SEA PINES PLANTATION is ready for the PGA Tour to come to town this week. After last week at the Masters the professionals are up for a relaxing week as well. Sea Pines is going through a $65 million dollar renovation and it’s top golf destination. Go online and visit Seapines.com and plan your next golf trip to Hilton Head Island. Great Golf.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At the top of the famed Harbor Town light house.

If you love golf you always head into Masters week thinking it should be a great week, and golf season is here.

I left Masters week thinking it wasn’t a great week, and golf season left town for the winter here in Chicago as snow fell for two straight days at the ball park.

When Rory McIlroy made a hole-in-one on Monday, it was easy to think the fireworks had started for a great week.

Not much happened on Tuesday, but again there was a slew of Hole-in Ones on Wednesday in the Par-3 Contest. In fact nine of them including two of them on back-to-back shots. Now I’m thinking here comes an incredible Masters. Then sizzle turned into fizzle, as in fizzled out.

Masters.com for a final wrap up.

We all knew Arnold Palmer would not hit a tee shot on Thursday, that was no surprise. But then the professionals had trouble hitting tee shots as well, at least ones that found fairways.There was no shortage of missed two foot putters either.

Defending Champion Jordan Spieth had the championship in his pocket for 64 holes, then he didn’t making a Quad-Bogey 7 on the Par 3-12th in the heart of Amen Corner. Spieth then ended up finishing T-2 with Lee Westwood, who still hasn’t won a major.

Danny Willett (who you ask) did win, yes Danny Willett from England became the third player in six years to win the Masters in their second visit to Augusta, along with Spieth and Charl Schwartzel in 2011. Actually for those of you who don’t know Willett, he just made it in the field, but in the last couple of years has turned in several good finishes at the bigger tournaments.

Still your asking, Danny Who ! OKAY, I get it. You didn’t have Willett in your pool and after getting your tail kicked in the NCAA Men’s hoops pool, you were looking for some redemption at the Masters.

Well I won my NCAA hoops pool and I was still looking for another win at the Masters. Hello Bubba and Hello Rory. Only McIlroy could make seven birdies in the final round and never see red numbers on Sunday, after being in 2nd place at the start of Saturday.

First up congrats to Willett on the win and Green Jacket. Plus now likely a birth on the Olympic team and a Ryder Cup team as well.

Danny Willett, I know you think he is the Danny from Caddyshack and he finally grew up, that Danny right ? Um No ! not him either.

What happened to all the guys who were supposed to win ? Well most of them didn’t show up looking ready to win, and played more like they were ready to go home by Friday. Yes that old saying on Friday night about the tournament being at the airport has some merit here, and no not Troy Merritt because he made the cut and played well.

Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson didn’t look Masters ready and neither did Jason Day after the first 8 holes of Round 1, or Bubba Watson by the Back-Nine on Thursday. Sergio Garcia started off okay and then turned into Sergio at a major, as the golf gods just continue to torment him.

Dustin Johnson hung around, but the putter let him down again, and again, and again, which in-itself sounds more like Ernie Els playing the first hole. Els could have borrowed a line from the late Seve Ballesteros on how he 6-putted the first hole in Round 1. I miss, I miss, I miss, I miss, I miss, I make. Jason Dufner, Ian Poulter, Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker were gone early or never in contention.

Zach, I know you are laughing all the way to the bank, but how are those new clubs working out for you ?

Brandt Snedeker and Justin Rose made their share of birdies, only to bounce around close to even par and then back to green numbers. Yes green numbers, it’s Augusta and it’s Masters week.

Whether it was pin the placements or weather conditions, most of the big guns played like pop guns for 2 or 4 days.

So Rory, who is this Danny Willett guy, I don’t think I took him in the pool.

OKAY, I didn’t have him in the pool either, but I had Louis Oosthuizen in the pool and he made a really cool bank-shot, hole-in-one in the final round. I didn’t have Soren Kjeldsen in the pool either, and I don’t know who he knows because he got far too much TV time during the back-nine on Sunday. But I suggest we learn his name because he will probably be on the European Ryder Cup Team come September.

I do know that Bernhard Langer, low-amateur Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy didn’t get enough TV time on Sunday.

I do know my definition of drama during the back-nine on Sunday at the Masters, is not watching Spieth make 7 on a Par 3 after chunking two balls into Rae’s Creek.

