THE ILLINOIS PGA PROFESSIONALS at the 2021 Birdies For Charity-Oak Park CC. Over $325,000 dollars raised-JDRF-Lurie Children’s Hospital-Ronald McDonald House  _____________________________________________________________________

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.

HE’S BACK-Tour Edge Golf VP of Marketing Jon Claffey joins us in house for another week of Golfers on Golf Radio.

Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger, Rory Spears, and Len Ziehm will host this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio. So this week with Jon Claffey, GOG takes a look at the equipment industry, the PGA Merchandise Show and more.

So tune in live at 4 PM on WCPT 820 Am Chicago to hear the show live. But you can also listen live at WCPT820.com or watch us live on the WCPT 820 Page, or on the replay. If you are on the golf course or have your phone with you, try the TuneIN radio APP, and search WCPT 820.

Len Ziehm Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee at WCPT 820 AM in studio.

BUT IF YOU missed us all together-yes you whiffed, penalty stroke ! But you can get a mulligan by going to SoundCloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk. Then scroll down to the podcast.

TOUR EDGE GOLF will have something to announce right here, so make sure you are tuned in today. Forget the football for an hour and catch the show.

Thanks for listening, Billy, Ed, Len and Rory.

Golfers on Golf Radio named one of the Top 3 Golf Radio Shows in America for 2021, by the ING network.

Just three more shows to go in the 2021 golf season. RS

FAIRFIELD HILLS IN BARABOO WISCONSIN-12 holes and a full size driving range. A great course for when you want to play fast. Learn more at FairfieldHillsgolfcourse.com.  TRAPPERS TURN in the Wisconsin Dells has opened it’s new 12 North par 3 Course. But several holes have not yet had a hole-in-one, could you be next. TrappersTurn.com  ______________________________________________________________________

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.

THE ILLINOIS PGA presents it’s annual Birdies for Charity Fundraiser.

BIRDIES FOR CHARITY.

What a great concept, and it works for many folks and groups in need.

BFC first popped up on the scene in Illinois years ago, at the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities. BFC is still a big help in Western Illinois with millions being raised from the PGA Tour event.

But it didn’t stop there. Because Birdies for Charity was used in other places in the United States, and used in different ways to raise needed dollars.

So enter current Medinah Country Club teaching professional and IPGA member Travis Johns. Because prior to coming to Illinois, Johns spent some time in the Texas PGA Section. After seeing what Birdies for Charity did in Texas, Johns brought the idea to Illinois, and worked with IPGA Board members to make the event happen in Illinois. So after a few tweaks to the format, Birdies for Charity in the Illinois PGA section was off and running, or flying all the way to the cup.

But while the final total of monies raised this year is still coming in. So far, over $300,000 dollars has been raised, and the number is closing in near $350,000. But where does all that money go? Here is a look at the three charities that are main benefactors.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, and the Ronald McDonald House Charity’s Chicagoland and NW Indiana.

(L) 17 year old Amanda Brooks a student at Loyola Academy is a Youth Ambassador for JDRF. (R-left side of picture) Jessica Brooks-Gift Officer (no relation) spoke on behalf of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Pictured on our social media pages only, Ashely DiMiceli Development Mgr. JDRF and Jack Gilhoody Development Mgr. for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicago and NW Indiana.

The field of over 30 IPGA Professionals who took part in the 2021 IPGA Birdies for Charity event this past week. (R) Oak Park Country Club served as this years host of BFC-since the normal host club River Forest is undergoing a tee box renovation project.

IPGA Professional Brian Carroll Royal Hawk Golf Club led the way with 40 birdies made, with several other professional right behind Carroll. During a recent visit to Blackberry Oaks Golf Club in Bristol IL., Head Golf pro and GM. told us that Birdies for Charity day is one of the most important days he has all-year as a IPGA section member. “Giving back through is golf, is one of the great things our game does,” said Johansen.

IPGA professionals dodged rain storms, by starting at 7:30 AM, and playing until almost 7 Pm, to play as many holes as possible. To learn more about the Illinois PGA, the IPGA Foundation, or the Birdies for Charity event and how you can help, see IPGA.com.

TRAPPERS TURN GOLF CLUB in the Wisconsin Dells, now offers 39 holes of golf. A new lights at night putting green will open soon. So for more see TrappersTurn.com. THE CHULA VISTA RESORT on the north side of the dells, offers the Cold Water Canyon Golf Course and Kaminski’s Steak House, more details ChulaVista Resort.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.

U-S-A U-S-A

PUT DOWN THE WAR PAINT-put away the Pom-Pom’s and the mini U.S. flags.

IT’S OVER and Team USA has lost the Solheim Cup…again!

Because the big rally came up short, and Team Europe, with almost no-fans in the stands, played some great golf and took the cup, back to Europe, and over to Spain, the home of the 2023 Solheim Cup.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED! when it was over Team USA Captain Pat Hurst said everybody had fun. FUN? really. Losing is now apparently fun. So since when is spending all this time effort to put a team together, just to lose, again fun. Many of world’s top women’s players always come to Toledo Ohio for a week just to have fun. Hurst seemed to want to get out of her players way, and just let them play. That strategy failed miserably.

MAYBE the best comment regarding the Solheim I heard all weekend, came from Brandel Chamblee, when The Golf Channel analyst asked the question, why hasn’t Dottie Pepper ever been named captain. Good question! better answer is pick her now. For 2023 or 2025 or whenever the next opening for captain is. Because I have a feeling that Pepper would add a little pepper to her squad.

FOR THE MOST PART the excuses and apologists for the US Team need to step up and request some accountability. Because if Europe was getting trounced, do you think the tabloids go soft. I would bet, and really pound that bet, the answer is no. But things could have been worse. Had Europe added Annika Sorenstam, even at age 50, the score would have been worse for the USA.

BUT THE DRAMA the event provided was really good. But maybe the biggest winner was the Inverness Club. Because the recent renovation of this Donald Ross Course was really well done. So I’ll add it to my bucket list, and hope they host another big time golf event in the next few years. The list of great golf courses in Ohio seems to be growing all the time.

TOMORROW the Illinois PGA puts together one of the biggest golf fundraisers of the year, when their Birdies for Charity event tee’s off this year at Oak Park Country Club (with normal home River Forest CC undergoing a tee box renovation). Pledge some support for your local IPGA professional, and support Birdies for Charity. But for further details visit IPGA.com.

LEN ZIEHM and I will be out and about around town this week. Details as they happen. Golfers on Golf Radio is planning on Tour Edge Golf VP Jon Claffey in studio with us this coming Saturday.

BOTH LEN ZIEHM AND I spent some time in the Wisconsin Dells last week. The new shorter courses in the Dells, and in Kohler with the Baths, really bring a needed fun aspect to golf. But wait, that’s right, golf is about having fun.

LOCAL FINALS for Drive, Chip and Putt, take place at Medinah CC next Saturday afternoon. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

TRAPPERS TURN in the Wisconsin Dells now offers 39 holes of golf with the addition of the 12-hole par 3 12 North Course, see more at TrappersTurn.com. FAIRFIELD HILLS Golf Course in Baraboo Wisconsin is 12 holes of fun golf and a great practice range, owned& operated by Barrington Resident Jim Tracy. Fairfieldhillsgolfcourse.com. _____________________________________________________________________

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

IT’S SUNDAY at the Solheim Cup and Team USA needs to get back on track.

Follow all the action on The Golf Channel and NBC. *U-S-A*

BUT it’s also the season ending day for the PGA Tour, with the Tour Championship in Atlanta at East Lake. Can Patrick Cantlay hold off U.S. Open Champion Jon Rahm.

Action on both NBC and The Golf Channel.

Dave “Links” Lockhart at Boyne Golf Resorts in Michigan

GOLF360TV is back tonight with another edition at 6:30 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

This new edition hosted by former Chicago Bear Patrick Mannelly, and Dave “Links” Lockhart starts by visiting the 10 courses of the Boyne Resorts in Northern Michigan.

But there’s more, when you tour one of the best collections of golf history found in Chicago, when you see Jim McCormick’s collection.

But there is also a visit to Tour Edge Golf in Batavia, and a tour of the new clubhouse at the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison. A part of DuPageGolf.com.

2020-2021 Team USA Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker

THIS WEDNESDAY TEAM USA Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker will make his 6 captains picks at 9 Am CST.

Six players, Collin Morikawa, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Cantlay, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas have already qualified for Team USA.

This years Ryder Cup matches will take place from September 24-26, at the Whistling Straits golf links in Haven Wisconsin. But which is part Destination Kohler. Team USA will need 14 point to retake the Ryder Cup, that was lost in Scotland in 2018. So visit RyderCup.com to see the full point standings for both teams.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GENE ELLIOTT of Iowa. With his 1 Up win on the last hole of the USGA Senior Amateur at the Country Club of Detroit, Elliott becomes one of only three men to have won national senior titles in the USA, Great Britain and Canada.

THIS COMING THURSDAY Sept. 9th is the last Thursday for Titleist Fitting Thursday’s at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein. But no walk-ups please. Call Pine Meadow at (847)-566-4663 to schedule your appointment.

Illinois PGA Executive Director Carrie Williams stands at Medinah Country Club with 2019 local winners of Drive-Chip and Putt.

DRIVE-CHIP and PUTT, and a trip to Augusta National to start Masters week in 2022 is on the line.

Because this coming Saturday the regional finals will take place at the historic Medinah Country Club.

Final competitions start at 1 PM.

The competitions are organized and judged by the Illinois PGA Section.

Golfers on Golf will publish the list of winner next weekend. Good luck to all the competitors.

THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE has announced it’s pre-season golf honorees. The 10th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini lead the way with three selections, Jerri Ji, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Tommy Kuhl. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY also added three players David Nyfjall, John Driscoll III, and James Imai.

BLACKBERRY OAKS professional Roy Biancalana goes Back-to-Back in winning the Illinois PGA Section’s Super-Senior Championship at the Pine Meadows Golf Club in Mundelein. Biancalana defeated Vince Antoniou by 1 shot, with Ivanhoe Club’s Jim Sobb finishing in third place.

Welcome to Club Champion in Willowbrook.

WILLOWBROOK BASED CLUB CHAMPION a national leader in club fittings, is celebration national putter fitting month, with FREE putter fittings in September. Normally this would be a $100 dollar fee. But if your buy a new putter at your fitting, your fitting is free. Why get fitted / Because you want to play your best golf. So let Club Champion show you how. So visit Clubchampiongolf.com for all the details.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-returns late on Monday. RS

TRAPPERS TURN HOME OF THE NEW 12 NORTH PAR 3 COURSE. FAIRFIELD HILLS 12 holes and a driving range, for a fast and fun golf experience. #WISDELLS        ______________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 21. 4 PM Saturday afternoon’s on WCPT 820 Am Chicago.

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 20.

Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger Rory Spears, and Len Ziehm, Chicago’s favorite foursome brings you Chicago’s most complete hour of golf talk.

THIS WEEK GOG takes a look at golf in Wisconsin, especially the Wisconsin Dells.

Patrick Steffes GM of Trappers Turn Golf Club in the Dells joins us live at 4:10. But at the bottom of the hour Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Gary D’Amato of Wisconsin.golf joins us for some Ryder Cup talk and more.

We hear from Barrington resident Jim Tracy, owner of Fairfield Hills Golf Course in Baraboo, and Illinois Golf Hall of Fame inductee Len Ziehm.

So join us on the tee at 4 Pm, on WCPT 820 AM. Listen live on the air, or at WCPT820.com. But you can watch the show on WCPT’s Facebook Page. On your phone on the TUNE-IN Radio APP search for WCPT820. IF YOU miss the show and you need a mulligan, try Soundcloud.com/ChicagosprogressiveTalk. Then scroll down to the podcast.

THANKS for listening Ed, Billy, Rory and Len.

FAIRFIELD HILLS IN BARABOO and TRAPPERS TURN in the Wisconsin Dells, both now offer great short course options. So check out Ziehm and Spears to learn more.       ____________________________________________________________________

ZIEHM & SPEARS heard weekly on Golfersongolf.com and LenZiehmongolf.com This weeks edition of Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 28-takes a look at Golf in the Wisconsin Dells.

