The Award Winning Links & Tee’s Golf Facility on Lake Street in Addison. Links and Tee’s is a year round golf facility, play the outdoor course, the driving range, and the mini-golf all summer long, then about November move your clubs and game inside to the Links and Tee’s Golf Dome. Call (630)-233-7275 or visit Addisonparks.org on line for more information about hours, specials, lessons and more. Links and Tee’s growing the game of game, and proud sponsor of GOG’s coverage of the 115th US Amateur. ______________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the US Amateur Havemeyer Trophy at Olympia Fields Country Club.
The week started with 312 golfers and now the 115th U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields has only two players remaining.
Derek Bard from New York and member of the University of Virginia Golf Team, defeated Kenta Kinoshi from the Japanese National Team by a score of 3 & 2.
Bard will play the 36 hole championship match against Bryson DeChambeau of California and member of the Southern Methodist Golf Team. DeChambeau defeated fellow Californian Sean Crocker, member of the University of Southern California Golf Team by a score of 4 & 3.
The championship match will tee off at 8:30 Am on Sunday morning, weather permitting (rain expected early in the day and then clearing) for the first 18 holes. Then after a lunch break then second 18 holes will start around 1:30 local time.
In the first match between Kenishi and Bard, bard got an early lead with a birdie on the first hole and held the lead through the front nine.But Kenishi won two holes and had the match All-Square at 11.
The Par 4, 12th hole (this week) at Olympia Fields, where both semi-final matches changed in the direction of the winners.
Then on the 12th hole Kenishi got in trouble of the tee and that lead to Bard taking a 1 UP advantage.
Bard kept the momentum by then winning 13 and 15, when the players halved the 16th hole Bard had closed out the match.
DeChambeau had an early lead on Crocker, but gave up his early 2 UP lead by losing holes 5 & 6 to go back to All-Square.
DeChambeau regained the lead on the 8th hole, by making par, and then quickly went back to 2 UP after winning 9. Crocker made birdie with a short putt on 11, to close within 1 again, but from there DeChambeau turned it up a notch, winning holes 12-13-14.
With Crocker now Dormie, DeChambeau hit the green on the par 3 15th hole, Crocker hit his tee shot on the green and much closer to the hole, but it spun back off the green rolling into the fairway in front of the green. Both players from there made their par’s and the match was over.
For both players it will be the first time in a championship match, at a USGA Championship.
Click here to hear interviews with in order Derek Bard, Bryson DeChambeau, and Sean Crocker.
DeChambeau is the current NCAA Champion, with a win in the U.S. Amateur final match, he would be come only the fifth player in history to win the NCAA Championship and the U.S. Amateur in the same year, joining Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Ryan Moore.
For more online coverage of the U.S. Amateur please visit USGA.org.
The Award Winning Links & Tee’s Year Round Golf Facility on Lake Street in Addison is ready for your visit. Drop by now and play the outdoor golf course, the mini-golf and the driving range. In November take your clubs and your game inside when the golf dome opens for the winter. So enjoy Links & Tee’s year round, call (630)-233-7275 or visit Addisonparks.org for more information. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, come play this 1926 classic golf course that now has a classic style look to it. Call the pro shop at (847)-259-4200 or visit online mppd.org for more information. _____________________________________________________________________
Bryson DeChambeau hits a shot on the 9th hole, in route to his 3 & 2 win over Ireland’s Paul Dunne at the 115th US Amateur at Olympia Fields. DeChambeau from California and par of the Southern Methodist University Golf Team, will play fellow Californian and member of the USC Golf Team Sean Crocker in the semi-finals on Saturday morning.
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the South Course at Olympia Fields
It’s down to the final four at the 115th U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields.
Match 1 staring at 8 Am will put Japan’s Kenta Konishi the 17th seed in match play against Derek Bard from New York and who plays for the University of Virginia Golf Team. They tee off first at 8 AM.
Match 2 puts two California kids against each other, Bryson DeChambeau the 2015 NCAA National Champion and member of the 2015 Walker Cup Team and SMU golf team, against Sean Crocker a member of the USC golf team. They will start at 8:20 AM.
Konishi held off a late charge by Matthew Perrine who squared the match on both the 15th and 17th holes, only to lose holes 16 and 18 by making bogeys.
