The Buffalo Grove Golf & Sports Center is open today with rates starting at just $11 for 30 minutes. It might be cold outside, but it’s nice and warm in the BG dome to practice your golf game and think spring. All winter long there have been free clinics and more to improve your game. Sign up now for a lesson or two, be ready for when the snow melts. Located on Old McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove, call (847)-459-2321 or Bgparks.org for details.

  Gog Blog Editor & Director of Content Rory Spears (L) with Westmoreland Country Club Head Golf Professional Hans Larson.

    The Illinois PGA Section is bringing not only it’s “A” game, but it’s “I” game to the Chicago Golf Show that opens this Friday at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Chicagogolfshow.com for tickets and more information. See great Lee Trevino on Saturday 11 Am and 2 Pm. HOF’er David Graham joins Trevino at 11 AM.

Yes it’s cold out, barely over ten degrees today outside around town. But you’re about to feel a whole lot warmer inside. That’s right golf season is right around the corner and the Chicago Golf Show tee’s off this Friday at Noon, the courses the resorts the events, the club makers and more have their booths and are getting ready show you what’s up for 2015.

Besides the famed Long-Putt contest that has show attendee’s lined up for a chance to sink that first bomb of the year for great prizes, one of the great attractions at the show is the free, yes I said FREE golf lessons by members of the Illinois PGA Section. Why not get a free tip or two in the area of your game that hurts your score the most.

This past weekend I caught up with Westmoreland Country Club’s head professional Hans Larson the Chariman of the IPGA Player Development Committee. Larson was happy to share the news that the “PDC” had added the Chicago Golf Show to it’s list of projects and is bringing a bigger impact to the show this week.

Links & Tee’s on Lake Avenue in Addison. Rates start at just $11, (630)-233-7275 for more information. Addisonparks.org.

The Illinois PGA professionals will again be donating their time this year to give FREE lessons, and Larson says golfers can get those lessons with new equipment donated by both Wilson and Titleist Golf. Wilson has donated all new range balls for the golfers to hit.

Fore-Sight Golf has brought in two simulators and launch monitors. There will be a Closest-to-the-Pin contest all three days, winner will get a FREE Foursome at a local area private club.

There will be great activities for the kids, including Birdie-Ball in the junior golf area. The First-Tee of Greater Chicago will be working in the kids area.

Cog Hill’s Kevin Weeks a top 50 Golf Digest Teacher, teaches on the main stage on 2014.

The Illinois PGA will be promoting the new location and format changes to the Illinois Open this July.

IPGA Executive Director and Section President Jim Opp are expected to make the announcements on Friday morning at the shows media luncheon at Gibson’s in Rosemont.

Considering the agreement in place with Northbrook based Kempersports management, and the use of their operated facilities for the open. I am still suggesting Royal Melbourne of Long Grove, and Hawthorn Woods CC in Hawthorn Woods as the two club that should be used this year. But let’s see what the announcement brings.

The IPGA will be promoting the PGA Junior Golf League and the PGA promoted Drive-Chip-Putt Contest. The state finals will be played at Medinah CC, and the winners will advance to the national championship at Augusta National Golf Club home of the Masters Tournament.

In addition Larson announced a Golf Expo to be held at the Chicago Wolves Game, to be played on March 29th at 3 PM at the All-State arena. The doors will open early that day, and various golf stations will be set up around the arena concourse for kids to try their skills. Look for upcoming details for a golf pro-am with IPGA professionals and members of the Chicago Wolves coming up this summer.

Don’t forget, the Chicago Golf Show this Friday-Saturday and Sunday in Rosemont at the DSCC. Come Friday and get the ticket price discount. I’ll See you there. RS