Don’t sell Wisconsin Short-because even with a wave of new short courses, golf in the Dairyland is better than ever.

BUT LEN AND RORY also discuss the PGA Tour playoffs, The Ryder Cup, recent struggles on the Korn Ferry Tour for Northbrook’s Nick Hardy and Deerfield’s Vince India.

THE SR. CHAMPIONSHIP leaves the French Lick Resort, and find out where it’s likely headed. But there is still more championship golf coming to French Lick in 2022, find out what’s next on the tee.

WHO IS BACK working at TPC Deere Run-home of the John Deere Classic.

THE ILLINOIS PGA hosts it’s Birdies for Charity this coming Tuesday at Oak Park Country Club. $$$ lets raise some money. #Golfgivesback.

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks edition of Ziehm and Spears

Thanks for listening Len & Rory.

  THE FEX CUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta is underway. Watch the playoffs on NBC. BOOK YOUR Play & Stay today at the French Lick Resort. Home of the Pete Dye Golf Course and the Donald Ross Golf Course. 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 and Facebook.

PART 1 of 3. Our recent visit to golf in the Wisconsin Dells, is highlighted in three parts, including playing golf when you have a “Need for Speed”.

WELCOME TO FAIRFIELD HILLS in Baraboo Wisconsin. (R) Fairfield Hills Owner and Barrington Illinois resident-Jim Tracy in his pro shop at the Fairfield Hills Golf Course.

FAIRFIELD HILLS is golf, that’s perfect for all skill levels. But it’s even better if your short on time and still have a need to play. First on the tee, once you drive past the driving range you will find 12 very fun golf holes. Five of them are par 3’s. But that doesn’t mean they are pushovers. Because at yardages of 191-198 and 204, the tee shot must be good one, if you expect par of birdie.

The Par 4 fifth hole at Fairfield Hills.

Owner Jim Tracy bought the course eight years ago, and has made the facility better ever since.

Tracy will tell you that there has been a lot of work put into the range. Several improvements in and around the clubhouse.

But maybe the best yet, is that he added three more holes, giving Fairfield Hills 12 in total.

The longest hole is the par 5, 11th hole that plays 404 yards. Yes-no typo. Only 404. But for you bombers, don’t expect an easy birdie or even eagle. The tee shot requires some precision to the end of a short fairway. But even a shot in the fairway, leaves a somewhat blind longer second shot. Then hit your wedge in, and take your chance on the green one-putting for birdie.

The par 4-6th hole plays 288 yards.

While Fairfield Hills is in Wisconsin, don’t plan on just a flat golf course. In fact the tee boxes on holes 6 & 9 share the highest elevation on the golf course.

So enjoy the elevated downhill tee shot on the two par 4 holes.

There is one hole over 400 yards, one hole over 300 yards. As a result you can move around Fairfield Hills quickly. Because the total yardage for 12 holes is just over 2800 yards.

One recent visitor playing as a single, played all 12 holes in one-hour and 40 minutes. Tracy’s well stocked pro shop not only has plenty of needed golf supplies, but if your a fan of any of the Wisconsin Teams such as the Packers, Brewers or the UW-Badgers. You can find headcovers and other items with those teams logo’s stitched in.

Tracy keeps Fairfield Hills fun and friendly. It’s one of those courses where as soon as you walk in the front door of the clubhouse, everyone makes you feel right at home. Tracy might be the owner, but at times he is on the tractor out cutting the fairways, greens or the rough.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview with Fairfield Hills owner Jim Tracy.

Fairfield Hills is located in Baraboo, just south of Rt. 90 and before you get to the Wisconsin Dells area. So if you want to get some golf in before you hit the Dells, or one last round on the way back to Illinois. Fairfield Hills is just the place to go. Perfect location if your getting in some golf before of after a UW-Badgers Football game.

THE BEST WAY to book tee times is to call (608)-356-5524. Online you can visit Fairfieldhillsgolfcourse.com. Home of 3-6-9 and 12 hole loops. See more photo’s of Fairfield Hills at Rory Spears Facebook Page-or Rory Spears on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.