THE CHICAGO GOLF CLUB, EXMOOR COUNTRY CLUB, AND THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC, all tee it up this week. The U.S. Sr.Women’s Open, The Senior Players Championship and the John Deere Classic. See local listings for times of broadcasts. Tickets are available for all three tournaments should you want to attend all of the above ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and or Facebook, and now on Instagram. At TPC Deere Run.

YES , it’s a three for one week, and it could happen here in Chicago or Illinois for that matter.

It’s an extremely frustrating situation and I’ll have more to say about it next Monday.

In case you missed them over Friday and the weekend, I did write previews for all three championships, so I hope you are interested in seeing all three of them. The best way to do that is probably from your Lazy Boy, but there are tickets available for all three tournaments or championships, and maybe you can go see at least one of them in person.

But if you want to see them in person, just don’t do it on Monday or Tuesday unless you want to see the preview at the John Deere Classic, because the other tournaments, the two in the Chicago area don’t have public access on Monday and Tuesday.

There are many good things about this weeks golf tournaments. In the Quad Cities at John Deere, some of local players will be there competing. Arlington Heights resident Doug Ghim has an exemption to play, and so does Nick Hardy from Northbrook. Both guys are both professionals now, so they have a chance to make some money. Dylan Meyer the former U of I guy from Indiana, who charmed everyone’s heart when he won the Western Amateur at Knollwood in 2016 also has an exemption.

Bryson DeChambeau the defending champ at the Deere returns looking to lock up a spot on the Ryder Cup team with another win. Steve Stricker, Zach Johson and a bunch of other good players will be in the field at the JDC. Johndeereclassic.com for tickets. It’s just a drive down 88 from Chicago.

THE U.S. Women’s Open is the first of a kind. Everything that happens this week at the Chicago Golf Club will be the first this and first that. I’ll be their most of the week to try and capture many of those firsts. Any championship at the Chicago Golf Club is a special one, and who knows when or if that next one comes along at CGC. Chicago Golf Club is a special place and all seven days there this week will be ones to remember. Tickets at usseniorwomensopen.com.

The Senior Players Championship has one of Chicago’s finest north shore area clubs to play host this week. Most pro’s really enjoy hitting it around an old Donald Ross original design, and this week should be no exception. Players with local ties in that field include, Gary Hallberg, Jeff Sluman and University of Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small. Tickets at SPCGolf.com.

Stay clicked in here for details all week long, and on Saturday Golfers on Golf Radio Am 750 will recap all three. The Gog Blog is back tomorrow. In addition next week BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm and I will launch our new podcast series. Stay clicked in fr that as well. RS

 THE CALLAWAY ROGUE DRIVER, Are you ready to go Rogue. The Callaway Rogue line of clubs, and the Mack Daddy Wedges taking the market by storm, for more details see Callawaygolf.com. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is proud to host the Symetra Tour this week on the Donald Ross Golf Course, French Lick is also ready to host you and your family or golf group on the Ross or Pete Dye Golf Courses, see Frenchlick.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation.. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin, Facebook and now Instagram. On the 18th green at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, home of this U.S Sr Women’s Open.

IT’S NOT EVERY YEAR the USGA launches a new U.S. Open, so the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open taking place this week at the historic Chicago Golf Club is both a special and history making championship.

For many of the players involved and the other major names of women’s golf over the last several decades, this championship in their minds is coming a few years too late, but they are glad that it has finally arrived at the first tee.

Former U.S. Women’s Open Champion Pat Bradley has told the media in several interviews, that she has been waiting for this tee time for 16 years. Bradley admits for some time she thought she might miss this tee time all together, but she has been working on her game and is ready to give this championship her best shot.

This week from July 12th through the 15th. Details see USGA.org

Among those not playing this week that would have made the great field even better include, Nancy Lopez who is still on the mend from a knee replacement surgery, Meg Mallon back issues, and several time USGA Amateur Champion Carol Semple-Thompson.

The USGA has said several players who can not play, will be at the championship to show their support of this first championship and the commitment to it by the USGA.

The USGA to it’s credit is making sure the players are treated like the players are at any U.S Open, with courtesy cars and other perks that come with playing for a national championship. In fact, in order to give the players time to prepare for Round 1 on Thursday. The gates are closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday, with only limited access on Wednesday.

The Chicago Golf Club’s clubhouse.

The players that have spoke about the championship are all being asked who is the favorite?

