NEMOCOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT just south of Pittsburgh PA. One Pete Dye Course open for play, another one on the way, Nemacolin.com. Arlington Lakes is now open from the 13 month renovation by architect Mike Benkusky, the course and clubhouse improvements will be enjoyed by golfers and non-golfers. See AHPD.org.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG BY RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the LPGA International Crown Trophy.

It all started at the PGA merchandise show in Orlando Florida in 2013, there would be a press conference by the LPGA about something special. A big announcement they called it. It was.

The LPGA had communications chief Kraig Kann and Commissioner Michael Whan make the announcement. The new International Crown was born. Not a golf team championship that only included parts of the world, but now the entire world. The tournament idea was sparked by Rich Harvest Farms owner Jerry Rich in Sugar Grove. Rich has now stepped back from the event he helped create, but the UL Crown marches on. The new venue is the Merit Club of Libertyville, the clubs first big championship since the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open won by Karrie Webb. Webb will return as part of Team Australia, but her chances or repeating as champion will be a little tougher this time.

Welcome to the Merit Club, the new sign reads 8 Countries and 32 Players only. All fans welcome.

The UL International Crown was played for the first time in 2014 at Caves Valley CC, just outside of Baltimore.

Team Spain was the winner, Sweden was the runner up. Neither of those countries will be back this time, they didn’t make it out of qualifying. As a result team Korea and Team USA are the top two favorites, but they were the top 2 favorites in 2014 and neither country won. The USA didn’t even make it to Sunday’s play. That should change this time around.

Karrie Webb winner of the 2000 US Women’s Open at the Merit Club is looking for a crown in her return 16 years later.

For the first time the UL International Crown will come to Illinois, it will move onto Korea in 2018. In 2020 it will likely go to Japan, China or back to the United States, but that decision has not been made as of yet.

If you are confused about it’s location, yes the Crown was supposed to be played in Sugar Grove at Rich Harvest Farms, but that all changed late in 2015.

The Crown week at the Merit Club will start July 19th and run through the final round of play on Sunday July 24th. First round play starts on Thursday July 21.

The Par 3, 11th hole at the Merit Club.

The eight countries that are playing for the crown this year are, Korea, the United States, Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, England, Japan, and Thailand.

The 32 players will be comprised of the top four rated players from the 8 countries listed.

Team USA will include returnees from the 2014 team Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, and Christie Kerr. Solheim Cup hero Gerina Piller is the new member of the squad.

Tickets and information are available at ULCrown.com. The Gog takes a look at the Merit Club in the days ahead. Stay clicked in.