The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, now it’s your turn to play the David Esler Classic style renovation of this 1926 Golf Course. Call the pro shop to make your tee time at (847)-259-4200. July 19-24 of 2016 the UL LPGA International Crown comes for the first time to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, See ULCrown.com.       _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG BY RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy, reporting from the Western Amateur in Sugar Grove.

The WGAESF.com

The last connection to Illinois in the Western Amateur Fighting Illini Golfer Charlie Danielson was defeated in the Sweet 16 of match play by UCLA golfer Jake Knapp by a score of 3 & 2.

With the match All-Square after 2 holes, Knapp drilled a hole-in-one on the 200 yard Par 3, Third hole. In the match that went 16 holes, Danielson never made a bogey or worse,but never led at any point in the match.

Danielson fell to Five Down at one point, but closed ground and was only 3 Down before being closed on the 16th green.

Charlie Danielson tee’s off at the Western Amateur.

After the match Danielson spoke about Knapp, who played very good and might have been motivated according to Danielson, since Illinois knocked out Knapp’s UCLA Bruins in the 2015 NCAA National Championships back in May.

In addition Danielson talked about the upcoming U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields, and his hopes to be part of the U.S. Walker Cup Team this September. Danielson says he thinks he will turn professional after his senior season at Illinois.

Click here to an interview with Charlie Danielson after his loss in the Match Play part of the 113th Western Amateur Championship.

The Gog Blog will return with a preview of the four match play finalists later today.

   THE NEW MISTWOOD CLUBHOUSE, Opening Late September,see Mistwoodgc.com The ULCROWN.com for all the details on the next big event at Rich Harvest Farms, coming July 19-24 in 2016. It’s Country vs Country in this battle of top women golfers.     ______________________________________________________________________

 The 113th Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove has reached the Match Play Stage and the Sweet 16. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.                     ______________________________________________________________________

(L-R) Jerry Rich, Robbie Shelton Medalist and WGA Chairman Dennis O’Keefe. Photo Courtesy of WGA.

The first half of the Western Amateur Championship is in the books, the first half means the stroke play part of the championship is done. When the putts all quit falling, Robbie Shelton of the University of Alabama Golf Team was the medalist. Shelton will advance to the match play part of the tournament as the No.1 seed.

The eight sweet sixteen matches start at 8 AM today, the eight winners will play quarter finals in the afternoon, leaving the final our to battle it out on Saturday. With the 18 hole championship match starting at just after noon time on Saturday.

The Par 3 7th hole at Rich Harvest Farms.

Shelton went out and made several birdies early in his second round on a day of 36 holes that boosted him into the lead. He ended up at 11 under par (277) that was good enough to win by two strokes even with two late bogeys.

Shelton says he used his knowledge of Rich Harvest Farms, much of it which was gained during the Palmer Cup in June to help him around the golf course.

Jack Maguire the final player into the match play that earned him the #16 seed, gets to play Shelton in the first match this morning. The following matches are as follows.

8:15 Ryan Ruffels #8 vs Luke Toomey #9                                                                           8:30 Jordan Niebrugge #4 vs Adam Wood #13                                                                   8:45 Dawson Armstrong #5 vs Harrison Endycott #12                                                       9:00 Gavin Hall #2 vs Jonathon Garrick #15                                                                       9:15 Charley Danielson #7 vs Jake Knapp #10                                                                   9:30 Aaron Wise #3 vs Alex Franklin #14                                                                           9:45 Sam Horsfield #6 vs John Coutlas #11

The only Illinois player that was left in the 45 player field that tee’d off on Thursday was Daniel Stringfellow of Roselle who plays out of Medinah and Auburn University, but he did not make the cut. Danielson who plays for the University of Illinois is from Osceola Wisconsin.

Click here to hear interviews with Robbie Shelton, Charlie Danielson and Jordan Niebrugge.

Good friends Danielson and Niebrugge both from Wisconsin enjoyed playing together on Wednesday, but now of they play together again, one of them will go home. That is unless they play in the championship match, because when that’s over both players will go home. They are hoping they don’t see much of each other, until Saturday afternoon.

The Gog Blog will be at Rich Harvest farms to continue it’s coverage later today. Stay clicked in.

