THE WESTERN AMATEUR at Skokie Country Club, coming up July 31st through August 5th, defending champion Dylan Meyer from the University of Illinois Golf Team, returns to defend his title WGAESF.ORG. THE KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on the tee this week, tee’s off in 2018 at the Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer. Late June. ______________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada, heads up a powerful field for the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at the Olympia Fields Country Club, in south suburban Olympia Fields.
For the second straight year the top 100 players in the world are in the field of 156 players. Tee times begin in the 7 Am hour on Thursday for Round 1, and on Friday for Round 2. Television coverage of the championship that will be contested on the clubs North Course, will be three hours on Thursday and Friday on The Golf Channel. On the weekend the coverage moves to NBC from 2-5 PM CST, but will run over on Sunday if there is need for a playoff to determine the champion.
EARLIER TODAY KPMG and the PGA announced an extension of the championships contract until 2023. Starting next year at Kemper Lakes in north suburban Lake County, the purse will jump from 3.5 million to 3.65 million. The 2019 Championship was also announced and will be contested at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska Minnesota, that hosted the 2016 Ryder Cup.
SO YEON RYU is now the new #1 women’s player in the world and the official #1 bib will be handed to her and her caddie before teeing off for the championship.
ON THE TEE THIS WEEK the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Olympia Fields
Joining Henderson in the field are all Top 100 rated women’s players in the field. From that list are players like Lexi Thompson, Christie Kerr, Ariya Jutanygarn, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie.
The KMPG field has 26 players that have won major championship, that comprise a total of 53 major championship victories.
THE PGA and the LPGA have created a ticket sharing program that allows fans of the KMPG Championship to attend the inaugural Thornberry LPGA Classic next week (July 3-9), fans with tickets for the LPGA event in Green Bay can visit the KPMG Championship at no charge. Fans must present their tickets at entry to gain entrance. All ticket types get a 1-day grounds access pass. For more information on getting tickets please visit KPMGWomensPGA.com or call (708)-996-0370.
Normally hole #3 on the OFCC North Course, but for KPMG Championship week it will play as #12.
For Wednesday the course will used for practice rounds for the players, gate hours are from 7 Am to 7 Pm. With gate hours reopening on Thursday at 7 Am, and running through 8:15 Pm.
For championship merchandise the golf place to go is Olympia Fields pro shop. Anything fans wish to purchase can be found there, and fans with all levels of tickets can enter.
Fans can visit the KPMG inspire greatness timeline, a 150 foot wall near the main entrance, a chance to honor those who have inspired today’s women’s leaders. KPMG Social Zone gives fans a chance to post their favorite photo’s of the day and a chance to win prizes. Post with #inspiregreatness or #KPMGWomensPGA.
NEED MORE got to the “Go Like a Pro” Lesson zone, get the chance to try out new equipment and get free lessons from PGA and LPGA teaching professionals. On Friday LPGA World Golf Hall of Famer Pat Bradley will beat the zone.
Don’t miss all the action this week at Olympia Fields, and come out to see 156 of the top women’s players in golf battle for the trophy and the honor of winning a major championship. This weekend hear from the players during Golfers on Golf Radio on Am 750 WNDZ from 9-10 Am. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow.