THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME Located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, has been upgraded in several area’s, First up the name, no longer McQ’s, and now the sports grill is now McWethy’s Sportsbar, with more big screen televisions, and a revamped menu. The golf dome is now the home of Toptracer, and the only golf dome in America with Toptracer. For more information on Toptracer visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. The SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has upgraded it’s simulator bays adding several Top 100 golf courses, and the 2018 & 2020 Ryder Cup venues. While the renovation sets in on Schaumburg’s outdoor 27 holes, you can get yourself outdoor ready with some rounds or matches on the simulators downstairs from Chandlers Chophouse. For more information on winter golf at SGC, see schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000.

Click here to hear Schaumburg’s general manager Jon Parsons talk winter golf at SGC.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the tee at Talamore Golf Resort in Southern Pines.

IT’S NOW CALLED THE “NEW COURSE AT TALAMORE”,that’s because that’s exactly what it is, new.

Talamore first hit the Pinehurst area golf scene in 1991, when Rees Jones created the golf course, and several awards from national golf publications soon followed.

Another attraction in the early years was the addition of Llama caddies, while the llama caddies are gone, the llama’s still have a presence on the golf course. They have their pen to the left of the 13th green and they will come over for a visit at times, but can be pretty shy. The llama remains the official logo of the golf course and you might find a Llama head cover in the pro shop. On the golf course what you will find a new improvements that have kept Talamore as one of the best play options in the Pinehurst area.

The Llama’s are still a part of Talamore.

Over the last few years improvements started with a new clubhouse, that in the last year include a remake of the inside giving the grill area a great look that spells out comfort while you enjoy some great Carolina style food.

On the golf course, the area’s of issue on the golf courses cart paths have been repaired. A tree program is well underway to improve sight-lines, play-ability, and overall course conditions. A few new strategic tee’s were built and several bunkers were given a new look. On the par 3 hole’s and a few other strategic locations on the golf course, sodwall bunkers have been installed.

The par 3, fifth hole at Talamore with the new Sodwall bunkers.

Talamore’s practice area’s have been upgraded with an expanded putting green, and the driving range has new target greens.

Talamore’s villa’s have been favorites of golfers for years, and the common BBQ area is still popular.

Speaking of places to live or stay around the golf course, Talamore has a great rule in place for the occasional bad shot golfers might hit. There is no penalty for hitting into the yard of the villa’s or homes that surround the golf course. A “free drop”, two club lengths from the property line is given and golfers can play away.

Talamore is part of the Talamore Golf Resort, that is connected to the Mid South Club just down the street. For more information on Talamore and the Mid-South Club, visit Talamoregolfresort.com or call (800)-552-6292. Talamore Golf, getting better all the time.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road, is just minutes away from Woodfield Mall. If your ready to play some golf this winter, indoor Chicago style. Do check out the enhanced simulator bays that include new Top 100 courses, and Ryder Cup courses. Have your game ready for spring as the Schaumburgs outdoor 27 holes is coming through renovation, and is looking good. For indoor golf in the simulator bays, do call (847)-885-9000 or visit schaumburggolf.com. Chandlers Chophouse for F&B.      ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the tee at Talamore Golf in Southern Pines NC.

The Road to Orlando and the 2019 PGA Show continues, with a stop in Pinehurst North Carolina, the home of American Golf.

Pinehurst is already different since the last time I was here one year ago. For starters at the Pinehurst Resort, Course #4 is now open for play since the Gil Hanse renovation is complete. The resort has now opened it’s new brewery at the former Village of Pinehurst steamplant. Crafts beers, Carolina style BBQ, and brick-oven pizza’s are the favorites at this new downtown Pinehurst hot spot. Course #4 has opened to rave reviews, and should make an outstanding second course for the 2019 U.S. Amateur. More improvements improvements are scattered around the property and I’ll detail them when I see them.

I haven’t played Mid-Pines since I first arrived in Pinehurst some 22 years ago, the old Donald Ross course has had a renovation a few years back, that has drawn good reviews. Mid-Pines was the very first course I played when I got to Pinehurst, it was good then. It’s sister course right across the street Pine Needles is gearing up to host the 2019 U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, that was played at Chicago Golf last year. Pine Needles has had renovation work done since my last round was played there about 5 years ago.

