The clock is ticking, the final days of Oak Meadows are happening this week. Public play for this historic course ends on July 6th, so book your tee time now for the holiday weekend, visit Dupagegolf.com. Defending Champion Tom Lehman heads up a stellar field at the Encompass Championship the week of July 7-12 at the North Shore Country Club. Newly crowned U.S. Sr. Open Champion Jeff Maggert is in the field. For tickets and more information see Encompasschampionship.com. Mt. Prospect professional Brett Barcel stands on the Biarritz Style Par 3, 16th hole. Mt. Prospect is expected to reopen on August 1st. Stay clicked in here for details on opening day.                              _____________________________________________________________________

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

The 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay is in the books, and Jordan Spieth has two majors in a row. Can he make it three at the Open Championship at St. Andrews, after he takes care of business at the John Deere Classic, we will see.

But as the 2015 U.S. Open is behind us, the 2016 U.S. Open is on the clock, and that’s the folks at the Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh. With Oakmont getting ready to return to the spotlight, brand new U.S. Open site Erin Hills has now realized they are in the on-deck circle. It seemed like such a long time ago that Erin Hills was getting into it’s U.S. Amateur preparation, and that championship has passed and the bigger prize starts to come into focus.

This past week Erin Hills had what’s called a Two-Year Out media event that included the latest information on what the course is doing to be ready for the championship. One of the first things that was noticed was a replica U.S. Open Trophy standing by the replica U.S. Amateur Trophy in the pro shop. The pro shop is now loaded up with 2017 U.S. Open shirts, caps, towels and a few other items.

The course changes are done, they included a some new tee boxes to give USGA Executive Director Mike Davis who sets up the U.S. Open a little more flexibility. Tree removal seems to be complete. While Erin Hills has eight-times the amount of trees that Chambers Bay has, and that means 8 trees since Chambers Bay has 1. There isn’t much chain-sawing left for course superintendent Zach Reineking and his staff to do.

Rich Tock the club’s former GM who has taken on more of a marketing role in recent years, says that Erin Hills will add yet another cottage this fall. Demand for Erin Hills cottages continues to be very high, and they are already sold out for many peak demand nights this year.

Click here to hear an interview with Zach Reineking Erin Hills Superintendent, about Erin Hills and his week work the grounds at Chambers Bay.

As part of the event, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker spoke to the media about the business side of a U.S. Open in Wisconsin.

For more information on Erin Hills please visit Erinhills.com or call (866)-772-4769 for details on playing a U.S. Open Course you can play.

 One week left to go play Oak Meadows before the renovation starts on July 8th, open play all 4th of July weekend and through the 6th of July. Dupagegolf.com for details on the final days of Oak Meadows. The Encompass Championship tee’s off the week of July 7th through the 12th, defending champion Tom Lehman is in the field. For more information and tickets see Encompasscahmpionship.com. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st. Stay clicked in here for details on opening day.       ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin & Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With USGA Executive Director Mike Davis (L) and USGA President Tom O’Toole Jr. (R).

It’s always nice when summer arrives and it’s open season for golf.

The last two weeks the USGA has conducted two of it’s three “Open” Championships with the Women’s Open coming up in two weeks from Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster Pa., it’s nice to be in the middle of open season, or in my case (picture left) the men who run them.

It appears by all accounts that the USGA just pulled off a great U.S. Senior Open, and that Fox Sports is learning on the fly about covering golf. It seems several things got quickly changed after media critics had their say, and so did the golfing fans on social media sites. Several things were done much better this week. I’m not so sure the USGA needs to continue running back to back opens, by week’s end of the first open most people need a break. Including those of us watching at home. But congrats to Jeff Maggert on winning the 36th U.S. Sr. Open, Maggert has won two senior majors this year after coming up just short several times on the younger circuit.

THE JULY ISSUE OF CHICAGOLAND GOLF is out and in the pro shops and golf retail stores around town. I’m thrilled to make the cover with my story on the two park district courses reopening from renovation, Glenview and Mt. Prospect. Glenview will open in July and the date is still TBD, but it sounds like Mid-month at the earliest. Mt. Prospect is expected to open on August 1st, stay clicked in here for details on opening day.

OAK MEADOWS is down to it’s last 8 days of public play, before it closes until 2017 for a Greg Martin renovation. The historic course where Ben Hogan once won will see many changes, but keep a share of it’s great history. Go play Oak Meadows one more time while you still can.

