SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is one of the Chicago area’s full year round golf operations. Because you can golf inside or outside all year. Currently the simulators are open, and they can help have your game ready for when the outdoor season returns. But now there is more, Chandlers Chophouse in the clubhouse is open for indoor dining (Closed Monday’s). So book your tee time by calling (847)-885-9000, where you can play the recently renovated 27 holes at SGC on the simulators. Schaumburggolf.com.     ____________________________________________________________________

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. At the Mission Inn pro shop-Howey in the Hills Florida.

I’M AT THE LAST STOP of my almost 1 month long trip, and it’s back to where it all started.

The Southern Pines-Pinehurst area. This time I’ll see the Pine Needles-Mid Pines Resort. That will host the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open.

This trip has been eye-opening when it comes to golf and travel. Next Monday this column will be-what we learned, a full recap of almost 1 month on the road, seeing golf properties in three states.

Coming up this week, I’ll have more stories on the properties I visited, and the next edition of Ziehm & Spears Podcast Series 2021. Innisbrook Resort GM Mike Williams sat down with Len and I for a talk about the resort in Packard’s Restaurant, named for the great golf architect Larry Packard. Who lives at Innisbrook until he passed away a few years ago at age 101.

The first big golf event in the Chicago area this year, will be the Arnold Palmer Cup at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Recently Len and I caught up with Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich at the famed Pinetree Golf Club in Boynton Beach Florida.

Rich is excited about the Palmer Cup for this year coming up in June, he hopes for a good fan turnout, and that pandemic guidelines will allow that to happen. Because it would be nice to see 5,000 to 7,000 fans a day walking the grounds at Rich Harvest Farms for the matches.

IT’S TOO BAD that there is a weather setback today in the Chicago area, because it seems like some courses were starting to open for the season. But-hey, it’s only March no reason to rush things. Because the courses need some dry out time anyway. There was a lot of snow for a while, and when I left town. Now I’m hoping it’s all gone when I get home in a few days.

BTW-the next time you hear that nobody is traveling anymore. Don’t believe them. You should also not believe the saying, everyone is working from home now. They aren’t. I couldn’t get a hotel for 2 days as I started up and out of Florida. Everything was booked solid, no rooms were available. One golf property could not fit me in for a visit, because they have been full for months. Amazing. Golf is back and traveling is heating up. Hopefully the weather and temperatures are as well.

OUR LOCAL PGA TOUR PLAYER Arlington Heights native Doug Ghim, had a great run at the Players Championship, but had another Sunday blow-up, this time with 2 bad holes. Ghim is showing a lot of progress on tour, he now just needs to learn how to close on Sunday. Keep going Doug, your getting there.

NOW I’m off to see more of what LPGA Hall of Famer Peggy Kirk-Bell created at Pine Needles and Mid Pines Resort. Now with a third Donald Ross Golf Course, with the recent purchase of the Southern Pines Golf Club. The course is getting improvements with an architect Kyle Franz renovation.

The Gog Blog returns this week. RS