THE ILLINOIS PATRIOT EDUCATION FUND tee’s off at Medinah on Tuesday, help the IPEF help our Illinois veterans. See illinoispatrioteducationfund.org. If tee times are sold out, enter a waiting list, or sign up for the dinner and attend the auction. Mark Slaby (L) is the director of the IPEF, join him on Tuesday at Medinah to help our Illlinois veterans.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the roof of the Harbor Shores Inn over looking the course.

Rocco Mediate won the 2016 Sr. PGA Championship at Harbor Shores when he carded a final round five under par 66 that left him at 19 under par, it was enough for 3 shot victory over Colin Montgomerie, and the Alfred Bourne Trophy and a check for $504,000.

Montgomerie the two-time defending champion was forced this time to settle for the runner up check of a sum of $302,000.

Mediate held the lead all the day, but Montgomerie made a charge and was within one shot for much of the final round. Until a bogey on 14th hole pushed him back to 2 shots.

Rocco Mediate in the interview room after winning the 2016 Sr. PGA Championship

Next up was the Par 5, 15th hole and mediate drove it in the rough, while Montgomerie boldy went down the right side of the fairway just inside the waterline on the right side, but with a perfect line to to for the green in two shots. After Mediate had to lay up, it was Montgomeries turn to go for it and his approach shot left him 15 feet for eagle.

Mediate countered with a wedge that left him 7 feet for birdie, after Montgomerie missed the eagle and settled for birdie, Mediate drained his birdie to keep the lead at 2 shots.

The 2016 Senior PGA Championship

Montgomerie had a birdie putt on 16, but watched it roll just left of the cup and both players traded pars.

Then on the Par 3, 17th Mediate hit first and pushed his drive into a greenside bunker. Montgomerie stepped up and hit the green, but left himself 35-40 feet for birdie. Not the best birdie chance, but par at worse. If Mediate couldn’t get up and down for par, Montgomerie would be right there headed to 18.

But Mediate shocked everyone inclduing himself as he holed the bunker shot for birdie, and then Montgomerie could only salvage par and the lead was three, and for all practical purposes the championship was over.

On 18 both players missed the green on their approach shots, but got up and down for par.

Mediate not only won his first major on any tour, but set the Sr. PGA Championship record by three shots. Beating Sam Snead’s record that had stood since 1973. Mediate had not broke 70 in any round on the Champions Tour all season. Now he has earned himself a bid into the PGA Championship at Baltusrol at the end of July.

Click here to hear Rocco Mediates championship press conference at the Sr. PGA.

Bernhardt Langer shot 67 on Sunday, and at one point was only two shots off the lead but that was close as he could get.

The Senior Club pro champion was John DalCorobbo who is an assistant professional at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Club at the Indianapolis MotorSpeedway. Dalcorobbo shot the lowest score a club has ever shot in the championship. Mistwood Golf Club profressional Brian Brodell was DalCorobbo’s caddie for the week.

The 2017 championship will be played at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia and returns to Harbor Shores in 2018.