Three years ago I played Talamore and the Mid-South Club (formerly Pinehurst Plantation an Arnold Palmer golf course. The two courses are about 1 mile apart, and now have the same ownership, the lodges at Mid-South are a great place to stay and I’m ready to stay there again. In the last three years, both properties have made improvements since the last visit.

There will be a new stop on the hit list Tobacco Road, and course # 508 will find it’s way on to the all-time played list.

The new Pinehurst Brewery is now open in downtown Pinehurst

Last year a blizzard invaded Pinehurst on the day that I arrived, and the snow would not leave, or at least melt-away, until I went away, well almost.

As I was heading for the parking lot I learned the new Par 3 Course, The Cradle was about to open, as most of the snow on the short course had melted or been cleaned off. The tarps had been pulled off the greens and the tee boxes, so I had a chance to head out and squeeze in quick nine holes.

It took only 1 hour and 5 minutes to play. It was fun, and the incredible beverage cart with the sound system was not out, but that was fine, and so is the golf course. Hanse and his team did a great job. The small snow piles still on the course gave the Cradle a nice winter season touch.

This time around Pinehurst will not have snow during our visit, but during the first few days, temps will be chilly with some rain. It might not be a very warm one, but it will be a start to the 2019 golf season in the home of American golf. Can’t beat that.

   THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME, on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is now open daily until 10 PM. Now complete with Toptracer the dome has become Chicago’s premier indoor golf facility. Try the golf, try the new McWethy’s Sportsbar, and getting fitted for new clubs at Top 100 Fitting facility in the country. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has upgraded it’s simulators to offer a first-class indoor year golf experience. Located on the lower level of the clubhouse, you can enjoy the food and beverage while you play from Chandlers Chophouse right upstairs. Visit schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000, the club is located at 401 N. Roselle Road. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter@GogBlogGuy at the French Lick Hotel.

THE PGA SHOW trip is underway and so is the start of golf season, if it didn’t start last weekend at Cog Hill with the Eskimo Open.

Day 1 was the stop off at the French Lick Resort, in French Lick Indiana, where the progress continues on the new rooms adjacent to the casino, that will also include a state of the art sports bar.

The new upscale rooms and suites will be near the casino entrance, and the rooms will be able to connect for larger groups.

The French Lick Resort is expected to begin work at some point after the room project is complete, on the resorts 9-hole Valley Links Course. The current nine holes would be renovated and 9 more holes will get added, up on a hill to left of holes 2-3. No official word yet if the work will start in 2020.

The improvements continue in French Lick

The French Lick Resort is looking forward to year #3 in 2019 for it’s two golf tournaments.

The Road to the LPGA the Symetra Tour event will take place on the Donald Ross Golf Course in July, and then the Sr. LPGA Championship returns again on 3 weekdays in October.

Laura Davies will be the defending champion on the Pete Dye Course.

Have you booked your trip yet to French Lick for 2019, visit Frenchlick.com for details. With that it’s on to Pinehurst and time to tee it up.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB at 401 N. Roselle Road is located just minutes from Woodfield Mall. The clubs new simulator bays have been updated with several now courses, including the 2018 and 2020 Ryder Cup Venues. While golfing all season long you can enjoy the best in food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs, visit Schaumburggolf.com or call the club for tee-times at (847)-885-9000 #wintergolf .    ______________________________________________________________________

Club Champion fitting is ready to open a new store in Schaumburg on of course, Golf Road.

As the demand in golf and in the Chicago area grows by golfers to be put into fitted clubs, Club Champion a major club fitting and building is opening it’s newest location in the days ahead.

Club Champion is located on the Northside of Golf Road in the Copley Shopping Plaza at 152 E. Golf Road. In the corner of the plaza.

The new location has near 3,000 square feet of space, more than enough room to to put golfers through the highly regarded fitting experience of Club Champion. That experience has 35,000 hittable clubhead and shaft combinations. The new Schaumburg studio has two hitting bays, with Trackman launch monitors, a SAM PuttLab fitting system so golfers can get the putter that’s right for them, and test it on the in studio putting green. The facility has a build shop to create and or repair golf clubs by hand.

Club Champion’s hitting bays give golfers a relaxing space to get fitted for the proper clubs.

“We are excited to bring the finest club fitting operation to Schaumburg,” said Joe Lee, CEO and President of Club Champion. “Our approach is unbiased, with no promotion of any specific vendors. Our only goal is to find the best combination of components to help the customers hit longer and more accurate shots, and lower their scores and enjoy the game more.”

Golf Digest has given Club Champion their Top 100 Best Club Fitters award for nine straight years. The Club Champion fitting team consists of experienced fitters before joining the company, then upon hire, must undergo an 150 hours of additional training before working with customers. Which is unmatched in the industry.

A mixture of shafts and clubheads give golfers numerous options to put he best club for them, in their bag.

Club Champions unique coupling system allows for fitting any shaft and head together, so golfers receive exactly the combination of product they need for a perfect set of clubs to fit their game.

Golfers can hit the exact club they will get before the purchase is made.

“Our unrivaled fitters and demo option generate unmatched results. A recent Golf Magazine study showed our average customer gained 22 yards off the tee, and 15 yards with their irons and lowered their average score by three shots,” said Lee. “Many players think they are not good enough to be custom fit. But the study showed that higher-handicappers saw the biggest gains. Some of these golfers gained as much as 25 more yards with their drivers and shaved as many as 10 shots per round off their scores.”

To celebrate the Schaumburg Store opening, expected this month and managed by Alex Praeger. The Schaumburg store will offer 50% off full bag fittings, normally $350 for only $175. Or 33% off driver, fairway wood, and long game, hybrid, wedge and putter fittings. Hours are 10 AM to 6 PM Monday-Thursday. Friday and Saturday 9-5 PM. For more information on Club Champion see clubchampiongolf.com or call (888)-340-7820.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is now open daily until 10 PM. The Chicago area’s premier golf dome has upgraded it’s food and beverage operation with the launch of McWethy’s Sports bar alongside of the OTB. Go visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600 #clubfittingspecialnow

Click here to hear Jeff Copeland talk about his 10 year old daughter Lisa Copeland (R) and how she made it to the finals of Drive, Chip and Putt and earned a trip to Augusta National on the front of Masters week, by working with Mistwood pro’s since she was 5.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy Linkedin and Facebook. Getting a leg up on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort.

GOLF COVERAGE takes a drive up the fairway this week, with the launch of Global Golf Post PLUS. But you can bet that if there is a story to be told, GGP+ will beat the bushes with a club if they must, to find it.

In recent years some publications have cut back coverage of the game, leaving golfers buried in the bunker looking for more.

As a result, Jim Nugent who is the founder and publisher of the Global Golf Post, is taking his online golf publication to a new level. Golf fans will pay a little more, and Nugent does mean “a little”, but promises the investment will be like getting a new driver that gives you 30 more yards off the tee. Big bang for the buck.

The current form of Global Golf Post won’t change, every Monday you can still receive your free edition of “The Post”, but for those looking for more during the rest of week, GGP+ is waiting for you.

Jim Nugent is the founder and publisher of the Global Golf Post.

It’s been 10 years since Nugent, who grew up in Chicago’s Northshore area following his beloved Cubs, when he wasn’t on the golf course being a caddie, took golf coverage in the direction of a weekly golf online publication. Some industry folks thought it might not survive, but it has more than just survived, it’s grown golf coverage in ways that just having a website or a social media page could not match.

Nugent went coast-to-coast in finding the games best golf writers to come on board and tell the stories that were not being told anywhere else. But Monday’s come only once a week, so the launch of Global Golf Post +, will fill the gap and cover the rounds being played the other six days. Some of the best stories told by golfers, are shared with the media on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in pre-tournament sessions. Why wait to tell them.

Are you ready for more?

“We are going to deliver original, premium-quality content that you can not find anywhere else along with an exceptional user experience,” said Nugent.

“There is a dearth of high-quality golf content,” observed Nugent. “Global-Golf Post+ will deliver compelling stories and original reporting on the worlds of professional and amateur golf, golf course design and architecture. Global Golf Post+ will also showcase several long-form feature articles each year.”

Steve Eubanks, a veteran golf journalist and longtime Global Golf Post senior writer, will serve as content editor of the new site. The new site will include two new content pieces per day.

Readers of the Global Golf Post+ site, will be asked to pay a monthly subscription rate of only $7 a month. Subscribers can receive a free 14-day trail offer equating to an introductory price of $60 annually (25% off the basic price). A trial subscription can be found at www.globalgolfpost.com.

“Informed golf journalism has been in our DNA since we launched 10 years ago. With Global Golf Post+, we will be able to deliver more quality content on a daily basis,” said Nugent. “We believe  that the combination of great golf journalism, excellent user experience, and the Global Golf Post brand will be a compelling offer for serious golfers around the world.”

With the launch of Global Golf Post +, in-depth golf coverage has added a few more yards.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB on Roselle Road in Schaumburg has updated it’s simulator bays, and offers golfers year-round golfing options. Are you ready to play several TOP 100 golf courses, how about the 2018 and 2020 Ryder Cup venues. If your ready to play golf Chicago style in January, check out the Schaumburg Golf Club, see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. When there enjoy Chandlers Chophouse.

Schaumburg Golf Club General Manager Jon Parson’s talks all year golf at the SGC.      ______________________________________________________________________

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

2019 Might have started last week, but it kicks into gear this week, with the first full week of the year on the calendar.

There are some folks headed back into the office this week to start the new year, and in some ways it feels the same for me. I’ll hit the road later this week and start the road trip to Florida and the PGA Show.

Day 1 is a stop off to check in with the French Lick Resort, and then it’s on to Pinehurst for several days off golf and some golf stories. It never hurts to begin the golf season in Pinehurst, and somehow when it comes to golf, it probably should. I’ll keep everyone up to speed as the trip moves along.

If you catch the golf bug while keeping up with my travels, get out to the Schaumburg Golf Club and tee it up in their outstanding simulators bays, downstairs in the clubhouse or head out to Chicago’s premier golf dome in Bolingbrook, the Mistwood Golf Dome, with the newly enhanced McWethy’s Sportsbar and the OTB for extra gaming action.

THE GOLF SEASON did officially start yesterday with the playing of the Eskimo Open at Cog Hill, a large field did play with almost no snow to be found. Congrat’s to Ajay Singh the Low Gross winner with a 71, and Bill Bush with a 67 to be the Low Net champ. I’m sure more golfers would have tee’d it up, but with the Bears game, the Illinois and Northwestern basketball game in Evanston, the Bulls game at the UC, there were plenty of sports options.

As golfers we all know what it’s like to hit the flagstick and end up with a poor result, I guess that’s how Bears Kicker Cody Parkey feels today, after his double-boink off the upright and crossbar, landed short in the end-zone, and ended the Bears season. As for flagsticks, leaving them in the cup while putting is part of the new rules in effect for the 2019 season,check them out before hitting the golf course this year.

The third green at the Mistwood Golf Club in Romevoville. See Mistwoodgolfgc.com

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE, that the USGA has awarded Mistwood Golf Club, White Deer Run, and the Weibring Course at Illinois State University, 2019 U.S. Amateur qualifiers. All will be played in July, see USGA.org for details.

NEWS..word is that later this week, a major golf news outlet will be making a big announcement about their golf coverage going forward, stay clicked in.

IT WAS NICE this past week to hear from both golf publications (Chicagoland Golf-CDGA Magazine) I write for, giving me my first assignments of 2019. Yes, golf season is coming up quickly.

GARY WOODLAND, is now playing Wilson Golf clubs and almost won the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua yesterday, it took a 11 under par round from Xander Schauffele to steal the win from Woodland. It’s always great to see Kapalua this time of year, another way to get excited about the golf season ahead.

Callaway has announced it’s new driver the Epic Flash, and it’s plenty quick from what I hear, even though maybe not as fast as Barry Allen quite yet. It’s time to start planning your winter getaway, get going. RS.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is now open daily until 10 PM. The dome is now home to McWethy’s Sportsbar, where are you watching the Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks today. The Mistwood Golfdome is now complete with the new Toptracer technology, a revamped McWethys Sportsbar, and more. The club fitting program has specials through the end of February. So come out and enjoy a new winter home for golf and sports. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. #golf

Click here to hear Mistwood Golf Pro Dan Phillips talk the Mistwood Golf Experience.      _____________________________________________________________________

GOLF 360 with former Bear Patrick Mannelly is your host for the winter show edition. THE GOLF SCENE with host Steve Kashul, will bring you golf around town as Chicago goes through the winter months.

Steve Kashul host of the Golf Scene

The Golf Scene with Steve Kashul has announced it’s January television schedule on NBC Sports Chicago.

Tonight, after the Bears game, The Golf Scene returns at 8:30 PM.

Then the Golf Scene returns at 6 Pm on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday the Golf Scene airs at Noon, just in time for the lunch hour. Thursday the Golf Scene will be shown at 2:30 PM, and then again next Sunday at 5:30 PM.

The Golf Scene is produced by Tom Miller and more information on the Golf Scene can be found on Facebook. Found out how you can win a 3 day 2 night golf trip to Las Vegas through the Golf Scene.

DAVE LOCKHART’S GOLF 360 winter edition can be seen at linksvideo.net/golf360tv/ on YouTube. Segments include the Mistwood Golf Dome, golf in the Dominican Republic, a visit to Oak Brooks Zero Friction Golf and more.

Stay tuned in to golf around town all winter long, by watching the Golf Scene and Golf 360 TV.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME ON Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is the place for your indoor winter golf and sports activities. Now open daily until 10 PM, the Mistwood Golf Dome not only serves up the best indoor golf facility in the Chicago area, but a place to enjoy the winter sports, like this weekends Tournament of Champions from Kapalua in Maui, but the Bears playoff game and Blackhawks action vs Pittsburgh on Sunday. The golf operation for club fitting is now a TOP 100 facility in America per Golf Digest. So visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 for more information #Mistwoodgolf

Customer Jay Bauer of Aurora talks about the indoor and outdoor Mistwood Experience

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With the US-Amateur trophy at Olympia Fields.

The 2019 U.S. Amateur the 119th will be contested this August at Pinehurst on course #2 and the recently redone by Gil Hanse, course #4.

The U.S. Amateur is the oldest amateur championship, and brings together an international field of top players from around the world.

The format is 36 holes of stroke play with the top 64 players advancing to match play. There is frequently a sudden-death playoff for the final spots into the match play, and it’s one of the most exciting parts of championship week. The amateur is open to any amateur player, with a handicap that does not exceed 2.4. For more information on playing in the U.S. Amateur visit the USGA website.

PINEHURST #2  will be the main course for the 2019 U.S. Amateur. Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville (R) has been selected to play host for a U.S. Amateur qualifier.

U.S. Amateur qualifying will begin at clubs all over the country, and in selected locations outside of America in June. Three clubs in Illinois have been selected to host qualifiers in July.

First on the tee is the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University in Bloomington. The Weibring Golf Club is named after ISU alum and former PGA Tour player D.A. Weibring, who is also a past Western Open and three time John Deere Classic Champion. The qualifier is set for July 9th.

Mistwood Golf in Romeoville will host it’s first USGA qualifier on July 11th. Mistwood a Ray Hearn design, is multiple award winner from several national publications.

On July 23rd, the White Deer Run Golf Club in Vernon Hills, will host the final qualifier in Illinois.

The qualifier closest to Illinois but outside of the state is, Sand Creek Golf Club in Chesterton Indiana, on July 23rd. See USGA.org for more information on the 119th U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst.

  THE WILSON CORTEX DRIVER the winner of the Driver vs Driver 2 Contest is now for sale, see Wilsongolf.com for more details. THE MISTWOOD Golf Dome located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is open daily until 10 PM. The golf dome is redone with Toptracer and and refurnished and renamed McWethy’s Sportsbar. The OTB is open for playing the ponies, with the Derby only 4 months away. Mistwood Golf Dome has a new club fitting program, with credit for your old clubs. Mistwoodgolfdome.com, or call (630)-739-7600.

Click here to hear Mistwood’s Chris Ioriatti talk on club fitting and the new look MGD.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin Facebook. The future is bright so why not Peakvision sunglasses, see Peakvision.com

Chicago based Wilson Golf has announced the addition of, Top 40 in the world player Gary Woodland to it’s professional staff.

Woodland’s deal is a multi-year deal.

Woodland was the leader or near the top of the leaderboard for most of last years PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Woodland is still looking for his first major championship victory.

Woodland did win his third PGA Tour event last year, when he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open and had three top 10 finishes later in the year.

Gary Woodland has joined Wilson Golf

Woodland will use the new prototype Staff Model blades as well as the V4 utility iron during this weeks Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Maui, Hawaii.

Woodland has been working with the new Wilson Cortex Driver, the winning driver on the Driver vs Driver 2 program on the Golf Channel.

“As the Wilson brand continues to gain momentum in the golf space, we are thrilled to have a player of Gary’s stature join the team,” said Wilson Golf President Tim Clarke. “We want players that are athletes at heart and who want to be involved in the brand both on and off the golf course. We think Gary is a perfect fit for the culture of innovation and excellence we’re building at Wilson.”

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Wilson after working with them extensively the last few months. Their premium line of of clubs and high-quality equipment will be integral as I continue to elevate my game. For more see Wilsongolf.com.

Clarke said he is hoping that Woodland will put the new Cortex Driver in his bag, and play it on the PGA Tour, in the coming weeks ahead.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME and the SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB are year-round golf facilities. Mistwood has changed it’s name, added Toptracer to the golf dome, and redone the Bar & Grill and renamed it McWethys Sportsbar. LPGA veteran Nicole Jeray has joined the professional staff. Mistwood Golf Dome is open daily until 10 PM and is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. See Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB has updated it’s simulator bays, and can put you out to play on several TOP 100 courses or Ryder Cup venues. The Schaumburg Golf Club is located on Roselle Road just minutes from Woodfield Mall, and while your golfing why not enjoy the food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House located right upstairs. Do visit schaumburggolf.com or you can call the golf course at (847)-885-9000. #wintergolf   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Getting a leg up on 2019 on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort.

2019 IS HERE and I’m hoping for a great golf season in the 11+ months ahead.

In just one week the winter trip to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando will begin. I’m looking forward to launching Day 1, with a stop at the French Lick Resort, home of the Sr. LPGA Championship, and a Symetra Tour event.

I’ll check in on the new rooms going up around the casino, that includes a new sports bar. From there it’s off to Pinehurst before getting into Orlando for the show. While in Pinehurst I’ll have reports on courses #2 and #4 as they prepare for the 2019 US-AM coming up in August.

The new Pinehurst Brewery is open and I’m looking forward to that as well, I’ll be a food and beer critic for one night after dining there and testing out some of the menu.

I’ll be checking into plenty of golf stories during the winter trip, and have them for you right here, and some guests will make it on the air with us when Golfers on Golf Radio returns in late March.

This Sunday the first outing of the year tee’s off, when the Eskimo Open hits the first tee’s of both Courses # 1&3 at Cog Hill. With the weather expected to be in the upper 40’s, and not much snow around. It could be the year to play, if you haven’t before. The last tee times are at 11 AM, so everyone should be back in the clubhouse in time for the Bears playoff game.

Golf Show season ramps up in late February (22-24) in Rosemont with the Chicago Golf Show at the Donald Stephens Convention Center. As of now, it appears this will be the only golf show in Chicago this year,so don’t miss it.

On the tournament side, some of the tournaments we have had the last two years are gone, but there are a few still around. The WGA Evans Scholars Web.com event is new and comes to town from May 23-26 at the Glen Club. Local Web.com players like Illinois Open Champion Vince India and Doug Ghim are likely to play.

The last week of June, brings the Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship to Royal Melbourne, after being played at Mistwood Golf Club last year. The second week of July is the John Deere Classic which is always a fun event. Then in the next few weeks are the Illinois State Amateur, the Illinois Women’s Open, and the Illinois Open Championships.

If driivng a little bit doesn’t bother you,the U.S. Sr. Open at the Warren Course on the Notre Dame Campus in South Bend is the last days of June, and just into Michigan in Benton Harbor the Western Amateur returns to Point O’Woods.

But what many Chicago area golfers are looking forward to, is the return to Medinah in Mid-August when the BMW Championship comes to town. It will be Medinah’s first big professional tour golf championship since the 2012 Ryder Cup.

On the golf course side, one of the biggest renovation projects in town, the Schaumburg Golf Club around July 1st will have 18 holes of it’s 27 holes fully renovated and reopened for play. Then the last nine holes will close and start the renovation process, with all 27 holes being reopened around July 1, of 2020.

Based on the club fitting boom going on around town, I sense there will be many golfers looking to hit the links this year, to tryout new clubs.

I’m anxious to see the new clubsand products at the PGA Show in 3 weeks, and thenhope to see the best of them up here come summer. It should be a great 2019 golf season, can’t wait for it to get rolling. RS