Chris Gumbach head professional River Forest Country Club-Elmhurst IL.

THE RAIN FELL but the birdies flew, before they dropped into the hole. Cha-Ching !

It was the 10th annual Illinois PGA Birdies for Charity (BFC), and the winners are the kids.

In the 10 years of the BFC event, with this years totals added, the total amount raised is now over $2 million dollars. The charities that see these dollars are the Ronald McDonald House, The Lurie Children’s Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes Association, and the Illinois PGA Foundation.

Way to go IPGA professionals. Some 35 Illinois PGA Section professionals took part again this year, and unfortunately they had to get wet while doing so. The amount of holes played this year, was a few less then in recent years due to rain delays, but the pro’s got plenty of golf in, and raised more than few dollars moving around the River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst.

The IPGA professionals not only donate their time on a day off, but search for sponsors to support their efforts on the golf course. It’s a simple strategy, more birdies-more money $$$$.

Medinah Country Club teaching professional Travis Johns. Photo’s by Nick Novelli-courtesy of IPGA.

The program was started with an idea from current Medinah Country Club teaching professional Travis Johns.

Johns brought the idea with him from Texas, and presented it to River Forest Country Club head professional Chris Gumbach. Gumbach a member of the IPGA board and sponsorship committee chairman, moved the idea along, got his club involved, and the plan was off and running.

As the years have passed, more and more IPGA professionals have got involved and played in the event, this year there was 4 professionals who have now played all 10 years.

This year helping out the professionals raise some money, was former Chicago Bear and host of the Golf 360 TV show Patrick Mannelly. Mannelly a single digit handicapper, made his fair share of birdies, which led to a nice contribution.

During the lunch break-the professionals were treated to two video’s by people who have need the support, of the charities who benefit from the BFC Day by the IPGA.

The Birdies for Charity day, takes place the Tuesday after Labor Day, and donors can pledge to the amount of birdies made by their favorite professional, or just donate to the event in general. Visit IPGA.com/BirdesforCharity for more details.

The final numbers are not in yet, but Birdies For Charity didn’t come up short, they raised a lot of money for kids and their families that need the support.

The IPGA Birdies for Charity Day, is just another example of how golf gives back, and how Illinois PGA professionals are more than just golf pro’s, but leaders in their community.

If you couldn’t support the event this year, please plan ahead for the 11th edition of Birdies for Charity in September of 2021. The donations mean so much to the families that have children being helped through the charities.

BY-RORY SPEARS for Golfersongolf.com follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or Facebook and LinkedIn.

THE L’AUBERGE RESORT in Lake Charles LA. which is currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Laura-reopening date unknown. #PleaseHelpLakeCharles Golfers on Golf-thinking of our friends there at this time-wishing them a quick recovery.   _____________________________________________________________________

IPGA’S BIRDIES FOR CHARITY event today at River Forest CC, in delay from rain.

Roy Biancalana is the IPGA Super Senior Open Champion

Roy Biancalana won the 2020 IPGA Super Senior Open by 3 strokes, coming two spots behind in Round 2, to win.

Biancalana shot 68-68 to finish with an 8 under par score.

“Round 2 was much more difficult,” said Biancalana. “I didn’t make a bogey until the last hole, so I was proud of that. The greens were perfect this week and the course played a little difficult with the wind. Overall, I’m happy with the win.”

Mike Harrigan and Ted Pecora finished T-2 at 139-5 under par for the championship.

The Illinois PGA thanked Pine Meadow Golf Club head golf professional Dennis Johnsen for hosting the championship.

THE L’AUBERGE CASINO RESORT (Upper row), The GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL AND CASINO-in Lake Charles Louisana. Now in the recovery mode from Hurricane Laura, that damaged much of the community less than 2 weeks ago. Both of the main hotels pictured above suffered damage to their entire facilities. #SaveLakeCharles

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy-or Facebook and LinkedIn. With Dave Daubert eSoutherngolf.com (M) and Rich Styles (R) Golf Aficionado Magazine, at Grays Plantation in Lake Charles Louisiana.

“IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN WE CAN REOPEN THE HOTEL & RESORT” Harold Rowland GM, L’Auberge Resort and Casino.

By:Rory Spears

IT WAS almost a year ago I was in Lake Charles Louisiana, enjoying what this community was turning into. It had come a long way in recent years, new homes, new buildings, new hotels with gambling helped lead the rebirth of Lake Charles.