One name keeps coming up and that is Juli Inkster who the U.S. Women’s Open in both 1999 and in 2002. Speaking with Golfers on Golf at the recently played Women’s PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes Golf Club  Inkster said,”I’m looking forward to this championship. It comes ten years too late for some of the players, but it is a step forward for women’s golf.” Inkster said earlier this year she was not playing well, but recently has starting hitting the ball better and that her putting is coming around. She was expected to play a practice round at Chicago Golf this past week as part of her preparation. Inkster said she enjoys the older classic golf courses especially many of the ones in the Northeast part of the country.

As for winning the first U.S. Sr. Women’s Open and becoming a club of “one” to win both U.S. Women’s Opens Inkster said,” that would be something and it’s always a feather in your cap to win a USGA championship.”

The C. B. Macdonald statue at the Chicago Golf

Speaking at the Chicago District Golf Associations Centennial dinner in 2014, USGA President and CEO Mike Davis said the USGA’s concern about this championship was getting it started and then pulling it off the table due to lack of interest or filling the field. This years field has been set at 120 players. One has to believe that based on the amount of players that are playing or tried to qualify, the championship (462) should be here for years to come.

The tee times have been set for the first two rounds of the championship. The first group off the first tee is JoAnne Carner, Hollis Stacy and Sandra Palmer, Carner will hit the first ball to start the first round at 7 am local CST. Inkster will head off the first tee in round one at 7:55.

One player that should not be overlooked is Trish Johnson from England. Johnson won the first ever senior women’s major championship, when she won the Sr LPGA Championship last summer at the French Lick Resort on the tough Pete Dye Golf Course.

The Chicago Golf Club will be set by the USGA to a yardage of 6.82 yards and a Par of 73. With the 18th hole that normally plays as Par 4, being switched to Par 5 for the championship. Rating and slope for the championship is 76.7 and 142.

Tickets for the championship can be purchased at usseniorwomensopen.com. One day trophy tickets start at $30, there are other ticket options available. Junior golfers 18 and under are free. Fox Sports 1 FS1 will afternoon coverage on the weekend from 4-6 pm EST.

After the first 36 holes holes, the field will be cut to the low 50 and ties. In case of a tie after 72 holes on Sunday, the new USGA playoff format of a two hole aggregate playoff will decide the championship. If the players are still tied after two holes, the championship will then move to a sudden death result,

There has been one recent change to the field. 1982 U.S Women’s Open Champion Janet Anderson has withdrawn due to a family emergency. Janie Simons the 1st alternate from an eastern regional qualifier has replaced Anderson.

The winner of this years championship will hold the title for only 10 months, as next years U.S.  Women’s Sr. Open will be played from May 16-19 at Peggy Kirk Bell’s Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines North Carolina.

With the addition of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, the USGA is now conducting 14 championships.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB AT 401 N ROSELLE ROAD has reopened it’s Players Nine, and newly expanded driving range and putting green. Phase 2 of the renovation has started and now the Baer Nine has closed and will reopen around July 1st of 2019. For more details visit schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. While at the club, enjoy Chandlers Chop House for food and beverage  or the golf simulators.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and at Linkedin, Facebook, and now on Instagram. On the 14th hole at Exmoor Country Club.

THE 2018 SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park tee’s off this week on Thursday July 12th. With the final round being played on Sunday the 15th.

The Accenture pro-am is on Wednesday along with other activities that day, which is the first day that Exmoor is open to the public.

Defending champion Scott McCarron who won in 2017 at Caves Valley in Baltimore, heads up a strong field that includes Bernhard Langer, U.S. Sr. Open Champion David Toms and Wisconsin’s very own Jerry Kelly. From the Illinois area or with local ties other players include Barrington Native Gary Hallberg, former Hinsdale Resident Jeff Sluman, and Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small. Kelly heads up a group of seven former Western Open Champions, that does not include Steve Stricker who will skip the championship to play at the John Deere Classic. Speaking of John, “Long John Daly’ will play at Exmoor.

   THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY and the front of the famed Exmoor Country Club. clubhouse.

The yardage for the championship will be 7,149 and the course record at Exmoor is by Jake Higginbottom while playing a practice round for the 2012 Western Amateur. Higginbottom is a professional. The Western Amateur was supposed to be played this tear at Exmoor but was moved back to 2022 so the club could present the Seniors Players Championship.

Click here to hear WGA Sr. VP of Tournaments Vince Pellegrino discuss this weeks Senior Players Championship.

Click here to hear our interview with Champions Tour Player Fred Funk at Exmoor Country Club on media day.

Exmoor (1896) is the third oldest club in Illinois as only the Chicago Golf Club and Onwentsia are older. Famed architect Donald Ross designed the golf course in 1915, while architect Ron Pritchard did the renovation in 2003.

There are different ticket packages available for the week, to oder tickets in adavnce please visit SPCGolf.com. Parking will be off site and spectators will be bused into the championship.

   THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB on Roselle Road in Schaumburg has reopened the Players Nine and the newly expanded driving range and putting green as Phase 1 of the three part renovation is now complete. Phase Two is underway withwork having started on the Baer Nine, that should reopen around July 1st of 2019. For more details see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000, When there #ChandlersChopHouse.   _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 13 tees off this morning at 10 Am on Am 750 WNDZ

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO WEEK 13 is on the tee this morning at 10 AM on AM 750 WNDZ Chicago.

Your hosts Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears invite you for another great hour of golf talk.

This week we look at the week ahead that has three big tournaments in the state of Illinois. The John Dere Classic in the Quad Cities, the US. Sr. Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, and the Senior Players Championship at Exmoor in Highland Park.

Our guests this morning include John Deere Classic Communications manager Barry Cronin, and upcoming touring professional Nick Hardy who play at John Deere this coming week.

We will hear from Clair Peterson JDC Championship Director, defending champion Bryson DeCahmbeau. On the Senior Players Championship, it’s Fred Funk and Championship Director Vince Pellegrino. We hope you will join us at 10 AM.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB HAS Reopened the Players Nine and newly expanded driving range and putting green. As of last weekend the Baer Nine has closed as part of the Phase 2 renovation. The Baer Nine should reopen for play around July 1st of 2019. Call (847)-885-9000 for more details. THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP at the Exmoor Country Club hits the fairways, come see a field that includes seven former Western Open Champions, tickets at CSPGolf.com. #itsamajor     ___________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. At TPC Deere Run, home of this comings weeks John Deere Classic.

YOU KNOW IT’S THE SECOND WEEK OF JULY When the John Deere Classic hits the first tee.

Defending Champion Bryson DeChambeau heads up a solid field for this years John Deere Classic, that includes long time Quad Cities favorites Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson. Stricker along with Davis Love III are skipping the Senior Players Championship a major on the Champions Tour to play the JDC. Love III will be playing with his son Dru, who is the field as well.

JDC Tournament Director Clair Peterson has again done an outstanding job in selecting his sponsors exemptions. From the local area Arlington Heights native Doug Ghim and Northbrook resident Nick Hardy are in the field. Hardy played last year as an amateur while still attending the University of Illinois and made the cut. Hardy is now a professional and take home some money if he makes the cut again. Hardy will be joined in the field by his former teammate at the U of I Dylan Meyer who had a T-20 at the U.S. Open, along with U of I alum Stricker.

Bryson DeChambeau holds the john Deere Classic Trophy after winning in 2017.

When DeChambeau won the 2017 JDC, it was his first win on the PGA Tour. In May of this year he won for a second time when he won the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament in a playoff.

The championship purse is $5.8 million dollars with $1.044 million dollars going to the winner.

The final British Open Exemption is also on the line at the JDC. In addition to Johnson and Stricker, there are four other past JDC Champions in the field including 2016 winner Ryan Moore. Joining them is Brandt Snedeker who in his appearance at the JDC, was T-2 in 2009. More than 20 players in this years field, have won tournaments in the last two years.

Defending JDC Champion Bryson DeChambeau talks with the media on the patio of TPC Deere Run on media day in May. Click here to hear the interview.

Click here to hear our interview with JDC Tournament Director Clair Peterson from media day.

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC Championship communications Director Barry Cronin will join Golfers on Golf Radio tomorrow morning at 10:10 AM to talk about the championship.

Tickets for the John Deere Classic where there is always plenty of exciting action and fantastic finishes are available at Johndeereclassic.com or at the gate on location at TPC Deere Run.

   THE INAUGURAL U.S SR. WOMEN’S OPEN at the Chicago Golf Club is the tee next week, come see golf history be made. See USGA.org for more details. THE PLAYERS NINE at the Schaumburg Golf is now open, along with the newly expanded driving range and putting green. The Baer Nine is now closed and should reopen around July 1st of 2019. Tee times are being taken at (847)-885-9000 or see Schaumburggolf.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. At the Pinehurst Par 3 course The Cradle.

THERE IS PLENTY OF NEWS on the Golf Scene around town and beyond so from the tee box here we go.

IN PINEHURST, NC. this fall is an exciting time for golfers to head to the home of American golf.

Course #4 that is going through a restoration with architect Gil Hanse will reopen. That is expected to be in September, and also in September will be the opening of the new Pinehurst Brewery. Good flavors for when you are done with golf.

