THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has the latest in golf simulators so enjoy can enjoy golf all year round. Why wait until the snow melts and temps hit 45 or higher to get that first round of the year in. Go play TPC Sawgrass before the pro’s do in a few weeks for the Players Championship. Visit Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000 #teetimes  ______________________________________________________________________

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

SHOWTIME is in the books. The PGA merchandise show is behind us, and now so is the only golf show left in Chicago.

This past weekend there was many golfers who had just had cabin fever up to you know where. Global Freezing is has been taking it’s toll, and now it seems like another week of not so great warming temperatures are not coming.

This past Friday saw a crowded house in the Donald Stephens Convention Center, in fact so I’m told the busiest Friday in show history. Based on the amount of people I saw walking around, that would be hard to argue. I did return on Saturday and the large gathering of patrons had returned. Yes patrons, I have to start getting my Masters week lingo going, as the Masters is only some 40 days away.

The Mistwood Golf Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is your place for winter golf dome practice. Mistwoodgolfdome.com (630)-739-7600 while there try McWethy’s Sportsbar.

What was good to see was the large amount of courses from not just the Midwest, but in from the warm weather southeast part part of the country.

But the presence from the southwest seemed to be lacking, other than Las Vegas. But with the all pictures online of late showing Phoenix and Scottsdale golf courses with 3 inches of snow on them, there was a brief patch of Arizona not being the place to be.

I spoke with BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm this morning, as he was rolling into the Honda Classic. The big story there is who is not playing, that includes many of the top names that live right near the golf course. Apparently the fallout of the new PGA Tour schedule has some players taking different weeks off. Len will have a story in the next day or so in the Morning Read.

BACK TO THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW…and again I tested out the Wilson D7 Irons and found them to my liking, they are one of the top new irons on the market. Callaway Golf’s Epic Flash Driver is taking the world by storm, as tours from around the world are all seeing more players use the Flash.

LAST WEDNESDAY I made the trip up to the new Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Arena, which is a nice venue, a little more cozy than the United Center since it does not have as many sky-boxes. Which is where the PGA of America made the announcement on Steve Stricker being named 2020 Ryder Cup Captain for Team USA. I had a feeling all along he would be the choice, and he will do a good job win or lose at Whistling Straits in September of next year. But let’s hope he wins. U-S-A !

THE FIRST ISSUE of Chicagoland Golf is out, my story on the new Topgolf coming to Schaumburg is in the paper, pick it up at your favorite club, or golf retail store. It’s a great place to promote your golf course, or golf product. I’ll be writing about Stricker being named captain in April.

THIS SATURDAY Callaway/Odyssey will have a putter demo day from 10-2 at the Downers Grove PGA Tour Store. If you have ever wondered about putter fitting, this is a chance to see the new technology that Callaway is using for a proper putter fit. Speaking of Callaway, it was nice to come home from the show on Friday night and find the big black box from Callaway with my new Mack Daddy Wedges in it. Always a great feeling to see new clubs show up.

I am slowly flipping my golf bag with newer products, as even clubs that are 4-5 years old are behind the times. #getfitted #getnewclubs #enjoythegamemore.

THE ILLINI Men’s golf team rallied for a second place finish in Louisiana yesterday, losing out to McNeese State. Illinois had multiple players in the Top 10 including Bryan Baumgarten, Tommy Kuhl and Michael Feagles. As a result of his play, Baumgarten has been named Big Ten Men’s Golfer of the Week.

MONDAY AFTER THE MASTERS…in Myrtle Beach the annual Hootie and the Blowfish Pro-am, always a fun event, for tickets see HootieGolf.com.

ON THE HEAL QUICKLY LIST- The Golf Scene’s Steve Kashul is on the mend after shoulder surgery, that will keep him off the golf course until the end May, get well Steve.

CONGRATS TO PGA PROFESSIONAL Mike Weiler who has landed on his feet in Wisconsin at the Elkhorn Country Club after a stint at Wynstone in Barrington.

CONGRATS TO NEW Preserve at Oak Meadows head golf professional Jamie Nieto on both the new job, and his recent engagement to Lauren Bernacki.

EQUIPMENT NOTE, It’s been a nice recent run for Srixon with several tournament wins, including a sweep on the men’s tours a week back. J.B. Holmes on the PGA Tour at Riveria, Ryan Fox on the European Tour in Australia, Miguel Angel-Jimenez in Naples on the Champions Tour, and Martin Trainer this past weekend in Puerto Rico opposite the WBC Mexico event.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould having a booth at the golf show, show-goers lined up wishing him well and begging him to comeback to the Bears. Gould has his own golf company these days, and I’ll have story with him soon on his company Eventlify. See more now at eventlify.com.

FINALLY how about the shout-out to IPGA professional of the year, Chris Gumbach of the River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, by Blackhawks TV-Play-by-Play guy Pat Foley during the Blackhawks-Colorado Avalanche game. “Gumby” got quite the recognition from Foley who also wished Gumbach good luck on turning his student Patrick Kane into a 3-handicap someday. Foley said if that happens, Gumbach should win teacher of the year in the IPGA Section.

The Gog Blog will return tomorrow. RS

TWO GREAT INDOOR GOLF FACILITIES that allow you to play golf all year long, even here in Chicago. The Mistwood Golf Dome located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, and the Schaumburg Golf Club on Roselle Road in Schaumburg. Test out the Mistwood Golf Dome, get a round in on the simulators in Schaumburg. Call Mistwood (630)-739-7600 and call Schaumburg Golf Club at (847)-885-9000. Get your game ready for summer.     _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Back in a Flash, with the Callaway Epic Flash, in the Mistwood Golf Dome.

YES THIS IS THE LATE EDITION, busy weekend with the golf show that flew by in a flash, and our local sports teams. The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow, with more thoughts on Chicago’s only golf show.

For our news column, we start with the Fighting Illini men’s golf team in the hunt in Louisiana in the final round of the Louisiana Classic tournament in Lafayette LA. In windy conditions the Illini sit in third place as a team, but Fr. Tommy Kuhl is playing as a individual and leads the tournament, but his score does not count for the team score in the championship. Tough break for the Illini. Full wrap up tomorrow here on the site.

THE FLOWER HOLE at Sentry World in Stevens Point Wis. Home of the 2019 USGA Junior Girls Championship.

SentryWorld in Stevens Point Wisconsin, has announced that the course will open for the season on Friday May 3rd weather permitting.

SentryWorld will also hold two Callaway golf equipment demo days, coming up on Saturday March 30th from 10 Am until 2 Pm, and on Wednesday June 5th from 4-7 Pm. Come check out the full line of Callaway Clubs including the new Epic Flash Driver and Fairway Metals.

The USGA comes to town with the 2019 U.S. Junior Girls Championship from July 22-27, volunteers are needed. For tee times and more see Sentryworld.com.

DuPage Golf has three golf courses, the Preserve at oak Meadows, Maple Meadows and Green Meadows, see Dupagegolf.com

Golf season is right around the corner at DuPage Golf, and the three DuPage Forest Preserve District Golf Courses.

There are still some limited spaces for permanent tee times at both courses The Preserve and Maple Meadows.

This year there is a new perk for permanent tee time holders. Come out during the week, Mon-Thurs, and you and your foursome receive a discount on that days green fees. See all the details at DuPagegolf.com.

Topgolf opens in Myrtle Beach South Carolina

This past Friday Myrtle Beach opened it’s doors the new Topgolf. The three level 53,000 square foot venue, and the companies 53rd location in the world.

Schaumburg Illinois will open in late summer 2019.

“We are thrilled to finally open the door to South Carolina’s first Topgolf venue,” said Topgolf Myrtle Beach Director of Operations Jeff Kowalski. “Topgolf is everyone’s game and we are looking forward to serving the best possible experience for our Topgolf guests. The new location is 2850 Robert M. Grissom Parkway, and over 350 associates have been hired for the new location. More details at topgolf.com.

Click here to hear our interview with Top Golf Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Andrew McCauley, on Topgolf, the new Schaumburg Topgolf location, and Toptracer range technology, now in place at the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook.

TOPGOLF is now hiring in Greenville S.C. for another new location that will open later this spring, some 350 jobs are available. See Topgolf.com

MORE ON MYRTLE BEACH…

The 9th hole at Tidewater Golf Club in Myrtle Beach SC.

When one talks about the best golf courses in the Myrtle Beach, which name keeps coming up.

That would be Tidewater Golf Club that has repeatedly ended up on or near the top of every credible list of top Myrtle Beach Golf Courses.

The Tidewater Golf Course has several stunning holes, with great views along holes 3,4,12, and 13.

