ED STEVENSON DIRECTOR OF DUPAGE GOLF says the bar and the pro shop are now open in new Preserve at Oak Meadows Clubhouse. See 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 connect Facebook and LinkedIn.

REPORTING FROM STONEBRIDGE COUNTRY CLUB-Aurora.

T-K Kelly holds the Illinois Open trophy after winning the 2021 championship by 3 shots. Photo by Nick Novelli.

WIRE-TO-WIRE is exactly how T-K Kelly did it  for three days this week at the 2021 Illinois Open Championship. Kelly’s final round of 68 (-4) left him with a -17 (199) total for three days of work.

Luke Gannon went lower than Kelly in the final round, with a 5 under par 67. But it still left him 3 shots shy of Kelly.

While the margin to victory shrunk, the pressure on Kelly really never did. Kelly’s four shot lead was three, then four, then three again in the end. As a result Kelly never really needed to dodge the pressure bullet, from Gannon or anyone else.

“It feels amazing to win this tournament,” said Kelly. “I feel like I’ve put myself in contention a few times here and I was in contention the whole tournament last year. It’s fun to win one. Winning golf tournaments is never easy but it sure is a lot of fun when you put it together.”

But if anyone did hear the bugle blow, and yelled charge. It was Daniel Hudson who rose up for third place, with a final round -10 under par 62. Hudson then finished 10 under for the championship. Hudson’s round included one eagle, 10 birdies and two bogeys.

“It felt super good today,” said Hudson. “I had no idea about the course record so that’s obviously a great bonus. A low round like that is super fun. I think the toughest thing is when you get to a certain point you want to keep it going. But you don’t want to make decisions that will alter the progress of the round. But it was a great day.

With his 62, Hudson matched the Illinois Open final round score of 62, shot at Royal Melbourne in 2015. He also tied the Stonebridge course record, that had been held by Annika Sorenstam and Rosie Jones at the LPGA Kellog-Keebler Classic. Joe Jimenez also carded 62 at the Ameritech Senior Open, while Hale Irwin shot 63.

Hinsdale resident and University of Iowa men’s golf team member Mac McClear won the low-amateur award, with a final round of 70 and a 209 (-7) for the tournament.

“It was just the start I wanted today. I knew I had a lot of ground to makeup and it was probably not like I could do that,” said McClear. “I hit it pretty well on the front nine, but could not get the putts to fall. Being low-am is a good thing for me. I’m hoping next year I can make a run at the title.”

Kelly won the largest winner’s check in championship history at $25,080, with Gannon getting $14,765 and Hudson earning $9,029.

There is not site yet announced for the 2022 Illinois Open. But the next IPGA section major championship is the Section Championship starting August 23 at the Ivanhoe Club.

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is ready to book your stay and play-See FrenchLick.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 Facebook.

Wheaton’s T-K Kelly leads the Illinois Open at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. Photo by Nick Novelli.

36 DOWN-18 TO GO !

IT’S TWO GOOD DAYS of golf, does T-K Kelly have 18 more holes left in him. Because it’s never been hard for Kelly to shoot low.

But doing it for all three rounds isn’t something that has happened all to often Kelly. But kelly put together back-to-back 6 under par 66’s to hold a commanding three shot lead, headed to the final round.

“I’ve been playing awesome, said Kelly. “But I had to play a little more scrappier today. Because I wasn’t hitting my driver as well, I hit some 3-woods off the tee. After the eagle on the first hole, I made some good par saves to keep the round going.”

After making the turn, Kelly said his game clicked in starting at the 11th hole.

“On the back nine I started hitting some quality shots coming in, and I made the birdie on 18 to close it out,” said Kelly. “My brother (Will) is on my bag and we have a game plan that we executed. I would love to join the club that has won both the Illinois Amateur and the Illinois Open (Kelly has won the Illinois State Amateur twice 2013-2015).”

But Kelly will need to hold off charging Luke Gannon of Mahomet (near Champaign IL.) to win it on Wednesday.

But before this open is closed for the year, it’s likely Gannon will have more to say about it.

CLICK HERE to hear what Luke Gannon had to say after his Round 2 score put him in the lead until T-K Kelly took it back.

OTHER SCORES OF NOTE: Both Gannon and Anthony Albano Jr. of Park Ridge, shot the low scores, (except for Kelly) of the day with 5 under par, 67’s. But there were several players that carded 4 under par scores, including Andrew Godfrey from White pines Golf Club and Frank Hohenadel from Mistwood Golf Club.

Medinah teaching professional Travis Johns shot a 75 (+3) to end his bid for an IPGA Grand Slam of the majors. Big Ten Conference champion Mac McClear (Iowa-Hinsdale) was T-3 after a 3 under par 69. Four time champion University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small, had his struggles and carded a 78 (+6) ending his run for a fifth title.

So for Wednesdays final round. Tee times will start at 8 Am. All groups will be three-some’s, and tee times will be 12 minutes apart. So the final group with the leaders will tee off around 11:30 Am. The expected finish time with no playoff should be just before 4 Pm.

But for more details visit IPGA.com. Spectators are welcome for the final round and admission is free at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. The club sits in Aurora but is right on the Naperville city border.

THE 2021 ILLINOIS OPEN Round 1 at STONEBRIDGE COUNTRY CLUB is complete.  ______________________________________________________________________

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.

T-K Kelly shot and opening Round 66 to lead the Illinois Open by 2 shots. Photo by Nick Novelli.

T-K Kelly is bidding to one of the few members to win both the Illinois State Amateur, and the Illinois Open.

But an opening round of 6 under par (66) gave Kelly a chance to do just that.

Because Kelly has a two lead over shot over seven players, who are all bunched up at 4 under par. Britt Pavelonis and Garrett Chaussard are both in that group.

Pavelonis from downstate Carbondale has had a few top 5 finishes in the Illinois Open. But no wins. While Chaussard the teaching professional at the Skokie Country Club, has been the king of the Illinois Match Play Championship. Chaussard is looking for his first win in a IPGA Section stroke play major. Chaussard has two wins and two losses in the match play finals over the last four years.

“I played well on the back nine today. I wasn’t that sharp early on, but I got lucky to make some pars on the longer par 4’s,” said Chaussard. “But I also made some good up and downs to keep the round going. So it was a slow and steady round. But I’ll need to stay patient and keep it simple the rest of the way.”

One shot back of the pack of seven players tied for second place, is a group of three players that include four-time Illinois Open champion and University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small.

“I have had only one multi-day event prior to this all year,” said Small who played in Steve Stricker’s Am-Fam Champions Tour 54 hole event in June). “I’m still rusty and need to play more, today I chipped in twice. But just for par.”

Kelly is a different story. Kelly grew up with a family membership at Medinah Country Club. He had a good career playing Division 1 college golf at Ohio State and turned pro.

Since then he has played on various tours, with some success. But not enough success to play full-time on the PGA Tour. As Kelly closes in on age 30 he was asked about how long he will chase the dream of professional golf.

“I’m still making progress with my game, and right now it’s about having enough tournaments to play in,” says Kelly. “As long as I’m feeling like I am making progress and not just staying the same or going backwards, I’ll stay with golf.”

Right now Kelly is really excited about the progress he is making, and feels like the breakthrough he has been looking for, is just ahead. But if he can play rounds two and three like he did in round on, he might find that first break through this week at Stonebridge.

The new 18th hole back tee box at Stonebridge, has the par 5 hole now playing just under 600 yards.

One of the stories of the week, are the new back eight tee boxes, that have lengthened the course about 400 yards.

Illinois Open tournament director Brad Slocum put seven of them into play in round one.

The only one not in use was the 245 yard tee box, on the par 3, third hole. But it’s likely that tee box will see action before the tournament is over.

Because the weather is supposed to stay nice all week long. Much of the field had not played Stonebridge before, so they aren’t able to say how much different the golf course is playing with the new tees. But some players who claim not to be long hitters are noticing the new distance.

OTHER SCORES OF NOTE: Host professional from Stonebridge Andrew Stevens was six shots back at even par (72). Adam Turner who won the 1999 Illinois Open as an amateur is T-2 at 4 under par (68). Turner who turned pro for years, but is now seeking amateur reinstatement. So due to his A-R limbo status, he can’t be paid if he wins, nor is he eligible for the pro shop credit an amateur would get for winning.

Medinah teaching professional Travis Johns who would win the IPGA Grand Slam with a win. Johns is 6 six shots back at even par. Defending champion Bryce Emory is 1 under par after a 71. Both 2019-2021 Illinois amateur champion Ethan Farnam, and past Illinois Open Champion and Stonebridge board member Joe Emrich were at +3 after carding 75’s.

Round 2 tee’s off at 7:30 Am. The top 50 scores and ties will make the cut and play Round 3 on Wednesday.

THE 72ND ILLINOIS OPEN at Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora Illinois. August 2-4.   _____________________________________________________________________

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 Stonebridge Clock.

THE WESTERN-AMATEUR is over, and it’s on to the Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora for this weeks Illinois Open.

Round 1 is well underway and I will have a recap later today. But here is the teaser-T-K Kelly is leading at 6 under par.

WRAPPING UP the Western Amateur.

THE GLEN VIEW CLUB was an outstanding site for the championship. As several players told me, the architects in the late 1890’s did a great job of creating a golf course that has withstood the test of time. Because it stands up to today’s players and the modern day equipment very well. I’m surprised the the course isn’t rated higher in classic golf course ratings. But it should be, and hopefully with some exposure from the WGA-Amateur that will change.

I DID NOT SEE MUCH OF IT but the streaming that was done with The Golf Channel turned out really good. So said the reviews of people I have heard from. Hopefully the WGA will continue to do this in the future. Kudo’s to Michael Thorbjornsen on a great win, those who know him from Massachusetts say he will make the PGA Tour after his days at Stanford.

ACTUALLY I would really like to see runner-up Gordon Sargent get some recognition from the USGA and the people who handle the World Amateur rankings. Because Sargent who finished second, was the only one of the four finalists who had not secured a spot in the U.S. Amateur at Oakmont next week. Hopefully when this weeks rankings come out, Sargent will be in the field.

Both Thorbjornsen and Sargent say they will return for next years Western Amateur at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park. IF YOU searched through this years program, it’s listed the 2023 Western Amateur will return to North Shore Country Club in Glen View. North Shore has had a renovation since the last time it hosted the championship in 2011.

THE ILLINOIS PGA hosted it’s Senior Masters Pro-Am at Onwentsia last Monday, this years two honoree’s as the latest Senior Master Professionals are…

2021 Senior Masters award winners, L-R Carmen Molinaro from Buffalo Grove Golf Course. Wally Hynes of Cress Creek Golf Club.

Both Wally Hynes of Cress Creek golf Club and Carmen Molinaro from the Buffalo Grove Golf Course have retried in the last few years.

Sad to say the golf world misses both of them at their respective clubs.

Because both pro’s gave so much for so many years to the game. So ti was good to see them both last week at the IPGA Senior masters luncheon.

The Illinois PGA created a new format for the day this year, with the inclusion of the PGA junior players golfing with the senior pro’s in the morning. The rest of the field went off in the afternoon, with temp’s hovering at about 93. But the morning players had to deal with temps in the 90’s as well.

OLYMPIC GOLF-former Illini golfers Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry played good. But neither were able to earn a medal. Xander Schauffele won the gold medal. I have to admit I really didn’t have an interest in the ceremonial golf event from Japan, and didn’t see one shot of the championship.

IT WAS MORE ENJOYABLE to watch the U.S. Senior Women’s Open from Brooklawn Conn. As reported here first, the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open heads to NCR in the suburbs of Dayton Ohio. The USGA finally confirmed our story on Wednesday with a press release, not sure what the hold-up was. NCR gets the event with less than one year to prepare. So let’s hope they can it done.

ON THE U.S. Senior Women’s Open front. Kudo’s to Mistwood’s Nicole Jeray and Conway Farm’s Jamie Fisher for making the cut, and each shooting a +7 score to finish T-23. But it took a top-20 finish to have an exemption into next years championship.

The new back tee on the 18th hole at Stonebridge CC, designed by architect Mike Benkusky.

THE BENKUSKY BOMBER TEE’S

Architect Mike Benkusky created 8 new tee boxes, that I am calling the Benkusky Bomber Tees.

Because the eight new tee boxes added about 400 yards to length of Stonebridge Country Club.

Illinois Open tournament director Brad Slocum confirmed to me that 7 of those 8 tee boxes were in play for Round 1. I suspect Slocum will use the new third hole tee box for Wednesdays final round.

FINALLY more length coming this fall to Kemper Lakes GC. Another 200+ yards will bring the site of the 1989 PGA Championship up to 7540ish yards. So can a tournament be far behind ?

THAT RUMOR IS BACK AGAIN that the Top 100 men’s only course in Oak Brook, is talking about dropping the ‘Men Only’ membership requirement. At this point, I’ll believe it when I see it.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS LATER TODAY with a recap of Round 1 of the Illinois Open. RS

  STONEBRIDGE COUNTRY CLUB is home to this weeks Illinois Open August 2-3-4.       ____________________________________________________________________

ZIEHM & SPEARS at the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.

ZIEHM & SPEARS…

THEY ARE BACK and ready for some more tournament action.

THIS WEEK Len and Rory wrap up the 119th Western Amateur at The Glenview Club.

Include a preview of this weeks Illinois Open as championship golf returns to Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora.

But there is more in the golf world. Because things are happening at Kemper Lakes Golf Club this fall.

So what else is back, is that rumor about a top level local club changing it’s membership policies. All this and more, in this weeks edition of Ziehm & Spears. Chicago’s most complete weekly golf news report.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR this weeks edition of Ziehm & Spears-Podcast series 2021-Vol.25

Thanks for listening Len and Rory. So we are back with more after the Illinois Open.

  THE GOLF SCENE with Steve Kashul on NBC Sports Chicago-See local listings for times. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT book your play and stay now at FrenchLick.com    _____________________________________________________________________

Mistwood Golf Club’s teaching professional Nicole Jeray is playing well at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield Conn.

SORRY WE MISSED YOU LAST SUNDAY. So today is Double-Dose of the Short Game News Column.

WELL DONE NICOLE !

But it’s not over yet. So if you haven’t been watching The Golf Channel, the U.S. Senior Women’s Open is on this afternoon.

So put on the television. Because starting at 1 Pm, TGC is running live coverage of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Mistwood Golf Club’s teaching professional Nicole Jeray is playing good golf in her debut at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Keep it going Nicole, hope it earns you a ticket back to French Lick later this month, and the Sr. Women’s LPGA Championship.

BandonDunesGolf.com

IT APPEARS the Sheep Ranch will not be the last course built at Bandon Dunes.

BECAUSE SOME 20 minutes from the main resort, a site that at one time was proposed by Mike Keiser as the Bandon Muni. A project that did not move forward, might be back on the table again.

The process is moving forward again. But this it’s one course, with a proposed named of “New River Dunes.” Stay tuned. But there is more from Bandon Dunes, as the resort has been selected by the USGA to host 13 amateur championships. Those USGA championships include, U.S. Amateurs, and both a Walker Cup and Curtis Cup.So learn more at USGA.org.

Welcome back to Cabot in Canada

CABOT OF CANADA is now welcoming American golfers back to Canada.

Because starting August 9th, Americans can travel to Canada for golf destination trips.

So have you been to Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs ?

More news is that Cabot Cottages at Cabot Cliffs are now on the market. So to learn more, see Cabotlinks.com.

CLUB CHOICE IRELAND is welcoming American golfers back to Ireland, as travel restrictions open up. See ClubChoiceIreland.com for details on trips.

IILINI GOLF-University of Illinois golf alums Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry both represented their native Belgium in the Tokyo Olympics. Pieters finished at 11 under par and 8 shots behind Gold Medal winner Xander Schauffle in 16th place. Detry was 10 under par and finished 22nd. Rory Sabbatini won the Silver Medal and CT Pan of Chinese Taipei won a playoff for the Bronze Medal.

ILLINI Sophomore Piercen Hunt won the 120th Wisconsin State Amateur by six shots at Westmoor Country Club. Hunt was the only player that finished under par.

FIVE ILLINI MEN’S GOLF TEAM members have made the CGCAA all-scholar team. Jerry Ji, Adrian Dumont de Chassart, Giovani Tadiotto, Brendan O’Reilly, and Tommy Kuhl.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY has announced the addition of Emily Kuhfeld to it’s Women’s Golf Coaching Staff. Kuhfeld is an Indianapolis native, but has coached the last seven seasons, as head coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles of the Sun Belt Conference. Kuhfeld played college golf at Ohio State, and was part of a team that won four straight Big Ten conference titles.

UNIVERISTY OF WISCONSIN has added Zach Siefert as the new men’s team assistant coach. Siefert joins the badgers after seven seasons at Limestone College in South Carolina.

MULTIPLE AUSTRALIAN publications are reporting that Greg ‘Shark’ Norman is building a new golf course in Southwestern Australia that will be shaped like a shark. The course will be built on a sand mine location, and cost is expected to be in the neighborhood of $700 million dollars. But no word yet on the cost to be a member.

Former Chicago Bear Patrick Mannelly serves as host of Golf360TV tonight at 6 PM on NBC Chicago

GOLF360TV is back tonight at 6 PM, on NBC Sports Chicago.

Former Chicago Bear long snapper Patrick Mannelly serves as host of the program. With camera and production work done by Dave “Links” Lockhart.

This week’s show includes a feature on Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

See features on Boyne Resorts in Northern Michigan, and this weeks home of the Illinois Open, Stonebridge Country Club in Aurora. Watch on You-Tube if you miss the live version tonight at 6 Pm.

THE PGA of AMERICA and RYDER CUP EUROPE have jointly issued a statement, that cancels the Junior Ryder Cup, that was scheduled for Blue Mound Country Club in Milwaukee. Travel issues from the pandemic forced the cancellation. The event was scheduled for September 20-21. But players from both teams are expected to be present and will be honored at the Ryder Cup from September 24-26.

Doug Ghim at the John Deere Classic

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS native Doug Ghim has joined the First Tee- Greater Chicago list of ambassadors.

“There are not too many kids like me from the Chicagoland area that get to grow up and be professional golfers,” said Ghim.

“I know how much it would have meant to me to have a young tour player to look up to and learn from. So I look forward to inspiring the next generation to know they can achieve their goals if they work hard and put their mind to it.”  But see more details at Firstteechicago.org.

TITLEIST THURSDAY’S are back at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein starting August 19th and running through September 23rd. So call (847)-566-4653 (GOLF) or book an appointment online. But for everything that’s happening at “The Pine”, see PineMeadowgc.com.

COG HILL has several events coming up, including night golf on October 1st. So to sign up see Coghillgolf.com or call the club at (866)-264-4455. Cog Hill the home of the 2022 PGA junior golf championship in early August.

LINKS CAPITAL ADVISORS announces the sale of Wolf Creek Golf Club in Atlanta, for information on buying and selling golf courses call Chris Charnas at (312)-543-7192.

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION (IWGA) will hold it’s 42nd Illinois Junior Golf Championship, at Aldeen G.C. in Rockford IL. this Tuesday and Wednesday August 3-4. So for the third straight year, Shannyn Vogler from Moline, returns to defend her title. The field of 84 players will play 36 holes of match play to determine the winner.

Tee times start at 8 Am and spectators are welcome. But for more details see IWGA.org.

Welcome to the Pine Needles Resort in Southern Pines North Carolina. Home of the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open

BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT for ticket packages for the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles Resort.

Which is located in Southern Pines North Carolina.

Pine Needles hosted the 2019 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. This will be the 4th U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles.

But for more information see Pineneedles.com or visit Rossresorts.com. You can also learn more at USGA.org.  But do act quickly. Because time is running out on these special ticket packages.

PGA PROFESSIONAL and Navy veteran Angel Diaz has been named Director of Project Golf, a Myrtle Beach South Carolina grow the game initiative. For more details on Diaz and the program visit Projectgolf.org.

BGT has announced the FIRST ever customized putter shaft-The New Stability Carbon Shaft. This shaft is only available through BGT. So far early returns say that 99% of golfers that play stability, prefer it over a steel shaft. Retail price is $179.99. So you can learn more at BGT’s website Breakthroughgolftech.com.

PHOTO’S of some items and stories can be found on Facebook at Rory Spears, or on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

SO STAY TUNED. Because ZIEHM & SPEARS PODCAST coming up next. RS