CHICAGOLAND GOLF PUBLISHER VAL RUSSELL holds up a copy of the magazine, the June issue should be out this weekend, and includes our preview on the U.S. Open. THE MEDIA learns more today on the Sr. Players Championship at Exmoor #Mediaday  ______________________________________________________________________

    THE CHICAGO GOLF CLUB HOSTS THE INAUGURAL U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN FROM JULY 12-15, Tickets are on sale now, please visit USGA.org for more details.       _____________________________________________________________________

GOLFERSONGOLF.COM by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory to the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open at Chicago Golf Club, and on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, and Linkedin.

THE SWEET 16 are on their way to Wheaton and the Chicago Golf Club to participate in the first ever U.S. Sr. Women’s Open July 12-15.

The USGA has now announced that 16 former U.S. Women’s Open champions will compete in the Sr. Women’s Open.

Those players are three-time champion Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, Pat Bradley, Jeriyln Britz, Laura Davies, Jane Geddes, JoAnne Gunderson Carner, Juli Inkster,, Betsy King, Murie Lindstrom Breer, Lauri Merten, Liselotte Neumann, Alison Nicholas, Sandra Palmer, Patty Sheehan, and Jan Stephenson. Joining the past champions in the field are six players who had runner-up finishes in U.S. Women’s Open, Helen Alfredsson, Donna Andrews, Tammie-Green Parker, Rosie Jones, Sally Little and Kris Tschetter.

“We’re thrilled by the response our USGA Champions have had to this inaugural championship, and know the Chicago Golf Club will provide an outstanding venue for fans to watch some of the games greats tee it up on what will now be senior women’s golf grandest stage,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO. “The consistent growth in women’s golf has been inspiring and we hope this inaugural event is just one of the many great new moments for this important segment of the game.”

The new U.S. Sr. Women’s Open is open to women who are professional golfers, or amateurs whose handicap index does not exceed 7.4, all player must be 50 years of age or older by the start of the first round of the championship on July 12th.

Sectional qualifying for the remaining places in the field of 120 players, will begin on June 4th, and continue through June 20th. They will be held at 17 sites across the country in a total of 16 states including two sites in California. The USGA received 462 entries from golfers in 39 states to play, with the most entries (73) coming in from Florida.

Susan West of Tuscaloosa Alabama was the first player to apply just minutes after registration opened up on March 7th. Pat Bradley was the first exempt player to apply, and Lynn Thompson from Cincinnati Ohio, was the player to apply only three minutes before the deadline.

For more information see usseniorwomensopen.com.

  CHAD JOHANSEN the head golf professional at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol holds the Blackberry Amateur trophy, the Blackberry Amateur will be played June 23-24, this year it’s time to FILL THE FIELD at 120 players. To sign up visit BlackberryAmateur.com or call Blackberry Oaks at (630)-553-7170. IT’S MORE THAN GREAT GOLF at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, visit McWethy’s Tavern and enjoy some great food and beverage before or after your round, in fact McWethy’s is so good that you don’t even need to be golfing that day to stop in and spoil your taste-bud’s. Mistwoodgc.com           _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin and Facebook. With Illinois golf coach Mike Small.

IT’S ALL OVER, the golf season for the University of Illinois Men’s Golf Team, ended abruptly yesterday at the NCAA National championships in Stillwater Oklahoma.

The field started with 30 teams and after Round 3 on Sunday, the field was cut in half to 15 teams. While Northwestern University who was the first round leader, was the best team eliminated, the Illini held on barely to live and fight for another day.

While the Illini made a bit of a charge in round 4 it wasn’t enough to advance to the match play part of the championship that begins today for the final 8 schools. Illinois ended up 8 shots out of the match play.

It marked the end of the careers of seniors Dylan Meyer and Nick Hardy. Meyer took to Facebook this morning to thank everyone who helped him have a four great years at Illinois. Meyer took 4th individually at the nationals in the stroke play part of the championship.

For Nick Hardy he ended up in 32nd place and was +4 for the stroke play part of the championship. Earlier in the week hardy was named to be a PING All-American First team member. Joining Hardy was University of Texas senior Doug Ghim who just won the Ben Hogan award, Ghim hails from Arlington Heights Illinois.

