THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IS OPEN until 10 PM daily. If your not ready for outdoor golf, of this Saturday mornings projected snowflakes, make you think indoors works for you, hit the Mistwood Golf Dome. Once your done hitting balls, hit the OTB and McWethy’s Sports Bar for NCAA Hoops. Call Mistwood Golf Dome at (630)-739-7600. Blackberry Oaks Golf Course in Bristol will open today says GM/PRO Chad Johansen who is holding the Blackberry Amateur trophy. Call (630)-553-7170 for tee times today.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the tee at Rich Harvest Farms home of the 2019 WGA Junior Championship in June.

The nations oldest junior championship tee’s off for the 102nd time from June 17-20 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

The field of 156 players that is comprised of both national and international players, will compete for the title first awarded in 1914.

Past champions of this prestigious championship include Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar have competed in the championship.

The Western junior has been held in over 15 states, and at many of the Chicago area’s most historic clubs. In 2018 Jeff Doty of Carmel Indiana, won the championship at Evanston Country Club.

The 102nd Western Junior Championship at Rich Harvest Farms

This will be the second time that Rich Harvest Farms has hosted the championship. Brady Schell won the 2003 championship with a 72 hole score of 290, 2 over par. The 290 score is the highest winning score, since the championship switched to stroke play in 1999.

“We’re excited to bring the Western Junior to such a distinguished venue as Rich Harvest Farms,” said Vince Pellegrino, Western Golf Association senior vice president of tournaments. “The layout of this golf course should again prove to be a true challenge for our entire field of exceptional junior players.”

Among those players expected to be in the field are, Vanderbilt verbal commit and 2018 match player qualifier Jackson Van Paris of Pinehurst North Carolina.

Jerry Rich is the owner of Rich Harvest Farms and designed the Top 100 rated golf course.

“I am thrilled to once again host the best junior golfers in the world,” Rich said.” It’s about growing the game and elevating junior golf tournaments to the level of professional ones. With the way junior golfers play today, you would think you’re watching members of the PGA Tour.”

The last WGA championship played at Rich Harvest Farms was the 2015 Western Amateur won by Dawson Armstrong. Armstrong won in a playoff when he holed a 20 yard bunker shot for an eagle. That wedge shot defeated current touring professional Aaron Wise. Wise had reached the par 5 green in two shots and then missed his eagle putt, after Armstrong had holed his bunker shot in dramatic fashion.

Don’t be surprised if this championship ends in similar manner. There is no charge for admission or parking to attend the championship. More details at thewesternjunior.com.

   MISTWOOD GOLF DOME-OPEN     MISTWOOD GOLF COURSE OPENING SOON  The Mistwood Golf Operation is in full swing, with the golf dome open daily until 10 PM on Rt 53 in Bolingbrook and home to McWethy’s Sportsbar (630)-739-7600. Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Road in Romeoville, home to McWethy’s Tavern, and the golf performance center. Mistwood Golf Club (815)-254-3333 #callformembershipstoday        ______________________________________________________________________

RORY SPEARS with LEN ZIEHM on the Pete Dye Course at PGA Village, in the Ziehm studio’s in the famed PGA Village of Port St. Lucie Florida.

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy-Linkedin or Facebook.

The PGA Tour’s Florida Swing of four tournaments is complete, and now it’s off to Texas. But before the balls are in the air at the Match Play, Len Ziehm of Lenziehmongolf.com and yours truly of Golfersongolf.com have combined for Podcast #3 on the year. We wrap up the very well attended Florida swing tournaments. We ask the question about the Florida golf trip somebody should be running, playing all 4 PGA Tour courses on “The Swing”, because all 4 courses are open to the public golfer.

Is Luke Donald back ? or his back-back. Steve Stricker-Doug Ghim-Kevin Streelman and who emerged as the Masters favorite.

Click here to hear the third podcast of the 2019 series with Len Ziehm and Rory Spears talking about the Florida PGA Tour Swing and more.

