THE RYDER CUP is coming in two weeks, USA vs Europe, Hazeltine Golf Club in Chaska Minnesota are you ready. Carnoustie Sports and Golf Wear has introduced it’s fall line (Gray Polo Short Sleeve) see CarnoustieSportswearOnline.com for more details ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears (wearing the long sleeve from Carnoustie Golf Fall 2016 Line from Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA.) follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy.

They are off and running and it appears early on that the University of Illinois and Coach Mike Small are off and running.

Coming from behind last week, Illinois won the rain shortened Wolf Run Invitational and this week is off to a first round lead in their own OFCC Fighting Illini Invitational that is being contested at Olympia Fields Country Club.

Illinois is being lead by Freshman Bryan Baumgarten who shot a sizzling 5 under par 65 on the clubs North Course. Juniors Nick Hardy (68) and Dylan Meyer (69) were under par as well.

  Illinois Coach Mike Small after his recent win in the IPGA Section Championship at Olympia Fields, and Junior Dylan Meyer at The Knollwood Club after winning the Western Amateur.

Other Illinois scores included Fr. Michael Feagles (72+2) and Edoardo Lipparelli (73+3), and playing as individuals for Illinois are Giovanni Tadiotto (73) and Trevor Gold (74).

As a team Illinois was 6 under Par, and in second place is Texas A&M at Even Par and Oklahoma State is in third place at +7, 13 shots behind Illinois. All seven Illinois players are in the top 29 players in the field.

“Everybody played well today, it was a total team effort,” said Small.” As a coach I was very happy that we got off to a good start, but we have to realize that this is just the first round. We need to comeback and play the same way tomorrow, and deal with the changing of pins and conditions.”

Baumgarten started his round birdie-bogey, then was bogey free the rest of the round.

“For Brian to shoot a 65, that show’s his true potential and what he can do,” said Small. “When he got it going today, I like his presence and how he sustained his momentum throughout the round. He didn’t get wrapped up in his score.”

Some of the nations top powers are at the OFCC/Illini invitational and Illinois will have to play well to maintain it’s lead throughout the championship. Big Ten schools Purdue is 4th and Indiana is 10th after the first round.

  THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Hazeltine, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. The Ryder Cup visits Wrigley Field home of the 2016 Central Division Champions, Go Cubs and Go USA.       ______________________________________________________________________

Team USA Captain Davis Love III has named three of his four captains picks for the upcoming Ryder Cup Matches to be played Sept. 30 and Oct 1 & 2 at the Hazeltine Golf Club in Chaska Minnesota.

Being added to the team were Rickie Fowler, J.B. Holmes and Olympic Bronze medalist Matt Kuchar.

The final member of the team will be selected by Love III after the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Europe has won 7 of the last 8 Ryder Cups. For more information see Rydercup.com or visit the Team USA or team Europe page.

  GOLFERS ON GOLF Wishes a Happy Birthday to Mistwood Owner Jim McWethy, thanks Jim for providing two great golf operations in Mistwood and MCQ’s. For more information see Mistwoodgolf.com and or call (815)-254-3333. Or visit McQs.com.          _____________________________________________________________________

Fade to Black, on the 2016 Golf Radio Season. 22 Weeks went by in a hurry, Golfers on Golf Radio will return in April of 2017.

We’re out and have putted out on the 2016 Golfers on Golf Radio Season. It was a fun 22 weeks that went by quickly, and Chicago’s Favorite Foursome of Mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and your’s truly all look forward to returning in 2017.

All of us would like to thank our GM at WSBC Mark Pinski for his help this year, along with producer Mike Mercado and others. Special thanks to all of our golf course sponsors for their support of making the year a special one for all of us.

On the road and out of state to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, thanks Chris King of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, and everyone at Tidewater Golf Club.

For the first time we took the show on the road and out of state, thanks to Chris King and everyone in Myrtle Beach. The World Golf Amateur was recently played, and thousands of Golfers had a great time.