Bard trailed world top rated amateur John Rahm 1 down after 15 holes, but after Rahm missed a short putt to go 2 UP with 3 to play, Bard seized the momentum and won 1 UP.
DeChambeau took the lead early on Dunne and never gave it back. This group ended up on the clock and had to rush for a couple of holes midway through their round. Dunne didn’t drive the ball well, and missed several drives wide right. DeChambeau kept the heat on by hitting fairway with his driver or Hybrid clubs of the tee. These two could rematch at the Walker Cup in England next month.
Crocker had to rally late to win his match vs Austin James of Canada, James had some issues driving the ball, including on 18 when he was 1 DN and pulled it left into a bunker. Crocker turned his match around in the final six holes to win 2 UP.
To hear interviews with Bryson DeChambeau, Derek Bard, and Sean Crocker, click hear.
The Award Winning Links & Tee’s Golf Facility is open all year round. Right now in the summer months play golf outside, or use the driving range or miniature golf, come November take your clubs inside to the golf dome for the winter months. Links & Tee’s is located on Lake Street in Addison, call (630)-233-7275 or online addisonparks.org. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, come play the David Esler renovation, that has this classic golf course looking like a classic golf course. Mt. Prospect where what is new is old. Mppd.org or call the pro shop at (847)-259-4200. ______________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy, reporting all week from Olympia Fields Country Club, site of the 115th U.S. Amateur Championship.
The 115th U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields is winding down the field that 312 players on Monday, it’s now down to 8 as the sun sets on Thursday night.
The championship is on schedule after some early week weather delays, and no more are expected. The round of 32 and the round of 16 were both played on Thursday.
The top 16 seeds didn’t fare all to well, in fact headed into the match play, the 60+ seeds were doing better that the top 16.
The afternoon matches featured two of the already named Team USA Walker Cup players, Bryson Dechambeau and Maverick McNealy, both of California. DeChambeau of the SMU golf team in Texas, and McNealy a member of the Stanford University golf team.
McNealy got out to the early lead going 1 UP after and 1 hole and 1 UP again agter 3 holes. But DeChambeau made birdie on the par 3, 4th hole to square the match. DeChambeau took the lead on 7. The match went All-Square after a McNealy par won the 10th hole. But Dechambeau won three of the next four holes to take a lead he would not give up in route to a 3 & 2 win.
For the Illinois local players the day saw all of them head for the exits at Olympia Fields. Bloomington’s Alex Burge from the Illinois golf team was fighting to stay alive on 18, when his opponent Kyle Mueller holed a 65 foot putt with several feet of break to win the match. Moments later Burge’s Illinois teammate Tomas Detry from Belgium rallied to force extra holes, but lost his match on the 19th hole.
Illinois Open Champion David Cooke from Bolingbrook lost 2 UP to David Oraee, Cooke took the match to the 18th green, but when he missed his birdie and par putt the match was decided.
The lone Illinois player to make it out of the round of 32 was Bloomington’s Todd Mitchell a 3 & 2 winner in the morning. But in the afternoon Mitchell was quick to say he didn’t play his best golf in a 4 & 3 loss to Matthew Perrine of Austin Texas.
Mitchell was proud to be the last mid-amateur aged player in the field at 37. While he would have like to advanced further, he was proud of what he accomplished.
Click here to hear interviews with David Cooke and Todd Mitchell about their matches at the U.S. Amateur on Thursday.
Quarterfinal matches start at 1 PM on Friday, Semi-final matches at 8 Am on Saturday, and at 8:30 Am on Sunday for the 36 hole championship match.
For further coverage of the US-Amateur online visit UGSA.org.
The United State Golf Association conducting the 115th US-Amateur Championship at the Olympia Fields Country Club, Championship match on Sunday August 23rd, for more coverage online see USGA.org. The Award Winning Links & Tee’s Year-round golf facility on Lake Street in Addison. Currently enjoy the outdoor course, mini-golf course, and driving range. Come November take you clubs inside and try out the Links & Tee’s Golf Dome all winter long. Call Links & Tee’s at (630)-233-7275 or go online to Addisonparks.org. US Amateur Championship in Chicago for the 1st time since 1997. ______________________________________________________________________
The Walker Cup will be competed for the 45th time on September 12 & 13 in England at the Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s Golf Club in Lancashire. Follow coverage on USGA.org during championship weekend.