LEN ZIEHM returns Wednesday in the Daily Herald, Golfers on Golf Radio returns on Saturday at 10 AM on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ-Chicago. Join us, it’s golf season go play.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg is getting ready for the outdoor golf season. Around July 1st, the Baer 9 will then Reopen from Renovation and 18 of clubs 27 holes will have been completed. In the meantime the clubs simulator bays are open to get your game ready for outside golf. Book your tee times by calling (847)-885-9000 or do visit the clubs website at Schaumburggolf.com    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With Golfers on Golf Radio partners Ed Stevenson (L) and Bill Berger (M). Golfers on Golf Radio returns on Saturday March 30th at 10 Am on the BIG Am 750 WNDZ.

OUTDOOR GOLF SEASON is here, and if you missed our post from last Friday night, where I listed 20 open for the year golf courses, there is even better news, more courses are opening this week. I will pass them along as I get official word.

I’m proud to say that Golfers on Golf Radio returns this Saturday Morning at 10 AM on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ. Bill Berger, Ed Stevenson and I are all looking forward to providing 22 weeks of golf talk.

This year Golfers on Golf Radio returns earlier than ever in it’s history. That’s because the PGA Tour schedule has changed and the BMW Championship will be held in August this year instead of September. Medinah Country Club will host the championship and it should be a great week.

April also marks the release of the second issue of Chicagoland Golf. My story this month is on the naming of Steve Stricker as 2020 Ryder Cup Captain. In addition Len Ziehm will be back with two features as well.

WHAT A GREAT WIN for Paul Casey in defending his Valspar Title on the PGA Tour at Innisbrook, on the Copperhead Course. I was in the bunker Casey was in on 18, and it’s not the easiest shot even for touring pros. Casey of course hit the green, and I was happy to just miss the green short right.

NBC did a good job on coverage again with it’s golf team. Not so good when news broke in and wasted over 10 minutes of time during exciting fourth round action re-hashing the findings of the Mueller Investigation that was a waste of the tax payer dollars to begin with.

The Copperhead Course played tough, and scores were not a bunch under par, no double-digit under par makers here.  Crowds were big all week, as they were through out the Florida swing. What’s amazing is how nobody talks about big crowds anymore, unless Tiger is playing. The three best attended weekends of the four events, were the three weekends he wasn’t playing.

THE USGA has not learned anything from the mistakes they made at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2010. The USGA letting TV do the talking has set up the third round of this years open for a late west coast finish, to put the round into prime time on television. The east coast gets a 10 PM Round 3 finish and us Chicago area viewers get a 9 PM finish.

I get it that the USGA can’t control the weather and it changes during the course of a round. But in 2010 Round 3 early starters played in shirt sleeves, but the leaders by the time they tee’d off were in jackets and sweaters, it was cold and dropping by the hour and the temps affected ball flight on the final holes for the leaders. The 7 PM west coast finish at Pebble Beach doesn’t work, and it’s not fair to players who played the first 36 holes better than anyone to have to deal with a severe weather change that can be avoided. USGA-change the times now while you still can. 5 PM West Coast finish is plenty late enough. USGA TV times for the U.S. Open Championships now posted at USGA.org.

A SPECIAL THANKS  to our two main winter sponsors of Golfersongolf.com. The Mistwood Golf Dome, and the Schaumburg Golf Club. I’m pleased to have two of Chicago’s best winter indoor golf facilities with us during the cold and snowy months to help support our year round golf coverage, the only place in Chicago where you will find it. I look forward to having Mistwood Golf Course and the Schaumburg Golf Club back with us on Golfers on Golf Radio this summer.

ILLINOIS Men’s Golf had a great run at the University of North Carolina Tarheel Classic, leading after 36 holes, but slipped back for a solid second place finish behind the host school. Illini Freshmen Adrien Dumont de Chassart shot 9 under par 69-68-70 to win the individual title.

The weather is breaking, upper 50’s by Wednesday, and 60’s on Thursday. Here comes outdoor golf season can’t wait, it’s been a long cold winter. the Gog Blog returns on Tuesday. Go Play. RS

THE VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP, defending champion Paul Casey, and World #1 Dustin Johnson in the final group. Catch all the final round action on NBC. The New 11th box on the Baer Nine at the Schaumburg Golf Club is taking shape for it’s around July 1st opening. Currently the simulators are open call the club at (847)-885-9000.         _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook. On the par 3, 17th hole tee box of Copperhead, home of the this weeks Valspar Championship.

What a great final round shaping today at Innisbrook on the Copperhead Course, with World #1 Dustin Johnson in the final group with defending champion Paul Casey. It should be a good one.

Just a reminder, Copperhead part of the Innisbrook Resort is a course you can play, yes it’s open for public play. Visit Innisbrookgolfresort.com for details on booking your stay and play. The resort has four golf courses, and is home to the Packard Steakhouse named after golf course architect Larry Packard, who designed all four of the resorts golf courses.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS men’s golf team is in the hunt at the Tar Hell Intercollegiate at the UNC Finley Course in in Chapel Hill North Carolina. The first two rounds were played Saturday, with the final round getting underway early Sunday morning, with an 8 AM start EST. No.24 Illinois will be joined by ranked teams No.13 North Florida, No. 30 North Carolina. Other Big Ten teams include Michigan and Michigan State, with Notre Dame also competing. A final wrap up will appear in our Sunday column. Illinois holds a 1 shot lead headed to the final 18 holes over host North Carolina. Illinois as a team is 2 under par for 36 holes.

NORTHBROOK BASED KEMPERSPORTS recently held it’s annual company award dinner, held at the end of the KSM leadership conference.

Facility of the Year: Desert Willow Golf Resort-CAL. General Manager of the Year Randy Morrison of Colwood Golf Center and Heron Lakes GC-ORE. Home office staffer of the Year- Bryan Howell. Emil Esposito Golf Professional of the year, Ryan Young of Chambers Bay. Retailer of the Year-Streamsong Resort FL. Salesperson of the year, Todd Elder, The Governors Club-TENN. Superintendent of the Year, Will Bell Forest Creek Golf Club-Round Rock Texas. Hospitality Professional of the Year, Chris Pieters of Cantigny Golf in Wheaton IL. Staffer of the Year Yolanda Porras-Butterfield Trail Golf Club-Tex.

For more information on Kemper Sports please visit Kempersports.com.

Golfers on Golf Radio returns this Saturday March30th at 10 AM on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ. Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger- and Rory Spears L-R are your hosts.

It might have been a long and cold winter, but the good news that when Golfers on Golf Radio is back on the air, warm weather and outdoor golf season in Chicago is right around the corner.

The first show will welcome the Director of Golf Marketing Brendan Sweeney of the French Lick Resort, the former caddie at the Medinah Country Club will bring us up to speed on everything French Lick Resort.

The resort will host two professional tournaments in 2019, including the Road to the LPGA Symetra Tour in July on the Donald Ross Course, and the Senior LPGA Championship in October. More details on both events and tickets at Frenchlick.com.

THE BEN HOGAN GOLF COMPANY has announced the release of it’s milled FORGED putter line. It first new line of putters in 15 years. A new forged process has created a putting face that creates a true roll of the golf ball. The 1020 carbon steel in a multi-step process, purifies the molecular structure of the metal according to Hogan. The goal is to unify the density across all of the face. Eliminating hot spots or dead area’s on the putter face, allowing for a consistent feel and a true roll of the golf ball.

The new line of the four milled putters sells for $250.00, over $100 cheaper than many of the top leading brands. The four new models include the Plumber’s Neck Blade 2 degrees of loft and 355 gram head weight. Player’s Blade with a double bend shaft, a full shaft offset, 2 degrees loft with 355 gram head weight, with a balance face for the straight back and through putters.

Iconic Player’s Blade with a flowing neck. 50 degrees of toe-hang, made for the opening and closing style of putting. Players Mallet, single bend shaft and 1/2 shaft offset, 2 degrees of loft with a 370 gram head weight. The face comes balanced for a straight through stroke. Putters are 35″ long. Hogan has partnered with the SuperStroke putter grip company, and the three popular grips are available, Flatso 1.0, MidSlim 2.0, Slim 3.0. For more details visit BenHoganGolf.com.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

THE VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3 today catch all the coverage, Defending Champion Paul Casey sits atop the leaderboard at 6 Under Par. If your not ready to take it outside for another week or two, get ready by hitting the simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club on Roselle Road. Call the course (847)-885-9000 for a tee time.  ______________________________________________________________________

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 9: PGA of America President, Suzy Whaley during the 102nd PGA Annual Meeting held at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa on November 9, 2018 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Montana Pritchard/PGA of America)

The Golf Relief and Assistance Fund was started by the PGA of America to help golf industry personnel affected directed by qualified natural disasters.

The fund is administered by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation of Mountain View, California. The fund is available to those who have endured hardship from recent flooding in the Midwest.

The PGA started the fund in 2017 with a start-up contribution of $250,000, and will support both PGA Members and non-members who work in the golf industry.

“The Golf Relief and Assistance Fund is a model that has shown how the golf industry helps one and another in times of need,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley. “As these devastating floods affect America’s heartland, we turn to PGA professionals to spread the word about the availability of this fund to anyone in the golf industry who needs assiatance.”

To make either a tax-deductible contribution to the Golf Relief and Assistance Fund or to apply for assistance, please visit GolfReliefFund.org. To learn more see PGA.org or Siliconvalleycf.org.

GOLFERS ON GOLF and the Gog Blog are written by Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Twitter @GoglBlogGuy or Linkedin and Facebook. Golfers on Golf Radio Am 750 WNDZ returns next Saturday March 30th at 10 Am on AM 750 WNDZ.

THIS WEEK on the PGA Tour, watch coverage of the Valspar Championship live from the Innisbrook Resort near Tampa Florida. Defending Champion Paul Casey sits at the top of the leaderboard, and Luke Donald is in the hunt. It’s getting close to green jacket season. Reynolds at Lake Oconee has 6 golf courses, Ritz Carlton, 4 Marinas and many more activities to enjoy. Get Georgia on your mind. Reynoldslakeoconee.com.       _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy on the 18th hole at Mid Pines, in Southern Pines NC.

So your ready to play, outdoors. No more cabin fever, who want to go hit it.

New clubs or fresh air needed, doesn’t matter which, it’s time to go.

Okay, here you go, our list of who we know is open for outdoor play at this time. Even if it is still soggy out there, these courses are open.

At Cog Hill in Lemont, courses 1-2-3, Dubs #4 will not open until April. See Coghillgolf.com.

The DuPage County Forest preserve District will open has opened Maple Meadows, Green Meadows and The Preserve at Oak Meadows opens later next week. Dupagegolf.com

Mt. Prospect Golf Club opened today, Cart path only and range balls off of mats only. See Mppd.org.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club in Arlington Heights is open as of today. The Par 3 course on Payton’s Hill, Nickel Knoll will be open tomorrow Saturday morning. Ahpd.org.

Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago is open, with a new fleet of golf carts.

Tamarack Golf Club in Naperville is open, also with new golf carts.

Cantigny Golf is Open in Wheaton. Cantignygolf.com

The Golfvisons managed golf courses have opened. They include Oak Grove, Tanna Farms, Settlers Hill, Chapel Hill.

White Deer Run in Vernon Hills is open. Sunset Valley in Highland Park has opened as of today. See Pdhp.org

Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein is open, see Pinemeadowgc.com                            The Bridges of Popular Creek in Hoffman Estates are open.

The Buffalo Grove Park District Golf Course is open BGPD.org.

Traditions at Chevy Chase in Wheeling on Milwaukee Ave. is open.

That’s what I have for now..more courses are probably open. Check Websites, or better yet, pick up the phone and call the pro shop. Outdoor golf is an option tomorrow here in Chicago.

