SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 North Roselle Road in Schaumburg is your home for year round golf. The simulators are open with plenty of Top 100 courses, and a few major championship and Ryder Cup venues. Currently through December 30th the pro shop has a 40% off sale on all apparel. Call the pro shop to reserve simulator tee times at (847)-885-9000, to learn more on the course renovations see Schaumburggolf.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook. Teeing of on 18 at White Eagle Country Club in Naperville, home of the 2020 Illinois Open. Photo by Chip Wagner.

THERE ARE ALWAYS GREAT ROUNDS, for many reasons. It’s because of how you played, where you played, who you played with, or a day on the golf course came at good time.

Maybe you played in a charity event, and raised a lot of money for a good cause. Did you help your team win the tournament that day, maybe you won the tournament that day. Did you a hit the shot of a lifetime, a hole-in-one or a Double-Eagle 2, on a par 5. It’s always great to recover with a birdie after you have taken a penalty on a hole, and you holed a recovery shot. Was it your longest drive ever, 300+ yards. All of these shots bring you back for more.

My 19 favorite rounds for 2019 are below, I hope you got in 19 rounds this past year or at least 10. Coming up later this week, My Best 10 rounds of the the tens (this decade) and 20 rounds I’d like to play in 2020.

The par 3, 3rd hole on Innisbrook South Course.

19. Innisbrook FL. South Course. The recently renovated South Course is good, and a fun track golfers of all skill levels can play.

One of the enjoyable things about this round, is that it was 53 degrees when I teed off last January. The starter had on a down jacket, I had a wind-breaker. I was warm he was not.

A friend called from Chicago as I was on the 4th tee, he said it was 22 below temperature wise back home. And here I was out golfing. It’s days like this you enjoy playing even if your score isn’t good.

18. The Donald Ross Course at the French Lick Resort, Ind. I played the Ross while working the Sr. LPGA Championship, my partner was the soon to be Hall of Famer Len Ziehm, in his last round before induction. We had a blast and the Ross Course is a great track.

17. Stonebridge Country Club IL. I had not been there since 2004 when Karrie Webb walked out the door with the trophy from the last Kellogg-Keebler LPGA Tour event. The course has matured, and been renovated by the Fazio group. It looks better than ever and will make a great second course for the 2020 Illinois Open.

16.Rich Harvest Farms-Sugar Grove IL., RHF is a Top 100 course that gets better every year as owner Jerry Rich and his staff make little improvements here and there. I had a great fall round with the colors on the trees out in full force. Of course I finished with a 65 foot birdie putt to cap off a great day. The Men’s Big 10 Conference Championship is here May 1-3 in 2020, can’t wait to see that

15. The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison IL., I played the Preserve when it first opened, and again in early 2018. Then I didn’t go back for 16 months. When a course reopens from a major renovation it still takes time to fully grow in. The 16 months made a world of difference at the Preserve, which was really eye-popping last September. The new halfway-house was open and I played well. The DuPage County Forest Preserve District has a winner in the Greg Martin renovation of Oak Meadows. I can’t wait for the new clubhouse to open in late summer of 2020.

14. White Eagle Country Club in Naperville IL., I enjoyed a round here on my birthday with my friend Chip Wagner, who is the clubs historian. I had not played here in 5 years, and since the Todd Quitno-Lohman renovation had been completed. WECC will be a great home for the 2020 Illinois Open, and the course, all 27 holes of it look better than ever.

13.The Glen Club in Glenview IL., played here twice in 2019, once for media day marking the new WGA event on the Korn-Ferry Tour, the Evans Scholars Invitational. Then in the fall for the Kemper Sports Invitational, while I didn’t play great either day, my team won the KSI, and it’s always nice to win a golf tournament.

12.The Warren Course in South Bend Indiana. I played the Warren Course in the final round with my old golf clubs, before the new ones arrived after getting fitted. The Warren Course was used for the 2019 U.S. Sr. Open, won by Steve Stricker. Steve played the course much better than I did, but it was fun seeing one of the first ever Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore designs, and it’s always fun playing a U.S. Open golf course.

11.The Golf Course at Golden Nugget in Lake Charles LA., it’s one of the best casino courses I have played, and the Korn Ferry Tour arrives in 2020. It was the highlight of the Lake Charles trip, and I would go back and play it again, anytime.

10.The Cradle at Pinehurst NC., Gil Hanse’s design of the Pinehurst Resorts par 3 course is called the most fun 10 acres in golf by some. I can’t agree more. On a 48 degree January day I had the course to myself for a quick 18 holes and 2 laps around this 9 hole track. The speakers are hidden in the prairie grass, and it’s the first time I have ever tee’d off with Led Zeppelin playing in my ears. I hit it 5 feet and made the birdie. This course is fun-fun-fun and a must play.

9.Mid Pines in Southern Pines NC.. It was a trip back 20 years later to the first course I ever played in North Carolina, and with a renovation since completed, Mid Pines is really good. It might not get the most publicity but well worth playing it. Special thanks to Ross Hutchison of the sales department for joining me. We had fun even though it was 38 degrees when we tee’d off, and only 45 when we walked off 18.

8.Tobacco Road Samford NC.. This Mike Strantz design has always been known as a love it or hate it type course. I loved it. I can see 20 years ago where golfers might find it a bit different that what was the norm back then, but if you enjoy Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley, or Streamsong, you will love Tobacco Road. Strantz was just ahead of the times when he created Tobacco Road, too bad he did not live long enough to build a few more courses just like it. Before he lost his fight to cancer.

7. Farm Links AL.. Farm Links is a really good golf course, that leaves you plenty of room to hit the ball. It has two of the best par 3’s ever built on the same golf course with major elevation change involved (thanks Dana Fry). David Purcell and his family have a great resort with top notch hospitality, it could use a second golf course. But Farm Links should be on all golfers bucket list, it’s an Alabama must play. And it was great playing with owner David Purcell.

6. The National Golf Course at Reynolds at Lake Oconee. A great track in the hills of Georgia, and at a resort/development now under the watchful eye of former Medinah head professional Mike Scully, who serves as Reynolds GM. National was a great way to wrap up the winter trip and is one of six courses at Reynolds. The Jack Nicklaus Great Water design at Reynolds has reopened from renovation. Put it on your hit list.

5. Schaumburg Golf Club, only 18 holes are open from the Todd Quitno renovation, but the Players Nine and the Baer Nine are really good, and it leaves you chomping at the bit for the Tournament Nine to open in July or August of 2020. A 27 hole day here at the Schaumburg Golf Club should be on all Chicago area golfers bucket list. Chandlers Chophouse in the clubhouse would round out a perfect day in the summer ahead. I played great here and that only added to my experience at SGC.

4.Ozark National and Top of the Rock at Big Cedar in Sw. Mo. near Branson. Owner Johnny Morris has made Big Cedar one of the best resorts in the Midwest. Top of the Rock is a great par 3 course, and the Coore-Crenshaw design of ON has been named Best New Course for 2019 by multiple publications. And it should be. I played with Assistant Pro and two-time Missouri State Amateur Champion Joey Johnson who was a great tour guide. I birdied 18 with a 22 footer, a great way to walk off.

3.The Lake Course on the Robert Trent Jones Trail AL.. I never thought one of the best courses I would play all year, would be in the middle of Alabama. But it was. The Lake Course is one of two courses at the property. But the Lake gets the nod by a nose. Two island greens and just pretty holes carved out between the trees and some water. You could use the camera on almost every hole, the photo opp’s are that good, but the golf is better. Visit the trail and you will find a Marriott nearby-with a spa. Can’t beat it.

2. Medinah Country Club #3, the course that Justin Thomas destroyed during BMW Championship week is always a great day of golf, regardless of your score. It’s a course where I learned that my recently fitted new clubs weren’t right, Medinah 3 exposed that. New shafts were ordered within 48 hours and things got better the rest of the summer. I hadn’t played #3 in seven years, I won’t make that mistake again.

1. Pinehurst #4, on a day is was 42 when I tee’d off and 52 when I finished. But the sun was out and the company was great for the walk, that came on heels of walking #2 the day before. I was joined by Pinehurst media director Alex Podlogar, and the course #4 superintendent. Gil Hanse did a wonderful job, even though the uphill par 4, 6th hole that plays almost 500 is tough in the cold. Driver-3 wood could not get me home in two. But if you have seen the pictures, and you like what you see, GO !. #4 was used in the U.S. Amateur this year, and you can play this championship course. I have played #4 before Fazio, and after the Fazio renovation, now after the Hanse renovation. It’s never been better. Pinehurst the Cradle or Home of American Golf never lets you down. Courses #4 and #2 share one of the best halfway houses you will ever find.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has the simulators open for year round golf, and a 40% off all-apparel sale in the pro shop through Dec. 30th. SGC is located at 401 N. Roselle Road, hours are 9 Am-8 Pm, call the pro shop for tee times at (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook. In the Maple Meadows pro shop that is open today and tomorrow for outside golf.

IT MIGHT BE LATE DECEMBER but several courses are open for outdoor play, and good news it’s now getting light outside longer.

Maple Meadows in Wood Dale, Pine Meadow in Mundelein, Cog Hill in Lemont/Palos courses 1-2-3, are open for outdoor play. Arlington Lakes, Arlington Hts. is open. Some of the Golfvisons courses are open, visit their website for more details.

A few notes before off to NFL football before that season winds down, and it’s time to celebrate Christmas.

THE ILLINOIS PGA has announced a partnership with DOT Productions for video production work. Illinois PGA Executive Director Carrie Williams says that previous work done with DOT, has allowed the section to tell stories about Illinois PGA professionals, their facilities and the work done at the IPGA section office and IPGA Foundation. The announcement comes with an endorsement from Glen Oaks Country Club head golf professional Danny Mulhearn, about the work by DOT at GOCC.

TOPGOLF has announced it’s reached over $1 million dollars in donations to the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. The latest donation was a simulator to the home of a 12 year old girl with health issues. More details at topgolf.com.

THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW is running a ticket special for weekend admissions, buy 4 tickets by January 5th, for adult admissions, and the normal price of $44 for 4, becomes $28 for 4 tickets. You save $16 dollars, that you can now spend at the show. The Chicago Golf Show is Feb. 28-29-March 1st. Details Chicagogolfshow.corcexpo.com.  The show’s presenting sponsor is the French Lick Resort-see Frenchlick.com.

THE 2021 SOLHEIM CUP in Toldeo Ohio at Inverness, is offering discounted tickets for the holidays. Use the code Holiday2019 and buy tickets by Jaunary 1st. Online please visit solheimcup@lpga.com for more information.

CALLAWAY GOLF is launching a new product (clubs)in January of 2020, be on the watch for Mavrik, more distance. Callawaygolf.com

HORSESHOE BAY RESORT in Austin Texas has a Ultimate Golf Experience special that starts at $305, find out more at hsbresort.com Horseshoe Bay has four golf courses, three by Robert Trent Jones and one by Jack Nicklaus. Recent renovations make Horseshoe Bay a great golf destination.

The Daytona Beach Golf Course has now reopened.

The Daytona Beach Golf Club’s North Course has reopened following a project that included new greens and some re-routing of the back nine.

Daytona Beach GC is a 36 hole municipal facility, that closed it’s North Course on May 9th, and saw it reopen on November 2nd.

The new TIFEagle surfaces helped restore green overall greensize by 3 to 9 feet, and which means more pin placements and less wear and tear in the same locations. USGA specifications are back in place. “It’s been great,” says DBGC Director of Golf Brian Jaquet of the greens project. “Everyone has liked the work that was done.”

While the course was shut down, the staff added two tee boxes. So the course doesn’t end with back-to-back par fives. 55 yards was added and the course is now 6,413 from the tips. The well priced North and South courses are golfer friendly. See Daytonabeachgc.com. for more information.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS ON MONDAY. RS

LOCATED AT 401 NORTH ROSELLE ROAD, the Schaumburg Golf Club is now open year round for golf, if you can’t wait for the outdoor course renovation to be complete, come inside and play on the simulators. Plenty of Top 100 courses, major championship and Ryder Cup venues to pick from. Enjoy food and drink from Chandlers Chophouse right upstairs, and through December 30th there is a 40% off all apparel sale. Plenty of long and short-sleeve shirts to pick from. So call the pro shop open daily from 9 Am to 8 Pm and your simulator tee time, and get renovation updates at Schaumburggolf.com.     _____________________________________________________________________

GOLF COURSES ARE OPEN-TODAY-TOMORROW-MONDAY play golf outside with great deals at Cog Hill (Courses 1-2-3 open), Pine Meadow in Mundelein, Maple Meadows-part of Dupage Golf is open. Some of the Golfvisions courses are open.

With Steve Kashul on NBC Sports Chicago

The winter edition of the Golf Scene is back on NBC Sports Chicago, hosted by Steve Kashul.

The December schedule is the following. Sunday Dec. 22 6 pm, Thursday Dec. 26 at 12:30 Pm and on the 26th on NBC Sports Plus at 3 pm. Saturday the 28th at 4, and Sunday the 29th at 2 pm.

Steve hosted the show at Medinah Country Club, and the show features new equipment from XXIO, professional Chuck Lynch with his academy at Links & Tee’s this winter. Winter golf at the Des Plaines Golf Center. The inside look at Brendan Doyle Golf and a Tour of Legends Golf.

Catch all of this on NBC Sports Chicago golf dome in Addison or NBC Chicago Sports Plus.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 North Roselle Road is your 12 month golf destination. The simulators are open daily from 9 Am to 8 Pm, where you can play several Top 100 courses, along with major championship and Ryder Cup venues. Now through December 30th, there is a 40% off all apparel sale in the pro shop. Call for your tee times at (847)-885-9000, or see more on course renovations Schaumburggolf.com.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS-Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. On the Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort.

French Lick Resort has announced that the Valley Tower is open. What is the Valley Tower ?

It’s six floors of 71 suite rooms that are joined to the French Lick Casino. The rooms have additional space with adjoining doors for groups and those on the golf trips or gambling trips with friends.

The resorts first ever sports book is now open, so if your from adjoining states like Illinois, and want to bet your local teams, why not travel to French Lick where you can, and can do it legally.

The new sports book is run by Rush Street International (RSI), and allows for bets on most sports or more.

   THE NEW VALLEY SPORTS BAR (L) in the valley tower. (r) The Valley Tower that’s connected to the French Lick Resort Casino, and the bridge-way to the vents center and French Lick Resort Hotel.

The sports viewing lounge has two 14 feet long and eight foot high LED video walls that make up the prime viewing in the sportsbook and watching area. The sportsbook area has 18 other viewing televisions. The sportsbook as three betting windows to keep the line moving, as events get ready to start.

                   Valley Tower room.

The Valley Bar located in the tower, has a menu of appetizers along with over 20 regional craft beers, domestic beers, and traditional cocktails and wine.

“With as much history, and welcoming space as this hotel has had for decades, it’s exciting to open the Valley Tower, Valley Bar, along with the new Sports Book and spacious sports viewing area in the French Lick Casino,” says French Lick Resort director of golf Dave Harner. “So many of our golfing guests are huge sports fans, so we think they are going to make the Valley Tower and the new Sports Book area, their preferred place to relax and enjoy all the fun French Lick has to offer.”

Visitors to the French Lick Resort one of the Top 10 Historic Resorts in America per the USA Today, can enjoy 45 holes of golf on the Pete Dye Course, the Donald Ross Course and the 9-hole Valley Links Course. The recent Valley Tower, Valley Bar and Sports Book was part of a 17 million dollar addition.

The resort now has 757 rooms (443 at French Lick-243 at the West Baden Dome Springs Hotel and 71 rooms in the Valley Tower). For more details see Frenchlick.com

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB-Located at 401 North Roselle Road, is open for year round golf, now in the simulators. While playing some of the new courses, you can also enjoy 2020 Ryder Cup Venue Whistling Straits and the other Kohler Courses. Currently through Dec. 30th, there is a 40% Off All-Apparel sale in the pro shop. (847)-855-9000. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, LinkedIn or Facebook.

IN 2020 THE RYDER CUP is coming to Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin, and part of Destination Kohler. But whether you have tickets or not, you too can enjoy “The Straits” from inside the ropes.

You will need to do it before the week of the Ryder Cup matches, but the option is yours all spring and summer to enjoy four of the Top 100 courses in America that you can play.

One of the best things about picking a Destination Kohler golf package, is that like golfers out on the course, you have options.

As part of those options, you can not only enjoy golf, but the famed Kohler Waters Spa, along with great food and beverage Wisconsin style. Which includes much more than beer, brats and cheese.

YOUR BEST OPTIONS FOR PLACES TO PLAY, AND PLACES TO STAY. (L) The American Club and (R) the Carriage House Suites across the street, right above the spa. A third option is recently renovated rooms at the Inn on Woodlake, your choice.

THE 9TH HOLE of the Irish Course (L) and the 18TH HOLE on Whistling Straits (R)

The four Kohler Courses were designed by Hall of Fame golf architect Pete Dye, so one package option is well, Dye-Abolical. The package includes three nights and four rounds of golf person. One round on all four Kohler courses, Whistling Straits and the Irish Course, along with the River and Meadow Valleys courses at Blackwolf Run. This package with a stay at the American Club is $1,228 per person, or the Inn on Woodlake for $1,048 per person, the Sandhill or Red Fox Cabins can also be part of the package.

Golf Kohler includes two nights and three 18 hole rounds of golf that include, Whistling Straits, The River Course and your choice of one round on either the Meadow Valleys Course or the Irish Course. With an American Club stay $930 per person, $810 for a stay at the Inn on Woodlake. A complimentary golf lesson is included.

Breakaway to Blackwolf, play both courses at Blackwolf Run, the River Course and the Meadow Valleys Course, while enjoying a complimentary golf lesson and a one night stay at the American Club $455 per person, or the Inn on Woodlake for $436 per person.

The clubhouse at Blackwolf Run, home of the River and Meadow Valleys courses.

The Golf Escape package offers one night at the American Club for $521 per person, or the Inn on Woodlake for $502 per person. Your golf is a round on Whistling Straits, and on the Meadow Valleys course.

For those who want to mix in some spa time along with their golf, then Rounds and Relaxation is for you.

Two nights, one Kohler Waters Spa service per package adult, and one 18-hole round of golf per package adult on your choice of The Meadows Valleys Course, The River Course, or the Irish Course. With your stay at the American Club it’s $741 per person, at the Inn on Woodlake $623 per person.

To book your golf package for 2020 visit DestinationKohler.com or call (855)-444-2838. Play Whistling Straits before the world of golf decends on Kohler come September.

Currently, Lodge Kohler in Green Bay by Lambeau Field has your playoff package ready. It does include tickets to Green Bay Packers post season games, call (844)-515-2374 for details.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB located at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg is your year round golf facility. The simulators are open 9 Am to 8 Pm daily, and have new courses for the winter season ahead. While there enjoy food and drinks from Chandlers Chophouse right upstairs, and hit the pro shop and enjoy the 40% off all apparel sale, that runs through December 30th. See more on the course renovation by visiting online Schaumburggolf.com. Call the pro shop to book simulator tee times at (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on LinkedIn or Facebook. At Medinah Country Club, (R) 2019 BMW Championship winner Justin Thomas is interviewed championship week.

WGA-Sr. VP of Tourmanents Vince Pellegrino talks about the BMW Championship.

The Western Golf Association (WGA) has announced that the 2019 BMW Championship at Medinah, raised a record $4.4 million dollars for the Evans Scholars caddies scholarships fund.

The Western Golf Association credits a large amount of support from BMW, the Medinah Country Club, local area corporations and the Chicago area golf fans for their support in making this record dollar amount raised. This years amount broke the previous record of $3.7 million dollars raised in 2018, at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square Pennsylvania.

“We are honored this past year to have worked with generous, hard working partners at BMW and Medinah,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “Their exceptional efforts and the presence of thousands of golf fans who came out to our championships and helped us all enjoy this excpetional year of giving back to golf by funding college scholarships for deserving caddies.”

bmwchampionship.com

This years BMW Championship attracted more than 130,000 spectators to Medinah Country Club last August. Justin Thomas shot a record 25 under par, for a 263 total score over the 72 hole Fed Ex Cup playoff event and championship.

wgaesf.org

Pellegrino added that with “continued support form BMW, as well as Midwest area golf fans, and the local and regional corporate communites, we are looking forward to another successful BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in August of 2020.”

Olympia Fields Country Club will host the 2020 BMW Championship from August 18-23.

For individual tickets and corporate hospitality options please visit bmwchampionship.com. There is a current holiday ticket special going on, for those wishing to buy tickets for holiday gifts.

The 2020 BMW Championship will be a Fed Ex Cup playoff event, with the Top 70 players in the Fed Ex Cup point standings competing at Olympia Fields, that is located in the South Suburbs of the suburban Chicago area.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road is open for year round golf with it’s top of the line simulators, that have added new courses for this winter season. Currently through December 30th, there is a 40% off all apparel sale going on in the pro shop. See Schaumburggolf.com and call the pro shop for tee times at (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on LinkedIn or Facebook. (L) Putting at the Schaumburg Golf Club. (R)  Holland Michigan’s golf architect Ray Hearn in the ASGCA member jacket.

ARCHITECT RAY HEARN an Evans Scholar who attended Michigan Sate University, has been awarded an American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) Design Excellence Award for the fifth time in seven years. The award for his work at the Maple Lane Golf Course in Sterling Heights Michigan.

The Maple Lane Golf Club in Sterling Heights Michigan.

“It’s a great honor to receive recognition for our golf course master planning work at Maple Lane,” said Hearn, a Detroit native. “We’re proud of the Maple Lane Golf Course project, and proud to have been recognized by the ASGCA. We feel fortunate to have won this award once again. All awards are wonderful, but to have it come from golf industry professionals makes the award extra special.”

Hearns work at Maple Lane takes the 1926 golf course, and gives it an upscale resort-style 18 holes and a 9-hole par 3 course, where both courses will feature design concepts from the “Golden Age” of golf course architecture. The construction timeline is still being determined.

Hearn is very proud to work on a golf course he grew up playing as a kid, and admits to having fond memories of playing Maple Lane, while he was growing up and learning the game of golf.

Hearn is most known for his work in the Chicago area, for his renovation of the Flossmoor Country Club, and his award winning original design and following renovation at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. Hearn will be working on the upcoming project at the Oak Brook Hills Hotel renovation. Many Chicago area golfers have driven to play Hearns design at Island Hills Golf Club located in Southern Michigan. Hearn has now worked on over 150 projects in the United States and abroad in the last 23 years.

Hearn will be announcing more Midwest area projects for 2020 and beyond in the short future.

More information on Ray Hearn golf design can be found at rhgd.com.

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

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB located at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, is having a 40% off apparel sale in the pro shop through December 30th. While there, enjoy the simulators in the clubhouse where you can play several Top 100 golf courses that include major championship and Ryder Cup venues. Learn more about the club’s course renovation that will be completed in summer of 2020 at Schaumburggolf.com. Call the pro shop for simulator tee times at (847)-885-9000 open daily 9 Am-8 Pm.    ______________________________________________________________________

Sportsman’s Country Club Director of Golf Greg Baron (L) and architect Rick Jacobson (R) at Saturday’s Open House at Sportsman’s Country Club in Northbrook.

This past Saturday afternoon the Northbrook Park District held an open house about the upcoming improvements to the Sportsman’s Country Club on Dundee Road.

The large response from golfers that turned out for the event was amazing.

When the doors opened at 1 PM, the entire clubhouse was full of people, wall-to-wall. The entire line of people waiting to get in, almost didn’t make it in the front door. But everyone finally did get in, to see what’s coming in 2021 to Sportsman’s Country Club.

The plan for Sportsman’s Country Club in Northbrook.

The good news is that there is plenty coming to Sportsman’s, the bad news is that according to Director of Golf Greg Baron, will be the short term commitment to being closed to get the renovation done.

Baron says that Sportsman’s will be closed “all of 2020 and until July or August of 2021.”

But Baron is excited about the aesthetics and physical improvements, and the benefits from a maintenance standpoint. Director of Maintenance Mark Kosbab could not agree more, on that part about the maintenance.

Baron’s excitement about the golf course is equaled by what the new clubhouse will bring, saying that “with our new simulators indoors, Sportman’s will be a 12 month a year destination for area golfers.”

Architects drawing of the new clubhouse.

The clubhouse according to Baron, will move a little North and East of it’s current location, and gain about five feet of elevation. Those dining at the new clubhouse, will be able to look down at a new putting green that will be triple the size of the current one. In addition to having a great view of the 18th green, and the first tee box of both courses.

Golf architect Rick Jacobson is now returning to oversee the project, Jacobson did past improvements at Sportsman’s nearly 15 years ago. Baron says nobody knows the property better than Jacobson, other than maybe Kosbab.

Click here to listen to our interview with architect Rick Jacobson on the Sportsman’s Country Club renovations.

Jacobson is excited to return to Sportsman’s and bring the golf course back to level of golf, that todays golfers expect. Jacobson’s recent work at Sunset Valley in Highland Park and at the Glenview Park District Golf Course in Glenview, have had great reviews from those golfers who have played them.

In addition to a new clubhouse and renovated golf course the practice area’s will be improved, that leaves head golf professional John Billiter smiling.

Click here to listen to interviews with head golf professional John Billiter and director of maintenance Mark Kosbab.

According to Baron, work will begin in spring with the demolition of the current clubhouse, maintenance facility, and driving range building. Golf course work will begin in the summer. During the time Sportsman’s will be closed, reciprocal agreements have been made with the Glenview Park District Course, Sunset Valley and the Traditions at Chevy Chase in Wheeling, to give golfers displaced by the renovation and construction, places to play.

For more information visit the Northbrook Park District website at nbparks.org.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road is open for year round golf. Simulators are open on the lower level and the pro shop has 40% off right now through December 30th on all apparel. See Schaumburggolf.com and call the pro shop today (847)-885-9000 for tee times in the simulators. Try Chandlers Chophouse while golfing.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook.

   THE NEW ASICS DUO BOA WHITE (L)-AND THE BLACK GEL COURSE GLIDE.

Cleveland Golf and Srixon have announced two new brands of golf shoes in partnership with ASICS North America. The Gel-Course Glide and the Gel-Course Duo BOA. These shoes are now available at authorized golf shops and golf retailers.

“I’m excited to introduce ASICS footwear into the U.S. Golf market with Gel-Course Glide and Gel-Course Duo Boa models,” said Mike Powell, President of Sales and Marketing at Srixon/Cleveland and Golf/XXIO. “ASICS is a huge global sports brand and widely recognized as the leader in performance footwear. They have a rich heritage of innovation and product quality, and align with our values as a company. These two models will appeal to golfers that enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle and love the performance and comfort that ASICS is famous for.”

Gel-Course Duo Boa has a quick Lacing system for fitting, through an adjusting dial that tightens or loosens the system. The Duo Boa is a waterproof shoe, with a seven spike pattern for traction. Gel-Course  Glide is a spikeless version shoe, with standard laces and is great for use on and off the golf course.

Both models include the following technologies. Light Frame Work Flexibility, the air-mesh provides flexibility during your swing and while walking the golf course. Supportive Fit helps the air mesh at vamp, along with an internal molded heel counter adds optimal foot support. Golf Specific Tooling, the FG sole pattern has the spikes where you need them, when you swing or walk the golf course.

The GEL -COURSE Duo-Boa is MSRP $179.99 and come in Men’s sizes 6-12 and 13. Colors are Black-Gunmetal, White-Peacoat and Peacoat Pure Silver. GEL-COURSE Glide shoes MSRP ar $129.99 and come in Men’s sizes 6-12, and 13. Women’s sizes are 6-10. Colors are Black/Silver, While/Polar Shade, Polar/Shade Black, and ASICS Blue/White.

For more details, see Cleveland Golf, Srixon Golf and Asics websites online.