Gil Hanse’s restoration drawing on Course #

PINEHURST has announced they have added the player experience of Tagmarshall, to help with pace-of-play.

Tagmarshall’s geo-tagging  and pace algorithm software is expected to increase operation efficiency that should lead to a saving 15-17 minutes per round. Small tags are put on bags or carts that transmit geo-location data.

“We are continuously looking for ways to improve our on-course capabilities and create a more memorable experience for our guests,”, says Matt Barksdale, PGA Resort Head Golf Professional at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. “The adoption of Tagmarshall has been and the system has already produced positive insights for us to implement.”

Tagmarsha;; has been used with success at clubs and resorts like Kiawah, Erin Hills and at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin. For more information on Pinehurst see Pinehurst.com  for details on Tagmarshall and it’s system see Tagmarshall.com.

MINNIE MONESSE Golf Club is now for sale through Chris Charnas and Links Capital Advisors. The club which opened in 1926 is one of the top facilities in Kankakee County. It is known for it’s rolling hills design with water on 11 holes. The main bar and dinning seats 150 and has a great view of the golf course. The current ownership is looking to sell to a new generation that wants to continue the clubs great tradition and history, asking price $1.2 million. For more information contact Chris at (847)-866-7192.

NEED A NEW GOLF APP-GolfLogix is for you. The 3D Green Maps adds one touch putt reading, and currently has a 30-Day FREE Trial. GolfLogix can read your putts on over 8,000 golf courses, and you can read the 3D screen in full color.

“When you see the professionals on TV get to the green, they take a notepad outoftheir back pocket that shows them the contours of the green and how the putt will break,” says Howard Milstein Chairman of GolfLogix. :Now for the time amateur players can get the same info on their phone-if you want to putt like the pro’s, you need to start with the same information as the pro’s. It’s vital information for approach shots andchips. It answers the question, “where do I want to land my ball.”

Golfers get a birds-eye view of the green that will help you save stokes off your round. It gives you the chance to play smarter golf. See Golflogix.com for details.

Belvedere Golf Club, one of a the great Midwest and Michigan based Classic golf courses in Charlevoix.

Belvedere Golf Club one of the great classic courses open for public play in Michigan, will host the 2019 Hickory Club Open from June 20-22.

“Belvedere is a classic, classic course,” said Rick Meier the clubs president. “It is old-school in small town America. When dry and firm, it plays fast requires a hickory style ground game. Our club and the Charlevoix community  our committed to and will host a great championship.”

The championship draws an international field that plays with clubs from the pre-1935 era of golf. The club has 44 players that will participate in the championship. Most of the players will dress in clothes from the hickory era of 1910 to 1930. The Belvedre Hickory Open has been played at the club 12 times and is considered one of the four majors in Hickory Style Golf.

The 2025 Michigan State amateur will be played at Belvedere in the clubs centennial season. For details on Belvedere Golf Club see Belvederegolfclub.com or call the club at (231)-547-2611. For information on the Hickory Golfers see hickorygolfers.com.

CHRIS LUTZKE who has worked for over 20 years with HOF Architect Pete Dye, has been accepted into the American Society of Golf Course architects (ASGCA). Lutzke credited both Pete and Alice Dye for doing the right things nad keep him on track to be in the association. Ludzke a Michigan State Alum, first worked with Dye in 1986 on the Blackworf Run Course at Kohler. Lutzke is now back at Kohler working at Whistling Straits andgetting the course ready for the 2020 Ryder Cup. For more information on Lutzke see Albanese and Lutzke Design (734)-567-5150.

DO YOU NEED A NEW GOLF DESTINATION, why not consider Daytona Beach in Florida. Daytona Beach is home to the LPGA international Golf Facility, a 36-hole facility. Other options include the Spruce Creek Country Club and the Riviera Country Club. For more information see Daytonabeach.golf.

NORTHBROOK based KEMPERSPORTS Management has announced that they will now manage the Health Golf and Yacht Club in Heath Texas. The 787 acre resort style community will offer residents 1,200 luxury style homes and a 27 hole golf course designed by Roy Bechtol. The club will open later this summer with the golf course open for play in fall of 2019. Details at Heathgolfandyachtclub.com.

GOLF 360 with former Chicago Bear Patrick Manelly is back for another month on NBC Sports Chicago. This monthsshow includes a look at Elgin Golf, Bowes Creek and Highlands of Elgin Golf Club and the Prairie landing Golf Club in West Chicago. A golf destination visit to Grand Rapids Michigan. See local listings for dates and times.

MIURA GOLF one of the finest made clubs anywhere in the world, has announced the addition of it’s IC-601 Irons. These Irons are an expansion of the ICL-601 driving iron. The Miura golf family is excited about these irons created by Miura Founder Katsuhiro Miura.