Hey Rory, didn’t you say this would be a great Masters without Tiger Woods being there hogging far too much TV time while shooting 80 in round 1 & 2 and missing the cut ?

Actually I did, and while I didn’t miss Woods hitting out of them for two days,  I saw Spieth do it more times than I do in any given round. I guess the driver face Spieth broke on Wednesday, might have hurt him more than we thought.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow, and the U.S Open at Oakmont which returns in two months can’t get here fast enough either. I’m ready for some real drama. RS

 GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO RETURNS 1 week from today on Sunday April 17th at 9 AM on WSBC AM 1240, and the show will run for 22 weeks through September 11th. Join us all season long. Erin Hills is waiting for your visit and tee times are filling fast for this season that leads into Erin hills going on the clock to host the 2017 US Open. Call now book your foursome, over night stay and get US Open information at Erinhills.com. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The UL International Crown is coming this July 19-24 at the Merit Club in Libertyville.

The eight countries have now been decided and unlike the 2014 LPGA Crown at Caves Valley, the events sponsor has been decided.

That sponsor is Underwriters Laboratories which has it’s home offices located in Northbrook.

How did this North Suburban Company in Chicago end up becoming a sponsor of a major woman’s international golf event. Well the International Crown will be or is likely to be conducted in countries where UL does much of it’s business.

Yani Tseng and UL CEO Keith Williams with the Crown Trophy at Roy’s Restaurant in Chicago.

Golfers on Golf recently caught up with UL CEO and President Keith Williams who explained the connection with the LPGA, how it all came together, and making the championship come together in spite of a late venue change from Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, to the Merit Club in the North Burbs of Lake County.

During the interview Williams discusses women’s golf and how well the LPGA players mix with the fans and sponsors. In addition how the International Crown will lead off the first of four major woman’s golf events in the next three years in the Chicago area.

Click here to hear the interview with UL CEO and President Keith Williams, and his companies involvement with the LPGA and the International Crown.

Defending champion Spain did not qualify for this years tournament, the runner up in 2014, Sweden also did not make the field finishing 9th. The last team into the field this year was Australia, part of the Australian Team will be Karrie Webb who won the last big tournament at the Merit Club the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open. For more from Karrie Webb on her return to the Merit Club see our story from last week on this site with her.

For tickets and volunteer information see ULCrown.com. Tickets on Sale now, keep it clicked in here for more information on the UL International Crown leading up to tournament week in July.

 THE LIGHTHOUSE AT SEA PINES and the RBC Heritage Classic coming up next week after the Masters. The Merit Club home of the LPGA UL International Crown Championship coming this July 19-24, come support the 8 countries. ULCrown.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio back for season #5 on WSBC AM 1240, standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger.

They are back. Chicago’s longest running radio Golf Show returns on Sunday April 17th at 9 AM on WSBC AM 1240.

This year the show will run for 22 weeks, ending on Sunday the 11th of September,with our BMW Championship show with interviews and live reports from Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana.

There will also be a Ryder Cup preview on the final show, with the Ryder Cup just two weeks away in September.

Ed Stevenson at the controls

Chicago’s favorite foursome of Mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears is ready to bring you 22 great weeks of golf news.

After 4 live shoes in the last two years, Golfers on Golf Radio is still working on the final details of live shows for the season ahead.

This year for the first time, there could be a live show from outside of Illinois, details to follow.

Rory Spears will continue to be the driving force behind Golfersongolf.com.

Some of the tournaments that Golfers on Golf will cover in person are, The Rust Oleum Web.com tournament at the Ivanhoe Club.

The LPGA UL International Crown, the John Deere Classic, the Sr. PGA Championship. The Western Amateur, the Illinois PGA Section major championships. The Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood.

The tee time is 9 AM and week 1 takes the show live to Harbor Town at Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton head Island in South Carolina, and an update on the RBC Heritage Classic.

We will have the latest on golf destinations around the country, new golf products and equipment, this year we plan to have some guests hosts and other interesting segments that golfers will enjoy.

“All of us are looking forward to another year of talking golf with Chicago,” said Rory Spears. “Our wide variety of topics should be of interest to golfers of all levels, and for the third straight season we look forward to some live broadcasts from golf facilities around the area, and possibly out of state. We hope the golfers will join us all season long.”

Calls are always welcome at 773-792-1240. Golf news all year long right here at on this website Golfersongolf.com. Our Sunday Morning Short Game Column, will have details about the show every week.

Golfers on Golf would like everyone to pick up their FREE copies of Chicagoland Golf, our print partner, were you can see our ad’s every issue. Chicagoland Golf returns in May, in your local pro shops and golf retail stores.

Golfers on Golf Radio is just 9 days away, Golfers get ready now.

  THE BUBBA SOCK created for Bubba Watson before his first Masters win, now part of the Kentwool Line, for more information see Kentwool.com. The Msitwood Golf Club in Romeoville is getting ready to open tomorrow. Call (815)-254-3333 for details on tee times and green fees. McWethy’s Tavern in the clubhouse is open. Mistwoodgc.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Magnolia Lane is open. It’s Masters Week.

The clock is ticking, and while there is some great golf to watch this week from the land of Pimento Sandwiches and Green Jackets, it’s hard not to get excited about Chicago’s biggest golf tournament of the summer ahead.

THE UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN, coming from July 19-24 at the Merit Club in Libertyville.

The second UL International Crown is shaping up to be even more exciting that the first one back in 2014.

Defending champion Spain is out and didn’t even crack the field of eight. 2014 runner-up Sweden is gone as well, yes the team that finished 1 and 2, won’t be back.

Australia got in. The Aussies were there in 2014, but like Team USA they didn’t qualify for Sunday’s final round at Caves Valley. This time they plan to stick around until the end, and they might have just the player who can help them do that.

The venue for this years UL International Crown, is the Libertyville based Merit Club which previously hosted the 2000 U.S Women’s Open won by Karrie Webb. The club hasn’t hosted any tournaments since. Many of today’s top players weren’t around in 2000, or they were under the age of 10.

But Australia has Webb, who knows the course and has the hardware to prove it. While Webb hasn’t returned to the Merit Club since her victory or played golf in the Chicago area since her win in the LPGA Kellog-Keebler at Stonebridge Country Club in Naperville, she did return to Chicago yesterday to start promoting this summers UL Crown.

   The Merit Club was the site where Karrie Webb won her first U.S Open, pulling away from Meg Mallon during the back nine on Sunday.

Click here to hear the interview with Karrie Webb member of Team Australia and the winner of the biggest tournament the Merit Club has ever hosted.

Webb says with defending champion Spain not in the field, she feels like she is really the defending champion, and she is looking forward to her return and hopefully winning at MC again.

Tickets and information at ULCrown.com The UL International Crown July 19-24.

  THE CALLAWAY XR DRIVER, designed with input from the airplane people (Boeing) see Callawaygolf.com. Mistwood Golf Club home of the Illinois Women’s Open is open for the season on Thursday April 7th. Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333 for details ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, with the LPGA’s Yani Tseng at Roy’s in Chicago. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

 The UL International Crown is coming to Libertyville this July 19-24, come see who the best golfing country is in the world of women’s golf.

The list of the final 8 countries that have a chance to win the UL International Crown are the following.

1. Korea,
2. United States
3. Thailand
4. Chinese Taipei
5. Japan
6. England
7. China
8. Australia                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The Merit Club will be the home of the 2016 UL International Crown, tickets are on sale now. You can also sign up to be a volunteer. ULCrown.com. Yani Tseng was in Chicago today to meet with the local community and some assembled media. Below is out interview with her about the UL Crown and all things LPGA Golf.

   Click here to hear the interview with Yani Tseng. Tomorrow the Gog Blog will have an interview with Keith Williams, President and CEO of title sponsor Underwriters Labs of Northbrook. 2014 International Crown Champion Spain has been eliminated, and 2014 runner-up country Sweden finished 9th and was also eliminated from this years event.

  This week the weather will still be chilly, so why not spend a final few days inside getting ready for the summer ahead. Links & Tee’s open year round, the dome is open. See Addisonparks.org, or call (630)-233-7275. MCQ’s an official Blackhawks bar, is home to indoor golf, OTB, and great sports bar, with good BBQ and beverage. More information call, (630)-739-7600 or Mcqsdome.com. Blackhawks vs Arizona Tues night 7:30 PM.      _____________________________________________________________________

 THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, It’s Masters Week and Magnolia Drive is about to open. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. The front of the Augusta National Golf Club. Golfers on Golf Radio on WSBC returns on April 17th at 9 AM.

Masters.Com

Welcome to the week that every year just seems to kick-start golf. Yeah…Masters week.

Jordan Spieth will try to spend the week trying to put another green jacket across his shoulders, and not having to do the honor of putting it on someone else.

There are some who expect Spieth to walk away with another jacket this week. I am not one of them. I do expect Spieth will be in the heat of the battle, but not in victory form. I am rooting for Rory McIlroy to complete the career Grand Slam and join that small fraternity. But I believe Bubba Watson will be your winner, with Jason Day on his heels. You want a sleeper, Louis Oosthuizen and or Phil Mickelson should be in the hunt.

In the winners circle already at Augusta National is 11 year old Christian Kim of Vernon Hills, who won his age group in the National Drive-Chip and Putt competition. Well done Christian and congratulations.

University of Illinois at it’s practice facility.

The University of Illinois Men’s Golf team also came up a winner in the 3M Augusta Invitational, to defeat the #1 University of Texas Longhorns by 3 shots.

Illinois entered the final round in second place, but shot 12 under par as a team to comeback and win.

“It was a solid day from the start,” head coach Mike Small said. ” The key was getting off to a good start on the early holes witch are tough holes. This is a historic tournament so it’s nice to get our name on the trophy.”

Sr. Charlie Danielson shot a 4 under par final round to lead the way, with Thomas Detry carding a final round 3 under par. Illinois was 17 under par for the tournament.

ULCrown.com At the Merit Club coming this July.

Yani Tseng who was the NO.1 player in the world just 3 years ago, will be in Chicago today for a luncheon at Roy’s on State Street.

The event starts at 11:30 and runs through 1:15, it is open to the public and just a few seats remain. Cost is $15 and includes a small lunch and a beverage.

The LPGA UL International Crown will come to the Merit Club this July, the teams have been set and the USA is in the field. However defending champion Spain finished 11th and will not be in the field this year. That’s a stunner.

I will have more this week about the return of Golfers on Golf Radio on WSBC. Chicago’s favorite foursome will hit the First-Tee on April 17th at 9 AM.

ONE MORE TIME, thanks so much to our winter sponsors. The Halfway House in Elmhurst, The Tinley Park Golf Expo, Links & Tee’s Golf Dome, and MCQ’s Golf Dome along with McWethy’s Tavern at the Mistwood Golf Club.

The Gog Blog will be back this week, with more features and stories on the Masters and UL International Crown. RS.

AS OUR WINTER PARTNERSHIPS COME TO AN END… the Gog Blog would like to thank the following events or business for their support over the winter months. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @gogBlogguy.

     The Halfway House at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst, next to HB Jones. Thanks to owner Susan Phillips one of our favorite new people in the Chicago area golf business. The Halfway House had a wonderful first winter season. With snow still lurking in the area, come try one of their simulators and play over 90 courses from around the world. Make you tee time at Halfwayhousegolf.com or call (331)-642-8050.

  Thanks to Charles Sims at the award winning (again) Links & Tee’s Golf Facility, one of the few year round golf facilities in the Chicago area. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 for hours and more, come to Links and Tee’s all summer long.

The Tinley Park Golf Expo, See you there in Feb. 2017. Thanks to Gregg Tengerstrom and Joe Copeland for another great show and another year of support. For next years times and dates visit Tinelyparkgolfexpo.com.

    SPECIAL THANKS TO MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook and to McWethy’s Tavern at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. Thanks to Jim McWethy and Dan Phillips for helping us put together our winter coverage of both places.

McQ’s is getting ready to end the golf dome part of the season, and get ready for the big Kentucky Derby Party next month, see Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. For McWethy’s Tavern now open year round at Mistwood Golf Club, Grand Opening for McWethy’s and the new club house starts the week April 18th. Mcwethystavern.com or call (815)-254-7001 for more information. McWethy’s a mix of golf flavored fine dining with a great variety menu.

Don’t forget MCQ’s Dome is an official Blackhawks Bar, see all of the remaining Hawks games and playoff games there all spring.

Thanks again to all of our winter sponsors, Golfers on Golf Appreciates your support.

  THE HALFWAY HOUSE next to HB Jones at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst is the ticket to indoor simulator golf. While the weather is rainy and chilly outside take your game inside to the Halfway House, make your tee time at (331)-642-8050 or book online at haflwayhousegolf.com. MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is the place for indoor golf, playing the horses in the OTB, or enjoying food and drink in the sports bar. Call the dome at (630)-739-7600 for golf or 739-1592 for the bar and grill. MCQSdome.com.        _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG BY RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Roger Cleveland at Cog Hill.

