THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is ready for your summer visit, three golf courses, spa and casino, see Frenchlick.com. THE PERFECT PUTTING AID by Blackberry Oaks GM/Head Golf Professional Chad Johansen, sink more putts Perfectputtingaid.com       _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook and Linkedin As of tomorrow this major is on the clock, at Bellerive Country Club.

WHAT A FUN show yesterday with golf writer Len Ziehm. We covered four major golf destinations, including the French Lick Resort, Myrtle Beach, The Salamander Hotel and Resort Chain and the island Casino in the UP of Michigan, home of the brand new Sage Run Golf Club that opened last week.

Next week our guest host is Vince Pellegrino Sr Director of Tournaments for the Western Golf Association (WGA). The Western Amateur will be played next week at the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield. Last years winner Norman Ziong has turned professional so come see who the new champion will be, and see the Western Amateur before it heads north to The Point O’Woods in Benton Harbor for 2019.

Erin Hills; Erin, Wisconsin; August, 2010. PM shoot; photo by Paul Hundley

ERIN HILLS has introduced a new drink that is a must on your next visit to the home of the 2017 U.S. Open. After your round of golf why not try the new Fescue Rescue, if you visit the Erin Hills website, visit the Blog section and read up on this new drink and you might even get the ingredients to try one at home before heading to Erin Wisconsin.

Right now visit Erinhills.com and find out the remaining tee times before the golf season ends in Wisconsin, there is also a listing of off overnight accommodations still available.

USGA, org

THE USGA has announced in conjunction with the 2019 U.S. Sr. Open at the Warren Course in South Bend, has named former Notre Dame football players Jerome Bettis and Tim Brown Honorary Chairman of the championship.

the championship will be played from June 27-30.  The Warren Course is located on the grounds of the Notre Dame Campus and is the first college course to host the U.S. Senior Open. Tickets are now on sale for the championship at 2019ussenioropen.com/tickets/. the 2020 Senior Open goes to Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, and in 2021 it goes to the Omaha Country Club in Nebraska, and Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania will host in 2022.

THE NEW SAGE RUN GOLF COURSE at the Island Resort and Casino is now open. Island Resort is located in the town of Harris in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The course is the second course at the resort and was designed by Paul Albanese. For more information on this brand new golf course, visit Islandresortandcasino.com.

BGT=BreakthroughGolf Technology, has announced a new agreement with club fitters Club Champion, to help distribute it’s new Stability putter shaft that combines a new multi-material design. CEO Barney Adams has brought a well experienced team to BreakthroughGolf in growing the company based in Dallas. For more information on this new agreement, visit Club Champion or see Breakthroughgolftech.com.

GOLFLOGIX app has launched a new dimension of bringing the reading of a green to your smart phone. Available in 3D color maps. GolfLogix putting logic into how and where you make that next putt.

KOHLER GOLF and the American Club invite you to begin booking your tee ties and your golf trips to both Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits for 2019. Get our and play Whistling Straits before tee time availability is reduced in 2020 because of the Ryder Cup. For details visit DestinationKohler.com or call the reservations number on the site.

ANN LIGUORI the first lady of New York City radio golf, has a new golf show now on WFAN called Talking Golf. It airs 7-8 Am EST on Saturday mornings. So if your in New York City or want to listen to golf talk New York style and hear from the top names in the game. Check out Ann’s show on WFAN 660-AM.

80Breaker onwer and founder Thomas Stewart

80Breaker the creation of engineer Thomas Stewart who previously worked for a top level high-tech silcon valley design firm.

Stewart came up with the name because of his quest to break 80 on the golf course, and one day he vow’s to get there.

80Breaker is an app that can be used by you or your golf course to do everything that is needed to be done on the golf course, from ordering food and drinks, improving pace of play, or just helping s golfer learn more about a new course that they have not played before. The new addition to 80Breaker is called “Beer Me”, it helps golfers summon the beverage cart instead of having to wait for an unknown length of time. Courses can track who needs beer and when. So if your phone or golf course needs the all purpose hot app see 80Breaker.com then look up golf course services.