These Irons are recommended for use by Mid-to Higher level handicap players. The Irons are made of 455 Carpenter Steel that is used in Areospace applications For more information on the Miura IC-601 Irons see Miuragolf.com.

The 9th hole at the Tidewater Golf Club in Cherry Grove/Myrtle Beach area.

Tidewater Golf Club one of the top Myrtle Beach area golf courses continues to make an impact with golfers.

Tidewater since it’s 2014 renovation has 9 holes along an inter coastal waterway.

“We are delighted with the condition of the golf course and the direction it is headed,” says Chris Cooper Tidewaters General Manager. “Golfers are now arriving here with big expectations about our golf course and golf facility. We look forward to meeting them or exceeding them.”

For more information on Tidewater this rapidly growing golf experience please visit Tidewatergolf.com. Myrtle Beach, your home for golf.

THE RECORD IS BACK HOME AT MISTWOOD. the Guinness World Book Records with the longest continuous lines of cooked hot dogs. The new record of 1,162 feet beats the old record of 1,157 feet. The hot dogs had to be cooked and consumable. The line of hot dogs ran the length of Mistwoods Par 5, 3rd hole and 2,496 hot dogs. To earn the record back Mistwood teamed up with Vienna Beef now in it’s 125th year in the Chicago area.

The hot dog record was part of the 4th of July special day at Mistwood one of the top Chicago area golf clubs. For details on Mistwood see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is pleased to announce that Phase 1 of the three year renovation project is complete, the Players Nine, and the newly expanded driving range and putting green are now open. The Baer nine has closed for renovation and should reopen around July 1st of 2019. Tee times are being taken at (847)-885-9000. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is in mid-summer form and both the Pete Dye and the Donald Ross Courses look better than ever, Plan your golf getaway at Frenchlick.com.   ____________________________________________________________________

CDGA.ORG

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook, Linkedin or Instagram. With the Ryder Cup on a Patriotic day, Happy 4th of July everyone, from all of us including Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger at Golfers on Golf. Go Golf everyone, the sun is out and it is dry, no rain in sight.

THE Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) has announced the sites of the next four Illinois State Amateur Championships from years 2019-2020-2021 and 2022.

A return to Cantigny Golf is first on the tee in 2019. The facility has previously hosted the state amateur in 1996, 2002, 2008 and in 2014. The championship will be conducted on the clubs Woodside-Lakeside nines (9th hole Lakeside pictured above). The course designed by Roger Packard, renovated by Jacobson Golf in 2003 and now operated by KemperSports management.

“Cantigny is such a great championship golf course, with it’s unique layout and distinct looking nines that offer a great challenge to contestants,” CDGA Senior Managing Director, Member Services Jodi Ciotti said. “Each year we have hosted the State Amateur at Cantigny has been a tremendous success and the players enjoy the experience.”

Two Illinois PGA Section professionals Hans Larson (L) of Westmoreland CC and Patrick Lynch (R) of Cantigny Golf will see their clubs host future Illinois State Amateur Championships.

“If you step back and look at the names on the trophy, you realize the prominence of winning the Illinois State Amateur,” said CDAG Director of Rules & Competitions Nicholas Scillia. “It is an honor for us the CDGA to run this great championship and we look for courses that feel the same way.”

While Cantigny Golf is a season veteran on hosting the amateur, the other three clubs are all rookies and will be hosting their first championship.

Ciotti added,” The State of IIlinois has many great golf courses and we are fortunate that many courses do express interest in hosting the championship.

IN 2020 the recently named, “The Club at Wynstone” in North Barrington that in 2016 hosted the CDGA Senior Amateur. The course is the only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in the state of Illinois. The club opened for play in 1989.

         THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB IN Romeoville has become one of the states best public golf facilities since owner Jim McWethy approved a three phase improvement plan for the Mistwood Phase one was a redo of the course by architect Ray Hearn, Phase Two was the building of the Performance Center and improvements of the practice area’s Finally Phase 3 was the building of the new clubhouse by famous architect Dan Wolhfeil, that includes the pro shop and McWethy’s Tavern that has scenic views of the golf course.

Mistwood recently hosted the 118th Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship and is the home of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open that will be played this month from July 16-18. Mistwood will host the state amateur in 2021.

 THE WESTMORELAND COUNTRY CLUB IN WILMETTE will host the 2022 amateur championship, and is one of the top clubs in Chicago’s Northshore area. Recent improvements to the club and the golf course make Westmoreland a great home for the championship.

The club is no stranger to championship golf, having previously hosted the 1917 Western Open and 1921 Western Amateur and the 1938 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The club founded in 1911 had it’s course originally designed by Willie Watson in 1912 and later renovated in 1921 by famed architects William Langford and A.W. Tillinghast.

This years championship will be contested from July 17-19 at the Bloomington Country Club abd defending champion Patrick Flavin will return to defend his title won last year at Calumet Country Club.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has reopened the Players Nine and the putting green as Phase 1 of the three year renovation is complete. The Baer Nine has shut down and should reopen around July 1st of 2019. New newly lengthened driving range is open as well. For more information see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. Are you ready for more from your clubs, Go Rogue by Callaway, see Callawaygolf.com   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Linkedin, Facebook and Instagram. In the pro shop at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, home of the 2018 Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open July 16-18.

Last week was a great week for golf in the Chicago area, except for the fact the heat level keep some folks off the golf course or from attending the different tournaments in town.

I’ll start by talking about the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship that was held at Kemper Lakes, that ended on the 16th green after a short delay in play because of a weather issue.

The two-hole playoff and drama down the stretch and into the playoff was great viewing, in the end  Sung Hyun Park edged out So Yeon Ryu in yet another Korean major championship victory. I did come away with a load of respect for Ryu. I covered the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open at Blackwolf Run in Kohler when Ryu won her first major. Someone asked what she might do with the first place check. Ryu who was struggling with speaking English at the time said, she would hire a tutor and lean how to speak English. Well whoever she hired is one good teacher. Ryu is very fluent and polished in English, and a real tribute to female Korean golfers and a role model for what athlete’s coming to America to make millions here should do.

From a media standpoint, it’s hard to work with players or golfers when they need an interpreter, some media organizations don’t accept comments or audio from those who can’t speak the English language, which can cost reporters money while working major sports. Which is why Ryu is a real breath of fresh air and why I will be rooting for her when she is in contention. Ryu is one real classy lady, and sports professional. It was great to have her at the UL Crown media day yesterday in Northbrook.

As far as Kemper Lakes goes, there is no doubt that Kemper is back as a major championship venue. The question is what comes next. During championship week the PGA of America announced that in 2023 Baltusrol will host the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA and in 2029 the Men’s PGA Championship. Now it seems that every club that hosts the KPMG, gets a PGA Championship as well. It’s too bad the PGA wasn’t thinking that way when Olympia Fields and Kemper Lakes signed up for the KPMG.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm (visit lenziehmongolf.com) and I teamed up to interview Kemper Lakes Golf Club owner Steve Jouzapaitis on Sunday to ask him about the week that was, and what’s next for the club. Jouzapaitis felt his club delivered and it sure did this past week. Jouzapaitis says the club will continue to work through it’s master plan as it goes forward. Architect Rick Jacobson and his team did a bunker renovation project in recent years. While there are no plans and no need for any serious renovations going forward, there might be a hole (8th) that could see some minor changes. In 1989 some of the pro’s in the PGA took some cheap shots at the clubhouse which has been improved and is much nicer inside since the club went private. Jouzapaitis didn’t rule out making more improvements to the clubhouse down the road to benefit the clubs members and guests as part of the master plan.

Click here to hear the interview with Kemper Lakes owner Steve Jouzapaitis on the KPMG and what could be up for Kemper Lakes going forward.

The Gauntlet plaque by the 16th tee box at Kemper Lakes.

The Gauntlet Holes 16-17-18 as the club is calling them now, got some attention championship week and in a few ways did decide the outcome of the championship.

Ryu’s water ball on 17 lost her the championship, and Park’s par save from the water/mud on the side of the 16th green won it for her. With several tournament courses having catchy names for a stretch of holes, the addition of the Gauntlet adds something to the last three holes at Kemper Lakes. It got the players talking that’s for sure. But other talk included the use of the name “Gauntlet”, since its the same name used for the last three holes at TPC Sawgrass home of the Players Championship on the PGA Tour.

I have been to Sawgrass but did not play the golf course so I didn’t know about the Gauntlet being part of that course. I’ll say this, considering the amount of years that tournament has been on TV, it’s amazing it’s not promoted since very few people seemed to know about the Gauntlet name being used there.

wwga.org

ANOTHER GREAT CHAMPIONSHIP THIS PAST week was the Women’s Western Golf Associations National Championship that was played at Mistwood. It was won by medalist Emilee Hoffman from Folsom California, she defeated Tristyn Nowlin of Richmond Kentucky, who plays for the University of Illinois Golf Team by an 8&7 score.

