LEN ZIEHM of Len Ziehm on Golf and Travel-joins Rory Spears for Chicago’s best weekly recap of all the golf news that matters. Listen in to this weeks edition.                  _____________________________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks edition of Ziehm & Spears and the weekly recap of all the golf news in Chicago and beyond.

This week Len and Rory cover the tournament scene in Chicago, Midwest golf travel and a new announcement about equipment and what club could be hosting the Presents Cup in about 6 years.

Ziehm and Spears= 87 years of golf media experience in the Chicago market. Nobody does it better. Thanks for listening Len & Rory.

THE NEW FOREST DUNES PAR 3 COURSE (L) and the Green Books by Golf Logix.    _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio (L-R) Rory Spears-Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger at WCPT Am 820 Chicago.

WEEK 18 is in the books and on the scorecard.

JUST 4 shows left for the 2020 golf season.

This week Pete Charleston the President of Golf Logix, a company that has created golf apps for the cell phone, and has now moved forward or backward depending on how your look at it, into print.

Due to demand from golfers who didn’t want yardage and green patterns on a cell phone, the yardage and green books got started and are very big sellers. Charleston was our first guest.

Don Helinski the Operations manager at Forest Dunes Golf Club joined us live to talk about the clubs brand new par 3 golf course that opened 3 weeks ago. Learn more about Forest Dunes and the course with no-name by checking out this weeks show.

We hard from defending Illinois PGA Section Champion Medinah Professional Travis Johns, as he defends his 2019 PGA Section title on his home turf starting Monday and from Len Ziehm of Len Ziehm on Golf & Travel.

Golfers on Golf Radio is planning something special for next week. Stay tuned. And if you missed this weeks show-hit the WCPT 820 Facebook page where you can watch a replay, or visit Soundcloud.com/ChicagosProgressiveTalk and hear the replay.

Talk to you from WCPT AM 820 next week. Ed-Bill and Rory.

  FOREST DUNES GOLF CLUB ROSCOMMON MICHIGAN- has opened a new 10-hole par 3 golf course, learn more about it on Golfers on Golf Radio tomorrow 10 Am WCPT. ______________________________________________________________________

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

Medinah Country Club professional Travis Johns is this coming weeks defending Illinois PGA Section Champion. Photo by Nick Novelli.

CAN HE WIN IT AT HOME.

Medinah Country Club teaching professional Travis Johns has the chance to defend his Illinois PGA Section Championship title on his home turf, the Medinah Country Club.

The Illinois PGA Section Championship is next Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday on Medinah’s #1 golf course.

Course #1 is one of architect Tom Bendelow’s historic Chicago area designs, the course was renovated by architect Tom Doak and his team from 2012 through 2014. Work started at 5 AM the morning after the 2012 Ryder Cup was completed.

Doak’s renovation has left players with a testy from nine, but with shorter holes on the back nine players can score, especially if they have some creativity with their short game around some smaller and tricky greens.

The Illinois PGA section championship could almost be called the “Mike Small Invitational”, as the University of Illinois golf coach has won the event 12 times. But has come up empty the last two-times the championship has been contested on Medinah #1. In 2017 Adam Schumacher then of the Indian Hill Club took the title, and prior to that it was current Mistwood Golf head professional frank Hohenadel. Hohenadel is back this year, but Schumacher is not.

Travis Johns (R) takes the IPGA Section trophy from former IPGA president Mark Labiak at Ruth Lake Country Club in 2019.

Small just a week ago won the Illinois PGA senior section title for a fourth straight time. Last year at Ruth Lake Country Club Small tied a course record in Round 1, and seemed ready for his 13th title until multiple bogey’s and double bogeys on the final nine holes opened the door for John’s to pass him and take the title.

This year things are different as John’s the 2019 IPGA Player of the Year, gets to defend his title on his home turf, but admits he has only played the course four-times in 2020.

CLICK HERE to hear an interview with IPGA Section Champion Travis Johns who defends his title this coming week at Medinah.

Johns only needs a win in the Illinois Open to have a career grand slam in Illinois PGA Golf, but insists he’s not looking at that. But he is looking forward to the week ahead at his home club.

Small will be gunning for a 2020 sweep in the section championships, and a few other top section players are expected to challenge front-runners Johns and Small. Golfers on Golf will have full coverage of the IPGA Section Championship next week at Medinah.

BRICKYARD CROSSING-this weekends Indy 500 is not all that happens at the Brickyard-once the race has handed out the checked flag-the golfers return next week.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS-Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. For Golfers on Golf-Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy & Facebook/Linkedin.

2020 IPGA Senior Section Champion Mike Small.

MIKE SMALL has started another run of golf titles. this time it’s in the Illinois PGA Senior Section Championship. Make 2020 his fourth straight win the championship, only Gary Groh has won this title four straight times.

Small now heads up a group of nine Illinois PGA section professional headed to Port. St. Lucie Florida and PGA Golf Club for the 32nd Senior PGA Professional Championship, October 15-18.

Small’s winning score was 8 under par (136) for the two day event, held at the Merit Club in Libertyville.

“I’m just grateful we have places to play and tournaments to play in,” said Small. “We haven’t been able to play much this year. So any chance we get to play in a tournament, as a professional you have to take advantage of it.”

Small opened Round 1 with a 3 under par 69, that included three birdies and no bogeys. But was still two shots behind leader John Varner of Beverly Country Club.

Round two started slow for Small, two birdies and two bogeys left him even for the day at the turn. But after a birdie on the tenth hole, he made birdies on 12-13-17 and 18. For a bogey free 31 on the back nine.

Small added,” i didn’t do anything great the first 27 holes. But the last nine holes I was 5-under and that was fun. It was really anybody’s tournament with nine holes to play.

Second place was a three-way tie between David Hannon (Evanston GC), Jim Sobb (Ivanhoe Club) and David Paeglow (Kishwaukee CC). Sobb is a 5-time former champion in the event.

Small and Roy Biancalana (Blackberry Oaks GC) were already both exempt into the National Senior PGA event in Florida. The other professionals who earned their way to the nationals are Hannon, Sobb, Paeglow, Kevin Rafferty (Dicks Sporting Goods), Kevin Healy (Black Sheep GC), Doug Bauman (Biltmore CC), John Guyton (Chicago Golf Club).

The top 35 finishers at the PGA Golf Club earn their way into the 2021 Senir PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Small will attempt to win his 13th Illinois PGA Section Championship when the tournament returns to Medinah Country Club  next week August 24-25-26.

THE TOURNAMENT NINE is now Open at the Schaumburg Golf Club. Golfers can now play all 27 holes in a day. Make tee times at (847)-885-9000 or Schaumburggolf.com.     _____________________________________________________________________

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

Garrett Chaussard is the teaching professional at Skokie Golf Club, and the two-time defending champion in the Illinois PGA Match-Play Championship.

Garrett Chaussard is the Skokie Country Club teaching professional.

Chaussard went on to teach at Skokie after stints at Cog Hill and the Chicago Highlands Club.

More recently, he has won two Illinois PGA Section major championships.

This year as Chaussard prepares to defend his Match Play title, that has been moved to September due to the Covid-Pandemic, he played in the Illinois Open and will play in the Illinois PGA Section Championship

Winning a third match play title could prove to be a little tougher in 2020, because all the comfort Chaussard had at Kemper Lakes is gone. As Elgin Country Club is this years host club.

After wrapping up play in the 2020 Illinois Open at White Eagle, Chaussard spoke about the Illinois Open and preparing for his match play title defense during this pandemic summer.

Click here to hear the interview with Skokie Country Club’s Garrett Chaussard

The Illinois PGA Match Play will be held at Elgin Country Club from September 15-18.

NEED NEW FITTED CLUBS-See Chris Ioriatti (L) and Eric Russel at the Mistwood Golf Performance Center in Romeville, Call (815)-254-3333 or go visit Mistwoodgolfgc.com.   _____________________________________________________________________

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

Photo Courtesy of the PGA Tour by Stan Badz.

Iowa native Zach Johnson has been named the 2020 winner of the Payne Stewart Award.

The award is presented to a player who shows Stewart’s character, sportsmanship and charitable giving.

Johnson will be honored during PGA Tour-Tour Championship week on September 2nd, from 7-7:30 Est on the Golf Channel ,and held at the Southern Exchange in Atlanta Georgia.

20 Jun 1999: Payne Stewart of the United States celebrates victory with the trophy after winning the 1999 US Open.

Stewart was an 11-time winner on the PGA Tour and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. He tragically died while in route to the PGA Tour championship in Houston Texas.

The Southern Company was the Tour Championship Sponsor in 1999, the year of Stewart’s passing.

One year later the PGA Tour announced the creation of the Stewart Award, and the Southern Company has supported it’s presentation ever since.

Payne Stewart award winners are recognized by the Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer Illinois, home of the 1989 PGA Championship where Stewart won his first major championship. Winners have their pictures posted on the wall in the clubhouse, near a photograph of Stewart.

Zach Johnson at the opening of the new PXG Store in Northbrook Illinois.

“I never got to meet Payne, but I loved him,” Johnson said. “I loved how he played the game certainly as a competitor but then how he lived his life off the golf course-he’s a model. I remember going to the Tour Championship and the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony my rookie year and thinking, ‘This is the Pinnacle of a PGA Tour Players career.’ It’s about how you utilize the gifts you are given, and I know Payne lived that way.”

“I am deeply grateful and honored. I don’t like being in the limelight a whole lot, but in this regard I hope to be a small piece of his legacy.”

Johnson 44, was born in Iowa City but was raised 30 miles north in Cedar Rapids, where he started playing golf at age 10, at the Elmcrest Country Club, the home of the annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic.

“Zach would say he’s just a normal guy from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but in truth, he has one of the most compelling stories on the PGA Tour in the last 25 years, a fearless underdog, who has carved out an incredibly successful career though hard work and a dedication to his craft,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

Johnson has played in 9 Team USA events, four Presidents Cups and five Ryder Cup Teams. He has won the Masters and the British Open at St. Andrews, one of the few players to accomplish the feat. Johnson sits on the John Deere Classic board of directors, the tournament Stewart told Golfers on Golf was the most important tournament he ever won. Since it was his first win on tour, and the only one Stewart’s dad saw him win before passing away from cancer.

Johnson gets to choose a charity of his choice to donate a $300,000 amount to for winning the Payne Stewart Award. Johnson selected his foundation to be the recipient of the money. Zach Johnson is the 23rd winner of the Payne Stewart award.

  THE NEW NICKEL LOOK FROM LAB GOLF PUTTERS-WHITES PINE GOLF IN BENSENVILLE is entering into a new management agreement with Mistwood Golf.        _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS-Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or LinkedIn and Facebook. At Bandon Dunes Resort Oregon

IT’S quite a week for golf, the Playoff’s are starting on the PGA Tour.

Now in the three tournament format, with the BMW Championship sitting as the second stop in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how long this format change is in place, or if the PGA Tour changes it again.

The top 125 in the Fed Ex Cup point standings are in the field this week. Then it’s the top 70 for the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields next week. Finally the top 30 players make the Tour Championship field in Atlanta.

There is a fall series event in California the week after the tour championship in Atlanta, then the U.S. Open at Winged Foot back in New York. Sounds a bit silly-coast-to-coast travel the week before the U.S. Open, but if players are looking to play the week before and travel 3,000 miles to get to Winged Foot-so be it. I would think that many of the worlds top players, would spend the week before playing some of the other top rated courses in the New York & Long Island area instead. Makes a lot more sense.

I’M really impressed with the new-look Nickel finish on the LAB Golf putters. (Pictured above). LAB Golf-Lie-Angle-Balance is a quickly emerging putter with pro’s on tours that are looking to make it to the next level. I tested both models at the Vernon Hills PGA Tour Store and was really impressed. It took only a few putts to start filling up the cup from 20 feet.

LAB putters weren’t very stylish, but the new Nickel look changes that. LAB Golf putters are the best putter on the market you have never head of, until now. If your hitting great drives with that new fitted driver, hitting greens and regulation or not, but can’t make short birdie putts and or saving par putts, give the LAB putter a try. Your playing partners might laugh at first look, but they won’t be laughing when you keep taking their money, or they have to buy the burgers and beer at the end of the round each weekend.

SAD ENDING to a great match in the U.S. Amateur at Bandon Dunes this past week, when a local caddie that was used in the championship, tested the sand when his player was in the bunker by rubbing his hand in the sand. The match was all square on 18, and with a loss of hole penalty, the match was over on the spot. All parties handled the situation with class, still not a way to finish a great U.S. Amateur match.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING to see where a new agreement between Mistwood Golf and the White Pines Golf Courses owned by the Bensenville Park District will go. A return of a dome by winter of 2021-2022 ? The courses getting some needed renovation work ? Bringing in Andrew Godfrey as the new head professional is a great first step, but there is more yet to do at White Pines.

IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR about a limited public play package at one of the great private golf properties in the country, Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio. I’ll have more on this opportunity this week. Firestone hosted the Senior Players Championship this past week, won by Wisconsin’s Jerry Kelly, who made an ace in yesterdays final round. The historic South Course at Firestone played tough, only Kelly and Scott Parel broke par (70) at -3 and -1 respectively for the week. Maybe an idea a few other clubs should explore, if the 2020 bottom line is sagging heading into the fall golf season.

TRAVEL GOLF, it’s not that I’m taking the pandemic lightly, but some of this state to state quarantine stuff needs to go. If people are coming from real Covid “hot spots” that’s one thing, but before the season ends. It would be nice to travel the Midwest a bit to some top golf destination properties without quarantine issues to come home to. I know some places are doing 72 hour to 5 day quarantines which makes much more sense. What should be taken into account is where people have gone, and the contact they have had with others. I can head to a resort in the north woods of Michigan and see less people in 3 days, than I see in 1 trip to my local grocery store. Here’s to dropping quarantine from the states in our Midwest region.

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA..or maybe some other places. Bud Cauley while playing in the PGA Championship at Harding Park, had a window smashed on his SUV and a few items taken. He called police to report the situation, and was told that San Francisco Police were ” too busy” handling other matters to respond to his call. Anyone now feel safe traveling to California, especially the Bay Area ? #I’llTakeAPass.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE local high schools have a golf meet to start the IHSA season in the last few days. Glad some high school athletes are getting their season in, and I do feel bad for those in sports that are not so fortunate and are not getting to play and compete.

Last week I played the Preserve at Oak Meadows, and was there to see the steel going up on the second floor of the new clubhouse. The clubhouse is really taking shape, but likely won’t be open before the golf season in 2020 comes to an end. But wait til next year, I know we have all heard that phrase somewhere before.

THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow. RS

THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS is part of DuPage Golf with Maple Meadows and the 9-hole Green Meadows. The construction is the new clubhouse that is going up at the Preserve, there is still hope that the clubhouse can be moved into during 2020. But it could be after the golf season wraps up for the year. More details at Dupagegolf.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook or LinkedIn. At WCPT Am 820-home of Golfers on Golf Radio in it’s 30th season.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO had quite a show yesterday, it was Michigan vs Ohio State. Sorry no football, but golf representatives from both states made some great pitches to attract golfers that are waiting to hit the road for a needed change of scenery.

Ken Griffin from Boyne Golf Resorts in  Northern Michigan, was then followed by Jay Walkinshaw the GM at Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio, a private facility that is now offering some limited public-play and stays. More details on that to follow over the next few days.

To hear yesterdays show-please visit SoundCloud.com/ChicagosProgressiveTalk, or you can re-watch it on the WCPT 820 Facebook page.

Len Ziehm in Port St. Lucie Florida-PGA Village.

Len Ziehm and the Ziehm Machine are on the road again, and this time he has finally made it up to the northern states.

But before getting up north, Ziehm made some stops down south.

Those stops started in South Carolina at Cherokee Valley Golf Club, that is in the process of building a new clubhouse.

From there Ziehm went to Georgia to make several stops on the Georgia Golf Trail. The next phase of Len Ziehm on Golf travels will include the states of Ohio and Michigan. Visit LenZiehmonGolf.com.

THE 100th WISCONSIN STATE OPEN begins tomorrow at the historic Seth Raynor designed Blue Mound Country Club. Golfers on Golf send our best wishes for a great event, and a successful tournament to Elmhurst Illinois resident and PGA Tour player Mark Wilson.

The Rich Harvest Farms Intercollegiate is cancelled for 2020.

The world of college golf has been like many other college sports hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the last 2 weeks the Midwest Athletic Conference has cancelled fall sports. this does unfortunately include golf.

As a result, the Rich Harvest Farms Intercollegiate hosted by Northern Illinois University, previously schedule for September 25-28 has been cancelled. This comes following the cancellation of the Men’s Big Ten Conference Championship at Rich Harvest Farms (RHF) that was supposed to be held from May 1-3. The next college level golf event now scheduled at RHF will be the Palmer Cup in June of 2021. Rich Harvest Farms and Jerry Rich also thanked Wilson Golf for joining the RHF-Kids Golf Foundation with the donation of youth carry-golfbags for kids in the program to have. bags have both the Wilson Golf and RHF Kids Foundation logo’s on them.

PATRIOT GEAR-HAUS OF GREY SPORTSWEAR have formed a Sales Alliance. Tom Gocke, former VP of OGIO Golf, who increased the style and functionality of bags, while leading OGIO worldwide, has teamed up with Travis Johnson the former Founder and Creative Director of the Travis Mathew apparel brand. Both men have moved on from their past brands and are ready to start creating again. The new partnership was launched on August 1st.

