THE 22ND PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN has 36 holes in the books and with 18 holes to play, it should be another exciting finish at Mistwood Golf Club. The 2015 Champion Madasyn Petersen is not in the field, so who will replace her as the new champion golfer of 2016. To all golfers come and play Mistwood, call (815)-254-3333. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At Mistwood GC with owner Jim McWethy.

THE PHIL KOSIN Illinois Women’s Open is down to the last 18 holes, and their are some familiar names at the top of the leader board.

Two amateurs Brooke Ferrell on the University of Wisconsin Golf team, where she will be a senior this fall, is tied with Stephanie Miller on the University of Illinois golf team where she will be a junior this fall.

Both players are at 6 under par (138) headed to the final 18 holes. Ferrell from Edgerton Wisconsin, works in the pro shop at Steve Stricker’s home course, and gets some advice from the famous tour pro, while taking lessons from Stricker’s Father-In-Law Dennis Tiziani. Ferrell’s two round are 68-70.

Stephanie Miller (L) with Ember Schuldt after the 2015 IWO. Schuldt the Illini Alum is 5 shots back -1 after two rounds.

Stephanie Miller is a past Illinois State champion in her high school days while playing at Stevenson High School.

Miller has been in this position before, leading after two rounds at the IWO. She lead after two rounds in 2012, and fell back in round three with a score of 80. Samantha Troyanovich won the championship in a playoff.

Miller then in high school, said after the tournament, “for the first two days I played like I can, today I played like a high school player.”

During this years final round, we will see if she can play like the college player she has evolved into at Illinois. Miller carded rounds of 69-69 over the first two days.

Eight players in the field of 63 are under par after 36 holes, with no players at even par. The only past champion in the field in Wheaton’s Jeana Perason who has won the championship twice. After an opening 71, Pearson fell back with a 74 and sits 7 back.

The other players under par include Lexi Harkins from Crystal Lake tied for third place, 3 shots back at 143 with Kelli Grassel of Chesterton Indiana. Northwestern University’s Hanna Kim is in 5th place at 2 under par, after a second round 68 that put her back in contention.

Naperville’s Bing Singhsumalee, was the early leader in the clubhouse after an even par round left her at -1. Tied with Singsumalee is Taylor Thompson of Galesburg, Ember Schuldt of Sterling.

Lindsay Dodovich of Chicago is the still the leader in the “shot of the tournament ” category, Dodovich made a hole-in-one in Round 1 on the Par 3, 17th hole. 160 yards with a 7-Iron.

32 players have made the cut for the final round on Wednesday, players will start off the first tee at 7 AM, with the final group with the leaders teeing off at 9:15.

Click here to hear the interviews with co-leaders Stephanie Miller and Brooke Ferrell.

Admission and parking are free, the public is invited and welcome to attend. For more information see the Mistwood website at Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. In studio at WSBC Am Chicago.

 THE PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN TEE’S OFF TODAY AT MISTWOOD, for more information see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333. Mistwood on Renwick Road in Romeoville, admission and parking are Free. (RIGHT) from the deck oat the new Mistwood Clubhouse, with view of the Performance Center and putting green.         _____________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                 TOURNEY TIME and that it is. It’s time to get our body clock right after getting up at some early hour to watch “The Open Championship.” Congrats to Henrik Stenson on his first major victory, and to Phil Mickelson in the runner up spot to the “Champion Golfer of the Year.” Both players over the weekend ran away and hid from the field. Steve Stricker had a nice weekend and wound up getting his best finish in a major championship by finishing in 4th place.

The players get a week off and then it’s right back into another major at the PGA Championship at Baltusrol. If Stenson’s putter stays hot, he could be in the right place to win two straight majors, will he.

FORMER ILLINI player Thomas Pieters decided he wasn’t going to let Rory McIlroy have all the fun when it came to putting his clubs in their proper place. While Mcllroy destroyed his 3-Wood after a wide right shot that ended up on a maintenance road (Nike equipment will do that to you), by smashing the head off the club in the fairway. Pieters topped a wood shot from the low rough and the ball ended up on the green not far from the cup, after a very long hot running roll down the fairway. But long before that Pieters took the club over his knee, broke it into two pieces and gave them a free ride into some thick Gorse bushes. Thomas, keep those Callaway products on their toes.