In 2014 Tidewater underwent a renovation of it’s greens that have left the course in outstanding condition. For more details on how to golf one of the top courses in Myrtle Beach see Tidewatergolf.com.

MORE MYRTLE BEACH PART 2…MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com has unveiled a new package-The Founders Group-All Inclusive. This package allows golfers to pick from 22 of the Myrtle Beach area golf courses, including the Grand Dunes Golf Resort (as featured by Golfers on Golf.com last month) TPC Myrtle Beach, and Kings North at MB National. The package includes range balls, lunch and 2 draft beers per day. For a full list of courses, see the website listed above or call (866)-694-2448.

THE NEW AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN”S AMATEUR that will be contested for the first time April 3-6, has invited to it’s field Tristyn Nowlin from the U of ILL (second place at last summers WWGA Women’s Amateur and the Illinois Women’s Open both played at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeville), and Stephanie Lau from the University of Northwestern’s Women’s Golf Team.

The field of 72 of the top women’s players from around the world will compete in the 36 hole event of stroke play, with the first 36 holes coming at the Island and Bluff nines at the Championship Retreat Golf Club in Augusta on April 3-4. The low 30 players will advance to a practice round on April 5th at Augusta National Golf Club, with the final round being played on the Masters Tournament course ANGC on Saturday April 6th, with NBC Sports showing three hours of Live final round coverage from 3-6 PM EST.

The champion if she remains an amateur gets a five year exemption back into the field, and exemption into the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, the Women’s British Open and a 1-year exemption into any USGA, R&A, and PGA of America amateur championships.

A WELL DONE to one of our fellow golf media brothers. AP’s Doug Ferguson (55) becomes the third AP golf writer to be awarded the 2019 PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism. Ferguson the 30th winner of the award will be honored at the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) dinner in Augusta GA. on April 11th.

The US Open trophy on the 15th hole at Erin Hills, host of the 2017 US Open.

ERIN HILLS that hosted the 2017 U.S. Open, and two other previous USGA Championships has announced new for 2019 an extended putting green just off to the right of the courses first tee.

The large putting green can be seen on the Erin Hills website in a animation view.

Once finished an opened for play at a date to be named yet this summer, Erin Hills will add lights so the contests and the games and bets can go on all night night long. Check out Erinhills.com for rates and special dates for the summer ahead.

JOIN BRIAN MCCASKEY and Liberty Auto Center Care for a fundraiser supporting Brain Cancer and the Ross K.MacNeill at Knollwood Golf Club in Lake Forest, on March 8th, from 7 to 11 PM.

CHAD JOHANSEN’S BLACKBERRY OAKS, is gearing up for a busy summer starting on April 14th with the BBO 4-man scramble. Sign up is underway for the Blackberry Oaks Amateur coming in June. Visit Blackberryoaks.com for details.

CHAMBERS BAY home of the 2015 U.S. Open will reopen in April after a renovation of the greens and other parts of the golf course, for tee times see Chambersbyagolf.com.

WHITTAKER WOODS Exit 1 in Michigan, is in the running to win a contest sponsored by the newspaper the Times of Northwest Indiana. If Your love WW, place a vote for them on the contest website.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW-RS.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB on Roselle Road in Schaumburg, has year round golf waiting for you. Enjoy the simulator bays in the clubhouse at get a shot at TPC Sawgrass before the pro’s do this year at the Players Championship next month. The Schaumbug Golf Club will be opening the Baer Nine this summer from renovation so be ready for opening day. Call (847)-885-9000 or see schaumburggolf.com for tee times.     _____________________________________________________________________

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

When the Ryder Cup Matches tee off in September of 2020. Team USA will have Wisconsin native Steve Stricker at the helm.

Stricker has won both on the PGA Tour, and the PGA Champions Tour, and been part of a winning Ryder Cup team in 2008 at Valhalla, will have his team ready to go in his home state.

The reaction to Stricker has been a positive one from PGA President Suzy Whaley and Kohler Company President David Kohler. Kohler Company owns the American Club resort and venue Whistling Straits, designed by Pete Dye.

Click here to hear interviews with Suzy Whaley President of the PGA of America, and David Kohler CEO of Kohler Company.

PGA President Suzy Whaley, with Team USA Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker, with the Ryder Cup at Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

For Team Europe, Irishman and three-time major champion winner Padraig Harrington was selected captain of Team Europe in January.

One of Stricker’s first moves as captain was to appoint 2018 Team USA captain Jim Furyk as one of his vice-captains.

The first event for players to earn 2020 Ryder Cup points was this past weekend at the WGC Championship that was played in Mexico and won by Dustin Johnson. Rory McIlroy who plays great at Whistling Straits and is expected to lead Team Europe in 2020, was second behind Johnson.

For more information on Ryder Cup point standings, tickets, applying to work as a volunteer, please visit Rydercup.com.

 GREENER DAYS ARE COMING are you ready. The Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road, can have you ready for the summer season ahead. Come and play the clubs simulators on the lower level of the clubhouse and enjoy food and beverage from Chandlers Chophouse while you do. Call (847)-885-9000 and book your tee time today.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the 18th at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort. Home of the Sr. LPGA Championship.

THE ONLY REMAINING GOLF SHOW in town is here. It starts today at the Donald Stephens Convention Center on River Road in Rosemont.

THE DOORS WILL OPEN AT 12 NOON.

The Show runs through Sunday, check out Chicagogolfshow.com for the shows hours.

The French Lick Resort is the title sponsor and is giving away via a drawing, the chance to win a free weekend with golf that is valued at over $3,000. Frenchlick.com.

GolfVisions is giving away FREE golf again this year, come pick up a free round. You can win other prizes that will come in handy during the season ahead.

Former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould is on the main stage Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM, come watch him hit straight shots between the uprights. The Illinois PGA will be giving free lessons and there are clubs from Wilson, Tour Edge and Callaway that you can test out. The destination golf properties will be there, and can get you set up for a spring, summer, fall or maybe even next winter’s getaway.

  THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is the Title Sponsor. While at the show visit the Mistwood Golf Dome and Mistwood Golf Club booth.

  Erin Hills has a booth at the show, stop by and learn about the new large putting green by the first tee. Publisher Val Russell invites you to pickup a copy of Chicagoland Golf at the GC booth.

The Illinois PGA will giving free golf lessons.

The tournaments that are coming to town with have booths, like the BMW Championship that will be played at Medinah Country Club in August. You can win free tickets for the final round on Sunday.

Certain properties will have their own prize giveaways. There is no other show in town this year, if you love golf this is the place to be over the next three days. Trick shot artist Peter Longo is performing every day at the show.

Parking is right across the street in the parking garage, and you can take the access bridge that is heated right to the show’s entrance.

Don’t forget, the long putt contest is back, and you can when prizes by making the putt. Chicagogolfshow.com for more details. I’ll see you at the show.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB Located at 401 N. Roselle Road is now a year round golf facility, with the addition of it’s simulator bays on the lower level of the main clubhouse. Come play TPC Sawgrass home of the Players Championship before the pro’s do on tour next month. Opening day at the Schaumburg Golf Club is just a little more than six weeks away, be ready for the golf season ahead. Call (847)-885-9000.      ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the National Course at Reynolds at Lake Oconee, Greensboro GA.

We’ve heard the phrase before, ahead of it’s time, or a person who is called a visionary.

In the case of the Tobacco Road golf course in Sanford North Carolina, and designer Mike Strantz both phrases are true.

If you haven’t taken a trip to the Pinehurst area, you need to. While the golf in Pinehurst and Southern Pines area is really good. Do save one day for a little side trip about 30 minutes out of town from Pinehurst to Sanford. It’s worth it.

If you have ever heard someone talk about Tobacco Road, odds are they tell you it’s a golf course that falls into the love it or hate it category. When the course first opened in 1998 the style was different than what many golfers were used to, there was blind shots and a few greens with unique undulations in them. People really had to wonder what Strantz was thinking.

Welcome to the opening tee shot at Tobacco Road, oh the mounds, well the extra dirt had to go somewhere.

Some of those golfers today are probably still wondering if they never went back, and gave the course a second chance.

But if you travel around the country to play golf, and you have played places that were built after Tobacco Road, like Bandon Dunes, Sand Valley and or Streamsong to name a few, Tobacco Road won’t seem so different.

If Strantz who cut his teeth in the golf design business under Tom Fazio, before taking a look at the works and books of Alister MacKenzie, had built Tobacco Road for a facility under the eye of say Mike Keiser, it would have had instead credibility.

“I don’t care if people think my courses are too hard,”-Mike Strantz named the Golf World 1998 Golf Course Architect of the year.

 The Clubhouse at Tobacco Road gives the feeling up being a slightly upgraded log cabin. (R) the par 3, third hole that plays 152 yards from the tips.

Strantz design of Tobacco Road isn’t really hard, but it’s challenging. The yardage runs from 6,557 all the way back, to 4,296 from the front tees. There are five sets of tee’s, all come from the theme of the tobacco farm the golf course was built on.

Strantz did a nice job of working the elevation change into the holes on the golf, like on the par 5, 18th hole.

There is more elevation change than one might think they would find on a farm. Strantz takes advantage of that through out his design.

He even incorporates the tools of the day from the farm, in the design as his tee markers.

The Ripper iron is the front marker, with the Disc one set of tee’s back. Followed by the Plow, then the Points, and the Cultivator disc is all the way back.

While the course has it’s fair share of sand, there are no bunkers on the course. In all sandy area’s you may ground your club, smooth your lie, and remove any stones or foreign objects that might impede your swing. You just can’t improve your position.

While it took some 17 years, the course broke through with several national awards from various national golf publications in 2015.

The par 5, 13th hole often leads to a tucked pin, that is partially hidden from approaching golfers.

More good news for golfers is that there is no Out-of-Bounds on the golf course, and water rarely shows up at all.

So if your golf travels take you to North Carolina, in the Pinehurst area, who not take a side-trip to Tobacco Road. It’s destination golf, from before many of our current day new destination golf facilities were even built.

Longtime Director of Golf Operations Chris Brown knows the golf course inside and out, and be a wealth of knowledge if you seek him out before you hit your first tee shot. Tobacco Road is located at 442 Tobacco Road in Sanford NC. call and make tee times at (877)-775-1940 or visit online Tobaccoroadgolf.com.

 THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is now open daily until 10 PM. Come check out Toptracer and see what all the excitement is about. Then you need to enjoy McWethy’s Sportsbar, see mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now year round golf with the simulator bays full of Top 100 Golf Courses, and Ryder Cup venues like Whistling Straits home of the 2020 Ryder Cup. See Schaumburggolf.com or call for your tee time at (847)-885-9000. #SGC ____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With the Ryder Cup.

TEAM USA GOT IT’S MAN. If anyone can win in Wisconsin, it’s Steve Stricker. He is now the 29th man to captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Stricker who wears Wisconsin on his sleeve, knows the badger state inside and out. He now has the job of getting the Ryder Cup back to the USA, and getting it away from those pesky team Europe types. The team collide in Haven/Kohler Wiscosnin September 22-27 in 2020, on the Whistling Straits golf links.

Stricker played in his first Ryder Cup in 2008 at Valhalla, a rare win in recent by the Team USA. But was part of losing teams in 2010 and at Medinah in 2012. Stricker served as a vice-captain on the winning 2016 team at Hazeltine. Stricker played on five President’s Cup teams, and was the winning captain in 2017. Team Europe appointed Padraig Harrington from Ireland as it’s captain in January.

2020 Team USA Captain Steve Stricker, with PGA of America President Suzy Whaley and the Ryder Cup at Fiserv Arena  in Milwaukee.

Stricker in route back from a golf event to the hotel with his brother-in-law in the desert, get s a call from Whaley with the news in December. Then he has to keep the secret for over two months, that in the end isn’t much of a secret at all.

Stricker (51) wasted no time in announcing Jim Furyk as a vice-captain for his team. Furyk was the losing Ryder Cup captain this past year in Paris.

Works starts immediately for Stricker since players can earn Ryder Cup points this week at the WGC-Event in Mexico. The first eight players will be selected on their points, and be announced after the 2020 BMW Championship at Olympia Fields. The final four players will be captains picks that will be announced after the conclusion of the Tour Championship on Tuesday September 1st.

Click here to hear the post press conference media session with Steve Stricker 2020 Team USA Ryder Cup Captain.

For more information on the Ryder Cup and to follow the points race please visit RyderCup.com or on social media channels.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now a year round facility. The clubs simulators allow golfers to golf in comfort and enjoy Top 100 courses and Ryder Cup venues. Call the Schaumburg Golf Club at (847)-885-9000 to book your tee time. THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is a top 100 club fitting location in the nation, and now the only dome home to Toptracer. Come see what all the excitement is about, and while there enjoy the food and drink in McWethy’s Sports Bar. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or (630)-739-7600. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. At the National Golf Course at Reynolds of Lake Oconee in Greensboro GA.

At ONE POINT in time, it was all about running, jogging, working out, prepping for marathons, and other forms of distance running.

But some six years back, New Balance athletic shoes decide to go in a different direction. Instead of down the paths, and the streets, it’s time to go down the fairways of golf courses everywhere.

Distance running can be compared to distance walking, when one walks the fairways carrying a bag, or walking with a caddie.

But then one thing is for sure. New Balance is bringing a new level of comfort, support and soothing fit to a stroll on the links. New Balance has brought over some of it’s technologies used on running shoes, baseball or footballs shoes, to create a better golf shoe.

The new New Balance Striker Line of shoes.

This year the main addition to the New Balance golf shoe line is the Striker Line (MSRP $119.95) that comes complete with the new insert of what’s called CUSH+.

CUSH+ is an insole foam compound, that creates a level of comfort with 7-8 millimeters of cushioning. CUSH+ not only gives your feet something that is comfortable, but the support needed in places that wear quickly on the traditional golf shoe.

Click here to hear the interview with Perry Reynolds, Product Manager for New Balance Golf Shoes,on the additions to the New Balance line of golf shoes for 2019.

While there is more than one line of New Balance golf shoes, 2019 features the newly commissioned Striker Line. Striker is a microfiber leather upper with ultralight FantomFit support. The spikes are a 7 Champ Slim-Lok pattern, Zarma Tour Cleat System. The CUSH+ insole for complete comfort. It has a 2 year waterproof warranty, and weighs only 12.4 oz.

Color patters include White/Grey, a Grey/Blue or the Black/Red. All of the Striker Line is now available where you shop for shoes. For more information on Striker, or the NB Tour or Minimus Tour lines from New Balance please visit Newbalance.com.

New Balance lines of golf shoes are now complete with both spikes and spike-less models of golf shoes.

The Schaumburg Golf Club is open year round for golf. During the current winter season, the simulators in the lower-level of the clubhouse bring you the chance to play courses like next months Players Championship Course TPC Sawgrass. Be ready for the outdoor season, by teeing it up in the indoor season. Schaumburg golf Club is located at 401 N. Roselle Road, visit Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. #golf ______________________________________________________________________

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

2020 it is coming faster than we think, and will be a big year for golf.

Whistling Straits part of the American Club will host the Ryder Cup in late September, along the shores of lake Michigan.

The USA needs a win after the debacle in France last year. Wednesday morning at 8 AM the pieces for TEAM USA will start to come together when, Steve Stricker will be named by the PGA of America as the Captain for Team USA in 2020.

Stricker one of the most liked players on the PGA Tour and PGA Champions Tour is expected to be a popular choice, and his style is expected to be more laid back. Stricker has been a vice-captain for several team events, such as Ryder Cups and President’s Cups in recent years. Stricker being captain in his home state will be an emotional event for everyone.

This marks the first time a Team USA Captain, has not won a major championship. Stricker has been part of the group that changed the Team USA Ryder Cup approach after the 2014 disaster, where in the end, Phil Mickelson was critical of the approach by then captain Tom Watson. The press conference will be shown live on Golf Channel, and I will be there in person to cover for this site, and for Chicagoland Golf Magazine. PS…don’t forget to get the first issue this weekend at the Chicago Golf Show at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, doors open Friday at Noon.

The long putt contest is back again this year.

Former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould will be on the main stage Saturday and Sunday morning at 10 Am. Golf Trick-Shot artist Peter Longo will be on the main stage all three days at various times.

With the Chicago Golf Show being the only game in town this year, there are a large amount of golf courses and resorts that will be in attendance. Equipment Companies are among three of the hottest in golf. Callaway, Wilson and Tour Edge. The IPGA will be giving out free lessons again this year, and other booths will have prizes including the French Lick Resort. Get tickets-Chicagogolfshow.com I’ll see you there starting on Friday.

A FEW OTHER THINGS on my mind. I’m surprised at all the crazy comments on social media about the Matt Kuchar and his caddie deal. If you haven’t heard the story, well go look it up because I’m not ready to explain it again. But Matt Kuchar doesn’t owe the caddie any more money than he agreed to pay him up front. I don’t care how much Kuchar got for winning the tournament. Kuchar is a great guy, and let’s leave it that way.