    The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is open from renovation, come play the David Esler classic style renovation of the 90 year old Mt. Prospect Golf Club. (847)-259-4200. Are you ready for the next big golf championship at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, well it’s the LPGA UL International Crown coming July 2016. Visit ULCROWN.com for details.    _____________________________________________________________________

    Thewesternamateur.com for details on the 113th Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Free Parking and Admission all week. Championship match tee’s off in the Noon hour on Saturday August 8th. (R) Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich with Golfersongolf.com Editor/Director Content Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

WGAESF.Com

It wouldn’t be a week at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, with talking with owner Jerry Rich.

You see while others have backed away from hosting tournaments, Rich has embraced them. What Rich has done with his Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club, is open the doors off this private facility and invited in tournaments that aren’t known as money makers.

Junior events, amateur events and some professional events can end up not being big cash windfalls for clubs looking for a check, and hoping to renovate golf courses, swimming pools, practice facilities and or clubhouses.

In 2015 Rich brought in the Palmer Cup that was won by the USA over Europe, this week he is hosting the Western Amateur, and event he helped bring back to Illinois. Next year the LPGA returns for the first time since the 2009 Solheim Cup was held at RHF, when the second LPGA International Crown arrives in late July. This week Rich is making the sure the Western Golf Association gets it’s proper due, but come Saturday night after the last putt falls or is conceded, it’s all full speed ahead in the planning department for the UL International Crown, that will still be 10 months away. 10 full-time staffers have already been hard at work on the Crown, getting golf fans, especially the ladies fired up about a big-time LPGA and world golf championship being back in town.

Jerry Rich (L) and LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan at the First International Crown in Baltimore in 2014.

But it’s more than just getting women involved, with the UL Crown being all about country vs country, Rich and his staff have been active in Chicago getting entire communities involved and excited about coming out to see their fellow county-women play golf. As the International Crown is just that, a very international golf championship. One that Rich helped create.

During Round 2 of the Western Amateur this week, as scores were going low at Rich Havrest Farms with courses records dropping almost every hour, Rich met with a small group of media to remind them of a few facts.

Some of them included that Rich Harvest Farms was only playing at 7,287 yards instead of it’s full length of near 7,800 yards. Rich was quick to add that the best pin placements were being saved for the match play part of the championship, and that easier pin placements help move around a field of 156 golfers a lot quicker. He reminded the media that in spite of some new low scores at RHF, he was still the club champion, 22 years and running.

But on the serious side, Rich says that Aaron Wise’s 64 wise some pretty good golf, and he was delighted at the caliber of play this week on his property. He laughed at suggestions that he would be out on the property overnight with a backhoe putting in some new bunkers and mounds.

Click here to hear the interview with Rich Harvest Farms Owner Jerry Rich.

It is likely that the LPGA might make a few minor Tweeks to Rich Harvest Farms before the lady professionals arrive in July of 2016, but nothing serious. But if the ladies start making to many birdies or eagles, Rich will make sure that option of playing his club at 7,800 yards comes into play. Being both club champion and owner does have it’s privileges.

Come see the UL International Crown July of 2016 at Rich Harvest Farms, the Chicago area’s biggest professional golf event of next year.

  The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, call for your tee time today at (847)-259-4200. The LPGA International Crown is the next big event at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, coming July 2016 see www.ULcrown.com for details. THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Live coverage from The Western Am. All week.      _____________________________________________________________________

            The first 36 holes are in the books, and the field has gone from 156 players to 45, after today it will be just 16. Who will survive, well some of those questions have been answered already.

Dawson Armstrong at 11 under after posting 67-66 in his first two rounds is the leader. But he could be gone later today, if he does not survived 36 more holes of stroke play.

Armstrong 19, from Brentwood, Tennessee is a Sophomore at Lipscomb University, and was the winner of the 2015 Dogwood Invitational, while taking 2nd place at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. In 2014 Armstrong was 4th at the Western Junior. He was the 2015 Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year.

But in spite of leading, Armstrong admits that there is not much about Rich Harvest Farms that suits his game. What RHF does do for him is, “the course gets my mind off of playing golf and gets me thinking about how beautiful the place is. It’s awesome. At the beginning of the week I just told myself to have fun first. I’m not going to beat myself up if I make a bogey or two.”

Armstrong admits he is going through a swing change or two,but has been putting well and hopes that keep him going the in tournament. Along with what he feels is a strong mental game.

One of the afternoon groups that a big following was that of defending champion Beau Hossler from the University of Texas golf team, Nick Hardy of Northbrook who made the final four last year and 2013 Western Amateur Champion Jordan Niebrugge who was the Low-Amateur at the recent British Open. While Niebrugge will continue his quest for a second Western Amateur title, Hardy and Hossler are headed home after missing the cut. Hardy’s Illinois teammate Charlie Danielson birdied 7 of his first 10 holes in the afternoon and shot a 65, that one day earlier would have been the course record.

Click here to hear interviews with in order, Charlie Danielson, Beau Hossler, Nick Hardy, and Jordan Niebrugge.

Taylor Funk and Danielson are two shots back of Armstrong, while Niebrigge is four back in 4th place. Thursday’s 36 hole shootout, should be quite a day.

Except for early trunk slammers that included. Illinois State Amateur Champion Tee-K Kelly and Fighting Illini team member Dylan Meyer who each missed by 1 shot. Hossler, Hardy, first round co-leader Jose Mendez, Illinois Open Champion David Cooke who shot 66 to miss by 2 shots, after an opening round of 80. USC’s Sean Crocker who had 69 in round two but came up short. 2014 US Amateur Champion Gunn Yang, Walker Cup player Todd White, and Doug Ghim semi-finalist and medalist in 2014. The only remaining Illinois player is Daniel Stringfellow of Roselle who shot 71-72 to make the cut by 2 shots.

More coverage of the Western Amateur coming up later today, so stay clicked in. Plus later today our interview with Rich Harvest Farms Owner Jerry Rich.

  The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is now open, call the pro shop at (847)-259-4200 to make your reservation today. Next week the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, see PGA.com for details on remaining tickets or TV times. The next big event at Rich Harvest Farms is the LPGA UL International Crown coming to RHF July of 2016. For more information www.ULCROWN.com It’s Country vs Country.                                        _____________________________________________________________________

   The 113th Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, and the first two rounds are in the books, and cut has fallen for the top 44 players and ties.

The morning session saw the record books being rewritten, as the 67’s from Day 1 that were new the course record, were quickly wiped away on Day 2.

Illinois Open Champion David Cooke of Lisle and Harrison Endycott from Australia playing together both shot 66. For Endycott it jumped him into the lead for a few moments, and for Cooke it was a rally that fell 2 shots short of making the cut because of his first round score of 80. But 10 minutes later Aaron Wise from Lake Elsinore California who plays for the University of Oregon Ducks golf team, shot a new course record of 8 under par 64. But after a 76 on Day 1, Wise’s 64 only put him in the top 10.

Five groups after Wise finished, another member of University of Texas golf team Taylor Funk posted 67 to follow up his first round 68 and take the lead at 9 under par. Funk is the son of professional golfer Fred Funk the former Players Championship winner who now competes on the PGA Champions Tour.

2014 Semi-finalist and medalist Doug Ghim of Arlington Hts, who had a rough start with a 5 over par 77, played better in round 2 by posting a 73. But for Ghim his tournament was over unable to get his putts to fall. Ghim said he wasn’t prepared for the tournament. After lunch Ghin headed for the putting green, six hours later he was seen leaving as the sun started to set on Rich Harvest Farms and Day 2 of the Western Amateur.

Click here to hear interviews with Taylor Funk, Harrison Endycott, Aaron Wise and Doug Ghim.

During the afternoon session great golf continued, but no one else was able to set another course record. But Charlie Danielson from Wisconsin and member of the University of Illinois Golf team made a run at it after making birdies on 7 of his first 10 holes.

The afternoon session and an interview with Rich Harvest Farms Owner Jerry Rich comes up later tonight here on the Gog Blog, so stay clicked in. Day 2 at the Western Amateur continues later tonight, and resumes tomorrow with Day 3 coverage.

 The Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, new clubhouse opening late September. Visit Mistwoodgc.com for details, tee times and more. The LPGA UL International Crown coming July 2016 to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, see Richharvestfarms.com for details or Lpga.com. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is open from renovation see Mppd.org or call the pro shop for information at (847)-259-4200. Tee times now available.               ______________________________________________________________________

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

The 113th Western Amateur is underway and after 18 holes two golfers are at 5 under par 67 and hold a 1 shot lead over three players who are in at 68.

Dawson Armstrong of Brentwood Tennessee and Jose Mendez of San Jose Coasta Rica are the co-leaders. Armstrong shooting 34-33 and Mendez 35-32.

In the group of three players just one stroke back is Taylor Funk, the son of PGA Tour veteran Fred Funk. Taylor is playing college golf at the University of Texas and recently won the Southern Amateur.