Illinois Coach Mike Small called his team final round, “a good effort.”Our front nine was solid and we put ourselves in position to do something special, and then on the back nine we got off point a little to often.”

Coach Small said this about his two decorated seniors,” It was a pleasure as a coach to have Nick and Dylan for four years, all the success they have had individually and as a team will leave a legacy that will last for a long time. As their coach I will always remember their strong commitment to this program and the University of Illinois.”

The Men’s team at Illinois next year will have five returning players including bryan Baumgarten, Michael Feagles, Brendan O’Reilly, Giovanni Tadioto, and varun Chopra. Four new players join the team, including Luke Armbrust of Wheaton, Tommy Kuhl of Morton Illinois, Noah Gillard of Greenwood Indiana, Adrien Dumont from Belgium

hardy will now turn professional at the Rust Oleum Championship next week at Ivanhoe Country Club in Mundelein, and Meyer is also expected to turn professional at some point this summer as well.

  THE NEW CALLAWAY GOLF SHOES, buy a pair before June 30 and get a free Callaway Golf Hat, see Callawaygolf.com for details. CHICAGOLAND GOLF Publisher Val Russel holds up a copy of Chicagoland Golf, pick up a copy of the new June issue this week, with our look at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Linkedin and Facebook. On the 18th green on Heron Point Golf Club at Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island SC.

Happy Memorial Day, one of the busiest golf weekends of the year, and hopefully you are out playing golf at one of your favorite courses.

If you are enjoying some time on the links today or over this past weekend, do take time to thank the veterans you know or might see for their sacrifice and the fact you are enjoying golf.

The University of Illinois Men’s team is enjoying another day of golf, by barely making the 15 team third round cut at the NCAA nationals in Stillwater Oklahoma, home of the OSU-Cowboys. Illinois needs to make a move today to keep it’s streak alive of making it into the match play part of the championship. The news was not so good for the Northwestern University Wildcats who just missed advancing by a couple of shots. NU was the leader after the first round of the championship. Better luck today for U of I, especially seniors Nick Hardy and Dylan Meyer.

ON THE PGA TOUR Justin Rose wins at Colonial, as the Euro’s seems to be hitting stride in advance of the Ryder Cup in France. Steve Stricker decided to play Colonial instead of the Senior PGA at Harbor Shores won by Paul Broadhurst who putted lights out at the tough greens at Harbor Shores.

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS of the Sr. PGA Championship week wasn’t known until after it happened. Course designer and the greatest golfer of all-time Jack Nicklaus arrived on Friday to receive an award from sponsor Kitchen-Aid. It was too bad the PGA of America and it’s assisting PR firms didn’t tell the media about the Golden Bear’s arrival until when it was too late, said and over.

MORE MICHIGAN… the LPGA and the PGA of America weren’t talking, as both organizations did what multiple golf organizations did here in Chicago twice this summer, schedule on top of each other. A little over two hours part in Benton Harbor (PGA) and in Ann Arbor (LPGA) were both playing, forcing fans, volunteers and sponsors to make choices they should not have to make. Who run’s these organizations anyway.

MAYBE, JUST MAYBE one year the PGA Tour, Champions PGA Tour, the PGA of America, the LPGA, and the USGA can all sit down together and pull out calendars, it might just work.

The Links 9 runs up to the bay at Bay Harbor. BACK TO MICHIGAN..last year I went up to Boyne Mountain Resort and played several of the resorts great golf courses. So it’s nice to see this year that Boyne Golf has received, The Editors Choice Award from Golf Digest as one of the Best Resorts in America.

Boyne Resorts is one of the best resorts in America, and they deserve the Editors Choice Award from Golf Digest.

A full congratulations goes out to Bernie Freidrich the resorts Sr.VP of Golf Operations, and the Director of Sales Ken Griffin. the Boyne Resorts golf team runs a great operation that thousands of golfers enjoy every year. I fully recommend a visit there if you have never been there, of if you have been there it’s time to return.

The Nay Harbor golf course all 27 holes designed by Arthur Hills is one of the best courses not only in the Midwest, but around the country. For more information please visit BOYNEGolf.com.

BGT- Dallas based Breakthrough Golf Technology has introduced the Stability Shaft for putters. BGT points out that the same thought that is used on the other clubs in your bag, applies to your putter as well. These days as putter club heads get bigger, wider, deeper, the need for a shaft the is stable is important.

