THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB now through December 23rd has a 40% off apparel sale running. While your shopping, stop in and play golf on the simulators with new courses this year. Enjoy Chandlers Chophouse and hockey & golf nights. Please visit online Schaumburggolf.com or call the pro shop for simulator times at (847)-885-9000.   _____________________________________________________________________

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

TOPTRACER RANGE IS HERE and now you don’t have to go to Topgolf to enjoy it. But Topgolf is still a great place to go to golf, eat, drink and have fun.

If your looking for an outdoor place to enjoy Toptracer, Cog Hill is the place to go.

Cog Hill has 21 covered hitting bays that are outside with heaters blowing down, to keep your area warm when the cold temperatures hit during the winter months.

The Cog Hill range is the first outdoor facility in the area with Toptracer, the Mistwood Dome was the first indoor facility in the area with Toptracer.

Click here to hear our interview with Cog Hill General Manager Troy Newport, as he explains Toptracer.

(L) Cog Hill GM Troy Newport, shows off the new Toptracer screens now installed at the Cog Hill driving range and practice facility.

So all winter long, if the weather isn’t really bad outside, and the snow is not too deep, don’t be afraid to hit it outside at Cog Hill this winter, now with Toptracer Range. For more photo’s see Rory Spears on Facebook. More details at Coghillgolf.com or by calling Cog Hill at (866)-COG-HILL.

Don’t forget the Eskimo Open at Cog Hill on Sunday January 5th, sign up today.

  NOW IS THE TIME TO VISIT THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB’S PRO SHOP and received 40% off on apparel through December 30th. Located at 401 N. Roselle Road just 5 minutes from Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg is your home for golf all year round. With it’s three simulators, you can play many top golf courses from America and out of the country. Call the pro shop for tee times (847)-885-9000 or Schaumburggolf.com.       _____________________________________________________________________

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

THE NEW SCOTTY CAMERON PHANTOM 12.5 PUTTER, picture courtesy of Titleist

It’s here and now available in time for the holidays.

The newest member of the Phantom X family is the model 12.5. This mallet style putter is for those golfers who are looking for a more stable mallet design with more “toe flow” and a alignment option. Also now available in for the left handed golfers. The Phantom X 12.5, becomes the 10th member of the Phantom family.

The Phantom X 12.5 goes worldwide on Valentines Day (Feb.14th) of 2020, America you are first, and can get the putter as of today in golf shops.

“Every time we introduce a new putter line, I receive requests from tour players and dedicated golfers for additional setups and configurations Phantom X 12.5 is the result of some of those requests. I added the low-bend shaft for extra toe flow and also designed a new alignment option by milling a single sight line down the center painted black for a very clean look from address. It really sets up nicely. Adding this new model also gave me the opportunity to make a left-handed version designed so everyone can take advantage of the performance benefits of the Phantom 12.5 X.”

Cameron like he has done in the past, uses a tour-inspired, multi-material construction methodology of combining 303 stainless steel and the 6061aircraft-grade aluminium for an increased MOI, optional weight distribution, forgiveness, improved sound and responsive feedback.

The Phantom X-12.5 techology includes a low-bend shaft configuration. Tour inspired alignment, available for left-handed golfers, and the multi-material head. The new finish is a misted finish that helps reduce glare from the sun. The milled sight line, that’s painted in a gloss black, adds a subtle tone-on-tone visual alignment guide. The grip is the Pistolero Plus Grip in a cement gray, with a gloss black paintfill.

The MAP is set at $429.00. For more information on line, please visit Scottycameron.com.

PLAY GOLF YEAR ROUND as the simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club are open daily from 9 Am to 8 Pm. Need more, well how about 40% OFF on the wide variety of apparel in the pro shop through December 30th. Call the pro shop for simulator tee times (847)-885-9000, and learn about golf course renovations Schaumburggolf.com. Located at 401 N. Roselle Road, minutes from Woodfield Mall, #chandlerschophouse    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and or Linkedin and Facebook. In the simulators at Club Champion Golf in Schaumburg.

