THE NEW PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS clubhouse in Addison will be opening shortly, stay tuned at DuPagegolf.com for more on opening day. (R) Ed Stevenson Director of DuPage Golf, is getting ready to serve DuPage brewed cold beverages.         ____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or Facebook/LinkedIn or Instagram. At the bar in the new Preserve at Oak Meadows Clubhouse opening soon.

LEXI…

Oh my gosh, Olympic Club claims yet another in U.S. Open play.

PGA Tour, what a mishandling of the John Rahm situation, seriously. Geez.

BUT today is the longest day, as the final USGA U.S. Open 36-hole qualifiers are going on. Plenty of area players trying to make it into the field at Torrey Pines.

So from the area, Northbrook’s Nick Hardy and Glen Ellyn’s Andy Pope probably have the best chance. But I’m following the action, and will have more when the dust settles, and the sun-sets.

FIRST UP it was really sad to see the collapse in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Olympic Club of Lexi Thompson. I have heard many comments from people calling her out for her style of play on Sunday. People were viewing Thompson as the great American hope last week as the tournament progressed. Because the U.S. Women’s Open has looked more like a nations of the Far East tour stop in recent years.

AT TIMES Thompson seemed more interested in having fun, joking around with her caddie, then attending to the business at hand. As a result, her five shot lead went away and she did not even make it into the playoff.

BUT THIS can’t all be on Thompson. Where are the other American players ? Thompson should not have to carry the flag for the USA all by herself. Because Thompson could not bring home the trophy, the streak is now 12 consecutive majors that American women have not won. The KPMG Women’s PGA is right around the corner, lets get it going ladies.

THANK GOODNESS for Brandel Chamblee of The Golf Channel, who was quick to point out, when no else would, what I had seen from Thompson during her round. Because her putter was open at impact, and she was not hitting the ball dead center on the blade. So she wasn’t giving herself a chance to make many of her putts. Chamblee nailed it head on, and seemed to leave the rest of fellow panel members stunned as he spoke the truth.

IT GOT OLD quickly during the broadcast hearing the broadcast team say Thompson made a good swing, or stroke on the green. But that the ball just didn’t do what it was supposed to do, or the Olympic Club greens are tricky. Maybe when I was on the 18th green with Thompson’s putt she needed to make to get into a playoff. She didn’t hit it, I did, made par and broke 40 on the back-nine. Yes she had more on the line. But even amateurs have shots on great courses, that they might never get to play again that mean something.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED a few times lately, why does NBC, CBS, ESPN and The Golf Channel have to hire announcers from the UK all the time. Sorry I don’t have a great answer. Since Henry Longhurst and Peter Alliss have passed away-there is no longer a great need for announcers from the UK. I’m told there are a couple of golf podcasts that pummel CBS and NBC for some of their broadcast hiring’s, might be worth a listen. NBC you cut out of the U.S. Women’s Open to switch to gymnastics ? Shame on you, I’m looking forward to seeing gymnastics in the Olympics this summer. Show the ladies some respect please.

I do know this much. Trevor Immelman should go. He simply doesn’t have a voice for broadcasting. Two other announcers who need to step up their game are Nick Faldo and Ian Baker-Finch. Both can be really good when they want to be, but lately seem to be only adding too many short-quips, that only re-state the obvious.

The Ryder Cup poster by Milwaukee based artist Cassy Tully.

MY TRIP TO KOHLER last week got me thinking about the Ryder Cup.

Because late September will be here is less than four months.

IF YOU haven’t seen it yet, here is the Ryder Cup poster designed by Milwaukee based artist and great golf artist Cassy Tully. Learn more her artwork at CassyTully.com.

You will want one of these posters, they do look really cool, and Cassy will be in the big merchandise tent signing copies all week.

IF YOUR not going. Because you could not get tickets, or just want to watch on TV, do look online. You can most likely get one there. PGA.com.

AS YOU CAN TELL, I have spent some time recently in the new Preserve at Oak Meadows Clubhouse in Addison. This place is really something, and more than just golfers are going to love it. Opening day is PROBABLY less than 30 days away now. So stay tuned here or at DuPageGolf.com for information on opening day.

THE GOG BLOG returns all week, so keep it here when your not out in the fairway. RS