THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is now open daily until 10 PM. The dome formerly known as McQ’s has upgraded with the new Toptracer technology, that has golfers flocking to the dome. The bar and grill have been upgraded and McWethys Sportsbar has been upgraded so you can see all the sports action while enjoying the food and beverage. Details at Mistwoodgolfdome.com or (630)-739-7600.

CLICK HERE to hear Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson (above R) explain the Toptracer Golf advantage, and everything that the Mistwood Golf Dome has to offer.      ______________________________________________________________________

      THE 40TH U.S. SENIOR OPEN WILL BE played on the Warren Course in Notre Dame Indiana, on the Notre Dame University Campus this June 27-30.

BY: Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation, You can follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin or Facebook.

Opening day of 2019 was spent at the NHL Winter Classic between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks, and the classic was won by Boston by a score of 4-2. But earlier in the day the trip to Southbend, was detoured by a trip to the Warren Course on the Notre Dame Campus, that will play host to the 40th U.S.Senior Open this June.

Tickets are on sale, visit USGA.org for more details.

David Toms won last year at the Broadmoor and is the defending champion, he is expected to defend his title this June.

As for the Warren Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The gates were locked and the course is fenced in, so there was no access to be had on New Years Day, the pro shop was expected to reopen on Jan. 2nd. So the front part of the driveway was all that was accessible on Jan. 1st.

So Golfers on Golf opens it’s 2019 golf coverage with a restricted visit to the site of the 40th U.S.Sr. Open, the U.S. Open that will be closest to the Chicago area, in the year ahead.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is open today, hit some golf balls, enjoy the bowl games and winter classic in McWethy’s Sportsbar 9 Am until 10 Pm. Rt. 53 Bolingbrook, see mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600 #golfallwinterlong

THE GOG BLOG returns Wednesday afternoon Jan. 2, 2019.

  MISTWOOD GOLF DOME OWNER JIM MCWETHY (L) PRO NICOLE JERAY (R)

Click here to hear an interview with MGD owner Jim McWethy.

Click here to hear the interview with MGD instructor long time LPGA Pro Nicole Jeray

  Mistwood Director of Golf Andy Mickelson (L) 10 year old Lisa Copeland (R) who has been a national finalist at Augusta National in the Drive,Chip and Putt contest.

Click here and listen to an interview with Andy Mickelson on the Mistwood Golf Dome.

Click here to hear an interview with customer Jeff Copeland (Lisa’s Dad) on why he picks the Mistwood Golf Dome for his and Lisa’s indoor golf experience.

  Customer Jay Bauer (L), Mistwood professionals Chris Ioriatti (L) and Dan Phillips (R)

Click here to hear Jay Bauer explains why he chooses the Mistwood Golf Dome.

Click here and listen to an interview with Chris Ioriatti on club fitting the Mistwood way.

Click on and hear Mistwood Golf pro Dan Phillips talk the Mistwood Golf experience.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERY ONE-From Golfers on Golf, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is your home for Chicago’s indoor golf season. The dome now complete with the new Toptracer technology, has opened the eye of golfers of what you can do during the indoor golf season to improve your game. Owner Jim McWethy (above R) speaks to the improvements of his golf property made for this winter. The dome is open daily until 10 PM except tonight, only 6 PM, and open 9-10 PM on New Years Day. McWethy’s Sportsbar is a great place to see all the action. If you need new clubs, Mistwood is a Top 100 golf fitting location in the country rated by Golf Digest. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 for details.

Click here and listen to Mistwood owner Jim McWethy talk about the new Mistwood and the investments made in his golf dome, for the benefit of the every-day public golfer.       _____________________________________________________________________

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 Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton.

2018, you went by so fast we hardly knew ya.

In the coming days I will talk about what might be ahead in 2019, but for now I’ll putt out on the 18th hole.

2018 started with high hopes for a great year on the golf scene, and in many ways it was. My year had it’s up and downs, which is why I look forward to 2019, a few more birdies or better, and a few more tee-times. I’m hoping to add a few more news clubs in the golf bag.

It’s never fun to have health woes when your trying to golf, but those things happen. I now know and appreciate how people with some sort of handicap still come out and try to play golf. I started the year with dental issues after a tooth broke down and had to be extracted. Then my eye issues kicked in and the cataracts I had almost left me blind. Two eye surgeries later, and I can see the golfball fly again, read the greens, see the hole and enjoy the game a lot more. The colors of the golf course jump out at me, and they are a sight for sore-eyes. Now there are no excuses in 2019 to not just, “go play.”

There are a few less tournaments to work in 2019, so there should be more time to visit golf courses and check on courses that I have not played in a while. After the debacle that had three tournaments the same week this past summer, this year there should be no conflicts. It was great covering the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive, the inuagural U.S. Sr. Women’s Open at Chicago Golf, the Sr. LPGA Championship at the French Lick Resort, the Sr. Players Championship at Exmoor Country Club, the Marquette Invitational at Erin Hills that Northwestern University went up to Wisconsin and won. The Western and Women’s Western Amateur’s, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes, and the Men’s and Women’s Illinois Opens, the Rust-Oleum Championship. It was difficult missing the John Deere Classicafter so many years in a row of being out in the Quad Cities.

I do take pride in playing 22 courses in 2018, that I had never played before. I have now played, 507 different golf courses across the country. It was nice to finally make it into the “500 Club”. Now the trip starts to see if 600 is possible down the road.

As far as the courses I played. The best 10 courses of the year were. Chicago Golf Club, Mammoth Dunes at Sand Valley, Erin Hills, Copperhead at Innisbrook, Heron Point at Sea Pines, Streamsong Black, Exmoor Country Club, Wynstone, Tiburon-Black in Naples, The Club at Porto-Cima (Lake in the Ozarks).

The Sandbox at Sand Valley and the Cradle at Pinehurst, were the best par-3 courses. I must add that I really enjoyed the renovated Medinah No.2 course, and the George Fazio course at Palmetto Dunes Resort on Hilton Head, that finally reopened from hurricane damage and a bunker project. The renovated (Pete) Dye and Wanamaker Courses at PGA Village in Florida were both good. The newly renovated Players Nine at the Schaumburg Golf Club is very good, if your looking for a nine-hole round.

When it comes to new courses in 2018, Mammoth Dunes edges out Streamsong Black and Sage Run in Michigans U-P. But all three courses should be added to every golfers must play list.

On behalf of myself, my Golfers on Golf partners Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger, we would like to thank every one of our sponsors for 2018. Mistwood and the Mistwood Golf Dome, the French Lick Resort, the Schaumburg Golf Club, Erin Hills Golf Club, Mt. Prospect Golf Club, Arlington Lakes Golf Club, Arrowhead Golf Club, the PGA of America and the Women’s PGA Championship, plus DuPage Golf. A special thanks to the radio show co-hosts who came to our WNDZ studios to be a part of the show. The Green Street Grille and Jakes Pizza on Grand in Franklin Park, and our print partner Chicagoland Golf. If you would like to be a Golfers on Golf sponsor in 2019, please contact me through our website, golfersongolf.com, or through my social media pages on Linkedin, Twitter or Facebook.

I’ll be at the PGA Show in Orlando next month, and the Chicago Golf Show in Rosemont come February. In the meantime, 2018 Thanks for the Memories, and the Gog Blog is back in 2019. Happy New Year, and thanks for reading. RORY SPEARS

MCWETHY’S SPORTSBAR in the Mistwood Golf Dome, is your place for Bears football today, and the playoff games that follow. The golf dome is your place for winter golf, and a Top 100 place in America to be fitted for golf clubs. Mistwood Professionals above like Chris Ioriatti (L) and Dan Phillips (R) can get you pointed in the right direction along with Eric Russell when it comes to new sticks. Why not get your game off to a great start in 2019 with new clubs. It doesn’t have to be a full set, maybe woods, irons, wedges or a putter. Open daily until 10 PM, Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook. Located on Rt.53

Click here and listen to an interview with Chris Ioriatti on club fitting and Mistwood Golf.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. At the second favorite course I played in 2018, Hint it’s in Wisconsin.

As 2018 comes to a close, here is one more Sunday Morning Short Game to close out the year.

First on the tee from the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook, was the great live segment done on ABC 7 yesterday morning with Director of Golf Andy Mickelson. If you missed it, it can be seen on line or through Channel 7’s website.

It was amazing how on a cold morning with some slick roads that created a bunch of cars in the ditches, how many people were at the Mistwood Golf Dome at 9:20 in the morning. By 10:30 the place was packed and all the hitting bays were full of golfers. Hopefully a few of them got lessons or ordered new clubs. Both are a great idea this time of year.

The Dome at West Baden

The French Lick Resort in French Lick Indiana, is having a New Year’s eve party in the dome, that includes a four course meal, and champagne at the stroke of Midnight.