University of Illinois golf team member Charlie Danielson who hails from Wisconsin, is in 8th place with a large group of players after a 2 under par 70. Another player from Wisconsin is Jordan Niebrugge who won the Western Amateur in 2013, Niebrugge comes into the Western Amateur after being the low-amateur at the British Open.

Raymond Knoll of Naperville was T-36 after an Even par round of 72. In a large group tied for 52nd place is defending champion Beau Hossler and 2014 semi-finalist Nick Hardy from Northbrook. Both players need to pick up a little ground to make the cut on Wednesday that will lower the field from 156 players to the Low-44 players and ties after 36 holes.

2014 U.S. Amateur Gunn Yang and Tee-K Kelly of Wheaton the recent Illinois State Amateur Champion are also in the group of players that shot 73. Top amateur Bryson DeChambeau was T-68 after a 74.

2014 Western Amateur semi-finalist and medalist Doug Ghim of Arlington Heights was in danger of missing the cut after an opening round of 77 left him T-107th place. Long time top amateur player and past Walker Cup player Todd White from South Carolina, a semi-finalist at the 2012 USGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Conway Farms shot 82 and is 142nd.

U.S. Walker Cup Captain John “Spider” Miller was at Rich Harvest Farms scouting players for this years Walker Cup team that will be played Sept. 10-13 at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s in England. Miller said more than half the team will be announced next week.

Stay clicked in for Western Amateur Day 2 here at the Gog Blog.

  The NEW Mistwood Clubhouse Opens next month Mistwoodgc.com, the next big event after this weeks Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms, to be played at Rich Harvest Farms, is the LPGA UL International Crown July of 2016. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club has reopened from renovation, play it now. 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. With the Sweet 16 Western Amateur Trophy at Rich Harvest Farms.

Defending Champion Beau Hossler leads a powerful field of 156 players into the 113th Western Amateur Champion that starts today at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

Hossler from California and a member of the University of Texas golf team, will have to outlast some of the best amateur players in the world if he expects to repeat as champion. Which is something that has not been done since 1992 and 1993 when Justin Leonard accomplished the feat.

Hossler might have a head start on the field, as he played a key role earlier this summer in helping the United States Team recapture the Palmer Cup from Team Europe. Hossler clinched the winning point that returned the cup to the USA during his singles match on Sunday. Afterwards Hossler said the rounds at Rich Harvest Farms during the Palmer Cup will help him this coming week.

Beau Hossler with Western Amateur trophy at Beverly Country Club in 2014.

“The caliber of talent in this field is truly remarkable and we are honored to host the future of professional golf,” said Jerry Rich President of Rich Harvest Farms. “Events like the Western Amateur is what it’s all about, growing the game.”

In addition to Hossler, seven of the other top 16 match play finalists have returned. Including Hossler’s teammate from the University of Texas Longhorn squad and Arlington Heights native Doug Ghim. Another semi-finalist from the local area is Northbrook’s Nick Hardy who plays for the Fighting Illini.

Scottie Scheffler another Texas Longhorn who made the Quarterfinals in 2014 is in the field as well as, Illinois golfer Charlie Danielson.

“As it has since it’s founding in 1899, the Western Amateur continues to attract the finest amateur players in the world to compete in one of the game’s most challenging formats,” said Vince Pellegrino, senior vice president of tournaments for the Western Golf Association. “Four rounds of stroke play, followed by four rounds of match play, produces a champion befitting the rich history of our championship.”

Rich Harvest Farms serves as the home course for the Northern Illinois University Huskies Men’s and Women’s golf teams. From the Huskies Men’s golf team Joo-Young Lee a Junior, and incoming freshman Salvador Rocha will be a part of the field.

College players with a two years of eligibility remaining will enjoy a preview look at Rich Harvest Farms, since it will host the 2017 NCAA Men’s and Women’s National Golf Championships.

This is your chance to come walk the fairways with the great amateur players of today, who will be some of the great professionals of tomorrow.

Admission and parking are FREE, courtesy of the WGA and Rich harvest Farms Owner Jerry Rich. Stroke play Round 1 is today, Round 2 on Wednesday, at which time the field will be cut. There are two more rounds of stroke play on Thursday, and at which time the field will be lowered to 16 players for the match play part of the championship.