Golfers on Golf Radio will soon start looking for another great out of state location for a live remote next year.

We would like to thank our final guest of the year Mike Keiser Jr., who has been helping his dad Mike Sr. get a great new Midwest golf resort called Sand Valley launched up in Central Wisconsin. Mike Keiser Jr. tells us of a new Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore project at Sand Valley called the Par 2 course. Yes that’s no typo, a Par 2 course, test your bump and run game, and the flat stick.

Mike Jr. also informed GOG radio that the discussions are about to begin with some of the neighbors who have surrounding property to Sand Valley, while there is enough acreage for about two more courses currently, it appears the Keiser’s are open to adding on at their new property. With each passing year it should be a real golf mecca.

Keep it clicked in here for more details on Sand Valley. To clarify one issue, as was previously reported based on information from the Sand Valley management team, the official grand opening was not over Labor Day weekend, it will be in June of 2017, probably the weekend before the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

During our great fall golf season, and all winter long keep it here for the all the great Chicago Golf News, your top place to get it all.

Our local winners at Innisbrook Resort, Luke Donald Left and Kevin Streelman right

Both of our local players pictured left are in the news.

Starting with Luke Donald whose annual wine tasting charity hits the Medinah Country Club tonight along with Rory McIlroy.

You can start bidding online already for the charity auction at the First Tee of the Greater Chicagoland Area.

Kevin Streelman announces to Golfers on Golf that he will play the winning driver of the Wilson Golf, Driver vs Driver contest on Tour next year on the PGA Tour. The show starts on the Golf Channel October 4th, and the winning driver will be available for purchase starting Black-Friday just in time for the Christmas rush.

The Par 5, 3rd hole at Mistwood.

THE MCWETHY CUP hit’s the tee boxes today at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

The McWethy Cup is the invitational of Mistwood owner Jim McWethy, and you never know who might show up. Media types, golf architects, or even golf visionaries, it is a mixed bag.

Happy Birthday Jim, and thanks from all of us golfers for making public golf and golf a better place. For tee times call (815)-254-3333, or see Mistwoodgc.com.

THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP..I’ll have a full recap from my two days down at Crooked Stick coming up tomorrow, until then. Stay clicked in.

BY: Rory Spears

  GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO was live in Myrtle Beach at the Tidewater Golf Club this past June, one of the 2016 highlights, ON THE RIGHT the new pond 17 has claimed a few PGA Tour golfers in this weeks BMW Championship. After today some 30 golfers will head home for the season, see the final round this afternoon from Crooked Stick.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Golfers on Golf Radio Seated L-R Rory Spears & Bill Berger, standing Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson.

It’s time to putt out for the 2016 golf radio season, this morning at 9 AM the Golfers on Golf Radio season does come to the end.

22 weeks has flown by faster than we thought it would, and as far as the airwaves go, our season is coming to and end.

9 Am this morning on AM 1240 WSBC, our one and only guest is Mike Keiser Jr. who is running the new Sand Valley resort in Rome Wisconsin for his dad Mike Keiser Sr. and from there it’s a recap of this weeks BMW Championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel Indiana. As the championship heads into Round 4, it’s Dustin Johnson with a 3-shot lead.

Jim McWethy holds the menu of his McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Happy Birthday Jim.

Just down the street from the BMW is the Wolf Run Collegiate Invitational that is featuring schools like Purdue and Illinois.

This year the Boilermakers are off to a great start and hold the lead after round one. But heavy overnight rains on Friday night, have cut that event down from 54 holes to just 18. It is likely to be the last main event at Wolf Run, as the golf course a great Steve Smyers design, is closing in the fall of next year, it’s being plowed under for a new development, and the land will be full of homes. It is sad to see this golf course go away.

Former Illinois PGA Professional Mike Jones (L) with HOF Golf architect Pete Dye, on the new Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Dye course that is under construction and opens summer of 2017.

ON THE FLIP SIDE..lose one and gain one, yes a new Pete Dye Course in the Indianapolis area will open in 2 1/2 weeks.

