THE NEW Clubhouse at the Preserve at Oak Meadows inches closer to the opening day. Follow all the updates at DuPageGolf.com. But the golf course is open for play.       ____________________________________________________________________

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

Michael Thorbjornsen is the 119th Western Amateur Champion.

(Reporting from The Glenview Club)

The golf is over and the wedding party is now here to start the evening. But for Stanford golfer Michael Thorbjornsen the party is just beginning.

Because in his first Western Amateur appearance Thorbjornsen, won both the stroke play and match play parts of the championship. Not many players have done that in the 119 year history of the event. Even winners like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods could not pull off that feat (Norman Xiong did it last in 2017 at Skokie Country Club). But in addition, Thorbjornsen shot a course record 62 during Wednesday’s second round.

Michael Thorbjornsen hit’s his opening drive in the championship match, on way to winning the 119th Western Amateur.

Thorbjornsen started the final day with a 2 Up win in the semi-finals over Austin Greaser. Before moving on to play Gordon Sargent in the championship match.

Sargent who just graduated high school and will attend Vanderbilt University this fall, eliminated defending champion Pierceson Coody with a 1 Up score.

But for Sargent, that win might be the win he needed to earn enough World Amateur ranking points, to qualify for the U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in two weeks.

But the loss to Thorbjornsen leaves Sargent with his fingers crossed that he will hear from the USGA by Wednesday with an invite to the Pittsburgh area. Because both players are young enough and not likely to turn professional next spring, it’s likely they will both return for next years Western Amateur at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

Gordon Sargent hits his opening drive in the championship match of the 119th Western Amateur.

Thorbjornsen started out by winning the second hole to go 1 Up. But that lead was gone one hole later, and the match was All-Square after three holes.

But that seemed to ignite Thorbjornsen who won the next three holes. Taking a 3 Up lead he would never lose.

But Sargent did mount a charge by winning both the ninth and tenth holes, to close the margin to 1 Dn. But no sooner did it look like things were about to change to Sargent’s favor, the momentum swung back to Thorbjornsen who won holes 11, 12, and 13 to take a 4 Up lead with five holes to play. After both players each halved the next two holes, the match closed out as a 4 & 3 win for Thorbjornsen.

CLICK HERE to hear the championship interviews from finalists in order Michael Thorbjornsen and Gordon Sargent.

Semi-finalists Greaser and Coody are both qualified into the field for the U.S. Amateur.

Thorbjornsen for winning, was awarded an exemption into the 2022 Evans Scholars Invitational. Thorbjornsen said he would accept the exemption, if he wasn’t still playing in the NCAA Championships with Stanford.

Next on the tee for the Western Golf Association is the BMW Championship, from August 23-29, at Caves Valley Golf Club in Ownings Mill Maryland.

THE 2021 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mill Maryland (outside of Baltimore). See more at BMWChampionship.com #Playoffs            _____________________________________________________________________

The historic and over 125 years old log cabin between the 16th and 17 holes at The Glen View Club. Serving as home of the 119th Western Amateur.

Reporting from The Glen View Club.

AND THEN WERE FOUR…

The final-four as many will call them.

But the 119th Western Amateur is winding to a close, at the place where it all started a long time ago. The historic Glenview Club.

Michael Thorbjornsen, Austin Greaser, Gordon Sargent and defending champion Pierceson Coody still get one more day of golf around the famed track of golf that started the Western Amateur over 120 years ago.

As the players will tell you, the architects that built this course did a great job. Because it’s stood the test of time for over 100 years, and still has enough defenses to also stand up to todays technology.

When Friday morning began, there was sixteen players all ready for match play. After another full day of golf for eight players, four of them might need yet another 36 holes or more, to take home the trophy.

But whether it was the morning matches or the afternoon quarterfinals, there was plenty of excitement for everybody to enjoy. Some wild tee shots, blasts from the bunkers, putts that did all sorts running around the greens. The fans that did attend got to see some really great golf.

But more great golf is off the tee at 8 Am and 8:12 Am tomorrow morning. So meet the final four.

Western Amateur Golf Tournament at Crooked Stick GC. Photo courtesy of WGA-Charles Cherney.