If your New Year’s  eve celebrations have been lacking in recent years, why not enjoy the start of 2019 in fine fashion in one of the wonders of the world. The West Baden “Dome Hotel” that is part of the French Lick Resort. See Frenchlick.com for details.

The 11th hole at the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.

The Caledonia Golf and Fish Club of the nation’s Top 100 golf courses, will start the new year, with a celebration of it’s 25th birthday.

On every Tuesday during the month of January, green fees at Caledonia that opened for business in 1994, will be only $59 dollars.

This price includes taxes, cart fees, GPS and a special anniversary gift.

Need more, okay how about $2.50 domestic beers, $2.50 hot dogs, throwback specials in the Grillroom and in the Pro Shop. Golfers you can book your round online at the CaledoniaGolfandFishClub.com or by calling (843)-237-3675. The Mike Strantz design is 29th on on Golf Magazine’s list of Top 100 Courses You Can Play. Golf Digest has Caledonia 85th on it’s America’s Greatest Public Courses. The course plays through what was once a rice plantation that has live oak trees drapped in a Spanish Moss.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY Feb. 3rd, 2019 The First Tee of Greater Chicagoland is hosting a fundraiser at the Valley Lodge Restaurant on Waukegan Road in Glenview. Doors open at 3 PM, and runs until the conclusion of the game. Cost is $35 for snacks and a buffet, but does not include alcohol, which is sold seperately. Sign up now online at firstteeofgreaterchicago.org.

Golfers on Golf has learned that Club Champion one of the leading clubfitters in the country, will open a new location on Golf Road in Schaumburg, during the month of January. More details within the week ahead.

A wrap up of 2018 tomorrow, thanks for reading. RS.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is the perfect place this weekend for golf and sports. Close out the year working inside with the newly installed Toptracer technology. The upgraded McWethy’s Sportsbar has even more big screen TV’s for you to catch all the NCAA and NFL action, along with NHL and Winter Classic action on New Years Day. The Mistwood Golf Dome is now open daily until 10 PM, and for details on the dome, lessons and club fitting specials, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com.

Click here to hear customer Jay Bauer give his review on the experience guests receive, and why he drives almost an hour several times a week to use the dome.           _____________________________________________________________________

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HALL OF FAME GOLF ARCHITECT PETE DYE, 93 TODAY**

 THE NORTH COURSE at Olympia Fields Country Club will host the 2020 PGA TOUR and Western Golf Association event, currently known as the BMW Championship the WGA has announced. (L) The par 4, third hole on the North Course, (R) BMW Trophies

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. On the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort, Happy 93rd Birthday Pete.

THE 2020 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP will be played at the Olympia Fields Country Club. News of the championships 2020 location broke last weekend on several media outlets, including right here at Golfersongolf.com.

But this week the WGA made the formal announcement . The BMW formerly known as the Western Open, saw the Western Open be played at Olympia Fields five times, most recently in 1971 when Bruce Crampton took home the trophy and the first place check.

The greatest golfer of all-time Jack Nicklaus won in 1968, when the Western Open returned to OFCC after a 35 year absence.

Olympia Fields Country Club has a strong history of championship tradition in both professional and amateur golf. In 2017 Danielle Kang won the KPMG Women’s Championship, and in 2015 Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Amateur Championship. The last U.S. Open played in the Chicago area, was held at Olympia Fields in 2003.

WGA Sr. VP of Tournaments Vince Pellegrino, talks about the BMW Championship.

“Olympia Fields holds an important and unique place in the history of the Western Golf Association and of golf in America,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments.

“In addition to our WGA events, several national championships, including two U.S. Opens, have been played at Olympia Fields. We look forward to returning in 2020 to add another memorable chapter to this club’s great tournament history.”

The championship in 2020, will still have a field of 70 players, and is the main fundraiser for the Evans Scholars Foundation that has provided full tuition and housing scholarships to more than 11,500 deserving caddies nationwide since 1930.

The excitement of the championship golf returning to the south suburbs is shared by the board and membership at Olympia Fields.

“It’s a great honor for Olympia Fields Country Club to host the BMW Championship on our historic North Course, exactly 100 years after Olympia Fields first major championship-the 1920 Western Open,” said Joseph Tapajna, president of Olympia Fields County Club. “Chick Evans, who founded the Evans Scholars Foundation in 1930, was elected as a special member of Olympia Fields Country Club in 1923 and we are proud to say he retained that status for the rest of his life. Our membership looks forward to continuing our legacy of hosting significant golf championships and sharing our fine facilities with the golf community.”

Olympia Fields has had 174 caddies receive the Evans Scholarship, with Don Dahlke being the first in 1954, and six caddies are current Evans Scholars.

The North Course record of 63, is shared by current professionals Rickie Fowler and Vijay Singh. For more infomration on the WGA and it’s championships, please visit wgaesf.org.

10 Year-old Lisa Copeland practices in the Mistwood Golf Dome. Copeland who had her introduction to golf at the age of 5, under the watchful eye of the Mistwood Professional Golf Staff. One year ago Lisa advanced to the finals of Drive, Chip and Putt, and she earned the right to compete at Augusta National Golf Club. While on holiday break, have you throught about taking your junior golfer out to the Mistwood Golf Dome. Let them check out thenew Toptracer technology and have a blast. Afterwards enjoy some great food and beverage in McWethy’s Sports Bar, or play the ponies in the OTB for even more gaming action. The dome is now open until 10 PM daily. The Mistwood golf Dome is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or (630)-739-7600.

Click here to listen to an interview with Jeff Copeland (Lisa’s dad) on his daughter Lisa on the progress and success she’s had in 5 years of golf at Mistwood and the MGD.       _____________________________________________________________________

Charlie Rymer is ready for golf in Myrtle Beach.

Charlie Rymer who has been part of The Golf Channel for 11 years, has joined the Golf Soluations Team in a multi-media partnership that will make him the voice of the Myrtle Beach Golf Scene.

Golf Tourism Solutions (GTS) is a business that has the strength of a full-time media outlet. GTS has a large email database, a print magazine and a social media following of over 200,000.

GTS operates PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com a website that helps golfers plan for golf trips to the Grand Strand.

Rymer is a South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame inductee, will also work with Project Golf, the GTS-founded non-profit that works to grow the sport of golf in a variety of ways.

“I feel like I’m coming home,” Rymer said of his new partnership.”At this point of my golf career, I want to do things I’m passionate about and Myrtle Beach is a great fit. Myrtle Beach want to open the game up to as many people as possible, and that is what motivates me. I’m also looking forward to working with Project Golf and helping kids and our military veterans through the game. All those things together make this a wonderful fit for me.”

“We have had a longstanding relationship with Charlie, and we share a love for the game and what it represents,” said Bill Golden, CEO of Golf Tourism Solutions. “Charlie’s personality, popularity, and creativity, combined with his affinity for the market, make this a perfect opportunity for both of us as we navigate a continually evolving media landscape. Golfers can look forward to seeing Myrtle Beach-on and off the course.”

Rymer is a native of South Carolina and grew up playing golf in Myrtle Beach. He hosted the Golf Channel show “Road Trip Myrtle Beach.”

For more details visit PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com.

The Gog Blog is written by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Linkedin or Facebook.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is Chicago’s premier indoor golf facility. Director of Golf Andy Mickelson (above right) explains the new Toptracer technology that benefits all golfers. Mistwood Golf Dome is the home of the revamped McWethy’s Sports Bar, and the OTB that gives guests of the dome a place for live gaming action. Come see what is bringing record amounts of golfers outof their homes with their clubs during Chicago’s winter. Open Daily until 10 PM, and located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. For more details see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome (630)-739-7600. #clubfittingseasonishere

Click here to listen to the interview with Andy Mickelson the Mistwood Director of Golf on the Toptracer technology, now available in all hitting bays of the Mistwood Golf Dome ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Lights, Camera. Action it’s the Mistwood Golf Dome.

RAY HEARN the Holland Michigan based golf architect, has received his fourth ASGCA (American Society of Golf Course Architects) award in the last six years.

Hearn Golf Course Design’s most recent award, comes from his improvements to the Water’s Edge Golf Course, located in Fremont Michigan.

Hearn, the only ASGCA member who is an (WGA) Evans Scholar, is well known in the Chicago area, for his award winning work at both Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, and his renovation of Flossmoor Country Club in the south suburbs of Chicago. During the 22 years of Hearn Golf Course Design, the company has been involved in new construction, or course renovations at over 150 golf facilities.

Architect Ray Hearn in the ASGCA association Red Jacket

“We could not be prouder of our work at Waters Edge,” Hearn said. “To win an award for what we’ve done so far is outstanding, and we feel fortunate to have won the this award four times in six years. All awards are wonderful, but to come from my fellow members and peers at the ASGCA always makes it extra special.”