Sweet 16 and Quarterfinals matches will be on Friday, with the Semi-finals on Saturday morning, and the championship match teeing off in the noon-hour on Saturday afternoon. For more details follow our coverage here all week, and or visit thewesternamateur.com. Come out to the Western Amateur this week and be a part of this great championship. The parking is located at 2330 Granart Road in Sugar Grove.

  Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, New Clubhouse opening in late September. Visit Mistwoodgc.com for details. Mt. Prospect Golf Club is now open, Call (847)-259-4200 to book your tee time. The Western Amateur tee’s off tomorrow at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, free admission-free parking courtesy of owner Jerry Rich and the WGA.    _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At the newly reopened Mt. Prospect Golf Club.

What a week it was, and there is more golf to come the next few weeks here in the area and up in Kohler Wisconsin for the PGA Championship.

It is tournament time and the Western Amateur Championship tee’s off tomorrow at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. The WGA and Mr. Jerry Rich have provided you with free admission and Free parking. Do take advantage of this great offer.

Defending champion Beau Hossler is in the field, the California native and member of the University of Texas Golf Team will have some tough competition. Some of that will come from his own Texas teammate Doug Ghim from Arlington Hts., another semi-finalist from last year Nick Hardy of Northbrook is lurking as well. More on the Western Am during our preview tomorrow.

This past week started off with an incredible Illinois Women’s Open at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. I’m pleased to have been part of a wining pro-am team that included our pro McKenzie Lyng. What a great player she is. She might not bomb it off the tee, but she hits fairways, greens and makes putts in an amazing manor. She has LPGA Q-school this week in California, and I’ll be keeping an eye on her.

IWO Champion Madasyn Pettersen and Mistwood Owner Jim McWethy with the Phil Kosin Trophy on the champions bridge at Mistwood.

Another young lady to keep an eye on is our new Illinois Women’s Open Champion, 15 year old Madasyn Pettersen from Rockford, she is quite a golfer and I have to believe that the college scholarships will soon be arriving in bunches.

Not only does Pettersen bomb the driver a long way, she is on a roll with her putter, after changing to Jordan Spieths grip. She saw it on TV and liked it, so she went with it and is on a roll herself.

Making birdies on every hole around Kelpies Corner at Mistwood is no small feet, especially tied for the lead with 5 holes to play in the state championship. I’m sure we have not heard the last of this high school sophomore to be.

The NEW Mistwood Clubhouse inches closer towards completion.

The final phase of the renovation of Mistwood is getting close to completion. The clubhouse is still about 7 weeks away, but by the end of the BMW Championship at Conway Farms, the food and merchandise could be moving in. The entire Mistwood staff is ready for the day. You will want to stop and play Mistwood, then enjoy a beverage at McWethy’s Pub that is front and center in the clubhouse.

I will have full story on the clubhouse right before it open’s to the public. From the inside of the clubhouse, it looks like a real winner for all who visit Mistwood. A construction tour story is coming even sooner.

The Par 3, 7th hole at Mt. Prospect Golf Club.

The media got the first rounds in on the newly renovated Mt. Prospect Golf Club that reopened from renovation last Saturday. Two shotgun outings that commanded top dollar were full and sold out, very quickly on the grand reopening weekend.

WSCR’s David Schuster was the first to get his score posted on media day, and was the first to have the new course record. Schuster says he was “mid-90’s”, that record stood for about an hour or two when lower scores started to come in. My struggles continue and while I broke 90, it wasn’t by much. I need to quit the blow up holes, so the par’s and birdies I am making look a little better when it’s all done.

MY SCORE’S aren’t much worse than Tiger’s these days and nobody is fussing over me like they are him. World # 260? and Golf Chanel still thinks it’s all about him, what are they thinking. Then again they aren’t thinking. #NeedlemovingsouthonTGC.

During our Sunday Morning Short Game Column yesterday, I ran some stories that I had posted weeks ago, and were finally confirmed.

John Deere gets handed the shaft by the PGA Tour, and gets moved to dates head to head with the Olympic Games. Tournament Director Clair Peterson is handling it well and putting on a brave face, but he and John Deere deserve better. Defending champion Jordan Spieth probably won’t be able to defend his title, until maybe 2017. John Deere Classic 2016 is August 8-14.

CARRIE WILLIAMS will take over the Illinois PGA as Executive Director replacing departed Michael Miller. Williams is a great choice by IPGA President Jim Opp and the board, she will take over later this month. The official announcement was made over the weekend by the IPGA.

THE GLENVIEW PARK DISTRICT Golf Course has reopened as of July 24th, I have not been there since it has opened for play, but will make a trip there soon and do a full review.

The weather has been hot, but golfers are hitting the links in droves. Mt. Prospect and Glenview have received a lot of play since reopening. Showing that renovations do pay. I hope to have updates on both Arlington Lakes and Oak Meadows that are now both currently closed for renovation work. Arlington Lakes will reopen in 2016, and Oak Meadows in 2017.

THE USGA has announced that (a)Paul Dunne, leader at the British Open after 54 holes, has accepted a special invitation to play in the 115th US-Amateur at Olympia Fields in 2 weeks. Dunne played college golf here in America for UA-Birmingham.

The Gog’s Blog’s preview of the Western Amateur runs tomorrow, join us then and in the meantime, DO GO PLAY. RS

 Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, the new clubhouse opens next month, for details see Mistwoodgc.com. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club is open tee-times open for this week but going fast, call (847)-259-4200. Golfers on Golf Radio live today at 9 AM from Mt. Prospect, see us live at the course. The Western Amateur tee’s off Tuesday at Rich Harvest Farms, admission and parking are Free, courtesy of the WGA and owner Jerry Rich, defending champion Beau Hossler is in the field. www.thewesternamateur.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

 Golfers on Golf Radio is live this morning at the Mt. Prospect Golf Course that has just reopened from a Dave Esler renovation, the classic style course should be added to your must play list. Hear all about it starting at 9 Am this morning live on WSBC AM 1240 and WCFJ AM 1470. (above picture standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger).

THE GOG BLOG’S SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME is written by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The Mt. Prospect Clubhouse is buzzing with activity again.

They’re back, 14 months ago the Golfers on Golf Radio show helped say good-bye to the old Mt. Prospect Golf Club. Now it’s time to say in with the new, but with architect David Esler’s classic redesign of the 1926 course, now at Mt. Prospect what’s old is new.

Today is the second day of Mt. Prospect being open from the renovation, but all the golf is in one-single shotgun outing that tee’s off at 9 AM. Our show will take you through the first hour off this special day at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club, as yet another 100+ golfers will get to play the finished product. Join us live at the course, or over your radio. If your on the course or getting a lesson, you can get a mulligan, join us here on the site for a replay of the show under our “Past Shows” category.

RECAPPING NEWS …

The John Deere Classic, moves to August in 2016.

As first reported on Golfers on Golf Radio back on July 12th, live from the TPC Deere Run clubhouse, the 2016 version of the JDC moves to August 8-14.

This to accommandate the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where the men’s golf competition will be played from August 11-14. What this mean’s is that Jordan Spieth will likely not be able to defend his title next summer at the JDC. This change in the schedule is one the JDC will accept says tournament director Clair Peterson.

“The John Deere Classic will embrace our 2016 date with an eye towards delivering the kind of compelling and dramatic golf tournament that our local fans and TV viewers around the world have come to expect,” said Peterson. “TPC Deere Run is a golf course with a great set of finishing holes that were designed by course architect D.A. Weibring specifically to produce the kind of exciting finishes we have had since the tournament moved here in 2000. We think next year will be just as enjoyable for our fans.”

Peterson feels several players who have always wanted to play the JDC, and are not in the Olympic’s might make 2016 their year to do so.

Carrie Williams has been officially announced as the new Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section.

Another story reported here back some weeks ago, Carrie Williams has finally been officially announced by the IPGA as their new Executive Director of the section.

She becomes the fourth executive director in the 99 year history of the organization. She will officially start her new job on August 26th.

The nationwide search saw over 20 applicants apply for the job.

From 2001 until 2007 William served as Assistant Executive Director for the IPGA, in January of 2007 she was named Executive Director of the Illinois Junior Golf Association (IJGA). While serving in that position, she is credited in growing the IJGA operating budget, sponsorship revenue, fundraising revenue, and programming growth.

cdga.org

Dave Ryan does it again, he repeats as champion of the CDGA Senior Amateur Championship, that was played this past week at the Merit Club in Libertyville.

Ryan a 5-time CDGA Player of the Year, won the title by defeating Craig Sopko 3 & 2 in the title match. Ryan is the second player to win the championship more than once, Tom Miler has won the title, three times.

