THE WHITE EAGLE GOLF CLUB & THE STONEBRIDGE COUNTRY CLUB will team up to host the 2020 Illinois Open from August 3rd-5th, the Illinois PGA has announced.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Linkedin or Facebook. Teeing off on the 18th tee at White Eagle Golf Club.

The Illinois PGA has now officially announced the locations, and dates for it’s “Opens” in 2020.

The Illinois Open Championship will be played August 3-5. But for the first time since 2016, it moves away from the Glen Club.

2020 launches the combination of White Eagle Golf Club in Naperville, and Aurora. The second course being Stonebridge Country Club, that development only runs through only Aurora.

So the distance between both courses is a short one, which will make it easy for the players to commute back-and-forth, between the courses.

The 18th hole at White Eagle Golf Club, will be the closing hole for the 2020 Illinois Open.

“We so cherish the relationship that we have with The Glen Club and Kemper Sports,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section. “The Illinois Open will be returning to The Glen Club in the future, but we are excited to move the state championship of golf around the state of Illinois.”

“We are thrilled to host the 71st Illinois Open at White Eagle,” said Curtis Malm, Head PGA Professional at White Eagle Golf Club. “The Illinois Open showcases the best golfers in the state of Illinois,both professionals and amateurs and we couldn’t be happier to bring this event to White Eagle.”

In 2019 the club emerged from a two-year architect Todd Quitno renovation of all 27 holes. Which has created a buzz about the golf course at White Eagle. The club’s membership numbers have grown by a significant amount, in the last 18 months.

THE PAR 3, 8TH HOLE at Stonebridge Country Club.

At Stonebridge, the club is also seeing a resurgence in membership, after making improvements in the last two years.

Tom Fazio the clubs orginal architect had his team return, and upgraded the golf course.

The new look Stonebridge has a current style, that would have been great to have, when the PGA Champions Tour and the LPGA were bringing tour events to the club. Back in the early 1990’s, and again after the year 2000.

The Illinois Open will have a field of 264 players, and qualifying events start in late June. So any legal resident of Illinois, professional or amateur. Can attempt to qualify for the Illinois Open. But amateurs must have a verified handicap index of 10.0 or less.

THE PAR 5, 3RD HOLE at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, home of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open.

The 26th annual Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open, will be played in July of 2020.

And the Illinois PGA will now partner with Mistwood in running the event.

“We are very excited to partner with the Mistwood Golf Club to assist with this already highly regarded tournament,” said Williams. “The Illinois Women’s Open features some of the best female golfers in Illinois. And throughout the Midwest, and rest of the country. Mistwood Golf Club has been a great host of this tournament for many years.”

The 54 hole IWO championship is played over two days. However, 36 holes are on day one, before a cut to low 40% and ties for the final round. In addition, players handicaps must be 15.0 or less to enter.

“We are so excited to partner with the Illinois PGA,and to further the reach of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open,” said Andy Mickelson, Director of Golf at Mistwood Golf Club. “This event has been the foundation for competitive women’s golf in Illinois and we have been proud to host for the last 20 years. It was Phil’s wish to host the best women in Illinois tournament golf and beyond. So partnering with the Illinois PGA only further ensures his legacy, and high levels of womens golf will remain in Illinois.”

The 2020 Illinois Senior Open returns to Royal Fox Country Club, after being held there for the first time in 2019. The late September event will be open to professionals and amateurs, who are 50 years old by the first day of play. And amateurs must a verified handicap of 10.0 or less.

The par 3, 12th hole at Pine Meadow GC in Mundelein.

The Illinois Super Senior Open returns to it’s orginal host course, the Pine Meadow Golf Club in October of 2020.

After 2 years at Makray Memorial Golf Club. The 36-hole event has no cut and four different age group champions. 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75 and up. Players must be 60 by the first day of the championship. And amateurs must have a verified handicap index of 14.0 or less. The event is open to all legal residents of Illinois.

For more information  please visit IPGA.com.