HERITAGE OAKS IS OPEN IN APRIL for the first time in two years. But while it’s currently walking only-that could change soon. So stay tuned. IF YOU haven’t checked out the new clubhouse it’s time to do so, and range now has Trackman. Check out Heritage Oaks Golf Club on Dundee Road in Northbrook and visit HeritageOaks.com
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook. Putting is the real key this week. On the 14th hole at Southern Pines Country Club in NC.
LEFTY WINS IN AUGUSTA!
What a headline that is. Too bad it’s not likely to happen this Sunday, instead of last Saturday.
Congratulations to Anna Davis the 16 year old left-handed golfer from California who won the Augusta Women’s Amateur.
Not bad being 16 years old and having won a championship at the Augusta National Golf Club, live on network television. With a final round 69 (-3) I might add.
Davis the new queen of bucket hats still doesn’t have a drivers license yet. So she has had to bum some rides to tournaments from her friends and teammates. As of now everyone is probably willing to drive her around if needed.
THE NEXT CHALLENGE is for the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) to make sure they get Davis in the field for one of their tournaments this summer. The WWGA Amateur is in July (18-23) at Sunset Ridge in Northfield. The WWGA Junior Girls is June 20-24 at the Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Nancy Lopez’s first win in the event (Lopez won the title three times).
Boys 12-13 year old national champion Michael Jorski of Clarendon Hills, who plays much of his golf at Cog Hill.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of the local juniors who made it to Augusta National for the finals of Drive-Chip and Putt. All five of our Illinois locals did pretty good, even if their age in their age bracket worked against them a bit. Because it can be tough when some kids you are competing against, are almost two years older than you.
But kudo’s to Michael Jorski of Clarendon Hills, who won the national championship. Jorski needed to make up ground in the final stage, which was the putting. Jorski drained the 30 footer and after a fist-pump, he left his second try on the 15 foot putt, only 8 inches short. But that only got Jorski into a playoff. His 1-putt playoff, saw him get his putt less than two feet from the cup and beat out his opponent by about 1 inch. So not a big margin of victory, but enough to get the job done.
Kelpie’s Island Pub at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.
IT WAS REALLY NEAT to hear about the new Kelpie’s Island Pub at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.
For years I would like to tell the late Jim McWethy who owned Mistwood, that he should do something with the lake, that runs along the 8th hole of the front nine, and 14-17 (Kelpie’s Corner) on the back side.
Now all the island is missing is an architect Ray Hearn sod wall bunker. The stone bridge enters the pub from the 8th hole. So learn more at Mistwoodgc.com.
NOW WHO is the distraction? I hear that the ANGC might have politely asked Phil Mickelson not to play in this years Masters. They didn’t tell him he couldn’t, but suggested they didn’t want somebody making a comeback that week, and being a distraction to the tournament.
So Phil drops out and what do we have now. Another guy potentially making a comeback and being a real distraction Masters week. Think about that one for a minute or two. It kind of leaves you wishing Phil would say, I’m playing.
The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS