The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open will be played July 27-28-29 at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Pro-am on the 26th. Admission and parking are free. For details see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club will open with a special outing on Saturday August 1st, non-residents can start calling for remaining tee times today at 9 AM, the pro shop is (847)-259-4200. The Western Amateur will be played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from August 4-8. The championship match will tee off around noon on the 8th. Beau Hossler from the University of Texas golf team will be in the field. He will compete against teammate Doug Ghim and Illinois golfer Nick Hardy (pictured with Vince Pellegrino WGA L and Jerry Rich owner of Rich Harvest Farms R) and 153 top amateurs. Thewesternamateur.com for information.         ______________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy With the Illinois Open Trophy at the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The Illinois Open is back, it’s the 66th edition of it. The new edition however has some changes to it, like for the first in the championships history it will be contested on two golf courses. The size of the field increases to the largest ever at 258 players.

For Illinois golf coach Mike Small, this will be the eighth time he has chased an elusive Fifth Illinois Illinois Open title.

Small 49, is trying to equal the state record five championships set by Gary Pinns’. Pinns’ won the title in 1978 (a), 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990. Small starts his quest for a another title at 8:30 Am on the first tee at Royal Melbourne.

IPGA.com

Small is joined in the field by other past champions Phil Arouca (a) 2011, Joe Emerich (a) 2008, Gary Groh 1994, Curtis Malm 2000 (a) and Eric Meierdierks 2010.

The field of 258 includes 151 amateurs. With the bigger field, after the second round the field will now be cut to the top 70 players and ties.

Professional Doug Bauman, will be joined by his two sons Greg 27, and Riley 23. bragging rights within the family are on the line.

The courses this year are newcomer Royal Melbourne located in Long Grove, and Hawthorn Woods Country Club located in Hawthorn Woods, the club previously hosted the Illinois Open from 2008 to 2011.

The players will all play 18 holes at each course, and the third and final round will be played at Royal Melbourne. The championship ceremony will be held upon the completion of play on Wednesday afternoon.

Wilson Staff Golf is the presenting sponsor for the championship with KemperSports being a supporting sponsor. The tournament has historical roots dating back to the year of 1922, and is open to professionals or amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside within the state of Illinois.