Callaway Golf packed up the truck and brought all the goods over to the “Great Hall” in the new Mistwood Clubhouse.

The new look Callaway Golf that searches for aerodynamic ideas from companies like Boeing, is still getting the best in wedges from the masters like designer Roger Cleveland.

When Cleveland isn’t designing wedges for pro golfers like Phil Mickelson, he is creating them for you.

The new MD3 wedges have been on the market since last fall, and Cleveland says the feedback that’s coming in, has been fantastic.

Click here to hear the interview with Roger Cleveland. Cleveland discusses wedge loft, when to replace them, and what the new MD3 wedges bring to the table, that previous Callaway models did not. Cleveland talks about Mickelson normally plays with four wedges, and spend as much as 50% of his practice time working on the short game. because that’s where you score and can make up lost shots.

Roger Cleveland stands in the short game bunker at Mistwood, explaining the new MD3 wedges.

Callaways event at Mistwood this past week, was stop 45 of 47 for some of the Callaway team.

The team started making these stops in front of the pro’s and sales people who sell their products, early in the year both in Florida and in California or the desert states.

The final stops will take the team to Canada next week.

The feed back and exchange allows the sales force and pro’s to get information back to corporate Callaway and for them to get a better understanding of how the new products work and why.

If your looking for new wedges or other Callaway equipment, now is the time to make the change before you get into the heart of golf season.

Part of the Callaway demonstration was a look at the Odyssey Putters, which is one of the Callaway companies.

For more information on Callaway products visit Callawaygolf.com, or on several types social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

  THE HALFWAY HOUSE home to over 90 courses world wide in their golf simulators is your place to play the game indoors, when going outside is not an option. Enjoy golf in a fun atmosphere while exploring the daily specials. Book your tee-time today by calling (331)-642-8050 or online at Halfwayhousegolf.com. The GREAT HALL located in the new clubhouse at Mistwood Golf Club is filling quickly for the summer ahead. Weddings, parties, special events for family or corporate, the Great Hall does it all. Mistwood Golf Course is opening for the year on Thursday April 7th, while inside the new clubhouse McWethy’s Tavern is now open Year-Round. Call (815)-254-7001 today.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS editor and director of content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @gogblogguy. In McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club.

A part of the new look of Callaway Golf, is increasing the level of customer service to you the golfer.

How do you do that, you let the people who sell your products, get a first hand experience with the people who make them.

The corporate office might be Star Wars in the development department, but it’s not just some place that is far-far away.

So Callaway has brought it’s team from the corporate office on the road. They are sitting down with people like your golf pro, or the sales reps in the golf retail stores, to find out how well the the chain of command is working, and to make sure their are no broken links in the chain. Who wins, You do. Yes you the customer who wants to put best the clubs and golf balls in your bag.

As a result Callaway brought their people, and the input from those airplane people, yes the airplane people.

Team Callaway meets up with Team Boeing.

Where they descended on the newly built “Great Hall” at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

What you have when all these people and one media guy come together, is a day where golf makes progress, and you golfer is the winner in the big scope of things.

Callaway talks golf with local golf professionals and sales reps at Mistwood.

Did you know that Callaway has taken club head design, and speed to a new level.

As part of a special project with the Boeing Aircraft Corporation, both design teams put their heads together and found a way for the club heads to be a bit more Aerodynamic, and faster to the golf ball.

For you the golfer it means even more than distance than before.

Jason Finley with Callaway brand name marketing, who spent a great deal of time prior with wood and golf balls, and Corey Newman from the Callaway Fitting Department were at Mistwood to help with the presentation.

Click here to hear the interview with Jason Finley and Corey Newman, Oh and by-the-way, there is a guest cameo by some guy whose nickname is “Lefty”.

  The new Callaway Chrome-Soft golf ball, no sacrifice. Distance and feel all rolled into one. The new Xr driver, has you going longer that you ever thought you could.

For more information on all the Callaway Golf products and all the new clubs, balls and more. See Callawaygolf.com or visit Callaway on Social media.

Part 2 of Callaway and Boeing come to Mistwood, will be released tomorrow, when the MD3 wedges by Roger Cleveland become our feature of the day, hear our interview with Roger as he speaks on the new wedges.