WELCOME TO PGA VILLAGE IN PORT. ST. LUCIE FLORIDA-Ryder Cup Course 12th. ______________________________________________________________________
2020 IPGA Player of the Year. University of Illinois Coach Mike Small.
University of Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small, the 2020 Illinois PGA Player of the Year, has had to Withdraw from the Senior PGA Club Professional Championship before todays second round.
Small shot a 1 under par 71 in yesterdays first round, and was T-27 after 18 holes, in the field of over 260 players.
No reason has yet been given for the WD. Small opened his first round with an eagle-birdie start, and 3 under through 2. But could only make one more birdie in the last 16 holes.
Small was joined at the PGA Golf Club by fellow IPGA members, Kevin Healy-Blacksheep Club, David Paeglow-Kishwaukee Country Club, Jim Sobb-Ivanhoe Club, John Varner-Beverly Country Club, John Guyton-Chicago Golf Club, Doug Bauman-Biltmore, David Hannon of Biltmore, Roy Biancalana-Blackberry Oaks, John Cleary of Exmoor Country Club.
Paeglow the 2020 IPGA Senior Player of the Year, shot a 1 under par 70 in Round 2, and at Even par will make the cut. David Hanlon from Links and Tee’s in Addison, sits at 1 over par, and made the weekend cut along with Roy Biancalana who made the cut on the number at +3 (146). Biancalana made the 3rd round cut and will play on Sunday. The only IPGA member to do so.
BROWN SCHOLARSHIPS for 2020. Carly Schiene is the 2020 Alice M. Brown scholarship recipient. Schiene is attending Valparaiso University. Grant Klepitsch from Prairie Ridge high School is the recipient of the 2020 Louis M. Brown scholarship. He will attend Wittenberg University.
Both Schiene and Klepitsch had outstanding high school golf careers, and will play on their respective college golf teams. Details at the Illinois PGA Foundation website.
THE TOUR EDGE HOT LAUNCH-Bringing Magic to your Game with the Houdini Sole. _____________________________________________________________________
BATAVIA BASED TOUR EDGE GOLF has started it’s biggest launch of equipment in company history. You can get fitted for all of what’s new this month, and have new Tour Edge products in your bag on November 1st.
BY RORY SPEARS: Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy you can friend him on Facebook or connect on LinkedIn.
THIS IS PART 1 of a series of stories on west suburban Tour Edge. Tour Edge in the last couple of years, has made a dent on the PGA Champions Tour as more tour players that are paid or not paid, are simply putting Tour Edge in their bag.
What Tour Edge has launched this month is the biggest roll-out of equipment in the companies 34 year history.
Tour Edge President and Master Club Designer David Glod speaks to the media at Lake Nona Golf Club in Florida.
“We have designed the new Hot Launch 521 series to offer both sides of game improvement in one colossal launch,” said David Glod Tour Edge President and Master Club Designer.
As a part of it’s newest plan, Tour Edge has created the C and E series.
The E Series are Extreme Spec Game Improvement club designs that boast a super-low center of gravity (CG), super-shallow faces, offset designs and extremely light premium shafts designed to get the ball launching in the air with ease for slower to mid-tempo swing players.
THE C Series features premium state-of-the-art Competition Spec designs with a higher M.O.I. in classically shaped clubs that will provide the golfer with with medium+ swing speeds the ability to launch their golf ball easily and with more forgiveness and power across the face.
Both the E and C Series have newly created technologies that will produce different playing characteristics to a specific targeting of two distinct players looking for game improvements through their bag.
TOUR EDGE Marketing Vice President Jon Claffey spoke with Golfers on Golf about the entire release of the new C and E series clubs.
“What we’ve found is that the Game Improvement market falls into two distinct categories,” said Glod. “One side for players who want extreme ease of use and and launch to the maximum degree and those who want the benefits of game improvement clubs, but with classic head shapes.”
The E521 series was designed for an easy launch to the golf ball even with some looking club shapes. “Hot Launch E521 were designed to be the easiest clubs to hit on the market,” said Glod.
The C521 series is about clubs with minimal offset, but made for higher swing speeds, and higher ball speed with increased forgiveness. The club specs will suit the eye at address, and add classic sound and feel though impact.
“These high-tech performance clubs in a classic design, but with all the forgiveness and power attributes you need to start shooting lower scores,” says Glod.
Are you ready for the new Tour Edge Drivers. Go get custom fit and get delivery in 48 hours. There are now 850 custom fitting centers across the country.
Tour Edge clubs are built here in the USA and come with a lifetime warranty on any manufacturer defects to the product.
If you would like a new driver without a price point of $500 or higher. Try the Tour Edge C521 series or the E521 series that lists for $229.00. Details at TourEdge.com.
PART 2 is the new C521 and E521 series Fairway Metals and Hybrids. Part 3 will be the Iron Wood and Irons. Part 4 is the E521 wedge series.
TOUR EDGE GOLF has announced the new E Series Drivers and Fairway Woods, put a little magic in your game with the new Houdini Sole. More Details at TourEdge.com ______________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook, and LinkedIn.
THE ONWENTSIA CLUB of Lake Forest is welcoming back the The Western Junior.
THE 2021 Western Junior Championship is back at the Onwentsia Club, after the club was unable to host the championship in 2020, due to safety concerns from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“While we were greatly disappointed we were unable to conduct this year’s Western Junior, we’re grateful that Onwentsia has extended it commitment to support the championship by serving as our 2021 Western Junior host,” said Vince Pellegrino, Western Golf Association (WGA) senior vice president of tournaments. “We’re looking forward to welcoming some of the top junior golfers in the world to one of the most historic and time-honored courses in Chicagoland.”
As a result, Naperville that was to host the 2021 championship, will host in 2022, and Midlothian will now host in 2023.
The par 3, 9th hole at Onwentsia.
The 103rd Western Junior Championship will be played from June 21-24 in 2021.
It will be the first time since 1900, that Onwentsia has hosted a WGA golf championship.
Onwentsia Club was among the 11 charter clubs that helped establish the WGA in 1899. This helped expand golf around the Midwest during those years.
The second Western Amateur was contested at the club in 1900, the last WGA tournament played at the Onwentsia. In later years both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur were held at Onwentsia.
“On behalf of the Onwentsia Club, our members and our staff, we are honored to host the 103rd Western Junior Championship,” said L. Peter Smith, club president. “In 2020, we celebrated our 125th anniversary. We cannot think of a better way to start the next 125 years than by welcoming the the oldest national junior golf tournament in the United States. We look forward to seeing golf’s rising stars compete for this coveted title.”
Since the first championship in 1914, the Western Junior has produced champions that have gone on to successful PGA Tour careers, such as Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Jim Furyk and Colin Morikawa. The Western junior has been played in 15 states and at several highly rated Chicago area clubs.
The clubs history dates back to 1893, when it was called the Lake Forest Golf Club, which was a short 7 hole course in the yard of Sen. Charles B. Farwell. In 1895 the club moved to it’s current location on Green Bay Road.
Famed architects have played a roll in the courses design and upkeep. Charles Blair Macdonald routed the original nine holes. In 1898 architects Herbert Tweedie, James and Robert Foulis added the second nine holes. With some renovation work done by Tom Doak in 1996.
Onwentsia has had 30 caddies go on to be Evans Scholars over the years, with the first being Charles Van Etten who attended Northwestern in 1948.
For more information, please visit TheWesternJunior.com
THE NEW TOUR EDGE E Series Driver and Fairway Woods, with more news from Tour Edge Golf coming out this week. Put a little magic in your game with the new Houdini Sole. New Tour Edge irons and Wedges are being released this week. TourEdge.com _____________________________________________________________________
TIM TROY of the Zigfield Troy Golf Club and Range. Holds the trophy for the IPGA Senior Match Play Championship at Biltmore Country Club.
MICHAEL TROY in just his second time competing in the Illinois PGA Senior Match Play Championship took home the trophy.
Troy defeated 2020 IPGA Senior Player of the Year David Paeglow from Kishwaukee Country Club 5 & 4.
The match was interesting as the “two dads” whose sons are roommates and teammates on the Illinois State University Golf Team battled for the title.
After Paeglow won the first hole with a birdie to go 1 Up, it was Troy who would not lose another hole the rest of the match.
Troy made birdies on holes 3 & 4 to take the lead he would never lose. But Troy blew the lead open to 4 Up at the turn, by winning holes 7,8, and 9. Troy opened the lead to 5 Up with a birdie on the 13th hole, and closed out the match and the championship on the 14th hole with a par.
“It was just fun to play this week,” said Troy. “It’s been a very busy year for everyone so it’s nice to just get out here and compete. I had some tough matches against some great competitors this week. It was a fight all day today. I didn’t play to well in the morning, but was able to pull it out. Then I started making some putts against David in the title match and that was the deciding factor.”
Troy entered the match play championship as a #13 seed.
Troy rarely trailed in a match the entire championship, and had to fight for tough wins against Roy Biancalana (Blackberry Oaks) 2 & 1, and John Clearly from Exmoor Country Club) 3 & 2 in the semi-finals.
The Senior Match Play Championship was the last event heading into the season ending IPGA Senior Players Championship at Twin Orchard Country Club.
THE GOG BLOG-by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook at Rory Spears.
The Gog Blog will have coverage from the season ending Illinois PGA Senior Players Championship at Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove.
THE NEW TOUR EDGE E SERIES DRIVER and Fairway Woods. More to come in the week ahead from Tour Edge Golf. Put some magic in your game with the Houdini Sole. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook. At the rock on the Links Course at Lawsonia.
KEVIN HEALY lead the IPGA Senior Players Championship after 18 holes, and was still leading Tuesday afternoon when all 36 holes were played.
For Healy it was his first IPGA Sr. Major Championship victory. His two under par 70 in windy conditions, was one of only two scores that were under par.
Roy Biancalana finished in third place after carding 70 in Round 2. Biancalana had four birdies and an eagle in route to his 2 under par score. But it wasn’t enough for Bianacalana to catch front runner David Paeglow in the Player of the Year point standings.
Healy had four birdies in his final round including the last two holes, in route to his score of 70. Healy had a 1 shot lead after 18 holes with an opening round of 73 (+1).
David Paeglow hits a drive on the 13th hole at Twin Orchard Country Club on Tuesday. Paeglow is the 2020 IPGA Sr. Player of the Year.
Healy said that all of his years on the wide open links-style golf club, The Black Sheep Club in Sugar Grove, had given him plenty of time to work on his game in windy conditions.
Medinah’s Rich Dukelow was the runner-up with a 2 over par score of 146. Dukelow had a bogey free back nine, but his three birdies only made up for a bogey and double bogey on the front nine.
The round started 30 minutes late due to a frost delay. As a result play was moved into a shotgun style event, with several players racing for O’hare to catch flights to Florida, where they will play in the Senior PGA Club Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie Florida. The championship starts on Thursday.
Illinois PGA Section professionals in addition to Healy, Paeglow and Biancalana, playing at the Senior PGA Club Championship include, Doug Bauman, David Hannon, John Cleary, John Guyton, Mike Small, Jim Sobb, John Varner, and John Cleary.
The professionals playing in Florida are playing for a place in the field, in the 2021 Sr. PGA Championship that will be held at Southern Hills.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR interviews with 2020 Senior Player of the David Paeglow and Players Championship winner Kevin Healy.
TOUR EDGE GOLF is rolling out it’s NEW E and C series clubs, the biggest roll-out in company history. Coming Tuesday Irons and Wedges-Details now at TourEdge.com. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or friend him on Facebook, and connect on LinkedIn. Hitting it solid on the Firestone West Golf Course at Firestone Country Club.
TODAY is the day I return to the famed Lawsonia Links in Green Lake Wisconsin, for another edition of the Langford Shield 2-Man golf tournament.
I played in the very first one some 5 years ago, with partner Len Ziehm. That day Len and I were very average on the golf course, and it showed in the standings, with a middle of the pack finish.
This year with Len back in the Sunshine State I have re-loaded with a new partner, and I am hoping for better results this time around. Details will be added on this column later tonight. In the meantime, Lawsonia is getting ready to close for the year so if your ready to play one of America’s Greatest 100 Classic Courses, here is your chance. Lawsonia is open to the public. Many golfers from Illinois have already beat your there this year, don’t miss out. Play Lawsonia, designed back in the day, by Illinois golf architect William Langford.
I CAUGHT UP WITH IPGA Players Championship winner Curtis Malm from White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville. We discussed his win at Conway Farms, the 2020 Illinois Open at White Eagle and a possible return of the Illinois Open to White Eagle in the future. Malm speaks about what will be his increased focus on the Illinois PGA Section Championship, the only IPGA major he hasn’t won, and what he needs to complete the IPGA career Grand Slam
Click Here to hear the interview with White Eagle Director of Golf Curtis Malm.
PART 2 The Langford Shield.
The 13th green on the Lawsonia Links Course.
The Langford Shield outing has been played every year since 2014.
This year was my first year back since the original outing. The course was in outstanding condition, and the greens were primed to roll at least 12 if not 13.
With less than hour to tee off time for the outing, Mother Nature opened up and dumped on William Langford’s gem, Lawsonia.
Tee times were delayed over 30 minutes and then the format switched to a 2-man scramble. After teeing off in a light drizzle, the heavens exploded again while groups were playing their third hole. Once the rain stopped, the temperatures dropped. Then there was two rumbles of thunder. Some groups went in, many played on.
When there was about 5 holes left to play, the sun came out and it got a little warmer. Of course, it never fails. My partner and I didn’t have a great score, but we had a great day. The food was good, the company was better, kudo’s to Oliphant Golf and everyone at Lawsonia.
The second course at Lawsonia the Woodlands Course is getting ready to have some improvements done, stay tuned details will be coming out shortly. If you have not been to Lawsonia, you need to play it. Many of the old classics, that are rated a Top 100 course by multiple publications, are not accessible to the public. Lawsonia is that one course that is one you can play.
FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH will be named the 2021 Ambassador to Golf, he will receive the award at the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship at Firestone Country Club in July of next year.
BOLINGBROOK GOLF CLUB has been named a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. More details coming this week, but congrats to Bolingbrook GC.
DUSTIN JOHNSON has tested positive for Covid-19. As a result he has withdrawn from this weeks CJ Cup, that is playing in Las Vegas at Shadow Creek. Get well DJ.
THE NEW TOUR EDGE E-SERIES fairway woods, Put a little Magic in your game with the Houdini Sole. More to come from Tour Edge Golf this week, or visit Touredge.com. The FIRESTONE Country Club has limited opportunities for Stay & Plays, now you can bring a group and hold your own championship at this historic golf venue. Come play golf where the games greats have played and won. Visit FirestoneCountryClub.com. ____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook at Rory Spears.
Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Inductee Len Ziehm at PGA Village.
Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee Len Ziehm has been on the road, to bring everyone the best of golf destination travel.
There is plenty of travel going on, even during these pandemic times.
Ziehm has posted features on his website LenZiehmonGolf.com from his recent travels to both the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, and from the Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina.
Check out Len’s stories to see some great golf in the Carolina area.
A sign of the season-Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein.
Pine Meadow Golf Club In Mundelein has announced that they have started to cut down the hours of sales for range buckets, as of this past week.
Final buckets are now being sold at 5 Pm. But if your looking for a the large bushel basket of balls, you must purchase them by 4 pm.
In addition Thursdays at Pine Meadow at now Titleist Thursdays on the range from 10 Am until 4:45 Pm. if you would like to come test out the new Titleist Clubs. Call Pine Meadow at (847)-566-4653 (Golf).
THE ILLINOIS PGA FOUNDATION has partnered with Pine Meadow, the Mundelein Park District, Revelation Golf, on the HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere) Program that works with veterans. 20 veterans are enrolled in the program that will meet once a week for 5 weeks on the Pine Meadow Range. The program is free to veterans. “we’re thrilled to partner with such an outstanding group of organizations to make this program possible for veterans invested in the game of golf,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA.
THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB in Romeoville, is making news in the fall.
Mistwood Golf Club is in the news as the fall season arrives.
First up fall rates are in affect now at Mistwood, come out and play golf, it sure is the year to do so.
Mistwood has also announced that Toptacer that has become so popular at the Mistwood Golf Dome, is now being added to the Mistwood Golf Club Performance Center. Plus the performance center will have hours this winter. Stay tuned to see how that will work. Plus the Mistwood Golf Dome will have a new dome-shell this winter. Mistwood is working with local authorities to see how the dome can operate this winter safely, until Covid-starts to go away. For more details see Mistwoodgolf.com or call Mistwood at (815)-254-3333.
The Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, is ready for the 2021 edition of the matches.
The Ryder Cup matches scheduled for Whistling Straits in Kohler/Haven Wisconsin this past September, were delayed until September of 2021.
But that didn’t stop the event from announcing some new corporate partnerships going forward on both sides of the pond.
Pepsi drinks and products will now be partners with the Ryder Cup. Toro golf equipment and mowers are also now partners with the Ryder Cup. Both partnerships are worldwide deals. Rydercup.com
IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE ON GOLF visit Expertgolf.com. You can learn more about there YouTube Channel, that now has more 10,000 subscribers.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Men’s golf coach John Carlson has put together a series of Intrasquad tournaments to keep the team playing in the fall. This weeks event is the Titleist Foot-Joy Classic October 16-18, at a variety of golf courses in the Chicago area.