The company’s CEO Barney Adams calls the stability shaft a step forward in equipment technology. Adams says the pro’s are already great putters but inconsistent amateurs can use this type of technology. Testing of this shaft was done with a variety of high-speed cameras, robots, SAM Putt Lab, Quintic Ball Roll software and Trackman4. The end result was the reinventing of the putter shaft.

THE STABILITY SHAFT has a MAP of $199.99 an is available from golf retailers in the United States and Canada. BGT is a company that was launched in 2014, but has a team with over 100 years of experience. See more at Breakthroughgolftech.com.

FROM an amateur golfers standpoint, I have to send a top of the cap or golf visor to Barney Adams and his team, and wonder why this idea had been thought of before, well done Mr. Adams.

DENNIS WALTERS and his golf trick shot show will be visiting the area with several shows in the next month. Golf Lessons-Life Lessons all starts tomorrow night at the Renwood Golf Club in Round Lake Beach. On Thursday June 7th a special show starting at 5:30 PM on the range of the Glen Club. The show will have a golf demonstration prior to the Walters show, by 2017 IPGA teacher of the Year Louis Sauer and 2017 Illinois Amateur and Illinois Open Champion Patrick Flavin. Walters feats are more impressive since he is in part paralyzed, from a car accident.

I have seen part of his show before and it’s amazing what Dennis can do to begin with,not to mention his accomplishments with his handicap. Do register at the Glen Club and attend on the 7th.

ANOTHER TIP OF THE CAP OR GOLF VISOR to the Illinois PGA and the IPGA Foundation for it’s assistance to Claire Castetter of Cary. Castetter was working on her degree through Methodist University PGA Golf Management Program, and had just started an internship at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, when the extreme flood water hit the historic resort, leading to millions of dollars in destruction and the Greenbrier Classic having to get canceled.

Castetter went home to her parents house, but through her school and the IPGA was hooked up with Nick Papadakes at the Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest. through the Golfworks program Claire has moved forward earning her PGA membership last year and is now an assistant at Onwentsia Club.

GOOD WEATHER is ahead, go play, it’s about time. RS

 CHICAGOLAND GOLF PUBLISHER VAL RUSSELL holds up a copy of Chicagoland Golf, pick up your new issue this week at golf courses and golf stores around the area, the June issue includes our U.S. Open preview section. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is your Midwest Golf destination getaway, come and enjoy the Pete Dye and Donald Ross golf courses. French Lick Resort is home to the 2018 Sr. LPGA Championship and the Symetra Tour. For more information please visit Frenchlick.com #Golfgetaway    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS> Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin and Facebook. On the 1st at Harbor Shores home of today’s final round of the Sr. PGA Championship.

A RETURN TO THE GOLF NEWS.       Scott McCarron and Tim Petrovic are tied for the lead heading into the final round at the Sr. PGA Championship. Catch all the action this afternoon as the shootout on the Shores continue.

NCAA Men’s Golf. in Stillwater Oklahoma, Illinois and Northwestern  are fighting hard to make the first cut that lowers the field to 15 teams for the fourth and final stroke play round of the championships tomorrow. As of now Illinois is in and Northwestern could be on the wrong side of the bubble when it breaks for 15 schools. The match play part of the championships for the final 8 schools starts on Tuesday, and the national championship match is Wednesday.

SOLD BY LINKS CAPITAL ADVISORS, The Hills at Hernando Country Club , in Hernando Mississippi. For more details on this sale or if you are interested in selling or purchasing a golf club contact Chris Charnas at (847)-866-7192.

KEN LAPP has retired after 71 years with the Jemsek family. Lapp started at age 12 working for the Jemseks at the Fresh Meadow Golf Club and was promoted to superintendent at age 19. ken worked at Cog Hill for 45 years, and in recent years helped out Pine Meadow in Mundelein. Lapp has retired to North Carolina to be closer to his family.

GET YOUR GAME READY at the Mistwood Performance Center in Romeoville, Mistwoodgc.com. (815)-254-3333

Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville is getting ready to host the 118th annual Women’s Western Golf Associations national amateur championship from June 25-30.

The field of 120 players is one of the best fields on women amateur players from around the world.

Past champions include Nancy Lopez, Patty Berg. Joanne Carner, Beth Daniel, Grace Park, Christie Kerr, Louise Suggs, Kathy Whitworth, Mickey Wright, Babe Zaharias, and Stacy Lewis.

Tournament Chairman and WWGA, first vice-president Cece Durbin said this about Mistwood, “The club has hosted numerous professional and amateur tournaments including 19 Illinois Women’s Open’s. The scenic course, that winds around two quarry ponds, will provide a challenge to every player. The WWGA is excited to be at one of the best courses in the Chicago area. Mistwood Golf Club that opened in 1998 and is designed by Ray Hearn, it will host it’s 20th Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open this July 16-17-18. To participate players must have a handicap of 7.4 or less. For more details on the WWGA and it’s scholarships see wwga.org. Details on the Mistwood golf Club are found at mistwoodgc.com or by calling (815)-254-3333.

THE POINT O’WOODS GOLF CLUB IN Benton Harbor Michigan that will again host the Western Amateur Championship in 2019, made 1992 and 1993 champion Justin Leonard and honorary member this Friday Friday night. The club has made several improvements in the last year, and is considering selling off 9 acres of unused land to a nearby business.

GOLF BLOGGER AND CONTENT GUY RICK SHIELS has reached over 300,000 You Tube subscribers and is the first to do so. Shiels is providing content for the Open Championship coming up in July. Follow him on You-Tube.

CDGA.org

John Ehrgott was the winner for the second time in four years at the 2018, CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship at the Hinsdale Country Club.

Ehrgott who plays out of the Mt. Hawley Country Club, defeated Blake Johnson 3&2 of the Glen View Club.

Ehrgott 43, called the win “validation”. With the kids coming up now that hit it over 300 yards, it’s nice that us old guys can still be competitive.”

Ehrgott made a birdie on the Par 3, third hole and never trailed after that point in the match.

TRUE SPEC GOLF that recently opened it’s first fitting studio in Illinois, in North Suburban Highland Park, has added another facility in California at the Omni Lacosta Resort just north of San Diego. true is a leader in club fitting and with two championship courses on property, bringing True Spec to Lacosta made total sense said Tim Briand, Director of Fitting and Sales for True Spec Golf. For more details call (800)-854-5000 and online at omnilacosta.com.

FORELINX Golf Corporation has announced that 26 courses operated by the American Golf Company, have joined Forelinx.

THE CALLAWAY GOLF SUMMER SHOE PROMO

This summer through June 30th, golfers who purchses Callaway golf shoes will in addition receive a Callaway Golf hat with a retail value of $30.

All of the Callaway footwear line including new models like the recently introduced LaGrange and the Swami 2.0 are part of the promotion. The new Callaway golf shoes include the POWERdrive platform, with a Duo-Max midsole. The midsole has the soft top layer of EVA foam, that is now supported by a bottom layer of foam to provide optimum support and stability. The LaGrange model has TPU heel stabilizer for more support during your swing. On tour Marc Leishman and Adam Hadwin are players who wear the Callaway Golf Shoe. To learn more about Callaway Golf apparel and the footwear collection please visit callawayapparel.com.

BLACKBERRY OAKS in Bristol is having weekly golf clinics, and is getting ready to start all of it’s junior kids golf camps, for a variety of ages. See Blackberryoaks.com or call (630)-553-7170. Blackberry Oaks is hosting the Blackberry Amateur June 23-24, sign up today and let’s fill the field at 120 players.

THE 2018 CONSTELLATION SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP has very limited volunteer opportunities for championship week, July 9-15. The championship will be played at the Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, and be available  to work shifts of 4-6 hours. Volunteer packages cost $75 dollars and are a $353 dollar value. To sign up see cspgolf.com. Scott McCarron is the defending champion. This is the first time since 1997 a senior men’s major will be contested in the Chicago area.

80BREAKR one of the top new products unveiled at the 2018 PGA Merchandise Show this past January, has now unveiled new APP Features for the Android Version, at the Google Play Store. Company founder and former Silicon valley engineer Thomas Stewart says he and his team are excited about the release of the Android version of 80BREAKR.

80BREAKR is now available at over 30,000 courses worldwide, and does a variety of services for golfers on and off the golf course. Keep score, order drinks from the beer cart, get your GPS yardage and more. See 80BREAKR.com for more information, or ask the professionals at your course about 80Breakr or adding it to course services.