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At National Golf Links of America site of the 2013 Walker Cup Matches.
The 44th playing of the Walker Cup Matches, will take place on September 12-13 at the Royal Lytham and St. Anne’s Golf Club in Lancashire England.
The United States won the 43rd playing of the matches in 2013 on Long Island at the National Golf Links of America, and is in possession of the Walker Cup.
The United States leads in the history of matches 35-8-1 over teams from Great Britain and Ireland. The Walker Cup is an amateur version of the Ryder Cup, with a few modifications. The teams both have only 10 players as compared to 12 on the Ryder Cup.
The USGA and Captain John “Spider” Miller have announced the first Five players that have been selected to the United States team for 2015. They are,
Bryson Dechambeau 21, from the SMU Golf Team. Beau Hossler 20, University of Texas Golf Team. Lee McCoy 21, University of Georgia Golf Team. Maverick McNealy 19, Stanford University Golf Team Hunter Stewart 22, Vanderbilt University Golf Team.
The other five members of Team USA will be named after the conclusion of this weeks U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields.
For more updates on the U.S. Walker Cup Team, visit USGA.org, or stay clicked in right here, as Golfersongolf.com will list the other members when they are announced by the USGA and Captain Miller.
Golfers visit the award winning Links & Tee’s year round Golf Facility on Lake Street in Addison. During our warmer weather months, play the outdoor course, the mini-golf and hit the driving range. Around November when the temperatures drop, bring your winter practice sessions inside to the Links and Tee’s Dome. For more information call the pro shop at (630)-233-7275 or online see Addisonparks.org. Links & Tee’s year round golf. _____________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the US-Amateur Havemeyer Trophy at Olympia Fields, site of this weeks U.S. Amateur Championship.
The weather has passed and the USGA used Wednesday at Olympia Fields to get caught up and back on schedule.
Now they are.
USGA Amateur Championship Director Ben Kimball was quick to credit Olympia Fields Director of Grounds Sam MacKenzie and his team of working through the rain that has hit Olympia Fields over the first two days of the championship. Both days have seen over 1 inch of rain fall on the clubs two golf courses. But both courses look in great condition, and the rough deeper and thicker than even the 2003 U.S. Open at Olympia Fields had during championship week 12 years ago.
The famed par 3, 16th hole on Olympia Fields North Course, playing as Championship Hole #7 this week.
The first step for the USGA and the field of 312, was to wrap up Round 2. That was done pretty quickly, but then what follows is one of the most exciting moments of the week at the U.S. Amateur, and that’s the playoff to make the match play field of 64.
Unlike the professional events where a certain number of players and ties make the cut. 64 is a firm number at the U.S. Amateur, so the playoff begins to survive and today was no different as 18 players fought for the final spots. It took four holes to to resolve the log-jam, and a 3 for 2 spots on the fourth playoff hole before the final 64 were decided.
That brought on the start of the match play, with 32 players moving on to Thursday, where morning and afternoon sessions will be played, that will leave only 8 players remaining by days end.
From the local side the news was good. First in with a win was one of Illinois Coach Mike Small’s top players, Alex Burge from Bloomington Illinois, who won by a score of 2 UP. Burge then delayed his media session and lunch to go root on Illinois teammate Thomas Detry of Belgium. Detry advanced himself with a 2 UP win.
Todd Mitchell from Bloomington Illinois, who has won several championships on the CDGA circuit and has and played in several Radix Cup Championships, moved on with a 1 UP victory.
David Cooke 2015 Illinois Open Champion, with the trophy.
David Cooke the 2015 Illinois Open champion from Bolingbrook, and currently attends North Carolina State University, got off to a quick start and with birdies on the first two holes and never looked back. Cooke had 3 UP lead for most of his round and won his match by a 3 & 2 score.
Some other matches of note included. Ryan Ruffels of Australia defeating 2014 Western Amateur champion and member of the 2015 Walker Cup team Beau Hossler 5 & 4.
Cameron Young defeated defending U.S. Amateur Champion Gunn Yang 3 & 2. Paul Dunne who lead the British Open after 3 rounds and was given special exemption into the U.S Amateur advanced with a 2 UP win over Robbie Ziegler of Madison Wisconsin, who was the last player from Wisconsin in the championship.
