THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS opening this week on Thursday April 4th, for more details see Dupagegolf.com. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT and the West Baden Hotel home of the Donald Ross and Pete Dye Golf Courses, more at Frenchlick.com.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS (R)-with Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger at Am 750 the Big WNDZ. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy

THEY ARE BACK and Week #1 of Golfers on Golf Radio is in the books, but there is still 21 more weeks of golf talk to go.

A special thanks to Brendan Sweeney of the French Lick Resort for joining us in week 1.

Dupage Golf news for the week ahead.

The Green Meadows golf course, has had it’s opening pushed back until this Tuesday April 2nd. This will allow completion of both a plumbing project, and work in the clubs parking lot.

Opening day for the Preserve at Oak Meadows, will be this Thursday April 4th. That is weather permitting. Updates will be posted at Dupagegolf.com. Where you can find out more about permanent tee times, the Golf Plus Program, and the Friday Fun League.

Course openings this week. Schaumburg Golf Club on Friday. Mistwood golf Club in Romeoville is now April 11th. Mistwood Golf Dome is still open daily.

2015 U.S. OPEN COURSE Chambers Bay in Washington, reopens this week. The course closed early in 2018 to have all of it’s greens resurfaced.

THE BULL AT PINEHURST FARMS in Wisconsin a Jack Nicklaus design will open for the season this week.

Final Round action today from the WGC-Match Play Championship on NBC.

Coming up this week is the Augusta Women’s Amateur. Jessica Yuen from Naperville has been added to the field. The Gog Blog returns on Monday.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook or Instagram. In the studio with Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger. Am 750 WNDZ Chicago.

They are back, yes the weather is a tad lousy today, but it’s golf season and it just 2 days away from April and less than 2 weeks away from Masters week.

Golfers on Golf Radio is on the tee  today at 10 AM to start the season of 22 weeks of great golf talk, with a Chicago flavor to it every Saturday morning.

Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger, and Rory Spears will create some great discussion, on the tours, amateur events, local golf tournaments, the equipment scene, fun travel destinations about places Chicago golfers like to visit. Course renovations and updates.

We will be joined by a variety of guest hosts through out the year, so stay tuned in on the dial to the BIG AM 750 WNDZ all summer long for latest on golf. For week #1 we welcome in Brendan Sweeney from the French Lick Resort, and maybe hear from some other big names in the golf business.

           THE FRENCH LICK RESORT                         THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME

                 VISIT DUPAGE GOLF                     TIM GOVERN AT ARLINGTON LAKES

Thanks to all of our sponsors, from us all at Golfers on Golf Radio & Golfersongolf.com.

  GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO RETURNS-TOMORROW Morning on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ Chicago-yours hosts L-R Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears tune in at 10 am to hear us head off the first tee for 2019. Drive-Chip and Putt comes up Sunday April 7th from Augusta National Golf Club in Advance of Masters Tournament week.

This year the Drive, Chip and Putt will have 80 golfers, that will represent 27 States and four Canadian provinces. These 80 players will compete for the titles in their respective age groups.

Locally from the Chicagoland area the following golfers will participate. Lilian She-Age 9, in the girls 7-9 group. It’s Lilian’s first time at the national finals, her sister was fifth last year. Lilian is from Buffalo Grove.

Luciano Giangrossi-Age 9, in the boys 7-9 age group Luciano is from Evanston.

Joseph Luchtenburg-Age 13 in the boys 12-13 age group. Joseph is from West Chicago.

Joshua Pehl-Age 14, boys 14-15 age group. Joshua is from Sugar Grove. Josh was first in 2012 at the Ryder Cup Youth Skills Challenge at Medinah.

“We are thrilled to have four local junior players qualify for the National Finals at Augusta from our PGA Section,” said Carrie Williams, executive director of the Illinois PGA Section. “Drive, Chip and Putt is such a wonderful program and competition for young players to test their skills and have fun.”

