MCWETHY’S TAVERN at Mistwood Golf Club is Open for To-Go’s and Curbside Pick-Up’s. Easter meals available, call by Friday. McWethy’s is open call (815)-254-7001. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT in French Lick Indiana, the resorts golf courses are open, but rooms, restaurants, casino’s, spa and sportsbook are closed. See Frenchlick.com.    _____________________________________________________________________    THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook, LinkedIn. (L) in the WNDZ Am 750 Studio, (R) Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Your’s truly in the final show of 2019 in the old studios.

  THE WNDZ-AM STUDIO’S (L) and in the WCPT-AM 820 studio’s on the right. WCPT studios are through the glass from the WNDZ studio’s in the background of the photo on the left. But look about the same as the WNDZ studios.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME SHUFFLING as our station ownership sold off one station, and then moved out of one building and rebuilt brand new studio’s down the street in it’s main building. When the 2020 season was first discussed, there were some options of what we could do, and there was a chance things could change, or stay the same.

As a result, Golfers on Golf Radio has made a change to tee off it’s 30th season on the airwaves. We’re moving to WCPT-AM 820, under the same ownership, just another member of the family. What stays the same is the three-some that makes up Golfers on Golf Radio, and we are looking forward to you joining us as our fourth.

IPGA Professional Ed Stevenson, PGA Life Member and former PGA Tour professional Bill Berger return, along with your’s truly. Our past sponsors are back, and several new ones are ready to get on-board. We thank them all.

OPENING DAY unfortunately had to be postponed. We had planned to open on April 4th, live from the Kingdom of Golf, at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro Georgia, the #1 golf destination in Georgia. After receiving a great invitation from GM Mike Scully, formerly the Director of Golf at Medinah Country Club, to broadcast on the range at their equipment demo day. An event that draws over 1,000 golfers. We were ready to broadcast halfway between the NCAA Final Four, and the Augusta National Golf Club to help start Masters week in the Peachtree State. Then came Covid-19. We expect to do live shows from various clubs over the season. Again stay tuned.

WE HAVE CANCELED this weekend as well on the 11th. But Golfers on Golf Radio will tee off on the 18th or the 25th of April, regardless of what Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) does to the State of Illinois after April 30th. Stay clicked in for our start date.

There are plenty of great guests ready to hit the airwaves with us, and some might be more available, having some free time currently on their hands. Golf Radio shows are back on the air in Milwaukee and New York, so it’s time to get balls in-the-air, Illinois Golf Hall of Fame here in Illinois.

OUR TEE TIME stays the same, 10 AM on Saturdays. With the delayed start to the season, GOG Radio runs into September, and likely through the Ryder Cup at the end of that month. Stay clicked in for details.

WHAT WCPT 820 and the new studios bring besides a better sound, is LIVE LISTEN on line, and what MIGHT be possible before the season ends is some on-line video so you can watch the show live. #Fingerscrossed

OUR PODCAST PARTNER the 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee, Len Ziehm of LenziehmonGolf.com and the Daily Herald, will be joining us from time-to-time to discuss the state of golf in America, as it recovers from the virus. Along with travel destinations, the tournament scene, our local golfers and equipment.

Golfers on Golf Radio looks forward to returning this month. Stay clicked in and do join us at WCPT- AM 820 Chicago.

LUKE DONALD is doing a live Instagram Q&A tomorrow (Thursday) at 4 PM CST, via the First Tee of Greater Chicago.

LAWSUITS AGAINST STATES AND GOVERNORS not allowing golf are starting to be filed across the country, from Pennsylvania to California, according to one national golf website. Stay tuned. No lawsuits have been filed to our knowledge here in Illinois. (Yet).

THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP has been pushed back one week in August, and will be played the 25th-30th. A good break for the WGA and BMW, since there was not a major movement on the schedule involved with the date change.

THE WGA Evans Scholars Invitational (ESI) on the Korn-Ferry Tour is still on as of now at the Glen Club, and we hope it remains that way. It could be the first tournament back on the Korn-Ferry Tour, we will see.

THE GOG BLOG returns this week. RS

FYRE LAKE IN SHERRARD ILLINOIS-one of the top courses in the Quad Cites is for sale for under a million. Buyers contact Chris Charnas at Links Capital Advisors in Wilmette. MCWETHY’S TAVERN at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville is open for curbside pickups and is selling Easter style meals, order by Friday at (815)-254-7001.     _____________________________________________________________________

Rory Spears (L) and Len Ziehm (R) at the Donald Ross Course *Currently Open for Play* at the French Lick Resort (rooms-spa-casino-restaurants closed). Follow Rory on, Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook.

VIRUS TIMES CONTINUE…

So if your looking for more than non-stop virus talk, or if you are tired of listening to the cry-babies who blame politicians all day, you are offered something way more entertaining from the sport who could be leader in getting things more normal in life.

Our now weekly edition of the podcast covers the recent schedule changes made by the various tours and or golf organizations.

A little bit on who got canceled for the year, and who is still playing. Due to a lack of tee-times of late, Ziehm and Spears spray’em to all fairways. Listen in.

Click here to hear Volume 4 of the 2020 season of golf podcasts from Len Ziehm and Rory Spears.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns Wednesday afternoon. RS

  MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB-McWethy’s Tavern have to-go curbside pickups available, and meals for Easter Sunday, order by Friday. Mistwoodgc.com (815)-254-7001.             _____________________________________________________________________

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

UPDATE-Due to several major changes in the schedule to the world of golf, The Gog Blog Speaks Out, will get pushed to Wednesday of this week.

Tomorrow Len Ziehm of lenziehmongolf.com will join me for Podcast 2020, Volume 4. This should be posted by early afternoon.

In regards to the schedule changes, affecting many different organizations, the Western Golf Association among them, has issued an update on the BMW Championship for this August.

The BMW Championship has been pushed back to August 25-30, just a 1 week delay. The championship will remain at Olympia Fields. All of the PGA Tour playoff events are pushed back 1 week, to put the PGA Championship back in it’s old dates, the second week of August (August 3-9) at the original site Harding Park in San Francisco.

The Northern Trust is now August 17-23, the Tour Championship will be held from September 1-7.

“We have been working closely with the PGA Tour, BMW and our host club, Olympia Fields, to ensure a smooth transition to our new dates, while focusing on health and safety of all involved. That is our top priority,” said Vince Pellegrino, Western Golf Association senior vice president of tournaments.

“We appreciate the open and collaborative approach taken by BMW, the Western Golf Association (WGA) and Olympia Fields Country Club to help us get the solution,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. “It’s a complex situation, and we want to balance the commitments to our various partners with playing opportunities for the worlds best players-while providing compelling competition for our fans-but all of that must be done while safely navigating the unprecedented global crisis impacting every single one of us.”

“While we are moving forward with the plan announced today,” Monahan added, “it’s important to restate that we will absolutely continue to follow the advice and recommendations of the World health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Controls and local and national authorities to ensure we are thoughtfully and safely presenting the PGA Tour to our fans worldwide-at the right time and in the right manner.”

All 2020 BMW Championship tickets will be honored for the days of the week already noted on the tickets. But to purchase tickets for the new dates in August please visit BMWChampionship.com.

TOURNAMENT UPDATES…the British Open has been canceled for 2020. Host site Royal St. George’s will host in 2021, and St. Andrews will host in 2022.

THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP is set for August 3-9, and the Ryder Cup remains on it’s dates of Sept. 22-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

THE MASTERS is now set for November 9-15 at Augusta National.

THE U.S. OPEN at Winged Foot has been moved back to September 14-20.

THE LPGA ANA Inspiration Major, has been pushed back to September 7-10.

THE PGA TOUR will take tournaments and move them back into the open dates created by the U.S. Open (delayed), the British Open (canceled), The Olympics (canceled). The PGA Tour will announce push back changes shortly.

THE GOG BLOG-returns tomorrow. RS

  THE FRENCH LICK RESORT in French Lick Indiana has opened it’s golf courses for the 2020 season, with restrictions. The hotels, spa, casino, and restaurants are closed, details at Frenchlick.com. MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB-McWethy’s Tavern is doing Easter Lunches for your Easter dinner, you must order by Friday, call Mistwood (815)-254-7001 ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, or Linkedin. With the Ryder Cup, still on for this September.

GOLFERS ON GOLF still is putting out daily content from the world of golf, during the Covid-19 era. If your sick and tired virus talk, and people crying and complaining about the politicians.

Keep it here for something a little more refreshing.

Some area courses are making traditional Easter Sunday meals for next weekend. Some of those courses include Cog Hill and Mistwood.

But you need to have your orders in before next weekend, to get them filled. Call the clubs or visit websites to make sure you are following the set guidelines.

  BOYNE RESORTS with multiple resorts in Northern Michigan has announced the resort will reopen on May 1st, with only limited resources available. See Boyneresorts.com for detail. Boyne is home to 10 golf courses in Michigan.

DAVID LEADBETTER is helping the stay at home golf coaches, on how to properly engage their kids in the game of golf. His program is FREE of charge. It gives you options for both backyard golf or stay inside golf. You can sign up for the 2-hour course at https://university.leadbetter.com/products/the-parent-coach.

Blackberry Oaks head pro and GM, Chad Johansen with the Blackberry Am Trophy at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol IL.

Chad Johansen the founder of the #kidsrule program at blackberry Oaks GC, in Bristol IL., has launched a junior golf home video contest.

Yes make your video and send it to chadjohansen.com, winners will receive prizes from Wilson Golf.

Show everyone how you are playing or practicing your game from home during the, stay at home time during the Covis-19 breakout.

DUCA DEL COSMA  a new line of golf shoes for both men and women, has set up it’s national office in Palm Beach Florida, with sales reps now in place in the southeast part of the country. In addition former Reebok and Ashworth sales representative has been hired at VP of Sales for Duca Del Cosma. For more information on the new full line of shoes by Luca Del Cosma, see Lucadelcosma.us.

FOUNDING MEMBER of the International Network of Golf (ING) Bob Poston has passed away, after a long battle with Pneumonia. Poston was recently tested for the Covid-19 virus, and the test was negative. In addition, ING-President Mike Jamison announced this past week, that the ING 30th Anniversary Convention scheduled for late May at the Valley Forge Casino-Hotel in Pennsylvania, has been canceled. Due to concerns of the Covid-19 virus.

THE GENERAL CLUBHOUSE at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena Illinois.

The Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, has announced a series of improvements to the General Golf Course Clubhouse and Spikes Restaurant food and beverage area.

The work started last fall and is continuing through the virus season here in 2020.

Golfers on Golf will have more on Eagle Ridge Resort, coming up later in the week ahead. Currently the resort and golf courses are closed because of the Covid-19 virus situation.

CLUB CHAMPION the nation’s largest club fitter has introduced a new gift card promotion for the 2020 golf season ahead, whenever it’s starts. For anyone that purchases a $100 to $500 gift card, you will receive an additional $50.00 gift card. If you purchase over $500.00, you get a gift card for 10% of the purchase total. This limited time offer, and all bonus gift cards expire on June 30th of 2021.

For more details on the gift card, or to book a fitting when the virus shutdown ends, please visit Clubchampiongolf.com.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out-returns tomorrow. RS

  MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB IN ROMEOVILLE has curbside pick-up for next Sundays Easter meals, place your order by this Friday at (815)-254-7001. COG HILL is also offering Easter meals for pick-up, you must order by Wednesday, call (866)-264-4455  _____________________________________________________________________

      THE ENTRANCE TO FYRE LAKE (L)         THE ISLAND GREEN 12TH HOLE (R)

DO YOU WANT TO BUY A GOLF COURSE ? the time is right if your looking, because one of the top properties in the Quad Cities area (Sherrard IL.) is now for sale, and the price tops out at just under $1,000,000.

The course was designed by the Jack Nicklaus design team, and is located under ten miles away from the Quad Cities airport. The club has memberships, offers group outings with food and beverage from it’s fully stocked clubhouse. There is league play and lessons available.

For more information please contact Chris Charnas at (312)-543-7192 or visit www.linkscapitaladvisors.com. located in Wilmette Illinois.

  THE COURSES OF THE FRENCH LICK RESORT ARE OPEN-however the rooms, the spa, the casino, and restaurants of the resort are closed. Full details at Frenchlick.com   _____________________________________________________________________

                 THE USGA logo

CANCELED OR POSTPONED

THE USGA and it’s championship schedules, are being forced into changes like everyone, due to the threat of the Covid-19 Virus.

The latest changes to be announced came this past week, with the delay of the U.S. Women’s Open and the Curtis Cup Matches.

GOLF HOUSE on the USGA Campus at Liberty Corner NJ.

The. U.S. Women’s Open has moved on the calendar only from June 4-7, to December 10-13.

But the championship will still be held at the Champions Golf Club in Houston Texas.

The championship will be held over the clubs two courses, much like the format used during U.S. Amateur or Mid-Amateur play.

This because of the shorter window of daylight during the month of December.

“The USGA remains committed to hosting the U.S. Women’s Open in 2020,” said USGA CEO Mike Davis. “We are grateful to the LPGA and our broadcast partner Fox, for their terrific collaboration in finding a new date for the championship. Our priority remains ensuring the safety of all involved with the U.S. Women’s Open, while still providing the world’s best players the opportunity to compete this year.”

The Cypress Creek Course will be used for play in all four rounds, while the Jackrabbit Course will host play in Rounds 1 & 2.

U.S. Women’s Open qualifying will be held on rescheduled dates, and the USGA is still reviewing how exemption categories will be affected.

“We are incredibly thankful to Champions Golf Club for it’s flexibility and support during this uncertain time,” said Davis. “The club led by Jack and Robin Burke, has been such a great friend of the USGA for some time, stepping up in 2017 to host the U.S. Women’s Amateur on short notice after it was displaced by a hurricane, and now accommodating a significant schedule change for our premier women’s championship, not to mention letting us use both golf courses. We’re confident the combined efforts will lead to an incredibly special 75th U.S. Women’s Open.”

Champions Golf Club was founded in 1957 by World Golf Hall of Fame members Jimmy Demaret and Jack Burke Jr., who currently serves as president. The Cypress Course designed by Ralph Plummer first opened in 1959, it has hosted 4 previous USGA Championships, the 1969 U.S. Open, 1993 U.S. Amateur, 1998 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. The Jackrabbit Course was designed by George Fazio, it opened for play in 1964.

THE 2020 CURTIS CUP that was scheduled for June 12-14 at the Conwy Club in Wales, has been rescheduled for the Conwy Club in 2021. Sarah Ingram USA and  Elaine Ratcliffe GB&I will remain as team captains. Currently Team USA leads the all-time series 29-8-3.

  MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB is open for Curb-side pick-ups from McWethy’s. Plus don’t forget to listen to Pro Andy Mickelson’s live Facebook show that ran today in the Noon hour. For details on Mistwood see Mistwoodgc.com or call McWethy’s (815)-254-7001.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook or Linkedin. On the first tee at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor Mich, with the Alfred Bourne Trophy.

CANCELED.

The 2020 Senior PGA Championship, that was scheduled from May 19-24 at the Harbor Shores Resort in Benton Harbor Michigan, has been canceled for the year.

The Championship will not be made up later in the year. The decision was made based on the decision to stay-at-home in the state of Michigan.

“While we are incredibly disappointed, we all understand that protecting public health is the highest priority,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “We are  especially disappointed for the Benton Harbor community, our friends at KitchenAid and the fans and volunteers who support this important championship so passionately.”

The 2020 Sr. PGA Logo

“This was not an easy decision. This Championship means so much to our KitchenAid brand and the Southwest Michigan community, however the health and safety of our community is our priority,” said Jeff Noel, vice president of communications and public affairs for Whirlpool Corporation, parent company of KitchenAid. “We thank our corporate and hospitality partners and our 1600 volunteers for their continued support of the Championship. The contestants have become a welcomed extension of our community over the years and while we are incredibly disappointed that the Championship will not return to Benton Harbor in 2020, we know that this is the right thing to do.”

The par 3, 2nd hole at Harbor Shores Golf Club.

The 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship will be played at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa Oklahoma, May 25-30.

It will return to Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor Michigan, 2022.

The PGA of America has already postponed the National Club Professional Championship, and the PGA Championship has been delayed until later this summer.

The Ryder Cup is still on schedule for the late September at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin.

  MCWETHY’S AT MISTWOOD-CURBSIDE PICK UP IS OPEN. Mistwood headed to the finals in the Chicago Golf Bracket Challenge on Twitter, Vote Mistwood. Mistwood live on Facebook, starting tomorrow every Thursday in April at noon. Send in your questions and topics. Don’t forget to visit Mistwoodgc.com & Mistwoodgolfdome.com #mcwethys ______________________________________________________________________

THE BIG TEN MEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP SIGN AT RICH HARVEST FARMS

IT’S CANCELLED.

The Big Ten Conference has now been officially forced to cancel the Men’s Big Ten Golf Champions, that were scheduled for May 1-3, at Jerry Rich’s Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove IL.

The Big Ten will re-evaluate spring activities On May 4th.

Today, Jerry Rich offered this statement on the championship having to be cancelled for 2020.

The Plantation House at Rich Harvest Farms.

“It was a decision that was difficult for all that were involved. I know we were all looking forward to seeing the tournament out at Rich Harvest Farms, but the safety and wellness of everyone involved, from the student-athletes to the spectators to the volunteers, come first. While my tournament staff alerted our volunteers right away, I didn’t want to inform the public at large until it became clear that the decision was  final. I know that the 2020 Men’s Big Ten Golf Championship would have been one for the ages, but this is our present. However, we look forward to partnering again with the Big Ten Conference in the future.”

“Thank You once more to our dedicated volunteers and would-be spectators. We look forward to seeing you out on the golf course for the Rich Harvest Farms Intercollegiate, September 26-28, 2020, and the (Arnold) Palmer Cup from June 11-13 in 2021.”

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