Hearn’s work at Waters Edge called for the creation of a new par 4 and a new par 3 hole, on a 63 year old public golf course. In addition, Hearn is building a new state-of-the-art training facility. The facility is comprised of a range with new target greens and fairways. There will be chipping and putting practice area’s that include, bunkers for both greenside and fairway practice.

Ray Hearns plan for Waters Edge via Hearns website.

“In addition to training that can take place on all aspects of the game, when the tee is closed it can be played anywhere from three to six holes as a small par3 course,” Hearn said. “It’s made so the course can use the facility in different and creative ways for it’s customer base.”

Hearn says that Waters Edge ownership is considering a performance training center building on the back of the practice center teeing area.

“The two new holes we created have set the stage for future improvements,” said Hearn. “I’m extremely pleased withhow they turned out. People will look and think what a beautiful piece of land. It is now, but it started out as a flat farm field.”

Hearns says the goal was to create holes that appear to have been there forever, and help recruit new golfers to come play the course that is 45 miles northwest of Grand Rapids.

New construction by Ray Hearn at Waters Edge golf course in Michigan.

The new holes at Waters Edge will open in May of 2019, with the new practice area that is still under contraction opening in late fall, with a soft opening tenatively planned.

Hearn’s other ASGCA Awards have come in 2017 for his work on Golf de Club de Panama in Panama City, the renovation of his original design at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville Illinois, and the renovation of his own design at Island Hills Golf Club in Centreville Michigan.

You can learn more about Ray Hearn and golf course design work at rhgd.com.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME back open today until 10 PM. Did you get new clubs, for Christmas, if so come test them out at the Chicagoland area’s premier golf dome. Do you need a fitting for new clubs, which is the best way to buy them. Mistwood golf club and the Mistwood Golf Dome have been rated a TOP 100 in the country fitting location. Mistwood will take your old clubs, and give you credit on buying new ones. Come to the dome and see Eric Russel and Chris Ioriatti (Above L with Dan Phillips R) and get fitted into the new clubs that will have you enjoying the game more, lowering your handicap, and beating your friends on the side bets. McWethy’s Sports bar is part of the dome, and has redone it’s menu and added even more big screen TV’s for you to see all the action, while you enjoy your food and beverage. When the first of the year starts, it will be only 4 months until the Kentucky Derby, so go into the OTB, and start learning who this years top Triple Crown picks are. Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600.

Click here to hear Mistwood’s Chris Ioriatti talk club fitting and the Mistwood Golf Dome, located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Now open today and through 10 PM tonight. #golf        ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. With Women’s Golf Day Founder Elisa Gaudet.

IT’S BACK for the fourth straight year. The 2019 Women’s Golf Day created by founder Elisa Gaudet will be hosted around the globe on June 4th, 2019.

First held in 2016, Women’s Golf Day is held at over 900 golf facilities in 52 countries around the world.

Right now for FREE, through February 28th, you can sing up your location tohost an event on June 4th.

When you sign up to be a WGD location, here is what you receive.

Placement on the homepage of Womensgolfday.com for a minimum of 12 months.

The opportunity to have a profile page on the website, you can edit. A digitial marketing toolkit that includes social media, posters, graphics and more once your registered.

THE SIGN OF WOMEN’S GOLF DAY.

Multimedia coverage, that includes TV, magazines, websites and more. Access to golf-industry offers and opportunites such a s seminars, and webcasts.

Give potential new customers in your area the perfect way to take up the game of golf.

Other benefits include discounted merchandise and more.

Your facility will be recognized as an official participant in a growing movement to get women to take up golf, and learn the best sport in the world, a sport than can be played for a lifetime. #WGDinspires See womensgolfday.com.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME the inside and outside view. Open today Christmas Eve until 2 PM, closed Christmas Day, back open Wednesday morning. Have you tried the new Toptracer Technology, had a bite to eat in the refurnished McWethy’s Sports Bar, got fitted for new sticks by the professional staff. If you haven’t been to the Mistwood Golf Dome recently, it’s time to go. Open Daily until 10 PM, and located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Mistwood and Mistwood Golf Dome, rated a Top 100 Club fitter in America  _____________________________________________________________________

Merry Christmas from Golfers on Golf Radio, and Golfersongolf.com (L-R) Ed Stevenson-Bill Berger and Rory Spears) You can follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy

MERRY CHRISTMAS from all of us at Golfers on Golf. We hope your Christmas is a great one, and Santa brings you some golf goodies for the season ahead in 2019.

Is your tree up, and ready for tomorrows big day, here’s hoping it is, and that like us, not behind on the holiday greeting cards.

It’s been a busy week leading into Christmas day, and much of the news centers around the Western Golf Association and it’s new offices going up in The Glen, of Glenview. Then the WGA and Olympia Fields Country Club announced that OFCC, has the 2020 PGA Tour-WGA event to played on the clubs North Course. Sadly, the club announced yesterday that it cut ties with architect Keith Foster, who was scheduled to renovate both of the clubs courses over the next 2-4 years. That due to Fosters legals issues with the U.S. Government. If you have missed all the news the last few days, scroll down to our recent posts and get caught up.

Christmas time around the tree.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm has posted a Florida and the Floirda PGA update on his site, Lenziehmongolf.com. While some of the PGA of America staff will move to Texas in 3 years, the PGA will still have quite a presence in Florida. More on Florida golf with Len.

MORE NEWS on Olympia Fields can be found at Tim Cronin’s Illinois Golfer at Illinoisgolfer.net.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS-LADIES, as Women’s Golf Day in 2019 will be June 4th.

If you get a gift card or money to get new clubs for Christmas, make sure you check out the Mistwood Golf Dome, for fittings, trade in your old clubs credit special, and prices on new clubs, through Feb. 28th, before you go anywhere else.

With that, a Merry Christmas to everyone, and the Gog Blog Returns Wednesday Afternoon, December 26th. RS.

 The Mistwood Golf Dome located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is the place to be for the Chicago winter golf season. The Mistwood Golf Dome formerly McQ’s, not only has a new name, but has added Toptracer technology in it’s refurbished hitting bays. The bar & grill is the restyled McWethy’s Sports Bar, complete with a new menu and big screen televisions. Mistwood and the Mistwood professional staff has been rated as a Top 100 golf club fitter in the country, per Golf Digest. See Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome for more information at (630)-739-7600. The dome is now open daily until 10 PM

Click here to hear Mistwood Golf Dome owner Jim McWethy speak to the improvements at his property, the Mistwood Golf Dome, in Bolingbrook, located on Rt. 53. #mistwood    ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook. Teeing it up on the Olympia Fields South Course.

THE OLYMPIA FIELDS Country Club has informed it’s membership that the club has been awarded the 2020 PGA Tour-Western Golf Association (WGA) event.

The championship will be identified for the time being, as the 2020 BMW Championship, while the tournament is still under contract with BMW, through the end of the 2019 championship that will be played in August at Medinah Country Club.

There have been rumors that BMW will leave the tournament at the end of the 2019 championship. BMW in recent years has voiced it’s position to not play at clubs on the southside of the Chicago area, feeling it’s market and majority of the buyers who buy BMW vehicles are located in Chicago’s Northshore area. That position on BMW’s part, made Conway Farms in Lake Forest, a perfect location in 2013-2015 and 2017 to host the championship.

The famed par 4, third hole on Olympia Fields North Course, that would be the site of the championship.

One WGA official made it clear this past summer that returning to the southside and Olympia Fields would be a great idea. But that idea would likely happen, only if BMW left as sponsor.

New BMW North America leader Bernhard Kuhnt is believed to be thinking a move away from golf, to promote BMW going forward, while previous chief Ludwig Willisch was a supporter of golf.

Talks between Olympia Fields and the Western Open and the PGA Tour have been on-going for the last 18 months, said new Olympia Fields Club President Joe Tapajna (who spoke only with Tim Cronin of the Illinois Golfer/Illinoisgolfer.net).

“We love to host championship golf,” Tapajna said. “We think it energizes our members. It gives us the opportunity to give us a little extra push to do things we should do in terms of improving ourselves.”

WGAESF.org

The announcement to it’s membership said the club would host the championship in terms of both financial benefit, and to expose the club to a big audience on national television.

According to history provided by the Illinois Golfer, this would be the 6th Western Open/BMWChampionship or new sponsor? at Olympia Fields.

The last championship was the 1971 championship won by Bruce Crampton. Jack Nicklaus won the tournament at OFCC in 1968.

For more information on Olympia Fields championship history, and it’s history with the Western Golf Association, see the story at Illinoisgolfer.net.