ITANHANGA GOLF COURSE coming off a recent renovation has been nominated for the Best Course in Brazil, in a world golf awards contest. The course is located in Rio de Janeiro.
MISSION INN RESORT in Howey-In-the Hills Florida 30 minutes NW of Orlando, has announced that all of it’s restaurants have now reopened. See MissionInnResort.com.
GOLF IN WISCONSIN-is winding down towards the end of the season. Both Erin Hills and Sand Valley Resorts will be closing for the year shortly. If you miss out on this year, both resorts are already accepting booking dates for 2021. See Erinhills.com and Sand Valley.com.
Chad Johansen has created the 4-Step Process. Improve your game today and shoot lower-golf scores.
How has your golf season gone so far this year ?
if your golf scores are higher than you want them to be, and your ready for improvement.
Watch the online video seminar by Blackberry Oaks head golf professional Chad Johansen.
His system called the Four-Step process has been helping golfers make major improvements in their game. Call Chad at (630)-553-7170 or visit BlackberryOaks.com #Playtheoaks #GofFortitDome
The new patio at the General Clubhouse at Eagle Ridge.
ARE YOU READY for a nice fall getaway, and still want to play some golf while checking out the colors.
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and still open for golf, during the fall season.
The resort has 63 wonderful holes of golf, headed up by the General Golf Course. The General Clubhouse has been redone, and the patio and outdoor dinning area’s are something to behold.
For more information, EagleRidge.com.
MICHAEL SLOAN & CONNOR LEWIS were both named to the Golf Heritage Society’s board of directors. The announcement came from society president Bern Bernacki.
CANTIGY GOLF is proud to announce that Paul Taylor has brought 15 years of fitting experience to Cantigny. Taylor’s 15 years have been spent with Mizuno, Taylor Made and the PGA Tour Store. Taylor was an all-state golfer at Bremen High School, before playing college golf at Western Illinois University. Taylor was a caddie at Calumet Country Club for 14 years. The Cantigny Golf Academy is open year round for practice, lessons and fittings. See Cantignygolf.com for more details.
THE DUSTIN JOHNSON World Junior Golf Championship that will be contested at TPC Myrtle Beach from March 5-7 in 2021, will begin accepting entries tomorrow October 12th. Visit WorldJuniorGolfChampionship.com for entry details.
THE NEW TOUR EDGE Hot Launch E & C series clubs, are ready to add a little magic to your golf game, with the creation of the Houdini Sole. For details see TourEdge.com. _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG- by Rory Spears. Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or friend him on Facebook at Rory Spears. With the World Series of Golf trophy at Firestone Country Club.
THE FIRESTONE Tire and Rubber Company has one of the best sets of tires on the highways these days. The award winning series of tires are called “Destination”.
Not far away from the home office of Firestone Tires, in the Northern Ohio town of Akron, is another part of the Firestone legacy, Firestone Country Club.
Firestone Country Club has been a golf destination for touring golf professionals for decades. Now the club can be a destination for you.
The great news for golfers is that you no longer have to be a member at Firestone Country Club to play golf there. Firestone Country Club is no longer owned by the tire company, but by ClubCorp who purchased the club in 1981.
Firestone Tire and Rubber company started the club’s history in 1929. But now the history continues to grow, and you have a chance to be part of the next chapter. Under ClubCorp, Firestone Country Club has introduced public “Stay & Play” golf packages based on availability.
The landmark Firestone water tower that stands tall over the club.
Only a few golf courses in the country have standout landmarks. That once seen, golfers can immediately identify the name of the golf course.
The water tower at Firestone Country Club is one of those places. The base of the water tower looks like an inverted golf tee, that is supporting a golf ball at the top of the structure.
The white globe at the top of the water tower carries the Firestone name, and leaves no doubt about where one is playing golf.
The Firestone Country Club clubhouse, is home to the pro shop, dining, and upstairs overnight rooms.
Firestone offers three golf course options. While major professional golf events over the years have been contested on both the North and South courses, there is another 18 holes that most people are not aware of.
Firestone Director of Golf Tommy Moore admits, that when he applied for his current position, he thought the club was a 36 hole facility. When he first visited the club he was surprised to find there was actually 54 holes.
CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with Firestone Director of Golf Tommy Moore.
In fact the Firestone West Course might be one of the best golf courses that nobody really knows about. The West Course doesn’t get the television time or professional tournaments the other courses do, but that doesn’t mean the almost 20 year old golf course that was designed by Tom Fazio isn’t really good. In fact some visitors to Firestone might love the history of the North and South Courses, but they enjoy playing the West Course the most, with it’s wider fairways and lack of trees that come into play.
THE FIRST HOLE (L) on the West Course, while the bunker and drainage project work is ongoing over on the 18th hole. Renovation work is being done by the Fazio Group.
It’s expected when renovation work is completed on the West Course, it will be renamed for Fazio. The Fazio Course at Firestone is the front runner.
The 18th green on the South Course at Firestone Country Club.
The South Course is the best known course of the three at Firestone. It first opened in 1929 and was designed by Bert Way.
Robert Trent Jones Sr. did a redesign in time for the 1960 PGA Championship.
Currently the course is home to the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship, won this summer by Wisconsin native Jerry Kelly. Kelly needed a hole-in-one during the back nine on Sunday to win the title. Firestone will host the championship for two more years, and then anxiously awaits to see what’s next on the tee in terms of championship play.
The Arnold Palmer bridge sits on the 667 yard, par 5, 16th hole-nicknamed “The Monster” by Palmer.
The South Course has a great history of championship golf.
There are courses that are defined by who has won there. Winners on the South Course include, Jack, Arnie, Tiger and Tom, no last names are needed.
The clubs most famous hole is the 667 yard, par 5, 16th hole on the South Course. Nicknamed “The Monster” by Arnold Palmer, who won three times in 10 years at Firestone. Palmer has the bridge over the pond that fronts the green named after him. Jack Nicklaus has his own history at Firestone, in fact it’s where he started his historical run in professional golf. As his first PGA Tour tournament was the 1959 Rubber City Open on the clubs South Course.
The Par 3, 17th hole on the North Course. Hale Irwin made a hole-in-one here during the World Series of Golf using a 4-Iron.
The North Course is no stranger to championship play, as both the World Series of Golf, and the American Golf Classic have been held there.
While the South Course is the longest of the three courses at Firestone measuring 7,400 yards and playing to par of 70, the North Course at 7,125 yards is the clubs only par 72 course.
Spacious villas are part of the overnight accommodations at Firestone.
Firestone is about golf. If you are looking to play golf, hit balls, practice, take a lesson and work on your game Firestone is for you.
There are no tennis courts, spa’s, casino’s, hiking trails, pools, or horseback riding.
General Manager Jay Walkinshaw will tell you that,” Firestone is first and foremost a golf club, but there are plenty of frills within 45 minutes around the central and northern parts of Ohio.”
CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with Firestone General Manager Jay Walkinshaw.
Some of those options include the National Football League (NFL) Hall of Fame in nearby Canton. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland. If your in need of more hiking before or after golf, there are nearby parks and state parks to enjoy.
While your Firestone you will enjoy the hospitality and what Walkinshaw calls the “Firestone Experience.” Hospitality at the club makes everyone feel both welcome and like they a member. Off the golf course there are both rooms upstairs in the clubhouse, or luxury villas for overnight stays. Dining takes place in the 1929 Grille or the 55th Hole Bar.
Groups can dine together in large common rooms in the villa buildings, that are complete with stocked bars, big screen televisions and pool tables. The pro shop carries a large inventory of golf apparel and golf supplies.
If your ready to host your own golf group, or golf tournament, and play where the pro’s play and best players in the history of the game have won. It’s time for you to call Firestone and book your visit. More information at Firestonecountryclub.com or by calling (330)-644-8441.
THE NEW TOUR EDGE E521 & C521 DRIVERS The Roll-Out has begun. New fairway woods have been released, visit TourEdge.com to learn more. THE BIG BALL is on the tee. Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio is now hosting play and stays. Play 54 holes, including the championship tested North & South courses. Firestonecountryclub.com. _____________________________________________________________________
LEN ZIEHM 52 year golf media member and 2019 inductee into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, along with golf reporter and journalist RORY SPEARS, have created the most complete weekly Chicago area and beyond podcast with all the news golfers can use.
CLICK HERE to hear ZIEHM & SPEARS Podcast Series 2020-Volume 30.
This week Len and Rory discuss this weeks KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at former BMW Championship site Aronimink. The LPGA under the lights in Dubai.