Chatham Hills is planning it’s grand opening on Thursday Sept. 29th, the Gog Blog will have more this course in the weeks ahead.

AND..architect Dana Fry who was part of the team that built courses like 2017 U.S. Open site Erin Hills, has informed us that he will soon be announcing another brand new golf course that will be built at a unique location in Michigan, detail on that should be out at some point in October.

Sand Valley by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore is open, another gem from Keiser Golf.

As Sand Valley opens golfers are going to get another great new golf resort right here in the Midwest.

For more information on Sand Valley keep it here for our upcoming feature, and or can check out the full story on new destinations by yours truly in this months CDGA Magazine.

It starts right on the cover and then head inside the magazine for more on Sand Valley and the Loop course in Michigan at the Forest Dunes Golf Club. The Loop is created by Tom Doak and it’s worth playing this reversible course both directions.

With that it’s off to the studio, join us on air AM 1240 WSBC at 9 AM. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

  The final round of the BMW Championship tee’s off at 7:30 AM, catch all the action from Crooked Stick, and see which 30 players advance to the PGA Tour Championship in 2 weeks in Atlanta. Cameron and Crown Putters, coming Sept. 23rd to golf shops near you. See Scottycameron.com and for more details our story from yesterday on this site.  _____________________________________________________________________

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

The BMW Championship is now through 3 rounds, and Dustin Johnson has the lead at 18 under par.

Winfield’s Kevin Streelman admits he is grinding through week 4 of 4 straight weeks out on tour, and made no secret that his he and wife and the kids looking forward to being home next week and getting some R & R in.

While Streelman is just at even par at the BMW Championship, he is looking forward to a nice finish to his playoff season.

But even more than that, he is looking forward to hitting a new driver in 2017. It’s a new driver that’s not even out on the market yet.

PALM HARBOR, FL – MARCH 17: Kevin Streelman holds the trophy after winning the Tampa Bay Championship at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 17, 2013 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Coming up on October 4th on The Golf Channel, the Wilson Golf mini-series called Driver vs Driver hits the airways.

Driver vs Driver is a contest that pitted anyone who wanted to be a club designer, against other would-be designers in a contest to create a new driver for Wilson Golf.

The winner earns $500,000. Wilson Golf GM Tim Clark appeared on, Golfers on Golf Radio a few weeks back and talked about the contest, which is now done and as they say in TV, in the can.

The entry’s came from engineers, some golf pro’s who felt they could improve upon the product in the pro shop, and students who used the contest as a college project.

Streelman along with former Chicago Bears Linebacker Brian Urlacher were among the judges. The shows according to Streelman really put Chicago in a good light, (we will see). But they should do something for Wilson Golf, that could gain some share market from the show and from the departure of Nike Golf from making clubs all at the same time.

Yesterday while talking to Golfers on Golf, Streelman announced his plans to play the winning driver on tour next year. As of now Streelman is expecting to open the season at the tournament formerly known as the Bob Hope Desert Classic in the Palm Springs area.

Click here to hear an interview with PGA Tour player and Wilson Golf Staff player, Winfield’s very own Kevin Streelman.

Streelman said he liked 2 or 3 of the drivers that made the finals, and now the driver that wins, which will hit the market on Black Friday to open the Christmas season after Thanksgiving, will be in Streelman’s bag to start his 2017 season on tour. Quite an additional perk for the winners of the contest.

Don’t forget the show Driver vs Driver starts on October 4th on the Golf Channel, see local listings for show times.

For more details on Wilson Golf see Wilson.com/en-us/golf or just the main site at Wilson.com.

  CARNOUSTIESPORTSWEARONLINE.COM the fall line is out, shirts, sweaters and more. (R) Illinois Women’s Open Champion Stephanie Miller visited Rich Harvest Farms last summer, you should too in May of 2017, when the Men’s and Woman’s NCAA Championships are contested there on back-to-back weeks and hosted by NIU.             ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the man himself Scotty Cameron.