The Illinois PGA conducted ten local qualifiers and two-sub Regional’s. Over 2,000 junior golfers took part in the competition.

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT will give a live look on Facebook at 2 PM EST today at the new suites and sportsbar that are attached to the casino. Frenchlick.com #srlpga    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and Linkedin and Facebook. On the Mid-South Club in Southern Pines NC.

HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR GOLF ?

Do you need a new way to get in shape and turn your body into a way where your swing can make the most of having a repeating swing.

Swing Align comes from golf industry veterans with more than 60 years of experience, with input from PGA Tour players and top golf instructors.

Swing Align can be used on the driving range or in the comfort of your home.

“Two of the biggest issues golfers have are setting up properly and staying connected through out the golf swing,” say Chris McGinley, co-founder and 30 year golf industry veteran. “The Swing Align training aid was designed to help golfers set up square, and hit it solid by providing a strong visual indicator they can use to line up square to their intended target. The device uses muscle memory to develop a repeatable swing with more power and accuracy by keeping their arms and body synchronized when rotating.”

The set up with Swing Align

Swing Align is something golfers wear that coordinates with an alignment rod, which in turn works with arm cuffs that swivel and are held together with a connection belt.

Golfers can use the Swing Align with any club they would hit on the golf course. The Swing Align comes in a standard size or can be purchased in a size of extra-large XL.

For golfers working on a more full swing, the Swing Align can be used on the upper-body. For work on the short game, the Swing Align can be used on the lower body just over the knees.

Devan Bonebrake, a Golf Channel Academy Instructor, and top rated Golf Digest Teacher (2017-2019) believes Swing Align is a top training aid for golfers or by instructors working with their students.

Where Swing Align can really help the golfer, is in the following area’s. Aligning the Body, The Golf Backswing, On Rotation and Swing Plane, Arm-Body Synchronization, and by providing golfers and teacher with feedback.

Swing Align can be used by golfers of any level or handicap, male or female, junior or senior players. For more information or to video’s of the Swing Align in use, please visit swingtrainer.com.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IS OPEN until 10 PM daily. If your not ready for outdoor golf, of this Saturday mornings projected snowflakes, make you think indoors works for you, hit the Mistwood Golf Dome. Once your done hitting balls, hit the OTB and McWethy’s Sports Bar for NCAA Hoops. Call Mistwood Golf Dome at (630)-739-7600. Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol will open today says GM/PRO Chad Johansen who is holding the Blackberry Amateur trophy. Call (630)-553-7170 for tee times today.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the tee at Rich Harvest Farms home of the 2019 WGA Junior Championship in June.

The nations oldest junior championship tee’s off for the 102nd time from June 17-20 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

The field of 156 players that is comprised of both national and international players, will compete for the title first awarded in 1914.

Past champions of this prestigious championship include Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar have competed in the championship.

The Western junior has been held in over 15 states, and at many of the Chicago area’s most historic clubs. In 2018 Jeff Doty of Carmel Indiana, won the championship at Evanston Country Club.

The 102nd Western Junior Championship at Rich Harvest Farms

This will be the second time that Rich Harvest Farms has hosted the championship. Brady Schell won the 2003 championship with a 72 hole score of 290, 2 over par. The 290 score is the highest winning score, since the championship switched to stroke play in 1999.

“We’re excited to bring the Western Junior to such a distinguished venue as Rich Harvest Farms,” said Vince Pellegrino, Western Golf Association senior vice president of tournaments. “The layout of this golf course should again prove to be a true challenge for our entire field of exceptional junior players.”

Among those players expected to be in the field are, Vanderbilt verbal commit and 2018 match player qualifier Jackson Van Paris of Pinehurst North Carolina.

Jerry Rich is the owner of Rich Harvest Farms and designed the Top 100 rated golf course.

“I am thrilled to once again host the best junior golfers in the world,” Rich said.” It’s about growing the game and elevating junior golf tournaments to the level of professional ones. With the way junior golfers play today, you would think you’re watching members of the PGA Tour.”

The last WGA championship played at Rich Harvest Farms was the 2015 Western Amateur won by Dawson Armstrong. Armstrong won in a playoff when he holed a 20 yard bunker shot for an eagle. That wedge shot defeated current touring professional Aaron Wise. Wise had reached the par 5 green in two shots and then missed his eagle putt, after Armstrong had holed his bunker shot in dramatic fashion.

Don’t be surprised if this championship ends in similar manner. There is no charge for admission or parking to attend the championship. More details at thewesternjunior.com.

   MISTWOOD GOLF DOME-OPEN     MISTWOOD GOLF COURSE OPENING SOON  The Mistwood Golf Operation is in full swing, with the golf dome open daily until 10 PM on Rt 53 in Bolingbrook and home to McWethy’s Sportsbar (630)-739-7600. Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Road in Romeoville, home to McWethy’s Tavern, and the golf performance center. Mistwood Golf Club (815)-254-3333 #callformembershipstoday        ______________________________________________________________________

RORY SPEARS with LEN ZIEHM on the Pete Dye Course at PGA Village, in the Ziehm studio’s in the famed PGA Village of Port St. Lucie Florida.

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy-Linkedin or Facebook.

The PGA Tour’s Florida Swing of four tournaments is complete, and now it’s off to Texas. But before the balls are in the air at the Match Play, Len Ziehm of Lenziehmongolf.com and yours truly of Golfersongolf.com have combined for Podcast #3 on the year. We wrap up the very well attended Florida swing tournaments. We ask the question about the Florida golf trip somebody should be running, playing all 4 PGA Tour courses on “The Swing”, because all 4 courses are open to the public golfer.

Is Luke Donald back ? or his back-back. Steve Stricker-Doug Ghim-Kevin Streelman and who emerged as the Masters favorite.

Click here to hear the third podcast of the 2019 series with Len Ziehm and Rory Spears talking about the Florida PGA Tour Swing and more.

LEN ZIEHM returns Wednesday in the Daily Herald, Golfers on Golf Radio returns on Saturday at 10 AM on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ-Chicago. Join us, it’s golf season go play.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg is getting ready for the outdoor golf season. Around July 1st, the Baer 9 will then Reopen from Renovation and 18 of clubs 27 holes will have been completed. In the meantime the clubs simulator bays are open to get your game ready for outside golf. Book your tee times by calling (847)-885-9000 or do visit the clubs website at Schaumburggolf.com    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With Golfers on Golf Radio partners Ed Stevenson (L) and Bill Berger (M). Golfers on Golf Radio returns on Saturday March 30th at 10 Am on the BIG Am 750 WNDZ.

OUTDOOR GOLF SEASON is here, and if you missed our post from last Friday night, where I listed 20 open for the year golf courses, there is even better news, more courses are opening this week. I will pass them along as I get official word.

I’m proud to say that Golfers on Golf Radio returns this Saturday Morning at 10 AM on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ. Bill Berger, Ed Stevenson and I are all looking forward to providing 22 weeks of golf talk.

This year Golfers on Golf Radio returns earlier than ever in it’s history. That’s because the PGA Tour schedule has changed and the BMW Championship will be held in August this year instead of September. Medinah Country Club will host the championship and it should be a great week.

April also marks the release of the second issue of Chicagoland Golf. My story this month is on the naming of Steve Stricker as 2020 Ryder Cup Captain. In addition Len Ziehm will be back with two features as well.

WHAT A GREAT WIN for Paul Casey in defending his Valspar Title on the PGA Tour at Innisbrook, on the Copperhead Course. I was in the bunker Casey was in on 18, and it’s not the easiest shot even for touring pros. Casey of course hit the green, and I was happy to just miss the green short right.

NBC did a good job on coverage again with it’s golf team. Not so good when news broke in and wasted over 10 minutes of time during exciting fourth round action re-hashing the findings of the Mueller Investigation that was a waste of the tax payer dollars to begin with.