My trip there was related to golf of course, as part of a group of golf media to study the growing golf presence in the community. Writers from around the country were there, in another great what’s called a FAM trip, organized by Pam Shaheen of Crossroads Marketing in Atlanta. Even Chicagoland Golf Publisher Val Russell made the trip, so I was not the only Chicago area based media along to take some swings around Lake Charles.

Contraband Bayou is the Tom Fazio design at L’Auberge, 7,077 yards and a par of 71. The yardage shows your at a casino property.

L’Auberge Casino and Resort was our home base for the week. I arrived on Monday afternoon, and departed on Friday afternoon, after full week of enjoyment in Lake Charles, where the golf was good, and the food, beverage, and the people we met were even better.

Lake Charles doesn’t have as many courses as say Myrtle Beach, but the ones they have are really fun and playable for all skill levels.

Our hosts for the week were from the Visit Lake Charles Convention Bureau (CVB), the media relations team of Will Precht and Kathryn Duncan. Between the golf, the tours around town and the dinners, a great time was had by all the golf media in attendance.

I had Precht on Golfers on Golf Radio last year to preview Lake Charles, and what I would see when I arrived. Since the radio show ended for 2019 before I got to Lake Charles, the plan was to have a Lake Charles feature back in April when the show returned. Then Covid hit, and GOG Radio was 3 weeks late to the first tee box, and other issues were waiting to be resolved. Like how to get golf up and running in Illinois, with surrounding states being open for play.

So the plan was changed to bring Lake Charles back to the show, to talk some Louisiana golf here in September. When the weather was starting to turn colder up north, and a trip down south would be a great idea.

On my way home from the Illinois PGA Section Championship at Medinah 2 weeks back, I got a call from a friend who said, “weren’t you in Lake Charles last year.” I said yes, a great community, and I’m having someone from there on our golf show in a couple of weeks. The response was not what I expected.

“Have you seen the Weather Channel,” my friend said. No, I replied. My friend said that Lake Charles was right in the path of Hurricane Laura, and her 150 MPH winds. The residents had been ordered to evacuate, but the question was would they have a town to comeback to. That’s when the feeling of a full punch in the gut hit’s you.

The Golden Nugget Country Club, that was supposed to host it’s first Korn Ferry Tour Championship last March, then Covid hit 2 weeks before championship week, wiping out the tournament.

When Laura came, she left a pile of destruction, and Lake Charles will need a major rebuilding project.

The main casino hotels have damage, roofs torn off and windows blown out. Many homes and business’ are destroyed. To make matters worse, the average temperature for the last 10 days in Lake Charles has been 103 degrees.

Which isn’t too bad if you can go inside and sit in the air-conditioning. Except for the fact all the electric poles are down, and the town is not expected to have power for 4-8 weeks. Residents are coming back to see what’s left of their homes, getting more of their belongings and leaving again, to anywhere they can go.

The clubhouse and 18th green at Gray’s Plantation. The club pro Jon Jester was my playing partner that day. I have not been able to reach him, I hope he is doing as good as possible.

Precht’s apartment didn’t fair so well, so he’s at his brothers in Lafayette about an hour away. Duncan’s home did better. Both are commuting to their home town and spending several hours a day, and driving back to where they are staying.

Precht says the good news is that after a week, most of the roads around town are open. Like the Sam’s Club store that didn’t have much, if any damage at all. So Sam’s gas station was open, one of the few open ones in town. But when you need gas, the line is about 100+ cars long at a time.

I was relieved to hear from both Precht and Duncan via Facebook, then Precht was able to call. He will return to Golfers on Golf Radio this Saturday at 10:10 Am, that’s the plan as of now, providing the phone service still works on Saturday.

As a media person, it was hard to see the town’s TV station main antenna had buckled in half, and crashed the stations roof. The studio’s and offices are a mess. Kind of like Precht’s and Duncan’s offices at the CVB. The tower on the top of atrium blew away, and the water poured into the building, collapsing the ceiling into the CVB offices.

Mayor Nic Hunter admits his community needs ” a lot of help” and will for a while. But the news cycle changes every 24-48 hours and Hunter is afraid with the presidential election coming up, and Covid-19 being what it is, Lake Charles will soon be forgotten. Hopefully people wont’ forget and will help as they can.

A BIG tip of the cap and golf visor to Bob Parson’s at PXG Golf who is donating money and matching donations to Team Rubicon in the name of Lake Charles. The Capital One Center is the big building shown in many of the film clips on TV, that is missing quite a few windows. The towns college of McNeese State saw it’s buildings, take it’s share of hits. Laura left the football field under a foot of water. The Civic Center and the Lake Charles Airport that I flew into and back home from, have suffered damage.