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN, the late Chicagoland Golf Publisher Phil Kosin would be proud about what the IWO has transpired into. Mistwood has become a first-class facility, and the ladies have a great place to play for the championship. The purse has over doubled from the early days. With defending champion Madasyn Petersen not in the field defending her title, the title is wide open. Jenna Pearson of Wheaton a previous two-time winner of the IWO comes in as one of the favorites. The Gog Blog will have full coverage all three days with on-site coverage coming Tuesday and Wednesday.

THE ILLINOIS STATE AMATEUR hits the first tee on Tuesday and Wheaton’s T-K Kelly a two-time champion returns looking for his third title. Nick Hardy of Northbrook is expected to contend with Kelly for the title.

THE UL LPGA INTERNATIONAL CROWN is finally here. Korea and United States are the two favorites at the Merit Club in this eight country team championship that will include 32 players.

   THE ONWENTSIA CLUB of Lake Forest will host the IPGA Senior Masters Pro-Am today. The Senior Masters honors two IPGA professionals for their contributions to golf and golf in Illinois. More coming up on the event and this years award winners in the week ahead.

THE IPGA will host media day at the Royal Fox CC later this week, in preparation for next week’s championship, more on that coming up this week here on the site. So stay clicked in and GO PLAY. RS.

 RUFFLED FEATHERS in Lemont is making a comeback, over $ 2 Million worth of Improvements to the clubhouse and the golf course, learn more today on Golfers on Golf Radio. TOMORROW ON THE TEE, The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333. #IWO  _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio on WSBC AM 1240 Chicago, teeing off at 9 AM every Sunday morning through Sept. 11. Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Golfers on Golf Radio is back this morning at AM 1240 WSBC Chicago.

Your hosts are Mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears. Chicago’s Favorite Foursome is on the tee at 9 AM.

This week our guests include Victor Rodarte the GM at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont. The club has under gone over 2 Million Dollars of improvements in the last year. What all got done, well we will bring you up to speed.

At 9:30 Dan Bradley the GM of the Mistwood Golf Club that will again host the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open starting tomorrow morning, with the final round being played on Wednesday.

     The Mistwood Golf will host the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open starting tomorrow.

Defending Champion Madasyn Petersen seen here with Mistwood owner Jim McWethy is not in this years field.

She is not in the field. Rockford area native Madasyn Petersen stunned the field when she won the IWO last year at age 15.

Petersen birdied the last five holes on the way to the clubhouse, during the final round to pull away from the field.

Unfortunately this year Petersen is not playing, as she travels the country in various AJGA events, hoping to land a college scholarship to major NCAA Division 1 program. Once she is locked into a school, she hopes to return to Mistwood as early as 2017 and compete again.

AS A RESULT..two-time champion Wheaton’s Jenna Pearson leads a smaller but more talented field into Mistwood for the 2016 IWO. Pearson who has partial status on the Symetra-Tour won the championship in 2006 and 2011.

Some of the other players of note include Brooke Ferrell of Edgerton Wisconsin, and Ember Schuldt from Sterling, who have spent the last two years on the leader board, but are looking for that first title. Others included two-time Wisconsin amateur champion Rebecca Klongland, University of Illinois golfer Stephanie Miller of Elgin, who lead after rounds 1 & 2 in 2012. Samantha Postillion lost the title in a 3-way playoff in 2012, and Naperville’s Bing Singhsumalee who just qualified for the USGA Women’s Amateur.

The Gog Blog returns on Monday with a look at tournament week around Illinois, and a special event run by the IPGA at Onwentsia in Lake Forest. RS.

   THE NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT, just over 50 miles from Pittsburgh PA. One Pete Dye Course, and another on the way opening in 2017. THE PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN at Mistwood GC in Romeoville, Round 1 tee’s off on Monday morning, the championship is decided Wednesday the 20th. Mistwoodgc.com.   ______________________________________________________________________

   VINCE PELLEGRINO SR. VP of Tournaments of the Western Golf Association (L) and RORY SPEARS (R) Editor and Director of Content, for Golfersongolf.com in front of the Chick Evans portrait at the Glenview Club in Glenview. See WGAESF.ORG. #caddies.  _____________________________________________________________________

2012 Winner of the Western Junior Championship, Adam Wood talks Western Amateur at the Knollwood Club of Lake Forest.

This past week the Western Golf Association held media day for the upcoming 114th Western Amateur Championship, that will be contested at the Knollwood Club of Lake Forest.

Defending champion Dawson Armstrong who won at Rich Harvest Farms last year, returns to head up a stellar field, that will be one of the best amateur fields in the world of golf this year.

If Armstrong expects to repeat, he might have to play his through players like, PAC-12 Freshman of the year Collin Morikawa of Cal., USC Trojan and 2015 US Amateur Semi-finalist at Olympia Fields Sean Crocker, and University of Florida Sophomore Sam Horsfield who recently played in the U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Top local players in the field of 156 include, University of Illinois, Nick Hardy from Northbrook, University of Texas Junior Doug Ghim or Arlington Heights, recent Ohio State graduate T-K Kelly, and Patrick Flavin of Highwood Illinois, who is playing college golf at Miami University. Six of the sweet-sixteen who advanced to match play last year, return for another chance at the trophy.

“The depth of our field is what has made the Western Amateur one of the most prestigious amateur golf championships in the world for more than a century,” said Vince Pellegrino, Senior Vice president of Tournaments for the Western Golf Association, which as conducted the championship since 1899. “We are excited to see how this group of decorated collegiate players, top-tier international competitors and promising juniors perform on this classic design at the Knollwood Club.”

The Western Amateur will have players from 20 nations including the United States, and past champions include Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Justin Leonard. Current PGA Tour players Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk have all played in the Western Amateur. Recent Sr. PGA Champion Rocco Mediate was defeated in the championship match.

Click here to hear an interview with media day guest speaker Adam Wood from Zionsville Indiana, and member of the Duke University Golf Team.

The par 3, 12 hole at the Knollwood Club

The Western Amateur will be played from August 1-6 at the Knollwood Club, with the championship match starting about noon on the 6th. Match play begins on Friday the 5th. Admission and parking are free. Knolwood is located on Rt. 43 just north of Rt. 60 and just south of Rt. 176 in Lake Forest. More details see westernamateur.com. or visit the Western Golf Association website.

The Knollwood Club founded in 1924, and the golf course designed by Colt & Alison, underwent a restoration by architect Keith Foster in 2009-2010. The back yardage will play around 7,200 yards and par could be lowered to 71, by the making of the par 5 sixth hole into a par 4. That option is being studied by the tournament committee.

 THE PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN Pro-Am tomorrow and the IWO tee’s off on Monday morning, final round on Wednesday July 20th, admission and parking are free. See Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333 for details. The new Titleist 716’s for more information on these new irons and all the new Titleist products see Titleist.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy. By the Deer at the Deere, TPC Deere Run.

It’s all always a great time at the John Deere Classic media day. The defending champion comes in and takes questions for all the reporters.

This year defending champion Jordan Spieth did not come to media day, and as a result did not take questions from the media present. But as the press conference was supposed to start Spieth released a statment that did cause questions to be asked, even if they were not, or could not be answered.

As JDC Tournament Director Clair Peterson was about to take to the podium, the news flashed across the screen from the “Open Championship” that Spieth had wtihdrawn from the 2016 Olympic games in Rio. He too must be worried about mosquitos, or something else.

The John Deere Classic press conference with TD Clair Peterson at the podium.

It didn’t take long for the media to ask Peterson if he had heard from Spieth yet about coming to the JDC.

Peterson had not but admitted he hoped he would in the days ahead. Since then Spieth has said he might not play that week at all, that it wouldn’t be right. But actually it would be, since on the PGA Tour if your the defending champion you should defend unless injuries or health prevent you from doing so. What will happen with Spieth at this point is unknown. But JDC board member Zach Johnson has informed the tournament that many top players could commit if they need Fed Ex Cup or Ryder Cup points. Players will assess their situation after the PGA Championship.

Click here to hear interviews with Clair Peterson, and media day attendee’s former University of Illinois player Charlie Danielson, and former Oregon Duck and reigning NCAA national champion Aaron Wise. Wise has rebounded nicely after getting stunned in the 2015 Western Amateur title match at Rich Harvest Farms.

Peterson and Deere brought in former Illini standout Charlie Danielson who has now turned professional, along with 2016 NCAA Champion Oregon’s Aaron Wise who has also now turned pro.

Both players were great interviews, and look forward to playing in the JDC. The TPC Deere Run golf course was in a great shape on a 94 degree day. The touring pro’s will love it when they arrive in August.

Peterson says there have been positives to having the One-year date change into August this year, the tournament gets it’s July dates back in 2017. The JDC is hoping to have another big year in raising money through it’s birdies for charities program, last year over 8 Million Dollars were raised for local charities.

For information and tickets see Johndeereclassic.com. JDC week is August 8-14.

    DESTINATION KOHLER WISCONSIN,  Blackwolf Run the 18th hole of the Meadow Valley Course, Whistling Straits home of the 2020 Ryder Cup. For more information on your next getaway to Kohler, see Destinationkohler.com. 4 Peye Dye Golf Courses.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG, by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Hitting the par 5, 16th on Whistling Straits.

The PGA of America and the Kohler Co. have announced that Herb and Natalie Kohler will serve as the Honorary Chairs for the 2020 Ryder Cup Matches, that will be contested on the Whistling Straits Golf Links in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin in the year 2020.

Kohler Company President David Kohler, will serve as General Chair for the 2020 Ryder Cup.

The 2020 Ryder Cup Matches will be the first Ryder Cup held in the United States that will be played on a public access golf course since 1991, when the matches were played at the Kiawah Island resort in Charleston South Carolina. The matches were played on the Ocean Course also designed by Whistling Straits designer Pete Dye.

David Kohler

Destination Kohler has hosted six Major Championship in the last 18 years, the most of any resort or venue in the world during that time.

The most recent was last years PGA Championship, that was won by Jason Day. Both the 2004 and the 2015 PGA Championships have set records for highest ticket and corporate hospitality sales in PGA Championship history.

“I am honored to serve as General Chair,” said David Kohler, President and CEO of Kohler Company. “There isn’t a more challenging and intimidating venue than Whistling Straits. My father, Herb Kohler, and designer, Pete Dye, created a masterpiece that will provide an incredible backdrop to the world’s premiere golf event. We are thrilled to serve as host site, and again share with the world the remarkable passion for golf that exists, not only in Wisconsin, but throughtout the United States.”

Working with David Kohler will be the support team of Michael Belot, General Manager of Hospitality and Development, Clubs and Golf Majors, will serve as Vice Chair of the 2020 Ryder Cup. Belot was Director at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. Jim Richerson the, the General Manager and Group Director of Kohler Golf, recently named Wisconsin PGA professional of the year.

Whistling Straits is  two miles of golf on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, that includes more than 1,100 bunkers and has sheep that roam the land as they please.

Destination Kohler includes the Five Star-Five Diamond American Club resort hotel, and the 3-Star inn on Woodlake. The Kohler Waters Spa is among the best Spa’s in the world. For more information call (800)-344-2838 or visit Desntinationkohler.com.

  SPEED UP YOUR GAME, play Arlington Lakes Golf Club on Wilke Road in Arlington Hts., 3-6-9 hole and 18 loops now available, see AHPD.org/ALGC or call 847-577-3030. The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open comes to Mistwood GC next week July 18-20, ladies are you signed up and in the field yet, contact Mistwood at (815)-254-3333.           ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy and around Mistwood GC next week for the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open.

The 86th Illinois State Amateur tee’s off next week at the St. Charles Country Club from July 19-21. the field will be 136 of the top amateur players in Illinois.

St. Charles Country Club is a classic style golf course designed by the famed golf architect Tom Bendelow.

After 36 holes, the field will be trimmed to the low 35 players and ties, and that field will play 36 holes on the final day.

