THE PINE MEADOW GOLF CLUB has started it’s famous Christmas Sale.

Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein has started it’s annual Christmas Sale. It has teed off. So no need to wait until Black Friday get to Pine Meadow today.

But there is even better news. Because the golf course and the driving range are still open.

But if your looking for golf shoes, golf bags that are 20% off. Kids golf club sets and apparel, now is the time. So do you have your “The Pine” sweatshirt, hat or t-shirt.

Call (847)-566-4653 (GOLF). PineMeadowGC.com At Pine Meadow Golf Club the holiday season is underway.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB-MCWETHY’S TAVERN and the MISWTOOD GOLF DOME. Both are open business. So enjoy your golf inside or out at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville or the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook. Learn more at Mistwoodgc.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.

WPGA Officers L-R VP-Mark Voeller, Pres. Michael O’Reilly and Sec. Matt Taken.

Kohler Companies Director of Golf, Michael O’Reilly has been named the 32nd President of the Wisconsin PGA.

But along with O’Reilly saw the announcements of Mark Voeller from Golf Galaxy (Brookfield) as VP, and Mark Taken of Tuckaway CC  (Franklin) as Secretary.

“So to have the chance to be of service to the Wisconsin PGA Section membership, staff and entire golf community in the state of Wisconsin is something I look forward to,” said O’Reilly.

O’Reilly is in his 19th year as a member of the PGA. But now in his 25th year with Kohler Company, working in golf roles within the Reality and Hospitality division.

O’Reilly has served since 2012 on the WPGA’s board of directors. But at Kohler he is in charge of Whistling Straits, Blackwolf Run and the Kohler Swing Studio. O’Reilly was born in Darien Illinois and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in Rock Island Illinois. He lives in Sheboygan, with his wife Beth and two sons Murphy and Connor.

MISTWOOD GOLF COURSE is still open for outdoor play. So get outdoors and play while you still can. But on those cold days-the Mistwood Golf Dome is now open for the indoor season. Mistwood Golf in Romeoville and Bolingbrook. Enjoy year round 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.

Puttview-The Book

YOU KNOW the book. You have seen them in different forms, from different suppliers.

When you watch PGA Tour players standing on the greens flipping the pages of their books with details of the greens. You wonder if it helps.

There are those who feel this is leading to slow play on the tour. As a result the PGA Tour has decided to enforce a rule that is restricting the use topographical green maps. While data is a part of major sports everywhere, it is causing some issues in sports that come along with it. Major League Baseball (MLB) is now reviewing ways and adding rules to speed up the games. That have turned into marathons, especially in the playoffs due to methods that come from Sabre Metrics.

Andrew Treadway the CEO of PuttView green books regarding the rule change.

“This is an unfortunate step backwards. That being said, as it relates to our business, we don’t anticipate the ruling having a significant impact. The PGA Tour doesn’t allow use of rangefinders, pushcarts or the wearing of shorts and the overwhelming majority of tournaments permit players to do all three. We anticipate both recreational and high-level amateur competitions will continue to allow the use of “The Book” and other topical green maps, a decision we believe to be in the best interest of the game.”

“Amateurs don’t enjoy the same benefits that tour players do, spending days on the course “sketching” green complexes like tour players and their caddies. We will continue to offer our USGA legal book to 99% of the worlds golfers, and we will also have the ability to provide a book that conforms to the new local rule in the event that a tournament committee chooses to utilize it.”

More thoughts from PGA Tour players on this topic as they become available.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME ON RT. 53 IN BOLINGBROOK is now open for the indoor golf season. Call and reserve your hitting bay at (630)-739-7600 or sign up for a hitting bay by visiting Mistwoodgolfdome.com. Mistwood golf course is still open for play. ______________________________________________________________________

Rory Spears (L) and Len Ziehm (R) host Ziehm & Spears Series 2021-sponsored by Mistwood Golf. Rory and Len at Kelpie’s Korner at Mistwood Golf Club.

BACK AGAIN !!!

Ziehm & Spears Podcast Series 2021-Volume 32, is here, and sponsored by our friends at Mistwood Golf.

Both the golf course on Renwick Road in Romeoville, and the Mistwood Golf Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook.

But don’t forget, some of the best food and beverage in the area is found at the golf course-McWethy’s Tavern. OR at the golf dome, McWethy’s Sports Bar.

This week Len and Rory discuss the changing seasons, in both Illinois and Florida and what that means for the golf scene in each climate. Plus Greg Norman bursting back into the golf scene, with his new job as CEO of the 10-event series on the Asian Tour.

Norman’s new position and series of golf events could attract some of the games best players. Because these events are bankrolled with some big time Saudi-dollars.

MORE ON THE TEE comes with a series staff promotions at the French Lick Resort. But Len has more on the exciting week for Highwood IL. native Patrick Flavin who had a Top-20 week on the PGA Tour.

THE 2022 PGA Merchandise Show is taking shape, and it looks like most show-goers and exhibitors are returning, except for most club makers. So what does that mean big picture for the show, in 2022 and beyond.

ZIEHM & SPEARS Podcast Series 2021-Volume 32. Click here to listen.

COMING UP on Ziehm and Spears Podcast series future editions. Len and Rory rate our favorite travel destinations. But some holiday gift ideas and thoughts for your favorite golfer.

So stay clicked in, and thanks for listening. Len Ziehm and Rory Spears.

MCWETHY’S SPORTS BAR Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. (630)-739-7600 or go online and visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com. No Bears game until Monday night. But bring your clubs.    ______________________________________________________________________

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 . On the first tee at the Schaumburg Golf Club.

AS WE MOVE INTO NOVEMBER, one part of golf season that so many golfers enjoy, the fall golf season is fading away.

But here is hoping that it sticks around for a few more weeks. It seems that many of the area golf courses want to stay open until Thanksgiving week. So you still have a little time left to go play.

But once they close, courses will remain closed for the year. From what I hear it won’t be open-close-open-close. As the weather changes, and or an early snow melts away.

But if you are ready for a warmer practice area, The Mistwood Golf Dome located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook (630)-739-7600, is open and ready for the colder season ahead. So book your hitting bay online today, you can book a hitting time 7 days out.

COMING UP THIS WEEK is another chapter of Ziehm and Spears podcast series 2021-volume 32. Len and I hope you will check it out. It remains the area’s best weekly update of golf news from Chicago and beyond. One of the topics that Len and I will discuss is the Greg Norman-Saudi golf connection. Because it appears that Norman and his big dollar friends are creating their own version of the WGC Tournaments, within the Asian Tour. So stay tuned.

LEN ZIEHM will have a nice feature in this weeks Daily Herald, on Highwood’s Patrick Flavin who had a Top-20 finish this past weekend on the PGA Tour. Flavin just missed by a couple of dollars, in getting his first six-figure payout.

I GOT OUT LAST WEEK on Tuesday to play the Schaumburg Golf Club one of the top public courses in the area. The Todd Quitno renovation is really good. Which is why by the time the course shuts down for the year around Thanksgiving. It’s expected that some 65,000 rounds will be played there this year. THAT is a big number even in these pandemic times where golf has exploded.

CONGRAT TO THE FOLKS at Batavia based Tour Edge Golf. Last Wednesday was the biggest one day amount, in total sales. So maybe Bernhart Langer’s win on the PGA Tour Champions helped, or maybe it’s just that the product Tour Edge is putting out is really just that good. I’ll be checking out a few of their products in the next couple of weeks.

GOLF SEASON is not over just yet. So keep it here. RS

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IS OPEN-SO IS THE MISTWOOD GOLF COURSE so enjoy Mistwood Golf, both inside and out while you still can. See Mistwoodgc.com for more or visit MistwoodGolfdome.com. McWethy’s Sports Bar is open (630)-739-7600.     _____________________________________________________________________

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.

Welcome to the Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

THE CULA VISTA RESORT part of the Wisconsin Dells, is home to one of the oldest golf courses in the State of Wisconsin.

In fact some recent research suggests that it’s in the five oldest golf courses in the state.

J.C. Wilson of the Chicago Golf Commission, designed the course, with it official opening in 1923. Area pioneer Clinton Berry did a ground-breaking for the golf course in 1917. But it appears that because of World War I, progress was delayed. Because of that, the first nine finally opened in 1923, and much of the original nine holes is still intact today.

The 469 yard par 5, first hole at Cold Water Canyon.

As a result the front nine is considered short by todays standards. Because the back tee’s only play to 2,871 yards.

The total yardage for the entire golf course is just 6,027. But in-spite of being short, the course isn’t always easy.

Because the front nine has some elevation change, in between some tighter fairways, with tall trees, and lies in the fairways that aren’t always flat.

The par 4, 9th hole at Cold Water Canyon.

The par 4, 3rd hole, one of the three par 3’s on the front nine, plays over 200 yards from the back tee’s.

The ninth hole is only 290 yards. But it’s straight uphill and not easy to clear to the ridge at the top.

But if you do, the short 60-70 yard pitch shot is into a small and slopped green. Three small bunkers guard the left side of the green.

The golf villas sit behind the 10th green on Cold Water Canyon.

But then the course’s look and length change on the back nine. Because from the back tees, the back nine is about 300 yards longer.

The back nine opened in the late 1990’s. The golf villas that behind the 10th green, and along the 11th hole have a sharp rustic log cabin look to them outside. They are even better indoors.

The back nine weaves through the front entrance area of the resort, and around the east side of the spacious clubhouse. The clubhouse is home to the Tavern Restaurant. A great place to eat whether you are there to play golf or not.

The par 4 12th hole, winds through the hills and trees that welcome guests to the resort.

Josh Glendenning is the new PGA Director of Golf, as of March of this year.

Glendenning says he is working with the resorts owners, to review improvements for the golf course and the practice areas.

But Chula Vista Resort is not just about great golf. Food and beverage is rated among the best in the area. In the main lobby area, is the Kilbourne City Grill and Breakfast Buffet. Great for breakfast lunch or dinner. But if your really hungry, and enjoy some good size steaks, try Kaminski’s Chop House.

The Canyon Bar in the Tavern Restaurant, is a popular gathering spot at the Chula Vista Resort.

Chula Vista Resort is located on the Northside of the Wisconsin Dells off of Highway 13. The resort has waterslide rides and other outdoor activities.

There are over 600 rooms, with plenty of suites to pick from if you need more space. Many of the suites have a great views of the waterways that run through the property.  For business purposes, there is more than 200,000 square feet of conference space. Plus plenty of banquet space to host your special event.

To learn more about one of the hot spots in the dells, see ChulavistaResort.com. You can also learn more about golf in the dells area at WisconsinDellsGolf.com or call (866)-825-6337.

MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IS OPEN FOR GOLF-located on Rt.53 in Bolingbrook. But the dome is home to McWethy’s Sports Bar. So bring your clubs and the passion for watching your favorite teams. Call the dome (630)-739-7600 or Mistwoodgolfdome.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.

The future could be bright for the PGA Show in 2022. Rory Spears at the 2021 PGA Show, wearing Peak Vision sun-glasses.

THE PGA SHOW in Orlando is coming back in 2022.

The dates are January 25-28.

But the question remains, what will the response be, how many people will show up.

In recent years prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, attendance had grown to over 42,000.

After cancelling the in-person edition in 2021, and making the show virtual (which was not a big success) the real edition returns.

The PGA show has conducted studies and surveys already, to try and get a handle on who is coming in January. So the early results are in, and the news is good. Very good.

Apparently over 70% of the previous 42,000 are coming. With 19% percent of the other 30% still undecided. But not ruling out attending as of yet.

Most of the manufacturers are coming, so there will be plenty of booths. But one area that could take a hit is equipment companies.

Golfers on Golf has learned that equipment manufacturers such as TaylorMade, Wilson, Tour Edge, Ping, Mizuno are not attending. With Callaway’s presence being limited to apparel, golf balls, and some items like golf bags. Clubs will not be part of the show. Titleist as now seems to remain being committed making it’s normal presentation.

Over 450 exhibitors are coming, with 650 brands as of now expected to participate.

“The 2022 PGA Show will play an especially important role in helping the industry and PGA Professionals move forward from the pandemic. This will help capitalize on the growing interest in the sport and uncovering new tools to improve the grassroots golf experience,” said PGA of America President Jim Richerson. “Unprecedented strains on operations and supply chains issues due to Covid-19 have impacted nearly all industries. This includes golf. While we anticipate a short-term contraction of participation during this transition year, the 2022 PGA Show will continue to be the largest annual gathering of our membership with thousands of PGA Professionals and top buyers experiencing first-hand the innovative offerings from the more than 650 golf brands. The PGA Show will continue to build business for all who participate and be a bridge in 2022 to an exciting new era in golf.”

The schedule will still remain with a demo day at Orange County National Golf Club. But then followed with three days in the Orange County Convention Center. More details at PGAShow.com.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB and MISTWOOD GOLF DOME now both open. So are both McWethy’s Restaurants. Sunday enjoy the NFL ticket at the golf dome in Bolingbrook. Call Mistwood Golf Club at (815)-254-3333, or call the golf dome at (630)-739-7600.      _____________________________________________________________________

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 SHARK-Greg Norman is the new CEO of a 10 Event series on the Asian Tour.

GREG NORMAN IS BACK. Somewhere that music best known for the JAWS movie, is starting to rev-up.

But somehow Norman seems to be perfect for the role he is about to play. CEO is the Saudi-Group that will add it’s money to the Asian PGA Tour, in a 10-event series. Which = big money for top players.

This is not a new idea. Norman back in the 1990’s tried launching a ‘World Golf Tour”. But then PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem blocked it, and reeled in his tour’s players. So in 1999 Finchem created a series within a tour, with the launch of the WGC-Series of tournaments. With the WGC-the PGA Tour controlled the events, and took the credit, with Norman being kicked to the curb.

That won’t happen this time.

So how will current PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan respond to the latest challenge, this time Saudi Golf. Monahan has already threatened to expel current players off the tour, if they leave to play on other tour start ups.

The Saudi wealth fund-known as the PIF, is reportedly worth over 500 billion. The PIF has put on a European Tour event for a few years called the Saudi International. This tournament has drawn American stars such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau. As you might guess, they all received big appearance fees. Saudi golf is now building several new courses, including one by Jack Nicklaus.

But will all the top players leave for this start-up tour. The PGA Tour and the European Tour’s are trying to stop the challenge. But have not stopped it so far.

This time Norman is not being left behind. Norman and his backers are playing the PGA Tour’s game from the 1990’s. Create a series of high-profile, big dollar events, and being a tour within a tour. The concept worked for the PGA Tour 20 years ago. Can it work again, and draw some of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars.

It’s hard to say. But as always, money talks.