JB HOLMES wins at Riviera, but takes heat from announcers about his pace of play. JB is a another good guy, but he along with several other guys who need to pick up their pace of play. Maybe some officials need to say, that’s two, and things would change. A great story from the University of Illinois Invitational at Olympia Fields a few years back, players were warned about slow play before the tournament started. It was a weekend where the clocks were being turned back and players needed to keep it moving or run out of daylight. Day 1 four kids were penalized for slow play, last two rounds, nobody got a penalty.

I WENT TO THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Saturday and hit the new Epic Flash Driver and Epic Flash fairway metals. If you have a need for speed, wow. Is all I can say, the ball jumps off the club face at speeds I just haven’t seen before.

Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson swings the Epic Flash Driver and it’s blur !

In the adjoining picture Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson a great stick hits the Epic Flash Driver. The picture that is blur, is the fact my lens can’t up speed wise.

But you get that kind of effect when you see the Flash and Flash fairway metals up close and watch them work.

While I think that both area companies Wilson Golf and it’s new Cortex Driver, and Tour Edge and it’s Exotics EXS are solid drivers. It will take some to top the Epic Flash, Callaway has created an outstanding set of metals.

IT’S GETTING OLD, seeing social media posts of Tiger with a large gallery, and all the current stars having almost nobody following them. What I did see this weekend, was someone doing that, and the truth in this case was, Woods up near the clubhouse where the hillside was packed at Riviera like always, and the pictures of other players well away from the where all the large galleries were out on a distant place on the golf course. Not a fair comparison.

IN TODAY’S MORNING READ, great piece by John Hawkins on betting Tiger Woods Masters week. If your thinking of doing that, read John’s piece first.

IT’S Golf Show week. The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow. RS

SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB 401 N. Roselle Road wants you to be ready when the Baer Nine Opens around July 1st. When the Baer opens Schaumburg will have a full 18 holes complete from renovation. Have your game ready by starting today by getting a few rounds in on Top 100 golf courses or Ryder Cup venues. Schaumburg’s simulators are ready to welcome you for rounds of golf now, during the cold and snow. So go play Pebble Beach, Le Golf National or Whistling Straits. Call the course at (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With the new Fairway Flash, in the Mistwood Golf Dome. For when you have a need for speed.

IT WAS NICE to see a full house at the Mistwood Golf Dome yesterday, the only tough part was seeing the 45 minute wait for bay to hit from. The Mistwood Golf Dome has really turned into one of the places to be for winter golf in the Chicago area. More on the MGD and Callaway Day tomorrow in the Gog Blog Speaks Out.

In addition, tomorrow some thoughts on what’s become a silly story on this Matt Kuchar caddie tip/wages story.

COMING UP NEXT WEEKEND is the only golf show in town, the Chicago Golf Show in the Donald Stephens Convention Center on River Road in Rosemont. Show starts Friday at Noon, and runs through Sunday. Order tickets now at Chicagogolfshow.com. Former Bears Kicker Robbie Gould appears on Saturday and Sunday on the main stage at 10 AM. Plsu the U.S. Sr. Open trophy will appear at the show, this years U.S. Sr. Open will be played at the Warren Course in South Bend Indiana.

Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson vibes through a drive with the Callaway Epic Flash Driver. The Epic Flash, when you have a need for speed. Barry Allen would love it, you will too.

Golf Datatech and Yano Research have released the World Golf Report for 2019.

The report is a full Analysis of the Golf Industry in sales from both the apparel and and equipment market.

The golf equipment market is now valued at $8.41 billion dollars worldwide, and the golf apparel market is now valued at $5.03 billion dollars.

The study began in 2015 and is now released every year.

The study shows that the top five markets for purchases are in order, #1 United States, #2 Japan, #3 South Korea, #4 United Kingdom, #5 Canada. The USA and Japan, control 66% of the worlds golf equipment market, with Korean Golfers spending more of their per capita on their golf equipment and apparel than any other country.

Total golf sales at retail are $13.44 billion in US dollars, and are dead even with sales from 2014. World retail equipment sales were $8.41 billion last year, down 3.5% from 2014, but up 4.1% from 2017. The four largest equipment economies had some of the largest improvements in sales, but the largest increase came from Germany +5.9% growth.

John Krzynowek says that sales are up for three straight years, including clubs in 2018, and the leading club purchases where those of Irons. The overall picture is good, but there is work to be done, to push past some of the record years in the past.

Welcome to the Preserve at Oak Meadows DuPagegolf.org

A limited amount of permanent tee times are now available for the Preserve and or Maple Meadows. groups that had permanent tee times in 2018 get the first choice to renew in 2019.

Great new perk for 2019, weekend permanent tee time holders, get weekday discounts for them and their guests.

KEVIN KURZ has expanded his role at Green Meadows as the new Facility Coordinator, and will lead the pro shop team. At the Preserve head professional Austin Kopp has moved out to Iowa after 10 years, and DuPage Golf and GOG wish him well. As a result the newly engaged (congrats again) Jamie Nieto is now the new head professional at the Preserve, moving over from Pheasant Run Resort. Nieto grew up as a junior golfer at Oak Meadows and is thrilled to be back.

Speaking of the Preserve, renovation architect Greg Martin was awarded an American Society of Golf Course Architects 2018 Design Excellence Award for his work at the Preserve. If you information for your league, or outing now is the time to call (630)-616-8424 for outings or speak with Chris Malek on league information at (630)-451-3400.

WEARE GOLF will host it’s third annual Community Service Project on April 30th, one day ahead of the May 1st National Golf Day. The CSP day helps the National Park Service save four months of labor charges in helping enhance area’s around Washington DC. including several national monuments and memorials, with sodding, planting, aerating, seeding, mowing and mulching. More details at wearegolf.org.

THE BEN HOGAN Golf Equipment Company has announced that they have released new products in 2019. Expanding the success of 2018 the BH Golf Company. Scott White CEO, says “the brand is firmly back and that has been proven to serious golfers.”

Ben Hogan Golf says the will be rolling out new Irons and Wedges that golfers will be excited about. White says clubs will not be released until they are worthy of having Mr. Hogan’s name on them. Ben Hogan has a trade-UP program where 70% of golfers who demo Ben Hogan products, trade in current equipment and end up buying Hogan equipment . Orders of over $150 dollars get free domestic shipping. FOr more information or to follow releases dates of new Ben Hogan products, please visit benhogangolf.com.

THE PGA of AMERICA has announced an auction that is now underway through March 3rd. The auction run through, The Golf Auction (TGA) of Tampa Florida. If you wish and place bids on the site see http://thegolfauction.com/catalog.aspx All items sold will come with a letter of provenance. Merchandise includes items from Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods,Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA Ryder Cup items and more. Proceed’s benefit the PGA Reach Program.

LINKS CAPITAL ADVISORS and Chris Charnas have announced that the Minne Monesse Golf Course has been this past week.  No information yet on the selling price or who the new owner is.

BUY THREE DOZEN of the new Callaway ERC Soft golf balls at Cog Hill by April 15th, and get a fourth dozen free. Cog Hill is located in Lemont. (866)-COG-HILL.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY has announced that work on it’s university golf course is near completion by architect Steve Smyers, the golf course should reopen this summer, no date has been given.

KEEP GOLF REAL a group that is supported by several major equipment manufacturers has updated information on counterfeit golf clubs coming into America, if see knock-offs being sold on line or in person, please pass the information along to Keppgolfreal.com. The largest raid ever on a knock-off product facility was just done in China, last November. Over 29,000 pieces of golf equipment were confiscated.

The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow, stay clicked in. RS

 MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is home to Callaway Day, just now underway until 2 PM. Come hit the new Callaway Flash Driver, Barry Allen would love it, and you will to. Fatser than ever before. See CallawayGolf.com and then visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com. Located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, call the dome at (630)-736-7900 for details. #golf.        ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook and Linkedin, with the new Epic Flash Driver. Photo by Larry Spalla.

Do you want to see what the talk is about, and how to fill the need for speed.

Epic Flash Driver getting it goings faster than ever before. The driver that is now is reportedly being used on all tours, and Callaway drivers are now the #1 driver on all tours around the world, according to a recent report.

Callaway has taken it’s Jailbreak technology to a new level with the Epic Flash Driver. Callaway has included on the Flash, much of what they have learned from their meeting with the airplane people of Boeing.

 THE NEW EPIC FLASH DRIVERS-Evan Gibbs the Director R&D for Callaway Woods.

Click here to hear Evan Gibbs discuss the new Epic Flash Driver.

Callaway day at Mistwood, now until 2 PM Callawaygolf.com, See you there.