The Copperhead Course played tough, and scores were not a bunch under par, no double-digit under par makers here.  Crowds were big all week, as they were through out the Florida swing. What’s amazing is how nobody talks about big crowds anymore, unless Tiger is playing. The three best attended weekends of the four events, were the three weekends he wasn’t playing.

THE USGA has not learned anything from the mistakes they made at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2010. The USGA letting TV do the talking has set up the third round of this years open for a late west coast finish, to put the round into prime time on television. The east coast gets a 10 PM Round 3 finish and us Chicago area viewers get a 9 PM finish.

I get it that the USGA can’t control the weather and it changes during the course of a round. But in 2010 Round 3 early starters played in shirt sleeves, but the leaders by the time they tee’d off were in jackets and sweaters, it was cold and dropping by the hour and the temps affected ball flight on the final holes for the leaders. The 7 PM west coast finish at Pebble Beach doesn’t work, and it’s not fair to players who played the first 36 holes better than anyone to have to deal with a severe weather change that can be avoided. USGA-change the times now while you still can. 5 PM West Coast finish is plenty late enough. USGA TV times for the U.S. Open Championships now posted at USGA.org.

A SPECIAL THANKS  to our two main winter sponsors of Golfersongolf.com. The Mistwood Golf Dome, and the Schaumburg Golf Club. I’m pleased to have two of Chicago’s best winter indoor golf facilities with us during the cold and snowy months to help support our year round golf coverage, the only place in Chicago where you will find it. I look forward to having Mistwood Golf Course and the Schaumburg Golf Club back with us on Golfers on Golf Radio this summer.

ILLINOIS Men’s Golf had a great run at the University of North Carolina Tarheel Classic, leading after 36 holes, but slipped back for a solid second place finish behind the host school. Illini Freshmen Adrien Dumont de Chassart shot 9 under par 69-68-70 to win the individual title.

The weather is breaking, upper 50’s by Wednesday, and 60’s on Thursday. Here comes outdoor golf season can’t wait, it’s been a long cold winter. the Gog Blog returns on Tuesday. Go Play. RS

THE VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP, defending champion Paul Casey, and World #1 Dustin Johnson in the final group. Catch all the final round action on NBC. The New 11th box on the Baer Nine at the Schaumburg Golf Club is taking shape for it’s around July 1st opening. Currently the simulators are open call the club at (847)-885-9000.         _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. On the par 3, 17th hole tee box of Copperhead, home of the this weeks Valspar Championship.

What a great final round shaping today at Innisbrook on the Copperhead Course, with World #1 Dustin Johnson in the final group with defending champion Paul Casey. It should be a good one.

Just a reminder, Copperhead part of the Innisbrook Resort is a course you can play, yes it’s open for public play. Visit Innisbrookgolfresort.com for details on booking your stay and play. The resort has four golf courses, and is home to the Packard Steakhouse named after golf course architect Larry Packard, who designed all four of the resorts golf courses.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS men’s golf team is in the hunt at the Tar Hell Intercollegiate at the UNC Finley Course in in Chapel Hill North Carolina. The first two rounds were played Saturday, with the final round getting underway early Sunday morning, with an 8 AM start EST. No.24 Illinois will be joined by ranked teams No.13 North Florida, No. 30 North Carolina. Other Big Ten teams include Michigan and Michigan State, with Notre Dame also competing. A final wrap up will appear in our Sunday column. Illinois holds a 1 shot lead headed to the final 18 holes over host North Carolina. Illinois as a team is 2 under par for 36 holes.

NORTHBROOK BASED KEMPERSPORTS recently held it’s annual company award dinner, held at the end of the KSM leadership conference.

Facility of the Year: Desert Willow Golf Resort-CAL. General Manager of the Year Randy Morrison of Colwood Golf Center and Heron Lakes GC-ORE. Home office staffer of the Year- Bryan Howell. Emil Esposito Golf Professional of the year, Ryan Young of Chambers Bay. Retailer of the Year-Streamsong Resort FL. Salesperson of the year, Todd Elder, The Governors Club-TENN. Superintendent of the Year, Will Bell Forest Creek Golf Club-Round Rock Texas. Hospitality Professional of the Year, Chris Pieters of Cantigny Golf in Wheaton IL. Staffer of the Year Yolanda Porras-Butterfield Trail Golf Club-Tex.

For more information on Kemper Sports please visit Kempersports.com.

Golfers on Golf Radio returns this Saturday March30th at 10 AM on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ. Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger- and Rory Spears L-R are your hosts.

It might have been a long and cold winter, but the good news that when Golfers on Golf Radio is back on the air, warm weather and outdoor golf season in Chicago is right around the corner.

The first show will welcome the Director of Golf Marketing Brendan Sweeney of the French Lick Resort, the former caddie at the Medinah Country Club will bring us up to speed on everything French Lick Resort.

The resort will host two professional tournaments in 2019, including the Road to the LPGA Symetra Tour in July on the Donald Ross Course, and the Senior LPGA Championship in October. More details on both events and tickets at Frenchlick.com.

THE BEN HOGAN GOLF COMPANY has announced the release of it’s milled FORGED putter line. It first new line of putters in 15 years. A new forged process has created a putting face that creates a true roll of the golf ball. The 1020 carbon steel in a multi-step process, purifies the molecular structure of the metal according to Hogan. The goal is to unify the density across all of the face. Eliminating hot spots or dead area’s on the putter face, allowing for a consistent feel and a true roll of the golf ball.

The new line of the four milled putters sells for $250.00, over $100 cheaper than many of the top leading brands. The four new models include the Plumber’s Neck Blade 2 degrees of loft and 355 gram head weight. Player’s Blade with a double bend shaft, a full shaft offset, 2 degrees loft with 355 gram head weight, with a balance face for the straight back and through putters.

Iconic Player’s Blade with a flowing neck. 50 degrees of toe-hang, made for the opening and closing style of putting. Players Mallet, single bend shaft and 1/2 shaft offset, 2 degrees of loft with a 370 gram head weight. The face comes balanced for a straight through stroke. Putters are 35″ long. Hogan has partnered with the SuperStroke putter grip company, and the three popular grips are available, Flatso 1.0, MidSlim 2.0, Slim 3.0. For more details visit BenHoganGolf.com.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

THE VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3 today catch all the coverage, Defending Champion Paul Casey sits atop the leaderboard at 6 Under Par. If your not ready to take it outside for another week or two, get ready by hitting the simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club on Roselle Road. Call the course (847)-885-9000 for a tee time.  ______________________________________________________________________

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 9: PGA of America President, Suzy Whaley during the 102nd PGA Annual Meeting held at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa on November 9, 2018 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/PGA of America)

The Golf Relief and Assistance Fund was started by the PGA of America to help golf industry personnel affected directed by qualified natural disasters.

The fund is administered by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation of Mountain View, California. The fund is available to those who have endured hardship from recent flooding in the Midwest.

The PGA started the fund in 2017 with a start-up contribution of $250,000, and will support both PGA Members and non-members who work in the golf industry.

“The Golf Relief and Assistance Fund is a model that has shown how the golf industry helps one and another in times of need,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley. “As these devastating floods affect America’s heartland, we turn to PGA professionals to spread the word about the availability of this fund to anyone in the golf industry who needs assiatance.”

To make either a tax-deductible contribution to the Golf Relief and Assistance Fund or to apply for assistance, please visit GolfReliefFund.org. To learn more see PGA.org or Siliconvalleycf.org.

GOLFERS ON GOLF and the Gog Blog are written by Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Twitter @GoglBlogGuy or Linkedin and Facebook. Golfers on Golf Radio Am 750 WNDZ returns next Saturday March 30th at 10 Am on AM 750 WNDZ.