WILLOW HILL DOME-WILLOW HILL HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW-This summer Willow Hill Golf returns. So now through Jan. 6 expanded golf hours in the dome 8a to 8p. But also through Jan. 6th the Willow Hill holiday light show-the best light show in the North Shore so enjoy the drive between the lights and put on the radio with the Christmas music that goes with the theme. But for the golfers, the largest golf dome in Chicago history at 160 yards, that allows you to track the ball flight. 1350 Willow Road in Northbrook. Get more information at WillowHillDome.com or WillowHillLights.com #TisTheSeasonAtTheHill

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram

CONGRATULATIONS TO CALLAWAY GOLF-producers of the Paradym Driver, the winningest driver in 2023.

11 Wins on the PGA Tour, winners of three major championships. Plus the overall winningest driver in professional golf, that includes wins on the LIV Golf Tour.

So right now you can get discounts on Callaway Paradym, just visit your local pro shop, golf retail store, club fitter, or online Callawaygolf.com.

BLACKBERRY OAKS Golf Course in Bristol has 2024 Platinum Memberships at $250 off the normal price through Jan. 1st. See BlackberryOaks.com (630)-553-7170.

DALLAS BASED TOPGOLF has now officially broken ground on it’s new facility in Greensboro North Carolina, the new facility will open along Interstate I-40. Topgolf Greensboro will open sometime in late 2024. Details at Topgolf.com.

THE TRUE Links wear winter collection is out, with a variety of options, whether the weather is cold, rainy, windy or otherwise. Plenty of styles and colors to choose from. So visit TRUElinkswear.com for more information or to make an order.

Bobby Jones Links has expanded it’s consulting agreement with the Woodlake Country Club in Vass North Carolina.

Seven years ago the club was devastated by flooding from hurricane Matthew. So the rebirth of the club continues under General Manager Jeff Crabbe who joined the club last August.

Woodlake is reopening in phases, but the soft opening so far includes the 18-hole par 72 Kris Spence renovation of Woodlake’s golf course. So learn more about the reopening of the community of Woodlake at WoodLakeCountryClubNC.com.

Sun Mountain’s best selling C-130 golf bag is now available in a stand bag version.

With a growing abundance for pocket space and continually evolving golfer-friendly features have kept the C-130 in the top spot for over 10+ years.

But if you a golfer that wants a cart bag-but needs a stand bag for the practice range.

The C-130 golf stand bag offers nine pockets plus cart friendly features like a leg lock system, quick-release carry strap, cart strap tunnel, and cart friendly bottom. C-130 comes with a 15-way top with a putter well. So the bag available in five colors, is now available at $289.99. So see more details at Sunmountain.com or (800)-227-9224. But while checking out Sun Mountain-see the website for Sun Mountain Tour Series rainwear, available for both men and women. Prices range from $239.99 to $299.99.

PAWLEYS PLANTATION inn Myrtle Beach S.C. is open again after an extensive greens and bunker project.

Founders Group International (FGI) contracted with the Jack Nicklaus Group to restore the golf course, and preserve the original integrity of Jack Nicklaus’ work.

Pawley’s Plantation opened in the late 1980’s, and when the courses is attached to one of games great icons. “You want to make sure the course continues to fulfill it’s potential going forward,” said Steve Mays, President of the Founders Group International.

The golf course closed on May 2nd, and was reopened five months later on October 2nd. Nicklaus returned to the property in 2018 on it’s 30th anniversary, and starting taking notes on what could be improved. “We worked exclusively from Jack’s notes said Troy Vincent lead design architect for the project. So see more details about the project at FoundersGolf.com and visit MyrtleBeachgolftrips.com.

The course is part of the 12 course Hammock Coast Golf Trail. Learn more about the trail at HammockCoastGolfTrail.com.

LONG BAY GOLF CLUB in Myrtle Beach another Jack Nicklaus design, reopened on August 14th after a redesign of it’s greens. So learn more at LongBayGolfClub.com.

THE SHANGRI-LA RESORT in Monkey Island in Oklahoma.

Has now opened “The Battlefield” a $15 million dollar par-3 course, is the latest addition to the resort.

Owner Eddy Gibbs has spent over $100 million dollars on his property in the last 13 years.

So with the addition of The Battlefield, the Shangri-La resort now has 45 holes, spread out across the lakefront.

Tom Clark and Kevin Atkinson-designed the 3,000 yard Battlefield layout, that comes with over 100 feet of elevation change. The short course has a 165 yard warm-up area that comes complete with a 10,000 square foot layout. This fun design has recorded 12-holes-in-one in the short period after the opening. The course is a par-54 with holes playing from 110 yards to 245 yards.

The resort has 119 rooms, plus indoor and outdoor pools. Shangri-La offers plenty of other activities in addition to golf. So learn more at ShangrilaOk.com

ST. JOHNS RESORT in Plymouth Michigan outside of Detroit has announced Stan Witko as the new Director of Golf. The resorts golf operation has been undergoing changes and improvements to the golf courses, including a new putting course that will open in 2024, by architect Ray Hearn. Details at StJohnsresort.com.

CHERRY HILLS COUNTRY CLUB in Denver Colorado, celebrated the opening of it’s new 95,000 square foot clubhouse. 2023 marked the clubs 100th centennial anniversary. This past August the club hosted it’s third USGA-Amateur championship. See more at CHCC.org.

SO THE TIME HAS ARRIVED-FOR THE DONALD ROSS DEISGNED ASHEVILLE NC. Municipal Golf Course. The renovation has started as of October of 2022.

But the work will continue through fall and winter of of 2023-2024. The golf course is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cost will run at $3.5 million dollars, and will be funded by the City of Asheville, user fees and grants.

So the renovation comes at a time where infrastructure has deteriorated over the course of a century.

Architect Kris Spence has been retained by the Donald Ross Society in returning the golf course to form. “This project has been a long time coming and was very much needed,” said Pat Warren, course general manager and head professional. ‘We’ve gotten so many favorable comments from our regular golfers who cannot believe the transformation. So there is a lot of excitement about what’s happening and what is to come.”

The golf course will celebrate it’s centennial in 2027. Ross himself knew the experience of public municipal golf, would be a money-maker. Records found this quote from Ross about municipal golf. “It is the greatest step ever taken to make it the game of the people, as it should be. The municipal courses are all money makers. So I am naturally conservative, yet I am certain that in a few years we will see golf played much more generally than it is being played now.”

So the overview of the scope of work includes. Thinning out of trees, cart path repair, sodding of trees and fairways where needed, new signage and pin-flags, upgrades to the golf shop, restoration of 10 bunkers. So to learn more please visit ashevillegc.com.

THE GOG BLOG returns with more golf news on Tuesday December 26th. RS