Whether he is the favorite or not, defending champion Pierceson Coody is back in the final four.

Coody calls The Glenview Club much different than the Pete Due designed Crooked Stick where he won last year.

Coody did not have an easy route to Saturday mornings semi-final. It took a late rally by Coody to defeat Luke Potter in 20 holes, in the afternoons quarterfinal. One-down on 18, Coody hit the fairway after holing an incredible putt on the 17th green that broke 7-8 feet. But Potter’s drive found the high weeds near the creek, and had to re-tee.

With that mistake-the match went to extra holes, two of them. Because Coody hit the par 3, second green with his tee shot and Potter missed the green. it was all over when Potter could not get up and down to save par.

Michael Thorbjornson putts on 17 in his match vs Ricky Castillo.

Thorbjornsen entered the match play after being the medalist in the stroke play.

He also entered the Western Amateur after winning the state amateur in his home state of Massachusetts.

Thorbjornson won an epic battle with Ricky Castillo to make the semi-finals, that ended on the 18th green. Because Castillo made a 20 foot birdie on the 17th hole to keep the match alive. Then Thorbjornsen lagged up a 20 foot zig-zag putt for the win.

Gordon Sargent of Birmingham Alabama. Photo courtesy of WGA.

Sargent advanced to the semi-finals with a 4 & 2 win, over his friend David Ford.

Sargent unlike the other three finalists, really needs a strong finish at the Western Amateur if he expects to make the U.S. Amateur at Oakmont in two weeks.

Sargent is hoping to earn one of five spots in the field, that the USGA holds back, and then awards to the top 5 players in the amateur golf point system. But Sargent feels it might take yet another win on Saturday to earn one of those five coveted places at Oakmont.

Austin Greaser of Vandalia Ohio.

Greaser survived a hard-fought match with Brian Stark, winning 2 & 1.

It took a birdie on the 17th hole, coupled with one on the 14th hole, for Greaser to take the lead and finally win the match.

Greaser credited Stark for not making the match easy on him. Greaser lives the Dayton Ohio area, and has grown up playing golf with Marissa Wenzler, who won the Women’s Western Amateur Championship last week at Park Ridge Country Club.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR interviews with in order Michael Thorbjornson, Gordon Sargent, Austin Greaser, and Pierceson Coody.

Tomorrow semi-final matches start at 8:00 Am with Thorbjornsen and Greaser. 8:12 Am is Sargent and Coody. The championship match should begin around 12:45, or earlier if both players agree to moving up the tee time.

The Western Amateur is being streamed on the Golf Channel network. Details at WGAESF.org.

  ALTWELL PRODUCTS for healthy mind and healthy body for golf. See Altwell.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 and Facebook.

Marissa Wenzler of Dayton Ohio is the winner of the 121st Women’s Western Amateur Championship at Park Ridge Country Club.

THE PUTT LOOKED GOOD. But then it hit the hole and just lipped out.

So stunned, it took a moment before it sunk in to 20 year-old Marissa Wenzler of Dayton Ohio, that she had just won the 121st Women’s Western Amateur at historic Park Ridge Country Club.

Moments earlier Wenzler drained her 6-7 foot putt on the second sudden-death playoff hole for par. So now it was time for 19 year old Maddison Hinson-Tolchard of Perth Australia to match Wenzler and force a third playoff hole.

Welcome to Park Ridge Country Club-Est. 1906.

There was no reason to think Hinson-Tolchard would miss that just under six foot putt. After all, since she fell 3 down after seven holes, she had made almost every putt on the following holes.

Because she converted a long 30 footer on the 8th hole, was the only reason Hinson-Tolchard wasn’t 4 down after eight holes. But then her luck started to change, in spite of the fact that Wenzler was driving past Hinson-Tolchard anywhere from 15-25 yards on every hole.

Maddison Hinson-Tolchard putts on the 18th green.

Hinson-Tolchard won the par 3, 9th hole after Wenzler missed the green and could not get up and down.

Then things got interesting when she won the tenth hole, reducing Wenzler’s lead to 1 Up.

When Wenzler failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker on 13, the match was all-square. But both players missed the green on the par 3, 14th hole coming up short on tee shots playing into an increasing wind. Wenzler chipped to 6 feet past the hole. Hinson-Tolchard putted from off the green coming up 10 feet under hole. Wenzler made her putt after Hinson-Tolchard missed, and the member of the University of Kentucky women’s golf team was back on top with a 1 Up lead.

Marissa Wenzler hits her drive on the 16th hole.

Wenzler made it 2 Up on the par 5, 15th hole, when she got home in two shots, and converted her eagle putt from 10 feet.

Being two down with three holes to play, fired up Hinson-Tolchard who put her approach to 20 feet on the par 4, 16th. When Wenzler missed the green, and her chip was long past the hole. Hinson-Tolchard’s short par putt was conceded for the win.

Both players hit the par 3, 17th green. Wenzler putted first from 35 feet and left her pin-high birdie putt less than a foot under the hole. Hinson-Tolchard calmly rolled a downhill 25 footer in for a birdie two, and suddenly the member of the Oklahoma State Cowgirls golf team found herself all-square on the 18th tee box.

But after both players made par on the 18th hole, extra holes were needed and the sudden death playoff was on. The Park Ridge members that were ready to tee off, moved off the first tee box, and jumped in their carts to follow the match down the first and eventually second fairways.

Because Wenzler pulled her drive into the tree’s, Hinson had an early advantage. But she gave it back, when she failed to two-putt from over 60 feet and over a ridge. So the second playoff hole saw Wenzler hit the fairway, and Hinson-Tolchard in the right rough.

But Hinson-Tolchard found the back left corner of the green on her approach, with Wenzler just short of the front fringe. Both players then left themselves about 6 feet for par. Wenzler putting first rolled it dead-center into the cup. But Hinson-Tolchard’s putt hit the hole, and decided to stay out. Tearful emotions then poured out of both players on the second green, before heading back to the clubhouse.

CLICK HERE to hear post match interviews with Marissa Wenzler and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard.

With the win, Wenzler will have her name inscribed on the W.A. Alexander Cup, alongside other past champions like Nancy Lopez, Beth Daniel, Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lang. Both Wenzler and Hinson-Tolchard are now headed to New York to play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Westchester Country Club.

For more information the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) and it’s championships, please visit wwga.org.

  GIANTS RIDGE in Biwabik Minnesota- Golf the #1 Public Course in the Land of 10,000 Lakes-The Quarry Course. So learn more at GiantsRidge.com/golf THE Scoreboard is up and ready, as the new clubhouse at the Preserve at Oak Meadows gets closer to opening. Follow DuPagegolf.com for details on what’s now happening at The Preserve.  ______________________________________________________________________

Rory Spears and Ed Stevenson host this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM 820.

WEEK 15 of Golfers on Golf Radio is here, with hosts Ed Stevenson and Rory Spears.

Tee time is 4 Pm on WCPT AM 820. You can listen on the radio, or live on line at WCPT820.com.

But you have other options. You can watch the show online at WCPT820.com/facebook.

So if your out on the golf course, and you have your phone, try the Tune-In Radio APP, search WCPT820. But if you need a mulligan. Because for some reason you have missed the show, try SoundCloud.com and scroll to ChicagosProgressivetalk for the podcast replay edition.

THIS WEEK Ed and Rory will talk with Towel Tag Founder Craig Holub. But then they preview next weeks upcoming Western Amateur at The Glen View Club. With WGA Western Amateur Championship Director Steve Prioletti.

You will also hear from Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Len Ziehm and Women’s Western Amateur Champion Marissa Wenzler from Dayton Ohio.

So tune in at 4 Pm on WCPT Am 820, and catch Chicago’s longest running golf show (31 years) and only national award winning radio show-Golfers on Golf Radio.

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

  THE FRENCH LICK RESORT-The Hotels, Spa, Casino and golf courses are now open. So visit FrenchLick.com. STEVE KASHUL hosts The Golf Scene, this Sunday night at 6:30 PM on NBC Sports Chicago. For a full schedule of shows-see your local listings.    _____________________________________________________________________

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

Marissa Wenzler of Dayton Ohio. The medalist at the 121st Women’s Western Amateur Championship at Park Ridge Country Club.

IT’S DOWN TO TWO!

Only two players remain, of the 120 player field, that started the 121st Women’s Western Amateur Championship at Park Ridge Country Club on Tuesday.

So at 7:30 Am tomorrow morning, on the tee from Dayton Ohio, is medalist 20 year old Marissa Wenzler, and a member of the University of Kentucky women’s golf team.

Her opponent is 19 year old Maddison Hinson-Tolchard of Perth Australia. Hinson-Tolchard helped Oklahoma State to second place finish two months ago at the NCAA National Championships.

Because the championship match is only 18 holes. It could be over sooner than that. So get to Park Ridge Country Club early tomorrow if you would like to watch.

But while Wenzler was the stroke play medalist, she had to over-come a 2 down score after two holes. In her semi-final match against Virginia-Sophomore Jennifer Cleary.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR interviews with Marissa Wenzler and Sarah Arnold after their Round of 32 match in the WWGA Amateur.

Wenzler started the match play strong with a 5 & 4 win over Sarah Arnold from St. Charles. Arnold was the only one of 13 women from Illinois to make the 32 player match play part of the championship.

But Arnold had to survive a 5 hole playoff on Tuesday night, that lasted almost until darkness. She then had 11 hours to be back on the tee against Wenzler. But Arnold said after her match with Wenzler, that she did not drive the ball very well.

Wenzler said there was some “Bluegrass Kentucky pride” at stake in the match. Wenzler playing her college golf at Kentucky, with Arnold on the Western Kentucky University team.

Hinson-Tolchard needed two birdie putts of 25 feet and 40 feet on holes 12 and 14, to win her semi-final match over Sifat Sagoo of New Delhi India.

The winner will add her name added on the trophy alongside great past champions that include, Christie Kerr, Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn.

STEVE KASHUL HOST’S THE GOLF SCENE on NBC Sports Chicago returning with a new episode this Sunday night. So check local listings for this weeks shows. FRENCH LICK Resort is back with it’s hotels, spa, casino’s & golf courses open. FrenchLick.com  _____________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF has heard that the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be held at the NCR Country Club near Dayton Ohio. But watch for a formal announcement that will be coming out during this week by the USGA, at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Len Ziehm (L) and Rory Spears (R) bring you Ziehm and Spears Podcast series 2021. Chicago’s most complete weekly news update.

ZIEHM & SPEARS

Back at it again, this week with Podcast series 2021-Volume 24.

But due to all the tournament action in town this week, much of Len’s and Rory’s focus is on the Women’s Western Golf Associations (WWGA) National Amateur championship at the Park Ridge Country Club.

But there is also the Illinois State Amateur Championship being held at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

So are you ready for more. Because Yes! there are three tournaments in town this week.

The Forme Tour is here, and is being played at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

ON THE architecture front Len and Rory recap some of the news that is coming up in a at length interview with Ray Hearn on his work at Mistwood Golf Club, Flossmoor Golf Club and now Midlothian Country Club. but there is also some preview notes on next weeks Western Amateur at The Glen View Club.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR Ziehm & Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 24.

NEXT WEEK: Len and Rory will discuss the Western Amateur, and preview the 2021 Illinois Open. The 2021 Illinois Open will be played at the Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora.

So thanks for listening, Len & Rory.

GIANTS RIDGE RESORT in Northern Minnesota-home of the #1 rated public course in state, The Quarry Course and to #8 the Legend Course. See GiantsRidge.com/golf. So this week MISTWOOD Golf Club is home to the Illinois State Amateur. But by Friday Mistwood is back to hosting you. So go play one of Chicago’s top public courses, the Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Rd. in Romeoville. Mistwoodgc.com or (815)-254-3333. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook or LinkedIn. On the Quarry Course at Giants Ridge Resort in Biwabik Minnesota.

TRIPLE DUTY week.

Because normally us golf media types get upset when there are two tournaments in town the same week.

So this week, try three. Our friend Tim Cronin at the Illinois Golfer, says he has a column from Chicago golf writer Tommy Bartlett that goes back to the late 1950’s.