The trouble at the Golf Chanel continues to grow and where the studios should be moving to, instead of the Northeast location where they are moving to.
The new hot Stay and Play destination historic Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio.
The Illinois PGA race to the wire for the 2020 Player of the Year Award.
The new equipment roll-out by Batavia based Tour Edge Golf, and what Tour Edge might consider doing on the PGA Champions Tour in the years ahead.
Titleist is improving it’s Pro V1 and ProV1x golf balls, the tour pro’s have them, and what this means big picture as the golf ball gets better and goes further.
What if the 2021 PGA Merchandise Show doesn’t happen, and the quick turn around at Augusta National in preparation for the delayed 2020 Masters Tournament.
All this and a little more. Listen in for Chicago’s most complete weekly golf report. Thanks for listening-Len & Rory.
THE FIRESTONE COUNTRY CLUB in Akron Ohio. Stay and Plays are now available. Yes you can play all 54 holes on the clubs three golf courses. Play where the pro’s play. ______________________________________________________________________
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 West Course at Firestone Country Club in Akron OH. Wearing the new Sqariz Golf Shoes.
GOLF is ROLLING.
As the fall arrives golf is rolling on, and rounds of golf played are still up.
Equipment sales are doing pretty well too.
I love these recent stories about how the pandemic saved golf. Saved golf ?
Golf didn’t need saving, but it got a booster shot or a vaccine from the pandemic, after the pandemic almost killed golf in the spring. Especially here in Illinois where it became evident quickly, that nobody on the Governors staff, not only didn’t play golf, but really didn’t know anything about the sport of golf either.
The golf business got an unexpected boost about June from the pandemic that has carried on into the fall, lets hope it continues into next year and beyond.
Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio, and famed water tower.
FIRESTONE COUNTRY CLUB in Akron Ohio is offering a public “stay and play” package deal right now.
There is still some time to take advantage of this special deal in 2020. But if you can’t make it this year, it will be here next year as well.
I just returned from 4 days there, and this historic golf property is better than ever and improving, as it nears it’s 100th birthday in 1929.
DID YOU KNOW Firestone has three golf courses. Everyone knows about the North and South Courses, but the West Course is still a bit of a secret. Currently the West Course will have the name Fazio Course added to it, as the (Tom) Fazio group is currently working on a bunker renovation, and some drainage improvements.
If you want to play at one of America’s most historic golf venues, Firestone Country Club, you now can. Three courses, 54 holes, excellent hospitality. No casino, no spa, no tennis or horseback riding. It’s all about the golf, plenty more coming up on Firestone later this week right here. So do stay clicked in.
SQARIZ GOLF SHOES… I just wore them in a round of golf for the first time. I’ll have my review on the shoe that claims better traction than any other golf shoe on the market coming up.
The new Tour Edge E521 Driver release is coming. Put one in your bag come November.
The TOUR EDGE rollout of new clubs I have hinted at is coming out this week.
The E521 or C521 drivers have now been announced. These clubs are game changers for players who need more distance, and need to get the ball in the air a little bit higher.
More product from Batavia based Tour Edge Golf is coming out in the next week.
My exclusive interview with Tour Edge VP of Marketing Jon Claffey will come out this week. Need irons, fairway woods, hybrids and more. Stay with us.
CONGRATS to White Eagle Director of Golf Curtis Malm for winning the Illinois PGA Players Championship at Conway Farms. For Malm who has previously won one Illinois Open and the IPGA Match Play three times, this win leaves him only an IPGA Section title short of the career Grand Slam.
THE GOLF CHANNEL is shut down in Florida. Apparently a neighboring company Lockheed-Martin, an aerospace company that has plenty of government contracts, has done testing that has left contaminated particles in the air that can affect people who breathe it in. As a result the building is pretty much off limits for most employees. Which was the case to begin with because of Covid-19, now even more so. Golf Channel is facing an employee class-action lawsuit on this matter for dangerous working conditions. According to reports, it’s the third lawsuit TGC is currently facing. I’m not a supporter of TGC’s move up to the Northeast, but now it’s obvious their current location needs to go for safety reasons.
Len Ziehm and I will return with the 30th edition of our podcast series later in the week, so do listen in. Len always does have a lot to say. RS.
WELCOME TO PGA VILLAGE IN PORT. ST. LUCIE FLORIDA-Ryder Cup Course 12th. ______________________________________________________________________
