THE FRENCH LICK RESORT in historic French Lick Indiana, this summer celebrate the centennial at the Donald Ross Golf Course, and the Inaugural Sr. LPGA Championship this July. The French Lick Resort is the proud presenting sponsor of the 2017 Chicago Golf Show this Friday-Sunday at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. ______________________________________________________________________

THE MENS AND WOMENS NCAA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS, coming this May to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Rich Harvest Farms and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

IN’S AND OUT’S..are you still inside or are you outside, during our little heat wave here in town.

I would have run outside to play the last few days, if not for the several stories I am writing for the CDGA Magazine and Chicagoland Golf April editions.

Plus I admit that I did play 12 rounds while off to the PGA Show in Orlando, and during the trip down and back. So not getting out this past weekend was not the end of the world. Plus it seemed like everyone else was out and the courses that were open were booked solid, so it would not be quick to get around. Great Job ! to the courses that did open, and I found out today more that did open on the weekend or did today. If your didn’t open for any reason, including wear and tear and the wish to be in mint condition when you do open, I can respect that as well.

One local pro told me a few years ago, that any money he made off the golf course before April 1, or after October 31st was like found money. It allowed for improvements and to reinforce other area’s of the budget. I hope the open golf courses will take the extra dollars and put in back into their product. The course, the range, the clubhouse or even the maintanence building, the caddy shack or the halfway house. Show the customers and the golfers that you care.

Pick up your edition of the Chicago Golf Show program, presented by Chicagoland Golf.

THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW tee’s off this Friday at Noon at the DSCC in Rosemont, located on River Road. The show runs three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I hope to see you there.

On the weekend, baseball Hall of Famers Tim Raines of the White Sox and Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs will be in attendence. raines on Saturday and Sanberg on Sunday, both baseball stars are avid golfers as well.

There will be free lessons from Illinois PGA members, and plenty of booths with information on golf courses, golf products and golf destination properties. Check them all out, need new equipment, golfbags, golfshoes, you will have your selection at the show. Please visit Chicagogolfshow.com.

NEW # 1 Dustin Johnson with his win at Riviera in Los Angeles is the new World #1 golfer, passing up Jason Day. Not long ago Johnson was a guy who had reported off course issues, was trying to put his life together, and trying to stay out of the way of rules infractions. Now he is #1, how could can he be, can he win at Augusta. Is he the player to beat in 2017, Erin Hills is a course that just might set up for him.

Play the new Preserve at Oak Meadows, coming this June.

Congratulations to Ed Stevenson and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District on the name change of the Oak Meadows Golf Club, to, The Preserve at Oak Meadows. I know I’m looking forward to playing “The Preserve” this summer. Architect Greg Martin and his team have done a stellar job in renovating and restoring the property.

The name change officially will be voted on by the board in the morning, but they are expected to approve the name already out in ad form. If you have not seen the ad, pick up a copy of Chicagoland Golf at this weeks Chicago Golf Show in Rosemont.

More details visit DuPagegolf.com Stay clicked in here or at DuPage golf for details on opening day. Which should be at some point in June.

BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm is covering all the golf news from Florida and beyond, see his reports and notebook at Lenziehmongolf.com. Len’s updates include a report on 2015 Illinois Women’s Open Champion Madasyn Pettersen, and her college plans.

COMING UP THIS WEEK, Titleist, Callaway, Odyssey and more from the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show, stay clicked in. RS