THE MISSION INN 35 Minutes from Orlando Florida-peaceful, quiet and 36 holes of golf. The Mothers Day brunch for May 9th is selling out quickly. MissionInnResort.com _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and connect on LinkedIn or Instagram. Class members of the 2019 Class of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.
ONE CUT DOWN-ONE TO GO.
So there will be some tough calls to make in the final cut, for the 2021 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.
Because the field of 27 candidates, has been narrowed to 10. But all 10 finalists are very much deserving. So who gets the vote.
I am narrowing down the field on my picks as to who will make it in. But I will announce those thoughts closer to the final tally.
Those who did survive the first cut include, Doug Bauman IPGA Pro at Biltmore CC. Dr. Randy Kane a CDGA turf grass director. Phil Kosin publisher of Chicagoland Golf, who started the Illinois Women’s Open. Michael Miller longtime Executive Director of the IL. PGA. Tim O’Neal retired IPGA golf professional from North Shore CC. Bruce Patterson longtime head golf professional at Butler National. Gary Pinns only 5-time winner of the Illinois Open. Jerry Rich owner of Rich Harvest Farms and founder of the Kids Golf Foundation. Dave Ryan winner of the Illinois Senior Amateur four-times and 2016 champion of the U.S Senior Amateur. Dr. Jim Suttie a longtime teaching professional with several tour professional as his students, three time IPGA teacher of the Year award winner.
But the final vote is set for May 25th at the Glen Club, with the induction ceremonies for the Class of 2021 currently planned for October 1st. So good luck to all.
THE PGA VILLAGE and PGA GOLF CLUB in Port. St. Lucie is hosting the 2021 PGA Club Professional Championship.
So 11 Illinois PGA professionals are competing in this weeks PGA NCPC. But the field is over 300 players and only 20 of them advance to the PGA Championship. So good luck to Roy Biancalana teaching pro at Blackberry Oaks. Jim Billitter head professional at The Ivanhoe Club. Brian Carroll GM and head golf professional at The Hawk Country Club. George Goich Director of Golf at Flossmoor GC. Chris Green Director of Instruction at the Glen View Club. Frank Hohenadel head golf professional at Mistwood Golf Club. Travis Johns Director of Instruction at Medinah CC. Curtis Malm Director of Golf at White Eagle GC. Andy Mickelson Director of Golf at Mistwood Golf Club. Steve Orrick Jr. PGA-General Manager, Country Club of Decatur. Caleb Wittig Lake Shore CC, Assistant professional.
SO GOOD LUCK to all 11 players this week at PGA National Golf Club. So far into Round 2, Frank Hohenadel and Andy Mickelson are off to the best starts, along with Brian Carroll.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARK FREEMOTT who started with KemperSports as an intern. But now in his 24th year with the company, he was recently promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP). So congrats Mark-well deserved.
OMNI ACOSTA RESORT & SPA has been named one of the Best Resorts in America, by receiving a Golf Digest Editors award. Because he destination property was recently named host for the NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s golf championships in 2024-2025-2026. Learn more at Omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.
BASEBALL FANS. So are you ready for baseball season. Because it’s here. But if you need a glove for your round of golf, with a logo from your favorite baseball team. Zero Friction in Oakbrook Terrace has your hand covered. So Cubs fans and White Sox fans, you are covered by Zero Friction. Visit ZeroFriction.com for more information or visit your favorite pro shop.
THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow. RS