THE 120th WOMEN’S WESTERN AMATEUR tee’s off this week on Tuesday at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort IL. through Saturday. The 118th Western Amateur is on the tee at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, from July 27th-August 1st.    _____________________________________________________________________

It’s time for tournament golf to return to the Chicago area. The first of four Western Golf Association/Women’s Western Golf Association events tee’s off this week at Prestwick Country Club in South Suburban Frankfort IL. more coming up on the championship during the week.

The Western Amateur at Crooked Stick runs the following week, see our preview from two weeks ago for more details.

The Illinois Open from August 3-5 brings tournament coverage on to our schedule for the three weeks ahead. Stay clicked in for updates on golf tournament play returning to the area.

Volvik Golf Balls and Marvel Worldwide have created yet another special gift set of golf balls.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Marvel with the introduction of the Marvel Black Widow Gift Set,” said Don Shin, president of Volvik USA. “Demand for all our Marvel character golf balls has been outstanding, and we anticipate the same response from Black Widow.”

Volvik has reported record-setting sales of the Marvel x Volvik collaboration of Captain America, Ironman, Spider Man and The Hulk VIVID 4-Ball sets. With black Widow being the newest member of the collection. The four-ball set includes two white and two black 2020 VIVID golf balls with the Black Widow and Marvel logos, and a magnetic hat clip and logoed magnetic ball marker. The set retails at $24.99 and is available at Volvik.com or retail stores beginning yesterday July 17th. Marvel Worldwide publishes comic books and it’s parent company is the Walt Disney Company since 2009.

The Golf Scene with Steve Kashul is back tonight at 6 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

Both at 6 Pm and at 10:30 Pm.

More showing coming up include Monday July 20th at 7 Pm on NBC Sports-Chicago Plus.

July 23rd at 1:30 Pm, July 24th at 7:30 Pm on NBC Sports Chicago Plus. Then the final showing in July is on Sunday the 26th at Noon.

Topics include the Preserve at Oak Meadows and the courses of DuPage Golf. Picking the right golf ball with Srixon Golf Balls. The Woodbine Bend GC in Stockton IL. near Galena. The Deerfield Golf and Learning Center. Cleveland Golf’s/Srixon/XXIO Chuck Thiry on the State of Golf. Visit The Golf Scene on Facebook to win prizes.

Kyle English of Crestwicke Country Club won the Illinois PGA Assistants Professional Championship this past week.

English won by six shots with a pair of 6 under par-66’s, and it’s his second title in the event, also winning in 2018.

English will be joined by runner-up DePaul Assistant Coach Michael Schachner and Justin Bardgett of the University of Illinois Golf Club, at the 44th National Rental Car Assistant PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club, in Port. St. Lucie Florida Nov. 12-15.

” I made today ( Round 2) pretty stress-free,” said English. “I had a lot of close looks for birdies especially early on. I got off to a really solid start in the second round and was able to sit back and trust my swing and not press anything. Overall a really good day.”

The National Assistants Championship has a field of 132 contestants, who are playing for a purse of $150,000. A cut is made after 36 holes, down to the low 70-players and ties.

Welcome to Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale Missouri (near Branson) created by Johnny Morris owner of the Bass Pro Shop’s, home to a back-to-back Champions Tour events.

Above (R) Buffalo Ridge by architect Tom Fazio. Below Ozarks National designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, called the Best New Course in 2019.

From August 17-26 the PGA Tour Champions heads back to Missouri and Big Cedar Lodge from August 17-26, for two Charles Schwab Champions Tour events. After two practice rounds on Buffalo Ridge, the first tournament will be played from August 19th through the 21st.

Players get two practice round days on August 22-23 to warm up before the second event starts on Ozarks National from August 24-26.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, there will be no spectators at either tournament. Courses around the resort will be closed on various days between August 16-26. See the resorts website at BigCedar.com for shutdown schedules at each of the 5 courses.

“This our seventh year hosting the PGA Tour Champions, and we are very happy to welcome these incredible players and friends back to Big Cedar Lodge,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge. “We continue to take great pride in this special place and our continued enhancements, including the grand opening of Ozarks National last year and the debut of Payne’s Valley course later this year. We know the unique beauty of our courses leave a lasting impression, and we look forward to providing a challenging, memorable experience to all of the players while showcasing the beauty and wonder of the Ozarks with the world.”

MYRTLE BEACH 37TH WORLD AMATEUR scheduled for August 31-September 4th will go on as scheduled, with changes to the format, and the post round celebrations at the World’s Largest 19th hole. Over 2,300 players are signed up, for more information please visit MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com,

Golfers if you are looking for great golf rates on the best resort golf courses in Illinois, check out Eagle Ridge in Galena Illinois.

The great rates that were offered in July, will partially carry-over in the month of August.

Eagle Ridge is improving all of it’s golf courses under the new ownership. For more details on Eagle Ridge Golf and the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, please visit EagleRidge.com.

COG HILL has some upcoming tournaments, that golfers who enjoy stogies, or best brews from Pollyanna brewing will enjoy. See CogHillgolf.com or call (866)-COG-HILL for more information.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are now available for the (Len) Ziehm and (Rory) Spears Podcast Series 2020. Volume 19 is on the tee this week. Contact either Len or Rory for details through LenZiehmongolf.com or Rory via Golfersongolf.com, or our social media sites, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns on Monday. RS