Tee-K Keely of Wheaton returns as defending champion, last year was Kelly’s second Illinois Amateur win, after first winning the title in 2013. Last year Kelly defeated Conor Dore in a 3-hole aggregate playoff. Kelly had to make up two shots in the final five holes to be in the playoff.

The CDGA will operate the championship.

Nick Hardy was just one shot out of the playoff last year that determined the champion, and he finished third. In 2014 he finished second after losing in a playoff to champion Raymond Knoll, who will return to the amateur again this year. Knoll had a final round course-record 63 last year, that moved him into a T-6th place.

Todd Mitchell who won the championship in back-to-back year in 2002 and 2003. He has finished in the Top 10 in 10 of his 11 appearences in the tournament.

Conor Dore of Chicago returns after losing to Kelly in a playoff last year for the title, Dore a sophomore at SIU-Edwardsville played in every round for Cougars last year.

St. Charles is hosting it’s second Illinois State Amateur, the last being held in the final days of World War II in June of 1945. The course is described by it’s head professional Jim Sutherland as, “pretty narrow fairways, lot of trees, and small greens.”

The championship which is stroke play since 1963, will be played at a par of 72 and the yardage will be 6,926 yards. Sutherland feels the course will play shorter, since the dry summer has left the fairways firm and fast.

The Par 5, 18th hole plays at 527 yards, there is water down the right side of the fairway and near the green, for those looking to get home in two shots. It sets up for a great finish.

Spectators are welcome and admission and parking are free.

 ARLINGTON LAKES is now open from renovation, play the short loops of 3-6 or 9 holes, or play the traditional 18 holes. See the renovations on the clubhouse, and enjoy the new beer garden. AHPD.org/ALGC or call (847)-577-3030. Duncan Finigan has some of the most comfortable footwear you will ever find, OOFOS the sigh of comfort for golfers and caddies alike. Visit OOFOS.com and find what your feet are needing.       ______________________________________________________________________

Standing outside the clubhouse at Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Many of our colleges and universities have a great campus course. In fact so much so that some publications have a list of the Top 50 or 100 college campus courses.

What those schools don’t have are two courses, but now one Big Ten school has just that. Purdue University in West Layfette Indiana has 36 holes, and golf architect Pete Dye’s fingerprints are all over them.

The Birck-Boilermaker complex with two courses is now a golf destination. No you don’t have to be on the schools golf team, a student, or even an alum or top donor to play there. Anyone is welcome for a day or two of golf, wanna go 36 holes. That’s fine just cross the street and go tee it up again.

By the par 4 third hole, it’s obvious where you are playing golf.

The course is no longer a short one if you want to play it all the way back at the tips.

6,500+ is now 7,546 and only recommended if your handicap is around zero, or even on the plus side. Slope and rating from the tips are now 76.8 and 137.

The first hole is now a 461 yard par 4, but with five sets of tee’s it can play as short as 313. Need more, okat the second hole is a par 5, it can play longer than 600 yards, going back to 605. The short hitters can tackle it at 439, how’s that to get your Boilermaker going right out of the blocks.

The Par 5, 6th hole is 543 yards from the tips known as the Black Tees.

Pete Dye might be sneaking up on his 91st birthday, but all those holes that have been called Dye-abolical are still popping up courtesy of Pete.

The 6th hole is perhaps the most scenic on the golf course, with an outstanding view from an elevated tee box.

Your tee shot travels fast down hill, and then needs to gain speed as it goes around the corner and has to get uphill. 543 plays longer with the uphill elevation after the tee shot. Two holes later it’s not hard to find a great golf connection on the 8th hole. If your a caddie and your attending Purdue on an Evans Scholarship, you reside in the Evans Scholars House right of the fairway. Push your tee shot a little and caddie might be waiting with your ball located. Nice location that the WGA found for this chapter house.

The Par 3, 13th hole plays 187 from the back tees.

Pete Dye wouldn’t be Pete Dye if he didn’t give the golfers something to think about on their tee shot.

On the par 3, 13th hole Dye finds one hole on the course where a forced carry comes into play. It’s only 92 yards from up front and 187 from in back, but 13 will make the golfer think. Especially when there is a front pin placement.

Purdue has put in to host both a men’s and women’s NCAA regional in the next few years, the Ackerman-Allen course could easily handle all of the nations top college golfers.

Ackerman-Allen ? Yes that’s true the course does have a new name. Credit Evans Scholar, Purdue Alum and John Deere Corporation CEO Sam Allen for pulling the money together for the renovation. So the school added his name to the course.

It has raised the course up more than a level or two. If a tee box or two would have been raised a few more feet, golfers would have had a view right into Ross-Ade stadium and could have seen the Boliermakers play football.

In the meantime, why don’t you go play golf. 36 holes on the campus makes for a great golf destination. Students get great rates and the public doesn’t do bad either. Top price is just $95 for 18 and a cart, unless you want to play unlimited golf from sun up to sun down with a cart it’s just $129. For more information see Purduegolf.com or call the courses at 765-494-3139. Where Pete Dye tries to make you boil during your round.

  MIKE JONES with PETE DYE on the routing of the new golf course at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort near Pittsburgh PA. Come see what Chief Nemocolin learned about the area years ago, Enjoy golf, gaming in the casino, spa and more. Nemacolin.com      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. In front fo the clubhouse at TPC Deere Run home of the John Deere Classic.

Today’s destination for the media is the TPC Deere Run in the Quad Cities, as it’s media day for the John Deere Classic.

No defending champion Jordan Speith won’t be there, but recent college players who have now turned professional will be. Playing in the John Deere Classic on sponsor exemptions will be former Illini All American Charlie Danielson. Joining him will be Aaron Wise from the recently crowned NCAA champion Oregon Ducks. Wise you might remember was the runner up in the Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms. 2015. Wise was the medalist at the Canadian PGA Tour Q-school this spring.

What could be interesting is if the John Deere Classic becomes the fortunate tournament that gets many of the top players due to drop outs from the Olympics, one year ago it was thought the Deere could be getting the shaft from the PGA Tour being scheduled head to head vs the Olympics. Maybe not anymore. If players like Speith, Jason Day who got his start at the Deere on an exemption, or Dustin Johnson need a place to play between the PGA and the start of the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs, the John Deere Classic will be come quite a destination tournament the second week of August.

DURING GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO yesterday our show had two destination guests. Dan Ross the head professional from the Purdue University Golf Courses, the Kampen Course and the Ackerman Hills Course now renamed Ackerman-Allen course in honor of John Deere CEO Sam Allen who helped pull the funding together to make the new renovation possible. The Purdue University Birck-Boilermaker golf complex is now 36 great holes and a good golf destination. Visit Purduegolf.edu for more details on overnight stays around a play and stay for golf or golf and football.

NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT as someone who travels for golf around the country, I’d like to think I know most if not all the top destinations for for resort golf around the USA.

But it wasn’t until former Illinois PGA professional Mike Jones took the job at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort just an hour southeast of Pittsburgh, that Nemacolin came on my map as a golf destination.

Right now the resort has 18 Pete Dye holes open and ready for play, with another 18 on the way. The Hardy family that owns the resort has made it a great destination for golfers and non-golfers alike. The resort has golf, a spa, a casino, and a zoo and more. There is no shortage of activities at Nemcolin, named after Chief Nemacolin who roamed the area years ago. The resort is expanding in all-area’s and is looking to be more of a national destination instead of a local Pennsylvania area place to go. If your thinking golf travel add Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to your bucket list.

TUESDAY it’s time for the Western Amateur August 1-6 at Knollwood GC in Lake Forest to get rolling, with media day. I’ll have more on the WGA-Western Amateur coming up this week. But do plan on making Lake Forest a destination in early August and attend the Western Amateur, see the future PGA stars up close and for free at Knollwood.

The Gog Blog Returns on Tuesday, until then enjoy the weather and Go Play. RS

  Tidewater Golf Club in North Myrtle Beach, one of the best courses in Myrtle Beach. Visit Myrtlebeachgolfholiday.com and see how you can play Tidewater Golf Club. If your ready to road trip North for the summer, maybe it’s time to visit the American Club in Kohler Wisconsin. 4 Pete Dye golf courses and the spa, see Destinationkohler.com.       _____________________________________________________________________

gOLFERS oN gOLF rADIO Today at 9 AM on AM 1240 WSBC. The show live on June 26th from the Tidewater GC in Myrtle Beach. L-R Bill Berger, Chris King of MBGH, Mike Munro, Rory Spears , Ed Stevenson and with back to picture Aaron Marks.

The Golfers on Golf Radio show is back in the studio for todays show at 9 Am on Am 1240 WSBC.

Today our destination of the week, turns into TWO destinations. First on the tee is Dan Ross the 2015 PGA Professional of the Year for the state of Indiana.

Ross is the head professional at the Birck-Boilermaker golf complex at Purdue University in West Layfette Indiana.

Ross and his staff now have an exciting 36 holes of golf to offer, after the Pete Dye renovation of the Ackerman Hills Golf Club. The Dye Course is the other course in the complex. No you don’t have to be a student, on the golf team or an alum to play there. This 36 holes of great golf, should be part of any Indiana golf trip.

Mike Jones Director of Golf at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, with architect Pete Dye on the routing of the new Dye course being built at NWR.

Former Illinois PGA Professional Mike Jones now the Director of Golf at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort near Pittsburgh joins us live for an update on this resort quickly becoming a national golf destination.

The resort has one 18 hole Dye designed golf course, with another one now under construction.

Eric Johnson is the new Nemacolin Director of Golf Instruction, he joins Jones after coming over from Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh that just hosted the 2016 US Open.

The par 4, 12th hole at the Rolling Green CC in Springfield PA., home of the 2016 US Women’s Amateur Championship

The 2016 US Women’s Amateur Championship which will be contested at the Rolling Green CC in Springfield PA. (near Philadelphia) will have a local player in the field.

Bing Singhsumalee who is a sophomore on the University of Illinois Women’s Golf Team, has qualified to play the championship.

Singhsumalee finished T-5 to advance to the championship. Five other lady Illini tried to qualify but did not advance. Stephanie Miller of Elgin who made the championship last year, missed advancing by two shots. The USGA Women’s Amateur will be played the week of August 1-7.

GOLF360 a new golf TV show on Comcast Sportsnet has hit the airwaves. It will be on today after the White Sox game. Golf360 is produced by Dave “Links” Lockhart and Chris DeLira. Jill Carlson/DeLira is the host.

Features include renovations at both Mt. Prospect golf Club and Arlington Lakes GC that are now complete and the Oak Meadows renovation that is currently under construction headed up by architect and ASGCA President Greg Martin.

wwga.org

The Women’s Western Golf Association recent held it’s 116th National Women’s Amateur Championship.

The championship was contested at the recently renovated Dayton Country Club, which was renovated by architect Keith Foster.

Jillian Hollis was the champion this year, the WWGA Junior championship is coming up and will be played in Madison WI.

KEMPERSPORTS Management has been named by the Bolingbrook IL. Park District to manage the Boughton Ridge Golf Course. The course is a 35 year old 9-hole Executive Course that plays to a par of 32, from 2,205 yards. While there golfers can enjoy the 10th hole, Ashbury’s Grill known for it’s great burgers and sandwiches. For more information visit the Bolingbrook Park District website.

WGAESF.org

The 2016 Western Junior Champion is Sean Maruyama who at age 16, won the championship by 2 strokes at the Royal Oak Golf Club in Royal Oak Michigan.

Maruyama carded a final round of two under par 70, which allowed him to finish at 10 under par for the championship.

Trevor Brown briefly took the lead in the final round, but fell back and then held on to second place.

The top finishing player from Illinois was Brendan O’Reilly from Hinsdale, he finished in 9th place 9 shots behind Maruyama. PGA Tour stars Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan are past champions of the event.

HEADED OVER SEA’S..plan your trip with Golfbreaks.com. Scotland, Ireland the UK or other destinations. Call (855)-699-5853 or visit USA.Golfbreaks.com for details.

SEE YOU ON THE TEE AT 9 AM on AM 1240 WSBC…The Gog Blog returns on Monday with the Gog Blog Speaks Out.