Where the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee was upset about two tournaments being played the same week. Bartlett wrote, it’s obvious our local golf organizations don’t talk with each other. So now over 60 years later, the problem has not gone away. I’ll be spread a little thin this week. But will visit the Women’s Western Amateur at Park Ridge Country Club. The Illinois State Amateur Championship at Mistwood Golf Club. Then finally the Forme Tour event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

DID I MENTION it’s golf season in Chicago!

COLLIN MORIKAWA wins the Claret Jug, and is now the Champion Golfer of the Year. A well done to Collin. When I spoke with Morikawa a few years back at the Western Amateur, you could tell then the way he carried himself, he would likely have a great future in professional golf.

FOR YOU GAMBLERS, a friend who works in the sports books of Las Vegas sent me some golf gambling sheets on golf back around March 1st. So for the record if you had bet Collin Morikawa to win the British Open/Championship back in early March. You could have had him at 40-1. Because all the early hot money was on Rory and DJ.

Louis Oosthuizen was at 50-1, Jon Rahm was 14-1, and former John Deere Classic champion Dylan Frittelli was at 200-1 and Jordan Spieth at 60-1. So let the record show, next year before major season starts, bet early and bet often if things change closer to championship week.

THIS WEEKS ILLINOIS STATE AMATEUR operated by the CDGA will take place at Mistwood. The format is 18 holes tomorrow, 18 on Wednesday and a 36-hole final on Thursday. For the championship Mistwood will play at 6,808 yards and to a par of 72. But the normal Mistwood routing will change. The back nine becomes the front nine. But the 4th hole will be the first hole, with the island green 3rd hole becoming #18. I hope you got that.

THE FIELD is 132 players, from the initial pool of 549 applicants, which is the most since 2017. Illinois residents with a handicap of 7.4 or below were eligible to sign up. 104 players advanced from qualifying, 28 player were exempt from past performances.

Players to watch include, defending champion Ethan Farnam who won at Cantigny in 2019 will return. Mac McClear who won three Illinois State high School titles at Hinsdale Central, and won the Big Ten Championship title this past May. Nick Tenuta who won the CDGA-AM at Bull Valley last month. Jordan Less of Elmhurst a two-time Low-Amateur at the Illinois Open who will turn professional shortly, and Tommy Kuhl a member of the University of Illinois golf team.

THE SAD PART of this event, it was late owner Jim McWethy’s dream to host this event at Mistwood. Unfortunately McWethy passed away last year and won’t be here to see the championship unfold. McWethy bought the club in 2003, and brought original architect Ray Hearn back to renovate the golf course. Golfers on Golf will meet with Hearn this week at Mistwood, to learn more about Hearn’s work at Mistwood and other projects.

THE WOMEN’S WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP will take place at the Park Ridge Country Club this week. It concludes on Saturday with a 18-hole match play championship match. Starting the week 13 women from Illinois are in the field. The Park Ridge Country Club is looking in the best condition for the championship, and coming out of an architect Greg Martin 2020 restoration of the golf course.

THE FOUR DAY FORME TOUR event at the Bolingbrook Golf Club is operated by Kemper Sports. The Forme tour is filling in for the Canadian PGA Tour that was not allowed to play in Canada this year, because of the pandemic. The tour will leave Illinois and head to Indiana for thee events starting next week. Among players in the field this week at Bolingbrook are Illinois alums Dylan Meyer and recent graduate Michael Feagles.

The Gog Blog will be back as much as possible in this crazy week ahead. RS

GIANTS RIDGE RESORT in Biwabik Minnesota. Home of the Quarry and the Legend golf courses, rated #1 & #8 public courses in Minnesota. So visit Giantsridge.com/golf.    _____________________________________________________________________

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 Facebook. AT the Quarry Course at Giants Ridge in Biwabik Minnesota.

THE GOG BLOG’S SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME-NEWS COLUMN is back. After a week off.

BECAUSE THERE was an internet issue for 24 hours, that kept me from posting. But that is not an issue today.

So I was going to post this morning. But decided to see the British Open come to a conclusion instead.

So congratulations to the “Champion Golfer of the Year” Collin Morikawa.

What an exciting final round round it was. Because the players could score a little, since there was not extremely windy conditions.

Len Ziehm enjoys a funny moment while in the WCPT 820 Am studio.

THE FOURTH MEMBER of Golfers on Golf Radio and Chicago’s Favorite Foursome, Len Ziehm has been back in Illinois.

But for the Ziehm Machine, it was the first time in four years he has been back to “The Eagle Ridge-Resort & Spa” in Galena.

During his most recent visit, Ziehm checked out the newly renovated General Clubhouse. Ziehm files a full report on the improvements under new owner Mark Klausner.

Because among the changes, are the reversing of the 9’s on the General. So check out LenZiehmongolf.com to see the latest travel post on Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena.

NEXT SATURDAY is Callaway Golf Fitting Day on the North Course Range from 11-3 at Eagle Ridge. Sign up today. EagleRidgeResort.com

The Golf Scene with Steve Kashul.

THE GOLF SCENE with host Steve Kashul is back for another edition on NBC Sports Chicago.

So showtimes are tonight at 6:30 Pm, tomorrow night Monday at 10 Pm. On Tuesday at 6 pm and this Wednesday at 10:30 Pm.

This edition includes features on White Tail Ridge GC in Yorkville. Woodbine Bend in Stockton. Golf instruction with Brendan Doyle, and a stop at the Sanctuary GC in New Lenox. Watch the Golf Scene with Steve Kashul on NBC Sports Chicago.

THE GREENBRIER RESORT in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia, has announced the addition of Dr. Breann Songer to it’s health care staff. Details at Greenbrier.com

THE UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS has announced that alums Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters will represent their native Belgium in the Olympic games in Tokyo later this month. Pieters just missed a medal in Rio during the 2016 games, finishing 4th.

MORE ON THE ILLINI-Michael Feagles, Adrien de Dumont Chassart have been named Second Team All-Americans, with Jerry Ji earning an Honorable Mention All-American status. Illini Coach Mike Small said,” these players anchored our team all year, and deserved to get this recognition.”

HEY BIG BOMBERS-next Saturday July 24th Foxford Hills in Cary is having a scramble for the big hitters. Because the course will play at it’s full length, close to 7,200 yards. See Foxfordhillsgolfclub.com for more information. $90.00 per player. Tee times start at 8:30-No Shotgun.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN has a new Women’s Assistant Coach, in Kristen Simpson, who comes over from North Carolina. Simpson had also coached at the University of Maryland. So joining Wisconsin is a return to the Big Ten for Simpson.

DALLAS BASED TOPGOLF has announced plans to expand into South America, including Bogota Columbia. See more at Topgolf.com.

AMERICA’S #1 Golf Internship-intern Patrick Koenig (41) has started his play by teeing off at Milwaukee Country Parks Golf Courses. He will play 50 courses in 50 days. Koenig a photographer will visit courses around Wisconsin over the two month period.

Koenig was selected along with Madison native Bobbi Stricker (Steve’s daughter) as the two interns to travel and play Wisconsin golf, to promote Wisconsin in Ryder Cup year. Sticker just won the Wisconsin State Women’s Amateur Championship, with her dad out watching (Steve Stricker skipped the British Open to attend). Both Koenig and Stricker can be followed on Twitter @patrickjkoenig and @bobbistrick.

MYRTLE BEACH GOLF TV

MYRTLE BEACH Tourism Solutions has created Myrtle Beach Golf TV, a streaming channel available on Roku and Amazon’s Firestick.

THIS FREE CHANNEL provides viewers with an in depth look at the Myrtle Beach Golf Scene.

So see more about the Charlie Rymer Golf Show or Golf Paige Spiranac enjoying the best Myrtle Beach has to offer. To subscribe search Myrtle Beach Golf TV on either a Roku or Amazon Firestick. So you can also get swing tips from Allen Terrell who helps Dustin Johnson. See more at GolfTourismSolutions.com.

MORE FROM MYRTLE BEACH-PINE LAKES COUNTRY CLUB has reopened following a 80-day restoration project. So now the oldest golf course in Myrtle Beach has reopened as of July 13th. Pine Lakes parent company, worked with Craig Schreiner at Pine Lakes CC (The Granddaddy). Restoration efforts included, restoring greens to the original size, adding more than 21,000 square feet of putting space.

BUT HERE IS MORE as all greenside bunkers were renovated, a state-of-the-art drainage system was added. The course opened for play in 1927, and was originally designed by St. Andrews of Scotland native Robert White. The courses is less than 1-mile from the Atlantic Ocean and built around a natural dune area. Pine Lakes clubhouse is listed on the National Historic Registry of Historic Places. So learn more at PineLakes.com

JASON KOKRAK has joined Golf Saudi as an ambassador in advance of the Open Championship. Kokrak will share his experiences on how golf can reach new audiences through GolfSaudi.com.

Photo’s from some of the above stories can be found on Facebook-Rory Spears. But also at Twitter @GogBlogGuy Rory Spears

GIANTS RIDGE In Biwabik Minnesota-Play Minnesota’s #1 ranked public course the Quarry & #8 ranked course the Legend. So visit Giantsridge.com/golf. (R) The Lodge at Pine Needles-Southern Pines North Carolina. Ross Resorts is now home to 3 classic Donald Ross golf courses. So see more MidPinesInn.com Pine Needles 2022 #USWO   _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio 4 Pm today on Am 820 WCPT-Chicago. Rory Spears (L)-Ed Stevenson (R), with Bill Berger and Len Ziehm.

Golfers on Golf Radio is back on the tee today at 4 Pm.

Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger-Len Ziehm and Rory Spears, bring Chicago’s longest running golf radio show, and only award winning golf show, Golfers on Golf now in it’s 31st season.

Today’s British Open Show edition, come complete from Minnesota and North Carolina.

Because todays special guests include John Kendall Director of Golf at Giants Ridge, in Biwabik Minnesota. That is home to the #1 and #8 rated public courses in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

The 13th hole on The Quarry at Giants Ridge (L)-Pine Needles the Par 3,16th hole.

Kendall will be followed by the owner of Ross Resorts in Southern Pines North Carolina Kelly Miller. Ross Resorts is home to Pine Needles, home of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, Pine Needles, and the newly acquired Southern Pines Country Club. All 3 courses renovated by Kyle Franz.

But there is more. Because today you will hear from the Daily Herald’s Len Ziehm, and from Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray, who just qualified for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

They are going to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open later this month, at Brooklawn CC in Conn. Nicole Jeray is 1st from Right in light blue.

Golfers on Golf Radio is currently on at 4 Pm on WCPT AM 820.

You can listen live in 4 states, IL., Ind., Wis., and parts of Southeast Michigan.

But you can listen live online at WCPT820.com or watch the show via Facebook on the stations website.

But if you have your phone with you. Try the Tune-In radio APP, just search WCPT 820.

But if you miss the show, you can get a mulligan. Because by visiting SoundCloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk And scroll down to the podcast.

So check out Golfers on Golf Radio today, we are on the tee at 4 Pm. Thanks for listening, Ed, Bill, Len and Rory.

GIANTS RIDGE Biwabik Minnesota-36 holes #1 rated golf. See GiantsRidge.com/golf IN ILLINOIS Eagle Ridge of Galena, home to 63 holes and the General. Eagleridge.com ______________________________________________________________________

LEN ZIEHM & RORY SPEARS talk golf at TPC Deere Run, and this week on the Ridges of Eagle and Giants.

LEN ZIEHM-RORY SPEARS

89 Years of covering golf in Chicago and beyond.

Bring you Chicago’s most complete weekly golf wrap-up. So whether it’s Chicago news or beyond, Len and Rory bring it to you.

So after an exciting recap of the John Deere Classic and 50 years of golf in the Quad Cities, this weeks cast spreads it around the fairways of the world.

Because Len and Rory not only wrap up the John Deere Classic. But preview the British Open.

But Len and Rory include some golf travel talk. So have you been to the Ridges. Eagle Ridge in Galena Illinois and Giants Ridge in Biwabik Minnesota. Because both resorts have top rated golf courses.

But this weeks cast includes some French Lick Resort talk, plus a launch of new equipment from Batavia’s Tour Edge Golf.

CLICK HERE to hear Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 24.

Ziehm and Spears tips the golf cap or visor to Mistwood’s teaching professional Nicole Jeray, for qualifying for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at the end of July.

So listen in for all sorts of great golf news. Thanks for listening-Len & Rory.