THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road has a 40% off all apparel sale going on right now through December 30th, take advantage before it’s all gone. The simulators are open and tee times are moving quickly, get yours (847)-885-9000. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and or Linkedin and Facebook. At Topgolf Schaumburg

IT’S BEEN QUITE A WEEK, a lot going on for year end, and every week it just shows how much golf there is to talk about, even during winter in Chicago.

First up I’m upgrading my laptop with a new one from ABT Electronics in Glenview, a great place to do business with. So I might be off a day or two, while I transfer into the new high-tech stuff. But I should be back posting by Wednesday or Thursday.

SATURDAY I went over to Sportsman’s Country Club in Northbrook, part of the Northbrook Park District. There was an open house about the upcoming renovation to Sportsman’s.

The club will be closed in 2020 and maybe up to August in 2021, as the new clubhouse gets built and the golf course has plenty of work done on it. But from talking to Rick Jacobson, who has emerged as the architect in charge. It sounds like the work might not all be finished when the course reopens in 2021. There is a masterplan in place to continue work after the grand reopening.

It appears that bunker improvements will be started at a later date TBA, and maybe some tee & tee work as well. Stay clicked in, I will follow the project as the construction begins next spring. Congratulations to the golfers of Northbrook, your time has come. I know Northbrook is surrounded by other towns who have already upgraded their golf courses.

The turnout was amazing, almost everyone who arrived for the 1 PM open house, could not fit in the building. Great idea from the Park District to put out some GOOD food, have pro shop sales, and contests. A couple of golfers left a with new putter and wedges after winning a closest to the pin contest.

2019 Western Amateur Champion Garrett Rank at Point O’Woods Golf Club

IT WAS GREAT to catch up to 2019 Western Amateur Championship Garrett Rank at last nights Blackhawks game at the United Center.

Ranks’s day job is being an NHL referee and Rank worked the Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild Game last night.

Rank informed me, that he will defend his Western Amateur title in 2020, at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana.

But even better news was that by winning at Point O’ Woods this past summer, Rank earned an exemption into the Western Golf Associations Evans Scholars Invitational. The ESI is part of Korn Ferry Tour, and it is played at the Glen Club. Rank says he will be done with NHL work by Round 1 or 2 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, so he will tee it up in the ESI.

MORE GOOD NEWS was that most of our local six players in Stage III of Q-School of the Korn Ferry Tour, this past week did well. It’s an accomplishment just to make it to the final stage, but Kudo’s especially to Nick Hardy, Andy Pope and Vince India for finishing in the top 40, which is key to having playing priviledges in 2020. Hardy was actually tied for the lead in the final round yesterday, before ending up in 5th place. Great playing Nick, Andy and Vince. Patrick Flavin, Brad Hopfinger and Jordan Hahn were also in the field, but finished outside the top 40 after all played some solid golf.

THERE ARE PLENTY of places running specials to help you with holiday shopping. DuPage golf has gift cards with bonus see Dupagegolf.com. Eagle Ridge has another Cyber Monday today, EagleRidge.com. Golfvisions has it’s Players Pass on Sale today.

KUDO’S to arhcitect Ray Hearn, on winning his fifth ASGCA (American Society of Golf Course Architects) Design Excellence Award in 7 years. Hearn is known in Chicago for his work at the award winning Mistwood GC in Romeoville, and at Flossmoor Country Club in Homewood.

THE PRESIDENTS CUP, the International Team almost took one from the USA, and Capt. Tigers Woods debut as a Captain was almost a disaster. The event really needed the Internationals to win it to create some Ryder Cup like drama in the years ahead. It is sad seeing all the abuse Patrick Reed is getting on and off the golf course from some media types. Let’s move forward folks.

With that, I’m off to ABT to turn in my keyboard of the last five years. See you later this week. RS