THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park Defending Champion Scott McCarron heads up a strong field that includes Bernhard Langer, David Toms and Jerry Kelly. Tickets available at SPCGolf.com. THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC has defending champion Bryson DeChambeau back to lead a strong field at TPC Deere Run, it includes Doug Ghim and Nick Hardy. Johndeereclassic.com   _____________________________________________________________________

THE INAUGURAL U.S. SR WOMEN’S OPEN at the Chicago Golf Club. History will be made when JoAnne Carner hits the first ball into play at 7 AM tomorrow morning.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @HogBlogGuy and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Insatgram. With the new U.S. Sr. Women’s Trophy at Chicago Golf.

The week at the Chicago Golf Club started on Monday like a high school reunion, as players who have been competitors for years all got reunited.

They all hugged and took pictures together, and asked questions about who was here and who wasn’t. They all felt bad that players like Nancy Lopez (knee replacement) was not playing, a change in tune from back in the days where they wished players like her would take a week or two off from the LPGA Tour.

For some players the wait has been a long one for this championship, JoAnne Carner a winner of two U.S. Women’s Open Championships, and a few other USGA titles, now at 79 wondered if she would live to see this championship ever be played. ow She frequently shoots lower than her age, and she will put the first shot of the championship in play just after 7 Am tomorrow. She wanted it known that she is not just here to be ceremonial golfer, she wants to make the cut and play all four days. That us after she played 18 holes of practice rounds on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

USGA CEO and Executive Director Mike Davis.

USGA CEO/Executive Director Mike Davis will say a few words before the national anthem is sung, and then it will be play away. Pat Bradley made it clear that she has been waiting for 16 years for this tee time, and she didn’t want to miss it. the good thing is now she wont have to.

Laura Davies wondered if she could take her television on the golf course to watch the World Cup of Soccer. Juli Inskter suggested Shinneock Hills as future site for the championship, so the USGA could have a do-over, and get it right next time. PGA of America Vice President Suzy Whaley is glad to have qualified and can play in a major and can let the USGA do the heavy lifting, while she just plays golf in this non-PGA of America event.

But tomorrow, the fun changes into some serious competition, all 120 of the players want the trophy and the professionals want the check. many would love the novelty of being the first woman to hold the trophy.

Click here to hear interviews with Laura Davies and JoAnne Carner.

USGA.org

Who does have a good chance to win. Juli Inkster who still plays with the younger gals on the LPGA Tour is the pick of many. But England now has a better shot in golf than it does with it’s world cup team to win. LPGA Senior Players Championship winner Trish Johnson who won last July on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort is expected to be in the mix along with Davies. A major win for Davies should get her in the Hall of Fame. Liselotte Neumann with two wins on the Legends Tour this year is the final member of the foursome.

JoAnne Carner discusses hitting the first tee shot at her Pre- championship media session with USGA’s Julia Pine (R)

For some players that have not played real serious competitive golf in a few years, winning this week might be asking a little but much. But when it’s all said and done, the championship that had been closed for so many years, is now open for business, and it appears it is here to stay.

The Chicago Golf Club will be set up to a yardage of just over 6,000 yards and will play to a Par of 73, with the Par 4, 18th hoe being changes to a Par 5 for the championship.

Golfers on Golf will have more reports from U.S. Sr. Women’s Open all week long. Stay clicked in.

  THE U.S.SENIOR WOMEN’S OPEN the first day is Thursday, history starts promptly at 7 AM. Tickets at usseniorwomensopen.com. THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC is on the tee starting on Thursday, Bryson DeChambeau returns as defending champion, local players Nick Hardy and Doug Ghim have sponsors exemptions. Johndeereclassic.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory ob Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. At Exmoor Country Club home of this weeks Sr. Players Championship

THE SENIOR Players Championship  tee’s off this Thursday at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

Defending Champion Scott McCarron returns to defend his title. Bernhard Langer who won the championship for three straight years before McCarron is back and will head up a strong list of challengers trying to take back the title.

Langer speaking with the media today said he has enjoyed this tournament in the past and loves Exmoor. He played the course for the first time on Thursday morning and came away raving about everything. Which is probably bad news for the rest of the field. Langer had a couple of Champions Tour events in playoffs, and got one win in Houston. He missed the Senior PGA Championship when his son was graduating from high school that weekend.

Langer is not alone in having praise for Exmoor, the third oldest course in the Chicago area behind Chicago Golf and Onwentsia. Three players that did interviews after finishing practice rounds that included former Western Open Champion Joe Durant, Corey Pavin and Paul Goydos who once had a 59 at the John Deere Classic all raves about Exmoor. With Goydos calling it potential U.S. Open Golf Course.

Click here to hear interviews with Joe Durant, Corey Pavin and Paul Goydos and hear their thoughts on Exmoor and their game coming into championship week.

The field includes players with some local ties, including former Barrington native Gary Hallberg, former Hinsdale resident Jeff Sluman, and current university of Illinois golf coach Mike Small, who made the field by his play in several Champions Tour events including his T-10 at Steve Stricker’s recent invite in Madison Wisconsin.

The Senior Players Championship has some great history dating back to it’s first year in 1983 when Miller Barber won. In 1984 and 1985 Arnold Palmer won back-to-back titles and Jack Nicklaus got his one and only title in 1990. Raymond Floyd won twice and the only player with three wins is Langer.

The field of 78 players includes 49 of the top 50 players in the Charles Schwab Cup point standings, Exmoor will play at a yardage of 7,149 yards and to a par of 72. The purse is $2,8 million and the winners check is $420,000. The Golf Channel will have coverage all four days.

The pro-am will be played tomorrow with gates opening to the public. For tickets please visit SPCGolf.com or purchase them at Exmoor.

  IT’S TRIPLE PLAY WEE, FOR GOLF IN ILLINOIS. the Senior Players Championship is on the tee at Exmoor Country Club, tickets at SPCGolf.com. THE John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities has defending champions Bryson DeChanbeau back to defend his title,  Doug Ghim and Nick Hardy join the filed on exemptions tickets at Johndeereclissic.com  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Linkedin , Facebook, and now Instagram. At the Chicago Golf Club home of this weeks U.S. Sr Women’s Open.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK of the newest U.S Open is in the books. The U.S. Sr. Women’s Open week is underway at the Chicago Golf Club.

The was some golf played, and plenty of range balls got hit The putting green really got a workout. But first and foremost it was old home week. So many of the players had no seen each other in years.

In some ways it looked like the USGA had put on a high school reunion. But Monday is Monday at a USGA Golf championship, and by Thursday they will all want to beat each other out of both the trophy and the check. For some a check and an exemption into next years championship at Pine Needles Lodge in Southern Pines North Carolina will be enough.

For one player it was 21 years of hard work finally coming to fruition. That would be Jane Blalock who started having talks with the USGA for this event back before the turn of the century.

Jane Blalock wraps up a range workout on Day 1 of the U.S. Sr Women’s Open

When Blalock who runs the LPGA Legends Tour spoke with reporters this past January at the PGA Merchandise Show, she said her win at the Dinah Shore, before it was the Dinah Shore, and before it was major, wasn’t counting towards an exemption into the championship. Plain and simple she was going to have to go qualify if she was going to play this week.

She fully planned to go to a qualify site and try to play her way in. then she looked at her schedule, and realized that the only course she had time to qualify at, was a course she did not play well. She knew things did not look good for making it to Wheaton. Then one day while in her car, her phone rang, it was the USGA. Blalock was told the championship committee had awarded her an exemption into the field. It left Blalock so speechless, she almost couldn’t get the words to come out of her mouth to say Thank You.

While Blalock practiced on the range and in an around the clubhouse, numerous players stopped her and thanked her for making this week happen. Blalock admits when she got her car on Sunday to head to the airport and fly to Chicago, it really hit her that she was going to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, and she was playing in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. The other 119 players teeing it up on Thursday, should all be glad Blalock gave them a place to play this week.

Click here to hear the interview with Jane Blalock on the U.S. senior Women’s open and more.

The Gog Blog returns on Tuesday with more from the Senior Players Championship at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park.

 THE CHICAGO GOLF CLUB, EXMOOR COUNTRY CLUB, AND THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC, all tee it up this week. The U.S. Sr.Women’s Open, The Senior Players Championship and the John Deere Classic. See local listings for times of broadcasts. Tickets are available for all three tournaments should you want to attend all of the above ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and or Facebook, and now on Instagram. At TPC Deere Run.

YES , it’s a three for one week, and it could happen here in Chicago or Illinois for that matter.

It’s an extremely frustrating situation and I’ll have more to say about it next Monday.

In case you missed them over Friday and the weekend, I did write previews for all three championships, so I hope you are interested in seeing all three of them. The best way to do that is probably from your Lazy Boy, but there are tickets available for all three tournaments or championships, and maybe you can go see at least one of them in person.

But if you want to see them in person, just don’t do it on Monday or Tuesday unless you want to see the preview at the John Deere Classic, because the other tournaments, the two in the Chicago area don’t have public access on Monday and Tuesday.

There are many good things about this weeks golf tournaments. In the Quad Cities at John Deere, some of local players will be there competing. Arlington Heights resident Doug Ghim has an exemption to play, and so does Nick Hardy from Northbrook. Both guys are both professionals now, so they have a chance to make some money. Dylan Meyer the former U of I guy from Indiana, who charmed everyone’s heart when he won the Western Amateur at Knollwood in 2016 also has an exemption.

Bryson DeChambeau the defending champ at the Deere returns looking to lock up a spot on the Ryder Cup team with another win. Steve Stricker, Zach Johson and a bunch of other good players will be in the field at the JDC. Johndeereclassic.com for tickets. It’s just a drive down 88 from Chicago.

THE U.S. Women’s Open is the first of a kind. Everything that happens this week at the Chicago Golf Club will be the first this and first that. I’ll be their most of the week to try and capture many of those firsts. Any championship at the Chicago Golf Club is a special one, and who knows when or if that next one comes along at CGC. Chicago Golf Club is a special place and all seven days there this week will be ones to remember. Tickets at usseniorwomensopen.com.

The Senior Players Championship has one of Chicago’s finest north shore area clubs to play host this week. Most pro’s really enjoy hitting it around an old Donald Ross original design, and this week should be no exception. Players with local ties in that field include, Gary Hallberg, Jeff Sluman and University of Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small. Tickets at SPCGolf.com.

Stay clicked in here for details all week long, and on Saturday Golfers on Golf Radio Am 750 will recap all three. The Gog Blog is back tomorrow. In addition next week BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm and I will launch our new podcast series. Stay clicked in fr that as well. RS

 THE CALLAWAY ROGUE DRIVER, Are you ready to go Rogue. The Callaway Rogue line of clubs, and the Mack Daddy Wedges taking the market by storm, for more details see Callawaygolf.com. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is proud to host the Symetra Tour this week on the Donald Ross Golf Course, French Lick is also ready to host you and your family or golf group on the Ross or Pete Dye Golf Courses, see Frenchlick.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

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

IT’S NOT EVERY YEAR the USGA launches a new U.S. Open, so the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open taking place this week at the historic Chicago Golf Club is both a special and history making championship.

For many of the players involved and the other major names of women’s golf over the last several decades, this championship in their minds is coming a few years too late, but they are glad that it has finally arrived at the first tee.

Former U.S. Women’s Open Champion Pat Bradley has told the media in several interviews, that she has been waiting for this tee time for 16 years. Bradley admits for some time she thought she might miss this tee time all together, but she has been working on her game and is ready to give this championship her best shot.

This week from July 12th through the 15th. Details see USGA.org

Among those not playing this week that would have made the great field even better include, Nancy Lopez who is still on the mend from a knee replacement surgery, Meg Mallon back issues, and several time USGA Amateur Champion Carol Semple-Thompson.

The USGA has said several players who can not play, will be at the championship to show their support of this first championship and the commitment to it by the USGA.

The USGA to it’s credit is making sure the players are treated like the players are at any U.S Open, with courtesy cars and other perks that come with playing for a national championship. In fact, in order to give the players time to prepare for Round 1 on Thursday. The gates are closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday, with only limited access on Wednesday.

The Chicago Golf Club’s clubhouse.

The players that have spoke about the championship are all being asked who is the favorite?

One name keeps coming up and that is Juli Inkster who the U.S. Women’s Open in both 1999 and in 2002. Speaking with Golfers on Golf at the recently played Women’s PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes Golf Club  Inkster said,”I’m looking forward to this championship. It comes ten years too late for some of the players, but it is a step forward for women’s golf.” Inkster said earlier this year she was not playing well, but recently has starting hitting the ball better and that her putting is coming around. She was expected to play a practice round at Chicago Golf this past week as part of her preparation. Inkster said she enjoys the older classic golf courses especially many of the ones in the Northeast part of the country.

As for winning the first U.S. Sr. Women’s Open and becoming a club of “one” to win both U.S. Women’s Opens Inkster said,” that would be something and it’s always a feather in your cap to win a USGA championship.”

The C. B. Macdonald statue at the Chicago Golf

Speaking at the Chicago District Golf Associations Centennial dinner in 2014, USGA President and CEO Mike Davis said the USGA’s concern about this championship was getting it started and then pulling it off the table due to lack of interest or filling the field. This years field has been set at 120 players. One has to believe that based on the amount of players that are playing or tried to qualify, the championship (462) should be here for years to come.

The tee times have been set for the first two rounds of the championship. The first group off the first tee is JoAnne Carner, Hollis Stacy and Sandra Palmer, Carner will hit the first ball to start the first round at 7 am local CST. Inkster will head off the first tee in round one at 7:55.

One player that should not be overlooked is Trish Johnson from England. Johnson won the first ever senior women’s major championship, when she won the Sr LPGA Championship last summer at the French Lick Resort on the tough Pete Dye Golf Course.

The Chicago Golf Club will be set by the USGA to a yardage of 6.82 yards and a Par of 73. With the 18th hole that normally plays as Par 4, being switched to Par 5 for the championship. Rating and slope for the championship is 76.7 and 142.

Tickets for the championship can be purchased at usseniorwomensopen.com. One day trophy tickets start at $30, there are other ticket options available. Junior golfers 18 and under are free. Fox Sports 1 FS1 will afternoon coverage on the weekend from 4-6 pm EST.

After the first 36 holes holes, the field will be cut to the low 50 and ties. In case of a tie after 72 holes on Sunday, the new USGA playoff format of a two hole aggregate playoff will decide the championship. If the players are still tied after two holes, the championship will then move to a sudden death result,

There has been one recent change to the field. 1982 U.S Women’s Open Champion Janet Anderson has withdrawn due to a family emergency. Janie Simons the 1st alternate from an eastern regional qualifier has replaced Anderson.

The winner of this years championship will hold the title for only 10 months, as next years U.S.  Women’s Sr. Open will be played from May 16-19 at Peggy Kirk Bell’s Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines North Carolina.

With the addition of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, the USGA is now conducting 14 championships.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB AT 401 N ROSELLE ROAD has reopened it’s Players Nine, and newly expanded driving range and putting green. Phase 2 of the renovation has started and now the Baer Nine has closed and will reopen around July 1st of 2019. For more details visit schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. While at the club, enjoy Chandlers Chop House for food and beverage  or the golf simulators.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and at Linkedin, Facebook, and now on Instagram. On the 14th hole at Exmoor Country Club.

THE 2018 SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park tee’s off this week on Thursday July 12th. With the final round being played on Sunday the 15th.

The Accenture pro-am is on Wednesday along with other activities that day, which is the first day that Exmoor is open to the public.

Defending champion Scott McCarron who won in 2017 at Caves Valley in Baltimore, heads up a strong field that includes Bernhard Langer, U.S. Sr. Open Champion David Toms and Wisconsin’s very own Jerry Kelly. From the Illinois area or with local ties other players include Barrington Native Gary Hallberg, former Hinsdale Resident Jeff Sluman, and Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small. Kelly heads up a group of seven former Western Open Champions, that does not include Steve Stricker who will skip the championship to play at the John Deere Classic. Speaking of John, “Long John Daly’ will play at Exmoor.

   THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY and the front of the famed Exmoor Country Club. clubhouse.

The yardage for the championship will be 7,149 and the course record at Exmoor is by Jake Higginbottom while playing a practice round for the 2012 Western Amateur. Higginbottom is a professional. The Western Amateur was supposed to be played this tear at Exmoor but was moved back to 2022 so the club could present the Seniors Players Championship.

Click here to hear WGA Sr. VP of Tournaments Vince Pellegrino discuss this weeks Senior Players Championship.

Click here to hear our interview with Champions Tour Player Fred Funk at Exmoor Country Club on media day.

Exmoor (1896) is the third oldest club in Illinois as only the Chicago Golf Club and Onwentsia are older. Famed architect Donald Ross designed the golf course in 1915, while architect Ron Pritchard did the renovation in 2003.

There are different ticket packages available for the week, to oder tickets in adavnce please visit SPCGolf.com. Parking will be off site and spectators will be bused into the championship.

   THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB on Roselle Road in Schaumburg has reopened the Players Nine and the newly expanded driving range and putting green as Phase 1 of the three part renovation is now complete. Phase Two is underway withwork having started on the Baer Nine, that should reopen around July 1st of 2019. For more details see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000, When there #ChandlersChopHouse.   _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 13 tees off this morning at 10 Am on Am 750 WNDZ

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO WEEK 13 is on the tee this morning at 10 AM on AM 750 WNDZ Chicago.

Your hosts Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears invite you for another great hour of golf talk.

This week we look at the week ahead that has three big tournaments in the state of Illinois. The John Dere Classic in the Quad Cities, the US. Sr. Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, and the Senior Players Championship at Exmoor in Highland Park.

Our guests this morning include John Deere Classic Communications manager Barry Cronin, and upcoming touring professional Nick Hardy who play at John Deere this coming week.

We will hear from Clair Peterson JDC Championship Director, defending champion Bryson DeCahmbeau. On the Senior Players Championship, it’s Fred Funk and Championship Director Vince Pellegrino. We hope you will join us at 10 AM.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB HAS Reopened the Players Nine and newly expanded driving range and putting green. As of last weekend the Baer Nine has closed as part of the Phase 2 renovation. The Baer Nine should reopen for play around July 1st of 2019. Call (847)-885-9000 for more details. THE SENIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP at the Exmoor Country Club hits the fairways, come see a field that includes seven former Western Open Champions, tickets at CSPGolf.com. #itsamajor     ___________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook, Linkedin and now Instagram. At TPC Deere Run, home of this comings weeks John Deere Classic.

YOU KNOW IT’S THE SECOND WEEK OF JULY When the John Deere Classic hits the first tee.

Defending Champion Bryson DeChambeau heads up a solid field for this years John Deere Classic, that includes long time Quad Cities favorites Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson. Stricker along with Davis Love III are skipping the Senior Players Championship a major on the Champions Tour to play the JDC. Love III will be playing with his son Dru, who is the field as well.

JDC Tournament Director Clair Peterson has again done an outstanding job in selecting his sponsors exemptions. From the local area Arlington Heights native Doug Ghim and Northbrook resident Nick Hardy are in the field. Hardy played last year as an amateur while still attending the University of Illinois and made the cut. Hardy is now a professional and take home some money if he makes the cut again. Hardy will be joined in the field by his former teammate at the U of I Dylan Meyer who had a T-20 at the U.S. Open, along with U of I alum Stricker.

Bryson DeChambeau holds the john Deere Classic Trophy after winning in 2017.

When DeChambeau won the 2017 JDC, it was his first win on the PGA Tour. In May of this year he won for a second time when he won the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament in a playoff.

The championship purse is $5.8 million dollars with $1.044 million dollars going to the winner.

The final British Open Exemption is also on the line at the JDC. In addition to Johnson and Stricker, there are four other past JDC Champions in the field including 2016 winner Ryan Moore. Joining them is Brandt Snedeker who in his appearance at the JDC, was T-2 in 2009. More than 20 players in this years field, have won tournaments in the last two years.

Defending JDC Champion Bryson DeChambeau talks with the media on the patio of TPC Deere Run on media day in May. Click here to hear the interview.

Click here to hear our interview with JDC Tournament Director Clair Peterson from media day.

JOHN DEERE CLASSIC Championship communications Director Barry Cronin will join Golfers on Golf Radio tomorrow morning at 10:10 AM to talk about the championship.

Tickets for the John Deere Classic where there is always plenty of exciting action and fantastic finishes are available at Johndeereclassic.com or at the gate on location at TPC Deere Run.

   THE INAUGURAL U.S SR. WOMEN’S OPEN at the Chicago Golf Club is the tee next week, come see golf history be made. See USGA.org for more details. THE PLAYERS NINE at the Schaumburg Golf is now open, along with the newly expanded driving range and putting green. The Baer Nine is now closed and should reopen around July 1st of 2019. Tee times are being taken at (847)-885-9000 or see Schaumburggolf.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. At the Pinehurst Par 3 course The Cradle.

THERE IS PLENTY OF NEWS on the Golf Scene around town and beyond so from the tee box here we go.

IN PINEHURST, NC. this fall is an exciting time for golfers to head to the home of American golf.

Course #4 that is going through a restoration with architect Gil Hanse will reopen. That is expected to be in September, and also in September will be the opening of the new Pinehurst Brewery. Good flavors for when you are done with golf.

Gil Hanse’s restoration drawing on Course #

PINEHURST has announced they have added the player experience of Tagmarshall, to help with pace-of-play.

Tagmarshall’s geo-tagging  and pace algorithm software is expected to increase operation efficiency that should lead to a saving 15-17 minutes per round. Small tags are put on bags or carts that transmit geo-location data.

“We are continuously looking for ways to improve our on-course capabilities and create a more memorable experience for our guests,”, says Matt Barksdale, PGA Resort Head Golf Professional at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. “The adoption of Tagmarshall has been and the system has already produced positive insights for us to implement.”

Tagmarsha;; has been used with success at clubs and resorts like Kiawah, Erin Hills and at Whistling Straits in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin. For more information on Pinehurst see Pinehurst.com  for details on Tagmarshall and it’s system see Tagmarshall.com.

MINNIE MONESSE Golf Club is now for sale through Chris Charnas and Links Capital Advisors. The club which opened in 1926 is one of the top facilities in Kankakee County. It is known for it’s rolling hills design with water on 11 holes. The main bar and dinning seats 150 and has a great view of the golf course. The current ownership is looking to sell to a new generation that wants to continue the clubs great tradition and history, asking price $1.2 million. For more information contact Chris at (847)-866-7192.

NEED A NEW GOLF APP-GolfLogix is for you. The 3D Green Maps adds one touch putt reading, and currently has a 30-Day FREE Trial. GolfLogix can read your putts on over 8,000 golf courses, and you can read the 3D screen in full color.

“When you see the professionals on TV get to the green, they take a notepad outoftheir back pocket that shows them the contours of the green and how the putt will break,” says Howard Milstein Chairman of GolfLogix. :Now for the time amateur players can get the same info on their phone-if you want to putt like the pro’s, you need to start with the same information as the pro’s. It’s vital information for approach shots andchips. It answers the question, “where do I want to land my ball.”

Golfers get a birds-eye view of the green that will help you save stokes off your round. It gives you the chance to play smarter golf. See Golflogix.com for details.

Belvedere Golf Club, one of a the great Midwest and Michigan based Classic golf courses in Charlevoix.

Belvedere Golf Club one of the great classic courses open for public play in Michigan, will host the 2019 Hickory Club Open from June 20-22.

“Belvedere is a classic, classic course,” said Rick Meier the clubs president. “It is old-school in small town America. When dry and firm, it plays fast requires a hickory style ground game. Our club and the Charlevoix community  our committed to and will host a great championship.”

The championship draws an international field that plays with clubs from the pre-1935 era of golf. The club has 44 players that will participate in the championship. Most of the players will dress in clothes from the hickory era of 1910 to 1930. The Belvedre Hickory Open has been played at the club 12 times and is considered one of the four majors in Hickory Style Golf.

The 2025 Michigan State amateur will be played at Belvedere in the clubs centennial season. For details on Belvedere Golf Club see Belvederegolfclub.com or call the club at (231)-547-2611. For information on the Hickory Golfers see hickorygolfers.com.

CHRIS LUTZKE who has worked for over 20 years with HOF Architect Pete Dye, has been accepted into the American Society of Golf Course architects (ASGCA). Lutzke credited both Pete and Alice Dye for doing the right things nad keep him on track to be in the association. Ludzke a Michigan State Alum, first worked with Dye in 1986 on the Blackworf Run Course at Kohler. Lutzke is now back at Kohler working at Whistling Straits andgetting the course ready for the 2020 Ryder Cup. For more information on Lutzke see Albanese and Lutzke Design (734)-567-5150.

DO YOU NEED A NEW GOLF DESTINATION, why not consider Daytona Beach in Florida. Daytona Beach is home to the LPGA international Golf Facility, a 36-hole facility. Other options include the Spruce Creek Country Club and the Riviera Country Club. For more information see Daytonabeach.golf.

NORTHBROOK based KEMPERSPORTS Management has announced that they will now manage the Health Golf and Yacht Club in Heath Texas. The 787 acre resort style community will offer residents 1,200 luxury style homes and a 27 hole golf course designed by Roy Bechtol. The club will open later this summer with the golf course open for play in fall of 2019. Details at Heathgolfandyachtclub.com.

GOLF 360 with former Chicago Bear Patrick Manelly is back for another month on NBC Sports Chicago. This monthsshow includes a look at Elgin Golf, Bowes Creek and Highlands of Elgin Golf Club and the Prairie landing Golf Club in West Chicago. A golf destination visit to Grand Rapids Michigan. See local listings for dates and times.

MIURA GOLF one of the finest made clubs anywhere in the world, has announced the addition of it’s IC-601 Irons. These Irons are an expansion of the ICL-601 driving iron. The Miura golf family is excited about these irons created by Miura Founder Katsuhiro Miura.

These Irons are recommended for use by Mid-to Higher level handicap players. The Irons are made of 455 Carpenter Steel that is used in Areospace applications For more information on the Miura IC-601 Irons see Miuragolf.com.

The 9th hole at the Tidewater Golf Club in Cherry Grove/Myrtle Beach area.

Tidewater Golf Club one of the top Myrtle Beach area golf courses continues to make an impact with golfers.

Tidewater since it’s 2014 renovation has 9 holes along an inter coastal waterway.

“We are delighted with the condition of the golf course and the direction it is headed,” says Chris Cooper Tidewaters General Manager. “Golfers are now arriving here with big expectations about our golf course and golf facility. We look forward to meeting them or exceeding them.”

For more information on Tidewater this rapidly growing golf experience please visit Tidewatergolf.com. Myrtle Beach, your home for golf.

THE RECORD IS BACK HOME AT MISTWOOD. the Guinness World Book Records with the longest continuous lines of cooked hot dogs. The new record of 1,162 feet beats the old record of 1,157 feet. The hot dogs had to be cooked and consumable. The line of hot dogs ran the length of Mistwoods Par 5, 3rd hole and 2,496 hot dogs. To earn the record back Mistwood teamed up with Vienna Beef now in it’s 125th year in the Chicago area.

The hot dog record was part of the 4th of July special day at Mistwood one of the top Chicago area golf clubs. For details on Mistwood see Mistwoodgc.com or call (815)-254-3333.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is pleased to announce that Phase 1 of the three year renovation project is complete, the Players Nine, and the newly expanded driving range and putting green are now open. The Baer nine has closed for renovation and should reopen around July 1st of 2019. Tee times are being taken at (847)-885-9000. THE FRENCH LICK RESORT is in mid-summer form and both the Pete Dye and the Donald Ross Courses look better than ever, Plan your golf getaway at Frenchlick.com.   ____________________________________________________________________

CDGA.ORG

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook, Linkedin or Instagram. With the Ryder Cup on a Patriotic day, Happy 4th of July everyone, from all of us including Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger at Golfers on Golf. Go Golf everyone, the sun is out and it is dry, no rain in sight.

THE Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) has announced the sites of the next four Illinois State Amateur Championships from years 2019-2020-2021 and 2022.

A return to Cantigny Golf is first on the tee in 2019. The facility has previously hosted the state amateur in 1996, 2002, 2008 and in 2014. The championship will be conducted on the clubs Woodside-Lakeside nines (9th hole Lakeside pictured above). The course designed by Roger Packard, renovated by Jacobson Golf in 2003 and now operated by KemperSports management.

“Cantigny is such a great championship golf course, with it’s unique layout and distinct looking nines that offer a great challenge to contestants,” CDGA Senior Managing Director, Member Services Jodi Ciotti said. “Each year we have hosted the State Amateur at Cantigny has been a tremendous success and the players enjoy the experience.”

Two Illinois PGA Section professionals Hans Larson (L) of Westmoreland CC and Patrick Lynch (R) of Cantigny Golf will see their clubs host future Illinois State Amateur Championships.

“If you step back and look at the names on the trophy, you realize the prominence of winning the Illinois State Amateur,” said CDAG Director of Rules & Competitions Nicholas Scillia. “It is an honor for us the CDGA to run this great championship and we look for courses that feel the same way.”

While Cantigny Golf is a season veteran on hosting the amateur, the other three clubs are all rookies and will be hosting their first championship.

Ciotti added,” The State of IIlinois has many great golf courses and we are fortunate that many courses do express interest in hosting the championship.

IN 2020 the recently named, “The Club at Wynstone” in North Barrington that in 2016 hosted the CDGA Senior Amateur. The course is the only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in the state of Illinois. The club opened for play in 1989.

         THE MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB IN Romeoville has become one of the states best public golf facilities since owner Jim McWethy approved a three phase improvement plan for the Mistwood Phase one was a redo of the course by architect Ray Hearn, Phase Two was the building of the Performance Center and improvements of the practice area’s Finally Phase 3 was the building of the new clubhouse by famous architect Dan Wolhfeil, that includes the pro shop and McWethy’s Tavern that has scenic views of the golf course.

Mistwood recently hosted the 118th Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship and is the home of the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open that will be played this month from July 16-18. Mistwood will host the state amateur in 2021.

 THE WESTMORELAND COUNTRY CLUB IN WILMETTE will host the 2022 amateur championship, and is one of the top clubs in Chicago’s Northshore area. Recent improvements to the club and the golf course make Westmoreland a great home for the championship.

The club is no stranger to championship golf, having previously hosted the 1917 Western Open and 1921 Western Amateur and the 1938 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The club founded in 1911 had it’s course originally designed by Willie Watson in 1912 and later renovated in 1921 by famed architects William Langford and A.W. Tillinghast.

This years championship will be contested from July 17-19 at the Bloomington Country Club abd defending champion Patrick Flavin will return to defend his title won last year at Calumet Country Club.