THE MACK DADDY WEDGES BY CALLAWAY GOLF, the new ones are coming be ready, another Roger Cleveland Classic design, Callawaygolf.com. WINGFEST is coming back to McQ’s in Bolingbrook, Golf dome, OTB and fine food Mcqsdome.com.    ______________________________________________________________________

Two Peas in a Pod-Cast that is, Ziehm and Spears are back again talking golf travel, Part 1 winter getaway warm destinations. The Gog Blog by Director of Content Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

TWO PEA’S IN A POD-CAST THAT IS, is back for part 1 on golf travel.

It’s our third podcast overall, after our review of 2017 and preview of 2018.

The next podcasts will be at demo day and from the convention floor of the PGA show in two weeks in Orlando.

Len and I will recap the best of the clubs and the big news from the floor, so stay clicked in here and LenZiehmongolf.com.

Part 1 of the travel podcast looks at properties in Florida, like PGA Village, Arnold Palmers Bay Hill, Streamsong, and Innisbrook, then in closing a look at the home of “American Golf” Pinehurst, as the upgrades continue from their master plan.

Click here to hear Part 1 of the travel podcast with BIG 3 members Len Ziehm and Rory Spears. Part 2 will be later in the spring, and it will look at properties up north that make good summer destinations.

  THE NEW PAR 3 COURSE AT PINEHURST, THE CRADLE (L). (R) THE NEW BLACK COURSE AT STREAMSONG IN FLORIDA, BOTH COURSES BY GIL HANSE.

Thanks for joining Len and I, RS. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

   THE SWING DUKE a new golf training machine, to bring your game to the next level, see Swingduke.com. Callaway gets ready to release the next level of MackDaddy Wedges designed by Roger Cleveland follow Callawaygolf.com for announcements.       _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG with Director of Content Rory Spears (R) with Pinehurst President Tom Pashley, in Deuce’s bar behind the 18th green of Pinehurst 2. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook.

The Pinehurst Resort continues to make improvements over the last few years and going forward into 2018.

The Deuce Restaurant behind the 18th green is open, and so is the new pool. The Par 3 course The Cradle is now open, and the resorts rooms have been renovated in both historic hotels the Carolina, and Holly Inn.

Currently work continues by architect Gil Hanse on Pinehurst #4 and in the new Pinehurst Brewery. Both will reopen at some point in 2018, and golfers will enjoy both. But when the day is done, everyone staying  the night in the Pinehurst Resort hotels, guests will enjoy that and a good-nights sleep as well.

The historic Holly Inn in downtown Pinehurst.

The 82 room Holly Inn underwent a renovation of over 2 million dollars in 2017 as part of a Pinehurst Resort master plan, that has been phased in over the last few years, and continues in 2018.

The Holly Inn was the town’s first hotel and it opened on New Year’s eve in 1895.

The renovation of the Holly Inn created a mix between historic flavor of the hotel and the modern needs of the current times. Southern flavor along with most rooms having fireplaces, create a style than that should be favorable to any guest.

A redesigned Holly Inn room, with all the                       comforts of home.                                     Photo Courtesy of Pinehurst Resort.

The Holly Inn is completely redone and the new Pinehurst Brewery should open in the spring. The Gil Hanse renovation of Course #4 should be completed and reopened to golfers in the fall.

The Holly Inn not only has a pool, but meeting space, that has been improved through out the resort, and a room for group dining, when the cozy area around the hotels bar is already full up with dinners.

For more information on the Holly Inn and the Pinehurst Resort, please visit Pinehurst.com or call (844)-804-3322. Pinehurst, where it’s always a beautiful day.

PRO DAN PHILLIPS is back at McQ’s Dome, you should be too. Mcqsdome.com or call McQs at (630)-739-1592, part of Mistwood Golf, that has permanent tee times available for 2018, call (815)-254-3333. The North Course at Innisbrook has reopened from renovation and is taking tee times, visit Innisbrookgolfresort.com or call (888)-794-8627. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Director of Content RORY SPEARS, wearing a summer style from the Antigua Apparel Men’s golfwear line. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or Linkedin and Facebook.

GOLF IS OFF and running in 2018, the Eskimo Open was played at Cog Hill yesterday on two courses and congrats to the winners.

Our BIG 3 Partner Tim Cronin was out at Cog Hill bright and early to speak with a few of the players, and will have a recap on his Illinoisgolfer.net in the short future.

The Chili Open will be played this coming Saturday at the triple Decker Range in Des Plaines, if you want to play in sunny 26 degree temps, but not in much snow it appears as the sun melts it’s off over the course of the week.

I HAD a chance to visit Blackberry Oaks this past week and catch up with GM-Head Golf Professional and golf aid inventor Chad Johansen.

Bunker project underway last fall at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol.

The good news is that the 8th Annual Blackberry Amateur is expected to be played on June 23-24. This year Johansen wants to push the size of the field up to at least 120 players.

Last year the number was just over 90 players and this great Midwest Amateur event should have a full field.

Sign up and details on sponsors should be out by the end of the month. Stay clicked in here or Blackberryoaks.com for more details. During the winter months Johansen is holding some short game clinics, and putting lessons are available in the putting lab of the pro shop at BBO’s.

THE PGA TOUR is really underway with the Tournament of Champions being played at one of my favorite places Kapalua Maui. While Dustin Johnson appears to be back in form after an 8 shot win, there was some concerning news.

FIRST UP, the golf course. There was a few greens like 14 which were in bad shape, and a few things in paradise that did not look the best. I don’t know what the resort might be planning going forward, but maybe a phone call to the designing architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw might be a great idea. It would appear it’s time for them to comeback and take a look at things.

SECOND, the distraction of the week was Tiger Woods announcing his first tournament of 2018 being at Torrey Pines. Then for some odd reason the media is falling back into it’s dangerous old habits, of getting all Tiger, Tiger, Tiger again. Let’s save it until he actually wins a tournament and focus on who is playing and winning, which is always what the top players are trying to do. ESPN can cancel the Tiger Tracker right now and do everyone a favor.

The White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville, operated by Kemper Sports.

THE WHITE PINES GOLF DOME has a Titleist Fitting day this Thursday Jan. 11th from 12-5 PM, cost $20. Titleist Vokey scoring clinic on Thursday Feb. 8th from 6-7:30 PM, cost is $160 and includes ONE-2018 Vokey Wedge.

TAYLOR MADE will have a custom fitting event on Thursday Feb. 22 from 3-7 PM.

OTHER White Pines events include from Jan. 4-14 watch the PGA from Hawaii at the dome, and enter your email to win a Titleist wedge. TARGET TUESDAY’S, hit the Tuesday target and win a pair of Foot-Joy golf shoes. More promotions include Foursome Pizza night, Blackhawks game specials, and Swinging to the Oldies. Come out to White Pines Golf Dome and check out the specials. Whitepinesgolfdome.com

KEMPERSPORTSMANAGEMENT has announced they are working with the City of Round Rock Texas, to help renovate the Forest Creek Golf Club, located on the East Side of Round Rock, Texas. No architect has been named but the $5.1 million dollar renovation includes the rebuilding of all 18 greens, the creation of a 19th hole. The practice range and facilities will be redone, along with all the bunkers on the golf course. There will be improved drainage, irrigation and replacements of bridges and other structures. Tree removal is part of the renovation. For more information please visit wwwForestCreek.com.

aBOUTGOLF the creators of the PGA Tour simulator and the new 1400 series technology that enhances graphics and more, will have a presence at the Consumer Electronics show and the PGA Merchandise show. aBOUTGOLF is proud to announce that in 2018 that four courses at Kohler will now be available for play. More information at aboutgolf.com

Antigua’s Pam Miller with an Outerwear piece from the 2017 Antigua line

Antigua apparel has announced that is has created a new style, modern day booth for the PGA Merchandise show coming up in Orlando from Jan. 23-26.

In addition the company has announced it’s team of brand ambassadors for 2018 on the professional golf tours.

LPGA players include, Brittany Lang, Stacy Lewis, Gerina Piller, Lizette Salas, Austin Ernest, Alena Sharp, Candie Kung and Kim Kaufman. On the PGA Tour, Brian Stuard, and Ryan Armour. On the Champions Tour, Tom Pernice Jr., Steve Pate,Billy Mayfair and Jerry Smith. For more on Antigua apparel see Antigua.com.

The Gog Blog Returns tomorrow. RS

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB moving through phase 1 of renovation, phase two begins this spring, simulators open all winter. Schaumburg Golf Club (847)-882-9000. The French Lick Resort is ready for your 2018 trip, see Frenchlick.com #PeteDyecourse ______________________________________________________________________

The Range Barn at Cog Hill, The Gog Blog by Director of Content Rory Spears, Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy Linkedin and Facebook.

The Eskimo Open now in it’s 60th plus year, tee’d off this morning in the 7 AM hour, and 66 golfers of the 101 golfers that signed up, turned out to play.

So the first golf outing of 2018 is in the books. Play took place on Courses 1&3 at Cog Hill.

The temperature was in the mid to upper 20’s, and the ground was covered by two inches of frozen snow.

By next weekend most of the snow is expected to be gone. But with the snow in place this weekend, most of the golfers have to use orange golf balls, according to a report by BIG 3 partner Tim Cronin.

SCORES

18 Hole Gross-Winner Jeremy Bilecki 69-$60.00, 2nd Jim Coan 70-$50.00, and 3rd is Barry Quane 73-$40.00

9 Hole Gross Winner Nick Brand 37-$60.00 2nd John Brand 41-$50.00, 3rd Paul Baldwin 42-$40.00

18 hole Net/Peoria Course 1&3 combined-Winner John Bock 55-$60.00, 2nd Place TK Wolff 59-$50.00, 3rd place Gary Wiezorek, 59-$40.00

9-Hole Net/Peoria Winner Brian Quane 31-$60.00, 2nd place Mike Zivkovic 32-$50.00, 3rd place Nick Brand 34-$40.00

Congrats to all the players, and the winners.

 TWO PEA’S IN A POD-CAST THAT IS, Len Ziehm (L) and yours truly will post part 3 of their podcast series this week on golf travel for 2018, stay tuned in. Golfers on Golf.com Director of Content Rory Spears, in the simulator at the Schaumburg Golf Club on Roselle Road in Schaumburg where there is golf all year round. #chandlerschophouse   _____________________________________________________________________

The Pro V1 and Pro V1x Golf Ball.

Titleist is giving golfers a chance to tour it’s Ball Plant #3 in New Bedford, Mass., and see how it’s golf balls get made.

For more than 80 years Titleist has being making it’s golf balls on the south coast of Massachusetts. This is where Titleist founder Phil Young first introduced the Titleist golf ball in 1935.

To experience the process, one must be a member of Team Titleist which golfers can sing up for online at no charge. To register for the tour of the plant you have to go online at www.titleist.com/TourBP3.

The tours are free of charge and run 4 times a day on Mondays and Fridays. Titleist President of Golf Balls Mary Lou Bohn says,” the plant has over 450 associates that work there, most of them have an average of 20 years of experience. We are excited to have our most loyal brand fans behind the curtain and reinforce why they can trust their game to us on every shot.”

So if your in the area, register to take a behind the scens tour of the making of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls.

DICK NUGENT a long time Chicago area golf architect passed away on January 1st, he was 87.

Nugent might be best known for his work with architect Ken Killian at kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer. But Nugent was a big part of the golf course building-boom in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Nugent also designed the Dunes Club for Mike Keiser in new Buffalo Michigan, along with Harborside International, George Dunne National, The Golf Club of Illinois, Foxford Hills, Heritage Bluffs, and with the Buffalo Grove Park District Courses.

There were numerous other area courses both public and private that Nugent was involved with, doing upgrades or renovations over the years. RS

  TPC COLORADO by Art Schaupeter opening in 2018, visit our story from yesterday       _____________________________________________________________________

Len Ziehm (L) with yours truly at River Forest CC in Elmhurst, the host site of the 2017 Women’s Western Golf Association Amateur Championship.

TWO PEA’s in a Pod-Cast that is are back at it again.

BIG 3 partner Len Ziehm and I have done our podcast looking ahead to golf in the Chicago area for 2018.

Len and I look at the tournament season, and other notable golf events for 2018.

On the tournament side, there are the local IPGA  Section events and the CDGA tournaments. On the professional stage and the major amateur tournament side, there is the Web.com Rust Oleum tournament. The Sr. PGA Championship in Benton Harbor Michigan. Late June is the WWGA Amateur at Mistwood and the KPMG/ Women’s PGA at Kemper Lakes.

The crazy week in July with the John Deere Classic, the US Sr. Women’s Open and the Sr. Players Championship all the same week July 9-15. Then the Western Amateur and the Illinois Open in August.

Len and I discuss the official opening at the Preserve at Oak Meadows the work at the Schaumburg Golf Club, Blackberry Oaks and more

Len Ziehm and Rory Spears discuss the 2018 golf season in the Chicagoland area.

Next up will be the travel podcast, by Two-Pea’s in a Pod-Cast that is. Coming next week.

  TWO PEA’S IN A POD- Cast that it is. Len Ziehm and yours truly preview the 2018 Chicago area golf season ahead of us, Coming tomorrow to Golfersongolf.com. With Mike Munro at the Green Street Grille in Bensenville, stop in and check out this new diner in downtown Bensenville run by Golf Guys. Greenstreetgrill.com #GolfChannelon. ______________________________________________________________________  THE GOG BLOG with Director of Content Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook and to the new TPC Colorado this summer.

ART SCHAUPETER  is known to Chicago area golfers for his work around town on a few major public courses. First as an assistant to Keith Foster at Shepherd’s Crook in Zion, then at the Highlands of Elgin in Elgin, and now as a member of Greg Martin’s team at The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison. But in 2018 the latest from Schaupeter is TPC-Colorado, about 45 minutes from the Denver airport in Colorado. Public play will happen for a while, until all the memberships get sold, and they are going quickly. The course that opens officially about August 1st, is now scheduled for a Web.com event in 2019.

The 16th hole of TPC Colorado

Schaupeter says he first saw the site over 10 years ago, but the project based on the economy had been on and off the burner.

But a few years back when the home sales picked up surrounding the Denver area, the course went back into a phase of moving forward.

Schaupeter says that Chicago area golfers that have enjoyed the Highlands of Elgin will enjoy TPC Colorado. At HOE, Schaupeter created a routing around the quarry, and the quarry holes have been popular with golfers. That type of experience will be the same on a grander scale at TPC Colorado.

The 9th hole at TPC Colorado, photo by Devin Sena.

While water will be in site on many of the holes, it will only come into play on three of them.

Tree’s for those of you that don’t like them, will only be on one hole of the golf course.

The Colorado elevation will have your golf ball flying much further than around Chicago, which is why one of the Par 5 holes will play at 773 yards from the back tees. Overall back yardage will total over 7,900 yards.

Click here to hear architect Art Schaupeter talk about the new TPC-Colorado.

The golf course will have wide fairways, so the main challenges that golfers will have are the bunkers that include over 30 Sodwall bunkers. The course has 55 acres of fairway, up from the norm of 25-35 acres. The normal 40 yard wide fairways will be increased to between 60-70 yards.

TPC Colorado is the first new TPC course in the network in 7 years, and the first ground up new construction in 10 years, in the state of Colorado. For more details see TPCColorado.com

 TWO PEA’S IN A POD-CAST THAT IT IS, Part 2 a preview of 2018 coming up in the week ahead with Len Ziehm. McQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook is your place for winter golf, great food and horse race action the OTB. For more information visit McQsdome.com    _____________________________________________________________________

BREAKING NEWS Masters Champion Sergio Garcia leaves Taylor Made and joins Callaway Golf. Other 2018 news, The Eskimo Open this coming Sunday Jan. 7 at Cog Hill, tee times start at 7Am, call (866)-COH-HILL to sign up. You can now sign up for Illinois Patriot Golf Day May 30th at Medinah CC. Illinoispatriot.org.

THE GOG BLOG by Director of Content Rory Spears. Looking for a warm place for golf like this day at the French Lick Resort. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook and Linkedin.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and 2018, Lets hope it stays that way.

As I head into 2018, I can’t close out 2017 without saying thanks to our listeners on Golfers on Golf Radio, AM 750 WNDZ at 9 Am on Saturdays from April to September. To our growing number of readers on Golfersongolf.com we thank you for another great season, and hope you will stay with us in the years ahead.