What will he think of next. In the case of master putter designer Scotty Cameron, you never know, but his new idea is another good one.

The new Cameron and Crown putter offers four new models of 33 inches and are weighted for golfers who need a shorter set up.

Cameron and Crown putters will on the market and in your pro shop come September 23rd.

All of the new putters come with the same craftsmanship, quality and tour-proven performance, that the best professionals in the world have been using now for over two decades.

More on the web at scottycameron.com

The new Cameron and Crown putters while designed at 33 inches, all have properly weighted heads, and a new smaller diameter along with White Matador Grips.

The combination of the above, gives the golfer a correct swing weight, while providing optimum feel and balance all through the putting stroke.

From the design of modern blade to a high-MOI mallet, the Cameron and Crown models can be purchased in some of Scotty’s most popular head shapes. The Select Newport 2, the Select Newport M2 Mallet, the GoLo 5 and the Futura X5R. The variety should give golfers at all levels of ability comfort with the style of putter they select.

The new putters use a 303 stainless steel and a 6061 aircraft grade aluminum for the face inlays, face-sole components and flange constructions- is perforamnce matched to each of the putter styles.

“Each year, I’ve received increasingly more requests-from men, women and juniors- for a 33 inch putter,” said Titleist Master Putter make Scotty Cameron. “We wanted to call special attention to the importance of weight and length and create a unique offering for those players whose setup dictates a 33-inch putter.”

A Scotty Cameron Newport 2, from the Cameron and Crown Collection.

Scotty also added this thought on the new putters.

“When we pioneered the adjustable sole weight system, it became possible to match the putter head weight relative to the length for a balanced stroke,” said Cameron. ” Cameron and Crown models are purpose-built 33 inch designs, not manipulated 35 inch putters, with two 20-gram weights to ensure the swing weight and feel of these putters are consistent wit their longer counterparts.”

These putters available in the USA and Canada on Sept. 23rd and the rest of the world on Oct. 21 at $379 MAP and $410 MSRP. Find more information at Scottycameron.com and on Youtube.com and Instagram and Twitter under Scotty Cameron.

 NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT, in Farmington PA. 18 holes open for play and 18 more on the way. New Pete Dye Course Opens summer of 2017, for details see Nemacolin.com. The Carnoustie Fall Line of Shirts, Carnoustiesportswearonline.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

ROUND 1 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP (By Rory Spears-reporting from Carmel, Indiana)

Rain caused a 3 Hour and 33 minute rain delay in the first round of the 2016 BMW Championship at the Crooked Stick Golf Club. As a result Rd. 1 will restart at 8 AM on Friday, and then round 2 will begin almost immediately following. Round 2 is expected to be completed on Friday. Round 1 play saw the horns sounded at 7:36 PM EST. and the players had the option to finish the hole they were playing.

*** The PGA Tour has announced that second round tee times will begin at 10 Am EST, with players going off both tee’s.

As a result the first 11 groups completed the first round, leaving 36 players on the course. The field that was supposed to be 70 players, ended up being 69 when Henrik Stenson decided to rest a sore knee and skip the championship.

Roberto Castro is the leader in the clubhouse with a 7 under par 65, but Castro was 8 under par before a bogey on the 18th dropped him back a stroke.

“The course was fast and firm before the rain delay,” said Castro. “After the delay the course was gettable. There have been a lot of delays on the tour this year, but I’m really glad to get the round in.”

Castro who lives only 15 minutes from Atlanta, said his goal this week is just to make sure he gets to the tour championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

2014 John Deere Classic Champion Brian Harman was in second place one shot back, after a bogey free round of 66 had 4 birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 15th hole. Harman the new father is in 57th place in the Fed Ex Cup Point standings, he knows he needs a strong finish to make the top 30 and qualify for Atlanta. Jason Dufner, Chris Kirk and 2014 BMW Champion Billy Horschel were tied for third place at 5 under par.

Defending Champion Jason Day finished T-51 with a score of 73 +1. Rory McIlroy who won the BMW in 2012 the last time it was played at Crooked Stick was at 3 under par through 10 holes.

Winfields Kevin Streelman had the roller coaster round of the day. He played the front nine in 3 over par, after double bogeys on the third and fourth holes set him back, but he played the back nine in 3 under par to finish at even par 72. Streelman needed two birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 15th hole to get back to even par.

Adam Scott carded a 31, 5 under par on the front nine, but bogeyed his only hole on the back nine before calling it quits for the day, he is at 4 under par and tied for 6th place. Harris English was 4 under par through 11 holes, before back-to-back double bogeys dropped him back to even par. English then made a birdie on 17 to finish the round at 71, one under par.

Northwestern Alum Luke Donald only completed 10 holes before play was halted, Donald had 1 bogey and 3 birdies on his round that included back-to-back birdies on holes 8 and 9.

2011 BMW Champion Justin Rose, and this years Gold Medal winner in Rio during the Olympic Games, is struggling and is 3 over par through 16 holes and is T-66.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow with Round 2 coverage of the BMW Championship.

  IT’S BMW CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK AT Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, come out and support the Evans Scholars, see the Top 70 players on the PGA Tour. Above (L) WGA VP Vince Pellegrino, (R) behind the 18th, Pete and Alice Dye Statue.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

It’s Official, Mike Small is not going anywhere except to his office at the University of Illinois, of course he will be at the great golf practice facilities the school has, and on the road or at the course with his team.

The University of Illinois made a commitment to Small and the Men’s Golf Program, when they gave Small today a new 6-Year deal worth 2 million dollars, the buyout if ever nescessary and it won’t be is set at $600,000.

Mike Small with the Illinois PGA section trophy at Olympia Fields.

“I’ve had contracts before,” Small told Golfers on Golf. “But this is a bold statement from the University of Illinois and I’m excited.”

The contract does not head off a move by Small to play more often on the Champions Tour. While he did recently make the cut at the U.S. Sr. Open he doesn’t plan on playing the tour on a regular basis.

“I’m a coach first and player second,” said Small. “It’s been that way for 15 years and it will continue to be that way. I like to play when the time and my schedule allows me to compete. It’s a good way for me clear my head as well when I need to.”

Small said the University didn’t just commit to him but the Men’s Golf program as well, because of it’s championships and what the program has accomplished in recent years.

Small says he is planning on being at Illinois the rest of his career until he retires. Small shared with the Illinois Golfer that he remembers his team practicing in the basement of the Huff Gym, and on how when Ron Guenther hired him, it was about building a program, and not just a team.

It’s obvious Small has built more than just a team.

University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman called Small,”simply the finest golf collegiate golf coach in the country.”  Whitman added that Small’s record speaks for itself and Small has “defied the odds” by building Illinois into one of the top collegiate golf powers in the country.

Small is in hist 17th season as head golf coach, during his tenure Illinois has won 7 Big Ten titles, and Small has been Big Ten Coach of the Year 8 times. In 2015 he was an Dave Williams award winner for national coach of the year. Small has taken Illinois to the national championships 12 times advancing to the nationals 11 times. Illinois has won 4 straight NCAA Regionals and advanced to the match play a record five straight times.

10 Illinois players have earned 21 All-American awards under Small, and several players have earned academic awards as well. For more information see Fightingillini.com.

 (L) CARNOUSTIE SPORTS WEAR has released it’s fall line of shirts for the upcoming season, see Carnoustiesportswearonline.com for more information. The Ryder Cup makes an appearance in town at Cog Hill in Lemont this Wednesday for an entire 60 minutes between 2-3 PM. For more information please visit Coghillgolf.com #Rydercup. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the 6th hole covered bridge at the Crooked Stick Golf Club home of this weeks BMW Championship.

It’s Labor Day and many people have the day off, if you do what are you doing today. Are you at the BBQ or watching the ball game, are you at the course and getting in 18 holes or at least nine.

Golf today is a great way to spend some time with family or friends, take out the junior golfer and let him or her learn the game.

Many courses have deals today, especially if you want to play this afternoon. If you are reading this after you went out and played early this morning, then sit back with a cold beverage and enjoy the PGA Tour final round in Boston and get ready for the BMW Championship being played this week in Indiana, north of Indy at Crooked Stick in Carmel.

Today is a rare Monday finish on the PGA Tour, but hey it’s the playoff’s so the tour is trying to be creative. They are ducking the weather so there was an early start today and Rory McIlroy is making a charge. McIlroy who won in Boston in 2012, also won the BMW Championship that year at Crooked Stick, could history repeat itself, maybe so. If you are Darren Clarke the team Europe Ryder Cup Captain, you are hoping McIlroy is regaining his form that has helped him win 4 majors.

THE RYDER CUP is coming to Cog Hill this Wednesday as part of it’s trophy tour, which is great, but it’s only there for 1 hour. 2-3 PM. You would think think it would be there for at least 2 hours minimum or why bring it there at all. Take those pictures quickly folks, the trophy will be gone before you know it.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO will be gone before you know it too, as this Sunday is week 22 of our 22 week run for the 2016 golf season. Chicago’s Favorite Foursome of Ed Stevenson, Mike Munro, Bill Berger and your’s truly have enjoyed our past 21 weeks, and are working on a great show to close it out for 2016, be tuned in this Sunday at 9 Am on Am 1240 WSBC.

LABOR DAY is considered by some to be the end of summer, even though it really isn’t until the calendar says so later in month. But the passing of Labor Day doesn’t mean the end of golf season, especially with two more weeks of PGA Tour playoffs and the Ryder Cup 3 weeks away.

So clean up the clubs and get ready for the fall golf season. There are golfers that will tell you it’s the best time of the year to play. It’s always fun to throw the bag over your shoulder and get in a good walk. The high heat and humidity disappear and there is nothing like walking those final few holes as the earlier sunsets start to happen.

I SPENT part of the summer reorganizing my golf bag. Got a new driver and played a few rounds without a driver in the bag. Then I sold off my irons and had to wait a longer than planned for the new ones to come in. I had to play 11 rounds with borrowed irons, which were the same brand and model number, but different shafts and grips than I was used to didn’t help much. Now I have the new clubs, but I’m still trying to replace the grips, since I did not get the ones I expected. I am looking forward to a fall season with a full bag of clubs and with a complete set, that is set up to my specs. I figure I’ll have things dialed in about the time the snow starts falling and the domes open for winter.

The BMW tee’s off this week at “The Stick” drive down and support the Evans Scholars, I’ll see you there. The end of summer season is starting this week, go play. RS

  THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP Tee’s off this week at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, an easy drive from the Chicago area. Support the Evans Scholars during a road game year and get your tickets at BMWChampionshipUSA.com. (R) The Carnoustie sports wear line with stylish and comfortable shirts both long and short sleeve are out, visit carnoustiesportswearonline.com for details. Look good this fall.        _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger. Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson. at WSBC AM 1240.

Time is flying by, Chicago’s favorite foursome is headed for the 18th hole this week, and the grill room and 19th hole next Sunday.

So this morning at 9 AM join mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears for week #21 of the golf radio season.

This weeks guests are expected to include, Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small who won his 12th IPGA Section Championship this past week at the Olympia Fields Country Club, and is gearing up for college golf season with University of Illinois Golf Team.

Mike Small with the trophy at Olympia Fields.

We return to Pinehurst for a quick chat with Alex Podlogar who brings us up to speed on the new “Deuces” restaurant that sits behind the famed 18th green of Pinehurst. After many months, this new 19th hole is what you call “state of the art”. Golfers will enjoy what Pinehurst has to offer. See Pinehurst.com and catch our update with Alex from Pinehurst, where it’s always a beautiful day.

Finally we head north to to the home of the 2017 US Open and Erin Hills. John Morrisett joins the show and will bring us up to speed on how you can play an U.S. Open venue and it’s not that far away. But time is quickly running out for this year, and filling up quickly for next year after the U.S. Open leaves Wisconsin. Erinhills.com.

Rydercup.com

The Ryder Cup trophy tour is underway, and after several visits to great places in the last week, that included stops at Whistling straits home of the 2020 Ryder Cup, it is returning to the Chicago area.

The Ryder Cup last seen here in 2012 at Medinah is coming this week to Cog Hill on the 7th, contact Cog Hill for times.

Then if you have tickets for the Cubs and the Brewers at Wrigley Field on Friday September 16th, it’s your lucky day. The Ryder Cup will appear at Wrigley Field for one day only, before it heads off to South Bend for the Notre Dame-Michigan State game on the 17th.

The Glen Club home of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The Glen Club will again be the host of the Speedgolf World Championships this October 17 and 18.

For more information please visit speedgolfinternational.com. The Speedgolf International, that serves as the governing body for Speedgolf has announced a new affiliates program.

Speedgolf International is partnering with other Speedgolf organizations around the world to form a global network of organizations. “We are really excited about our Affiliates program,” said Jim Kosciolek, the President of Speedgolf International. ” We are looking forward to working with some of the other organizations and creating a cohesive unified footprint and we are excited about the feedback we are getting. For more information visit speedgolfinternational.com.

      The 18th at Oak Meadows. Good news it already looks better than this 2 month old photo.

No Oak Meadows is not open until next year. But it is making progress and the grassing has started. The Gog Blog will have new updated pictures of that shortly.

In the meantime the famed Rambo Scramble is set for Oct. 15th at Maple Meadows just across the street from Oak Meadows.

The Patriot Golf Weekend is now underway at Maple Meadows, and you can still donate to Folds of Honor with your round of golf today or tomorrow at Maple or Green Meadows. See DuPagegolf.com for details.

GOLFBREAKS.COM and the Ryder Cup, just in time for the 41st Ryder Cup being played Sept. 30 through Oct. 2nd in Minnesota at the Hazeltine National Golf Club, is the newest Golfbreaks promotion. Are you headed over seas on that golf trip of a lifetime, or with special clients or family members. Why not knock some $$$ off the bill of your trip.

If your trip is booked by Sept. 30th and if you guess the correct score of the Ryder Cup you win another $500 dollar discount off the price. To qualify enter all the details you find at usagolfbreaks.com/win-500-off-your-golf-vacation/. Enter today and then plan your trip with the golfbreaks.com team or call them at (844)-676-GOLF.

Golf pro and inventor Chad Johansen at Blackberry Oaks.

Chad Johansen the man behind the Blackberry Oaks Golf Club, has just released the Guide for Golf, and right now there is a 7-Day Free Trial Membership available. How about over 250 lessons on video when you need them.

If your up practicing at 2 AM and you pro is a sleep, check out these lessons that will have you ready for that 8 Am shotgun. See Guideforgolf.com.

In addition golf at Blackberry Oaks today and tomorrow is only $39.00 for 18 holes and a cart. See blacberryoaks.com or call (630)-553-7170.

THE BGLCC is having it’s 29th annual golf outing on Friday September 16th, at the Arboreteum Golf Club in Buffalo Grove. registration is at 7:30 AM and the shotgun fires at 8 AM. The Buffalo Grove/Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce are using the outing to raise funds for the Special Olympics group of Area 18. Contact the golf club or Kristen Wisniewski at (224)-377-8378 for details.

TELL THE STORM TO GO AWAY, and then head off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, not far from Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers got the first planes to fly, you can get your golf ball in the air at clubs like Kilmaric Golf Club, The Pointe Golf Club and The Carolina Club. and Nags Head Golf Links.

Right now OBXGOLF Packages include, the Tee & Seas Fall Package, just $299 per person and it includes 3 rounds of golf and a 2-Night stay. The Sand Castle Fall Package, for $329 a night per person, also 3 rounds of golf and a two night stay. The Outerbanks area of North Carolina where the phrase is, if we don’t have it, you don’t need it. For more visit PlayOBXGolf.com or call (800)-916-6244.

Rory Spears wearing Carnoustiesportsouterwear, from the Fall Collection now available.

Carnoustie Golf or Sports Outerwear is the just look and feel you need for the fall season.

In the Chicago area you can find Carnoustie sold at these fine golf clubs.

Ivanhoe Golf Club, Bull Valley Country Club, Green Acres Country Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Flossmoor Country Club, Itaska Country Club, Willow Crest Golf Club, Strawberry Creek Golf Club, Rich Harvest Farms. Online you can visit Carnoustieouterwearonline.com. Brighter colors and more comfort, it’s Carnoustie.

The Irish Course in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin. greens 9 and 18.

Are you ready to golf next year, if so get a start on 2017 right now and reserve your tee times at the four championship Pete Dye Courses in Kohler Wisconsin, and the courses that make up the 5-Star Destination better known as the American Club.

Whistling Straits will host the 2020 Ryder Cup after just coming off a very successful PGA Championship.

Why not visit Wisconsin Golf, visit Kohler and find out more and reserve your stay and tee times at destinationkohler.com.

DIGITAL GOLF moves into high tech to offer BIG Daily prizes at KemperSports courses that are participating in the program.

Video from the course can be show in the clubhouse, providing what KS calls a more interactive and engaging entertainment experience for golfers at Kemper courses.

Golfers who make a hole-in-one can make both cash and have a video of their special shot as it rolls into the cup.

The Par 3, 4th hole at Five Farms, or Baltimore Country Club.

The B1G Ten has announced that the Men’s 2017 and 2018 Big Ten Championship will be played at the Baltimore Country Club, on the recently renovated Five Farms golf course.

The course which has hosted multiple USGA championships, was an original A.W. Tillinghast, and most recently renovated by architect Keith Foster who is known for his work in the Chicago area on courses like the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, the Highlands of Elgin in Elgin and Shepherd’s Crook Golf Club in Zion. the dates for the 2017 Championship are April 28-30 with the 2018 dates TBD. For more information on Baltimore Country Club and it’s rich golf history see bcc1898.com.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS lead by Coach Mike Small has announced it’s full schedule for the 2016-2017 golf season. In a reloading year, Coach Small will have two freshman on his team will take them starting next weekend to the Wolf Run Intercollegiate and then to the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Classic the following week.

Illinois will play a series of invitationals in the spring, the B1G Ten Championship at Five Farms near Baltimore, then NCAA regional’s and hopefully the national Championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. More details at Fightingillini.com.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND  is great this time of year. Need more how about a 2,000 acre resort with golf holes on the ocean. You can have that and three courses on property when you visit the Palmetto Dunes Resort.

The three courses the Jones (RTJ) Course, the Hills (Art) Course and the Fazio (George) Course all named after the architects that designed them all offer the challenge to golfers that play them of moving around lakes, lagoons and marsh’s. The Par 5 10th hole on the Jones Course with views of the Atlantic Ocean has been rated one of the best holes in golf for years by various publications. The other courses have in past years been on various top 100 lists.

The Par 5, 10th hole on the RT Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes Resort.

The palmetto Dunes Resort offers plenty to do when your not on the course, or for other members of your traveling party who might not play golf.

But for junior golfers, senior golfers beginners or ladies who might not be big hitters, there are plenty of golf options for them as well.

Accomendations are about as good as you will find anywhere, many villas have golf course views, or condo’s with views of the ocean or the closest swimming pool. Coming up this September 22-25 is Scotty Cameron Putter Golf Weekend, the package includes 3 nights, 3 rounds of golf and a new Scotty Cameron Putter for only $699 a player. This special is limited so to call on the Scotty package call (877)-567-6513 or PalmettoDunes.com/Scotty.

For information on other packages or visits call the number above or visit online PalmettoDunes.com.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS