moved onto Chicago Highlands. Randy Heinrich is the manager of the Learning Center, with Jim Hartnett heading up the club fitting department.

Dubsdread might not be currently hosting a PGA Tour event, but it has been ranked as No. 34 on Golf Magazine’s Best Courses You Can Play List. It is 53rd on Golf Digests list of America’s Greatest 100 Courses, and No.1 in the state of Illinois of Golfweek Magazines Best in State list.

What’s behind the Big Red Barn, that practice short-game area.

The Range at Cog Hill has received a Top 50 Award from GRAA Magazine.

2015 will see an expansion of Cog Hill’s Golf Development programs for both adults and kids. The Cog Hill PGA Jr. League (ages 7-13), and Cog Hill Junior Tour (ages 13-180 are growing in size.

The increasingly popular family Golf Night will beheld again on Saturday and Sunday nights after 6 PM from May through September. Cog Hill’s staff is working with various golf organizations in an attempt to bring a major golf tournament back to Cog Hill. Stay tuned right here for any announcement in that area.

COG HILL UPCOMING EVENT’S.

This Sunday the Easter Brunch will be held from 10 Am to 3 Pm.                                     The spring golf apparel sale is ongoing in the 2-4 building, 2014                                   golf wear is on sale, as the new 2015 apparel lines are arriving.                                       Cog Hill’s 2015 Demo Day is coming up on April 25th.                                                     The Dubsdread Spring Classic is coming soon, sign up now.                                             Dubsdread Aerification schedule is April 6-10 (Before the course                                       opens for 2015.                                                                                                                 Aerifying on course No.2 is April 13-15 and April 20-24 on Courses 1 & 3.

For more information on Cog Hill call (630)-257-5872 or (866)-Cog-Hill. Visit Coghillgolf.com on line for more details and 2015 rates.

  INSIDE AND OUTSIDE two great places to go for golf. On the left the best deal in DuPage County, the Links & Tee’s Golf Dome, 880 West Lake Avenue. Be ready for the outdoor golf season, with a spring tune up lesson. It’s not too late. Call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4. On the right it’s a beautiful day in Pinehurst, at the historic Carolina Hotel. Pinehurst now with 9 Courses, and more new features on the way. See Pinehurst.com.

  Putter Boy is inside and outside at Pinehurst. But while somethings don’t change at historic Pinehurst, there are new things already on site, or coming soon.

The dining room in the Carolina Hotel.

It’s done. The dinning room that was undergoing a renovation when I visited in 2014, is now complete in 2015.

The main dining room in the Carolina Hotel is the home of the “Best Breakfast in Golf.” The is shortage of delicacies to pick from, and then you can enjoy your meal while relaxing to the piano music in the background.

But redoing the dining room is not the only improvement that has happened at Pinehurst. Last summer after the conclusion of both U.S. Open’s the resort had the greens on the famed Donald Ross designed No.2 course regrassed. Once No.2 reopened in the fall, it was hard to get a tee-time.

   The first green on Pinehurst No.2 (L), with the Par 3 ninth hole (R). While nothing is official, there is talk that the U.S. Amateur Championship could return to Pinehurst in 2019.

  While the home of Donald Ross sits intact over by the third hole, the clubhouse behind the 18th green where the late Payne Stewart made his historic putt has a new look to it.

The members clubhouse has been changed inside and out. While Pinehurst continues to make the membership plan better for those who join, the clubhouse with the addition of “Payne’s Pub” has taken on a new look. Outside, gone is the low hanging green awning. Now the tall white pillars that were on the other side of the club, completely encircle the building. Which makes the back porch a great place for members to hang out while watching the first tee and the 18th green.

    Just to the left of the clubhouse is the construction of the new state of the art Pinehurst pools, for kids and adults. The fun will be unlimited. In the backside of the clubhouse building, the area that had been used to sell U.S. Open merchandise will now become “Duce’s.”

The former overflow area for merchandise, will be come a state-of-the-art sports bar and grill with a view directly behind the 18th green. Need a pre or post round burger or cold one, Duce’s will be for you.

The news is good on the new Pinehurst No.9 course designed by Jack Nicklaus, formerly known as Pinehurst National. From tee to green the conditioning is better and golfers are enjoying it.

It was nice to stand by Payne, without snow up to my ankles.

Behind the Pinehurst No.2 course sits the famed Payne Stewart statue. You too can go over and do the “Payne Pose”, it’s a photo op just waiting to happen.

Pinehurst is known for it’s history, and that history is being preserved. But under the direction and vision of new resort president Tom Pashley, the resort is moving forward and it’s keeping up with the times as they continue to change.

If you or your group of golfers is ready for a destination trip to the home of American Golf, try Pinehurst North Carolina. Visit Pinehurst.com for more information.

    The Award Winning Links & Tee’s Golf Facility at 880 West Lake Avenue in Addison, the Best Deal in DuPage. Call (630)-233-7275 Ext. 4. Get that spring tune up lesson today. Open from 8 AM to 10 PM, rates drop at 7 PM. Addisonparks.org.

  Palmetto Dunes Resort-By Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content-Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter@GogBlogGuy.

The Par 5, 10th hole on the Robert Trent Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes.

Hilton Head Island in South Carolina is one of those places you just have to visit if you love golf. It’s golf and more at the pace you want to play at.

It’s been said that the week after the Masters is a wind down week for the pro’s. Kind of a sleepy week, restful and enjoyable at the same time. If your ready to have fun in a place that will allow you to relax and enjoy at the same time, Hilton Head is for you. The island has more than just a famous lighthouse and a well known Pete Dye Golf course that Jack Nicklaus helped out on, as he cut his teeth in the golf architecture world.

There is plenty of food to try, comfortable places to stay, activities to do and plenty of golf. Which is always a good thing.

The Par 3, 5th hole on the Jones Course.

When it comes to golf, one of the best places to find plenty of it on Hilton Head is the Palmetto Dunes Resort.

There is three courses all done by famous designers who include, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Arthur Hills and George Fazio, who in some cases is known as Tom’s Uncle.

The Jones Course is the best known, it is also the only course that has a couple of ocean view holes on it. The most famous hole being the Par 5th hole, where the green is surrounded by sand, palm trees and water.

Green view of the Par 5, 10th hole on the Robert Trent Jones Course.

The new white sand has added a sparkle to the course that golfers can enjoy while listening to the surf in the background.

Another choice is the Hills Course named after Arthur Hills. While the Hills course is not as long as the Jones Course, and it plays a little tighter, the course is fun while offering the golfer a good amount challenges.

The Par 3, 3rd hole on the Hills Course.

After two opening strategic par 4 holes, the Hills Course gives the golfer it’s first par 3 hole to play.

The hole isn’t real long but brings water seriously into play on some pin placements. But there is plenty of bailout for golfers who need it.

Overall the Hills Course has a very good set of par 3’s that golfers can enjoy. Some bring water into play, others like the par 3, 11th hole a shot par 3 do not, but have a fair share of sand for a poorly struck tee shot to encounter.

The Par 3, 11th hole on the Hills Course.

The Fazio Course in someways like the Hills Course is challenging and has it’s share of fun holes.It’s obvious that Tom Fazio learned a thing or two about golf course design from Uncle George.

The back tee’s play 6,873 yards, which is 200+ yards longer than the Hills Course, and the par is 70 and the only Par 70 course on the island. The Jones Course is over 7,000 yards.

The Palmetto Dunes Villa’s are cozy and many have views of holes on the golf courses.

Palmetto Dunes has one of the best one-stop options for food, found at any resort.

Big Jim’s BBQ, Pizza, and Burgers Restaurant. How good is that. One can cover great BBQ, good pizza and burgers all under one roof. In three nights there are three different directions you can go on food selection and you can’t beat that.

Being on the ocean their is plenty water activities to do. Go swimming, diving, fishing, or enjoy time on the beach. A great way to relax after golf is done for the day. The Villa’s are roomy and provide a great outlet for some peace and quiet if that’s what your looking for.

The next time your thinking South Carolina, why not think Hilton Head Island. While you do have options on the Island, one of the best is the Palmetto Dunes Resort. Why not give them a try.

For more information, visit PalmettoDunes.com or call (800)-827-3006. The Savannah Airport is just 47 miles and under one hour away from the resort.