THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB ON Renwick Road in Romeoville is open for golf, and McWethy’s Tavern in the clubhouse has food and drink to go. For more information on Mistwood Golf and McWethy’s visit Mistwoodgc.com or call the club at (815)-254-3333. ______________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or LinkedIn and Facebook. At the WCPT AM 820 Studio’s in Chicago.
WITH ALL OF THE states surrounding Illinois having their golf courses open for play. It was time for Illinois to get on the ball and catch-up, before the Land-of-Lincoln got penalized for slow play.
Yes Illinois golf is open, barely. And after three days of playing under terrible restrictions, it’s time to take another step forward in bringing golf in Illinois up to par.
My thanks go out to the Allied Golf Association in getting the dimples rolling, or in the air again. But as the term goes, “Opening in Phases”, it’s time for Illinois by May 11th to take the next step into Phase 2.
FIRST UP-the return of foursomes. But I’d take threesomes for the next two weeks with 12 minute intervals, if that’s the best Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) can offer. It’s would be an improvement.
SECOND-carts. The cart issue is a big problem. One rider per cart, unless both golfers in the cart shelter under the same roof. But let’s get the carts rolling.
SECOND* if your playing with a non-family member at least let the second member of the group, put his or her bag on the cart while they walk, and let courses charge a small fee for this.
THIRD-The ranges must be open. Use every other hitting bay, and wash the balls in the normal cleaner, and add bleach to the water. As a veteran range washer, trust me range balls will be safe for use again the same day.
FOURTH-putting greens and short game area’s must be opened. There must be a limit on how many people can use these area’s at once. If golfers have to wait to use these area’s until someone else is done, so be it.
FIFTH-Allow lesson’s and club fittings to resume. Social distancing must be practiced, and both pro’s and students or fitting customer’s should wear mask’s. New York is doing this, why can’t Illinois.
SIXTH-Caddies, for this month Fore-caddies only. I propose one caddie with their own rake on each side of all par 4 and par 5 holes. To find balls, and rake bunkers when needed. It would help pace of play, fore-caddies would be at least 175 yards off the tee boxes. One fore-caddie could be used on par 3 holes, and would have to be stationed by the green, to find balls, and rake greenside bunkers. The kids are not in school, so let’s get them working in a safe environment.
Wisconsin already has individual caddies out at places like Sand Valley and Whistling Straits, and Erin Hills before long. So it should not be too big an issue to do it here.
SEVENTH-pro shop access can be done, but limited to 4 or less golfers at a time. With many courses not set up to take online payments, walking into a pro shop is not a big deal. If Jewel Food stores and gas stations can hang-up some glass shields at the counter. Pro shops can as well. It’s hard to sell pro shop items when golfers can’t come inside to buy anything.
EIGHTH- Food and beverage. No the beverage carts should not be out, and grills should not be going outside near the clubhouse. But the kitchen should be able to cook hot dogs, burgers or brats to go, before and after a round. No alcohol for the road.
WHITE EAGLE COUNTRY CLUB member and 2020 Illinois Open White Eagle member chairman Chip Wagner, with hair and then losing his hair (R) as part of the clubs fundraiser to support Edward Hospital in Naperville.
With all the charity golf outings being sacrificed this year because of the Covid-19 Virus, it’s nice to see the golf connections at White Eagle Country Club, creating their own charity event to raise money.
It started with WECC member Dr. Scott Yilk shaving his head for safety reasons with his work in emergency room at Edward Hospital. Add fellow member John Keeley to the plan, and coming up with an idea to raise money for Edward Hospital.
Before long board member Chip Wagner was getting his head shaved, along with Director of Golf Curtis Malm, his son Jack, and club president John Quirk. So far over $21,000 dollars has been raised for Edward Hospital helping the hospital during the Covid-19 outbreak. Great job WECC and Dr. Yilk.
BIG QUESTION-who was flying the red and black helicopter dangerously low over several North Shore golf courses and pro shops on Friday. If you are media, fine. If you aren’t media, and your there spying for someone, do not return.
FINALLY-Len Ziehm will join me for the Ziehm and Spears Podcast 2020-Volume 8 this week. Sorry for the delay on my CBD and CB5 product review. I found one more box of products to try from another company, and want to test them before posting the story.
The Gog Blog returns this week. RS