The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow, Golfers on Golf Radio on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ returns on Saturday March 30th and is on the tee at 10 AM. Join Chicago’s favorite foursome for some great golf talk.

THE AWARD WINNING PRESERVE at Oak Meadows, Opens Thursday April 4th for the 2019 season. THE GOG BLOG…By Rory Spears, with golf cart in hand at Maple Meadows part of DuPage Golf that opens today.

DuPage Golf is ready to roll for the 2019 golf season, are you ? Maple Meadows has opened today. It’s 44 and sunny.

Green Meadows will open on Thursday March 28th, but opening days are pending the weather. So if in doubt, do check DuPagegolf.com.

DuPage golf is offering early season specials, check them out online.                              Reminder, there are permanent tee times available. They are sold on a first come first serve basis.

Do you know about the DuPage Golf “Plus Program”, how about the Friday Fun TGIF golf league, with varying formats. Winners earn a drink from the loser of their match.

The Dupage Golf “Text Club” is Text: Meadows  To: 36000

Start enjoying the 2019 golf season at the golf courses of the Dupage County Forest Preserve District today.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB on Roselle Road in Schaumburg has it’s simulators open on a rainy day like today. Call for a tee time at (847)-885-9000 be ready for the coming of the outdoor golf season. THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is open daily until 10 pm, check out Mistwoodgolfdome.com on the upcoming indoor tournament to be played on Toptracer. Beat the rain by beating some balls today at the Mistwood Golf Dome. Visit McWethys Sportsbar in the dome #NCAA   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Welcome to the Snake Pit on Copperhead, watch the Valspar Championship the next four days from Innisbrook in Palm Harbor Florida. #PGATOUR

THE 2019 PGA MERCHANDISE show in Orlando Florida wrapped up in January, but our coverage of the event and stories from the show wraps up here, with a final review of the launch in golf for 2019.

There will still be a few features about properties that were visited during the trip over the next couple of weeks, so stay clicked in for those.

The PGA Merchandise show brings out the best and in some cases, below average products that you can just tell golfers won’t ever warm up to, but if you have the bucks and want to spend for booth, good right ahead. Those who run the show will take your money and provide space on the convention center floor.

Over 40,000 PGA professionals and industry people were expected for the show, due to extreme weather up north some people were not able fly out, and our estimated attendance was a little bit south of the 40,000 number. But there were more than 7,500 PGA professionals and industry experts from all 50 states and 89 countries attended. Over 1,000 companies were present, and over 200 of them were new to the show. If you think there isn’t much interest in golf, guess again. The number of media in attendance was around 1,000, which means there is a story to tell or be stories to be told.

The show always has some interesting finds, some come from the latest lines of new equipment, to the apparel that you wear. It can be new golf balls, bags, shoes, caps, or other accessories. Maybe it’s the items that are needed for your golf course, and the events it will host in the year ahead.

With all of that in minds, here are our Top 10 finds from the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show.

10. The product line from Zero Friction that has put together it’s 4-Pack tubes of golf balls, gloves and tee packages. One-stop shopping when needed, and Zero Friction’s line of gloves gets stronger every year.

9. Another yet improved Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls It’s amazing how Titleist keeps making a good ball, even better.

8.The new drivers from Tour Edge that make the Exotics line, they are getting stroner every year, and now making an impact with top players from the PGA Champions Tour.

7. The New Balance line of golf shoes. once known to be just a running shoe, New Balance is making major strides in improving it’s line of golf shoes. Plus new additions from other shoe lines, such as Callaway, FootJoy and Adidas. Walking around a golf course has never been easier on your feet.

6. The addition of stronger non-reflective colors on the faces of golf clubs. Are you tired of getting a sun reflection off the surfaces of your clubs on sunny days. Ned colors that help reduce the sigh of wear patterns. Try dark blue, or black in your favorite clubs.

5. The color is back in golf wear. Greg Norman’s line of golf shirts brings back coloring the line was missing the last few years. Refreshing looks for hot summer days.