Precht says if time permits he will look into some of the golf courses I visited, and see how they held up. A new clubhouse was under construction at The National Golf Club of Louisiana when I played there. I hope now only a year later, it won’t need to be rebuilt again from ground up.

As we celebrate Labor Day 2020 in America, I know it will take months of labor to rebuild Lake Charles. When the power returns, and clean up is over, I hope you will visit Lake Charles and it’s golf courses. Lake Charles will need the tourist business to help get back on it’s feet and continue to move forward, as it was before Laura hit.

More on Lake Charles as time moves forward-Will Precht joins Golfers on Golf Radio this Saturday, I hope you can as well.

The WGA’s Evans Scholars Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour tee’s off this Thursday, Golfers on Golf will be there to cover. RS

 NEW PILS at the HILLS-ErinHills.com-Erin Wisconsin. SQAIRZ-SHOES, more traction-more yardage, learn more about the shoes Nick Faldo says are the best Sqairz.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook,LinkedIn or Instagram, with the new Sqairz golf shoes-try them out today. Sqairz.com.

THE NEW SQAIRZ Golf Shoes are really comfortable, and give you a solid feeling around your feet. I’ll be trying them out on the golf course in the week ahead.

More Traction-More Yardage, let your feet grab the turf, and allow you to go after the ball on your tee shots, giving you a little more distance down the fairway.

Lightweight shoes might be comfortable on your feet, but who wants shoes where you feel the ground on every step. No thanks. Check Out Sqairz, before you purchase another pair of golf shoes. Sqairz.com.

GOLF360 with Dave Lockhart and Patrick Mannelly

GOLF360 is back tonight on NBC Sports Channel at 6 PM.

With your host former Chicago Bear Patrick Mannelly, and “Links” Dave Lockhart. When your out at the golf course try a “Long Snapper” beer that is in honor of Mannelly.

On this weeks show Golf360 visits the Preserve at Oak Meadows, and interviews Golfers on Golf Radio Host Ed Stevenson.That and more-tune in tonight at 6 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

EAGLE AND ONE golf outing September 18th, Eagle River Wisconsin. It’s this simple, the golf course Eagle River Golf Course, will be transformed into 18 par-3 holes, with holes averaging about 150 yards per hole. Prizes for an ace include a 2020 Chevy Equinox, $25,000 in cash, $15,000 in cash, a Ford-150 truck and more. The shot gun outing starts at 11 Am, call (800)-359-6315 to enter and visit the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce website for more details. EMAIL [email protected]

NEW from Pitch Fix-Aqua Brush.

PITCH FIX a global golf company in various products has added ye another new product to it’s fine line of products, to help golfers enjoy their rounds of golf even more.

AQUABRUSH now adds a way to clean your clubs or golf balls during your rounds on the course.

Don’t have a caddie, the ball washer is bone dry. Enough, take Aquabrush out and give the necessary cleaning to the product that needs cleaning. The very portable product can hang on the side of your golf bag, just one quick squirt cleans golf balls covered in mud, and club faces dirty from your last divot. While your at it, don’t forget PitchFix line of Divot tools, Pitchfixusa.com.

Club Champion Putter fittings this month-what a deal !

CLUB CHAMPION has decided that September is “Putter Fitting Month.”

From September 1st through September 30th, of this year, all 74 Club Champion locations will waive your putting fitting fee, with the purchase of a new putter. Quit turning birdie putts in bogey saves, with three putts that should not have happened.

“We see golfers come in all the time wanting more distance or looking to increase the amount of fairways they hit, but somehow they ignore the putter,” says Nick Sherburne, Master Fitter and Club Champion founder.

“Putting may not be as sexy as bombing the ball off the tee box, but your putter is arguably the most important club in the bag if your looking to truly better golf and to lower your scores.”

Club Champion works with the (SAM) Putt Science and Motion technology, and matches your putter to your game. High handicappers see the best results from a putting fitting, but single digit handicappers can move their game to an even high level making changes to their putter and the stroke path they use. (888)-340-7820 or please visit Clubchampion.com.

The Kids Golf Foundation-part of Rich Harvest Farms.

The Kids Golf Foundation (KGF) part of Jerry Rich’s Rich Harvest Farm’s, will have a 2020 mentoring event on October 10th for the Boys, and on October 11th for the Girls.

Due to Covid-19, the Kids Golf foundation has turned this event into a 2-day event.

The Nine-Hole scramble allows kids to meet business leaders who can give kids an opportunity to start making goals for their future path.

Fore more details, contact Michala Mika at [email protected]. or call her at (630)-466-0913.

HARRY RADLEY survived a 3-hole playoff to win the World Largest Amateur this past week in Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. The World’s Largest Amateur that normally has over 3,300 entries, had just over 2,200 this year due to the pandemic. In addition the World’s Largest 19th hole had a 1-year hiatus. Congrats Harry, and more information can be found at Myrtlebeachworldamateur.com.

ERIN HILLS is starting to drive it towards it’s year end dates next month in October, with many of it’s tee times already filled. If you would like to play Erin Hills before the season ends on October 18th, visit Erinhills.com. #fescuerescue #EHPilsner #drummlinputting

THE NEW Titleist Tour Speed Golf Balls-get fitted for them now.

TITLEIST GOLF BALL FITTING-now available for virtual consultations.

From Monday through Friday golfers can get a virtual golf ball consultation if they can attend an on-site fitting.

Golfers would speak to the same fitters they would meet if they attended a ball fitting in person.

At the end of the call, the fitter will recommend the golf ball they feel the golfers should be playing. These virtual fittings take only 30 minutes and are complimentary. Golfers can ask any questions they have about ball performance and fitting. Learn more at Titleist.com/fitting/golf-ball-fitting.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-returns tomorrow RS.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO-WCPT AM 820 this morning at 10 AM. Golfers on Golf Radio is L-R above Rory Spears, Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger. Listen along on WCPT Am 820 or Wcpt820.com, watch us on Facebook Live WCPT Page, on your phone with the TuneIN Radio APP-Search WCPT820, or if you miss the show, check out the mulligan on Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk, or the WCPT Facebook Page.    _____________________________________________________________________

ILLINOIS GOLF Hall of Fame inductee Len Ziehm joins us today.

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 20, as we head into the final month of the year for the radio show.

First on the tee today is Innisbrook Resorts GM Mike Williams, we’ll talk Florida travel, and why it won’t be a bad idea this winter to head there, even with the pandemic still hanging on.

Innisbrook the home of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. Four golf courses and plenty more to do. Innisbrook, just north of Tampa Florida.

DIRK WILLIS returns, the Director of Golf from Kohler Company, who oversee’s both Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. Since Dirk was last on there have been two big announcements from Kohler golf, Willis shares them with us today.

TO ALL OUR READERS and our listeners…Please if you can help Lake Charles LA., that is a great golf destination, as they go through rebuilding from hurricane Laura. Will Precht #VisitlakecharlesCVB joins us next weekend from Louisiana to talk about what happened, and how clean up efforts are underway.

Golfers on Golf Radio on the tee at 10 AM join us…Bill-Ed-Rory.

LEN ZIEHM (L) with 50+ years in the Chicago golf media, has teamed up with long time area golf journalist and industry expert RORY SPEARS-to create Chicago’s best weekly and most informed podcast, for golf in the Chicago area and beyond. Please listen in.    _____________________________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to hear the Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2020-Volume 25.

This week Len and Rory wrap up the BMW Championship, and what last week could mean for Olympia Fields Country Club moving forward.

What about the USGA-are they moving the main corporate operation out of New Jersey and down to Pinehurst, North Carolina.

The opening of the Payne’s Valley Course at the Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri will start off with a bang.

A Charity week ahead, both Patriot Weekend for the Folds of Honor, and it’s Birdies for Charity for the Illinois PGA.

Course renovations, Batavia based architect Greg Martin has added another course to his to do list. What Michigan architect is eyeing White Pines in Bensenville for a renovation.

Equipment companies enjoying a record month in July, all this and more. Thanks for listening, Len and Rory.

IT’S HAPPENING IN KOHLER-the new Baths and Par 3 course on the links of Meadow Valley at Blackwolf Run. Next spring you check out the new additions on the Meadow Valley Course, while Captains Steve Stricker USA & Padraig Harrington Europe will hold the Ryder Cup for you-scheduled for September of 2021. DestinationKohler.com Dirk Willis Director of Golf at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits joins Golfers on Golf Radio tomorrow morning (Saturday) on WCPT Am 820 & Wcpt820.com at 10:30 Am.      ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, Linkedin & Instagram. At Big Cedar Lodge-Ridgedale Missouri.

THERE WILL BE NO RYDER CUP in 2020, thanks much Covid-19 Pandemic.

But there will be a slimmed down made for TV version of USA vs Europe on September 22nd, which would have been Ryder Cup week at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin. Sor

So to officially launch the Payne’s Valley golf course, a tribute to the Southwest Missouri area legend and team USA Ryder Cup hero Payne Stewart, a U.S. vs Europe style match will be held on the golf course that is the newest edition to owner Johnny’s Morris’, Big Cedar Lodge in Southwest-Ridgedale Missouri, just minutes away from Branson.

The new Payne’s Valley course is the first public access course created by Tiger Woods and his design team, TGR Design.

The one foursome match will be Woods and fellow USA partner Justin Thomas, as the two golfers from the U.S. who will challenge European golfers Rory (the new dad) McIlroy of Ireland and England’s Justin Rose.

Welcome to big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale Missouri.

The match will be shown live from 3-7 Pm  EST, on the Golf Channel. With a replay starting one hour later.

Rebroadcasts will be shown on the NBC network on both December 26 and 27, times are TBA.

Big Cedar is known for having major names in the golf world, design or renovate it’s golf courses.

They include Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, with Woods being the newest name added to the list.

Big Cedar Lodge has hosted the Legends of Golf from 2014-2019, and this year hosted back-to-back PGA Champions Tour events, the latest being the Ozarks National tournament where World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson, not only made his Champions Tour debut, but took home the trophy and first-place check for winning the tournament.

Tiger Woods (L) and Johnny Morris discuss plans for the Payne’s Valley tribute course opening this month at Big Cedar Lodge.

“The breathtaking beauty and pure majesty of my native Ozarks is something you have to see to believe. To be able to harness this unique landscape and make it come alive through our golf courses has been an honor that has been driven by passion,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge. “Tiger and I have a twenty-year friendship that starting in fishing and has evolved into the great partnership that created Payne’s Valley. We look forward to showcasing this destination to the world through the Payne’s Valley Cup and truly believe we are creating ‘America’s Next Great Golf Destination.'”

The golf course rolls through the hillside of the Ozarks surrounded by Big Cedar Lodge, and concludes in an area carved out of the rocks that will dazzle golfers. If your match is not settled after 18 holes, there is a short par-3 19th hole to settle the bets, or an opportunity to play more golf while looking down at the scenic 18th hole below. The 19th hole will be complete with waterfalls and is a spectacular way to finish a round of golf on Payne’s Valley.

Payne’s Valley on the front nine.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, there will be no tickets sold to fans for this event.

There will be an opening ceremony shown on the Golf Channel, that will include Payne Stewart’s wife Tracy and their children.

Payne’s Valley is the latest addition to a series a of great golf courses at Big Cedar Lodge. In addition there is the Buffalo Ridge Springs course by Tom Fazio, Ozarks National by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Mountain Top by Gary Player, and Top of the Rock by Jack Nicklaus.

All of the Big Cedar Lodge golf courses have won numerous industry awards, and are ranked on various Top 100 lists, by multiple golf publications. For more information on Big Cedar golf and other activities at Big Cedar please visit BigCedarLodge.com.

  WELCOME TO HARBOR SHORES RESORT-IN BENTON HARBOR MICHIGAN. It’s where golf rebuilt a community and got it back on it’s feet. HarborShoresResort.com.     _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram. On the 9th tee at Harbor Shores.

THE OLD SAYING of “If you build it they will come” no longer applies to just baseball.

There is now proof it apply’s to golf as well. Benton Harbor Michigan is a perfect example.

When you clean up a major garbage dump and landfill, get rid of the abandon buildings long since shutdown, you bring in the greatest golfer of all-time Jack Nicklaus to replace the mess with a Nicklaus Signature design golf course. Your on the right track, and it’s a good one.

In this case, Jack wasn’t back, but Nicklaus brought back an entire town that needed the help. In addition to a golf course, there was a cleaned up park and beach, and room for new homes on Lake Michigan and just a block or two inland from the lake. Those places went quickly, and so the building continued.

Nearby a community leader like Whirlpool corporation jumped in and sponsored a golf tournament, not just any golf tournament, but a major on the Champions Senior circuit of professional golf. The big names showed up, the Memorial Day weekend crowds showed up, and in addition to whoever took home the trophy, the other winner was the city of Benton Harbor. Back on track.

Not that there isn’t still some work to do, but as Harbor Shores Celebrates it’s 10th year, it’s easy to see how far things have comeback, to this small but hardworking lake front community in Southwest Michigan.

The Inn at Harbor Shores centers the rebuilt Harbor Shores area of Benton Harbor.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Harbor Shores, a four part video series has been put together, to capture what has taken place in the last ten years.

What difference a decade makes. The first of the four part series has been released with, the other three parts coming out shortly.

Viewers are greatly encourage to follow each edition of the series, by checking in every week.

While the 2020 Senior PGA Championship was not held at Harbor Shores earlier this year because of Covid-19 concerns, there still is much to enjoy at Harbor Shores yet this year. The Senior PGA Championship will return to Harbor Shores in 2022.

For more details on the Harbor Shores video history, see Harborshoresresort.com.

TITLEIST TOUR SPEED GOLF BALLS-LAB GOLF PUTTERS, NEW HOT SELLERS    _____________________________________________________________________

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. With the new Mavrik Driver by Callaway Golf.

THE PANDEMIC HAS HELPED in a small way. It has put thousands of people out on golf courses around the world.

Golfers who had not played in a while, golfers who play a little, are playing more in recent months. New golfers are flocking to the game. Parents are getting their kids involved in the sport of golf.

Yesterday was Women’s Golf Day, and more women are taking up the game all the time.

But a blessing in disguise because of Covid, has been people playing golf, and since other options for income spending now are not currently available, golfers are upgrading their equipment and new golfers are buying golf clubs.

The end result is a BOOM in equipment sales.

July of 2020 hit $388.6 million in off course equipment sales, that beat the best months in history, including June of 2007-$368.1 million, and June of 2006 when sales hit $364.0 million.

The four categories that also set all-time monthly records were golf balls, irons, wedges, and golf gloves.

“Golf is surging through the Covid-19 pandemic, as it is a perfect outdoor social distancing recreational activity, and the retail results confirm what a lot of retailers and PGA Professionals have been feeling,” said John Kryznowek, Partner, Golf Datatech, LLC. “Hard good have fared especially well, clear evidence that people are both playing golf and spending on equipment.”

Krzynowek added, “July’s sales results were fantastic, considering everything that has transpired this year. And, while golf equipment retails are down for the year overall, there has been significant improvement since May, when they were down 31.4% year-to-date.”

Krzynowek concluded,” While nothing is assured in this crazy world we live in today, we are hopeful that the current upward trajectory will continue into the fall when things would normally slow down. But with other options cancelled there will be more opportunity to play golf, and purchase more equipment.”

Callaway’s new Big Bertha 21’s just out.

As a result of quickly rebounding and growing equipment sales, some companies have released new products in a time of year they normally would not. Such as Callaway Golf’s recent release of their new Big Bertha 21’s.

There is currently some question about the holding of the annual PGA Merchandise Show in late January of 2021.

If the show is cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns, or has a change in format, equipment companies will be looking for other ways or different dates for new equipment releases.

In advance of the holidays or Black Friday are options that equipment manufacturers will study closely. Watch your local clubs or golf retailers for fittings dates or sales on selected products.

PINE MEADOW GOLF CLUB in Mundelein hosts a Callaway Golf fitting day, that runs this Saturday from 10 Am to 2 Pm, by appointment only-No walk ups. (847)-566-4653.    _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio show founder Mike Munro joined the program in the studio last weekend, for a 30th anniversary celebration.

Mike Munro was back last weekend to talk 30 years of Golfers on Golf Radio.

This weekend Golfers on Golf Radio, 30th season, Year 2020 Edition 20, hits the tee box at 10 AM on Am 820 WCPT.

Our special guests include Mike Williams General Manager of the Innisbrook resort in Palm Harbor Florida, home of 4 golf courses, including Copperhead, home of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship.

(L) Innisbrook Director of Golf Bobby Barnes (L) and Mike Williams (R) at Innisbrook. THE new baths at Kohler (R) on the Meadow Valley Course now under construction.

KOHLER DIRECTOR OF GOLF Dirk Willis joins for Round 2 of the 2020 season, and what you can expect next year, when the Meadow Valley Par 3 course and Baths open up at Blackwolf Run.

We hear from Len Ziehm of Len Ziehm on Golf and Travel, along with IPGA Professional Chris Gumbach of River Forest Country Club home of the IPGA Birdies for charity event on September 8th.

All this and more, only 3 shows left for the season. WCPT Am 820, Wcpt820.com watch us on Facebook Live WCPT Page, the TuneIN-Radio APP Search Wcpt820. Need a mulligan because you were on the golf course, on the range or in a lesson or fitting, see Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk  or watch on the WCPT facebook page.

Thanks for listening, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears.