McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club is now open all year round, so even when Mistwood the golf course is closed, you can still dine and enjoy the game at McWethy’s Tavern on Renwick Road in Romeoville. McWethy’s is booking it’s Great Hall for banquets, weddings and more. When the temperature warms up, visit McWethy’s Tavern before or after golf. McWethy’s Tavern is the new hot spot in Romeoville, so join owner Jim McWethy (above photo) and learn about the history of McWethy’s Tavern and see the coat of arms. McWethystavern.com or call (815)-254-7001 for reservations.  _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog Chicago’s #1 Online Golf News Source by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With USGA Executive Director Mike Davis (L) and outgoing USGA President Tom O’Toole (R).

The United States Golf Association wins the “Back to the Chicago Future” contest, with it’s announcement over the weekend that the inaugural U.S. Sr. Women’s Open will be played at the Chicago Golf Club in July of 2018.

I congratulate the outgoing USGA President Tom O’Toole, Executive Director Mike Davis, and all of the USGA committee members for getting it done.

A tip of the cap to the CGC for taking on the newest U.S. Open to join the championship list at the USGA.

The clubhouse at the famous and historic Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton. The Charles Blair Macdonald statue is bottom left.

I do have to admit, it probably took a great sell job by O’Toole to get Chicago Golf to buy into hosting the event, because in the clubs first 124 years while they have hosted 11 other USGA championships, most of them were over a 100 years ago.

The most recent one, was the 2005 Walker Cup matches won by the United States over Great Britain and Ireland (GBI).

But it is the first one of these Sr. Women’s Open Championships, and only one course can be “the first” in hosting a new championship.

The Tinley Park Golf Expo, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the Tinley Park Convention Center near Rt. 80 and Harlem Avenue. Friday $5 admissions See Tinleyparkgolfexpo.com for more information on who will be exhibiting.

Last summer at the U.S. Amateur that was conducted at Olympia Fields, BIG 3 partner Tim Cronin and I teamed up to interview President O’Toole.

During the time we spent with him, O’Toole mentioned the day before he had golfed at Chicago Golf. In front of him I joked to Cronin, take note of that, O’Toole spotted at CGC, 2025 U.S. Open to the Chicago Golf Club.

Well Okay, I was off about 7 years and it’s certainly a different U.S. Open than the one I was referring to at the time. Just as I was off 1 year, about the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open landing at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Pinehurst. I suspected they would get the first one, after bringing the U.S. Women’s Open to the Pinehurst Resort in 2014. Davis admitted to me he made a courtesy call to Pine Needles owner Peggy Kirk Bell, to tell her the Women’s Open was coming back to Pinehurst but not to her property. I suggested to him they could make it up to her down the road, and Davis suggested that’s probably what would happen.

ONE THING about this announcement that has raised some eyebrows, is the timing of it. With the July dates of 12-15, it falls about 30 days or less behind the KPMG/LPGA PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes.

There are those who wonder if the market will support to major women’s events in 30 days only about 30 miles apart. I feel it will. I’m also hoping that it’s not the same week as the John Deere Classic, the JDC is too good of an event to pass up.

The younger gals and the over 50 set, both have their own following. But I suspect the opportunity to walk the grounds of Chicago Golf, and see the first 18 hole course in person. Will draw as many spectators as the USGA and CGC will let in.

LAST SUMMER I wrote it was time for the PGA and USGA to get back in the Chicago market. BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm who has been covering golf in the Chicago for 45 years, said he could not remember there ever being a time, where a USGA event was not on the schedule for Chicago at some point in the future. Fortunately that being the case, only lasted for just over 5 months.

So both organizations are back, both with ladies events. That fact is not being lost on some male golfers I have heard from. There is concern about 4 women’s majors in town in three years, and now not one but two Web.com events in the state just six weeks apart for the next three years. Some male fans see the flood of ladies events, and what they call minor league men’s events pouring into the state, disappointing. We’re Chicago the second biggest market and that’s all we get, so they say.

WELL NO IT ISN’T, the BMW will still be here in 2017 at Conway Farms, and in 2019 at Medinah. Those too will be great events. It might be amateur golf, but I’m excited to see the Men’s and Women’s NCAA National Championship’s coming to Rich Harvest Farms in 2017, here’s hoping Mike Small and Illini get that national championship this year, and if not, then at Rich Harvest Farms in 2017.

I’m glad the Chicago golf calendar is starting to fill up again, it was looking pretty bleak for a while. Don’t get me wrong, I’d enjoy a men’s U.S. Open or PGA back in town or another Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in 2028. A BMW Championship that is at least here, 3 years out of every 4, if not 4 of 4.

But at least for now, the golf pendulum is starting to swing back the right way. Golf fans should be very thankful for that. Thanks USGA, glad your back, and special thanks to the Chicago Golf Club for taking them in. RS