NORTHBROOK BASED KEMPERSPORTS has announced the appointment of Kylen Trevor to the position off Regional Sales and Marketing Director over properties in the Western region. Trevor is an alum of Oregon State and was raised in the Portland Oregon area.

KSM has alos announced the next generation of TRUESERVICE a customer service training program. KemperSports introduces it’s staffers to this program immediately so they can deliver exceptional service from the start of employment.

TPT GOLF SHAFTS with it’s growing staff of PGA Tour players has added Arnie Cunningham as it’s Director of PGA Tour promotions. Cunningham has attended some 1,250 PGA Tour tournaments in 33 years and is one of the tours most experienced tour fitters. For details on TPT shafts one of the industry leaders see Tptgolf.com. Fins out where you can be fit for TPT shafts already being used by several PGA Tour players, including the recent winner of the Wells Fargo Championship Jason Day.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW-RS.

 IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR the NCAA Championships are underway. Congratulations to Arizona Wildcats on winning the Women’s National Championship. After day 1 on the men’s side with Round 1 not complete, the Northwestern Wildcats are leaders in the clubhouse, and Illinois sits T-14 with Senior Nick Hardy leading the way for the Illini. THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB is ready to get your game on track with the premier fitting center in the Chicagoland area. Visit Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333.        ______________________________________________________________________

 ARCHITECT GREG MARTIN JOINS Golfers on Golf Radio this morning on Am 750 WNDZ at 10-11 AM as guest host. Golfers on Golf Radio hosts Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears (R) our theme today is golf course architecture, and what’s happening in the Chicago area.

Martin along with partner Dan Wohlfeil were just named to lead the renovation of the Sportsman’s Country Club in Northbrook, that will begin next year. We hope you can join us for an interesting show.

WE LOOK AT THE NCAA national Championships, that have Northwestern leading during Day 1, which is not complete due to weather. Illinois still has all it’s players on the golf course with most of the back nine left to play.

THE SR. PGA at Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor Michigan is through 36 holes and Kevin Sutherland and Scott McCarron lead the way at 9 under par Jerry Kelly is in third.

AT COLONIAL on the PGA Tour, Justin Rose at 10 under par leads. Steve Stricker is now 7 shots back at 3 under par, Kevin Streelman of Winfield is making a move and sitting 15th.

JOIN US FOR GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO AM 750 WNDZ 10 Am is our tee time. Today Saturday, then Go Play.

  BLACKBERRY OAKS GM and head golf professional Chad Johansen holds the Blackberry Amateur Trophy, this years Blackberry Amateur will be played on June 23-24 at Blackberry Oaks, this year lets Fill the Field with 120 players. To sign up for the event sponsored by Wilson Golf  see Blackberryamateur.com or please call (630)-553-7170. THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB is hosting to women’s golf tournaments, but there are plenty of tee times left for you. See Mistwoodgc.com or call (630)-254-3333 for details.   _____________________________________________________________________

Golfersongolf.com by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and Linkedin and Facebook, On the Sandbox at Sand Valley GC, Wisconsin

THERE IS NEWS ON THE GOLF COURSE FRONT, and it’s good news to the ears of most golfers. First on the tee box is that the Preserve at Oak Meadows new look has it winning awards from national golf publications and other organizations. renovation of the year by Golf Magazine is the latest award.

The Schaumburg Golf Club is getting close to reopening the first nine that is under construction, and start work on the second nine of the three year project in July, that will encompass all three nines.

In the private sector the North Shore Country Club gets ready to reopen from it’s restoration of the Colt-Alison design. Early in August the Sunset Valley Golf Course in Highland Park will restarts from the renovation it has spent the last year undergoing.

THIS PAST WEEK Olympia Fields lost one champion when Carol Mann passed away, then the club hired another when they brought in architect Keith Foster to redo both their North and South Courses.

The Par 4, 3rd hole on the Olympia Fields North Course.

The question is already being raised as to why? But there have been a few people I have spoke with over the last year who were not “wow’d” by Olympia Fields. Including a few rating panelists from national publications.

Foster however is the kind of architect that brings a wow factor to his restoration projects. You could say he is the leading architect in the classic course restoration and renovation industry. Foster beat out some of the heavy hitters in the industry in landing the Olympia Fields project. His work at places like the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Eastward Ho, TPC Old White at the Greenbrier, Orchard Lake and Knollwood has really put him on the map. His first two big renovation projects that included Southern Hills and Colonial were winners.

The real question is what’s in this for Olympia Fields. Word on the street is that Olympia Fields could use a few more members, but that’s what most private clubs need. Is Olympia in need of another big tournament that they could make some money off of, sure, many of the big clubs are looking for that. But what’s out there that could bring bucks to the south side and OFCC. The long term agreement that OFCC signed with the PGA of America, seems worthless now, with the schedule change coming in 2019.

While Olympia could host another KPMG or a Ryder Cup in 2036 based on the calendar, 2036 might be too long of a wait for what the club wants to do now, It will be interesting to see what Olympia Fields can attract when Foster wraps up his restoration work on both courses. The first thing will likely be a pile of new members.

CALUMET COUNTRY CLUB could be a south side casualty of progress. There is no secret the club has been for sale for a while. But what’s interesting is who the top buyers on the table are. They are rumored to be two package distribution companies looking to build new centers for their trucks, and not to play golf even though one company is tied to the PGA Tour’s Playoffs. The other is asking, “what can Brown do for Youre

IN THE NORTH BURBS, there is the Lake Bluff Park District asking donors to come up with $265,000 to remain open in 2019. Seriously, that’s sad. But maybe there are some 50 people who can write checks for about $5,000 a piece to help keep things running. Lake Bluff needs an architect who can come in and renovate the course, so it makes money Doing nothing at Lake Bluff will make that course continue to lose money

SPORTSMAN’S COUNTRY CLUB in Northbrook will get a full renovation from the hands of golf course architect Greg Martin and clubhouse specialist Dan Wohlfeil. The work should begin late summer in 2019. This will be another winner when it gets done.

Greg Martin joins Golfers on Golf Radio tomorrow morning on Am 750 WNDZ as a guest host, from 10-11 AM. Please join us.

Yes the courses are changing, who is next. RS

  BLACKBERRY OAKS GM and head golf professional Chad Johansen, invite you to tee it up in the Blackberry Amateur on June 23-24. The BB-AM now in it;s 8th year is out to Fill The Field this year at 120 players. To sign up visit Blackberryamateur.com or call the club at (630)-553-7170. CHICAGOLAND GOLF PUBLISHER VAL RUSSELL invites you to pick up the June issue out next week, Available at public courses and golf stores.        ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook, on the tee at Olympia Fields

THE OLYMPIA FIELDS COUNTRY CLUB the flagship golf facility on Chicago’s Southside, has made a major shift on how it’s golf courses will look going forward.

The club has hired architect and classic golf course restoration specialist Keith Foster to create a master plan for both the North and South Courses going forward. Foster will start work in three months at Olympia Fields.

Olympia Fields had been using Mark Mungeam on it’s North Course, and Steve Smyers on the South Course. Foster who currently only takes on two projects a year, is working at Congressional Country Club in Washington DC, and is working on his modern era project, The Harvester in Rhodes Iowa, which is already shut down for the year in 2018. The Harvester that opened in the year 2000, has been on many Top 100 lists since it opened. It is expected to go from a public course to private course in the short future.

                 ARCHITECT KEITH FOSTER (L) and the 18th hole on the Wissahickon course at the Philadelphia Cricket Club near Philadelphia, a Foster restoration that earned rave reviews and high ratings from various publications. It sits in the Top 100 Classic Courses in Golfweek Magazine.

Foster who did restoration work at the Omaha Country Club about ten years ago, that helped OCC land the 2013 U.S. Sr. Open, is back working there again in advance of the clubs next U.S Sr. Open in 2021.

During a phone interview with Golfers on Golf Foster said, “I’m delighted, humbled and grateful to be working with Olympia Fields and with the clubs great history. I am so pleased to be selected over the other great architects the club spoke with about the project.”

Foster had 11 courses on Golfweeks Top 100 Classic Courses list one year ago. Foster expects to be back on site at Olympia Fields later this summer.

Olympia Fields hosted the 2017 KPMG Championship Women’s PGA Championship last year and is looking for more major championship golf to come it’s way in the years ahead.

In Illinois Foster is known for his work at Shepherd’s Crook in Zion, Highlands of Elgin in Elgin and at Knollwood Country Club in Lake Forest.

Golfers on Golf will continue to follow this story as it develops.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB in Romeoville has ladies Golf night tomorrow night May 23rd from 5:30 to 7 Pm. it’s the first ladies golf night of the season, ladies can hit balls on the range, enjoy food or beverage, or play a few holes on the Ray Hearn designed Mistwood Championship Golf Course. The next ladies golf night is June 6th. Details at Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333. Don’t forget the Women’s Co-AM leading into the Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship on June 24th, The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Peo-Am is Sunday July 15th with the Illinois Women’s Open being played on July 16-17-18. Mistwood Golf a Golfweek Best in State  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the first tee at Harbor Shores Golf Club home of this weeks Sr. PGA Championship.

THERE WAS SAD NEWS from the world of wmen’s golf yesterday, with the passing of LPGA Hall of Famer Carol Mann.

Mann passed away in her home in the Woodlands of Texas, at the age of 77. Mann whose roots in golf come from the Olympia Field Country Club in the south suburbs, won 38 times on the LPGA Tpur and had two major wins. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

“You always hate to lose a family member especially one like Carol who meant so much,” said LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan. “She certainly left the LPGA in better shape than she found it.”

While Mann is in two Hall of Fame’s, shockingly she is not in the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. No cause of death was released for Mann.

DOUG GHIM of Arlington Heights and a member of the University of Texs Golf Team was named the winner of the Ben Hogan Award in Fort Worth Texas on Monday night.

Ghim is the first Texas player to win the award since 1993. The Hogan award is the college golfer player of the year award, and is similar to the Heisman trophy of college football.

Ghim will play for the NCAA National Championship with his Longhorn Teammates starting this weekend, and then the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in two weeks. Following the U.S. Open he will turn professional. Ghim could receive a sponsors exemption to the John Deere Classic in July. Tournament Director Clair Peterson admitting that Ghim is on the tournaments radar for an exemption this year.

BIG 3 PARTNER LEN ZIEHM has posted a recap of his golf trip to the Audubon Trail circuit in Louisiana, Ziehm played several courses in the area and has his review now online at lenziehmongolf.com.

ARCHITECT GREG MARTIN joins Golfers on Golf Radio AM 750 WNDZ this Saturday morning in the studio, as a guest host.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW RS

  BLACKBERRY OAKS GM AND HEAD GOLF PROFESSIONAL CHAD JOHANSEN, holds the Blackberry Amateur trophy, the Blackberry Amateur will be contested on June 23-24, this lets FILL THE FIELD at 120 players To enter see BlackberryAmateur.com or call (630)-553-7170. MCWETHY’s TAVERN part of Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville is open year round, and a great place to enjoy your favorite food and beverages, even if you didn’t play golf that day. So why not enjoy McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club today. For more information see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333 #GWMBIS#14  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, Follow Rory on Facebook, LInkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy., and to TPC Deere Run home of the John Deere Classic.

THE MEDIA tournament tour continues today with media day at TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic that is coming up like every every other tournament in Illinois, the second week of July.

The tournament defending champion Bryson DeChambeau will be on-hand to speak at the press conference. His win at John Deere was his first on the PGA Tour.

DeChambeau currently sits in 12th place on the Ryder Cup points list to make the team for France this fall. He sits 19th on the Fed Ex Cup points list, and another big week at John Deere this July could put him in great shape on both lists.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU holds the John Deere Classic tophy after winning the classic last year.

DeChambeau just had second best finish on tour when he was second at the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Classic a few weeks back. It seems like he is ready to defend his only title on the tour come July We will all learn all more from him today.

John Deere Classic Chairman Clair Peterson will speak as well at the media day, one day after one of his recent sponsor exemptions also won for the first time on the PGA Tour. Aaron Wise the former NCAA national champion and part of the 2016 national NCAA championship winning team the Oregon Ducks, Wise held off fellow Callaway staff player and current BMW Champion Marc Leishman at the Byron Nelson Classic in Dallas. More on the John Deere Classic coming up this week.

In the week ahead, the weather is supposed to break where all of us can get out and play a little bit. Let’s try and do so. Hit’em straight everyone. RS