IT’S INDOOR GOLF SEASON. In the dome and in the simulators as the temperatures have plunged into the artic. If your ready for one or the other check out the Mistwood Golf Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook open daily at 7 Am. Call the dome (630)-739-7600 to book a hitting bay. PLUS McWethy’s Sports Bar has reopened for indoor dining. THE SCHAUMBURG has it’s simulators open and yes you can play the recently renovated 27 holes at the Schaumburg Golf Club, book a time in the simulator at (847)-885-9000.   _____________________________________________________________________

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.

YES HE IS.

So for those who aren’t familiar with the term, when it’s time to launch you turn it into the wind.

For those of us who come from a Navy family, it’s easy to know what aircraft carriers do when it’s take off time.

Because it’s always import to get a little more lift when your plane takes off. I am ready for a lift out of our cold weather.

Currently I’m getting too many texts from friends in warm places, who keep asking why I’m still here freezing in Illinois. That comes to an end this week when I head south. I will visit some of the usual places, and likely a few new ones. But Pinehurst is first on the tee. So I’ll be checking in from all over, do stay clicked in. Len Ziehm and I will be podcasting from the Sunshine State, and promise to send some warmth back to our golf friends up north.

THE ILLINOIS PGA has put out it’s official schedule now for 2021. Three of the four majors will making their debuts at new courses this year. So there will be some changes on the schedule. There is over 40 IPGA section events, and 4 Open Championships.

Bull Valley returns for the first time since 2018 to host the IPGA Match Play. Stonebridge Country Club that recently added about 300 yards, will host the Illinois Open. So you might recall Stonebridge was supposed to be the second course last year, but due to changes from the pandemic, was dropped when the IO became a 1 course event.

There are seven qualifiers for the state open, good luck to those who will be trying to qualify. Ivanhoe Club hosts the IPGA Section Championship, where 10 players will qualify for the 2022 National PGA Championship (club professional championship).

The Illinois PGA Players Championship heads to Knollwood for the first time, in late September. This year the IPGA will host six Pro-Ams, including the Meyer Brown Invitational in the Pinehurst area, dates and time’s are TBD.

But more good news comes in the form of team matches returning, after a year off from the pandemic. The 59th Radix Cup returns to Oak Park Country Club on June 17. The Thompson Cup matches will be hosted by Ridge Country Club on June 3rd. Royal Cup matches between the IPGA and Wisconsin PGA assistant professionals will be held on October 1st at a site TBD.

I think the new changes and locations will be great for the majors this year, and Kudo’s to the IPGA staff in putting them together. There is some exciting golf ahead. But one of the great events of the year returns on September 7th at River Forest Country Club. The fund-raising Birdies for Charity. In 2020 IPGA pro’s raised over 2 million dollars for several area charities.

Bernhard Langer has joined Tour Edge Golf.

West Suburban Batavia based Tour Edge Golf has added Bernhard Langer 63, to it’s professional staff.

What a great addition for Tour Edge. Bernhard Langer is game changer for Tour Edge, even at 63, he is still playing much younger.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Tour Edge staff, they have been incredible to work with as I start updating my equipment,” said Langer. “I have been playing many of the clubs in my bag for a long time and when I started working with Tour Edge out on the PGA Tour Champions, I realized that they were the best option to get me exactly what I needed to continue to perform at the highest level.”

Langer will now carry a Tour Edge Exotics staff bag and Tour Edge logo on his right sleeve.

“It’s going to be fun working with this team on maximizing performance and getting into some of their really innovative technology. But also to help promote the brand with other players on Team Tour Edge. By bringing their message to the masses in a series of new television spots,” added Langer.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW WITH TOUR EDGE VP OF MARKETING JON CLAFFEY-on the new C721 series line and the signing of PGA Tour Champions legend Bernhard Langer as a Tour Edge staff player.

Langer will make his Tour Edge debut at the Cologuard Classic in Tucson on Feb. 25th.

“To be able to sign this awe-inspiring icon to our professional staff is a crowning achievement in our 35 years as a golf brand,” said Tour Edge President and founder David Glod. “He’s one of the very best players to ever play the game. So to have him trust Tour Edge to keep him at the top is something we are extremely proud of.”

Langer has won the Masters twice, along with 45 wins on the PGA Tour and European Tour. He has 41 wins on the PGA Tour Champions, that includes 11 senior majors. Langer was part of 10 Ryder Cup teams and the winning captain in 2004. With only 5 professionals on their staff, over 100 PGA Tour players have used over 1,000 Tour Edge clubs in the last three years.  More on the new Tour Edge irons coming up this week.

Galvin Green announces the Game Day Collection for 2021.

THE STYLISH GALVIN GREEN has released it’s ‘Game Day’ collection for 2021.

This outstanding line of apparel that features all-weather garments, can help you enjoy your round of golf even when the weather is not the best.

Because after 30 years in the industry, the Galvin Green experience has allowed them to produce some of the most advanced fabric technologies from around the world. So explore the at least 14 Gore-Tex options in the waterproof range for men. Galvin Green offers styles for on and off the golf course, for men, women, and junior golfers. So in addition to jackets, learn more about Galvin Green and their world of sweaters, shirts, trousers and more. Learn more at GalvinGreen.com.