NCAA national Champion Bryson Dechambeau of the SMU golf team was a big winner over Robby Saloman by an 8 & 6 score.
Click here to hear interviews with Thomas Detry and Alex Burge from University of Illinois golf team, NCAA Champion Bryson Dechambeau, and Illinois Open Champion David Cooke from Bolingbrook.
The Round of 32 will start at 7 AM on Thursday, with the Round of 16 starting at 1 PM. On Friday Quarterfinal matches start at 1 PM.Saturdays Semi-Final matches start at 8 AM, with the Championship 36 hole match starting at 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
For further online coverage of the 115th US Amateur Championship, please visit USGA.org.
The Award Winning Links & Tee’s year Round golf facility is open to cover all your golf needs. Right now enjoy outdoor golf, mini-golf and the outdoor driving range. Come this November head inside to the heated dome to practice your game all winter long. Right now enjoy Links and Tee’s outside located on Lake Street in Addison. Call (630)-233-7275 or online visits addisonparks.org for more details. Links & Tee’s Year-Round Golf. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, and architect David Esler has created an Old-Classic style design on this 1926 golf course. Come play a course that looks like one of the great old-time architects did it. Tee-times at (847)-259-4200. ______________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At the 115th U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields Country Club.
The second day of play is not over at the 115th U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields. Weather delays have affected the tournament again, and are keeping Director of Grounds Sam McKenzie and his team of 75-80 workers busy.
Round 1 did get completed on Monday, but some rain did fall during the round. the heavy stuff held off until just after round 1 got completed. As a result of clean up time needed on Tuesday, round 2 started 90 minutes late.
Those 90 minutes turned out to be the difference between getting round 2 complete. Play was called due to darkness at 7:13 PM and the round 2 is expected to resume at 7:30 Am. However after that time was set, heavy rains blew into the Chicago area. Depending on how much rain the course got after darkness set in, there could be a delay on Wednesday morning. After Round 2 gets complete, there is likely to be a playoff for the final spots into the field of 64 for the match play.
Currently +3 seems to be the score needed to get into playoff, +2 should allow a player to advance.
Olympia North Hole 3, or for the Amateur it plays as Championship Hole 12.
The leader in the clubhouse is Brett Coletta from Australia who shot 67-66 and looks like a lock to be the No.1 seed. He sits at 133 or 7 under par.
David Oraee is shot back at 134, with Lee McCoy heading up a group of 3 players at 136 (-4).
From the local area, its been a mixed bag of results. Doug Ghim of Arlington Hts., backed up his opening round of 76 with an even par round of 70, but it’s not enough. The same fate fell on Nick Hardy of Northbrook, the University of Illinois Sophomore opened with a 68 on Monday, but fell back with a 77 on Tuesday to miss the cut by 2 shots. David Stringfellow of Roselle missed the cut by 2 shots. Heading home early will be the Wisconsin team of University of Illinois Senior Charlie Danielson, and Jordan Niebrugge, Danielson 4 shots out of the playoff, Niebrugge 3 shots out. Nathan Smith of Pittsburgh who won the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Conway Farms in 2012, also missed the cut.
On the plus side.Illinois Open Champion David Cooke from Bolingbrook was stick around, he’s at 1 over par and safely inside the cut line, where he is joined by Alex Burge from Bloomington Illinois and a member of the University of Illinois golf team. Burge is at even par. Long time Illinois top amateur player Todd Mitchell is not done with his round, but is in good position to make the cut. With only a couple of holes left to play.
Click here to hear Interviews with in order, Jordan Niebrugge, Alex Burge and David Cooke.
The Gog Blog will have coverage of the 115th US Amateur all week long from Olympia Fields. On Wednesday see our recap of British Open Champion Zach Johnson’s visit to Wrigley Field.
The Award Winning Links & Tee’s Year Round Golf Facility on Lake Avenue in Addison, play outdoor golf, use the driving range and play mini-golf all summer long, and when the temps drop around November, move inside to heated Golf Dome all winter long. For more information call (630)-233-7275 or go online to Addisonparks.org. ______________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the US-Amateur Havemeyer Trophy at Olympia Fields, site of this weeks US Amateur Championship.
What a week it was, and another great week is stepping up on the tee. From the PGA Championship in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin, to the U.S. Amateur at the Olympia Fields Country Club this week, it’s all that golf fans can ask for.
The best of professional and amateur golf back-to-back, and just three hours apart.
A tip of the cap or golf visor to Jason Day on his first major championship victory, well deserved. To Jordan Spieth for being right there and adding even more excitement to what was already an exciting week. Whistling Straits and the PGA for the most part put on a great week, the folks from Kohler Company could not have been better. If you watched the PGA on TV and have the desire to play the Straits Course you can, it’s open to the public. But there are not many tee times left for this fall before the course will close for the season. Go to Destinationkohler.com and plan your late summer or fall golf trip up there today. Then hit the first class spa as well, you will be glad that you did.
THE ONE BLIP on the week, was the poor handling of the announcement of the two PGA/LPGA Championships that are coming to Olympia Fields in 2017, and Kemper Lakes in 2018.
The logo’s of the new LPGA Championships coming to town in 2017 and 2018.
The announcement should have been made here in Illinois, and the local golf media was not informed soon enough so we could get there in time for the presentation. The PGA the LPGA and both clubs sort of hit one OB on this presentation. Hopefully the rest of the course will play better as we get closer to championship time.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, well Illinois is turning into a state for major women’s golf events. It’s starts with the LPGA UL International Crown next July 19-24 and then the two new events hit town. Do the new events come at a good time for Chicago golf fans, well that remains to be seen.
I tried to pose that question to Jerry Rich owner of Rich Harvest Farms, the host of next years Crown event, but he was unavailable for comment.
It would seem that 2018 and 2019 might have been better years for back-to-backs here, the Crown group will still be trying to sell tickets and hospitality right up into July of next year, and that will overlap with Olympia Fields starting their push to do the same. But what might help all three championships, is that one is in the West Burbs, one is in the South Burbs and one in the North Burbs.
However as the top women’s players come to town repeatedly, the fans will start to identify with them and that might be a plus.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN PART 2, the question I’m being asked from golf fans is why this tournament, and why would these clubs want to take a women’s event. I’ll have more on that later in the week, but short form is that, whether it’s true or not, the perception is that the USGA has no intention in bringing a U.S. Open to the Chicago area anytime soon. But by hosting this championship, Olympia Fields and Kemper Lakes will receive PGA Championships around 2024 and 2026.
The U.S. Open is handed out through 2024, and rumor is in 2025 it’s going back to Chambers Bay. It’s quite possible the next U.S Open in the Midwest could be a return to Erin Hills in 2027. If it’s not held at Mike Keiser’s new Wisconsin property Sand Valley, that is quickly taking shape with two courses under construction.
BUT IF THE USGA was smart, they could take a year off from announcing U.S. Open’s since they are nine years ahead, and at Erin Hills open week in 2017, announce future opens for Midwest Clubs in 2025 and 2027. If needed, put Chambers Bay in 2026 and give the over-used New York area clubs some time off. I bet Jordan Spieth would like to play in some Midwest based U.S Opens before he is 35 or older.
STEVE STRICKER held court with the media after his final round on Sunday at the PGA, Stricker has no idea when he will play again, other than the Shark-Shootout in December. (Hear his press conference on this site posted yesterday.) Stricker will start his season sooner in 2016 and is looking forward to maybe Hawaii and the Bob Hope Tournament. Kudo’s to Steve for still calling the tournament, the Bob Hope.
STRICKER is looking forward to playing in more majors if he can get in them. He will still try and play in the U.S. Open, and wants badly to play at Erin Hills in 2017. In fact based on the love and support he gets in Cheeseland, if he doesn’t qualify for Erin Hills the USGA better give him an exemption. If they don’t, the USGA might get run out of Wisconsin.
STRICKER PART 3, Stricker speaking like a guy in the know, said he feels Whistling Straits will get another PGA Championship somewhere between 2022 and 2025. With the crowds, the results, and a sold out merchandise tent by Sunday afternoon, Stricker could be right about that one.
IT’S US-AMATEUR WEEK at Olympia Fields and with two great courses on site, it’s one of the best places in America to hold such an event, and Kudo’s to the USGA for recognizing that. Unlike most of our other amateur golf events around town, there is a charge to get in, but hey It’s the U.S. Amateur, the best amateur championship in the world and the oldest in the United States, yes even older than the U.S Open by 1 day.
I’m not predicting a winner, but surely rooting for one of our local or Midwest guys. Sure wouldn’t mind seeing Aaron Wise from California win either. He is the member of the Oregon Ducks golf team, who was runner up at the recent Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms, he got beat by Dawson Armstrong’s incredible holed bunker shot on the 20th hole of the championship match. His classy demeanor in defeat sure won him some fans in Illinois.
I’m headed down to Olympia Fields the next Six days and I hope you will come out and join me, it should be some great golf. It’s been 18 years since the last amateur was here, don’t take the chance on it being that long again, see it this week.
KUDO’S to CBS Jim Nantz for calling out some TV Networks and various members of the golf media, who better realize that the future of golf is here, and quit trying to stay with the same old story. Anybody who read’s this column or hears our radio show on regular basis, I’m sure can figure out what Nantz was saying.
I’ve have more coming up this week from 2003 US Open Champion at Olympia Fields Jim Furyk and Conway Farms member Luke Donald from Sunday interviews at the PGA. Both have thoughts on the BMW returning to Conway Farms. Furyk with advice to the 312 players in the field at Olympia Fields on how to win a USGA championship there.
The Links and Tee’s Year Round Golf Facility on Lake Avenue in Addison, Links and Tee’s offers a sporty outdoor course, mini-golf and riving range, and the big indoor dome all winter long. Enjoy your golf season all-year round at Links & Tee’s. For more information call (630)-233-7275, or visit online Addisonparks.org. Cassy Tully artwork and framing in Plymouth Wisconsin, UW-Alum Cassy Tully created the official artwork and the poster that sold out, of the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. See Cassy’s Golf Art by visiting Cassytully.com or visit her Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________________
Steve Stricker wraps up his 2015 PGA Championship and looks ahead to 2016.
The 2015 golf season didn’t go exactly how Steve Stricker wanted it to go, but enjoyed himself and the appreciation he got from all the fans in this past weeks PGA Championship. He is now looking forward to some time off, hunting season this fall, but being ready for golf in 2016, much earlier than he was in 2015.
Stricker knows what he needs to work on and will spend the time needed to do so, he is thinking of getting his 2016 season rolling in Hawaii at the Sony Open. He plans on trying to get back into as many majors as he can, and he really wants to be part of the field at the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills.
He feels he is making progress with the new Scotty Cameron Putter and enjoyed having wife Nikki back on the bag like she used to be. Steve says she would like to caddie more, Steve did not say she would get the job full-time.
But for all of what he did say, click on below. You can’t hear all the questions because some are off microphone. With that Steve is off from professional golf for a while, but here is what he said before he and Nikki drove from the Straits Course back to Madison.
Steve Stricker Post Round 4 at the PGA Championship held at Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin.
The Links and Tee’s Golf Facility on Lake Street in Addison. Year round golf, outdoor golf, range and mini-golf all-summer long. The Links & Tee’s Golf Dome all winter opening in November. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275. CASSY TULLY Art that was featured all last week in the merchandise tent at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, see Cassytully.com. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from a Dave Esler renovation and recaptured the classic golf era. See Mppd.org for details. _____________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears,Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy (L) with the Havemeyer U.S. Amateur Trophy at Olympia Fields. First round stroke play action for the field of 312 players starts today.
USGA President Tom O’Toole talks about the 115th US Amateur at Olympia Fields. For additional online coverage see USGA.org.
It’s the nation’s oldest golf tournament the U.S. Amateur Championship, and the 115th version of the amateur starts today at 7 AM on both courses at Olympia Fields.
The amateur is the 60th USGA Championship in Illinois, but sadly the final USGA event for the foreseeable future. It is the 12th U.S. Amateur Championship played in Illinois, the last one being in 1997 at Cog Hill when Matt Kuchar defeated Joel Kribel 2 & 1.
This is the Fifth USGA Championship to be played at Olympia Fields, most recently Olympia Fields hosted the USGA Junior Girls Championship in 2011.
Defending Champion Gunn Yang of Korea, who won last year’s championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club is now in the field. Yang defeated Corey Conners of Canada 2 & 1 in the championship match.
USGA President Tom O’Toole says that both the history of Olympia Fields and the quality of the facility, were factors in the USGA selecting the club to host the championship.
“The USGA has a policy that to accept invitations from clubs for a U.S. Amateur, they should be past or future U.S. Open sites,” said O’Toole. “With Olympia Fields hosting U.S. Opens in 1928 and again in 2003, add in the restoration of the South Course, having 36 holes at one location for 312 players to conduct the stroke play portion of the event, operationally that’s welcoming to our staff. Olympia Fields has a championship history, and we were excited to receive their invitation.”
USGA US Amateur Director Ben Kimball, on US Amateur preview day at Olympia Fields in July. L-R USGA Historian Michael Trostel, Kimball, Former Walker Cup Captian George “Buddy” Marucci, and OFCC US-Am Chairman Dave Allard.
According to Olympia Fields U.S. Amateur Chairman Dave Allard, Olympia Fields in recent years has rededicated itself to amateur golf.
“The club is very excited,” said Allard. “Our members have been working working very hard with fundraising, and will be serving as volunteers.”
One question remaining for Olympia Fields, is can a successful hosting of the U.S. Amateur lead to another U.S. Open. The club would love to host another says Allard, but Olympia Fields will now host the KPMG/LPGA Championship in 2017. That has led to speculation that the PGA of America will likely give the club a PGA Championship, before the club will be awarded a U.S. Open. But what happen’s if on Sunday night it’s been a great U.S. Amateur, well that is anyone’s guess.
Olympia Fields has a great history on and off the golf course. It was at one time the largest private facility in America, having four courses over 900 acres. Tom Bendelow who also designed all three courses at Medinah, designed the first three courses at Olympia Fields, with Willie Park designing the fourth course (the current North Course). Two of the courses were sold off in 1945 to pay off mounting debt after World War II.
Currently the club has two courses, the North and South. Both courses are used in the championship, but only the North Course will be used in the match play part of the championship. Mark Mungeam is the current North Course consulting architect for the club, and oversaw recent historical restorations on the course as well as the clubs improved range and practice facilities. Mungeam says the new restorations will factor in during the championship, including some newly added bunkers and tee’s.
The famed third hole on OFCC-North Course. Playing as Championship 12 this week.
Steve Smyers is the clubs South Course consulting architect. He oversaw the renovation of the course seven years ago. Smyers called the South Course before the renovation that added over 800 yards in length, “a pretty lady with a dirty face.”
The field of 312 players will begin play today. At the conclusion of stroke play on Tuesday, the field is cut to just 64 players. The first of match play on Wednesday will reduce the field to 32 players. On Thursday there will be two rounds of match play, and by days end there will be only 8 players remaining. The quarterfinal matches are on Friday, and the semi-final matches are Saturday. The two remaining finalists will play a 36 hole championship match on Sunday.
The North Course will be slightly altered for the championship. USGA Amateur Championship Director Ben Kimball will flip the nine’s except for holes 1 & 10. Those holes will play as 1 & 10, but 2-9 will play as championship 11-18, and holes 11-18 will play championship 2-9.
The U.S. Amateur Championship is open to all golfers who have a Handicap Index that does not exceed 2.4. The USGA excepted 7,047 entries this year, the record was set in 1999 when the USGA accepted 7,920.
The winner of the championship receives the following: 1. A Gold Medal and custody of the Havemeyer trophy for the following year. 2. An exemption from and sectional qualifying for the next U.S. Open. 3. An exemption for the next 10 U.S. Amateurs. 4.An exemption from qualifying for the next British Open. 5. A likely invitation to the Masters Tournament. A position on this years U.S. Walker Cup Team, should the player be an American.
Welcome to Olympia Fields and the 115th US Amateur.
TICKETS ARE $25 for daily grounds tickets. Weekly tickets are available as well for $80. Purchase them by going online at 2015usamateur.com.
IF YOUR GOING…Spectator Information.
Walking with the players is encouraged. Armless portable chairs are allowed. Fans can bring in 1-transparent portable bottle 24 oz. or less in size. There is free parking at Marion Catholic High School. Public transportation is available by train and you can use Metra to stop at the Olympia Fields station.
There is a security screening all attendee’s will pass through. Any bags must be of certain sizes, for guidelines visit the USGA website.
Fox Sports 1 will broadcast the amateur from Wednesday through Friday and the Fox Broadcast Network will broadcast on Saturday and Sunday. See local listings for times. For more information on broadcast times, stay clicked in here or visit USGA.org.
Tee-Times for some local and top rated players. First Monday time and followed by Tuesday time.
Daniel Stringfellow, Roselle 7 Am and Noon for North Course hole # 1 and South Course hole #10. Defending champion Gunn Yang 8:10 North #1 and South #10. todd Mitchell, Bloomington 8:50 North #1 and 1:50 South #10. Beau Hossler 12:20 North #1 and 7:20 South #10. Daniel Hudson, Western Springs 12:10 North #10 and 7:10 AM South #1. Doug Ghim or Arlington Hts., North #10 1:30, South #1 8:30. Nick Hardy, Northbrook, 7:20 South #10, and 12:20 North #1. Nathan Smith (winner of 2012 US Mid-Am at Conway Farms) 7:40 AM South #10, and North #1 12:40. Aaron Wise Western AM finalist 8:30 South #10 North #1 1:30. Charlie Danielson 12:30 South #1 and 7:30 North #10. Jordan Niebrugge 12:30 South #10 and 7:30 North #1. Illinois Open Champion from Lisle David Cooke 1:10 on South #10 and 8:10 North #1.
Click here to hear USGA Director of the U.S. Amateur Championship Ben Kimball’s remarks regarding the amateur from U.S.Amateur preview day at Olympia Fields.
The Gog Blog will have daily recaps everyday this week, stay clicked in for details and stories with top players.
USGA Senior Historian Michael Trostel joined Golfers on Golf Radio yesterday. To hear a replay of that interview, visit our past shows area, and click on yesterday show.
The 115th US Amateur tee’s off tomorrow at Olympia Fields, come see the US Amateur 312 Players battling for the Havemeyer Trophy, the 36 hole final next Sunday. Cassy Tully PGA Championship Posters Sold out in the merchandise tent, see what else she has in her studio at Cassytully.com. The US Amateur, see our US-Am preview tomorrow with remarks from US Amateur Championship Director Ben Kimball (pictured) visit www.2015amateur.com for more details or for more online coverage see usga.org. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG, BY RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Host of Golfers on Golf Radio Sundays at 9 AM on WSBC AM 1240 7 WCFJ AM 1470 in Chicago.
The 2015 PGA Championship is complete and Australian Jason Day has broke through and won his first major championship with a final round 67, and a 268 score that means he was 20 under par for the week. For more online coverage please visit PGA.com.
The American Club in Kohler Wisconsin,plan your visit to Kohler by going to Destinationkohler.com
Finally a major win for a player who has been so close so many times, and it’s another major in the pocket of the youth movement in professional golf.
Day has had his share of second place finishes, and close calls like most recently at St. Andrews in the British Open. But today there was no doubt, those following runner-up Jordan Spieth heard him tell his caddie headed to the 7th tee, we have work to do, Jason is on his game today. But Spieth admitted he knew that after the 11th hole, this one was over, unless something really crazy were to happen with Day still pounding his driver. But like Spieth said, “he just kept hitting it so darn straight.” Game set, PGA and major championship at Whistling Straits in the book.
“The path that I was on was never expecting me to be here where I was today,” said Day. “I lose my dad at 12, but today it’s an amazing feeling that I have. There was times I got out of the moment today and had to keep telling myself it wasn’t over, I had to keep fighting and keep grinding.”
Day was shocked to learn he had set the all-time low scoring record at 20 under par, somewhere Herb Kohler and Pete Dye are wondering how to toughen up the course before the Ryder Cup arrives at the Straits in 2020. The previous record low score in the PGA Championship was 18 under par, shared by several players. The lowest score under par in a major previously was 19 under par by Tiger Woods in the British Open.
“I didn’t know that,” said Day.”That is an amazing accomplishment, and that does feel good. It’s a fantastic record to hold, when you look at all the amazing golfers that have played in the history of golf. It goes to show all the work I have put in is starting to pay off.”
Spieth who settled for runner up, did accomplish one goal he has had, and that was too take over being the No.1 Ranked player in the world from Rory McIlroy. During his press conference Day admitted he would like to take that ranking away from Spieth. The battle is on, and as Day said, the game of golf is in good hands. Yes it is.
Audio from Champion Jason Day and Jordan Spieth.
Click here to hear the post round press conferences. The 98th PGA Championship will be played in July of 2016 at the Baltusrol Country Club.
