THE PRESERVE at Oak Meadows is taking shape off the golf course. Because the new clubhouse is taking shape and will open this summer. Learn more at DuPageGolf.com _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook/LinkedIn or Instagram. on the 14th hole of the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island.
IT’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK at the Kiawah Island Resort, in or near Charleston South Carolina.
So if your looking for exciting golf, this week should be it.
Because the Ocean Course is one of the most challenging courses, that the late Pete Dye ever built.
So just when the pro’s will have it figured out, the wind could change, and everything will play different. But while this is not the Open Championship, it could play like one with the Atlantic Ocean wind blowing across the golf course. So hang on to your hats everyone, this will be a fun week to watch golf.
WHAT WE DO KNOW ABOUT KIAWAH-Team USA won an exciting Ryder Cup here in 1991, it came down to a missed putt by Europe’s Bernhard Langer on 18 for the USA to win. But in 2012 Rory McIlroy won his first of two PGA Championships here.
FORMER ILLINOIS PGA SECTION PROFESSIONAL Roger Warren is Kiawah’s resort president. Warren had stints at both Village Links in Glen Ellyn and at Seven Bridges in Woodridge, before heading out to South Carolina. Roger was a guest on Golfers on Golf radio last Saturday. Catch the replay on WCPT820.com or on the cloud at Souncloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk.
The 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island on the Ocean Course.
KIAWAH CAN BE cold and windy. But of course when I was there about 5 years ago in January, that’s what happened.
But this professionals won’t have to worry about the temps going from 78 at night, down to 42 the next morning. 42 it was on the tenth tee where I started, 37 on the 9th green where I finished.
IT WAS a good thing Mike Warren, my caddie had me start on 10. Because by doing so, I avoided the other two groups on the course. AND got to play the last seven holes with a tail wind. 3 hours and 5 minutes later I was done, and proud of my score of 86. Did I mention the wind was howling too.
GREAT NEWS is that Kiawah actually has five golf courses. So when you go to play where the pro’s play, you can play all five courses, and they are good ones. For more details see Kiawahresort.com.
IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME to see Rory McIlroy win again. OR my pick in a fantasy golf league I’m in-Jon Rahm to take home the Wanamaker. Either way this should be a great week of golf.
BUT THE GREAT WEEK starts today. NCAA Regionals are underway, and Illinois is off to a great start in Oklahoma. Fingers crossed for the Illini trying to make it to nationals again. Which would make it 13 straight years.
THE PGA of AMERICA and REED EXPOSITIONS have announced the return of the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando for January 25th through 28th in 2022. Because after skipping year it will be great to have the show back.
IT’S WARMING UP here, so enjoy the show from South Carolina when your not out on the golf course. Go Illini-Go NU. RS