THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IS OPEN NEW YEARS DAY FROM 8 AM TO 10 PM, but you must make reservations to reserve your hitting bay. Please call (630)-739-7600. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or friend him on Facebook. Connect on LinkedIn or Instagram.

2020 Ends today. For most people it can’t end to soon.

While 2020 had it’s share of problems, in golf there was some positive’s.

Along with my podcast partner Len Ziehm, we laugh at people who write ridiculous stories, or make stupid headlines that say “The Pandemic Saved Golf.”

First up-golf didn’t need saving. It was doing okay-Thank You very much. You could say growth was small, but compared to some other sports that are shrinking in numbers and participation, golf was growing. Stories that took numbers that showed golf was decreasing, usually ran outdated statistics from 10 years ago. 10 years ago was a different time when the economy struggled, and affected life as we know it.

Mistwood Owner Jim McWethy passed away this past summer from a lung condition. Many of those who knew him still haven’t gotten over it.

But once state and local governments finally got straightened out. Golf courses fully reopened, and in some cases with few other options open for business, most golf courses became “a destination property.”

In Illinois, our state was lagging behind the curve, and not being a leader in bringing golf back online.

It took the right lobbyists to get to our Governor’s J.B. Pritzker’s people. None of who played or understand golf, to get the ball rolling and flying off the tee boxes again. The governor and his staff got a great push from the combined forces of the allied golf organizations of Illinois. The Illinois PGA, the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA), the Western Golf Association (WGA), The Club Managers Association. Which Springfield sorely needed.

Once that first happened, golf in Illinois still struggled under exceptionally harsh restrictions. But come June with the shackles off, things exploded. Because record amounts of rounds were played and courses recouped much if not all the money, they lost earlier in the year. Club sales skyrocketed as well for three months, in mid-to late summer. Record dollars in sales were recorded.

Travel to destination properties was limited, but is expected to return in force in 2021. So let’s hope that’s exactly what happens.

Finally some thoughts to wrap up 2020.

Special thanks to everyone I work with at Golfers on Golf Radio and Golfersongolf.com. Along with GOG Radio contributor Len Ziehm, who doubles as my podcast partner. Len and I will return with the next Podcast around January 13th.

I’m looking forward to another year of Golfers on Golf Radio with Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Len. Thank You is in order to WCPT GM Mark Pinski, and our producers Devin  Andrekus and Paul Chivari.

Our sponsors, the French Lick Resort and Brendan Sweeney. Mistwood Golf, including GM Dan Bradley and the professional staff. Erin Hills, including Rich Tock and John Morrissette. Thanks to Brett Barcel at Mt. Prospect Golf Club, Tim Govern at Arlington Lakes, Jon Parsons at the Schaumburg Golf Club, Margie Wilhemi at Arrowhead golf Club, Jakes Pizza on Grand Avenue in Franklin Park, DuPage Golf. There were others who were going to work with us in 2020, but Covid derailed those plans. Hopefully they will be with us in 2021.

I did get to enjoy playing Whistling Straits during what was Ryder Cup week. Playing both Prestwick Country Club and Crooked Stick home of the WWGA and WGA 2020 Amateur Championships. Playing Pinehurst #3 allowed me to finally play all 10 of the Pinehurst Resorts golf courses. Some of the other courses I enjoyed were, The Fort in Indianapolis, and the new Indiana University PFAU Golf Course in Bloomington.

In Wisconsin, both Trappers Turn and Wild Rock are great courses in the Wisconsin Dells area. During the PGA Show trip in January, I also enjoyed the Innisbrook Resort courses in Florida. The Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach Florida, and the members course at Reynolds Plantation in Georgia. Talamore and Mid-South in Southern Pines North Carolina. The fall trip to Firestone Country Club in Akron Ohio was outstanding, if you get there do play all three golf courses. They are all good.

I played golf in November at Cog Hill, Green Meadows and Mistwood. Then in December at Pine Meadow, something you don’t always get to do. It was fun. In 2020 I Added some new clubs, and learned more about the one’s I have from the fitters at Mistwood Golf and Club Champion. The club fitting process is interesting.

It was strange listening to Len talk about being at the The Players Championship, and having that tournament go from normal, to no fans, to being cancelled in just over 12 hours. Hopefully the PGA and the major championships get back on track in 2021.

Our golf world lost some great people in 2020, I’ll take a moment to remember them.

I only got 45 rounds in during 2020, here’s to year ahead with more time on the golf courses of America. With that good-bye 2020, I’m ready for a better 2021. I’ll have my crystal ball out come Monday, with thoughts about the year ahead.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone, especially golfers everywhere.

RORY SPEARS