4. the impact that Topgolf is having on the golf industry. Whether it’s a new Topgolf facility, or the idea of adding Toptracer to your facility. Topgolf is growing and here to stay in today world of golf.

3. Antigua, while there are numerous apparel makers in the golf world, Antigua stands out with it’s additions and changes in colors, styles and feel. Whether it’s golf, or golf style shirts with logo’s of your favorite sports teams or colleges. You can’t go wrong with Antigua.

2. Wilson Golf is really coming on strong. The new line of D7 Irons along with the released late in 2018 Cortex Driver, are clubs every golfer should look at before picking out a new set for the season ahead.

1. Callaway’s Epic Flash Driver and fairway woods. These are game changer products that are making a difference on tour, and for every day golfers. The Flash Barry Allen would love them, you will too. Callaway’s improvements in irons, wedges, putters and golf balls are solid. Callaway and how they grow as a company in 2019 will be fun to watch.

The 2020 PGA Merchandise Show is Jan. 21-24. Golfers on Golf will be there.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is now open daily until 10 PM. The revamped McWethy’s Sports Bar, is your place after golf for all the Blackhawks games and NCAA hoops action. Be ready for outdoor golf, but hitting it indoors. Visit the McWethy’s Golf Dome (630)-739-7600 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB can get you ready for outdoor golf, by teeing it up on their simulators. Book a time at (847)-885-9000 ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook and Linkedin. At the Snake Pit on Copperhead, home of this weeks Valspar Championship.

IT SHOULD BE A GREAT WEEK, the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook is one of the great weeks on the PGA Tour.

The players love Copperhead and even if all the big names don’t make it every year, they usually do almost every other year.

Paul Casey is the defending champion and he will return to defend his title. Hear from Casey at the recent media day below.

This week a stellar field will tee it up on the Copperhead Course that is in great condition. In addition to Casey, this weeks field includes Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Jon Rahm, Jim Furyk, Bubba Watson and Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker.

Your on the first at Copperhead

For golf fans from Illinois, former Illini guys include Stricker, DA Points, Scott Langley and Dylan Meyer.

Northwestern fans, you have a representative in the field, and that’s past Valspar Champion Luke Donald who just signed a new deal with Mizuno.

Chicago based Wilson Golf has staff players in the field including past champion at Valspar Kevin Streelman, along with Brendan Steele and Gary Woodland. Question is, will any of them use the new Cortex Driver this week, the winner of the Driver vs Driver 2 contest on the Golf Channel.

THE COPPERHEAD bush line on the par 3 17th hole, part of the famed Snake Pit, (R) Defending Champion Paul Casey’s picture in the main clubhouse behind the Valspar trophy.

Click here to hear Paul Casey’s media day interview on defending his title and more at this weeks Valspar Championship.

Do you know that Copperhead like the rest of the golf courses on the PGA Tour in the Florida swing is open for public play. Once the pro’s leave Innisbrook on Sunday night, the resort is back wide open for you the public golfer. When you are done golfing on Copperhead right there in the Copperhead Clubhouse is the (Larry) Packard’s steakhouse.

Do check local listings but round one starts on Thursday, and enjoy coverage through Sunday’s final round. The last three holes are known as the Snake Pit, where players will get quite a challenge, and it gives the viewer some great television golf.

For more information on Innisbrook, see Innisbrookgolfresort.com a Salamander Property.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has a place for your final tune up round or two, before it’s time to move outside. The simulators are ready to help you test your game against Top 100 courses and Ryder Cup venues. Schaumburggolf.com (847)-885-9000 MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is the place to experience Toptracer technology, and a solid all around facility that offers club fittings, lessons, a putting green, McWethy’s Sports Bar, and the OTB that will get you ready for the Derby in just over 50 days. Check out Mistwoodgolfdome.com or please call (630)-739-7600 located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With Peakvision Sunglasses, hopefully needed frequently in the days ahead. Peakvision.com

ROAR-REE was there ever a doubt that the Irishman would win on St. Patricks Day ?

Well there was, as Rory McIlroy again got off to a rough start in the final round of The Players Championship, but saw that no one in the field was making a move to run away and win the championship. He felt confident that there was time to make a move and he did.

McIlroy made solid pars on the island green 17th, and the tricky par 4, 18th hole to defeat 48 year old Jim Furyk, who played great at TPC Sawgrass which is practically in his backyard. McIlroy who has had several top 5 finishes this year, finally got over the finish line in first place, for the first time in over a year. What he did was not only win $2.25 million, but make himself the favorite for the Masters. The only major he hasn’t won, and McIlroy will be gunning for the career grand slam.

As for the broadcast. I give NBC credit, normally the worst when it comes to golf. They excelled on this Sunday. What they can do when Tiger Woods is not playing is amazing. There was a star-studded leaderboard, and NBC finally did what they should do every week, they moved around and covered everyone. There was a fair amount of coverage for every player the audience should have seen and did.

While I’m not Dan Hicks biggest fan, he had a good chemistry with Paul Azinger today, and Hicks really stayed on-point. He stuck to talking about the players still playing and players with a chance to win, he did a great job. But with a leaderboard that included McIlroy, Jim Furyk, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker, Adam Scott, Jhonattan Vegas Brian Harman, and Justin Rose, plus the up and coming Abraham Ancer, and Eddie Pepperell, he had plenty to talk about.

Hicks and NBC have a chance for back-to-back stellar weeks, no Woods this week. But plenty of big names and great Chicago area locals are playing at Valspar. Luke Donald, Kevin Streelman, several U of IL players including Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker, and up and coming Dylan Meyer. Several Wilson Staff players are in, will any of them use the new Cortex Driver, winner of the Driver vs Driver 2 show. I’m hoping one of them will use it on tour soon. I’m anxious to watch the Valspar this week, it should be a great week to watch golf.

OPENING UP, it appears the weather is starting to come around and some courses are gearing up to open on Wednesday. Including GolfVisons managed courses, that include Tanna Farms and Settlers Hill. Cog Hill #2 joins Courses 1 & 3 in opening. Cog #4 will open on April 13th.

TOPGOLF as I wrote on the weekend is opening in Schaumburg in late summer, but what’s news is that by 2020 it appears that their competitor Drive Shack lead by former Topgolf CEO Ken May is coming to town. Not sure on a location, but the Oakbrook Area could be the target.

Welcome to Reynolds at Lake Oconee, six golf courses, a Ritz Carlton and more. Do you have Georgia on your mind.

THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA rallied to shoot an 11 under par final round team score, to win the Linger-Longer Men’s Collegiate Golf Invitational at Reynolds on Lake Oconee in Greensboro GA. If your looking for a great golf destination this year, check out Reynolds at Lake Oconee, now headed up by former Medinah Country Club golf pro Mike Scully. Reynoldslakeoconee.com Six golf courses a Ritz Carlton and much, much more.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO will return on Saturday March 30th, Bill Berger, Ed Stevenson and I are looking forward to returning for 22 weeks of great golf talk. Several guest hosts will join us of the season. GOG Radio tee’s off for 2019 at 10 AM, on the BIG AM 750 WNDZ-Chicago.

THE MORNING READ an online golf publication gets 2-shot penalty for a cheap shot at Phil Mickelson, who deserved better. Mickelson isn’t guilty in the college admissions scandal, he and his family might have been victims. Good thing they really didn’t the services of the scandal group in the first place.

ON THE OTHER HAND..I’m really enjoying the GPP+ you should too. Global Golf Post+, get a subscription today, the Masters is coming. GGP Publisher Jim Nugent live from Augusta National during Golfers on Golf Radio Saturday April 6th, join us. Am 750 The BIG WNDZ-AM Chicago.

In the week ahead, I’ll wrap up the final stories from the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show and surrounding trip. I’ll have my 10 best things I found at the show. Outdoor golf season is coming, get ready. In the meantime, hit our indoor facilities for golf practice, NCAA Hoops and four big Blackhawks games. It should be a great week, after all Spring comes on Wednesday.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS