THE RYDER CUP STANDS at Whistling Straits behind the 18th green. The 7th green on Whistling Straits, with a daring pin that will test the world’s best players in 2021.#Cup ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook or LinkedIn. Behind the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN an exciting week of golf in the small lakefront town of Haven Wisconsin last week, was a week that turned into many a resort guest coming to play Whistling Straits.

A Top 100 golf course designed by the late Hall of Fame architect Pete Dye.

Former European Team Golfer and former World #1 for 55 weeks, Luke Donald was there, so was Phil’s former caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay. Both have spent a little time around the Ryder Cup and at the Straits Course, during PGA Championships in 2004-2010-2015. There is no doubt some people in Kohler land were disappointed with the postponement of the 2020 Ryder Cup, but with the matches clock now ticking at less than 1 year to go. The excitement is returning. Even though I’m not excited about captain Steve Stricker having 6 captains picks. The 2020 Ryder Cup will still be the 2020 Ryder Cup presented in 2021, and don’t look for 2021 Ryder Cup merchandise, there won’t be any. But some with no year attached to the logo.

What could have been played, was a Ryder Cup with no fans. After playing the Straits last week, I must say it would not have been the same, and I’m not sure the players or anyone else for that matter would have enjoyed it.

The Baths are coming together at Blackwolf Run.

All the action at Destination Kohler is not confined to Whistling Straits.

The Baths are coming-June 2021.

I can’t wait, an you should feel the same way. Herbert Kohler-Dirk Willis and architect Chris Lutzke a long time associate of Pete Dye, have been for over a year bringing the “Baths” together. A full feature on the Baths comes up later this week, do stay clicked in for details, and to hear from Willis on the project that has turned into more than just a 10-hole par 3 golf course.

Tour Edge World Headquarters in Batavia Illinois, is set for a big equipment rollout in October.

ARE YOU READY for the latest and greatest on the equipment scene.

Word is that Batavia based Tour Edge Golf has it’s biggest ever equipment launch coming in October.

So if you have enjoyed Tour Edge and it’s Exotics line in recent years, hang on to your hats, the best is coming and it’s coming soon.

The launch appears that it won’t be all in one day, so be ready for multiple days of new announcements next month. Stay clicked in here for more details.

The first hole on the Tournament Nine at Schaumburg Golf Club is done and open.

SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is up and fully running, Yes ! all 27 holes have opened.

I will write more about Schaumburg Golf Club in the days ahead. Today was 27 hole day at Schaumburg, and it was a fun day.

After golf I spoke with GM & Head Golf Professional Jon Parsons, who was very proud to say, “the project is done and I’m very glad how it turned out.”

Parson’s should be proud, the course renovation done by architect Todd Quitno is really good. Schaumburg is something every park district golf course should be, well conditioned and a great facility for the public golfer to come and enjoy. The greens are in MINT condition. You would never know how many golfers the three nines are seeing every day. The superintendent should get employee of the year from the Schaumburg Park District. The greens are rolling at “about 11” and will test that part of your game. The taxpayers sure got their money worth on this course renovation.

I’m trying to twist Parson’s arm into some-sort of 27 hole event “The Schaumburg Shootout” perhaps, it would be a great day of golf for all who sign up.

I’LL HAVE MORE about White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville shortly. I have played both the East & West Courses in recent weeks. Here’s hoping that Mistwood Golf and the Bensenville Park District can put together a solid plan for the future.

SOME SIGNS ARE OUT THERE that the golf business is on the comeback, and one of them is that plans are moving forward for the 2021 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando in January.

EQUIPMENT SALES were down from July, but still strong at $331 million, with an 33% increase over August sales of 2019.  Sales did drop around $50 million from July of 2020.

The Gog Blog will return all week, so do stay clicked in. RS