Sopko had an early 2 UP lead, but called a penalty on himself on the 6th hole, for double-hitting a putt. Only Sopko saw it but he knew he needed to call the penalty on himself. Sopko said the momentum turned around right there. Ryan commended Sopko for doing the right thing, saying, “it’s takes a lot of class to do that.”

Both players expect to play the 29th Illinois State Senior Amateur at Ravisloe Country Club from September 16-18.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns on tomorrow. Until then GO PLAY, the weather is now finally great.

    The Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, new clubhouse coming late September, details at Mistwoodgc.com (815)-254-3333. Mt. Prospect Golf Club now open as of today, tee times open for this week. (847)-259-4200. www.thewesternamateur.com for details on this weeks WGA Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Free Parking and admission courtesy of the WGA and owner of Rich Harvest Farms Mr. Jerry Rich.   ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Wearing the new Imperial Coolcore hat by Imperial Headwear on U.S. Amateur Day at Olympia Fields Country Club.

Do you get tired of hats that feel to heavy on your head, that weigh too much on a hot day. That don’t handle rain or the sweat dripping from your head during a hot steamy day on the golf course.

Well I have found a brand that covers all of those area’s and more.

Recently I had the opportunity to try out the Coolcore hat by Imperial Headwear, and Amercian Company that’s celebrating it’s 100th anniversary in 2016.

I broke it in during a two-day event for the upcoming U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields Country Club this month. During those two days, I faced a variety of elements from the weather.

The new Coolcore Hat by Imperial, See Imperialsports.com

Day 1 was a hot one, with temps in the upper 80’s. The lightweight Coolcore hat I was wearing sure did it’s job. The hat remained dry and helped keep my head cool. I never had that sweaty feeling on my head before, during, and or after the round when I took the hat off.

While the hat is thin enough and very lightweight, it does a great job of keeping the suns UV rays from burning the top of your head.

Imperial Hats with your logo like on this hat that I received at the John Deere Classic.

Day 2 of my event at Olympia Fields was different from the first day. No sooner than our group was headed out to the golf course, the rain started to come down. After the first hole the rain picked up, and came down pretty good on us for four holes until it stopped. Since I was walking and had (of course) forgotten my umbrella in the car, the Coolcore hat was the only thing I had to keep the rain off of my head, and the glasses I wear while golfing. It did a great job. By our fifth hole the rain stopped, but the humidity became a factor. But I have no complaints about the results from the Coolcore hat, it handled both conditions without a problem.

I must say, it’s one of the most comfortable hats I have ever worn. It does a great job handling a variety of conditions like I experienced while golfing at my two-day event at Olympia Fields. I can’t help but recommend to golfers and or even non-golfers. That the new Coolcore hats are great for everyday use, and can handle the wide variety of conditions that golfers will encounter will being out on the golf course.

When I travel to top clubs and or resorts where I will buy hats for future rounds of golf, my first choice will be to look for hats by Imperial. I feel it’s a product that golfers can trust and rely on.

Coolcore was launched at the PGA Show in Orlando Florida this past January.

“The most anticipated golf headwear of the season is now available at the better golf shops across the country,” says David Shaffer, Director of Marketing at Imperial Headwear. “Cooling fabrics are definitely the next trend in performance fabrics and Imperial is excited to be the first company to bring this industry-leading Coolcore technology to the golf market.”

Coolcore provides a cooling solution that extends beyond traditional moisture-managementfabrics or evaporative cooling technologies that rely on chemicals. It’s 100% free of chemicals, polymers, gels, crystals or phase changing materials, ensuring all Coolcare benefits never wash out or degrade. Coolcore fabrics deliver three distinct functions, including moisture wicking, moisture transportation an accelerate drying, and regulated evaporation for a cooling effect. The end result is 30% lower surface temperatures, drier garments that don’t cling or saturate, healthier chemical-free usage, and zero degradation of the cooling effect over time or washing. Coolcore is the only company globally to receive the “Cooling Power” award from the Hohenstein Institute.

“Imperial’s new cooling technology has the potential to change the headwear business,” said Laura Robinson, Director of Retail at the Pinehurst Resort.

Need more. For those cool days check out Imperials “Keep Warm Knit” category, that includes “The Centennial” that pays tribute the companies 100 year history. Want less, for those who like to play with a visor, see ” The Lafayette” style design.

For more information on Imperial Headwear, visit imperialsports.com or call toll free to (800)-950-1916 and you can place an order. When you visit your club or go to buy your next piece of headwear, ask for Imperial Headwear. You will be glad you did.