THE ILLINOIS PGA has several members playing at the Philadelphia Cricket Club this week in the PPNC, or club professional national championship. Curtis Malm the last man out of the PGA Championship in 2014, leads the Illinois contingent in 35th place after day 1 with a +1 score of 73. Jim Sobb is a shot back, while Mike Small, Jim Billiter and Matt Slowinski are 3 back, but north of the cut line.

VOLUNTEERS are needed at the Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms coming up in early August, see Wgaesf.com to volunteer. They are also needed at the U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields Country Club the third week of August, 2015usamateur.com for more information.

I NOTICED the work is underway at Arlington Lakes as I drove by last week, the renovation by Mike Benkusky is starting to move forward. Course reopening should be in July of 2016.

CONGRATS to my radio partner Mike Munro on being named the New Director of the Illinois PGA Foundation, Munro says he has a few new programs he would like to introduce to the foundation and see if they can benefit golf in the area. Good Luck Mike.

THE IPGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR job has been filled according to sources, the name will be a familiar one when it’s announced. Stay tuned,more details coming shortly.

THE KPMG LPGA CHAMPIONSHIP, could be coming to town in about 4 years. Word is that 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship host club Olympia Fields could be the host if they wish to do so. The club will probably not take a vote until after the amateur is in the books and the USGA has left town.

This week provides a break before the tournaments come to Illinois next week, so I’m off to go play. You should too. RS

   Open Play at Oak Meadows comes to an end on July 6th, renovation work on the 8th with architect Greg Martin on the 8th of July. For a final round or two at Oak Meadows, see DuPageGolf.com. The Encompass Championship returns for a third season at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview the week of July 7-12, with defending champion Tom Lehman in the field. Encompasschampionship.com for tickets or more information. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club will reopen on August 1st, stay clicked in for details on opening day.                                                                                                                        _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio on the tee today at 9 AM. Standing L-R Mike Munro & Ed Stevenson, Seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger.

The Golfers on Golf Radio Show hits the first tee at 9 AM this morning, on WSBC AM 1240 and WCFJ AM 1470 in Chicago.

We hope you will join Chicago’s favorite Foursome in it’s 20th Season, making it Chicago’s Longest Running Radio Golf Show.

We hope you can join us live, but if you are on the course, the range or getting lesson we understand. So you will get a Mulligan and you catch the show right here on this website later on Sunday by clicking our past shows section. Today’s guests include. Michael Hesterberg the designer of Adidas Taylor-Made Golf Shoes, including the new Adi-Boost line.

  The new Adidas Adi-Boost Golf Shoe at the PGA Show, Rory Spears testing the feel and traction of the new Adi-Boost show at the 2015 PGA Show in Orlando.

The 2016 US Open at Oakmont

After we wrap up the 2015 U.S. Open, we look ahead at who is now on the clock. That would be the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont Pennslyvania, just northeast of downtown Pittsburgh.

Jordan Spieth will be the defending champion, but no our guest today, but we will hear from him stay tuned on that front. Charlie Howe the 2016 Championship Director will join us in the first half hour of the program.

We will talk fast greens, and church pews with Howe so here is hoping you can join us.

THE HOLE IN ONE CLUB.. CONGRATS TO:

     Both in the Hole-in One Club this week are. (L) Architect Greg Martin (seen here at Wilmette Golf Club) made Ace on the 7th Hole at The Old Elm Club in Highland Park, among the witnesses was Gog Radio’s Ed Stevenson. (R) Jim McWethy the Owner of the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville and MCQ’s Golf and Sports Dome in Bolingbrook on the 9th hole at Mistwood.

Honorable Mention : Goes to Mike Munro for an Eagle 2 holed from the fairway on the 11th hole at Erin Hills. Witnesses were, Val Russel Publisher Chicagoland Golf, Rich Tock of Erin Hills, and Rory Spears of Gog Radio.

THE CHICAGOLAND GOLF JULY ISSUE IS OUT at your favorite golf course and or golf retail store. The Cover story talks about the reopening of both the Glen View Park District Golf Club, and Mt. Prospect Park District Golf Club, check it out.

Len Ziehm and the Ziehm machine are on the road again.

Daily Herald Golf Writer and BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm is on the road again. Recently Len posted some great travel stories about his recent trips at Lenziehmongolf.com.

The most recent story is about his return visit to Old Kinderhook in Missouri, with a full feature on golf in Branson coming up in just a few days. In addition Ziehm has stories on Erin Hills in Wisconsin, Forest Dunes in Roscommon Michigan, and the building of the new reverseable golf course by Tom Doak. Scheduled for a soft opening in late 2016.

The 2015 U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields.

The 2015 U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields Country Club from August 17-23, is looking for volunteers to help at the championship.

To volunteer please contact 2015usamateur.com or you can call (708)-679-6776. The cost to volunteer is only $75, and gives you 2 logo’d shirts, and a hat. A rain poncho, a grounds badge good for the entire week of the championship, and vouchers for meals.

Come and be a part of the final USGA event in the Chicago until, well ??? That’s a god question since another one is not scheduled yet, in any year going forward.

Golfers on Golf Radio our call in number is (773)-792-1240, do join us for a great show this morning.

  The Encompass Championship returns for another year at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview. Come see the Champions Tour Players the week of July 7-12 with defending champion Tom Lehman in the field. Encompasschampionship.com for tickets and more information. They are cutting greens at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club that is now expected to reopen from a Dave Esler renovation on August 1st. Esler has added some historic and classic golf style features to the course. Stay clicked in here for details on the reopening of the Mt. Prospect Golf Club.                                                                      _____________________________________________________________________

  Bethpage Black (L) is part of the New York State Park system on Long Island, Pinehurst #2 (M) is part of the Nine Course Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Erin Hills will host the 2017 U.S. Open and is located Northwest of Milwaukee Wisconsin.

EDITORS NOTE: Writer Rory Spears has played 27 courses that have hosted at least one U.S. Open or will. Including 5 of the 6 open to the public U.S. Open venues.

Rory Spears on the 8th hole at Chambers Bay Golf Club, the site of the 2015 U.S. Open won by Jordan Spieth.

So you want to play where the professionals play, and after watching last weekends U.S. Open you want to play a U.s. Open venue.

Well you can do just that. You actually have six options. In the Northwest at Chambers Bay near Seattle, in Southern California in San Diego at Torrey Pines. In Northern California at Pebble Beach. On Long Island in New York at Bethpage State Park on the Black Course. In the Midwest at Erin Hills just northwest of Milwaukee. At the Pinehurst Resort on Course #2 in North Carolina. All the courses are open right now, well Chambers Bay reopens this weekend for public golf after some clean up from last weekends open. For information on playing Chambers Bay just visit it’s website at Chambersbaygolf.com. It’s located in University Place a little south of Seattle and Tacoma. Be prepared to walk and take a caddie, some grasses don’t like golf carts. (877)-295-4657.

_ hole at Erin Hills; Erin, Wisconsin; August, 2010. PM shoot; photo by Paul Hundley

In 2017 after a 14 year absence the U.S. Open finally returns to the Midwest. Erin Hills that hosted the 2011 U.s. Amateur gets it’s shot at the big prize. From all reports it should do quite well, as the course has had plenty of years to prepare and seems to have thought of almost everything for a U.S. Open set up.

Long before the U.S. Open comes to Wisconsin, there is plenty of time for you to go stay and play. Yes Erin Hills has both cottages and overnight rooms on the property. Erin Hills like Chambers Bay is a walking only course, and in 2017 the course will not open for the season until after the U.S. Open is played in June. So head up now in 2015 or 2016 to beat the professionals in. If you play the course at full length it’s over 8,000 yards. How about an 8 mile walk. To arrange your golf visit Erinhills.com or call (866)-772-4769.

The famed and Historic Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst.

Pinehurst hosted the U.S. Open last year in 2014, in fact Course #2 hosted both U.s. Opens the Men’s and the Women’s back-to-back which had never been done before.

Right now the U.S. Open crowds might be gone but open championship style golf is still there and waiting for you. The Pinehurst resort, known as the “Home of American Golf” has a Summer Tee Package for $1,137.00. If you stay 2 nights you get a 3rd night free and a 4th round of golf for free. Can’t beat that. Kids under can stay in the same room as their parent and eat and sleep for free. Go play the best that famed architect Donald Ross designed, Pinehurst #2. See Pinehurst.com or call (866)-947-8232.

Ready for a test, the Bethpage Black Course on Long Island in New York.

The Bethpage Black Course is one of Five courses at the State Park. The Black Course that has hosted two U.S. Opens and will host a PGA (2020) and a Ryder Cup (2024) is another walking only golf course.

Going through the system to get a tee time isn’t always the easiest thing, but the system is better than it once was. The local New Yorker’s usually carry their own bag, while the out of town guests and visiting corporate types more often take a caddie ($100-120). The U.S. Open’s brought in enough money to revise how the entire state park golf system works and moves forward. The holes are very pretty especially in the fall season, but the walk is not an easy one. About the third hole if you don’t have a caddie, you might wish you had taken one, but the middle of the course has some holes that walk a little easier and give you a breather. To make a tee time visit nysparks.com or call (516)-249-5700.

IN CALIFORNIA you have two choices, Northern California and Southern California. Both courses do host PGA Tour events early in the year so February is not a great time to visit.

Pebble Beach Golf Resort will welcome back the U.S. Open in 2019, so still plenty of time to to get there before the pro’s come back with the USGA in tow. The green fee is as high as it gets to play an open course, but you can save a few dollars by staying there in the lodge, or Inn at Spanish Bay. For more information Pebblebeach.com or call (877)-670-7144 to make your reservation today.

The Torrey Pines Golf Course is run by the city of San Diego, it has two courses and both are used for the PGA Tour event. The U.S. Open Course was played on the South Course, not the North. Like at Bethpage, architect Rees Jones did the renovation work. For information on playing Torrey Pines, visit Torreypinesgolfcourse.com or you can call (858)-581-7171 to make a tee-time.

For golfers who would like a shot at a PGA Championship Course, the Whistling Straits Golf Course in Kohler/Haven Wisconsin will be open to the public and resort guests of the American Club until about 2 weeks before the championship in August. Online see Destinationkohler.com for details and more.

  THE ENCOMPASS CHAMPIONSHIP, Returns to the North Shore Country Club the week of July 7-12. Defending Champion Tom Lehman returns. Pro-am leading up to Fridays first round, and celebrities will play with the pro’s the first two days. For tickets and more information please visit Encompasschampionship.com.                                     ______________________________________________________________________

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

The U.S. Open is over and now it’s time to prepare for more of the local golf season, while the Palmer Cup might be behind us, the Encompass Championship of the Champions Tour and the John Deere Classic are right around the corner. Those tournaments are not the last on the list either. More coming up on that front in the days ahead.

All of us at Golfers on Golf Radio would like to thank everyone who had nice things to say about our U.S. Open show last Sunday. If you missed it and need a mulligan, you can check it out right here on the website under past shows. We did not have our annual segment on the future U.S. Open site, in this case Oakmont Country Club. The good news is that a representative of the club has been in touch with us, and they are looking forward to joining us this weekend. Most of their staff was at Chambers Bay this past week, and we could not make contact in time to have them join us last Sunday.

U.S. Open Champion Jordan Spieth

Good news fans of the John Deere Classic, he is still coming to the Deere. He as in Jordan Spieth the 2015 Masters and newly crowned U.S. Open Champion.

Spieth who won for the first time on the PGA Tour at the JDC in 2013, is coming back to the championship, and will take the JDC Charter over to the British Open. He told the European press at the U.S. Open that has plans had not changed and he will still play the JDC, in spite of being halfway home to a possible Grand Slam. For tickets at the John Deere Classic see Johndeereclassic.com. The Deere the next tournament for Jordan Spieth.

Buying or selling a golf property, contact Chris Charnas at Links Capital Advisors.

Are you buying or selling a golf course, if so Chris Charnas at Links Capital Advisors is the person you need to see.

First up is the Gambit Golf Club in downstate Vienna Illinois, but closer to Chicago located in the North Shore area is the Glen Flora Golf Club. For more information on either one of these clubs call Chris at (847)-866-7192 or email chris@linkscapitaladvisors.com.

      The Encompass Championship already has 8 Champions Tour winners in the field for this year including Lee Janzen who won 2 U.S. Opens, and 6 past John Deere Classic Champions are in the field as well including TPC Deere Run course designer and Illinois State University Alum D.A. Weibring. The First Tee of Greater Chicago will have it’s 3rd annual Fashion Show at NSCC during the Encompass Championship on  Wednesday July 8th tickets are $85 or VIP ticket $150 and they are limited. Contact the First Tee for tickets, that are going quickly. The first two shows have been sellouts.

Mistwoodgc.com The Performance Center.

The 4th of July Weekend what are going to do, how about getting the fireworks going on July 3rd by teeing it up in the 17th Annual Stars and Stripes Golf Classic at Mistwood. Play 6 holes from the Red Tee’s, 6 holes from the White Tee’s and 6 Holes from the Blue Tee’s.

The shotgun start is at 7:30 AM  and cost per golfer is $125.00. Includes 18 holes/cart and breakfast and BBQ lunch. prizes on the golf course and a Skins Game (optional) per team. Call (815)-254-3333 for more information or to sign up.

Coghillgolf.com

The Golf Channel Academy is now a partner of the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont. The Golf Channel Academy Golf Schools include, One-on-one swing instruction, Tailored Golf School Agenda either Half or Full Day. Swing Analysis, Short Game Instruction. half Day Schools are either 9 Am to 12 Pm or from 1 Pm to 4 Pm.

The cost for the school is $299.00 on a half day school, the Corporate Clinic and Golf on Dubsdread is $499.00 per person, includes lunch and two hours of golf instruction before playing the famed Cog Hill No.4 Dubsdread Golf Course. See Coghillgolf.com for more information.

HOW ABOUT 7 NIGHTS IN SOUTH WALES in the USA.Golfbreaks.com/sweepstakes. Golfbreaks.com are helping Americans with their golf vacations in the British Isles and at a price that won’t kill your budget before you leave. Do you want to play St. Andrews the home of golf and this years British Open, Royal Birkdale or Turnberry, or Royal Country Down and more. Try Golfbreaks.com and take that golf trip you have always wanted to take to the British Isles. Call (855)-699-5853 or visit the website for more information on the golf trip of a lifetime.

MORE ON US OPEN COURSES YOU CAN PLAY COMING UP TOMORROW, Stay clicked in. Now Go Play summer is here.

   The Encompass Championship coming this July 7-12 at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Defending Champion Tom Lehman in the field for more information on tickets and more visit Encompasschampionship.com. The Glenview Golf Club reopens from renovation in Mid-July, the Mt. Prospect Golf Club will reopen from it’s renovation on August 1st. Stay clicked in here for details on both opening days.                                _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, & Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With US Open Trophy at Harborside Golf Links.

WOW, what a finish. For all the crying and complaining about the Chambers Bay Golf Course, the Fox Sports broadcast. Mike Davis and his course set up, this US Open did not lack for a great finish.

First on the tee. Jordan Spieth, Congratulations and well deserved. I send you the best in route to a Grand Slam, the drought has ended in horse racing with a Triple Crown winner after 37 years, lets end the drought in golf with a Grand Slam champion for the first time in 85 years. I hope with all the Grand Slam talk, Spieth does not submit to pressure and back out of the John Deere Classic. Time will tell.

DUSTIN JOHNSON.. Where is Dick Enberg when you need him, OH MY ! For all the power and talent Johnson has, whether it’s course management or his putter Johnson is not getting it done at crunch time, especially in the majors. St. Andrews is a course that can be overpowered in the right conditions, and he already plays well at Whistling Straits if he can stay out of the bunkers.

RORY MCILROY..another great major rally that was just too little too late. Slow starts have killed McIlroy in both majors this year, here’s betting he doesn’t make that mistake at St. Andrews.

BRIAN CAMPBELL..to the now Illinois Alum, great job winning low-amateur at the U.S. Open, maybe you will get the same award at the John Deere Classic, you and your former teammate Nick Hardy represented Illinois very well this week. I bet Coach Mike Small is proud of you guys.

USGA Executive Director Mike Davis

Regardless of what you think about the USGA or the choices of courses this week for the U.S. Open or the set up, give USGA Director Mike Davis an “A” for effort.

First off Davis showed that the USGA is the United States Golf Association, it is just that, the United States Golf Association. Not the east coast golf association, and that the U.S. Open can and should be played all over the United States. Different parts of America play golf in different ways, and on different styles of courses. In a society like we have today where people get tied of the same old thing all time, Davis goes and finds new and yes unproven venues. Pinehurst, Oakmont, Pebble Beach, Shinnecock Hills, Merion, they had had to have their first open at some point, Chambers Bay needed to have it’s first open too. What is now important is what the long term effects of having an open on a county course in the Northwest part of America.

Will it grow golf in the area, will more people from around the country and world flock to Chambers Bay to play one of the U.S. Open courses you can play, and help local business and tourism in the area. Jordan Spieth’s caddie lives down the road from the golf course, maybe another caddie from Chambers becomes the next name caddie on a the bag of a great player we haven’t heard of yet but will in 5 or 10 years. As a result of what I saw this week, now I can’t wait for Erin Hills in 2017. I will enjoy Oakmont next year and Shinnecock Hills in 2018, but another new venue such as Erin Hills, can’t wait for that. Thanks Mike for continuing to find the next new challenge. Just one thing, once par is set, leave it that way for the week, I guess I’m old fashion in that manner.

FOX SPORTS..Okay there is work to be done. I did miss Johnny Miller and did not miss Dan Hicks. Joe Buck is a step up, Greg Norman wasn’t bad and will get better, he isn’t afraid to speak his mind and that’s a good thing in broadcasting. I thought Corey Pavin was good and could be used more. Tom Weiskopf didn’t do much for me. Some camera angles and graphics were good, others need to change some. Please put the score up more often with the players name and go a little deeper when rolling through the leader board.

Thank You for using the weekend to focus on the players that matter, and not letting Tiger Woods talk become a weekend distraction. As someone who enjoys golf course architecture, I liked the addition of Gil Hanse on the broadcast, but we could have used more from the guys who did design the course. Robert Trent Jones Jr., Bruce Charlton and Jay Bilasi.

Chambers Bay reopens to the public, yes that means you this Friday. Go online and visit Chambersbaygolf.com. More coming up on the U.S. Open this week and we will hear from Jordan Spieth, stay clicked in. Go Play everyone, summer is here. RS

      The Encompass Championship returns the week of July 7 to 12 at the North Shore Country Club, with defending champion Tom Lehman. Encompasschampionship.com for tickets and information. The Glenview Park District Golf Club will reopen in Mid-July, and Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st. Stay clicked in here for details on opening days.                                                                                                      _____________________________________________________________________

  Golfers on Golf Radio returns this morning at 9 AM on WSBC AM 1240 7 WCFJ AM 1470 on your dial. If you miss us live, unlike the guys at the U.S. Open you do get a mulligan if your on the course or the range. Click here on this website into Past Shows and you can listen to the show online. This week is our U.S. Open Show, and we have some great guests from Chamber Bay, or spent some of the week there.

Shinnecock Hills Superintendent Jon Jennings helps with course preparation earlier in the week at Chambers Bay.

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

Our guests today for the annual U.S. Open Show are at 9:10 Jon Jennings live from Shinnecock Hills, Jon spent four days at Chambers Bay this week working with the course maintenance crew. Walking the course and checking out the greens and other things that have been brown this week.

ANN LIGUORI covering the U.S. Open for WFAN radio all sports radio in New York joins us from Chambers Bay in Washington around 9:25.

During the show we will have some sound from the players direct from the U.S. Open audio feed at Chambers Bay.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm at Lawsonia GC in Wisconsin.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm and the Ziehm Machine have been on the road again. This time Len’s travels have taken him up to Northern Michigan. Len checks in from a few resorts. Find out where at Lenziehmongolf.com.

After watching Chambers Bay do you have the desire to challenge your game against a U.S. Open Course. Coming up this week the Gog Blog will look at U.S. Open courses you can play. Stay clicked in.

Mistwood Owner Jim McWethy on the bridge at Mistwood.

Have you been thinking how to tee off your 4th of July weekend. Why not head out to Mistwood and play in the 17th annual Stars and Stripes Golf Classic.

The outing is July 3rd and it’s a shotgun at 7:30 in the morning. It’s a 4-man scramble and you get to play 6 holes from the Red Tee’s, 6 holes from the White Tee’s and 6 holes from the Blue Tee’s. No cheating Uncle Sam is watching.

$125 per player gets you a tee gift, breakfast , 18 holes of golf and a cart. A BBQ lunch after golf, and there are prizes and a skins game to play. Enter now the event is filling fast (815)-254-3333 to reserve your team.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY, Dad’s get out and play some golf. RS

    The Encompass Championship coming July 7-12 at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview, with defending champion Tom Lehman in the field. Tickets and more information visit Encompasschampionship.com. In Glenview the reopening of the Glenview Golf Club, coming Mid-July stay clicked in for details. Mt.Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen August 1st, for information on opening day keep it on the Gog Blog.  _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, & Twitter @GogBlogGuy. (R) @WhistlingStraits

During last Fridays PGA Championship media day at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin, Rory McIlroy was not the only story on the property. One of the other people that always makes golf events on Kohler properties so enjoyable is none other than Herb Kohler himself.

After the media briefing with McIlroy, I stayed around to interview Mr. Kohler and did so 1 on 1. As always he was open and thoughtful with his comments on golf, another PGA, what might be next in the line of big tournaments after the 2020 Ryder Cup that will be played at Whistling Straits, and the new proposed fifth golf course for Kohler Golf that is in the planning and permitting phase.

Click here to hear the interview with Herb Kohler about the upcoming PGA Championship and more.

PGA.com

Tickets for the 2015 PGA Championship are going quickly, and only limited tickets remain. So don’t wait any longer and make sure you have your way into this years PGA.

Junior golfers can be admitted for free with a ticketed adult all week long.

Whistling Straits is still open to the public and guests of the American Club Resort almost up to tournament week in August. See Destinationkohler.com for details on playing the course before the professionals do.

     The Encompass Championship at the North Shore Country Club returns this year from July 7-12, with defending champion Tom Lehman. See Encompasschampionship.com for tickets and more information. The Glenview Park District Golf Club will reopen from renovation in Mid-July, stay clicked in for details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st, stay with the Gog Blog for details on opening day.     ______________________________________________________________________

    The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. (Left with U.S. Open Trophy & Right on the 8th hole at Chambers Bay).

The Par 3, 17th hole at Chambers Bay.

It is that time of year. This week is the 115th U.S. Open from the Chambers Bay Golf Club in University Place Washington, which is near Seattle.

Martin Kaymer returns to defend his title that he won last year at Pinehurst. But is Kaymer the favorite this year? Actually I’m not sure anybody is the favorite this year, on a course most of the players haven’t gotten to know until the last few days. Jordan Spieth who won the Masters, is looking forward to Part 2 of a potential Grand Slam.

I played Chambers Bay in October of 2012, the day started out hazy and a couple of rain drops fell late on the front nine. Then they started again briefly on 12, and stopped quickly while I was still on 12. Then they returned on the 15th green, and it rained harder on 16, harder on 17, and really bad on 18. I was putting through puddles on the 17th and 18th green. I would have stopped on the 18th tee box, if it wasn’t 18 and or Chambers Bay a future U.S. Open course site.

My poor caddie in an effort to keep us moving and keep my clubs dry, rammed one of my irons into my Pinehurst logo’d carry bag on 16 and punctured a hole right through the front of the bag. That allowed me to have a half inch of water in the bag, by the time I got to Salish Cliffs golf course and their hotel/casino later that night. I spent the night drying out everything before I headed off to Bandon Dunes.

Bruce Charlton the head of Robert Trent Jones design team for Chambers Bay was a guest on our show last Sunday. He feels there could be holes where players might want to miss the green by 30-40 yards, so it rolls onto the green and ends up where they want to hit their next putt from. Geez, a strategy like that could play into the hands of Tiger Woods. Speaking of Woods, if he does go out and shoot 80 or higher or numbers that leave him out of contention, hopefully Fox Sports doesn’t let Tiger Talk become a distraction to the tournaments big picture.

The big picture could be decided on the set up by Mike Davis the USGA Executive Director and course set up guy for the U.S. Open. Will he make holes longer, will we see some short par 4’s, a par 5 that guys can hit in two with no problem. A real short Par 3, or a real long one, who knows. What about the trains that will driving the course making noise and blowing their horns, there is a military facility not far away and I heard gunfire from there for most of my round. Might those things be a factor.

With no warm up, I ran to the tee of this 7,585 yard golf course 20 minutes after pulling into the parking lot, and played it 6,956 yards. The first hole played 485 Par 4, one driver, one 5-wood and a 20 foot birdie putt had me 1 under through 1. Red numbers at the open, I loved it. My caddie right before the putt told me nobody made three on the first hole during the stroke play of the 2011 U.S. Amateur. Then I preceded to make pars on holes 2-3-4, nothing to this U.S. Open course. Bogeys on 5 and 6 brought me back down to earth, before a birdie on 7 had me back to even through seven. But the nine ends with two crazy holes that saw me make bogey-double to finish the side in 39. The Par 5th, 8th hole was redone right after I played there, and the long par 3, 9th hole 227 yards is banked like a NASCAR track and balls that miss the green spin around like on a Roulette wheel. Normally before ending up in a big front bunker. Davis ended up making changes to both 8 and 9 in late 2012 and 2013.

A bad drive led to a triple bogey 7 on the Par 4, 10th and I never really recovered and rain on the closing holes made it worse. 87 was my total for the day and I can’t believe the pro’s will enjoy this week all that much. The sand is quirky, it’s a grayish mix that doesn’t look good surround by nice green and or brown colors the rest of the course will have. What the course doesn’t have is a big clubhouse, but something more like the 2-4 Building at Cog Hill. It does have steep hills, that are hard to walk or stand on. Where fans could go to see golf on the course will be limited.

So who wins, somebody who can roll with whatever crazy bounces they encounter and somebody with imagination in their short game. Phil Mickelson, yes could be his time, he will be a sentimental pick, but maybe a real good pick too. Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth could be on the leader board as well. A leader board that could have fly-overs from Fox drones and a Foxbot in the corner of their TV screen with a golf bag over it’s shoulder.

Chambers Bay is considered a pure links golf course, but I’m wondering what it will be considered on Friday night, Sunday night or maybe even Monday when the final putt drops. This open could get wild, and fun for us watching at home. Maybe not much fun for the players teeing it up.

Plenty of U.S. Open golf specials this week and Fathers Day specials this weekend. Go take advantage and Go Play. RS

      The Western Amateur Championship coming this August at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, defending Champion Beau Hossler returns. Encompass Championship returns this July 7-12 at the North Shore Country Club, with defending champion Tom Lehman. Mt.Prospect Golf Club will reopen from renovation around August 1st, stay clicked in here for details on opening day.                                                                         ______________________________________________________________________

   The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. (R) Nick Hardy at the Valley Lo Golf Club pro shop in Glenview.

It just goes to show what kind of person Nick Hardy is, the University of Illinois Sophomore already carries himself at an age bigger than his 19 years. Illini Coach Mike Small sure recruits good kids.

A few weeks back Hardy, after wrapping up school and the NCAA Championships with Illinois down in Florida, went off to qualify for the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay and he made it into the field. A field that wont have many players his age in it.

You would think with a U.S. Open appearance only days away, that would be all that was on Hardy’s mind. But just last week he took a break from U.S. Open golf to enjoy a few hours of Illinois Junior Golf. IJGA style. No it wasn’t time to buddy up with some money types to finance a trip to the Seattle area for the U.S. Open, it was time to play 9 holes with kids who were about 10 years old and might be in the fifth grade.

Why, well for Hardy it was about giving back to a program that helped him be a better golfer, earn a golf scholarship to Illinois, and put him on a path that has led to Chambers Bay and this weeks open. The Illinois Junior Golf Association is where his roots are at, and Hardy hasn’t forgotten that. The event played on the Par 3, Valley Lo course in Glenview is like the courses Hardy grew up on. Hardy admits he loves the little par 3 courses around the area and he has played several of them. Hardy says those course are fun and good for the short game.

If the college golf world didn’t know Hardy a year ago, they do now. His first year was pretty successful at Illinois, and Coach Small gave him the anchor role in the match play quarter finals and the semi finals at the national championships. In the quarter finals with the season on the line against UCLA, Hardy rallied to win on the last hole and move Illinois into the next round.

Click here to hear an interview with Nick Hardy about his day at IJGA Golf, golfing at Illinois and his thoughts about heading off to his first U.S. Open.

Hardy arrived on Sunday at Chambers Bay to begin U.S. Open preparations. He had a scheduled practice round with Zach Johnson on Sunday, and Illinois teammate Brian Campbell on Monday. Hardy will plain the Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms in August, last year he finished in the final four at Beverly Country Club.