.  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IS OPEN-So are McWethy’s Sportsbar and McWethy’s Tavern which is located at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. Call ahead to learn the policies regarding safety from the pandemic. Please visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com.    _____________________________________________________________________

BY: RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf, host of Golfers on Golf Radio. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or friend him on Facebook, or connect on LinkedIn or Instagram.

           THE PRESIDENTS CUP                           THE MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB

EDITORS NOTE: In 2019 both Golfers on Golf and Len Ziehm on Golf reported that it was highly likely that the Presidents Cup would be coming to town in 2025. Both Conway Farms in Lake Forest and Medinah Country Club in Medinah Illinois, had been having site visits from the PGA Tour, as the tour was looking for future Presidents Cup venues.

As time went on, it seemed like Medinah was a more frequent stop for those on the committee, doing the advance scouting. Then Covid-19 hit, and the 2025 Presidents Cup became the 2026 Presidents Cup. The 2021 Presidents Cup that is now the 2022 Presidents Cup, will be held at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte North Carolina.

Royal Montreal in Canada, has been selected for the 2024 matches.

The 2025 Presidents Cup-that became 2026, had Harding Park in San Francisco in the mix for a time. But from Day 1, there was possibilities that situation would change, with Harding Park having other options on the table.

So it appeared that both Conway Farms and Medinah, were never out of the mix for the 2026 Presidents Cup. See, The Gog Blog Speaks Out from earlier this week (Dec. 7th). As of today, media reports surfaced that supported what was originally reported here and by Len Ziehm. That the Presidents Cup is coming, to town.-RS

OTHER THAN THE OUTCOME-the week at Medinah in late September of 2012, was fun for everyone. Golf fans from Chicago and around the world has a great week, in what was great weather for Chicago that time of year.

In the end, Europe rallied from 4 points down during Sunday’s singles matches to win back the Ryder Cup. But golf fans in the Windy-City loved the event so much, that they have been asking for 8 years, when is the Ryder Cup coming back to Medinah.

The next available Ryder Cup on U.S. soil is in 2037, so if the Ryder Cup returns to Medinah it will be quite awhile.  But the next big thing in men’s professional golf, that is played in the team format, is the Presidents Cup. Team USA plays a team of International golfers from countries (Europe), that are not included in the Ryder Cup.

So the 2026 Presidents Cup will bring a Ryder Cup atmosphere back to Medinah, at some point (likely) September of 2026.

Medinah club officials had no comment tonight, but could go on the record in the next several days.

PRIOR TO 2026-Medinah’s Championship #3 Course will under-go a renovation. In a bit of a surprise, architect Rees Jones who worked on #3 prior to the 2006 PGA Championship and the 2012 Ryder Cup, will not be brought back as part of the new plan.

In fact the club went out of country, all the way to Australia to retain the services of OCM Golf. OCM located in Melbourne, stands for Ogilvy-Cocking-Mead. Ogilvy is Geoff Ogilvy, yes that Geoff Ogilvy who won the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, Michael Cocking and Ashley Mead.

OCM has a history of working with high profile golf clubs in Australia and Asia, including Kingston Heath and Royal Queensland. Earlier this year, OCM finished it’s first project in America, at the Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

THE MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB website has this statement from current club board president Joe Gattone. “I am excited to embark on a plan that leverages Course #3’s current routing. While developing opportunities to strengthen the overall golf experience of our members and guests.”

The website segment went on to add the following information.

In November of 2019 (less than two months after PGA Tour players shot some low scores in great conditions on Course #3 during the BMW Championshi). Gattone initiated an ad-hoc committee to begin working on a plan, to address Medinah’s current and future needs, for the world renowned Course #3 (7,657 yards par 72).

The committee includes Past Presidents Bruce D’Angelo and Michael Scimo. Director Ryan Potts, General Manager Robert Sereci, Medinah Director of Golf Marty DeAngelo. Director of Golf Course Operations Steve Cook, and Course #3 Superintendent Peter Schmidt.

A new master plan will guide future capital spending, including all course infrastructure needs, that drive ideal playing conditions. To ensure an enjoyable playing experience for all levels of play. And to provide a long-term infrastructure and operational footprint for major professional tournaments and other events. Medinah’s Course #3 has enjoyed a rich heritage of championship golf. By having hosted an impressive slate of both amateur and professional golf events.

Golfers on Golf hopes that tradition will continue, and will continue to follow this story as it unfolds.