WELCOME TO THE NEW PRESERVE at Oak Meadows Clubhouse, that’s in it’s final stages of getting ready to open. Learn more about when it could open DuPagegolf.com. ______________________________________________________________________

LEN ZIEHM and RORY SPEARS in the PGA Village studio, in Port. St. Lucie Florida.

ZIEHM & SPEARS is back for another week.

So you can catch all the Chicago area and beyond golf news. Because this is the most complete Chicago area golf podcast.

But since this is PGA Championship Week from the Ocean Course at the Kiawah Island Resort, Len and Rory talk some PGA and golf in South Carolina.

So there are more scheduling conflicts again this summer, Len and Rory discuss that and the passing of architect Arthur Hills. Hills work in the Chicago area includes the Stonewall Orchard Golf Club, Bolingbrook Golf Club, Chicago Highlands, The Ivanhoe Club, and renovations at both Ruth Lake and Naperville Country Club.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE what’s happening in college golf, and who is advancing to the NCAA Championships and who isn’t. The Evans Scholars Invitational returns to the Glen Club next week.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THIS WEEKS EDITION of the Ziehm & Spears podcast. Podcast Series 2021-Volume 16.

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S Open returns, check out the new dates. With that… Thanks for listening Len and Rory.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS CLUBHOUSE is taking shape, and moving closer to opening day this summer. (L) the north end view looking into the pro shop, (R) and the back patio for outdoor dining, golf course viewing and relaxing. Follow the progress of the new clubhouse by visiting DuPageGolf.com. But don’t forget that the DuPage Golf program includes both Maple Meadows and the Green Meadows courses  _____________________________________________________________________

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

The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB has announced the return of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, on July 6th and 7th.

Because of the championship being played over 2 days, 36 holes will be played on Tuesday. After which the cut will be made.

Which will reduce the field for Wednesday’s final round, to approximately the low 40 percent of the field and ties.

Jessica Porvasnik who won in 2019, is the defending champion. Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray who was second in 2019, will return attempting to become the second player to win the championship three times. Jeray previously won the title in 1998 and 2003. Kerry Postillion is the only three time champion of the Illinois Women’s Open. Due to Covid-19, the championship was not played last year.

So entries are open to all female professionals, and all female amateurs age 17 or older. .But you need a current USGA handicap of 15.0 or less. But any player who does not meet eligibility requirements can write for an exemption to the tournament committee.

So send inquires to [email protected]. This years entry fee is $300.00.

But for details or rules regarding practice rounds, tee times, purse, dress code, caddies and use of carts, please visit mistwoodgc.com. Then visit the Illinois Women’s Open championship page. But you can also call the Mistwood golf club at (815)-254-3333.

THE PRESERVE at Oak Meadows in Addison is now getting ready to open it’s new clubhouse. For details follow DuPageGolf.com and learn more about Maple Meadows Golf Course, and the 9-Hole Green Meadows Course. Play all 45 holes of DuPage Golf. _____________________________________________________________________

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

The Big Ten Champions advance to the NCAA Nationals with a second place finish at regionals.

ILLINOIS IS MOVING ON !

The Illinois men’s golf team is headed back to the NCAA National Championships for the 13th straight year. Only the University of Texas has a longer streak at 14 years.

So where to next for the Fighting Illini. Scottsdale Arizona, and the Grayhawk Golf Club, where the national championship will be held on the clubs Raptor golf course.

“This team has matured and has improved in many ways through out the spring,” head coach Mike Small said. “They’ve had very consistent finishes, but to play this field, on this golf course, and persevere through the expectations of a regional qualifying tournament makes me proud. I’m proud of the maturity, and I’m proud of how they took care of business.”

Illinois had strong leadership from it’s All-Big Ten players. Starting with Fifth-year senior Michael Feagles, junior Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and sophomore Jerry Ji, all three collected top eight finishes.

But the Illini had to work through some weather delays that hampered play at times. But in the end, even the weather could not slow down the Illini.

“This was another total team effort. Everybody contributed. But those three guys, all finishing in the top eight, in this field is really hard,” said Small. “There were a lot of good teams here-some good teams did not advance, which can happen-but to have our leaders step up and play well, on top of that total team effort, was big.”

Feagles and Dumont de Chassart finished tied for third, with a 54 hole hole total of 211 (-5). But Ji wasn’t far behind, with a score of 213 (-3) and he finished in eighth place.

So moving on from Stillwater to Scottsdale along with the Illini include, No.4 Oklahoma State who won the regional. No. 21 SMU, No.49 Sam Houston State, and unranked Arkansas-Little Rock. Little Rock advanced by 1 shot over 15th ranked Auburn, and 39th ranked Baylor by 1 shot.

NCAA Nationals are from May 28th through June 2nd.

But the rest of the news from the Big Ten wasn’t as good. Northwestern failed to advance from Oklahoma. Indiana and Ohio State failed to advance from the Florida Regional, Ohio State missed by 2 shots. Iowa did not advance from the Washington regional. Purdue’s Cole Bradley won the Indiana regional as an individual. So he gets to play at nationals. Loyola and Notre Dame, also failed to advance to nationals.

BUT THREE BIG TEN WOMEN’S programs advanced to nationals. Maryland, Michigan and Michigan State. Northwestern did not advance from the Stanford regional.

NEW BAG STAND-NEW STARTER SHACK-NEW CLUBHOUSE The Preserve at Oak Meadows where a new clubhouse opens this summer. Learn more at DuPageGolf.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/Instagram.

THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE of the renovation of the newly renamed, Atkins course at the University of Illinois is underway. Wadsworth Golf Construction Company that built the golf course over 20 years ago, is back for the renovation.

But this golf course formerly known as Stone Creek Golf Club, will have more than just a new name. Because there will be improvements to the tee boxes, bunkers, greens, tree removal that added over 400 yards. Inside the clubhouse is seeing new improvements as well.

The University of Illinois has named architect Drew Rogers to lead the renovation team, with Troon Golf for operations management.

“Drew has spent many months working on the scope of renovation, while consulting with the Illini staff to create a championship-caliber golf course,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Golf Operations Jackie Szymoniak. “His extensive architectural body of work includes new designs, renovations and restorations across the country. He will provide a great test for future events. At the same time, Rogers was able to build on already great design, to strengthen the overall experience for the general public.”

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE Rogers will have is the bunkers. Because some will be re-designed, removed, and some new ones added along with new premium sand. So with the removal of some tees and tee relocations, over 400 yards in length was added.

But the course will not fully open for play until 2022. Because of other gifts to the Atkins Club by donors, there will be improvements to the pro shop and team lounge areas. The lounges are for both the men’s and women’s golf teams.

But while there was originally 104 home lots around the course for sale. 25 of those lots have been sold-four area relators are handling the sales of the remaining lots. More details at Build at Stone Creek.

FOLLOW THE Illini Men’s golf team this week at the NCAA regionals in Stillwater Oklahoma.

THE PRESERVE at Oak Meadows is taking shape off the golf course. Because the new clubhouse is taking shape and will open this summer. Learn more at DuPageGolf.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 or Instagram. on the 14th hole of the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.

IT’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK at the Kiawah Island Resort, in or near Charleston South Carolina.

So if your looking for exciting golf, this week should be it.

Because the Ocean Course is one of the most challenging courses, that the late Pete Dye ever built.

So just when the pro’s will have it figured out, the wind could change, and everything will play different. But while this is not the Open Championship, it could play like one with the Atlantic Ocean wind blowing across the golf course. So hang on to your hats everyone, this will be a fun week to watch golf.

WHAT WE DO KNOW ABOUT KIAWAH-Team USA won an exciting Ryder Cup here in 1991, it came down to a missed putt by Europe’s Bernhard Langer on 18 for the USA to win. But in 2012 Rory McIlroy won his first of two PGA Championships here.

FORMER ILLINOIS PGA SECTION PROFESSIONAL Roger Warren is Kiawah’s resort president. Warren had stints at both Village Links in Glen Ellyn and at Seven Bridges in Woodridge, before heading out to South Carolina. Roger was a guest on Golfers on Golf radio last Saturday. Catch the replay on WCPT820.com or on the cloud at Souncloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk.

The 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island on the Ocean Course.

KIAWAH CAN BE cold and windy. But of course when I was there about 5 years ago in January, that’s what happened.

But this professionals won’t have to worry about the temps going from 78 at night, down to 42 the next morning. 42 it was on the tenth tee where I started, 37 on the 9th green where I finished.

IT WAS a good thing Mike Warren, my caddie had me start on 10. Because by doing so, I avoided the other two groups on the course. AND got to play the last seven holes with a tail wind. 3 hours and 5 minutes later I was done, and proud of my score of 86. Did I mention the wind was howling too.

GREAT NEWS is that Kiawah actually has five golf courses. So when you go to play where the pro’s play, you can play all five courses, and they are good ones. For more details see Kiawahresort.com.

IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME to see Rory McIlroy win again. OR my pick in a fantasy golf league I’m in-Jon Rahm to take home the Wanamaker. Either way this should be a great week of golf.

BUT THE GREAT WEEK starts today. NCAA Regionals are underway, and Illinois is off to a great start in Oklahoma. Fingers crossed for the Illini trying to make it to nationals again. Which would make it 13 straight years.

THE PGA of AMERICA and REED EXPOSITIONS have announced the return of the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando for January 25th through 28th in 2022. Because after skipping year it will be great to have the show back.

IT’S WARMING UP here, so enjoy the show from South Carolina when your not out on the golf course. Go Illini-Go NU. RS

THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS-Welcome to the new starter shack on 1 (L), enjoy the convenience of a new bag drop (R) Learn about all 45 DPG holes-DuPageGolf.com  ______________________________________________________________________

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

THE CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION (CDGA) is back tomorrow with the return of it’s 6th CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship May 17-19 at the Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe.

The Mid-Amateur tee’s off the 108th season of tournament golf for the CDGA. But a field of 80 amateurs, 25 years of age or older are ready to return to Lake Shore CC, for the first time in five years. But on Monday morning the field gets it’s only chance at stroke play, before the top 16 advance to match play on Monday afternoon.

Because the Quarterfinals, and then Semifinals take place on Tuesday, with the Championship Match played on Wednesday morning. The field was open to CDGA members age 25 or older, with a handicap index of 7.4 or below. There was more than 340 golfers who signed up for the event. But four qualifiers were held to trim the field to 80 players.

Because the event was cancelled last year because of the pandemic, this is the first championship since 2019 when Jake Erickson defeated Zach Jecklin 3 & 2 at Northmoor CC. But two-time champion John Ehrgott is also in the field. The CDGA will set up Lake Shore CC at 6,775 yards and to a par of 71 for the championship.

TOP GOLF is running it’s 9 Shot-Challenge event, presented by the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. But you must play by May 23rd, to have a chance to win tickets to the 2022 PGA championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa Oklahoma. So head out to Topgolf, of a facility with Toptracer range. So learn more at Topgolf.com.

TOPGOLF PART 2 Topgolf has announced that a new Topgolf to serve the Greater Baltimore Area is ready to begin construction. But the venue will not open until 2022. More details at Topgolf.com.

LINKS CAPITAL ADVISORS and Chris Charnas have announced the sale of Baneberry Golf Resort in Baneberry Tennessee. For information on buying or selling of golf properties contact Chris at (312)-543-7192.

V1 SPORTS has added to it’s product team. 30 year industry veteran Chris McGinley returns as Chief Revenue Officer and Michael Boumansour is the new Director of Software Engineering.

McGinley spent 21 years at Titleist and Boumansour spent time with Warner Music and the New York Times. So learn more at V1Sports.com.

The island green at Bolingbrook Golf Club

BOLINGBROOK GOLF CLUB and KEMPERSPORTS are proud to welcome the Forme Tour to the Bolingbrook Golf Club from July 20-23. The championship brings 150 up-and-coming players of this newly created mini-tour to Bolingbrook.

This tournament is one of the 8 tournaments on the tour this summer that runs from June to September. This tour was created to help Canadian Tour players have a place to play, due to 2020 pandemic cancellations.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT tickets or volunteering by visiting PGATour.com/Canada or visit the Bolingbrook Golf Club’s website.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-returns tomorrow. RS

  ALTWELL PRODUCTS health and wellness-learn more here in the days ahead. Play golf with DuPage Golf starting at the Preserve at Oak Meadows. See DuPageGolf.com  _____________________________________________________________________

  GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO AM 820 WCPT today at 4 pm. Today Rory Spears and Bill Berger bring you all the golf news from Chicago and beyond. Or watch us on Facebook.

IT’S WEEK 5 for Golfers on Golf Radio Am 820 WCPT. Today Rory Spears and Bill Berger bring you the golf news including a preview of this weeks PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in South Carolina. Ed Stevenson has the week off.

This week former Hersey High School and Indiana University Golf team member Brad Marek joins us from Kiawah Island. Marek earned a spot in this weeks PGA by earning one of the top 20 places at the recent club pro championship, at the PGA Golf Club.

So then following Marek will be Kiawah Island Resort President Roger Warren, formerly of Seven Bridges Golf Club here in Woodridge.

But there is more. Here from the Daily Herald’s Len Ziehm, and Illinois PGA Professional Jim Billiter. Billiter the new head professional at the Ivanhoe Club, was this past weeks winner in the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship at Bull Valley GC.

Hear the show on WCPT AM 820-listen online or on your phone through the Tune-In Radio APP search WCPT820.com. If you miss the show, you do get a mulligan before hitting the cloud. See Soundcloud.com/ChicagosProgressiveTalk.

We are almost on the tee-so join us. Bill, Ed Rory and Len.

DUPAGE GOLF with the courses to choose from. The new clubhouse at the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison could open in late June-follow the plans at DuPageGolf.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

SPEARS & ZIEHM in PGA Village in Port St. Lucie Florida.

ZIEHM & SPEARS PODCAST SERIES 2021-Volume 16.

SO WE ARE BACK !.

Veteran golf journalist Len Ziehm now of the Daily Herald, and inductee to the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, joins another Illinois veteran golf media member, Rory Spears to cover what’s golf news in Illinois and beyond every week.

Catch the podcasts right here at Golfersongolf.com and on LenZiehmonGolf.com. Go directly to the website, or follow the social media links.

You can hear from Len and Rory every Saturday on Golfers on Golf Radio at 4 Pm (for now) on Am 820 WCPT or listen live on WCPT.com or watch us on the WCPT Facebook page.

THIS WEEK Len and Rory talk the WGA Evans Scholars Invitational and the changes on the Korn Ferry Tour. The sad passing’s of two members of the local golf community.

But more golf news includes the return of the PGA Merchandise Show in January of 2022. Possible prices increases in-store for golf equipment. BIOLYTE Energy drinks, the sale of TaylorMade Golf. Former Arlington Heights golfer and Hersey High School standout Brad Marek makes the field at the PGA Championship at Kiawah.

All this and more.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR ZIEHM & SPEARS Podcast Series 2021-Volume 16.

Thanks for listening, Len & Rory.

THE NEW CLUB HOUSE AT THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS in Addison, will open this summer. So for more information see DuPagegolf.com #MapleMeadows #GreenMeadows Golfers on Golf will start posting more clubhouse pictures shortly.         ____________________________________________________________________

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

Ivanhoe Club head golf professional Jim Billiter with the Illinois PGA Match Play Trophy at Bull Valley Golf Club. Photo by Nick Novelli.

HE DID IT AGAIN.

But there was also a, he almost did it again.

FOR IVANHOE Club head golf professional Jim Billiter he did it again. Because for the third time in six years, Jim Billiter is the Illinois PGA Match Play Champion.

For Billiter it is his fourth career illinois PGA Section major championship. His third match play championship win (2015-2017-2021).

Billiter has one win in the Illinois PGA Section Championship. But Billiter has one-eye on that championship later this summer, because it’s at his new home in 2021 the Ivanhoe Club.

But major win number 4 didn’t come easy for Billiter. Because Skokie Country Club teaching professional Garrett Chaussard was back in the match play finals for his fourth straight year, looking for win number three.

IN 2017 Billiter then, the new head golf professional at Kemper Lakes won the title on his new home course. But in 2018 and 2019, it was Chaussard who came to Kemper lakes and walked away with the trophy.

The pandemic forced the 2020 match play championship to Elgin Country Club, where Elgin head golf professional Jonathan Duppler beat Chaussard in the finals on his home course.

So with Chaussard back in the finals, he was determined this time to get his third title. In last years finals Chaussard fell behind Duppler early, and spent the entire match trying to catch-up. But he never did.

So Chaussard came out this time making steady early pars, with a birdie thrown in. Before long Chaussard was 4 Up after 7 holes. On the par 4, 8th hole Chaussard hit his approach shot into 2-feet, and was looking at easy birdie. Going down 5 holes with 10 holes to play was something Billiter said later he couldn’t afford.

CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with 2021 IPGA Match Play Champion Jim Billiter of the Ivanhoe Club.

Billiter saved the match by hitting his approach shot to 2 feet, and matched Chaussard’s birdie, but he remained 4 Down.

Then Billiter got hot, a birdie on the 9th hole, followed by a 30 foot birdie putt on the tenth hole. Suddenly Chaussard’s lead was reduced to 2 Up. Billiter closed out a run of six birdies in ten holes on the par 5, 17th hole. At that point he also closed out Chaussard 2 & 1.

Billiter defeated David Paeglow of Kishwaukee in the semi-finals, while Chaussard edges Medinah teaching professional Travis John’s in the other semi-final. The next IPGA major championship is the Illinois Open at Stonebridge Country Club in early August. For more details see IPGA.com

THE Patriot Education Fund-serving Illinois Veterans.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook-currently all friended out at 5000.

But there are options for Instagram or LinkedIn.

THE PATRIOT EDUCATION FUND has announced with deep regret, that they must cancel this years Patriot Education Fund Classic for the second year in-a-row.

Because logistical difficulties stemming from Covid-19, are prohibiting the outing, one of the best ones in Chicago from being the experience supporters have appreciated over the years.

But while the board is disappointed in having to cancel the June 1st outing. They are glad there is a way to provide a to donate to the foundation. Because there have been about 100 scholars apply for aid in 2021. So they need for help continues.

More information can be found at [email protected]