The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open will be played July 27-28-29 at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Pro-am on the 26th. Admission and parking are free. For details see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club will open with a special outing on Saturday August 1st, non-residents can start calling for remaining tee times today at 9 AM, the pro shop is (847)-259-4200. The Western Amateur will be played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from August 4-8. The championship match will tee off around noon on the 8th. Beau Hossler from the University of Texas golf team will be in the field. He will compete against teammate Doug Ghim and Illinois golfer Nick Hardy (pictured with Vince Pellegrino WGA L and Jerry Rich owner of Rich Harvest Farms R) and 153 top amateurs. Thewesternamateur.com for information.         ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy With the Illinois Open Trophy at the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The Illinois Open is back, it’s the 66th edition of it. The new edition however has some changes to it, like for the first in the championships history it will be contested on two golf courses. The size of the field increases to the largest ever at 258 players.

For Illinois golf coach Mike Small, this will be the eighth time he has chased an elusive Fifth Illinois Illinois Open title.

Small 49, is trying to equal the state record five championships set by Gary Pinns’. Pinns’ won the title in 1978 (a), 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990. Small starts his quest for a another title at 8:30 Am on the first tee at Royal Melbourne.

IPGA.com

Small is joined in the field by other past champions Phil Arouca (a) 2011, Joe Emerich (a) 2008, Gary Groh 1994, Curtis Malm 2000 (a) and Eric Meierdierks 2010.

The field of 258 includes 151 amateurs. With the bigger field, after the second round the field will now be cut to the top 70 players and ties.

Professional Doug Bauman, will be joined by his two sons Greg 27, and Riley 23. bragging rights within the family are on the line.

The courses this year are newcomer Royal Melbourne located in Long Grove, and Hawthorn Woods Country Club located in Hawthorn Woods, the club previously hosted the Illinois Open from 2008 to 2011.

The players will all play 18 holes at each course, and the third and final round will be played at Royal Melbourne. The championship ceremony will be held upon the completion of play on Wednesday afternoon.

Wilson Staff Golf is the presenting sponsor for the championship with KemperSports being a supporting sponsor. The tournament has historical roots dating back to the year of 1922, and is open to professionals or amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside within the state of Illinois.

          The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open will be played at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville on July 27-28-29, with a pro-am on July 26th, if you would like to play visit Mistwoodgc.com for the pro-am or call (815)-254-3333. Come out and see the best women players from the state of Illinois. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club reopens from Renovation on Saturday August 1st, call the pro shop for details about the grand opening outing (847)-259-4200. The 2015 Western Amateur tee’s off August 4th at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, the championship match is Saturday August 8th about noon. See Thewesternamateur.com for more details. Defending champion Beau Hossler is in the field and will try and defend his title against 155 top amateur players.     ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio this morning at 9 AM, on WSBC AM 120 and WCFJ AM 1470. Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger.

Golfers on Golf Radio returns this morning with our standard 9 Am tee time, on WSBC AM 1240 and WCFJ Am 1470.

Our guests this morning include, Jim Opp the president of the Illinois PGA Section, who will preview this weks Illinois Open, and former Chicago Bear Brent Novoselsky who will have information about a golf outing this week headed up by the NFL players association.

We hope you can join us. More news here later this morning.

     The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open will tee off on Monday July 27th, with Round 2 on the 28th and the final round on Wednesday the 29th. Admission and parking are free, Emily Collins is the defending champion. See Mistwoodgc.com for more details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club reopens from renovation on Saturday August 1st, call the pro shop at 847-259-4200 for details on the opening day outing. The Western Amateur will be played from August 4-8 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Championship match tee’s off about noon on Saturday the 8th. Thewesternamateur.com for more details.        ——————————————————————————————————————–

    The Gog Blog by Rory Spears (near the 9th green at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club home of the 2018 U.S. Open) Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

TEE-K-KELLY WINS HIS SECOND ILLINOIS STATE AMATEUR TITLE

(SPRINGFIELD IL.)

Tee-K Kelly who is heading into his final season on the Ohio State University Golf Team, is the Illinois State Amateur Champion for the second time in three years.

Much like he did two years ago in winning his first title, Kelly trailed headed for the back-nine on Thursday but make up ground and entered a playoff with Conor Dore. The playoff was a three-hole aggregate system format, and three straight pars netted Kelly the win.

Kelly is the first two-time winner of the state amateur since Todd Mitchell won back-to-back in 2002 and 2003.

“The win means a lot to me, because I know not many people can call themselves the State Amateur champion, and fewer people can call themselves a multiple winner of the State-am,” Kelly said after learning he was only the 15th player in the history of the state amateur to win multiple times. “Golf in Illinois and amateur golf in Illinois means a lot to me. Myself and all the kids I have grown up with, my generation of players, are really strong in Illinois. In the ra we are in right now, it means a lot to win it twice.”

Kelly in the next-to-last group trailed by two shots with just six holes holes to play, but made two birdies to close ground. Kelly had an 8 foot par putt on 18 that would have won the title for him right there, but he missed the putt. Kelly then won the playoff by two strokes.

Dore who just 18, is headed to SIU-Edwardsville to continue his golf there. “I knew I would have to play my best golf this week to win,” said Dore. “I didn’t have my best game this week, but I was up there, so I know I can win when I’m not at my best.”

In round three, past champion Raymond Knoll of Naperville, shot the men’s course record at Panther Creek with an 8 under par 63. Knoll scored a double-eagle 2 on the par 5, 15th hole. Knoll holed a 3-wood from 270 yards. Knoll ended up in 6th place.

2014 runner up Nick Hardy finished in third place one shot out of the playoff after a final round 65.

The 86th Illinois State Amateur will be played at the St. Charles Country Club in July of 2016.

 The Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms from August 4-8, with the championship match scheduled for about noon on Saturday afternoon. For more information please visit Thewesternamateur.com. Defending Champion Beau Hossler is in the field. The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open will be played the Mistwood golf Club in Romeoville from July 27-28-29, See Mistwoodgc.com for details. Emily Collins is the defending champion. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club reopens from renovation on August 1st and 2nd with special shotgun outings on both days. Call the club for these events starting on Friday for residents, or next Monday at 9 AM for non-residents for remaining tee times. Call the pro shop at (847)-259-4200 to reserve your foursome.                                          _____________________________________________________________________

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

Well congratulations to the reporter from the Pinehurst Pilot who happened to attend the village board meeting last night in Pinehurst.

That’s where he/she learned the city council was voting on a contract with the USGA, for Pinehurst to hold the 2024 U.S. Open. Which of course was approved, how could it not be.

The USGA has decided to go on it’s 10 year open cycle and return to Pinehurst in 2024, that also marks the 25th anniversary of the late Payne Stewart’s win there. A smart move by the USGA and Executive Director Mike Davis.

The Gog Blog attempted today to speak with both officials from Pinehurst, who were out of town, and USGA officials who were in town at a U.S.Amateur event at Olympia Fields. But all of them do not work on the Men’s U.S. Open, and they had not heard anything yet from their main office in Far Hills New Jersey to comment officially.

Former home of the late great architect Donald Ross, located next to the third hole on Pinehurst No.2.

But a return to Pinehurst in the land of Donald Ross, is great news for golf. There is not word either on whether the USGA would try putting the U.S. Women’s Open the following week as they did last year.

The combination of the two opens were very successful for the USGA, and for the Village of Pinehurst, that drew several hundred thousand visitors over those two weeks.

In 2017 Pinehurst will host the USGA Four-ball Championship and in 2019 the U.S. Amateur last held in Pinehurst in 2008 and won by Danny Lee, will return.

Putter Boy overlooks the putting green by the main clubhouse at Pinehurst.

Pinehurst is in the process of updating it’s member clubhouse, adding a new pool, and a new sports bar in the back of the main clubhouse, that look’s out on the 18th green of Pinehurst No.2.

When the USGA or the Pinehurst Resort make official comment on the open, the Gog Blog will pass it along.

Congratulations to everyone at Pinehurst on landing another U.S. Open and adding to the great legacy of, The Home of American Golf. To plan your next visit to Pinehurst visit Pinehurst.com. It’s a beautiful day in Pinehurst, always is.

   The Western Amateur will be played August 4-8 at Rich Harvest Farms, defending champion Beau Hossler in the field. Thewesternamateur.com for more details, free parking and free admission. Championship match on Saturday afternoon August 8th starting about noon. The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood July 27-28-29, Emily Collins is the defending champion see Mistwoodgc.com for more details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club will reopen from renovation on Saturday August 1st, with a special shotgun outing and dinner. Residents may call this Friday to book a foursome, if you are a non-resident of Mt. Prospect you may call Monday July 20th for remaining tee times. There are special outings on Saturday and Sunday. Call the pro shop (847)-259-4200.    _____________________________________________________________________

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

Volunteers are needs for a few upcoming tournaments in the area, please volunteer if you have the time and want to have special access to some great golf events.

First up the Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms,the first round of 18 holes is on Tuesday August 4th. Most of the positions are filled, but a few spots do remain. See Thewesternamateur.com or visit Richharvestfarms.com for more details.

The U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields is still looking for some volunteers for amateur week, that runs from August 17-23. See 2015usamateur.com for more details, cost is only $75.

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

Volunteer Registration for the 2017 U.S Open is now underway. The 2017 U.S. Open will be held at Erin Hills from June 12-18, 2017.

In order to make the championship a great experience for the players and fans, the USGA will need the help of some 4,500 volunteers over the course of tournament week.

If you wish to apply to be a volunteer go to https://2017volunteers.usga.org. If you need more information on the responsibilities you can contact the championship office at 2017usopen@usga.org.

To golf Erin Hills one of the six public venues to host a U.S. Open please visit Erinhills.com, tee times for this summer and overnight rooms are filling up fast.

        The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club July 27-28-29, Emily Collins is the defending champion, see Mistwoodgc.com for more details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club reopens with a shotgun outings on Saturday August 1st, and Sunday August 2nd, residents can call starting this Friday at 9 AM. (847)-259-4200 to book a foursome. Non residents can call for remaining tee-times starting on Monday morning July 20th. Both outings have a gift bag and lunch after golf. The Western Amateur Championship starts on Tuesday August 4th at Rich Harvest Farms, with the defending champion Beau Hossler in the field. For more see Thewesternamateur.com the championship match is Saturday afternoon August 8th starting around noontime.     ______________________________________________________________________

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

What a week of golf it was, not just in Illinois but overseas, and in Lancaster Pa. where the Lancaster Country Club hosted the most successful and most attended U.S. Women’s Open in history. Some 134,000 fans marched through the front gates, shattering the records set in Kohler back in 1998.

Closer to home, golf fans who traveled over to Glenview saw the end of the Encompass Championship and the run at the North Shore Country Club. Jerry Smith who made some good runs at the title over the years in the Quad Cites, broke through and won the big prize, beating out a very good field that fell back after the first day.

Doug Milne of the PGA Tour, sits with 2015 John Deere Classic Champion Jordan Spieth before Spieth’s Championship press conference.

In the Quad Cites World #2 Jordan Spieth didn’t have his best stuff on Sunday, but it was enough to earn his fourth win of the season, and get him some momentum headed into this weeks British Open in St. Andrews.

After round 1, Spieth was sitting at even par and in 101st place, and wondering if he would make the cut. Before he hit the first tee box on Friday morning, he had fallen down to 104th place. There was work to be done, and he had 18 holes to do it. But a seven under par round of 64 had four shots to the good, and around for the weekend. The huge sigh you heard, was one of relief coming from the Quad Cities. If you would like to hear more from Spieth, check out our last post with his Sunday press conference in full.

JOHN DEERE What a finish, Spieth out dueling veteran Tom Gillis who at 47 is running out of chances to win on tour. Since I promised you his comments yesterday, his story and final press conference is below.

Click here to hear Tom Gillis and his post round press conference at the John Deere Classic.

Gillis could not have shown more class in defeat, and had some great things to say about Spieth. Between Spieth and Bill Murray at the pro-am, the John Deere Classic in spite of Saturdays rain had a great week.

Next year John Deere’s week due to a crazy calendar and the return of golf to the Olympics, will move into August and the week of the 8-14. The only question is will Spieth be able to defend his title if he is in South America representing the United States.

If you enjoy great golf, and great finishes, check out the John Deere Classic if you haven’t already done so, it never ceases to amaze.

ENCOMPASS CHAMPIONSHIP it’s sad that Jerry Smith likely won’t get to defend his title, Encompass Insurance has left the building and there is no golf course yet for next year, even if a sponsor is found.

It’s unclear what the board will do, and or how successful their search is going for a new sponsor. I’ll pass along the news as we get it, not sure when that will be. But in the meantime, thank you to Encompass for bringing the Champions Tour back to Chicago for the last three years.

U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN how about Lancaster Country Club, breaking all the records and showing everyone how to get a U.S. Women’s Open done. I’ve had the honor to play the course twice, and I have been there three times. It’s a fantastic old William S. Flynn course with some great elevation change and views. The holes are straight forward and it’s pure golf if there ever was. A pat on the back to Vice-Chairman Steve Buterbaugh and everyone at LCC including pro Rick Gibson who is a credit to the PGA.

The whole idea of having an open at LCC, came when Mike Davis stopped by to play golf with his friend Buterbaugh who he had known since grade school. Late in the round Davis said we could hold a U.S. Open here, at first Buterbaugh laughed but Davis was serious. He told Buterbaugh not the men’s open, but a women’s open or senior open could work. This past week the USGA and LCC showed that it could and did. Some folks are still scratching their head why Davis picked Chambers Bay for a U.S. Open, but nobody will be second guessing Davis for picking Lancaster. The only question left is when does the USGA come back to LCC.

SCOTTISH OPEN..Rickie Fowler wins another big tournament, he seems primed for St. Andrews. Can he get that first major. Between Fowler and Spieth, the excitement is building for major No.3, are you ready to get up early, real early. I am.

The Par 3, 12th hole at Lancaster Country Club.

The first week of real tournament golf in Illinois is over, but last week has things off to a great start. This week our state amateur tee’s off in Springfield. The Illinois Open is next week, followed by the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood.

August brings us the Western Amateur, then the U.S Amateur two weeks later at Olympia Fields. The PGA is in between, just a short drive up into Wisconsin. The BMW Championship drives into Conway Farms come September.

Jordan Spieth, Jerry Smith and the Women’s Open at Lancaster really made last week a great week for golf. Too bad they all got played at the same time, but golf tournament season is looking good for the rest of 2015. For those of us up north, let’s enjoy the next couple of months. Now were rolling.

The Gog Blog Returns on Wednesday, GO PLAY. RS

 The Western Amateur Rich Harvest Farms, August 4-8. See thewesternamateur.com for more details, defending champion Beau Hossler returns. The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood, July 27-28-29, Pro-Am on the 26th visit Mistwoodgc.com for more details. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st, from the Dave Esler renovation, stay clicked in right here for details on opening day. The Gog Blog  by Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Facebook and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.             _____________________________________________________________________

Welcome to the Deere, at TPC Deere Run. Johndeereclassic.com.

The 45th John Deere Classic is in the books, and the charter plane to St. Andrews and The Open Championship is on it’s way across the big pond.

But not before Jordan Spieth won his second John Deere Classic title in just three years.

Spieth was not at his best, a 3 under par 68 was enough to get him into a playoff with veteran Tom Gillis who at age 47 was still looking for his first win.

Spieth won it on the second playoff hole when his drive hit the fairway, and Gillis ended up in the deep right rough and would have to split the trees to get it on the green. Gillis then hit his second shot in to the pond that runs along the left side of the green on the 18th hole.

Spieth backed off his 6 iron and hit 7 iron into the green, and then two putts later with Gillis still laying 5 on the green, won the John Deere Classic in dramatic fashion. Gillis by finishing second did earn the last exemption into the British Open, and will play in the championship for the third time.

Danny Lee who played in the final group finished one shot back, after taking a penalty stroke on the second hole, after lifting ball and forgetting that lift, clean and place, was not in play as it was on Saturday.

John Deere Classic board member Zach Johnson lipped out a putt on the 18th hole that that would have allowed him to join the playoff.

Click here to hear the post round press conference with Jordan Spieth.

Encompasschampionship.com

Jerry Smith shot a final round 2 under par 70, to win the final Encompass Championship at North Shore Country Club by 3 shots over David Frost.

Frost finished at 13 under par and hung on to third place by 1 shot over Wes Short Jr. who was at 12 under par. Defending champion Tom Lehman was 7 shots back at 9 under par.

This was the last Encompass Championship, since the company is stepping down as title sponsor. Should a new sponsor be found, a new course will be needed as well, to hold the championship in the Chicago area again in 2016.

    The Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms coming August 3-8. The Encompass Championship the final round today at North Shore Country Club. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st, stay clicked in here for details.                         ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio. Top Row L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated Rory Spears and Bill Berger.

Golfers on Golf Radio tee’s off today at 9 AM on WSBC AM 1240, and WCFJ AM 1470. If you miss us live, because your on the golf course or at the tournament. You do get a mulligan, catch the replay here on this website under past shows.

Checking in today is your truly live from the John Deere Classic, were Jordan Spieth leads last weeks PGA Tour winner Danny Lee by 2 shots. Spieth shot a career low round of 10 under par 61 to take the lead.

Click here to hear Jordan Spieth’s press conference after round 3 of the John Deere Classic.

Play in the final round of the JDC starts at 7:15 AM, the leaders tee off at 12:40 PM, CBS shows live coverage at 2 PM CST. Rory Spears will have breaking news on the JDC, stay tuned in.

2014 Encompass Championship winner Tom Lehman.

Va Russell will join the show from the Encompass Championship, who will hold the trophy this year. Defending Champion Tom Lehman is 9 shots back of leader Jerry Smith. Mike Goodes is in second place 3 behind Smith.

In the final segment of our show, we have a surprise guest, so tune in for that.

It should be a great day for golf watching on Sunday, so head out to the tournament and catch some golf, in Glenview or in the Quad Cities.

The Gog Blog returns with wrap up of both tournaments on Sunday night.

          Come see rounds 2 and 3 of the Encompass Championship at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview Saturday and Sunday. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen from renovation on August 1st, stay clicked in here for more details. The Western Amateur is August 4-8 at Rich Harvest Farms, visit Thewesternamateur.com for more details, or Richharvestfarms.com. Defending champion Beau Hossler returns. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. On Twitter@GogBlogGuy.   ______________________________________________________________________

Johndeereclassic.com

The panic moment is over, Jordan Spieth started the day at the John Deere Classic in 101st place, and had dropped to 104th early in the day.

Then the bugle went off and Spieth charged back into contention eliminating worries that he would miss the cut. Spieth’s round that included an eagle was a 7 under par 64, and he sits T-16 five shots off the lead. Spieth is tied with defending champion Brian Harman.

Right in front of them and just four shots back, are tournament favorites Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson. The gallery’s would love to see them together on Saturday, or paired with Illini alum Luke Guithrie who is also at 8 under par.

The cut came at -4, so 73 players will stick around for the weekend. The leaderboard is:

Justin Thomas -12, one shot ahead of Johnson Wagner and Tom Gillis.

Encompasschampionship.com

The is a shootout at the Encompass Championship at the North Shore Country Club.

Four players are tied for the lead at 7 under par with a score of 65.

Lee Janzen, Brad Bryant, Fred Funk, and David Frost. 2013 Champion Craig Stadler is just one back, defending champion Tom Lehman is six shots back after a 71.

    The Encompass Championship has tee’d off so get out to the North Shore Country Club in Glenview and see this great field of Champions Tour Players, the final round is Sunday. The John Deere Classic is underway with World #2 player Jordan Spieth in the hunt, come to the Quad Cities and watch the battle. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is expected to reopen on August 1st, stay clicked in for opening day details.                        _____________________________________________________________________

the Gog Blog by Rory Spears. Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the 16th tee at Whistling Straits.

The countdown is on, the PGA Championship is now 30 days away. This weekend the championship volunteers are getting their uniforms, things are starting to take shape.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy has torn a ligament in his ankle and is sitting out the British Open, it’s unclear whether he can defend his PGA title in Kohler at this time. But even if McIlroy can’t defend, the field of 156 professionals will be loaded with top players seeking to win a major championship.

PGA.com

As of June the 2015 PGA Championship ranked second in PGA Championship history, in combined ticket and hospitality sales revenue. It trails only the 2004 PGA Championship, which was held at Whistling Straits.

If you are still in need of tickets, there are still limited daily tickets available at pgachampionship.com. Championship round rickets are predicted to sell out soon, with daily tickets fro Saturday and Sunday in very short supply. All daily ticket options are priced under $100 dollars.

Practice rounds ticket prices are $30, for Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday being $40. Championship rounds are Thursday $90, Friday $95, Saturday $95, Sunday $95, each ticked adult can bring up to four junior golfers 17 and under for Free, every day of the event. There are free tickets for various categories military personnel.

Welcome to Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin.

The 3,400 volunteer positions have been filled, they represent people from 42 states and 4 countries outside of the USA. 2,616 volunteers are from the state of Wisconsin. More than 1,000 of the volunteers worked the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

This year marks the first time all of the corporate hospitality will be on the course at Whistling Straits. Most hospitality is sold out, with only a few tables remaining.

Parking onsite is free, and the is room to park over 18,000 cars per day. There is also a shuttle to get fans to the new entrance each day of championship week. August 10-16 is championship week and the PGA of America and everyone at Kohler Company hopes you will come out and the championship in person. The next big championship at Whistling Straits is the 2020 Ryder Cup Championship.