THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is now open daily until 10 PM, and is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. This year the addition of Toptracer has golfers talking and improving their game all winter long, and getting dialed in on what they need in new equipment for the summer ahead. If your ready for a break this weekend from the snow, head over to the Mistwood Golf Dome, hit some balls and enjoy a beverage especially if you have had a workout moving snow. See Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 #golf    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. With Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley in the Deuce.

Pinehurst the home of American golf has been a busy place in recent years, and that won’t stop this year.

Pinehurst resort will host the 2019 U.S. Amateur in August and add another major championship in golf, to it’s long and impressive resume.

In recent years the resort has undergone numerous changes both on and off its golf courses.

In the last few months alone, the Gil Hanse renovation on Pinehurst #4 has been a huge success since the course reopened for play last fall. On a smaller scale the Cradle, the Pinehurst 789 yard bundle of fun nine hole par 3 course has been a busy place. The resort has created the Deuce, a sports bar styled area behind the 18th green of Pinehurst No.2 that has been a hit with members and resort guests alike.

Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley stands at the first tee of the redone Pinehurst #4 golf course.

There have been renovations to the resorts hotels, the historic Carolina, and the Holly Inn. The next big restoration is now underway with work happening at the Manor Inn, rooms will be set up for groups, with common rooms for meetings and activities.

The practice area’s have seen improvements, and the Thistle Due putting green has been moved and redone. A new swimming pool has emerged and is a hot, or shall we say cool spot in the summer months.

Changes were made to courses #1 and #3 to help make way for the Cradle. In between courses 2&4 there is a new halfway house under construction, that will be complete with an upper deck, or the Pinehurst version of the Crow’s Nest. If walking either course has you worn out at the turn, take a load off your feet for a few minutes. Just don’t keep your caddies waiting too long, or throw a wrench into the pace of play.

Pinehurst not only has the U.S. Amateur this year, but another U.S. Open in 2024. From all accounts they will be ready for both, even though the work at the Manor Inn should be wrapping up right about amateur week.

The man in the middle of all these projects is Pinehurst’s resort president Tom Pashley, whose watch has accomplished in just a few years, what some properties might need decades to do. Pashley and his team have moved Pinehurst forward into modern times, while preserving the resorts history and traditions. The restoration of the Donald Ross cottage that sits alongside of the Pinehurst No.2 that is now owned by the resort is a good example.

Click here to listen to the interview with Tom Pashley on everything Pinehurst.

One of the newest hot spots in Pinehurst is the Pinehurst Brewery, that is a big draw just about every night. If you like BBQ, or brick-oven pizza’s or your choice in variety of beers, many of them made locally, then the Pinehurst Brewery is for you. The brewery was created in the towns former steamplant that supplied the energy to the village. The only thing now coming out of the rebuilt brick-by-brick smokestack is the smell of some freshly cooked BBQ, and it smells great.

So whether it’s to go play some golf, drink some beer, or enjoy the other comforts in life mixed in through some southern hospitality, Pinehurst should be on your list of places to visit in 2019. Coming to watch the U.S. Amateur and seeing the professionals of the future is a great idea too. It’s always a beautiful day in Pinehurst. See Pinehurst.com. to plan your stay.