NOW OPEN & OPENING SOON (L) the Shepherd’s Rock Golf Course at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA. one of the last new designs by the HOF architect Pete Dye, see Nemacolin.com for more details. (R) The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison IL., the architect Greg Martin restoration of Oak Meadows Golf Club has a new look and feel to it. Learn more at DuPageGolf.com Open’s August 7th.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA, home of Fat Bird and two great Pete Dye Golf Courses. Rory’s shirt provided by Antigua, a leader in golf apparel see Antigua.com. Rory Spears is on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

What a finish to the British Open, just when you thought that Jordan Spieth was about to pull a Masters 2016 replay, he pulls off a Master 2015 replay.

Birdie-Eagle-Birdie-Birdie-par finish, that’s some real golf in Royal Birkdale land, and it earns Jordan Spieth his third major and 3 legs of the career grand Slam, that can be completed next month Quail Hollow CC in Charlotte NC. at the PGA Championship.

With a win at the PGA Championship Spieth at age 24 would be youngest player in golf history to complete the career slam.

The debate that is out in the air or on social media, is how long it took Spieth to play the 13th hole after he hit a poor drive that ended up on the high dunes of Birkdale. It took over 20 minutes for Spieth to take his drop and get his playing partner Matt Kuchar back in the round. Kuchar had 20 minutes to review his birdie putt on the 13th hole which has angered some folks.

Columnist and Sports talk show guy Skip Bayless ripped Spieth for how he went about his recovery on the 13th hole. Actually it’s Bayless who deserves crap for his posts on Twitter for ripping Spieth. Kuchar didn’t lose the open because of how long the 13th hole took to play. Credit Spieth for knowing the rules, meeting with all the rules officials involved and making the best decision possible. It earned him the Claret Jug.

OPEN BROADCAST..say what you want about Fox on the USGA championships broadcasts, but NBC was awful. They don’t copy Fox’s use of the line to follow the ball flight very well, and as always Dan Hicks butchered the broadcast and couldn’t wait to drop Eldrick Woods name all over the place, NBC’s saving grace is having Johnny Miller in the booth, who tried his best to keep Hicks and the broadcast on track through the links. Plus the fact that NBC was using the US Open theme music on a British Open telecast was a complete disgrace. Bring back ABC to the Open Championship.

John Daly with the Vertical Groove Driver, has won a Champions Tour event using this new hot club.

JOHN DALY has gone to a new driver, called the Vertical Groove driver, that reduces the amount of spin on the golf ball. The two-time major champion is launching it the best he has in years with this new driver, that is legal by USGA standards and is being using on the Champions Tour by a few players. The reduction in spin especially on windy days adds accuracy and distance to your drives. Daly was kind enough to let me hit his driver at the grand opening of Shepherds’ Rock, that was set to his spec’s, but even with the speed I generate, not in Daly’s league, I saw some real distance and had the ball just explode off the club face. Now Daly hit right after me, and drove it 40-45 yards past me (which he should) but it was amazing watching the ball take off after being hit by the Vertical Groove driver. If you are looking for a new driver with some pop to it, go swing a vertical groove driver you will be surprised. See Vertgolf.com for more details.

Recently I was at the Grand Opening of Shepherd’s Rock Golf Course at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, I will have a full report on this emerging destination property in Southwest Pennsylvania in the days ahead. Stay clicked in for that.

I AM WISHING a speedy recovery to the Skokie Country Club home of next weeks Western Amateur, at one point a majority of the golf holes were under water, and superintendent Don Cross and his crew have been working non-stop to put the course in tournament condition. Fingers crossed for no more rain. Defending champion Dylan Meyer is in the field. Visit the WGA website, WGAESF.org for information on the championship.

THE EXCITEMENT BUILDS I have not yet played the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison, but will do so shortly. Your chance is coming as soon as August 7th. This is one of the best things to happen in golf for the Chicago area in recent years, you will want to go play it as son as you can. Play COULD BE limited per day in this preview season at DuPagegolf.com, so put in your request to play starting August 7th . My full recap of the holes, through the eyes of architect Greg Martin will run in the next issue of Chicagoland Golf due out around July 30th in your pro shops and golf retail stores.

The Gog Blog returns this week, stay clicked in. RS

ANTIGUA summer of 2017 fashions like this shirt (L), now available at Antigua.com or you can visit ShopAntigua.com. The Preserve at Oak Meadows opens for public play on Monday August 7th, visit DuPagegolf.com for details on the reopening of the Preserve.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, editor and director of content. Follow Rory with the Claret Jug, on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook, and Linkedin.

BREAKING NEWS: Jordan Spieth wins the 146th British Open, for his third major championship. He can be the youngest player to achieve the career grand slam if he wins the PGA next month in Charlotte North Carolina.

Spieth lost his three shot lead and trailed runner-up Matt Kuchar by 1 shot with five holes to play. Then Spieth went on a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie-par finish to win by three shots. The 2018 Championship will be played at the Carnoustie Golf Club.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO the season on radio is moving along, and yesterday Andrew Fleming of KemperSports joined the program to discuss the bunker renovation program at Harborside Golf and learning center on Chicago’s Southside. Then it was Jon Scott the president of the Gull Lake Resort in Michigan, on to talk Stolten Brae one of the new courses just opened across the country. The course is the 6th at Gull Lake, but the first by architect Tom Doak’s design team from Renaissance Golf. Don;t forget next week’s show at 9 AM when guests include Illinois PGA Executive Director Carrie Williams, and others. Stay clicked in for details.

BIG 3 PARTNER LEN ZIEHM has been on a roll covering tournaments of late, some of his latest reports include updates on the Donald Ross Centennial Classic at the French Lick Resort, won by Erynne Lee.

The 5-Star French Lick Resort is celebrating an amazing summer, be sure to put it on your schedule before fall arrives. Visit Frenchlick.com for more information and details.

THE LEGENDS HALL OF FAME at the French Lick Resort welcomed in four new members earlier this month. LPGA greats Sandra Palmer and Nancy Scranton, were joined by Cook Group Chairman Steve Ferguson and French Lick Director of Golf Dave Harner. The Legends HOF is located in the West Baden Springs Hotel. For more details see the post at Lenziehmongolf.com.

French Lick Golf Marketing Director Brendan Sweeney wraps up the French Lick Symetra Tour Donald Ross Championship and the first LPGA senior major, the Sr. LPGA Championship.

THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC has multiple shots form this years classic up for the shot of the year, you can cast your vote at PGATour.com/Metlife.

Coghillgolf.com or call (866)-COG-HILL

The PING fitting van visits Cog Hill through July 30th, and then moves to St, Andrews from August 2nd through August 27th. From August 30th through September 17th it travels up to Pine Meadow. Call (800)-474-6434 to make your appointment.

The annual “night golf” evening at Cog Hill is coming on August 11th. The shotgun starts at 8:30 PM. The format is a two player scramble, and the fees are $96. All players will play from the “glow tees” and the event will be 8 holes of golf on courses #2 and #4.

With Long John Daly at the Shepherd’s Rock Golf Club, Daly has the Vertical Groove Driver in his right hand.

John Daly is still hitting just about as far as he did when he won the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick. Today John is using the Vertical Groove Driver  and the golf ball is jumping off the face off the club.

The vertical grooves take the spin off the ball that create left to right ball flight especially on windy days. The grooves give the ball flight a tighter dispersion and 40% straighter carry that leads to more fairways hit. Distance wise most amateurs can expect 10 yards of additional distance when they connect with the Vertical Groove Driver. For more details see vertgolf.com or look on social media channel to follow the Vertical Groove Driver.

STAN UTLEY the well known short game teacher and former PGA Tour player, has launched an online video library called The Art of Golf: Short Game Mastery, starting on Tuesday new membership plans are available, see http://stanutleygolf.com/video-library

FOXFORD HILLS in Cary has customer appreciation day tomorrow Monday July 24th, from 6 Am to 6 Pm. Special restrictions do apply. Call (847)-639-0400

SILVIES VALLEY RANCH in  Silvies Oregon is now open. The resort has two reversible golf courses and a short 7-hole course. For more details see Silviessimplyamazing.com or you can call (800)-SILVIES. Enjoy golf and a stay, western style.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-Returns tomorrow RS.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS (L) potential clubhouse drawings, the view from back of the 18th green (R), Open for public play Monday August 7th. DuPageGolf.com ______________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF NEWS…Trick shot artist and teacher Peter Longo announces a return to teaching at The Preserve at Oak Meadows on Monday August 7th, fees the same $50 per hour and that includes balls for the lesson. Call Peter at (630)-616-1515 or email him at LongoGolfShow@aol.com or more information at DuPagegolf.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy with Mike Jones at the new Shepherd’s Rock Pete Dye designed golf course at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA. Rory’s shirt from the Antigua Apparel Golf collection See Antigua.com

With summer in full bloom, it is golf season, especially in the northern states. That means it’s time for golfers to hit the links and look good while playing.

If you want to look good and feel good on and off the golf courses with what you wear, it is time to add Antigua golf apparel to your collection.

The summer designs by Antigua are not only fit for the summer, but are comfortable, colorful, and cut for the golfer to swing without restriction. Antigua takes care of both men and women with it’s new summer styles for 2017.

“The 2017 ladies golf collection is a continuation of the simplicity that the 2016 line embodied,” says Danielle Dellios, Antigua women’s designer. “In the new collection, fabrics and colors play a key role versus styling and and silhouette. The market was calling for a fresh take on primary color, which was made possible by mixing colors together. Thus, each grouping consists of tow primaries. For example, our new green color, Cypress is mixed with a bright blue color, Cabana. There are a total of four color combo’s, each mixing two primary colors. Every printed, striped or colorblocked style within the collection mixes the two colors, instead of using traditional neutral accents like grey or khaki. Combining two complementary primary shades really pops. Prints are as strong as ever in the marketplace, which meant creating unique artwork that could also be used to mix colors and give new life to basic styles.”

Former Arlington Park horse racing bugler Bonny Brown, enjoys the Antigua sleeveless “Praise” style, complete for her new passions away from the track, that include golf and tennis. Bonny says,” it’s cool comfortable and stylish for any occasion.” Praise is also available in short sleeves, Antigua.com or ShopAntigua.com

The women’s summer line comes complete with sleeveless styles, and short sleeve designs. Need more for summer apparel, keep reading.

It’s starts with MISCHIEF, that includes a geometric pattern that runs on an angle across the top of the garment, with a solid style poly mesh fabric on the bottom half. This allows for many mixed different colored bottoms.

STERLING is a long sleeve half zip pullover, that features an ultra-soft peached jersey fabric.

TRUST with an ultra-light, high stretch woven fabric, includes pin-tucks at the shoulder. “For the first time ever, we have introduced a lightweight stretch woven polo,” says Dellios. The ladies sleeveless JEWEL is complete with Antigua’s one-of-a-kind geometric jacquard Desert Dry moisture wicking knit fabric, it’s sleeveless design is one of Antigua’s best selling pieces. HAVEN is a style that combines a silicone print on an all-white garment. ROGUE, it’s not something out of Star Wars, but it’s considered a fun style from the 2017 line. The print line here is bold says Dellios, any goes with any color bottoms.

With “FatBird” at the Neamcolin Woodlands Resort in front of the Chateau-Lafeyette Hotel. Rory’s shirt is the “Unite” by Antigua.

On the men’s side for summer of 2017. Antigua describes it’s golf performance line as an inspiration of color. With a vibrant color palette that’s a fresh follow up to the spring of 2017 full performance product range. The summer release add’s six new designs that incorporate patterns that fit in anywhere. The color designs will stand out to the eye, without being too bright. Antigua has made a run of birdies with the following summer designs.

It starts with the new HOLOGRAM that mixes light and dark colors, but is a solid color polo that gives a solid look on and off the golf course. The shirt style of DRIVE creates a more dominant color pattern, with stripes. The color mix and design along with the comfort of the fabrics makes Drive something that will allow golfers to drive it strong off the tee, and compete in comfort around the golf course. If you would like to have an embroidered polo shirt, you may want to check out https://imprint.com/shop/custom-apparel/polos to see what they can do for you.

RORY’S shirt the DRIVE by ANTIGUA, on location at the Pete Dye Golf Course at the French Lick Resort, in French Lick Indiana, during the inaugural senior women’s major championship, the Sr. LPGA Championship supporting the Riley’s Children’s Foundation. To purchase ShopAntigua.com

The UNITE compliments the Drive by mixing a high-quality, high filament performance yarn that is mixed with a high percentage of spandex to create an outstanding mix of colors that stands out with a flair that catches the eye, without blinding those with the view.

The stripes on Unite are of varying size and color, that gives the shirt a strong mix of color scheme. Antigua describes the color design here as vibrant and that rates as a perfect description.

For a more stripped design the pattern on the new REVIVE is your calling. Revives name comes from a Rugby stripped pattern adds a rich color shade. This flat knit polo style shirt says traditional styling, but shows respect to what’s currently trending. It’s the type of shirt Antigua says that you wear just once, and then have a desire to want one in every offered color.

RORY’S Sleeveless vest or wind-shirt is the new ANTIGUA CONQUER created for when summer on the golf course requires just a little more than the standard short sleeve golf shirt. Add to your summer golf collection by visiting Antigua.com or Shop Antigua.com. On location at the John Deere Classic of the PGA Tour.

During the current era of fashion awareness, prints are popular. So Antigua has created the VIVID, that takes a strong color solid base, that comes with a sportswear styled chest print that should be fashionable to any age group or demographic.

In the spring of 2017 the men’s half-zip pullover called VISTA, is a bold color double-knit fabric that is a statement maker.

The design leaves the golfer with ample movement space to fully execute your golf swing. A perfect compliment for any spring or summer wear, when you need a little more than the in-season golf shirt.

Antigua products are found in most local golf shops and some retail stores, they are licensed to work with many major sports leagues, and various golf tours and associations. For more details visit Antigua.com or shop online at ShopAntigua.com, you can lean more about Antigua through social media on Facebook, Twitter and see Antigua video’s on YouTube.

    ED STEVENSON Executive Director of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District welcomes golfers back to the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison starting August 7th, for details on times and more please visit DuPagegolf.com. (R) The new Par 5, 5th hole. ______________________________________________________________________

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

Mother nature added a change to the 87th Illinois State Amateur at the Calumet Country Club. It forced today’s 36 hole finish to be an 18 hole finish, after heavy storms again hit the area last night and caused a 4 1/2 hour weather delay.

In the end Patrick Flavin of Highwood came from four shots behind to over-take runner up Jordan Hahn of Spring Grove by 1 shot.

“This is always a highlight of the summer,” said Flavin. “I’ve come up short the last couple of years (finishing 6th both years), so to win, I can’t describe it. I have a few college wins and those were big for me, but winning the Illinois State Amateur is unbelievable, it’s definitely top of the list of my accomplishments.”

With only 18 holes to play instead of 36, Flavin came out of the blocks on the Donald Ross designed Calumet course. Flavin birdied the four of the first seven holes, and Hahn who a 9 under par 61 in round two, made bogey on the fourth hole. Quickly his four shot was gone, and Hahn was down a shot. But Hahn did birdie the Par 3 ninth hole and both players were tied headed for the back nine.

The Calumet Country Club

After both players equaled each other on holes 10-11-12, Flavin broke through on the par 5, 13th hole with a birdie, and then after Hahn made bogey, Flavin had a two shot lead.

Hahn then made bogey on the 14th hole, and suddenly Flavin lead by three shots with four holes to play. Both players matched each other with pars on holes 15 and 16.

Now up three shots with holes left to play, Flavin decided to make it interesting when he left his tee shot in the bunker on the par 3 hole. Hahn then drained a 25 foot birdie putt, and Flavin could not get up and down from the bunker, and the lead was back down to 1 shot, with one hole to play.

Patrick Flavin with the Illinois State Amateur trophy. Photo courtesy of CDGA

But from there the drama only picked up, as Hahn hit his drive on 18 right own the middle. Flavin found the left rough and had a few trees in the way to the 18th green. It was then that Flavin hit what he called the shot of the day, when he hooked a 6-Iron from 188 yards and made on to the green. Flavin was able to make his two putt par, and when Hahn could only do the same, Flavin was the 2017 champion.

“I hit the right shot at the right time,” said Flavin. “Jordan was hanging right with me so I’m thrilled I was able to pull that shot off.”

CDGA.org

Flavin who was the co-leader after round one after a 63, actually lost ground with an even par round of 70 in round two. Trent Wallace of Joliet and the Illinois State University golf team finished in a tie for third with Charlie Netzel of Western Springs and David Perkins of East Peoria who were all five shots behind Flavin. Past champions Todd Mitchell of Bloomington and Quinlan Prchal of Glenview tied for eighth place at even par. 2014 champion Raymond Knoll was 9 over par and finished in 29th place.

The low 20 finishers who were 3 over par or better, earned exemptions into the 2018 championship, that will be contested at the Bloomington Country Club.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB, on Renwick Road in Romeoville, home of the Illinois Women’s Open and McWethy’s Tavern, see Mistwoodgc.com for tee times and more.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS Editor and Director of Content, follow Rory to Mistwood Golf Club, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

 Alexandra Farnsworth has won the 23rd Phil Kosin, Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club.

Farnsworth who is heading into her senior season at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tennessee, carded her second 5 under par 67 in the tournament, to defeat Northwestern Universities Hanna Kim by two shots.

Farnsworth had rounds of 67-74-67 to win the title. Farnsworth says her college career is filled with tournaments of where she finished in “second or third places finishes.” Last year she was the Commodores #1 player and advanced to the NCAA Regional’s as an individual, but did not qualify for the NCAA national championships at Rich Harvest Farms.

Farnsworth said she played well in round 1, but struggled in round 2. Sitting at the top of leader board after round 1, Farnsworth opened round 2 with a birdie on the first hole, but could not make another the remainder of the round. She had three bogeys, and rest pars in route to her 74, that left her just out of the final group. In fact her playing partners in Wednesdays third and final round finished 2nd and tied for third place.

Click here to hear interviews with champion Alexandra Farnsworth, runner up Hannah Kim and T-3 finisher Samantha Postillion.

Alexandra Farnsworth with the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Trophy on the stone bridge at Mistwood GC.

Farnsworths called her win a breakthrough that was needed, after coming close in college tournaments so many times.

Farnsworth learned about the Illinois Women’s Open from her former assistant coach at Vanderbilt, Amy Neff who is a past two-time champion of the IWO.

Since Farnsworth is an amateur, she did not receive the first place money of $5000.00 dollars.

In second place two shots back of Farnsworth was Kim, who had it going early on the front nine, but made a key double bogey on the short par 4, 10th hole that in the end kept her out of a potential playoff with Farnsworth.

Kim said,” this tournament for me is a tune up for the U.S. Women’s Amateur that will be played in my hometown of Chula Vista California, which I’m looking forward to. So I’m glad I could make it out to play here.”

Kim said she was pretty drained after the NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms where her Northwestern team finished second in the country. Kim said she took two week off before playing in the Women’s Western Golf Association amateur championship at River Forest Country Club in June. She lost in a semi-final match at the WWGA Amateur.

Samantha Postillion the former University of Illinois golfer and daughter of Illinois Women’s Open Champion Kerry Postillion ( 3-time winner), finished third three shots back of Farnsworth at 5 under par. Postillion tied for low pro with Canada’s Vivian Tsui in third place. Tsui shot a 5 under par 67 in round 1, but could do no better than a pair of even par rounds in round 2 and 3.

The first and second place money was split and Tsui and Postillion each earned checks of $4,200.

University of Illinois women’s golf team member Dana Gattone of Addison was the low finisher that is also a Illinois resident, when she carded a one under par 71 in the final round good enough for fifth place.

This years field was up 14 players to a number of 78, from 2016 when 64 players tee’d off in round 1. For more information on Mistwood Golf Club, see Mistwoodgc.com.

            MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville, your home for the 23rd Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, for more information on Mistwood, visit Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333. Mistwood home of McWethy’s Tavern & partner of MCQ’s Dome. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy and to the Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club.

With the first 18 holes in the books at the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, there are two players at the top of the leader board with 5 under par 67’s.

Alexandra Farnsworth a senior at Vanderbilt University, and Vivian Tsui the reigning Canadian Women’s PGA Champion, and former member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack women’s golf team.

Ten players are under par and two more at even par, on the Ray Hearn designed Mistwood Golf Club.

Jessica Porvasnik a former member of the Ohio State Women’s golf team,who just won the Ohio Women’s Open two weeks ago, sits in third place one shot back after a 68.

The conditions at Mistwood were calm as the day went on, but a little breezy when the day first started. The round did not yield any aces or double eagles, but three players did record eagles on Par 5 holes.

Defending champion Stephanie Miller now a professional this year after graduating from Illinois, opened with a five over par 77 and has some work to do. Miller said she lipped out too many putts.

Click here to hear interviews with leaders Alexandra Farnsworth and Vivian Tsui, and defending champion Stephanie Miller.

Samantha Postillion daughter of past champion Kerry Postillion, and former Illini player was in a T-5 after a two under par 70. Illinois senior Dana Gattone set the early pace, and was the first player in the clubhouse under par with a 1 under par 71. Illinois alum Ember Schuldt a past low professional in the championship and runner up, opened with a 5 over par 77.

Northwestern’s Hanna Kim was 1 over par at 73. Past Champion Jenna Pearson was under par most of the round until the last three holes. The same story was Katie Pius who was even par for 16, but then bogeyed the last two holes to finish at 74.

The golf course was set up at just over 6,000 yards and the field size is 77 players, after there was one late W/D.

Mistwood Golf Club is located on Renwick Road in Romeoville, the second round of the 23rd IWO is Tuesday and then after a cut down to the low 30 players and ties, the final round is played on Wednesday.

   SHEPHERD’S ROCK (L) a Pete Dye design at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is now open for play. The resort is in Farmington PA, and for more information please see Nemacolin.com. (R) The 16th hole on the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison, the golf course will soon open for play. For updates stay clicked in or visit DuPageGolf.com  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory through the John Deere Classic, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Bryson DeChambeau won for the first time on the PGA Tour, and for the first time since he won the 2015 U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields, when he holed a 14 foot putt on the 18th hole to win the John Deere Classic over third round leader Patrick Rodgers by 1 shot.

DeChambeau carded rounds of 66-65-70-65 to win the championship. In Sunday’s final round, DeChambeau could only shoot an even par round score of 35, on the back nine he shot a 6 under par 30.

His winning birdie putt on 18 at first appeared that it would come up short of the hole, then in the last few inches it started to break away to the right side of the hole, and appeared that it could miss the hole. But it caught just enough of the edge to pop up and then fall back left into the cup. At that point all the birdie on 18 did for DeChambeau, was put him into a tie with second and third round leader Patrick Rodgers at 18 under par.

Rodgers playing the 17th hole that sits alongside of 18, had already hit his drive left and into the trees off the tee. As he prepared to hit his second shot he heard the roar from the gallery of DeChambeau making his birdie. Rodgers then tried to hook a shot down the fairway towards the 17th green, but hit it just solid enough that the ball ran into the right rough across the fairway.

Rodgers third shot found the front of the 17th green, but left him a short chip over a bunker to a tucked right side pin placement. The chip did not carry as far as Rodgers wanted it to, and kicked right along the fringe leaving Rodgers about 15 feet for par. The putt lipped out and DeChambeau had a one-shot lead.

Off the tee on 18, Rodgers missed the fairway right and wound up in the trees and rough, where from there he hit his second shot just over the back of the green. His chip for birdie slid just past the hole and DeChambeau had claimed his first PGA Tour win.

Bryson DeChambeau holds the John Deere Classic trophy on the 18th green of TPC Deere Run.

With the win DeChambeau earned a spot in this weeks Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. His first appearance in the championship, he earned 500 Fed Ex Cup points moving him up to 34th on the list. Final rounds of late seem to be good ones for Bryson, in the last three PGA Tour events, he is now 15 under par in the final round. DeChambeau becomes the 19th player to make the John Deere Classic their first PGA Tour title. DeChambeau was overcome by emotion during the trophy ceremony when told by John Deere CEO Sam Allen that, DeChambeau’s idol the late Payne Stewart won his first PGA Tour title in the Quad Cities.

DeChambeau became the tenth first time winner on tour this year, and is the 13th player under the age of 25 to win this year. He became the first player to win a million dollars by winning the championship, as John Deere raised the purse to $1,000,008 this year, after being in the $800,000 dollar range in previous years.

Rodgers by finishing in second place, had his career best finish on tour. His previous best was T-4 at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. Wesley Bryan and Rick Lamb tied for third place, with Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson heading up a group tied for 5th place.

At one point during the final round three time champion Steve Stricker, and past champion and JDC board member Zach Johnson sat one and two on the leader board, and that had the galleries at Deere Run buzzing. Both both had late bogies and ran out of holes, only to see Dechambeau and Rodgers race past them.

Maverick McNealy and Northbrook Illinois native, and University of Illinois Senior Nick Hardy were paired together in rounds 3 & 4, they were the two amateurs to make the cut and play the weekend. McNealy finished as the low-amateur at 9 under par, two shots ahead of Hardy. McNealy then told the assembled media, that he would love one of the tournaments tee markers tractors as his trophy.

University of Illinois alum Brian Campbell finished at 13 under par and tied for 12th place, while Wheaton native Kevin Streelman fell back to a T-44th place with a 1 over par 72 final round score.

Next years John Deere Classic will again be played in July, according to Clair Peterson the tournament director.

  SHEPHERD’S ROCK the new Pete Dye Golf Course, and one of his last new designs has opened at the Nemacolin Woodlands Reosrt in Farmington PA., come play it and it’s sister course the Dye designed Mystic Rock Golf Course. The Double-Dose of Dye golf package is available, see nemacolin.com. (R) THE PRESERVE at Oak Meadows will be opening soon, stay clicked in here or DuPagegolf.com for opening day details.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the John Deere Classic, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

With 54 holes down and just 18 holes to go, Patrick Rodgers holds a 2 shot lead over Scott Stallings and Daniel Berger, and heads to the final round of the John Deere Classic looking for his first PGA Tour victory.

The Avon Indiana native who spent three years at Stanford before turning professional, broke many of Tiger Woods records while at the school.

For the first three rounds Rodgers scores of 65-64-68 have left him at 16 under par for the tournament. Rodgers a former Nike equipment player is now playing Callaway equipment, and has made a good transition. Rodgers will play in the last group on Sunday with Berger teeing off at 12:40 local time. With a win Rodgers would become the 10th first time winner this year on the tour.

Johndeereclassic.com

Stallings who said he got off to a “funky start” in Round 1, rallied late to get back to even par.

“I just kept working on my speed and finally some parts started to fall,” said Stallings. “It’s amazing the kind of confidence you get when some putts go in.”

Berger shot an 8 under par 63 on Saturday and didn’t feel like he played that well, that left him thinking if he could be better on Sunday he might have a chance to win.

Click here to hear interviews with leader Patrick Rodgers and University of Illinois Senior Nick Hardy.

Hardy along with Maverick McNeely are the two amateurs that made the cut, and will play for bragging rights of low amateur on Sunday. Hardy is second this week in driving distance at 315.20 yards, he leads the field average by 23 yards. Brandon Hagy is first at 324 yards.

Because of the size of the third round field with over 80 players, the tournament had a third round cut that eliminated 8 players, a ninth player Robert Garrigus was DQ’d for a scorecard violation. the field for the final round will be only 73 players, with Michael Kim going off first as a single at 7:20 Am.

Brian Harman 2014 John Deere Classic Champion, rallied with a 63 that equaled the low round of the championship. Six former JDC champions tee’d it up this week on Thursday. Three time champion Steve Stricker had his best round of the week, when he carded a six-under par 65 in the third round, Stricker is now at 8 under par headed into the weekend.

Past champion Zach Johnson who was in contention starting Round 3, fell back after only shooting a 1 under par 70. Johnson is currently five shots behind Rodgers.

  SHEPHERDS ROCK AT NEMACOLIN WOODLAND’S RESORT in Farmington PA. is now open for play. Check out the resorts Double-Dose of Dye golf package, for more information see Nemacolin.com. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT, home of the Pete Dye Course and the Donald Ross Course celebrating it’s 100th birthday. See Frenchlick.com ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory from the John Deere Classic and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Patrick Rodgers has lead the John Deere Classic before, it was in the third round on Saturday, and he was still in college at Stanford at the time.

Rodgers the guy who broke most of Tiger Woods records in college, is still looking for that kind of success on the PGA Tour.

This year he is settling in with new clubs, after his previous brand Nike went out of business. Now he plays Callaway and he is playing them well. His first two rounds of 65-64 have Rodgers at 129 and 13 under par. He has a 2 shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau, who is still best known for winning the 2015 U.S. Amateur at Olympia Fields. Three shots back is John Deere Classic board member and past champion Zach Johnson.

While Johnson held up the end of the tournament for the Iowa side, there was a group from Illinois, that was fired up on Illini day playing in front of the galleries of Orange and Blue.

Illinois based touring professionals Kevin Streelman and Mark Wilson were in the field and after 36 holes Winfield’s Streelman still is, and Wilson is not and will head back to Elmhurst. Streelman is at 6 under par and tee’s off the third round at 10:30.

University of Illinois players and there was five of them, still have a few here for the weekend. Steve Stricker at 2 under made the cut on the number after a four under par 67 (11:10 for round 3). University of Illinois Sr. Nick Hardy is five under par and tee’s off at (9:30 for round 3). Hardy’s current Illini teammate Dylan Meyer shot even par and misses the weekend, along with Pekin’s D.A. Points. Brian Campbell also made the cut and will tee off at (10:20).

In all, 84 players made the cut, so the PGA Tour is starting players later in the morning (9:30 Am), but sending them off both tees. Hardy along with Stanford alum Maverick McNealy who is still an amateur are the two amateur’s around for the weekend. both players are tied at 5 under par.

Defending Champion Ryan Moore still not 100 percent as he recovers from an injury that kept him out of the U.S. Open, shot even par in Round 2, but was at 3 over par and missed the cut by 5 shots.

There is network TV coverage all weekend, and for more information please visit Johndeereclassic.com

Don’t forget Golfers on Golf Radio on Am 750 WNDZ tomorrow morning at 9 AM for more on the John Deere Classic.

  SHEPHERD’S ROCK at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is now Open For Play. This NEW Pete Dye designed golf course is one of the last by the Hall of Fame designer and architect. It sits side by side with the with the #1 in Pennsylvania rated Mystic Rock Golf Course, Shepherd’s Rock should join your must play list. For more see Nemacolin.com. ______________________________________________________________________

THE FOURTH HOLE of Shepherds Rock, the new Shepherd’s Rock logo and your’s truly with Mike Jones Director of Golf at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, on the first tee.

(Reporting from French Lick Indiana) By Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content, follow Rory to the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA., to the French Lick Resort in French Lick Indiana, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

She did it before and she can do it again. Trish Johnson had won before on the Pete Dye Golf Course at the French Lick Resort, when she won the 2016 Legends Tour tournament championship. This time the win was a little bit bigger than that. Johnson won the Sr. LPGA Championship, and it’s the first major championship in senior women’s golf. Next year with the addition of the U.S. Sr. Women’s Championship at Chicago Golf, the ladies over 50 will have two majors to play for. Those between 45-49 will have a return to French Lick to look forward to playing in.

With 36 holes in the books, it appeared that Trish Johnson of Bristol England was in great shape to win the inaugural Sr. LPGA, and when it was done that’s exactly what she did. It didn’t come without a few interesting moments for Johnson, but she survived multiple challenges to hang on for a 4 shot victory.

Afterwards Johnson was still critical of her play, saying how she tried to give away the championship. But she did say that her driver the key to winning.

2017 Sr. Lpga Championship winner Trish Johnson, holds the trophy in front of the Pete Dye Pavilion at the French Lick Resort.

“I hit my driver well all week,” said Johnson. “If you can give yourself only short irons into these greens it’s a big advantage.”

Johnson went on to add that she now has a new favorite golf course, and it replaces an icon in the sport of golf.

“When people ask me what my favorite course is I have always told them St. Andrews,” said Johnson. ” Now it’s this one here in French Lick.”

For the win Johnson collects the first prize of $90,000, after her three rounds of 67-72-73 were good enough to defeat runner-up Michelle Redman.

Redman now the women’s golf coach at the University of Minnesota, who played her college golf at Indiana at some support from the locals, and said she heard them around the course. Final day attendance was around 2,500, that might have been more but temperatures reached into the low 90’s on the Dye Course that has few if any trees or places of shade. Redman took home $54,397 for second place. Helen Alfredson was third.

Chicago area native Nicole Jeray who sat in fourth place much of the day, was seventh after a tough bogey-bogey finish. Jeray took home one of her bigger checks on tour earning $16,827

Click here to hear interviews with Trish Johnson, Michelle Redman and Berwyn’s very own Nicole Jeray.

The championship and the French Lick Resort and Cook ownership group donated $200,000 to the Riley’s Children’s Foundation. Making the total donation over a few tournaments played at French Lick now over $700,000.

The championship created a new level in senior women’s golf, one that many felt was long overdue. Play the Pete Dye Course at French Lick, see Frenchlick.com and make your reservations and tee times today.

Wednesdays third round wrapped up a long week of golf, that included a Symetra Tour event played last Friday and over the weekend on the resorts Donald Ross Course now 100 years old. The Sr. LPGA Championship was the first of a 5 year deal, dates not yet announced for 2018. But the championship is expected to be played earlier on the calendar in 2018 so not to be back-to-back with the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.