THE WEATHER SAYS 45 TODAY are you getting out for golf ? Places like Cog Hill have Courses 1 & 3 open for golf today.

Speaking of Cog Hill, General Manager Troy Newport checked in with GOG yesterday and gave us this news. That Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, now part of Palos Park IL., has entered into a partnership with Toptracer Range, a subsidiary of Topgolf.

This addition provides an upgrade, to the 21 heated and covered hitting bays that make up Cog Hill’s year-round practice facility. To explain Toptracer if your not familiar with it, is that Toptracer is a technology that includes high speed cameras, aligned with sophisticated computer algorithims, to provide instantaneous ball tracking information to golfers hitting on the range.

Cog Hill’s practice range is open year round, and heated.

Adding Toptracer to Cog Hill, is what Newport feels can introduce the game of golf to more people, and developing new golfers.

“We think Toptracer is the next step in embracing the newest technology and providing ways for all types of golfers to have fun and improve,” said Newport.” Cog Hill is a national leader in providing golf opportunites and access and we think it’s only natural that we are the Chicagoland area’s first golf course range to offer Toptracer.”

Cog Hill plans to allow range customers complete access to the Toptracer system with each purchse of range balls in all sizes. This will make Toptracer affordable for all Cog Hill customers. In addition, events and leagues will be formed where groups of golfers can meet and practice, or play games. Food and beverage from a limited menu, right at the range. Leagues and events are priced on an hourly rate.

  Welcome to Cog Hill home of Top 100 golf course “Dubsdread” Course #4. And Happy Holidays from Jemsek Golf and every one at Cog Hill.

Cog Hill Golf & Country Club is the Chicago area’s largest public golf facility with four golf courses, full practice facility, stately clubhouse, with two full service pro shops, and home to Dubsdread, a Top 100 golf course that has hosted 20 PGA Tour events, and multiple USGA Championships. Cog Hill can reached via Coghillgolf.com or by calling (866)-264-4455 (866-Cog Hill).

PROJECT GOLF a Myrtle Beach initiative that works ing rowing the game of golf, has received a $25,000 dollar donation from the Heritage Classic Foundation, the host organziation for the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage presented by Boeing. The money donated was raised through a two-day event the Congressional Cup. For more details about Project Golf visit Projectgolf.org.

Nick Sherburne Founder of Club Champion in it’s Willowbrook Illinois Corporate headquarters.

Club Champion has announced they are “upping their game”, as they offer over $1,000 of added benefits, with their new Member Rewards Program when customers make a qualifying purchases.

As part of the program, members receive a free or discounted fitting, complimentary practice time using TrackMan or in the hitting bays, free installation of grips  that are purchased at Club Champion, free loft and lie adjustments on Club Champion Clubs, golf ball discounts and more. Program qualification starts when over $1,000 dollars or Club Champion purchases have been made. The amount can be reached cumulatively as long as purchased are made within 12 months.

“The core of Club Champion is to create happy golfers who play better golf,” said Nick Sherburne, founder of Club Champion. “This new member benefits program is our way of rewarding those golfers for trusting us with their game.”

More details about Club Champion are found at Clubchampiongolf.com with several Chicago area locations including Willowbrook, Schaumburg and Chicago.

Palmetto Dunes resort is located on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, and is right on the Atlantic Ocean.

The December issue of Golf Digest announced the “Best Teachers in State” as voted on by their peers.

The magazine recognized 651 teachers, after polling over 1,500 gof instructors across America.

In South Carolina at the Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island, Director of Instruction Doug Weaver made the list for South Carolina.

Weaver says the, “vote from my peers has me humbled.” Weaver was also named into the Lowcountry Golf Hall of Fame in 2017, and was the Lowcountry player of the year for 2019. Weaver oversee’s the Palmetto Dunes teaching staff, and does what his students need him to do, and that’s teach them with all the longtime tested techniques in golf instruction, while giving them all the modern day data from state of the art sytems like Trackman, TPI Fitness and more.

The par 5, 10th hole on the Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton head Island.

Weaver made history in the 1989 U.S. Open at Oak Hill Country Club when he was the first of four players to make a hole-in-one on the par 3, 6th hole. The others were Nick Price, Jerry Pate and Mark Wiebe. For Weaver that is one of his ten hole-in-ones over his lifetime. He won 15 mini-tour events and had three-top 25 finishes on the PGA Tour. Weaver credits Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Davis Love II as teaching influences.

For more information on Weaver and the teaching programs and school at Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head Island, call (866)-744-7558 or visit Palmettodunes.com./golfhiltonhead-golf-instruction. Palmetto Dunes has three championship golf courses, including the Fazio, Jones and Hills golf courses, named after the architects that designed them.

  KEMPERSPORTS PRESIDENT Josh Lesnick (L) and RICH HARVEST FARMS GM Keith Rich (R) accept CDGA Distinguished Service Awards on behalf of Mike Keiser and Jerry Rich.

The Chicago District Golf Association Distinguished Service Awards are presented periodically to worthy recepients, who have served to advance and preserve the vauled tradtions and standards of the game of golf. The award was first presented in 1989 to four recepients, Arnold Palmer, Joe Jemsek of Cog Hill, and St. Andrews, Carol McCue the first Executive Director of the CDGA, and Charles Eckstein an Illinois Golf Hall of Famer.

Only 20 individuals have ever received the award, including James O’Keefe and William Pauley Jr. in 1991. Ray Anderson, Marlene Miller and Ken Venturi in 1994. Gordon “Joe” Ewen in 1996. John Kenney in 2000. Joel Hirsch in 2001. Carl Hopphan and Brent Wadsworth in 2003. Frank Jemsek & family in 2004. Michael Maykut in 2014. Bob Berry and Don Gardner in 2014.

THE ERIN HILLS BONUS GIFT CARD sale is now running. Depending on your pruchase amount, you can get the Erin Hills coffee table book, and bonus amounts added on your gift card. Call Erin Hills at (866)-772-4769 or see Erinhills.com.

MORE COMING UP LATER TODAY..Stay clicked in. RS

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has it’s golf simulators up and running, so bring over the clubs and hit the golfball on some of the worlds best golf courses. While your there pick up some great golf apparel thats up to 40% off through December 30th. So call the pro shop for simulator tee times at (847)-885-9000 or please visit Schaumburggolf.com. ______________________________________________________________________

CDGA.org

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

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) has released it’s schedule of gross competitions from April to September of 2020.

Registration for these competitions begins on Tuesday January 21st.

In addition to CDGA events, the CDGA will conduct 21 United States Golf Association (USGA) qualifiers. The main events on the CDGA schedule is the 90th Illinois State Amateur Championship July 21-23 at The Club at Wynstone, and the 101st CDGA Amateur Championship at Bull Valley Country Club.

  THE CLUBHOUSE AT BULL VALLEY GOLF CLUB (R)-THE CLUBHOUSE AT THE WYNSTONE GOLF CLUB.

“Our goal every year is to give amateur golfers a wide array of opportunities to compete in high-level championships,” said Nick Scillia, the CDGA’s director of rules and competitions. “We’re very excited about the clubs on our 2020 schedule and look forward to conducting events for the Chicago District’s top players.”

Wynstone has previously hosted two CDGA Championships. Bull Valley previously hosted the 2010 CDGA Amateur.

Mid-Amateurs 25 years of age and up, will compete for the Illinois State Mid-Amateur title at Edgewood Valley Country Club in LaGrange on August 24-25. The 34th Illinois State Amateur Championship will be contested at the Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria, on September 14-15-16.

The 6th CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship will be at Naperville Country Club on May 18-19-20. The final event of 2020 will be October 5-8 at Aurora Country Club, when the 5th annual CDGA Fourball Championship is held.

Championship season tee’s off on April 27th, with the CDGA Mid-Amateur qualifier at Maple Meadows Golf Course, and a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier at Village Links in Glen Ellyn.

The full schedule can be found at CDGA.org.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB 401 N. Roselle Road, invites you to be part of their year round golf season. Not only are the simulators open from 9 Am to 8 Pm daily, with new courses to pick from. But the pro shop is running a 40% sale on apparel in the pro shop. So stop by and pick out a holiday gift, and call the pro shop at (847)-885-9000 to book simulator tee times. Learn about the course renovation at Schaumburggolf.com.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook. In the pro shop at Maple Meadows in Wood Dale.

ONE AND DONE, I just wish it was more. But outdoor golf in December, in the Chicago area is always a good thing.

I wanted to play one more outdoor round this year, before the temperatures and snow fall closed all the courses for good. I made it.

Maple Meadows in Wood Dale, part of DuPage Golf is still open weather permitting. So last week I tee’d off when it was 39 degrees and sunny, but 44 when I was done. I closed out the round on the par 4, 18th hole, by hitting driver-wedge to 18 feet and making par. One of the six pars I made on that windy day. That was good enough to call it a season from the golf outdoor standpoint. Now, I will take it inside to the Mistwood Golf Dome from here, until I’m off to the PGA Show in Orlando Florida in Jaunary.

BTW-As much as I enjoy Maple Meadows, I think it would be great if once the clubhouse is done and up and running at The Preserve at Oak Meadows, that DuPage Golf and the DCFPD would turn architect Greg Martin loose at Maple Meadows. A nice tune up could be done for far-less $$$$ than the Preserve project. The Preserve and Maple Meadows after renovation would create a dynamic 36 hole, 1-2 punch. PS, DuPage Golf has it’s holidays giftcards for sale, and if you order right now through the 20th, you get a bonus. Details at Dupagegolf.com.

Did you enjoy your outdoor season, is it over yet. Are you still wanting one more day outside on the links in town this year, I don’t blame you if you do, but the temperatures will be dropping starting tomorrow. Not sure we will see 50 again before 2020.

I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) Holiday Gathering last Friday. Where I learned that Jerry Rich of Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, and Mike Keiser of Keiser Golf/ Bandon Dunes/ Sand Valley and other golf projects, were both awarded Life-Time Achievement Awards from the CDGA. Congratulations to both, who unfortunately were out of town. Keith Rich GM at Rich Harvest Farms accepted for his dad, and Josh Lesnick President of Kemper Sports, and the first GM at Bandon Dunes accepted for Mike Keiser.

As a writer for the CDGA Magazine, I’m excited as anyone to see how the magazine will turn out this year, with the changes. The long time agreement to publish the magazine with Golfweek has expired and editor Rich Skyzinski retired. John Deere Classic communications boss Barry Cronin, of the Park Ridge based Cronin Communications is the new editor. Great Golf Resorts that publishes other area golf publications, jumps in on the layout and advertising and sales side.

THE NORTHBROOK PARK DISTRICT will have an open house this Saturday from 1-3 PM, to allow golfers to learn more about the course improvements coming to Sportsman’s Country Club on Dundee Road in Northbrook. The club will also be getting a new clubhouse. There will be contests, and a year end sale in the pro shop.

I TOOK A TOUR of the new Western Golf Association (WGA) offices in the Glen Area of Glenview. The WGA gets a well done, for bringing it’s entire operation together under one roof. See my story from last Friday to see photos of the facility and get all the details on the move.

HENRIK STENSON won the Hero World Championship outing this past week, edging out Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed and 15 other players who made up the HUGE field of 18 players. Reed got into a rules controversy, when his take away from an unkept waste bunker-crater saw his wedge touch sand. It cost him two shots and a chance in the playoff with Stenson. For some reason there was a big outcry about this. It’s been suggested that the outcry was only because Reed was involved. Several “Letters to Editor” of national publications, suggested the media-outcry should have been the same when Tiger Woods was caught on video with violations at the Masters and the BMW Championship (Woods was penalized at both tournaments). But he did not report the violations to rules officials at either tournament.

SPEAKING OF WOODS, he serves as Playing Captain at this weeks Presidents Cup down under in Australia, that Team USA is expected to win by a landslide. Let’s see if they do.

EAGLE RIDGE RESORT in Galena, still has Cyber Monday Sales running, and DuPage Golf has it’s holiday gift specials available. Jump online and check them out.

OUR BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm of lenziehmongolf.com has returned with another travel column.

THE KORN-FERRY TOUR holds it’s final stage of Q-School this week, among those in the field include Northbrooks Nick Hardy, Highwoods Patrick Flavin, Jordan Hahn of Spring Grove, Brad Hopfinger from Chicgo, Andy Pope of Glen Ellyn-Now Orlando, Vince India of Deerfield, Shane Smith from Godfrey. Dawson Armstrong the 2015 Western Amateur Champion from Tennessee has qualfied for the field. Good luck everyone. Top 40 players earn tour cards, until the first shuffle.

SCOTTY CAMERON has new Phantom X putter out later this week, more details to follow. The Gog Blog returns this week-maybe tomorrow. Stay clicked in. RS

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is having a pro-shop sale through December 30th. Take 40% off of all apparel purchases. Simulators are open from 9 Am to 8 Pm, call the pro shop at (847)-885-9000 to make tee times. Learn more visit Schaumburggolf.com.    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS. Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and Linkedin or Facebook. In the pro shop at Maple Meadows, part of DuPage Golf.

THE GOG BLOG brings you all the golf news you need to know year round.

This website is the Chicago’s areas most complete news site. There is no stopping of content production at Labor Day, and then heading back to the tee at Masters week.

So stay clicked in right here, and take a break from the harsh winter of Chicago, and keep it golf season year round.

THERE IS good news coming from Northbrook, as it sounds like the course improvements are on their way at Sportsman’s Country Club. Not only is the golf course to be upgraded, a new clubhouse is on the way to give golfers a fantastic 19th hole. The open house is Saturday December 14th from 1-3 Pm. (See our story from yesterday). Sportsman’s Country Club is located at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook. You can visit nbparks.org for more information.

The Mistwood Golf Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is having it’s first indoor golf tournament of the winter season next Saturday night, with tee times at 7:30 Pm.

Are you ready to go Old School at the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. Your team of four players will cost you $180.00-$45 per player.

While you are there, enjoy new items off the menu in McWethy’s Sportsbar. For details see Mistwoodgolfdome.com. The dome is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, and you can call the dome at (630)-739-7600.

GOLF 360 with former Bear Patrick Mannelly and Dave “Links” Lockhart.

GOLF360 is back with it’s December shows starting tonight at 5 PM. With a second airing tomorrow morning at 8:30.

The show will air at more times through the month of December, on NBC Sports Chicago. See local listings for times and dates.

Among the features on this months show include, the Big Cedar Resort in Southwest Missouri. Which includes the new Ozarks National golf course, recently named America’s “Best New Public Course” by Golf Digest. 360GOLF will also include features on the new Topgolf in Schaumburg and more.

THE PGA MERCHANDISE SHOW in Orlando Florida that will be held in January from the 21st through the 24th, has announced multi-year participation agreements with both Titleist and Callaway Golf. Golfers on Golf will report from the show again next month.

TOPGOLF has introduced a Nine-Shot Challenge that runs through today. For details see Topgolf.com. The new Schaumburg Topgolf, is now open daily.

DO YOU WEAR SPIKES or replaceable cleats on your golf shoes. Well according to a new independent study, reported first by Golf.com. Golfers that were tested gained almost 5 yards of distance when going with spikes, or replaceable cleats, than by going spikeless. Shoes with spikes help golfer also gain better numbers in their “Smash Factor” as well.

The entrance to Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa Wisconsin.

SAND VALLEY that is quickly becoming one of America’s most visited golf destinations, has specials running through December 15th.

Currently on orders of $150 dollars or more, you receive 25% off.

So why not bring home a little piece of Sand Valley for the holidays

Visit Sandvalley.com. and see all the options now available.

SALAMANDER HOTELS AND RESORTS are winding down there Cyber Monday sales tonight at Midnight. See Salamanderhotels.com to see all the specials. Play PGA Tour course Copperhead, at Innisbrook Resort located North of Tampa, and the resorts three other golf courses.

The Par 3, 12th hole at Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein.

THE 2020 Ambassador Pass for Pine Meadow Golf Club is now available for purchase.

The weekday/weekend Ambassador pass is $2,495.00 for the year. Weekdays only is $1,495.00 with the Twilight rate at $995.00

There are only a limited amount of these passes available. Currently there are holiday specials now available in the pro shop. See Pinemeadowgc.com.

FOR THOSE OF YOU TRAVELING out of the states. If your headed to the UK, Golf World Magazine has named Gleneagles resort the #1 resort in the UK and Ireland. Gleneagles has hosted both the Ryder Cup and the Solehim Cup. More information at Gleneagles.com.

Zero Friction gloves.

ZERO FRICTION will release the new “Stryker Glove 2-Pack” In Six Colors.

The new Stryker 2-Packs are coming in January of 2020. The Zero Friction compression gloves fits to your hand and will give the golfer both flexibility and comfort.

The Stryker 2-Packs will come in six color packages and for a retail price of $21.99.

Colors include Blue+Gray, Lime+Gray, Red+Gray, Black+Gray, Orange+Gray, and White+Gray. Currently available only in Men’s Left Hand.

“When we debuted the original Stryker performance glove in January, it was only available in white with cool gray trim,” said John Iacono, Zero Friction Founder. “Golfers loved the fit but wanted the fun, bright colors associated with our brand, so it only made sense to expand the line.”

For more information visit zerofriction.com or call (630)-317-7700 Zero Friction is based in Oakbrook Terrace Illinois.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, has a 40% off sale on apparel through December 30th. Great holiday gift for your favorite golfer. There is plenty of both long and short sleeve options. While you are there, bring your clubs, did you know the simulators have a great list of course options, including some new ones for this winter. (847)-885-9000 for simulator tee times. Schaumburggolf.com    ______________________________________________________________________

Sportsman’s Country Club part of the Northbrook Park District, gets ready for renovation.

The Northbrook Park District will hold an open house next Saturday, December 14th from 1-3 PM at the Sportsman’s Country Club clubhouse.

You can celebrate the history of  Sportsman’s, and learn about the plans for the course improvements.

Sportsman’s will also be getting a new clubhouse. As part of the open house, there will be giveaways, drawings and contests.

You can check out the Trackman simulator, and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks. There will be an open cash bar. The pro shop will be having some year end sales on golf merchandise.

Golf Course architect Rick Jacobson (R), returns to oversee the course improvements. Jacobson shows drawings of Sunset Valley to 2017 Illinois Open Champion Patrick Flavin.

Golf course architect Rick Jacobson who has done renovation work at Sportsman’s in the past, returns to oversee the current improvements.

Which include, 18 new classic greens and a irrigation project on the East 9.  Plus improvements on driving range.

RATIO architects of Chicago, have been hired to design thre new clubhouse.

The new clubhouse will have an improved dining options, and dining experience.

Sportsman’s Country Club is located at 3535 Dundee Road in Northbrook.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road has a holiday golf apparel sale in the pro shop, now through December 30th you can get 40% off on apparel. While at the club don’t frget t enjoy the simulators, with new courses to play this winter including Bethpage Black and the Colorado Golf Club. Keep watching for the possibility of another great new course being available early in 2020. CHANDLERS Chop House is right upstairs from the simulator area, for great food and beverage while you play. So visit Schaumburg Golf Club and make simulator tee times by calling (847)-885-9000.      ______________________________________________________________________

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

OPEN FOR BUSINESS-The Western Golf Association (WGA) is settling in to the newest Caddy Shack of the North Shore, located in the Glen Area, of Glenview.

THE WALL OF CHAMPIONS-WILL ADD THE WINNER, of the 2020 BMW Championship next August at Olympia Fields.

Who’s next ? is the question that won’t get answered until next August, when the 2020 BMW Championship tee’s it up on the South Side, at Olympia Fields Country Club.

Justin Thomas who won at Medinah Country Club this past August, is the defending champion.

But good news for golf fans right now, is that the Western Golf Association, has a holiday ticket special, now available.

Golf fans can order 2020 BMW Championship tickets at bmwchampionship.com. Grounds, upgraded Trophy Club and Green Coat Club tickets are currently available in limited quantities. A variety of corporate hospitality options are also now available. Championship week is August 18-23.

The historic Olympia Fields Clubhouse and Clock Tower.

Holiday ticket packages for the 2020 BMW Championship, are now available for purchase through January 3rd of 2020.

Those who purchase a date-specific tournament round Trophy Club ticket online, receive a commemorative coin that honors the 100th anniversary of the 1920 Western Open. That marks the first year that Olympia Fields hosted the WGA sponsored championship. If you do receive a coin, you get a voucher to pick them up when you arrive during championship week at Olympia Fields. Limit is one coin per order. Trophy Club tickets are $35 for practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. The price for championship rounds from Thursday to Sunday is $110.00.

Vince Pellegrino WGA-Sr. VP of Tournaments speaks on media day 2019.

The Trophy Club is located by the seventh green, with food and beverage available in a climate controled area, that includes a sportsbar atmosphere.

Executive style restrooms, flat screen screen televisions and a video screen are part of the atmosphere. Children 15 and younger are free, with a paid adult.

THE CLOCK TOWER CLUB OPTION is an upscale hospitality option that makes its debut at the 2020, BMW Championship. For $285 per ticket, you have options to open seating in the Trophy Club and exclusive access to the Grand Pavilion in the Olympia Fields Clubhouse. You do receive, 1-parking pass per two tickets purchased.

“Following a year of record performances by the best golfers in the world, we’re thrilled to be bringing the BMW Championship to Olympia Fields in 2020 to showcase the top 70 golfers on the PGA Tour for the golf fans of the Chicago area,” said Vince Pellegrino, Senior Vice President of Tournaments for the Western Golf Association. “Due to the overwhelming support and excitement we’ve already received, we expect the general tickets as well as hospitality to sell out quickly. We recommend anyone planning to attend the event to purchase their tickets early. These will be the best prices we will offer all year.”

This will be the sixth time the event will be contested at Olympia Fields and the first time since 1971. The first five times the championship was called the Western Open.

Proceeds benefit the Evans Scholarships for caddies. Since BMW joined the championship, the tournament has raised $34 million dollars for deserving caddies.

The historical display and working area’s in the new Western Golf Association headquarters in Glenview Illinois. You can now learn more about the WGA by visiting wgaesf.org. To see more of the new Western Golf Association’s headquarters, visit Rory Spears on Facebook.

The BMW Championship will be played on the Olympia Fields North Course. The course is currently ranked in America’s Top 100 Golf Courses, by various national golf publications.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF located at 401 North Roselle Road just minutes from Woodfield Mall, is having a pro shop sale through December 30th. Apparel is now 40% off. Need gifts for golfer, or a place to spend that gift card. The Schaumburg Golf Club is open for golf year round. Book a simulator tee-time at (847)-885-9000 #newcourses are now available. See Schaumburggolf.com for details-Chandlers Chop House is open ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG- by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, or Linkedin. At Cog Hill with GM Troy Newport (R).

COG HILL is now offering an unlimited golf through a membership plan.

The Dubsdread Membership and the Course 1/3 Membership gives golfers options to enjoy Cog Hill all season long.

The Dubsdread Membership allows for members to have unlimited golf and cart, on all FOUR Cog Hill courses including Cog 4-Dubsdread.

Other benefits include daily range access now with Toptracer Technology.

The Par 3, 12th hole on Dubsdread-Cog #4

Discounts in the pro shop. Three guest golf vouchers, good on any of the four Cog Hill courses.

Opportunities to play in Dubs-member events only, reduced fees on other Cog Hill events. Members get a CDGA handicap. A 10% discount for Spouse and Junior Memberships, a private locker and more.

FEE $5,000.00-for the membership that runs from January 1, 2020 through December 31st of 2020.

The Course 1/3 Memberships include, Unlimited Golf on courses 1 & 3, no cart included. Discounted green fees on Courses #2 and #4. Three golf vouchers for Courses #1 and #3. A discount on Cog Hill event fees, golf shop discounts and more.

FEE-$1,800.00

COG HILL is now annoucing the learning center range is powered by Toptracer Range. All 21 hitting bays are now fitted with this technology. Winter range hours are from 8:00 Am until 4 Pm.

IN ADDITION the three club Forsty Open is December 15th and will be played on Course #1. Cost is $150 per team.  The annual Eskimo Open will be played on January 5th, tee times from 7 Am until 11 Am. The Eskimo Open will be played on Courses 1 & 3. More information at Coghillgolf.com or (866)-264-4455.

WEATHER KILLING THE END OF THE OUTDOOR GOLF SEASON-take it indoors at the Schaumburg Golf Club, where golf season is year round. The simulators are open and new courses have been installed. Tee times-call the pro shop at (847)-885-9000. The Schaumburg Golf Club is located at 401 N. Roselle Road, just minutes from the Woodfield Mall. Learn more about the Schaumburg Golf, visit Schaumburggolf.com.        _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. From the 18th fairway at Mid Pines, in Southern Pines NC.

THE RAIN IS FALLING WITH SOME LIGHT SNOW, not what we need, when you want a final outdoor round of golf for 2019.

Hoping by Tuesday, that the fairways in spite of the temperatures, will be of green grass. it’s always nice when you can play outdoor golf in Chicago during the month of December.

OUR CONDOLENCES to Tom Watson on the passing of his wife Hilary, who lost her two year fight to Pancreatic Cancer this past week.

TITLEIST and custom putter designer Scotty Cameron, are launching Scotty’s newest creation this Friday. The H-19 Black and this wide body putter, will only have 1,000 of them made. Details at Scotty Cameron.com.

IF YOU LIKE TO VISIT prime golf resorts or destination hotels (always fun), there are plenty of deals today for Cyber Monday. Eagle Ridge in Galena, with it’s one-bedroom villas and gift card specials. Horseshoe Bay in Austin Texas with $99 room deals, and the Salamander Hotel and Resort Chain, with up to 50% off specials. Check out the websites, and book yourself a getaway.

Even though Cyber Monday might seem to be the end of sales for holiday shopping, it is not. There will be plenty of specials at golf courses and resorts, on equipment and other golf items. Just check on-line, work the phones, and find the deal your looking for, there is still plenty of time to shop.

TITLEIST AND CALLAWAY GOLF are running Cyber Monday Sales, so is Lawsonia Golf Links in Wiscosnin, today only…hurry.

Global Golf Post, a great online publication, and so is the subscription GGP+ editions, has named Rory McIlroy as their “Player of the Year”, and rightfully so.

Multiple TV stations say 44 on Thursday, and dry, maybe a day to go play outside while some courses are still open.

THE CHICAG GOLF SHOW in Rosemont, has a ticket special through Midnight tonight, dates are Feb. 28- Mar. 1st. See the website for details and purchase.

FOR THOSE OF YOU that are anxiously waiting. THE CDGA tournament schedule is coming out this week, maybe as early as tomorrow.

KUDO’s to the Western Golf Association (WGA) on moving into it’s new headquarters in Glenview. The new office is located in “The Glen” just south of Willow Road.

I’ll have some stories coming up on a few courses, and destinations if you want to golf away this winter. So stay clicked in. RS