As for our sponsors. Starting back in the winters months of 2017, special thanks to the Schaumburg Golf Club, McQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook and the Tinley Park Golf Show.

As for the summer months and the radio show, it starts with the French Lick Resort our presenting sponsor from Frecnh Lick Indiana. Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. The Mt. Prospect Golf Club in Mt. Prospect, the Arlington Lakes Golf Club in Arlington Heights, the NCAA Championships and Rich Harvest Farms, the KPMG Championship at Olympia Fields, The City of Elgin Golf Courses Bowes Creek and Highlands of Elgin, the Wheaton Park District and Arrowhead Golf Club, the Erin Hills Golf Club home of the 2017 US Open, DuPage Golf and the DuPage Country Forest Preserve District. We look forward to your support again in 2018.

As for the year ahead. I start off by saying it will be interesting to see who Medinah hires to replace Curtis Tyrrell their Director of Grounds who has left for the Bonita Bay Club in Naples Florida. Tyrrell who was rumored to be leaving right after the Ryder Cup in 2012, has left big shoes to fill. Three of the recent major superintendent hires in town, have all been from clubs like Merion and the Philadelphia Cricket Club out east. The new Director of Grounds at MCC will have about 16-17 months to get Course #3 ready for the BMW Championship, and Medinah’s first return to the big stage or professional tournament golf in 7 years.

Len Ziehm and I will do Part 2 of our Two Pea’s in a Pod-Cast that is, series later this week, stay clicked in as we preview the 2018 golf season ahead of us.

Tim Cronin has put out his 2017 season finale at Illinoisgolfer.net. Tim recaps the long life and contributions of the late Carol McCue who just passed away at age 94. She will be missed by many.

WHAT I DO have in the “must get out bin” is a few things from Titleist and from the Pinehurst resort. Do stay clicked in for those items and before long I expect to hear from Callaway Golf on what they will bring to the golf industry in 2018.

THE GOOD FOLKS at McQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook are working to get the new TPT Golf Shaft I was sent from across the pond ready for testing. TPT is a newer shaft about ready to make it’s debut in the states, some top name touring pro’s have already won with it oversea’s.

THE AREA GOLF SHOW’S will be here before you know it. Tinley Park, Lake County and the Chicago Show in Rosemont, three straight weekends next month. More coming up right here on those shows in the weeks ahead.

I AM looking forward to tournament season here. Including two new events that include the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open at the Chicago Golf Club, and the Sr. Players Championship at Exmoor. I am not pleased that those two events are the same week along with John Deere, and are all being played from July 9-15.

THE WOMEN’S WESTERN Amateur Championship at Mistwood, tee’s off the same week as the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes, in the last week of June.

THERE IS NO REASON to get overly pumped about Tiger coming back in 2018, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Golf Channel host Brandel Chamblee, are among major golf names who have downplayed the 12th or 13th attempted comeback by Woods. If he plays well, then fine. #GOAT he is not, and never will be. Woods has fired his latest coach and for now is his own coach, good luck.

I WILL HAVE MORE from St. Louis based architect Art Schaupeter, on his new course that will open in August of 2018, TPC Colorado. Locally Schaupeter is known for his work as an assistant to Keith Foster at Shepherd’s Crook, and taking over a Foster project at the Highlands of Elgin, and now as a member of Greg Martin’s Team on the Preserve at Oak Meadows project. This club will go private at some point, might be worth a play while the public can jump on. TPC Colorado will host a Web.com event in 2019.

It’s cold outside, but the domes are open. Go hit it, the New Year is here. RS

THESE BALLS DROP IN THE CUP, NOT JUST AT MIDNIGHT ONCE A YEAR

HAPPY 2018 from everyone at Golfers on Golf Radio & Golfersongolf.com

Thanks for the support in 2017, and wishing all golfers more pars, birdies, eagles and maybe even an ace or two in 2018.

Ed Stevenson, Mike Munro, Bill Berger, and Rory Spears.

The Gog Blog Returns on Tuesday Jan. 2nd, 2018. With the Gog Blog Speaks Out.