THE HONEY BEE HIVES AT WORK-Mistwood Honey is here. So visit McWethy’s Tavern on Renwick Road at Mistwood Golf Club and get some today. The Mistwood Golf Dome is now open for indoor golf, so visit MistwoodGolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. #TrytheWings

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

IT’S NOVEMBER so the new driving range picker is here. Rory Spears is now holding down the seat.

ON THE HILL…

Today I went to play Settlers Hill in Batavia the newly reopened renovation of the Kane County Forest Preserve District Golf Course.

But while the course has greatly improved under the renovation work of architect Greg Martin, their is a couple of minor repairs left for the summer of 2023.

Later this week I’ll have more on Settlers Hill, and my thoughts on this redesigned Chicago area golf course, with elevation change and views not normally found in the Chicago area.

ON THE RENOVATION FRONT, last week I did a tour of Village links Golf Course in Glen Ellyn. So it’s good to see that the course is starting the master planning phase. While it does sound like any on course work will start in 2024 (maybe) at the earliest, a renovation plan seems to be coming together.

THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT of DuPage County and Martin continue to make progress on the next step of golf course renovation, this time at Maple Meadows in Wood Dale. The master plan seems to be taking shape, and the next step is to begin moving forward on it. But much like Village Links, there is plenty to do before any on-course work starts happening.

BUT WORK HAS STARTED on the Winnetka Park District Course. The par-3 course closed since July is now joined by the 18 hole course. Target date for reopening is August 2024.

ANNOUNCEMENTS are expected soon from local golf courses closing up outdoor play for the season. Heritage Oaks in Northbrook, that has it’s first full open season since 2019. Could be closing this weekend. But good news is that there is now simulators inside in the Acorn Grill. With temperatures not looking great starting this coming weekend and through the following week, expect more courses to follow suit.

IT MUST BE THAT TIME OF YEAR-Because “The Match” is coming back again. This years snooze-fest entry is Tiger and Rory McIlroy-vs-Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth. Action will be under the lights. Maybe Charles Barkley will call-in again and donate some money.

CONDOLENCES to family and friends of long time professional Dow Finsterwald who passed away last Friday in his sleep at the age of 93. His son announced.

THE YEAR END GOLF SALE at the Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove, is back for the first time since 2019. Friday (9A-8P) and Saturday (9A-5P) November 18 & 19. great year end deals from on merchandise from both Chicago area public and private clubs. I will post more on this event in the days to come.

THERE ARE some great days ahead this week to get out and play. Because colder temps are coming by next weekend. RS

DOWN ON THE FARM-The Mistwood Golf Club Honey Farm is producing the fall season honey. Just in time for the holidays. So stop by the Mistwood Golf Club and visit McWethy’s Tavern to get your holiday honey. The Mistwood Golf Dome is now open for the winter. So visit McWethysTavern.com or Mistwoodgolfdome.com (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 and Facebook.

JDC Clair Peterson recent conducted his final Birdies for Charity announcement. Photo by Rory Spears.

ONE MORE TIME

John Deere Classic Executive Director Clair Peterson recently presided over his last charity announcement for the John Deere Classic.

So it only seems fitting that the Birdies for Charity announcement, set a record. By the amount of $89,514 dollars.

But the total for the year was $13,908,668 million dollars. The previous record was $13,819, 154 set in 2019. But even better news is that there is 481 charities, that will receive a 7% bonus.

Since the John Deere Classic was founded in 1971, and ran under several other names and title sponsors before the arrival of John Deere in 1998, the total amount of dollars raised for charity is now $159.57 million dollars.

“As always, we are thankful to our fans, John Deere, and other corporate partners and local family foundations for their ongoing generosity and support for Birdies for Charity,” Peterson said. “John Deere takes pride in it’s unique position as a civic leader and nowhere is that leadership more apparent than in it’s support of our charity initiatives.”

Based on the number of residents (375,000) in the Quad Cities area, the amount raised this year breaks down to $37 dollars per person.

The JDC also announced that Ken Goddard of DeWitt Iowa, won the drawing of a two-year lease on a Lexus RX350. Goddard and four other finalists correctly picked the exact number of birdies (2,041) in this years John Deere Classic.

The 2023 John Deere Classic will be held July 3-9. J.T. Poston is the defending champion.

Peterson wraps up a 45 year career with John Deere after starting in the companies marketing department in 1975, after graduating with a journalism degree from Iowa State. Peterson started in golf as a caddie at the Seth Raynor designed Blue Mound Country Club near Milwaukee. He was hired as the John Deere Classic tournament director in 2002, with first tournament being in 2003. Peterson beat out over 80 other candidates for the position.

As TPC Deere Run came together, it’s was Peterson who named all 18 of the golf holes, and wrote the historical descriptions tied into the land and history of the area.

PGA Tour players and Ryder Cup captains Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker both spoke about Peterson’s endless contributions to the tournament. There are many PGA Tour players who consider Peterson as one of the best tournament directors on the PGA Tour.

GOLF IN THE DOME then spend your money on the honey. Mistwood Golf Dome is open for the winter golf season in Bolingbrook on Rt. 53. (630)-739-7600 But the honey from Mistwood Golf Club is for sale at McWethys Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Road in Romeoville (815)-254-3333. McwethysTavern.com #MistwoodGolf

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.

Belmont Golf Club is back.

BELMONT GOLF CLUB IS BACK.

But it will start in 2023. Because the site that is the roots of the famed Chicago Golf Club, will be rebranding it’s identity.

So as to reconnect the courses history of the legendary golf course.

Charles Blair Macdonald designed the first nine holes west of the Allegheny Mountains in Downers Grove Illinois, located on Belmont Road.

This was the original site of the Chicago Golf Club, before the club moved to it’s current location in Wheaton. Then Macdonald designed nine more holes for the course in 1893.

Macdonald himself was one of the founding members of the Belmont Golf Club. So one of his first tasks was to keep many of the original holes of the Chicago Golf Club in play, after the Chicago Golf Club moved.

The original Belmont Golf Club, is among the original courses of the Western Golf Association founded in 1899.

But the current layout is 9 holes, six of those holes are called the “Original Six”. Because these holes have had only minor changes, since the late 1890’s. These current holes are holes 1,2,4,7,8, and 9.

The Belmont Golf Club routing.

The Acorn shaped logo, is reflective of the Belmont Trophy whose history dates back to the year of 1919.

This trophy is on display in the clubhouse.

Currently the Downers Grove Golf Club is still open for play this November.

But for tee times in the week ahead please call the club at (630)-963-1306. Downersgrovegolfclub.org.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt.53 in Bolingbrook (L) the fruits of Mistwood Golf and Farms in Romeoville (R). Get the sweet side of golf game rolling at the Mistwood Golf Club, while it’s still open for outdoor golf. Mistwoodgc.com or call (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 LinkedIn and Facebook.

Welcome to Village Links Golf Club in Glen Ellyn.

While there has been plenty of renovation projects in the Chicagoland area in the recent years.

That list of projects is continuing. Because the are new additions to the project that will happen in the next few years.

A recent media release by architect Greg Martin said that master planning was underway with the Village Links golf course in Glen Ellyn.

A recent visit by Golfers on Golf to Village Links, allowed GOG to catch up with head golf professional Michael Campbell.

The Village Links flag flies on the third green of the clubs nine hole golf course.

Campbell said the club is aware that its bunkers and course drainage need some work.

But what would any renovation project include, is too early to determine.

Campbell says the Village board will wait for a report from Martin, to see what needs to be done. In addition to what projected costs would total.

The master planning process, will include all 27 holes of golf, and the practice areas.

During the construction phase, the entire facility will not be shut down. But it’s not clear if 9 or 18 holes will remain open. Because two area golf courses with 27 holes, Arrowhead in Wheaton and the Schaumburg Golf Club in Schaumburg. Closed 9 holes at time. So that left 18 holes open for play through-out the entire renovation phase of the project.

When reached by phone, Martin told Golfers on Golf that master planning is in it’s very early stages. So there are plenty of steps to work through. Any on-course work would not start before 2024.

Village Links owned by the Village of Glen Ellyn, has been a popular golf course. The club has seen a large number of rounds played, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The club is home to the Reserve 22 restaurant. But previously served as the home to the Monday qualifier for the Western Open Championship.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, and is now open for indoor golf. So as soon as the Mistwood Golf Club closes up outdoor operations, the golf operation will transfer to the dome. Lessons, practice, fitting and more. Toptracer golf and some of the best chicken wings anywhere. So visit 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 and Facebook.

*** THE FOLLOWING STORY is based on the Golfers on Golf/Rory Spears interview with current Chicago Golf Club board president Herb Getz***

Rory Spears on the 18th green of the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton Illinois.

HISTORY WAS MADE at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton in July of 2018, when the United States Golf Association (USGA) brought the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open to the Chicago Golf Club.

Laura Davies won that championship before winning the Senior Women’s LPGA Championship at the French Lick Resort to complete the senior women’s slam, even though it was two championships not four.

Davies has since called the win at Chicago Golf Club, “the highlight of my career”. Because what you win, is not always as important as where you win it.

But as great as the Chicago Golf Club looked for the championship, it was really the beginning of getting better for what was to come next. But to decide on how to move forward, the Chicago Golf Club had to visit and study it’s own history.

The good news is that as current club president Herb Getz tells it, was that heading into the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, some of the membership wasn’t sure if hosting this championship was the right move for the club. But by the time Davies was thanking the gallery on championship Sunday for “watching us old birds come out and play”. The Chicago Golf Club membership was in agreement that hosting the championship was the right thing to do.

The clubhouse at the Chicago Golf Club.

But now the club was facing the question, what next. With Chicago Golf now in it’s third century of a relationship with the USGA, discussions started about yet, another USGA championship. But what really fueled the fire was a visit from new USGA Executive Director Michael Whan. Because shortly after joining the USGA, Whan visited all of the original clubs, and asked them to host another USGA championship.

Big or small, didn’t matter. Whan suggested to the USGA original member clubs, to again host a championship, even if it’s been decades since the last one. So to get ready for what was next, Chicago Golf Club studied it’s history, and moved forward by bringing back it’s past history.

Laura Davies with the U.S. Senior Women’s Open trophy.

The clubs consulting architect Tom Doak got the call, and along the with clubs board, historian and superintendent went to work. But no sooner than the club closed on Labor Day of 2020 for the work to begin, the superintendent who arrived a few years earlier from Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia. Got a calling to go back to Philly. So the restoration team made a change and continued forward.

But work wasn’t just being done outside on the golf course. Because the clubs-clubhouse committee got to work on the clubhouse, inside and outside. Because one of the stories from the 2005 Walker Cup, was how portable air-conditioning units were brought in that week. So even in 2005, the clubs clubhouse did not have air conditioning.

The club knew that needed to change. But along with some upgrades to the A/C and the heating. Improvements started on pipes that provided both the water and electric. Clubhouse work began as the golf course work started, with drainage and bunkers being redone. Which included re-adding the 13 rediscovered original Seth Raynor bunkers from 1923.

The flags of country, the USGA, and the Chicago Golf Club will fly together again in 2033 and 2036.

Getz tells how the bunkers with steeper faces may not excite all of the membership, but improvements have made those who play golf at the club tune-up their “A” game.

Getz says that a future U.S. Open “could be’ in the cards. But it’s likely the club will see how the golf course holds up from championship week at the women’s open in 2033 first. Before making any decision on a men’s open.

Being one of only two clubs along with Shinnecock Hills on Long Island New York, that has hosted USGA Championships in three straight centuries. Is something the Chicago Golf Club takes prides in.

CLICK HERE to hear the interview in full with Chicago Golf Club president Herb Getz.

Can more changes be expected between now and 2033. Actually, not many. But Getz says some tee boxes could be easily added.

The 2033 U.S. Women’s Open is still 10 1/2 years away. But Chicago area golf fans  already can’t wait to see a major championship back in town. Ten plus years might seem like a long way a way. But the time is likely to pass-us by before we know it. Even if time does have a way of standing still at the 130 year old Chicago Golf Club.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is preparing for another year of the winter golf season, so when your ready to head indoors-The MGD is waiting for you. Located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook (630)-739-7600 see Mistwoodgolfdome.com #Golf/FootballSundaysreturn

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.

The Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton Illinois will host the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2036 Walker Cup. Photo by Rory Spears

THE USGA IS COMING BACK TO CHICAGO.

But while it’s a bit down the road, finally a major golf organization has committed to bringing some major golf championships back to the best golf destination in the Midwest, the Chicagoland area.

Because this morning the United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that the historic Chicago Golf Club will be host of the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open, and the 2036 Walker Cup.

The U.S. Women’s Open trophy.

During it’s long and storied history, the Chicago Golf Club has previously hosted 12 USGA championships.

But most recently it hosted the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship in 2018, won by Laura Davies.

“The history of the USGA and American golf can’t be told without Chicago Golf Club, and just over 125 years of hosting it’s first USGA championship, we’re thrilled to announce the return for two additional significant events,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA cheif championships officer. “With the tremendous support of its members and a world-class venue, we’re confident that the Chicago Golf Club will deliver memorable moments and an opportunity for golf fans around the world to see one of the country’s finest golf venues.”

The Chicago Golf Club was founded in 1892. But it was located in west suburban Downers Grove, where the first nine-holes was built. But only some of those holes remain in play today. So in 1893 the nations first 18 hole course opened in it’s current location in Wheaton Illinois.

But some of the clubs great history comes from the fact, that legendary course designer Charles Blair Macdonald was the course architect. Macdonald’s house sits up against the course on the westside of the club. Because the club is one of the five founding clubs of the USGA in 1894, it’s will hold it’s place in history.

Macdonald was the first U.S. Amateur champion in 1895, and was the USGA’s first vice president.

The Walker Cup-photo courtesy of the USGA.

Architect Seth Raynor that took over much of Macdonald’s work in later years, did a redesign of the Chicago Golf Club in 1923. But more recently the club did restoration work to restore original fairway lines and dimensions for all 128 bunkers on the golf course. But this work included 13 bunkers that were reinstalled after the club discovered maps that showed they were part of the original Raynor design.

“Hosting the best players in the world-men, women-amateur and professional-for USGA events is a point of pride for our club and a significant part of our long history,” said Herb Getz, Chicago Golf Club president. “So we very much look forward to building upon that history and continuing our valued partnership with the USGA on an larger stage well into the future.”

***Getz will speak with Golfers on Golf later today.

Chicago Golf Club has hosted USGA championships in three different centuries, the U.S. Open in 1897, 1900 and 1911. The U.S. Amateur was held at the club in 1897, 1905, 1909 and 1912. The U.S Women’s Amateur in 1903, and the Walker Cup in 1928 and in 2005. The U.S. Senior Amateur in 1979 and the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2018.

Team USA 2005 Walker Cup Captain Bob Lewis called the 2005 match “the greatest Walker Cup ever played.” Team USA held off the late charging Great Britain and Ireland team 12 1/2 to 11 1/2. Because the win ended a string of three straight losses in the event for the USA.

U.S. Senior Women’s Open champion Laura Davies called winning the championship the “highlight of my career”. Davies called Chicago Golf Club “a great venue” for the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open. A venue that will crown a worthy champion.”

Golfers on Golf will provide additional details on these events as they become available.