Gocke has created Subtle Patriot, based in Henderson Nevada, with a line of products that support the military, while Johnson has created the Haus of Grey, that include Matte Grey and Heather Grey, see Hausofgrey.com to see the full product line.

Abu Dhabi Golf-Operated by Troon Golf Management

UAE CAPITAL committed to welcoming international golfers, in a safe ways.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and the Yas Links Abu Dhabi have aligned with the United Emirates to have safe measures in place for both guests and workers.

The ‘best-in-class’ strategy has everyone working as team in anticipation of welcoming back tourists when it’s safe to do. More details can be found at http://troongolf.com/AbuDhabi.

The courses were closed for over 2 weeks to put safety measures in place. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club will be hosting the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January of 2021.

MINDTRAK PHONE APP

MindTRAK GOLF Inc. has created a mental-game training system for golfers.

The APP has been tested and used in competition by former PGA Tour winner Richard “Dick” Zokol, MindTRAK’S founder and CEO>

During his playing days on tour, Zokol would wear headphones playing his favorite music to help him relax and take away distractions. The media dubbed him “Disco Zokol”.

MindTRAK is a way to help give golfers a 15th club, not in the bag but in the golfers brain.

Zokol feels that MindTRAK keeps golfers in the now moment, and help their mental process. You can download the APP at the iOS APP Store, the first 500 members in that meet requirements get to use the APP for free. After the round a user gets an email with three reports that include area’s of shots lost and gained. There are other types of data that get forwarded as well, for more information see MidTRAKGolf.com learn more about your game and how to improve it.

THE BIRDS ARE COMING..yes those Angry Birds that gamer’s love so much. Red, Chuck and Bomb will help golfers this fall take out targets on Topgolf structures. Angry Birds a popular APP will be part of certain Topgolf venues this fall. To see where those locations are, and when they will be there, visit Topgolf.com. The Birds are coming.

LAB Golf putters have a new Nickel Look

NICKEL IS HERE.

LAB GOLF Putters that are starting to take the golf world by storm, have added a fourth finish to it’s line of DF 2.1 color options.

What is LAB Putters. LAB=Lie-Angle-Balance.

LAB Golf says the new Nickel finish is very sexy, in their opinion. Plus it’s more durable than any of our anodized finishes. (A fact says LAB Golf).

The “Electroless Nickel Plating” system puts a layer of nickel onto the putter surface. Which makes the finish hard to scratch, and won’t get affected by moisture or saltwater. More information and pricing Labgolf.com.

Limited Time-VOKEY SM8-In Black

BACK IN THE BLACK..the new Bob Vokey SM8 wedges are here, no shine, no sun glare, just the Black Finish that golfers enjoy.

The Jet Black raw finish enhanced with black paint fill, with a Dynamic Gold S200 Black Onyx Shaft, and the new Golf Pride new Decade Mutli Compound Black/Gray grip with BV Wings.

Cameron Smith won this years Sony Open on the PGA Tour with SM8 Blacks. Titleiest Wedge Tour Representative Aaron Dill says he is,” stocking more Jet Black heads in the tour trailer each year. “Players love the look of it,” says Dill. “Plus the contrast you get when you add custom stamping and paintfill-it just pops.”

The new Black SM8’s are available in golf shops stating August 28th, with all 23 bounce and grind combinations (Both RH-LH). You can order now, $179.00 at Vokey.com

TITLEIST T100.S and T200.S Irons are now available for a limited time in an all-black stealth look and finish. The black matte shaft reduces glare, along with Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 grips.

“We’ve heard from golfers to build these all-black editions,” said Josh Talge, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing. “The combination of the Black PVD finish with the black matte shaft and matching grip is just stunning.”

Titleist T-Series Irons T100.S and T200 black irons are available August 28th at $200 per club or $1,599/set of 8 clubs. Details at Titleist.com.

The Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach Soft Putters.

The NEW Huntington Beach Soft Premier Putters are on their way.

These new putters will be released on August 21st.

“The Huntington Beach Soft Premier builds upon the success of our current putter lineup,” said Brian Schielke, Marketing Director at Cleveland Golf. “With new head shapes, sleek designs, and a fitting system for every type of stroke type, we have a putter that will help any golfer improve their performance on the greens.”

The new look includes a Gray Satin Finish, Speed Optimized Face Technology, Putting Fit System, and the Precision Milled Face. The Huntington Beach Soft Premier putters are $159.99 and the HB-Soft putters are $129.99 MAP. $10 extra for color fills and changes.

TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY at BenHoganGolf.com to celebrate the anniversary of golfs greatest swing. Runs through August 16th, see it today.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

WELCOME TO THE WHITE PINES GOLF CLUB in Bensenville-(R) the White Pines Golf Dome once stood here, might it return someday-maybe. WhitePinesGolf.com          ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Am 820 WCPT-Chicago, home of Golfers on Golf Radio

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 17 marks Michigan vs Ohio State, well if you can’t have football, we will have the battle for golf travelers.

Boyne Golf and Boyne Resorts in Michigan, had Golf Sales and Marketing Director Ken Griffin join us.

Griffin was followed by Firestone Country Club GM Jay Walkinshaw in Akron Ohio, home of this weeks Senior Players Championship. Firestone that is normally a private facility is now offering some limited stay and play packages this fall that are open to the public. GOG will have more on these packages this coming week. But hear our interview with Jay Walkinshaw Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk. Or see the replay on Facebook on the WCPT Facebook page.

Great news this week is that our host Ed Stevenson was back in studio after 4 weeks off, with his left arm wrapped up in a sling-with attachments. The bad news is that Ed won’t be playing any golf the rest of 2020.

We heard from new head pro Andrew Godfrey at White Pines Golf Club, and from our contributor the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee Len Ziehm.

We have only 5 shows left, we hope you will join us for all of them on Saturday mornings at 10 Am on WCPT AM 820 Chicago.

THE MISTWOOD CLUBHOUSE (L) AND THE WHITE PINES GOLF CLUBHOUSE (R)  ______________________________________________________________________

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. Golfers on Golf Radio returns tomorrow morning on Am 820 WCPT-hear from pro Andrew Godfrey

Welcome to White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville.

WHITE PINES GOLF COURSES in Bensenville, and operated by the Bensenville Park District are ready to get back on track.

There have been rumors about the future of the golf course in recent years, even one about the Bensenville park district selling off part of the golf course. Well what is true, is that the park district has reached out to one of the best run golf operations in the Chicago area for help. That would be Mistwood Golf in Romeoville. White Pines has plenty of potential, hopefully with the right guidance that potential can be realized.

Andrew Godfrey is the new head golf professional at White Pines Golf Club.

Andrew Godfrey who still actually works for Mistwood Golf, is the new head golf professional at White Pines.

Godfrey is excited about the chance to big things at the facility and it’s 36 holes of golf.

One of the questions that Godfrey is getting as he settles in, is about a return of the White Pines Golf Dome that was started there 30 years ago by Mike Munro. A few years back Munro sold the dome through Links Capital Advisors and Chris Charnas to the Kemper Sports Management Group. But when the domes old shell reached the end of it’s life a year ago, it was not replaced and there was no dome at White Pines this past winter.

What has been noticed is that Godfrey comes over with Mistwood Golf, that operates arguably the area’s best golf dome located in Bolingbrook-the Mistwood Golf Dome. When asked about another dome for White Pines, Godfrey doesn’t rule it out. But all he can say right now is that it won’t happen in this coming winter when Covid-19 is still expected to be an issue.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with new White Pines golf professional Andrew Godfrey.

Both Godfrey and Mistwood General Manager Dan Bradley admit there are still details of an agreement to be worked out with the Bensenville Park District. But the fact the Mistwood Golf Team is already on property, shows the first drive was already hit right down the center of the fairway.

The land the White Pines Golf Dome once sat on, is still vacant.

The plan is for Mistwood Golf to run the golf and food and beverage operation at White Pines.

For now the Bensenville Park District will still oversee events like weddings when they can happen there.

Godfrey says the current challenge is keeping both golf courses running and in good condition, because the amount of play has been very high. According to Godfrey there have been some days that nearly 550 rounds have been played in a single day. Godfrey is working on giving current golfers a place to enjoy some food and beverage, with 37’s the clubs bar and grill closed due to Covid-19.

Mistwood Golf in Romeoville had major renovations done over this past decade under owner Jim McWethy who recently passed away. McWethy’s commitment to excellence is well known by those who have been to Mistwood, or the Mistwood Golf Dome. The three phase renovation of the Mistwood Golf Club left the club as one of the best golf facilities in the Chicagoland area.

The first phase of renovation at Mistwood, was bringing back Holland Michigan based golf architect Ray Hearn, the courses original designer to redo the golf course. Could Hearn be finding his way to Bensenville in the future. To early too tell, but there is no argument that some renovation work should be done on both golf courses.

For now golfer are enjoying White Pines in it’s current form, but there is excitement from those who play there about what lies ahead.