GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO RETURNS Saturday May 7th on WNDZ-AM 750, and is back at it’s old tee time of 10 Am. Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger, Len Ziehm & Rory Spears all return for the two time award winning show’s 32nd season. We hope you will listen.

Welcome to Cog Hill in Palos Park. CogHillGolf.com.

Sunday May 1st Cog Hill Golf & Country Club will host an equipment demo day for Ping Golf.

Times are from 11 Am to 3 Pm.

But you must make an appointment in advance, by calling the pro shop at Cog Hill.

(866)-254-4455, (866)-COG-HILL.

Call quickly because times are limited, and enjoy the opportunity to have new clubs for the 2022 golf season.

THE AWARD WINNING GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO RETURNS on Saturday May 7th, at 10 AM back on our old home WNDZ-AM 750. Chicago’s favorite foursome will return.

The Greenway Tap in the Preserve at Oak Meadows.

THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS part of DuPage Golf is back in swing.

But even better the new clubhouse has upped it’s game.

So are you ready for lunch or dinner. Because as warm weather arrives, you can dine in or dine out. As in outside.

This 18,000 square foot facility brings not just golfers, but a building that everyone can enjoy.

The Chef’s menu for April runs Thursday through Sunday, during the hours of 11 Am through 7 PM. How about sandwiches, salads, and healthy inspirations. But there will be more additions as the summer months arrive.

THE GRAB and GOLF menu that’s available every day, includes the walk-up window that opens at 8 AM weekdays, 7 Am on the weekend. Indoor bar seating is on the tee at 9 AM, with last call at sunset. The Grab and Golf menu is open until 7 PM.

Do you drink DuPage. “DuPage drafts” are available at at the Greenway Tap. But even more news, is that all three DuPage Golf Courses are now open.

Visit DuPagegolf.com for details, rates, events and more.

MISTWOOD GOLF on Renwick Road in Romeoville is open for the season. So book your tee time at (815)-254-3333 or visit MistwoodGC.com. DuPage Golf now has all three of it’s golf courses open for the season. To learn more do visit DuPagegolf.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook. In the NEW WNDZ Am 750 Studio’s.

WE’RE BACK for year #32.

Chicago’s longest running golf radio show returns on Saturday May 7th, and back to our roots from 2019, WNDZ-AM 750.

BUT EVEN BETTER YET, is that Golfers on Golf returns to morning drive with a tee-time of 10 AM.

WITH A SLOW golf season in terms of tournaments in town this year, Golfers on Golf elected to go with a 16 week run this summer.

THE LACK OF bigger tournaments and the playing of the BMW Championship in Delaware in August, and with no area Ryder Cup this season. Golfers on Golf elected for a shorter run this season. Because hey, aren’t short courses the new rave in golf. Yes we thought so.

AS FOR WCPT AM 820-we loved our time there. But so does everyone else that has a show currently there. So as a result WCPT’s tee sheet is full, and Golfers on Golf moved an entire 20 feet down the hallway to new studio’s and a new station. Special thanks to GM Mark Pinski for getting us back into our old permanent tee time from 2018 & 2019.

Golfers on Golf Radio is now a two-time ING National award runner-up winner for best golf radio show in America.

So Chicago’s favorite foursome returns for another season.

Golfers on Golf Radio is the only golf show in Chicago, with a member of the Illinois PGA Section in Ed Stevenson who operates DuPage Golf.

A former member of the PGA Tour in Bill Berger, and now in charge of Jakes Pizza on Grand Avenue in Franklin Park.

A member of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in Len Ziehm, who’s golf column is still found in the Daily Herald Sports section on Wednesdays.

Last but not least there is a hard working golf media guy, in me. But this foursome works well together, and plays a good game, maybe even better we talk a good game. So when your not on the golf course, or the practice range, give us a listen. We will let you know where to find us, if you need a mulligan and still want to catch the show.

WEEK 1 will be a preview of the summer golf season, and is there a shortage of premier golf events in town this summer, and if so why.

BEST OF LUCK to our 11 Illinois PGA Section professionals, who are playing in the National Club Professional Championship. On the line is one of 20 places in next months PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa Oklahoma. The club professional championship is being held in Austin Texas, at the Omni Hotel Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

Wildcat Academy instructor Tim Streng led the Illinois group of professionals on Day 1, with a 4 under par 66. But the 66 also left Streng in the top ten on the leaderboard (T-8th). Royal Hawk’s Brian Carroll shot a 2 under par 68, and so did Illinois golf coach Mike Small. Mistwood’s Andy Mickelson rallied from +2 to finish at 69 (-1). Skokie’s Garrett Chaussard and Mistwood’s Frank Hohenadel shot respectable 1 over par scores of 73.

A TIP OF THE CAP OR GOLF VISOR TO retired John Deere CEO and Evans Scholar Sam Allen. Allen recently made a 20 million dollar donation to his alma mater’s golf team, the Purdue Boilermakers. Because with that money, the Boilers will do some major clubhouse work and more at the schools Kampen Course, designed by the late Pete Dye.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW-RS

MISTWOODS Andy Mickelson (L) and University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small (R) head up an Illinois PGA group of 11 players at the Club Professional Championship

There is nothing like Sunday at the Crossings House on the Cradle in Pinehurst. 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.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

But inn addition to Easter, today is Round 1 of the Club Professional Championship at Barton Creek in Austin Texas.

Good luck to all 11 Illinois PGA Players, make you advance to this years 2022 PGA Championship.

Because there are 20 spots open in the field at Southern Hills in Tulsa.

This years purse is $1.5 million dollars, so while your at it, bring home some money as well.

LEN ZIEHM ON GOLF has posted a new golf travel column on his website, Lenziehmongolf.com Ziehm covers Myrtle Beach, Sand Valley, Eagle Ridge and the Homestead in Virginia, check out Len’s column if your ready to golf-away.

Angelica Carmen joins Mistwood.

Mistwood Golf in Romeoville is expanding what they do.

Mistwood has hired Angelica Carmen a native of Lemont and graduate of Loyola University in Chicago to be a new sustainability specialist.

So what this means is that Carmen will be creating an 8,000 square foot farm in the middle of the Mistwood Golf Club. Carmen has won multiple awards for her work in this industry from both the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Greater Chicagoland Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

This program helps Mistwood be environmental friendly. But not only will various events be held at the farm, the farm will create various foods. Which can be used in foods served in McWethy’s Tavern. Because of the addition of 10 beehives. The potential will be as much as 500 pounds of honey each year.

Late Mistwood owner Jim McWethy’s son Todd is the driving force behind this new venture at Mistwood. “Angelica is a great addition to our team here at Mistwood,” said McWethy. So learn more about the new program at MistwoodGC.com.

WILLOWBROOK BASED CLUB CHAMPION has announced the acquisition of Australian club fitter PureForm Golf.

“We’re very excited to partner with the PureForm team down under<” said Club Champion CEO, Adam Levy. “Like our other recent acquisitions, PureForm strives to give their customers a top-tier experience and measurable results on the golf course. So we felt a natural connection with them and their model.

“We’ve seen what Club Champion has done in America. So we are ready to explore the same approach here in America,” said Paul Jenner, Managing Director and Co-Founder of PureForm. You can learn more about the two companies and club fitting at Club Champion at ClubChampionGolf.com.

The range-under the lights at Cog Hill.

COG HILL GOLF has announced a series of club fitting demo days on the range over the next few weeks.

Wilson Golf is first on the tee next Saturday April 23rd from 10 AM to 2 PM.

CLEVELAND GOLF’S Wedge fitting clinic is April 27th from 5 Pm to 6:30 PM, this event is limited to the first 14 golfers who sign up. Participants will receive a fitted wedge from Cleveland Golf, cost is $179.00.

CALLAWAY HAS IT’S FITTING EXPERIENCE on the range from 11AM to 3 PM, cost is $60.00. Participants will receive a dozen Chrome Soft golf balls.. So to register for any of these events see Coghillgolf.com or call (866)-264-4455.

JAPANESE CLUB MAKER MIURA GOLF is releasing it’s first putter models in four years. So visit Miuragolf.com for information on the KM1 and KM2 putters.

ACE INDOOR GOLF has recently completed the installation of new state-of-the-art simulators in the Denver Colorado based headquarters of Golf Tec. But for more information on industry leader of golf simulator design and installation, visit Aceindoorgolf.com.

CHARLIE MECHAM a long time advisor to both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus has released his new book, Arnie and Jack, my stories with two amazing men. There is 152 pages of great stories on the King and the Bear. Available at Amazon or go visit CharlieMecham.com.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT- returns tomorrow. RS

HERITAGE OAKS IS OPEN and now with carts available. So come out and enjoy a full season of golf this year. HeritageOaksgc.com. THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS and all three DuPage Golf venues are now open. So learn more at DuPagegolf.com.

LEN ZIEHM (L) & RORY SPEARS (R) in the 19th hole of the Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota Florida.

ZIEHM & SPEARS are back!

The Len Ziehm and Rory Spears 2022 Podcast Series is back again this week with more of what’s happening in the world of golf.

This weeks edition Volume 9, covers some thoughts on the Masters, this weeks tour stop the Heritage Classic at Harbor Town on Hilton Head South Carolina.

Closers to home the weather has not been good for golf, so 11 Illinois PGA professionals head south to Austin Texas and the Club Professional National Championship, starting Sunday.

The Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) is making news with multiple announcements on championships sites, and who has made a commitment to join this years field.

Len and Rory discuss Eagle Ridge Resort, Illinois’s best golf resort located in Galena has anniversary’s coming up on it’s golf courses.

But more topics include the University of Illinois wins a golf tournament. Mistwood’s April fools joke that maybe wasn’t so funny, $1,000 dollar putters and more.

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks edition of Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2022 Volume 9.

So thanks for listening, Len and Rory.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville is open for the summer golf season. Matt Carter (R) is part of Mistwood’s club fitting team. So if your ready for new golf equipment see Eric Russell or Matt Carter. Ready to golf, go visit Mistwoodgc.com

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

PGA of AMERICA CLUB PROFESSIONALS are on the tee.

20 places in the 2022 PGA Championship are on the line starting Sunday. But the final round is played on Wednesday.

312 of the nations top club professionals will compete to be in the field at Southern Hills next month in Tulsa.

But 11 of the players will be from the Illinois PGA Section.

University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small has won the championship three times. But is bidding to be the first four-time winner of the championship.

MISTWOOD’S Andy Mickelson (L) and University of Illinois Men’s golf coach Mike Small (R) head the field of 11 Illinois PGA Section professionals headed to Texas, to compete in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship (PPC).

This years PPC will be played at the Omni Hotel Barton Creek Resort and Spa. But take note the first round in on Sunday April 17th, and runs through Wednesday April 20th.

“We are excited to once again play witness to the PGA Professional Championship,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section. “We have a strong group of professionals representing the Illinois PGA Section this year, and we wish them the best of luck.”

So in addition to the Illinois PGA Section champion Andy Mickelson of the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small a three-time past champion will compete.

Illinois will also be represented by Reece Bartelt, of S.M.A.R.T. Golf & Fitness in Lombard. Brian Carroll from The Hawk Country Club in St. Charles. Garrett Chaussard from Skokie Country Club in Glencoe. Chris French of Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford. Frank Hohenadel from Mistwood Golf Club. David Paeglow from Kishwaukee Country Club in Dekalb. Kurt Rogers Champaign Country Club. Matt Slowinski of Hinsdale Country Club in Clarendon Hills. Tim Streng of the Wildcat Golf Academy in Lake Forest.

The championship was first held in 1968, and now has a purse of $1.5 million dollars. But to watch the championship on television. So tune in to The Golf Channel all four days from 2-5 PM local time. But for more coverage click into PGAProChampionship.com.

LIVGOLF.COM LIV GOLF comes to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove IL. Sept. 16-18.

THERE IS NOW a ticket waitlist for the LIV Invitational golf series.

This September the LIV Golf Series will come to Illinois, and play at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove Illinois from September 16-18.

The format is three days and the start will be a shot gun start, will puts the entire field on the course at the same time.

The 48 player field will bring plenty of excitement to Rich Harvest Farms. RHF owner Jerry Rich will be donating much of the proceeds to several great charitable causes.

Learn more about the LIV Golf Series at Livgolf.com.

HERITAGE OAKS in Northbrook-Now Open for 2022. Clubhouse, driving range and golf course (walking only) for now. HeritageOaksgc.com. FLYING HIGH Again Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena continues to improve under new management. See EagleRidge.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. On Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin.

OPENING DAY while be here in full form shortly.

So while the Irish Course at Whistling Straits and the original championship course at Blackwolf Run have been taking tee times.

All the courses are getting set open for the season on April 22nd.

On the 22nd, Whistling Straits will open for the year, along with 18 holes at both courses over at Blackwolf Run.

Kohler’s sensational new par-3 course The Baths will open as well. So check out Destination Kohler to enjoy some of the best golf in the Midwest. Kohler has four, 18-hole championship Pete Dye Golf Courses and a par-3 course inspired by Dye’s historic designs.

Golf is back for 2022 in Kohler Wisconsin.

SOUTHERN PINES GOLF CLUB 1906 rediscovered. Kyle Franz redo of the Donald Ross classic course is a winning. Put it on your schedule for 2022. Rossresorts.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.

Vokey Low Bounce K grind 60 degree.

BOB VOKEY has created another classic wedge in the work shop. The wizard of wedges has tour players buzzing and amateurs ready to put the latest Vokey in their bag.

Because with success from the SM9 line growing, expansion is happening with the new 58.06 and 60.06 models.

The new wedge is available in both Tour Chrome and in Raw finishes.

Titleist says that amateurs will find the Low Bounce K will help them out of greenside bunkers, and with shots around the green.

But the creation of the new Low Bounce K comes from both Vokey and Vokey tour representative Aaron Dill’s conversations with tour players.

“Several players have preferred the K grind sole but were seeking a lower bounce version,” said Vokey. “As a result, we crafted a sole with six degrees of effective bounce, while maintaining the wide camber that makes the K design so effective for a variety of players. But as soon as we brought it on tour, it was immediately accepted in the bags of multiple players.”

Titleist says it’s staff players who have had immediate success with the 60.06 K include Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas and Webb Simpson.

THE K GRIND has raised the Center of Gravity by placing more weight across the topline design. It’s a new patented spin milled process, that’s creating a tightening of allowable tolerances. This produces sharper groove in all wedges, and produces a higher and more consistent spin. See the Vokey.com and use the selector tool that will find the proper specifications for your swing.

Specifications on the shaft and grip include Ture Temper Dynamic Gold S200, with a Tour Velvet 360 white grip. Tour Chrome finishes come in right handed only, with Raw finishes available in both left and right handed options. Visit Vokey.com to learn more about the differences between the Low Bounce K Wedges, and the Vokey SM9 grinds. But players whose swing is a more shallow attack angle, will enjoy the new K Grind.

The new Vokey Low Bounce K Grind Wedges are now available in pro shops and golf retail stores. With the MAP set at $225.00.

REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE for when Georgia is on your mind. So visit Georgia’s top golf destination, 64 miles from Augusta-6 courses and more.Reynoldslakeoconee.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook. In the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook.

MASTERS WEEK IS OVER!

The Tiger Woods reunion party is also over, only 23 shots off the pace. Now back to the tournament and the real golf.

So is Scottie Scheffler vs Cameron Smith the new normal in golf. Because both players are having a great year. Scheffler’s run in golf has been amazing since he first won the Evans Scholars Invitational at the Glen Club in 2019. A great finish for Rory McIlroy, but it was too little too late. Had McIlroy won, it would have wrapped up the career Grand Slam, and been the story of the week.

LEN ZIEHM picked Scottie Scheffler to win in our podcast last week. I picked runner-up Rory McIlroy to win. Ziehm and Spears finished 1 & 2, not too bad.

IT’S BEEN SAID that Masters week is the beginning of golf season in the Chicago area. But while temperatures will be better this week, more heavy rain is expected. Which means those dreaded words are not far behind, cart path only. A real experience on the golf course killer.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY recently received a donation of $20 million dollars by now retired John Deere Company CEO Sam Allen, who attended Purdue as an Evans Scholar and played on Purdue’s golf team.

Word is that schools Kampen Course designed by Pete Dye, will see some improvements going forward. But the main improvement is that the clubhouse will be torn down, and be enlarged. It will also sit higher for better viewing of golf on holes near the clubhouse. The larger clubhouse will force the entrance road to be moved, and a tunnel will get built under the road, to more safely connect the two courses. The university might also seek to hold some professional tournaments there. But time will tell. Kudo’s to Sam Allen on the donation and here’s hoping Purdue University makes good use of the money.

Congratulations to the Fighting Illini and Coach Mike Small’s men’s golf team on winning the Purdue Boilermaker Invitational by 8 shots.

GREAT NEWS is that the Augusta Women’s Amateur Champion 16 year-old Anna Davis (the bucket hat girl) has announced a commitment to play in the Women’s Western Golf Associations (WWGA) Amateur Championship at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield this July. Davis is still eligible to play in the WWGA Junior Girls Championship at Prestwick Country Club as well. But no word if she will come to the Chicago area twice in one summer.

WHITE EAGLE GOLF CLUB in Naperville is becoming quite the tournament host. After the great hosting of the Illinois Open in 2020, the Illinois Open will return this summer in the first week of August. But in July of 2023 the club will host the WWGA Amateur, great job White Eagle membership stepping up to host these tournaments.

MORE TOURNAMENT NOTES, the Illinois PGA now has sites for it’s four major championships this year. The Match Play Championship at Elgin Country Club, the Illinois Open at White Eagle, the IPGA Section Championship at Makray Memorial in Barrington, and the Players Championship at Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe. All four courses are great sites for the IPGA majors, a well done to the section tournament staff.

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS in Addison will host the IPGA Senior Open.

BUT ALSO IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD of the Preserve, once again comes talk of the Bensenville Park District selling off some of the land that comprises the 36-holes at White Pines Golf Club. Sad to hear of course. But what would be nice if somebody with deep pockets would come along and buy the club, fix it up, and still give discounts to Bensenville residents. So let’s save White Pines from becoming homes. Maybe someday, Mike Munro can put the dome back-up again during winter time.

EAGLE RIDGE RESORT & SPA in Galena has a special anniversary coming up next month, the question is do they even know. May 27th marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the General golf course. So here’s hoping they put together a something special to celebrate the day.

NOW THAT WE ARE past the Masters hoopla, and the next major the PGA Championship is on the tee at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa. I’m hoping defending champion Phil Mickelson will play, it’s time to get “Lefty” back out on the golf course.

WORD IS THAT there are no more single day tickets available for the U.S. Open at the Country Club this June. So if you still plan on going, plan to pony up major bucks to buy multiple days.

THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow. RS