Nowlin said that her swing and putter just weren’t working in the final match but was glad to make the championship’s in the match play. The WWGA that also runs a National Junior Championship (later this month in Cincinnati) is hinting that it might be back in town in 2019, maybe with both championships. The WWGA has not said where the championships might be next year, but I’m not ruling out White Eagle CC in Naperville, stay tuned. As for this year, kudo’s to Mistwood for a job well done.

SPEAKING OF MISTWOOD, tomorrow the Red White and Blue golf tournament tee’s off bright and early, and the club is going to try and retake a Guinness World Book of Records back that they once held. Get ready for some serious hot dogs everyone. For more details see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333.

ULCrown.com Korea October 4-10 2018

THE UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN if you missed our story from yesterday, the LPGA and UL based in Northbrook hosted the media to announce the 2018 UL Crown field of 8 countries and 32 players that will play in Korea come October. TEAM USA the #2 seed will be down two players from the 2016 Crown played at the Merit Club and won by the USA. Jessica Korda and Michelle Wie replace Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller who are (Lewis) or have recently been (Piller) pregnant. Korea is the #1 seed at the jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Inchon.

While there is no doubt that that Korea will be crazy for the Crown, the next question is where next in 2020. I spoke with LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan yesterday who says that the 2020 Crown site has not yet been determined. But he narrowed it down to five courses in America, or 4-5 courses in two other countries around the world.

Whan made it clear they want to play in a country that has a team competing in the matches, which makes sense. Whan told me the LPGA is not ruling out the Midwest in 2020, in spite of the Ryder Cup being played in Kohler that year. He also was not sure when in 2020 the Crown might be played, but with the Olympics in August, and the Ryder Cup in September, it’s likely if the Crown is played in the USA, July could be the month. But if a venue down south is picked, it could be October.

As far as US based sites go, with UL CEO Keith Williams a member at Conway Farms, I wouldn’t rule out CF being in the mix as a possible site for 2020.

THE GOG BLOG will be back this week, with more on the CDGA Amateur sites for the next four years being announced. RS

   THE PLAYERS NINE at the Schaumburg Golf Club along with the driving range and newly expanded putting green are now open. Tee times are now being taken at (847)-885-9000, you can visit Schaumburggolf.com for more information about the clubs three year renovation project that is now complete with Phase 1. THE 2-DG golf shirt (blue shirt in right photo) is the Italian made shirt that protects golfers from the sun at a new level of safety not seen in other outerwear. Visit www.2-DG.com to learn more.  ______________________________________________________________________

  THE UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN IS HEADED TO KOREA IN OCTOBER OF 2018 for the most exciting International Crown matches yet. Details at ULCrown2018.com.      THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

THE CROWN is not back in town, or at least for 2018 as it heads to golf crazy Korea and the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Inchon. TEAM USA is the defending champion but Korea that finished third in 2014 and second in 2016, is poised to strike on it’s home turf and win it’s first UL Crown in the week of October 4-10.

This morning at the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) in Northbrook, the 2018 UL Crown made the announcements that so many people (especially in Korea) have been waiting to hear. What  eight countries will be playing, and who are the 32 players that will be selected to represent their countries in the event.

The 8 player representatives, from So Yeon Ryu far left to Canid Kung far right. Seeds are in order (L-R)

Korea earned the #1 seed and So Yeon Ryu announced her teammates  I Park, Sung Hyun Park, and in-Kyung Kim.

The United States is the #2 seed, and Jessica Korda announced her teammates, Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie, and Cristie Kerr.

Japan is the #3 seed, and Nasa Hataoka announced her teammates, Ai Suzuki, Misuzu Narita and Mamiko Higa.

England is the #4 seed and Georgia Hall announced her teammates, Charley Hull jodi Ewart Shadoff and Bronte Law.

Australia is the #5 seed and Katherine Kirk announced her teammates, Minjee Lee, Sarah Jane Smith and Su Oh.

Thailand is the #6 seed and Moriya Jutanugarn announced her teammates, her sister Ariya, Pornanong Phatlum and Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong.

Sweden is the #7 seed and Pernilla Lindberg announced her teammates, Anna Nordqvist. Madelene Sagstrom and Caroline Hedwall.

Chinese Taipei is the #8 seed and Candice Kung introduced her teammates, Teresa Lu, Wei-Ling Hsu and Hsuan-Yu Yao.

Click here to hear part of the press conference, with moderator Jerry Foltz of the Golf Channel, Michael Whan LPGA Commissioner, UL CEO Keith Williams.

For more information on the UL International Crown see ULCrown.com stay clicked in here for more on the 2020 International Crown. As Golfers on Golf catches up with LPGA Commissioner  Michael Whan.

THE 2018 KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP at KEMPER LAKES has put the North Suburban club in Kildeer back on the championship future sites list, who is next.    _____________________________________________________________________

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

THE 2018 KPMG WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP is in the books, and Sung Hyun Park is the champion after a two-hole playoff and a final round of 69, 3 under par and a total of 10 under par for the championship.

The playoff started on 18 between three players, Ryu, Sung Hyun Park and Nasa Hataoka. Hataoka was eliminated on the first playoff hole when her birdie putt ran sharply past the hole. Ryu had already drained her 20 footer from the fringe for birdie. Then Park matched the birdie with an 18 footer of her own. That would prove as big as her par save on 16 during the final round.

The championship was decided on the second playoff hole when Ryu’s putt from just outside 20 feet slid past the edge of the cup. Park then used the entire hole to get her 9 foot putt to barely fall in the hole.

2018 KPMG Champion Sung Hyun Park with the championship trophy in the media center at Kemper Lakes.

Both players had time to think about their final putts when weather suspended play for about 20 minutes after both players reached the green on their second shots.

Ryu the third round leader after round 3 by three shots, had the championship won after 16 holes when she made a 25 foot birdie putt to take a two shot lead. But then taking a page from the Mike Reid in 1989, Ryu pounded her drive on 17 into the drink to make double bogey. While Park 2017 U.S. Women’s Open Champion salvaged a great par from the watery muck on the right side of the 16th green. her birdie putt on 17 lipped out and going for the win on 18 she ran the putt over the edge of the cup.

Last weeks winner on the LPGA Tour Hataoka shot the round of the championship carding a final round 8 under par 64, then she had to wait almost two hours for the playoff to begin.

Championship week included some highlights including thee hole-in-ones. Maria Stackhouse nailed the first one on the 17th hole during the Tuesday pro-am. During Round one there was two more. Lexi Thompson struck first when she made ace on the Par 3, hourglass shaped sixth hole. Thompson hit an 8-Iron from 166 yards to accomplish the feat. Later that day. Brittany Marchant used a 5-Iron from 175 yards on the Par 3, 17th hole. For that shot Marchant was rewarded with a 2018 Kia Sorento that can drive home if she wants. Thompson’s best round of the championship was the 4 under par 68 she shot on Sunday to help her finish at 3 under par and well out of the championship.

Click hear to hear interviews with runner up So Yeon Ryu and winner Sung Hyun Park, with interperter since she does not speak English.

In the history of the Women’s PGA Championship only three courses have surrendered two hole-in-ones in the same week, There have now been 23 hole-in-ones in the championships history.

TOURNAMENT SET UP DIRECTOR KERRY HAIGH set Kemper Lakes up at the longest yardage it played at all week. The 6,751 yards was 103 yards longer than Round 2 (6,648) that was the second longest yardage of the week. Round 1, at 6,635 was the shortest yardage of the week.

SPEAKING OF HISTORY,,,In Gee Chun and Carlota Ciganda landed the luck location in the locker room this week. The two players were given lockers on each side of the restored and preserved locker that the late Payne Stewart had in the 1989 PGA Championship. The luck did not rub off on Chun who missed the cut, but Ciganga at one point in round two was in 4th place, before falling back to finish in 33rd place..

HOUSEKEEPING, Kemper Lakes course owner Steve Jouzapaitis sat down for a 2 on 1 chat with BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm and Golfers on Golf to review the week and share some thoughts on what’s next for Kemper Lakes, that segment will appear here in the next day or two at Golfers on Golf, and a small part could run this coming Saturday on Golfers on Golf Radio Saturday Morning on Am 750 WNDZ.

Jouzapaitis spoke of the clubs master plan that has been underway for six years, that included a bunker renovation and other improvements by local architect Rick Jacobson and his former partner Doug Myslinski. The course came across looking very good on TV, and earned compliments from the NBC and Golf Channel television crews.

DQ, Lee-Ann Pace had to take a DQ in round two when she hit her Pitching Wedge on a stake after a shot into the rough. What she did not realize at the time, was that the club was damaged and she needed to take it out of play. After Pace hit two more shots with the club, she noticed the damage and alerted a rules official, who gave her the option to play in the last several holes and make an appeal to the rules committee, but she quit immediately and took the DQ.

OW, that hurts. Katelyn Dambaugh injured her should in the first round. When she reached a score of 8 over par playing in pain, she Withdrew from the championship.

The championship in 2019 moves to the site of the 2016 Ryder Cup, Hazeltine National Country Club in Chaska Minnesota.