SUSAN HESS OWNER AND DESIGNER of GOLFTINI an industry leader in Women’s golf apparel, joins Bill Berger and Rory Spears as a guest host in this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio, on the tee this Saturday morning at 10 Am on WCPT AM 820.      _____________________________________________________________________

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

A major in Women’s Amateur Golf returns to the Chicago area, with the playing of the 120th Women’s Western Amateur Golf Championship at Prestwick Country Club.

First round play begins on Tuesday, and concludes with the 18-hole championship match Saturday July 25th.

It’s the first Women’s Western Golf Association Championship at Prestwick, located in Frankfort of the southern suburbs of Chicago, since the 1972 WWGA  Junior Championship, won then by 15-year old Nancy Lopez. A title some would call her first major win in golf. Lopez then went on to win two more WWGA Junior Titles in the following years of 1973 and 1974.

The Par 5, 2nd hole at Prestwick Country Club, will play 494 yards for the championship.

“Prestwick is looking forward to hosting the Women’s Western Amateur, and the club members and staff are planning another memorable and rewarding experience for the players,” said Susan Buchanan of Athens, Georgia, tournament chairman and Women’s Western Golf Association first vice president, “The course is in excellent condition and ready to challenge some of the nation’s finest amateurs in another first-class event.”

Four current LPGA stars are among those on the past champions list, including Ariya Jutanugarn, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Land and Christie Kerr.

The defending champion Sarah Shipley of Hastings, Michigan, is unable to defend her title this year, after she received a sponsors exemption into this weeks Symetra Tour event.

The par 4, 18th hole green at Prestwick Country Club.

As a result, the championship will crown a new champion in 2020, who will have her name engraved on the W.A. Alexander Cup.

Among the contenders from the field of 120 players is last years runner-up Antonia Matte, of Santiago Chile. 2017 USGA Junior Girls Champion Erica Shepherd, who has competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019, is among the top players who will compete.

Players with local ties include University of Illinois graduate Tristyn Nowlin, 2018 WWGA-Amateur runner-up in 2018 at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeville. Later that summer Nowlin was runner-up at the Illinois Women’s Open, also contested at Mistwood Golf Club.

Lauren Beaudreau from Lemont, who attends the University of Notre Dame. 2019 Illinois State Amateur Champion Sarah Arnold from St. Charles of Western Kentucky University. Five players from Northwestern University will join the field. Sr. Brook Riley, Juniors Kelly Su and Kelly Sim, Freshman Rachel DeAngulo and Charlotte Hillary.

This years champion and runner-up will receive invitations to play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville Maryland, this coming August 3-9.

Format for the championship is Tuesday 18 holes, Wednesday 18 holes, with the top 32 players advancing to match play on Thursday morning.  The round of 16 will be played on Thursday afternoon, with the quarterfinals on Friday morning, and the semi-finals on Friday afternoon.

The 18-hole championship match is expected to begin approximately 7:30 or 8 Am on Saturday. The course yardage will be set at 6,374 yards, and a par of 72.

The WWGA and WGA have been monitoring Covid-19 developments, and will take several precautions to help ensure a safe and healthy environment for championship week at Prestwick Country Club.

  PRESTWICK COUNTRY CLUB WILL HOST this weeks 120th Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship. For more details visit WWGA.org             _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Creation and Content. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook and LinkedIn. At Prestwick Country Club, home of this weeks WWGA Amateur.

THIS WEEK marks the return of covering golf in the Chicago area, with the return of the Women’s Western Golf Association’s  (WWGA) National Amateur Championship.

I played Prestwick Country Club last week for the first time, and it is a very good and fun golf course.

The ladies will be tested, but can have some fun a long the way. I’ll have more on the WWGA coming up later in our preview story of the championship.

I will be out at Prestwick this week, for some on property coverage.

Jack Nicklaus the one and only #GOAT at the 2019 U.S. Senior Open-photo by Rory Spears.

JACK NICKLAUS hosted his Memorial Tournament this week, from his Muirfield Village Golf Club design in Dublin Ohio. A northwest suburb of Columbus.

Again this year, Muirfield looked like it was set up for the U.S. Open. With high rough around the golf course and a few other things that make a golf course play difficult.

