THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is open. So are both the McWethy’s SportsBar at the dome, and McWethy’s Tavern. But call and check on current Covid restrictions before arriving at either location. Check out Mistwoodgolfdome.com or McwethysTavern.com.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. In the bay at Club Champion in Willowbrook. Photo by CJ Marshall.

MOTHER NATURE seems to have dropped the ball on outdoor golf for the rest of December and 2020.

The temperatures will rarely hit 40 for the rest of the month, much less anything higher. Most of the courses have closed for the year, even with no snow on the ground.

Next Monday should hit 46. It makes you think about one more round for the year outside. Cold yes, but it is so very tempting. Long range forecasts have the Eskimo Open at Cog Hill on January 3rd of 2021, in for 35 degrees. But no snow. So there is hope for a nice turn out that day, at least I hope so anyway.

SPEAKING OF COG HILL-Congratulations to the Jemsek family on winning a national award from the National Golf Course Owners Association for 2020, on Player Development, along with the LPGA Foundation. A tip of the cap and golf visor to Frank Jemsek, Katherine Jemsek, GM Troy Newport and staff for a job well done.

THE NATIONAL AWARD WINNER for the Jemsek National Course of the Year Award, went to Stoatin Brae Golf Course in Augusta Michigan. Runners-up included Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst NC., and Gamble Sands in Brewster Washington.

The sun sets on another golf season at Pine Meadow GC in Mundelein.

I went up to Pine Meadow last week on Wednesday to play one more outdoor round of golf for 2020.

Teeing off at 1:38 myself and two partners pretty much got all 18 holes in, with skipping a tee shot on 16. To move around a slower foursome.

Head Golf Professional Dennis Johnsen clued me in that “The Pine” was getting ready to close for the year, especially if the temperatures stayed below 45 degrees. Memo to Dennis-46 next Monday. Insert happy face here.

Pine Meadow has set up an indoor teaching area for the winter, and Debbie’s holiday Christmas Sale is on-going. So check Pinemeadowgc.com for pro shop hours.

PLEASE KEEP former British and Western Open Champion, and current course designer Tom Weiskopf in your thoughts and prayers over the holidays. Weiskopf is fighting pancreatic cancer and has started under going chemo already. Keep going Tom, Fight the Fight.

AS MENTIONED HERE last week. The PGA Tour and Medinah CC did formerly announce the 2026 Presidents Cup coming to Medinah on Course #3, with a statement from former club president and the club’s bid-leader Michael Scimo. Who said in a prepared statement, that the club was looking forward to hosting the matches on it’s famed #3 course. That will be renovated prior to the matches. Stay clicked in, more to follow on this topic.

THE WEEK AHEAD-Ziehm and Spears Podcast 39 comes up later this week, and with more on travel. So stay clicked in and also see my story on Club Fitting at Club Champion. RS