THE NEW SUNSET VALLEY CLUBHOUSE

The Sunset Valley High;and Park District Course will reopen on Friday August 17th, will a special outing.

First on the Turf will tee off is a fundraiser outing for the Junior Golf Program of  the Highland Park Parks Foundation.

Lunch will be served at 11 AM with a special opening ceremony and then a shotgun start at 12:30, drinks and Appetizers will be served after the round. Details at PDHP.org to take part in this fun day of golf.

The Sandbox at Sand valley is home to the Wisconsin Par 3 contest.

THE SANDBOX AT SAND VALLEY will be home to the inaugural  Wisconsin par 3 contest schedule for July 30th.

The field will consist of 78 players on the course designed by Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw and Jimmy Craig. All players will do one lap around the par 51, golf course and if needed there will be a sudden-death playoff to determine the champion.

The championship is open to MALE amateurs only with a handicap index of 9.4 or better. Total yardage is 1,642 yards. Details at Sandvalleygolfresort.com.

 IS IT TIME FOR YOU TO GO ROGUE, Callaway Golf Rogue-Woods and Irons, for more details see Callawaygolf.com. MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB in Romeville was home to last weeks Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open won by Hannah Kim. Mistwoodgc.com.   _____________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO WEEK 15 with guest host Len Ziehm of the Daily Herald and Chicagoland Golf.. Golfersongolf.com by Rory Spears follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy., and on Facebook and Linkedin. At the PGA Village Golf Club in Port St. Lucie Florida.

IT’S WEEK 15 of Golfers on Golf Radio, AM 750 WNDZ AM Chicago, and we are on the tee tomorrow morning (Sat) from 10-11 AM CST.

Our Special guest host is long time golf writer and Illinois Golf Hall of Fame nominee Len Ziehm, of the Daily Herald, Chicagoland Golf, the CDGA Magazine and Lenziehmongolf.com.

Our focus of the day is golf travel, and our guests include Brendan Sweeney of the French Lick Resort, Chris King of the Myrtle Beach world of golf, John Anniccharicco of the Salmander Resort Chain, and Dave Douglass from the Island Resort and Casino home of the new Sage Run Golf Course that just opened for play in the UP of Michigan.

10-11 AM we are on the tee, come join us and pick the place for your next golf destination trip.

 MCWETHY’S TAVERN found in the Mistwood Golf Club clubhouse is a great place for dining before or after golf, or even on days that you don’t golf. So come try McWethy’s Tavern, and why not tee it up at Mistwood on Renwick Road in Romeoville, call the club  (815)-254-3333 or see Mistwoodgc.com, home of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open  ______________________________________________________________________

The 24th annual Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood.

Northwestern University alum Hannah Kim shot a final round 5 under par 67, to cap off a record setting performance at the Illinois Women’s Open at MistwoodGolf Club in Romeoville.

Kim destroyed the record books with her 16 under par performance in the 24th annual state open. In the past 23 years, no other champion had ever been double-digits under par. Kim had only one bogey in the 54 hole championship in round one, and that came on the 7th hole. She was perfect after that. Runner up Illinois Junior Tristyn Nowlin who was the low amateur finishing with a score of 10 under par, admitted she really didn’t come out looking to overtake Kim. It was obvious early, that was not going to happen anyway,

  MISTWOOD IS CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF HOSTING the Illinois Women’s Open. McWethy’s Tavern in the main clubhouse at Mistwood, is the best restaurant in the area.

      MCQ’S DOME IN BOLINGBROOK is part of Mistwood Golf, giving golfers a place to practice all winter long.

Kim has played in the IWO for three straight years, she finished fthird in 2016m she was second in 2017, and she was first this year, making the third time the charm for her.

Hannah Jim poses with the Illinois Women’s Open Trophy on the Mistwood Bridge

In the nine rounds of golf at Mistwood that Kim has played in three years, she is now 26 under par. She collected the  $5,000 for finishing first of the $25,000 purse.

This was Kim’s third tournament as a professional, and according to her the first one she has done good at. Next stop for Kim is the Tennessee Open and then back to her home in California to begin her preparations for the LPGA Q-School that has it’s first stage in California. Kim while at Northwestern was a member of the 2017 National finalist team that competed at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove.

For University of Illinois Jr Tristyn Nowlin it was her second, second place finish at Mistwood this year Nowlin was the runner up three weeks ago at the Women’s Western Golf Association national amateur championship in June.. Nowlin with a -10 score for the championship, received the low-amateur trophy. With her 10 under par score, she would have won every other Illinois Women’s Open ever played until today.

Sara Burnham was third at 6 under par after a final round 68, that could have been 67 but her tee shot on the par 3, 17th hole hit the stick and left her a short birdie putt.

Click here to hear interviews with Illinois Women’s Open Champion Hannah Kim, runner up Tristyn Nowlin, and defending champion Alexandra Farnsworth. was sixth after finishing at one under par. Farnsworth is making swing changes, and struggle with her wedges all week. Farnsworth was playing with her right wrist wrapped in tape as she recovers from a bout with tendonitis.

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

Two-time past champion Nicole Jeray was fourth, finishing at 3 under par, and is looking forward to the Milwaukee Symetra event, and playing at the French Lick Resort in October at the Senior LPGA Championship.

Bobbi Stricker (daughter of Steve Stricker) made the cut on the number at +7, but alerted the pro shop 20 minutes before her 7 AM tee time in the final round, that she would have to withdraw for the tournament. There was not an announcement made on the dates for the 25th Annual IWO in 2019..

THE 24TH ANNUAL PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S OPEN is complete through two rounds, with now professional and former Northwestern women’s team member Hannah Kim leading the way by six shots. Mistwood Golf Club is the home of the Ray Hearn designed golf club, with a full performance center and clubhouse that is the home of McWethy’s Tavern. For more information call (815)-254-3333 or visit mistwoodgc.com

The IWO carries the name of Phil Kosin, the late publisher of Chicagoland Golf and the founder of the Illinois Women’s Open.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS. Director of Content and creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. and Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. At Mistwood Golf Club.

Northwestern University alumni Hannah Kim is destroying Mistwood Golf Club, shooting 68-65 over the first two rounds. She holds a commanding six shot lead heading to the final round on Wednesday.

Kim’s score is the lowest by three shots at the 36 hole mark of the championship. in it’s history.

Kim turned professional after the NCAA National Championship this past May. Kim’s 65 was a seven birdie and no bogey round, it tied the lowest score ever in a round of the IWO. Amy Neff also shot a 65 when she won the championship back in 2008.

University of Illinois Junior Tristyn Nowlin is in second place at 139 after a 68. Nowlin’s was at Mistwood 3 weeks ago, to play in the Women’s Western Golf Association National Amateur Championship Nowlin advanced to the championship match and end up in second place that week as well.

First round co-leader Lexi Harkins shot a second round even par 72 and is in third place, followed by Samantha Postillion who followed an even par start with a four under par 68. Veteran LPGA player Berywn’s very own Nicole Jeray, was tied for the lead after round 1, but shot a one over par 73 in round two to sit in fifth place.

Click here to hear the interview with two time IWO champion Nicole Jeray.

Defending champion Alexandra Farnsworth is in 7th place at one under par after a second round 71.

Making the cut which fell at +7 on the number is Bobbi Stricker, the daughter of PGA Tour player and Illinois Alum Steve Stricker. Steve is playing the role of good dad and caddie for Bobbi this week.

Final round tee times start at 7 AM, with the leaders teeing off at 8:30.

  DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Patrick Flavin at the Illinois State Amateur and Alexandra Farnsworth at this weeks Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club.

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MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB home of this weeks Illinois Women’s Open is located Renwick Road in Romeoville. Call (815)-254-3333 or online see Mistwoodgc.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy., on Facebook or Linkedin. On the 18th green at the Chicago Golf Club home of the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open

It’s in the books, history has been made, and it was one for the ageless.

What special week it was at the Chicago Golf Club, and it all concluded early Sunday afternoon, with little drama as Laura Davies won the first U.S.Sr. Women’s Open by 10 shots over Juli Inkster.

trish Johnson who won the first senior women’s major the LPGA Sr. Women’s Championship at the French Lick Resort in July of 2017, was third. The only other player under par for the championship was Danielle Ammacapne who took fourth after entering the week with little or not expectations.

Laura Davies holds the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open trophy after her win on Sunday.

Davies and johnson were tied heading into round 3 on Saturday, with Inkster right behind, Liselotte Neumann, Helen Alfredson, and Ammacapne were right there as well, it seemed like the weekend would be a shootout. But in the end it was Davies who did all the shooting, when she carded the women’s competitive course record at the Chicago Golf Club with a 7 under par 66, that left everyone in her dust.

The shot or in this case putt, felt around the entire course and all through Wheaton, was Davies 75 footer for eagle on the par 5, 12th hole. The roar was the loudest of the week. The putt broke a foot one way, and then three feet the other way before rolling into the cup. Davies summed up the putt as “good fun.”

The Chicago Golf Club early in the week

When round three was over Inkster was five shots back, and admitted she would need to play some perfect golf to beat Davies on Sunday. While Davies said with a five shot lead she “would not sleep well that night.” With Johnson and Ammacapne now only within shouting distance, and Johnson admitting she did not have her “A-Game” all week, and Ammacapne saying she was tired, the heat was affecting her and she was making tied swings. It was obvious by Sunday it was a two player duel.

Inkster needed a perfect start on Sunday and didn’t get it. For the second straight day the final group waited repeatedly on slow from the group in front of them. Multiple media people and veteran observers, said that Barb Mucha who apparently was warned four times over two days by USGA officials was causing the delays from that group.

Inkster ready to go for the green in two shots on the par 5 second hole, rushed her second shot after a long wait, and proceeded to top her shot and make bogey, while Davies made birdie and opened the lead to seven shots. Inkster still frustrated made bogey on the third hole and quickly trailed by eight shots.

USGA.org

Inkster to her credit rallied with birdies on holes 8 & 9, to cut the lead back to 6 shots. then Davies with her one bad tee shot on Sunday at the Par 3, 10th hole, had to make a testy nine foot par saver, or the lead would have been back to five shots.

Davies later called that par save the turning point of the round, and now with her lead at 6 with 8 holes to play things seemed safe, and Davies said at that point she felt as if she had “one hand on the trophy.”

When Inkster made double bogey on the par 3, 13th hole, after a pulled drive and a muffed chip, the lead was back to eight shots and with five holes to play it was over.

the galleries around the players on the final holes and then the 18th hole grew a good size, in spite of rising heat/ Tee times were moved up for the second straight day to avoid potential bad weather.

The championship moves on to the Pine Needles Resort and Golf Club in Southern Pines North Carolina for 2019, running from May 16-19. See USGA.org for details and ticket information.

  THE CHICAGO GOLF CLUB IN WHEATON is the home for this weeks U.S. Sr. Women’s Open Tee times moved up for an early start on Sunday. USGA.org for details.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. On the 18th green at the Chicago Golf Club.

LAURA DAVIES  shot a third round 7 under par 66, the competitive course women’s record at the Chicago Golf Club, to take a commanding 5 shot lead into the final round on Sunday.

Tee times are moved up for an early start with the leaders going off about 9:30, for an expected 2 Pm finish.

Juli Inkster sits in second place after a 5 under par 68. Second round co-leader Trish Johnson is in third place after an even par round of 73.

the two rounds in the 60’s on Saturday by Davies and Inkster are the only two rounds in the 60’s all week. Inkster shot the first bogey free round of the championship during Saturdays third round. Danielle Ammacapne is alone in 4th place at 2 under par.

Click here to hear the Round 3 post round interviews with Laura Davies and Juli Inkster.

With the big lead Davies said she is uncomfortable abd it will be hard to sleep tonight, but feels if her lead is still five or more after nine holes she will feel pretty good. Davies thinks a three or four under par round on Sunday will be enough to win. Inkster is not counting herself out, but knows she needs to go low to beat Davies.

On Saturday during her bogey free round, she hit 14 of 14 fairways, and hit 16 greens in regulation. She knows another round that good will be needed to catch Davies.

Ammacapne said she made some tired swings early in the round, but settled down on the back nine and had enough success to move into red numbers after grinding most of the day at even par for the championship.

The shot of the day belonged to Davies, who said she hit the best 3-Iron of her life on the 12th hole. but it ran past the pine some 75 feet. But the double-break putt Davies had found the cup for eagle and the roar was heard all the way across the golf course and back to the clubhouse.

One subject being debated is whether or not the win should move Davies into the LPGA Hall of Fame if she wins. Davies says no, Inkster said yes. Sunday will prove interesting because of now the LPGA would not count the win to put Davies in the hall.

 THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY (L) AND THE U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN TROPHY. IT’S a full week of golf events here n the state of Illinois,     ____________________________________________________________________

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

She is on the tee, but something is not right, Nancy Lopez one of the greatest women’s golfers of all time does not have a club in her hand.

Instead Lopez is dressed up in a navy blue blazer and she has a pile of paperwork in her hand.

Thanks to a classy gesture by the USGA, Lopez has a role this week at the first U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, she is the honorary starter.

If the senior women’s open had started 10 years ago Lopez has no doubts she would be playing. But now after a knee replacement and work on both knees, that might yet require another surgery, Lopez just takes in this weeks atmosphere with the smile she is known for.

Click here to hear our interview with Nancy Lopez, on the first U.S.Sr. Women’s Open.

The championship has been moved up on the calendar to May in 2019 at Pine Needles resort in Southern Pines North Carolina. As a result if Lopez has more knee surgery this fall, she might not be where she belongs next year either, but she could be back on the tee making sure her fellow professionals all get a proper introduction before they tee off.

 THE INAUGURAL U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN-TRISH JOHNSON AND LAURA DAVIES lead after 36 holes at 4 under par. Juli Inkster is three shots back.THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC had play suspended with several groups still on the course, as bad weather rolled in close to 8 pm. Doug Ghim was taken from the course after he took ill from the 96 degree heat. Nick Hardy has two holes left to play, and needs to play them in par or better to make the cut. Dylan Meyer will make the cut, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau has WD’d with a shoulder injury. See Johnddereclassic.com

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

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO hits the tee box at 10 AM today on AM 750 WNDZ-Chicago, tunes in to her our exclusive interviews with USGA CEO Mike Davis and Hall of Fame inductee  Nancy Lopez  of LPGA fame.

On the show we will hear from players at both the the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club. Then from players including the defending champion Scott McCarron at the Senior Players Championship at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

First round co-leader and University of Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small followed up a first round 65, with a one under par 71. At 8 under par he is three shots behind leader Scott Parel.

Parel said he got some lucky breaks with his driver in round 2, but he putted very well.

Click here to hear interviews with defending Scott McCarron and Mike Small.

While McCarron moved back into contention in round two, Small fell back ten spots. Small was two under par after two holes, but played the last sixteen holes in 1 over par.

John Daly was badly limping after a second round of four under par 68, but gave no indication that he would drop out of the championship. Kenny Perry who shared the first round lead with Small, fell back into seventh place after the second round.

Tee times for Saturdays third round have been pushed up to start between 8 Am and 10 Am to get play in the third round complete before 3 PM. More information at SPCGolf.com.

 HALL OF FAMER NANCY LOPEZ IS working not playing at this years U.S. Sr. Women’s Open as she recovers from knee surgery, hear more from the LPGA Legend in our interview with her tomorrow Saturday July 14th. The U.S. Sr. Women’s Open is moving up tee times for Saturday’s 3rd round due to expected bad weather, see USGA.org for details. SECOND ROUND LEADERS, With 36 holes in the book and the cut at +12, Trish Johnson and Laura Davies are tied for the lead at 4 under par. Juli Inkster is in third at -1 under par, and Danielle Ammacapane is 4th at even par.              ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. With the U.S. Sr Women’s trophy at the Chicago Golf Club.

IT’S U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN WEEK  at the Chicago Golf Club.

As part of Golfers on Golf’s coverage of the event, I requested the USGA make CEO/Executive Director Mike Davis available for an interview. In fact Golfers on Golf Radio has been requesting Davis for the last fours years to come on the show. For a variety of reasons that has not happened.

After efforts fell short last year, in advance of the U.S. Open at Erin Hills, the USGA said they would provide Davis this year in advance of the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, and they did. I was informed last week that a radio show appearance was not possible, but Davis would speak to me in a 1 on 1 format at the Chicago Golf Club. It was requested I keep my questions to discussing only the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open, and no other topics, which for the most part is what I did.

At the CDGA Centennial Dinner in 2014 L-R Rory Spears, Mike Davis, and Tim Cronin.

Davis to his credit did not cancel me yesterday in spite of a high ranking USGA staffer announcing her departure from the organization, that required his immediate attention after the opening ceremonies at the Chicago Golf Club.

In our 20 minutes together I covered several aspects of the brand new championship, and what could he tell me about another USGA Championship headed Chicago’s way in the future.

Davis shed some light on how the CDGA dinner was actually the ice breaker on getting the Senior Women’s Open to Chicago and the Chicago Golf Club. RS.

Click here to hear our one-on-one interview with USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis.

Golfers on Golf Radio AM 750 AM tomorrow morning (Saturday) will play part of this interview live on air.

  THE FIRST U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN at the Chicago Golf Club is underway and you can be a part of it, tickets available at usseniorwomensopen.com. Come see history.      ______________________________________________________________________

NEWS*** stay clicked in for more coverage from the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club, and the SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP AT EXMOOR Country Club in Highland Park, Where Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small is the co-leader with Kenny Perry at 7 under par. While down at the John Deere Classic former U of I player Nick Hardy is T-10 after a 6 under par 65 in round one. Johndeereclassic.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram, with Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez.

THE U.S. SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN is no longer being just talked about, it’s happening. A new chapter in golf history, women’s golf history, and in United States Golf Associations history is being written, with the first chapter now complete.

It all started early this morning near the flag pole at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton. People gathered to see USGA Executive Director Mike Davis raise the flag, USGA President Mark Newell make the opening remarks, and Grammy Award winner Heather Headley sing our national anthem.

Then just about seven am the first groups were called to the first and tenth tee boxes, and “Big Momma” 79 year old JoAnne Carner hit the first tee shot straight down the fairway, the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open was underway.

JoAnne Carner hits the first drive down the fairway to begin the U.S. Sr Women’s Open

What followed was a small group headed down the fairway with the players, why, because you could. Credit the USGA for making an outstanding decision on relaxing the ropes around the golf course and letting the fans walk the fairways of the famed Chicago Golf Club.

A great perk to take advantage of, and the people who did enjoyed the walk with the first group down the first fairway together.

If you want to get up close and personal to the players, without paying outrageous prices for seats. Try golf, especially USGA championships where you can, especially the amateur championships. It is fun. Not so much fun was the pin on the tenth hole, where you could not miss it above the hole. That first putt back downhill could end up in the front bunker, as it did for Amy Alcott, who then lipped out the bunker shot and almost made par. Alcott had to feel right there on her first hole that she was at a USGA Championship.

A LAST MINUTE WD was posted by Amy Ellertson from Virginia, she was replaced by Maureen Sheehan of Crystal Lake, who was the first alternate from the qualifier held at Conway Farms in Lake Forest.

The leader board looks like this, Elaine Crosby from Jackson Michigan shot the low round of the day, a three under par 70. No players shot in the 60’s. Crosby also qualified at Conway Farms.

Right behind Crosby one shot back is Trish Johnson the only player in the field to win a senior major, when she won the Senior LPGA Championship last July at the French Lick Resort on the Pete Dye Course.  Johnson is at 2 under par along with Laura Davies who got into red numbers with an eagle on the 18th hole and Liselotte Neumann carded a 71. Helen Afredsson is in 5th place at 1 under par. Pre-tournament favorite of many Juli Inkster heads up a group of four players tied at even par and in sixth place.

Click here to hear interviews with leader Elaine Crosby, Trish Johnson, Juli Inkster and Laura Davies in that order.

Coming up later today, our Golfers on Golf exclusive interview with USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis, and on Saturday our interview with Hall of Fame inductee Nancy Lopez.