Single digits under par won, thanks to a crazy penalty on new World #1 Jon Rahm. His amazing for chip-in for a 2, on a par 3 from the rough, was ruled a 4-after a 2-shot penalty, because his ball moved in the rough during one of Rahm’s practice swings. It took CBS dropping things into super-slo-mo to really see it move. I’m not sure Rahm could see the ball move if he was staring straight down at the ball in that deep rough. Regardless, the 5-shot win turned into only three after the day was over, but the adjustment in Rahm’s score wasn’t good news for the gamblers who took the under on Rahm’s score for the day. Because the under went to an over, by the time the PGA Tour rules officials were done.

Your on the first hole at the Club at Porto Cima, a Nicklaus design at Lake in the Ozarks in Central Missouri. The course gets better in all the holes ahead.

There are those who say that Muirfield Village is Jack’s best work as a golf architect. But while I like Jack’s work in general, Muirfield Village is not one of my favorites.

Nicklaus has had his critics since he got into the design business. The biggest issue being that he built his courses to play better for left-to-right players, like him.

The old saying is that most Nicklaus courses are so hard, only Jack in his prime can play them. Getting a Nicklaus signature design course built comes with a hefty price tag, so Nicklaus has always made sure he did and or built enough, so those writing the checks got their money’s worth.

My visit to Muirfield Village was about 10 years ago, and I hope somethings have changed since I was there. My visit came during a, 21 courses in 18 day trip. Muirfield Village was not only my worst score, but worst experience.

Things were bad from the start when I had to have my spikes changed from plastics with small spikes, to the ice cream swirl plastics, made for courses with bad greens that rip-up easily. Remember those plastic swirls, the very worst plastic spikes ever made.

I was there late morning on a Tuesday, and the course was soggy and muddy, from a previous Friday night into Saturday morning 1 1/2 inch rain storm. One would think the drainage would be better than it was at the time. I was slipping all over the place, and Muirfield Village is not the place to be spraying the golf ball around. There are too many holes, that simply put, have too much going on at Muirfield Village.

Checking my count, I have played 21 Nicklaus designs, and Pebble Beach after Jack did a great job fixing the 5th hole. My favorite Nicklaus design is one that never gets any credit, and that’s The Club at Porto Cima part of the Four Seasons Lodge in Central Missouri. The USGA, the Korn Ferry Tour and the Symetra Tours need to have some tournaments there. This powerful design is really good, and it’s a public course people. Go there, play it, you will be glad you did. Whatever the green fee is, it’s worth it.

Valhalla is another very good Nicklaus design even though some folks don’t like the 18th green. I loved playing Valhalla the day after Tiger survived the playoff with Bob May in the 2000 PGA Championship. The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort in Florida is wonderful. I have not played the Bear’s Club, but hope to. From the book that is recommended reading called “A Golden Eighteen”, a showcase of golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, you will see some incredible clubs, most all would end up on many golfers bucket lists. The Challenge at Manele (Bay) on the small Hawaiian island of Lana’i has some the most incredible views you will ever find on a golf course. Bill Gates got married on one of the tee’s boxes on the back nine, it’s that good. Most courses, even the great ones have one hole that could use some improvement. But I can’t think of one hole at Porto Cima, or Manele Bay I would make changes on. I loved Manele Bay, it was a great place to be one February day, when it was around zero back in Chicago.

Each golf course architect has something they do very well that they bring to most of their designs, in the case of Nicklaus, Jack add’s angled creeks that aren’t very wide, but they bring in the aspect of risk-reward shots. It’s part if his design strategy, that I hope he never changes, but there somethings at Muirfield Village that could be changed.

I must congratulate Ridge Country Club Director of Golf Mark Krizic on his purchase of Fyre Lake Golf Club in the Quad Cities area. Krizic is the kind of owner that club needs to rise to the next level. Krizic, a golf professional buying a course and going from director of golf to golf course owner made me wonder one more thing. How many other golf professionals from around our area might be thinking of doing the same thing.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

    THE 120th WOMEN’S WESTERN AMATEUR tee’s off this week on Tuesday at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort IL. through Saturday. The 118th Western Amateur is on the tee at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, from July 27th-August 1st.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook and LinkedIn. On the First Tee at the Schaumburg Golf Club, the Tournament Nine opens from renovation on August 1st.

It’s time for tournament golf to return to the Chicago area. The first of four Western Golf Association/Women’s Western Golf Association events tee’s off this week at Prestwick Country Club in South Suburban Frankfort IL. more coming up on the championship during the week.

The Western Amateur at Crooked Stick runs the following week, see our preview from two weeks ago for more details.

The Illinois Open from August 3-5 brings tournament coverage on to our schedule for the three weeks ahead. Stay clicked in for updates on golf tournament play returning to the area.

Volvik Golf Balls and Marvel Comics-introduce the Black Widow Gift Set, Volvik.com

Volvik Golf Balls and Marvel Worldwide have created yet another special gift set of golf balls.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Marvel with the introduction of the Marvel Black Widow Gift Set,” said Don Shin, president of Volvik USA. “Demand for all our Marvel character golf balls has been outstanding, and we anticipate the same response from Black Widow.”

Volvik has reported record-setting sales of the Marvel x Volvik collaboration of Captain America, Ironman, Spider Man and The Hulk VIVID 4-Ball sets. With black Widow being the newest member of the collection. The four-ball set includes two white and two black 2020 VIVID golf balls with the Black Widow and Marvel logos, and a magnetic hat clip and logoed magnetic ball marker. The set retails at $24.99 and is available at Volvik.com or retail stores beginning yesterday July 17th. Marvel Worldwide publishes comic books and it’s parent company is the Walt Disney Company since 2009.

The Golf scene with Steve Kashul is back tonight. NBC Sports Chicago at 6 PM.

The Golf Scene with Steve Kashul is back tonight at 6 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

Both at 6 Pm and at 10:30 Pm.

More showing coming up include Monday July 20th at 7 Pm on NBC Sports-Chicago Plus.

July 23rd at 1:30 Pm, July 24th at 7:30 Pm on NBC Sports Chicago Plus. Then the final showing in July is on Sunday the 26th at Noon.

Topics include the Preserve at Oak Meadows and the courses of DuPage Golf. Picking the right golf ball with Srixon Golf Balls. The Woodbine Bend GC in Stockton IL. near Galena. The Deerfield Golf and Learning Center. Cleveland Golf’s/Srixon/XXIO Chuck Thiry on the State of Golf. Visit The Golf Scene on Facebook to win prizes.

Kyle English holds the Championship Trophy after winning the IPGA Assistant Professional Title

Kyle English of Crestwicke Country Club won the Illinois PGA Assistants Professional Championship this past week.

English won by six shots with a pair of 6 under par-66’s, and it’s his second title in the event, also winning in 2018.

English will be joined by runner-up DePaul Assistant Coach Michael Schachner and Justin Bardgett of the University of Illinois Golf Club, at the 44th National Rental Car Assistant PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club, in Port. St. Lucie Florida Nov. 12-15.

” I made today ( Round 2) pretty stress-free,” said English. “I had a lot of close looks for birdies especially early on. I got off to a really solid start in the second round and was able to sit back and trust my swing and not press anything. Overall a really good day.”

The National Assistants Championship has a field of 132 contestants, who are playing for a purse of $150,000. A cut is made after 36 holes, down to the low 70-players and ties.

Welcome to Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale Missouri (near Branson) created by Johnny Morris owner of the Bass Pro Shop’s, home to a back-to-back Champions Tour events.

Above (R) Buffalo Ridge by architect Tom Fazio. Below Ozarks National designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, called the Best New Course in 2019.

From August 17-26 the PGA Tour Champions heads back to Missouri and Big Cedar Lodge from August 17-26, for two Charles Schwab Champions Tour events. After two practice rounds on Buffalo Ridge, the first tournament will be played from August 19th through the 21st.

Players get two practice round days on August 22-23 to warm up before the second event starts on Ozarks National from August 24-26.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, there will be no spectators at either tournament. Courses around the resort will be closed on various days between August 16-26. See the resorts website at BigCedar.com for shutdown schedules at each of the 5 courses.

