The Chicago Golf Show’s Final Day doors open from 9:30 to 4 PM. Then it’s time to take your game to the domes, Links & Tee’s 880 West Lake Street in Addison call (630)-233-7275 for more information on lessons and activities. The Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports Center Old McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove, for rates lessons and more call (847)-459-2321.

BY: Rory Spears, Editor & Director of Content. Follow Rory on FB, Linkedin, & Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The Chicago Golf Show tee’d off Friday afternoon at the Gibson’s Steakhouse across the street from the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

One of the first announcements that was made was by the Illinois PGA. Executive Director Michael Miller made the announcement that the state championship the Illinois Open had a new format and two new host sites for 2015.

The new courses for 2015 are the Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove, and the Hawthorn Woods Country Club in Hawthorn Woods.

In 2015 the field size will expand from 156 players to 258 players, after the first two days of play the field will be cut down to the low 70 scores and ties for the final round. The final round will be played at Royal Melbourne.

“We’re excited to announce the expansion of the Illinois Open Championship field size, as well as the move to utilizing two golf courses to conduct the championship,” said Miller. “Both of these changes are firsts in the history of the event, and we feel confident that the field expansion will lead to increased qualifier registration and allow us to grow the championship to the next level.

Michael Miller, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section

The dates for the championship are July 20-21-22.

“The Illinois PGA continues the long-standing tradition of conducting the Illinois Open on championship-caliber golf courses,” Miller said. “Hawthorn Woods and Royal Melbourne are no exception as both courses have plenty of championship history. We are confident the courses will provide a stern test for the top amateur and professional players of Illinois.”

Hawthorn Woods served as host for the championship from 2008 through 2011, before the championship moved back to the Glen Club for the past three years. Royal Melbourne has hosted the Illinois PGA Section Championship in 2003-2004. Royal Melbourne is a Greg Norman design golf course and Hawthorn Woods is a Arnold Palmer designed golf course.

There are seven qualifiers for this years championship.

Qualifier #1-Royal Hawk C.C. in St. Charles, June 4th.                                                     Qualifier #2-Glencoe G.C. in Glencoe, June 8th                                                                 Qualifier #3-Turnberry C.C. in the Village of Lakewood, June 11th                                   Qualifier #4-Balmoral Woods C.C. in Crete, June 17th                                                     Qualifier #5-Bloomington C.C. in Bloomington, June 22nd                                                 Qualifier #6 Willow Crest G.C. at Oak Brook Hills Resort, Oak Brook, June 25th               Qualifier #7 Elgin C.C. in Elgin, June 29th.

Presenting sponsors of the 66th Illinois Open Championship include, Athletico, KemperSports, Oakley and Wilson Staff.

Click here to hear the interview with IPGA Director Michael Miller on the new look Illinois Open and other major championships and year ahead for the IPGA.

For more information on the Illinois PGA visit IPGA.com.