THE HALFWAY HOUSE located at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst next to HB Jones. At the Halfway House owner Susan Phillips (L) invites you to play over 90 courses world wide, take a lesson, join a league or just have fun with your favorite golfing or non-golfing friends. Why not check out the daily specials, Thursdays are half-priced beer day. Call (331)-642-8050 to book your tee time or online see Halfwayhousegolf.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the PGA Championship Wanamaker Trophy.

It’s not long now until the 2017 PGA Championship will be played in North Carolina. Yes North Carolina and in Charlotte North Carolina.

Who would have thought there was golf outside of Pinehurst North Carolina. While Pinehurst provides outstanding golf, Charlotte has some pretty golf courses as well.

So when the world of golf descend’s on Charlotte in 2017, there will be plenty of courses waiting with open tee sheets waiting for you to come and tee off. Every year at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club, crowds come out in force to see the top players compete for the title. This time in 2017 the players will be competing for a major title. Quail Hollow will shut down for a renovation after this years PGA Tour event and reopening in time for the PGA. It should be a great week. But if your in town prior to PGA week, here are some other ideas.

The Marriott Fairfield Inn McDowell St. in Charlotte is a great place to stay, and near several attractions

Don’t be afraid to check into the Marriott Fairfield Inn on McDowell St. in Charlotte.

You will enjoy covered parking, before you go inside to be greeted by a friendly staff. If you get a room on the upper floors, you will have a nice view of the city.

Close-by are other attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers don’t play far away either. The Marriott Fairfield has 196 guest rooms and 17 suites. There are upgrade options with balconies and King Suite Rooms. The Presidental Suite on the 11th floor has 1,740 Sq. feet so you can spread out and feel at home.

Need more ? Okay how about Free-High Speed Wifi, Complimentary hot breakfast buffet and shuttle service within 3 miles of the hotel, and morning newspaper. 24 hour front desk help, business center and fitness center. For more information on the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Charlotte Uptown call (800)-551-1692 or (704)-372-7550.

The 18th hole at the Ballantyne Resort and Hotel.

If your interested in a more high end setting right on the golf course, especially if it’s business bringing you into Charlotte, try the Ballantyne Resort and Conference Center which is only a few miles from the downtown area.

This 18 hole course sits right outside the hotel, and concludes with a par 4 that wraps around a pond with water spraying in the air. The green is trapped as well.

A group of scenic par 3’s await you during your round at Ballantyne.

For a golf course that is built into a business park styled area, you would not know it on several of the holes. But the blue-glass themed office park does show through on a few holes.

The holes that are more exclusive do have that tree lined North Carolina tall pines feel. The par 3 holes are all great tests, with water coming into play on more than one of them.

When arriving at Ballantyne, it is crucial to remember that there is a private Ballantyne Country Club just up the road, and the two courses with almost the same name can give your On-Star or GPS routing device fits and leave you at the wrong golf course.

Ballantyne is the home of the Dana Rader Golf Academy if you or your group are looking for some serious instruction. For more information on Ballantyne Resort Golf call (704)-248-4383 for tee times or see the resorts website for rooms and more.

For golfers looking to play multiple courses and visit some of Charlotte’s top attractions while in town, see Charlottesgotalot.com. If you are coming for the PGA Championship in 2017, please do plan ahead and book rooms and tee times early.