“This our seventh year hosting the PGA Tour Champions, and we are very happy to welcome these incredible players and friends back to Big Cedar Lodge,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge. “We continue to take great pride in this special place and our continued enhancements, including the grand opening of Ozarks National last year and the debut of Payne’s Valley course later this year. We know the unique beauty of our courses leave a lasting impression, and we look forward to providing a challenging, memorable experience to all of the players while showcasing the beauty and wonder of the Ozarks with the world.”

MYRTLE BEACH 37TH WORLD AMATEUR scheduled for August 31-September 4th will go on as scheduled, with changes to the format, and the post round celebrations at the World’s Largest 19th hole. Over 2,300 players are signed up, for more information please visit MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com,

Visit Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena Illinois.

Golfers if you are looking for great golf rates on the best resort golf courses in Illinois, check out Eagle Ridge in Galena Illinois.

The great rates that were offered in July, will partially carry-over in the month of August.

Eagle Ridge is improving all of it’s golf courses under the new ownership. For more details on Eagle Ridge Golf and the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, please visit EagleRidge.com.

COG HILL has some upcoming tournaments, that golfers who enjoy stogies, or best brews from Pollyanna brewing will enjoy. See CogHillgolf.com or call (866)-COG-HILL for more information.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are now available for the (Len) Ziehm and (Rory) Spears Podcast Series 2020. Volume 19 is on the tee this week. Contact either Len or Rory for details through LenZiehmongolf.com or Rory via Golfersongolf.com, or our social media sites, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns on Monday. RS

  FYRE LAKE GOLF CLUB in the Quad Cities Area has been purchased by Chicago golf professional Mark Krizic-hear from Krizic during this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio.

Golfers on Golf Radio is L-R Rory Spears, Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger at Am 820 WCPT

IT’S WEEK 13 of Golfers on Golf Radio on Am 820 WCPT, Tee time is 10 AM.

This week Bill Berger and Rory Spears bring you the best of golf radio in the Chicago area.

Our guests this week include Susan Buchanan Chairman of this weeks Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) National Amateur Championship.

Jason Finley Director of Brand and Product Management for Callaway Golf will join us live from the West Coast.

We will also hear from our contributor Len Ziehm and from Ridge Country Club golf professional Mark Krizic on his purchase of Fyre Lake Golf Course in Sherrard IL.

WCPT Am 820 or WCPT820.com or watch us on Facebook Live on the WCPT Facebook page. On the Tune In Radio APP, search WCPT820. or if you need a mulligan check out the Cloud anytime at Soundcloud.com/ChicagosProgressivetalk.

Thanks for listening.

LEN ZIEHM 2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Inductee and RORY SPEARS longtime golf reporter have recorded the 18th edition of their 2020 Podcast Series, posted below.

CLICK HERE to listen to Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2020-Volume 18

Len and Rory discuss this weeks Memorial Championship, the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) National Amateur Championship, whats happening with fall tee times at Whistling Straits now that the course is open, Callaway redoing it’s Chrome Soft Golf Ball, local players on the Korn Ferry Tour and more.

Thanks for listening, Len and Rory.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB Fully reopens all 27 holes on August 1st. Learn more by visiting Schaumburggolf.com. You can call for tee times at (847)-885-9000.        _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on LinkedIn,Facebook or Instagram.

Welcome to Fyre Lake Golf Club in Sherrard IL.

FYRE LAKE GOLF CLUB in Sherrard Illinois, a suburb of the Quad Cities is getting a badly needed new owner.

Enter Mark Krizic the Director of Golf at Chicago’s Ridge Country Club, and a IPGA professional at the club for 16 years, but it became time for Krizic to follow his dreams. That is to become a golf course owner.

Krizic and his family will move on from his family at Ridge Country Club, and begin the task of building up Fyre Lake Golf Club in the Quad Cites area.

The first hole at Fyre Lake Golf Club.

Krizic will have some work to do, as the club has had it’s issues in the community under past ownership’s.

What’s expected is that under the professional ownership that Krizic will bring to Fyre Lake, the clubs new reputation will be a good one. But it will take some time to build that reputation.

The course was built by the Jack Nicklaus design team, has as they say in the industry, good bones. The potential at Fyre Lake is unlimited and Krizic might just be the golf pro to take the course to the next level. Krizic is the type of leadership Fyre Lake has been crying out for.

Krizic worked through Chris Charnas of Links Capital Advisors on the sale, and as of Monday of this week, has taken control of the golf course. What else is in the plans for Fyre Lake, listen in on our interview with Krizic.

Click here to hear the interview with the new owner of Fyre Lake Golf Club Mark Krizic.

The par 4, 12th hole with an island green.

The course is currently open for play, and Krizic has already changed some of the maintenance practices that were in place at the club.

Fyre Lake has been a popular place to play golf especially with out of town visitors who come to the Quad Cites during the John Deere Classic week.

TPC Deere Run and Fyre Lake are both public courses, and make for a great 36 hole play when your in the Quad Cities.

For more information on Fyre Lake visit on line Fyrelakegolf.com, or call the club at (309)-644-4575

  THE 2020 WESTERN AMATEUR AT CROOKED STICK-on the tee in just two weeks. The defending champion NHL referee Garrett Rank is back- Visit Westernamateur.com  _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or Facebook and LinkedIn. On the first tee at the Schaumburg Golf Club, the Tournament Nine opens on August 1st.

HONMA GOLF is continuing it’s release of clubs in North America with it’s new line of TR20 (Tour Release) Irons.

The new irons give serious golfers a new look, set-up, feel, and performance that they should expect from a players iron.

The new TR20-P and the TR20-V irons with their sleek style shape, help create a fast speed that allows for distance and accuracy even on misses.

Early reviews of the clubs suggest great distance, less penalty, and a sound of pure speed.

Honma Golf has now released it’s line of TR20 V and TR20 P Irons $199.99 per club with graphite Shaft, or $174.99 with metal shaft. In stores-on line or with custom fitters.

“It’s no surprise that discerning players who prefer reliable performance and the un-compromised feel of a players iron are enjoying testing the TR20 P and the TR20 V,” said Honma’s President John Kawaja. “Our Carlsbad-based team has had a hand in delivering golfers many of the most proven and iconic designs of the past 20 years for other prestigious OEM’s. The work here at Honma is a brilliant culmination of industry-leading experience, relentless creativity and cutting-edge ingenuity and design.”

The TR20 P is a players distance iron that incorporates game improvement-like playability and beautifully-crafted performance. “The 3D pocket cavity on the club that distributes weight around the club, which allows for a higher and faster launch without excessive spin,” said Vice President of Global Product Chris McGinley.

The Honma TR20 P Iron.

“The blade length on the TR20 P is small enough to be accepted by a touring professional, but large enough to be forgiving and market-playable,” says McGinley. “We used CAD to position the tungsten weight in the ideal spot to create speed on both on-and-off center hits as well as the right amount of launch for the TR20 P’s strong lofts. This iron hits a wide target audience from competitive golfers and low handicaps, all the way up to mid-teen handicaps.”

THE TR20 V Iron is a players iron that delivers distance. It’s build is a one-piece cavity back head design. it’s soft S20C carbon steel helps deliver a quick and high launch, but under control. it comes with a shorter blade length and a thin topline that lower handicap golfer enjoy. The wider sole helps promote a desired launch and better turf interaction at impact.

“The TR20 V also has players distance lofts, which are one degree weaker than on the TR20 P. This is a really a good/traditional forged cavity iron,” said McGinley. “A slightly narrower sole width helps yield good overall playability. It’s an ideal iron for competitive golfers and low handicaps, yet suitable for higher single-digit handicaps, as well.”

But during TR fittings some golfers are finding a mix of the two lines is working for their game. McGinley says, “golfers are opting for a blended set of TR20 P’s and V’s, for optimal feel, trust and performance.” For more details see http://us.honmagolf.com.

The Honma Golf fitting trailers are moving across North America.

Honma has welcomed a new team of club fitters to it’s brand and added the Honma Mobile Experience, a club fitting program that will be in key markets across America.

The Honma fitting experience will be coming to private clubs, public and resort courses, and other facilities in Boston, the Carolinas, Colorado and Ohio in the U.S., while visiting Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

Earlier this year, Honma developed a presence in both Hawaii at Ko-Olina resort and in Florida at Reunion resort. The experience will make it’s way to Illinois at some point in the months ahead.

Currently the fitting stations are set up with safety protocols during the pandemic, so golfers can feel while going through the fitting experience.

For more information on the Honma Tr20 Irons the Honma fitting experience and the full line of Honma Clubs, please see Honmagolf.com.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is getting ready to open it’s Tournament Nine Course, expected opening to be August 1st. The 27 hole and facility renovation project will finally be in the books. For more details keep it here or visit SchaumburgGolf.com.   _____________________________________________________________________

Welcome to historic Olympia Fields Country Club Olympia-Fields.com

THE 2020 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP with be held without spectators, announced both the PGA Tour and the Western Golf Association (WGA).

The PGA Tour then announced yesterday that the remainder of the 2019-2020 season tour events, through the Tour Championship will not have any spectators in attendance.

There is still no word about fall PGA Tour events that would be part of the 2020-2021 season.

“As we have said from the start, our No.1 priority remains the health and safety of everyone in the communities where we are invited guests every week,” said Andy Pazder, PGA Tour Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer. “We appreciate the understanding of the Western Golf Association, BMW-and of course- the fans of the greater Chicago for recognizing why this decision needed to be made. We continue to be very excited about the opportunity to present the BMW Championship to be a global audience as part of the three-week stretch of FedExCup Playoff events.”

The top 70 players still remaining in the playoff format will compete at Olympia Fields from August 27-30, for the 30 remaining places in the Tour Championship the following week in Atlanta.

“We great appreciate the support of BMW, Olympia Fields Country Club and the PGA Tour in conducting the 2020 BMW Championship,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice presidents of tournaments. “We will continue to work with them and follow the recommendations and regulations of county, state and federal officials to ensure the safety of the players, volunteers and staff essential to conducting the BMW Championship.”

“Our BMW Championship team has been working tirelessly over the past several months to develop a comprehensive plan for a limited number of spectators, following guidance from the PGA Tour and county and state officials,” Pellegrino added. “However, we understand the decision to proceed without spectators is in the best interest of everyone involved.”

The 2019 BMW Championship at Medinah.

“While our fans won’t be able to attend this year’s BMW Championship,” Pellegrino added, “we encourage them to stay engaged with this years tournament by following the competition on the BMW Championship and PGA Tour social media channels and tuning into our broadcast partners.”

Fans who have purchased BMW Championship tickets through Ticketmaster will automatically receive a full refund within the next 30 days. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the Evans Scholars Foundation to help send caddies to college, may do so by calling (224)-260-3746.

For more information on the BMW Championship please visit PGATour.com or BMWChampionshipUSA.com.

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

IT’S THIS WEEKEND…sorry for the short notice.

Do you want to play golf for 24 hours straight, it’s not a race or a marathon, but your endurance is tested.

This is about Mason. You probably don’t know or ever heard of this young man before he passed away in 2017.

But Mason was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 7 in 2013. Almost 4 years later his fight was over but the battle continues.

This weekend July 18-19 at TPC Sugarloaf in Georgia. Is Mason’s 24 Hours Straight golf fundraiser outing will tee off. It goes 2-days and 24 hours. Golfers you will play through some back pain, headaches, tired feet and more. Just a little bit of what kids go through when they have to have cancer treatments.

NOW IN 2020-1 Division. 3 person teams, for a minimum of $3,000. Two members must remain on the course throughout the 24 hours. Your entry gets you Food, beverage and and tee gifts. The best fundraising team and that also completes the marathon also wins an all-inclusive golf vacation for 4.

IF YOUR TIRED of sitting in the house, and you need to work the rust off your game, go play golf for 24 hours straight.

http://team.curethekids.org/campaign/masons-twenty-four-straight/c268550.

A DIRECTED FORCE 2.1 LAB GOLF PUTTER-THE CALLAWAY MAVERICK DRIVER  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, LinkedIn or Facebook. On the 1st tee at Schaumburg Golf Club on the soon to open Tournament Nine.

WITH THE VIRUS making this a weird summer golf season, golfers have taken a different approach to just about everything in their game.

Where they play, how much they play, will they travel more or less to play, or what about improving their equipment.

As for me, I’m taking some time to improve what’s in my bag, which will be a future column. I have an order in with Callaway Golf, because after hitting the Maverick Line, those clubs have shown me they are really something special. But what about the putters.

It’s easy to say that the big names in golf putters, like Scotty Cameron at Titleist, or Sean Toulon with Callaway and other companies like Taylor Made, Ping or Bettenardi have to be the best. That being said, all of the above make great putters. But if your willing to think outside the box of big name equipment makers, their are a few smaller custom companies who make good putters.

As research continues on putters, the putting stroke, the loft on putters, and whether the weighting on putters should be in the toe or the heel, should the shaft be in the middle of the club face or the heel. Should the putter be a blade, or have some big sized weighting on the back end, the options golfers have today continues to expand.

  THE LAB GOLF- B.2 (L) or DIRECTED FORCE 2.1 (R), not fancy but they make putts.

Last week I learned about what I’ll call a new or newer putter company called LABGolf Putters. Lab is-Lie, Angle, Balance. On the surface they look weird, on the putting surface they make putts. It’s as simple as that. It didn’t make me long to start rolling in putts with both of these putters on the carpet inside the PGA Tour Store in Vernon Hills. Players on mini-tours are starting to use them, and big name players on the PGA Tour are starting to inquire about them. Stay tuned.

After my first 8 putts with both putters, I started making everything. It was shocking how much my putting improved with no lessons, and in a span of 10 minutes. I’m not used to having a large grip on my putters, but even with a bigger grip the feel was really good. The lighter grip pressure on these putters seems to help you get a feel for how to put a good roll on every putt. If your thinking about a new putter, do check out LabGolf putters before you buy. Labgolf.com. Watch the video by CEO Highland Park Illinois native Sam Hahn.

RENOVATION REVIEW there is one course going into renovation, and one coming out of the renovation phase.

The Schaumburg Golf Clubs Tournament Nine is days away from reopening and putting the final touches on a plan that has been in the works for 5 years. At Sportsman’s Golf Course in Northbrook, the work has started. The old clubhouse and cart barn have been torn down, and many of the 27 holes have been dug-up. Architect Rick Jacobson and his team are hard at work in Northbrook.

The Good news at Sportsman’s is that with work getting underway early this year, there is hope for some golf there in 2021. In Schaumburg the final pieces of the puzzle are about to be put in place. August 1st is expected to be the opening day and club officials are looking forward to having 27 holes, finally reopened for play.

Architect Todd Quitno and along with the Schaumburg Golf Club renovation team headed up by GM Jon Parsons, have really delivered a facility golfers can enjoy. It will be hard for some golfers to play there and realize that Schaumburg Golf Club is a public golf course.

THE RYDER CUP is finally pushed back to 2021, and that had become one of the worst kept secrets in golf. Now how do you select a team, do the standards change. I agree with Davis Love III, who says lets take the 12 highest players in the point standings and put them on the team. A captains pick only in an emergency. By next September players will have had three years to earn enough points to make the team. Not a bad plan.

WHAT A DAY this past weekend at Blackberry Oaks Golf Club in Bristol/Yorkville. First on the tee, a horse had got loose in the area, and was racing down the fairways looking like it was ready to win the Kentucky Derby. Then the range picker and cart ended up in the drink, the driver was penalized. Later in the day a golf cart ended up in a pond. GM and head golf professional Chad Johansen was left speechless. So you wanted to be a golf professional, hey all in a days work. Video of the horse and pictures of the carts can be found on Johansen’s Facebook page.

I FIRST MET Collin Morakawa at the Western Amateur, he is a good kid and really showed what he is made of when he defeated Justin Thomas yesterday in the playoff at Muirfield Village. I hope golf fans get on board and support Collin, he is really worth rooting for.

KUDO’s TO NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Alum (Class of 2011) David Lipsky on his Korn Ferry Tour win this past weekend in San Antonio Texas. Lipsky closed out the win with a final round 65, and shot 25 under par for the championship. That’s great playing on any course at any tournament.

NICE JOB BY CBS in giving several mentions to the John Deere Classic on Sunday, this past week would have been JDC week. I’m looking forward to being at the 50th PGA Tour event in the Quad Cities, at TPC Deere Run next July.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS