IT’S TIME TO HIT THE GOLF BALL, in the new simulators at the Schaumburg Golf Club 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, book your tee time to play a Top 100 Course today by calling (847)-885-9000, Schaumburggolf.com. MCQ’s Dome located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is a golf dome, OTB and restaurant. Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. Follow the Blackhawks at McQ’s, a Blackhawks bar all the way to the stanley cup ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms in May, or on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

Golfers on Golf has received confirmation from Cog Hill Owner Frank Jemsek, that Cog Hill #4, or “Dubsdread” will undergo a bunker renovation this spring. A letter from Jemsek states the following.

We are currently working on a winter Dubsdread greenside bunker project. We have removed all the liners and sand from each of our greenside bunkers. Out of those, 10 of them will be transitioned into grass bunkers. We are currently waiting for ProAngle sand (used at both Augusta National & Muirfield) to be produced and available with slightly warmer temperatures. As it stands now, the project will be completed in early May. We intend to complete similar work on fairway bunkers through out the remainder of the golf season, but the work will focus on one bunker per hole at a time create the least amount of customer disruption.

The Par 3, 6th hole on Cog Hill #4, Dubsdread.

There is no information on whether course #4, will open later this spring because of the renovation project .

Cog Hill Golf & Country Club has also released the following news.

Dubsdread still ranks as the #1 public course in Illinois per several local and national publications, or on Top 100 lists of public courses across the country.

The Cog Hill range has received an award for being in the Top 50 ranges in the country by Golf Range Association magazine (GRAA).  Cog Hill has expanded it’s club fitting and repair team with Randy Heinrich and Jim Hartnett.

Cog Hill continues to expand it’s junior programs, and golf development programs in several areas. visit Coghillgolf.com for details.

Jemsek closed his letter by saying, the Cog Hill management team is still working hard to bring a high profile golf event back to Cog Hill. To book your tee time or golf event at Cog Hill in 2017, please call (866)-COG-HILL. or (630)-257-5872.

THE NCAA NATIONAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS COME TO RICH HARVEST FARMS in Sugar Grove. See NCAA.com/Tickets to buy your tickets today. May 19-31 is coming up fast, see two final fours and the top golf professionals of tomorrow.

        THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB                  WELCOME TO ERIN HILLS                         NEW INDOOR SIMULATORS                           2017 US OPEN SITE

         MCQS GOLF DOME & OTB                       WHO NEEDS US OPEN TICKETS                                       NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MAY-US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP IN JUNE                 WHO NEEDS US OPEN TICKETS-WHO KNEW THE US OPEN TROPHY LOVES             DEEP DISH CHICAGO STYLE PIZZA, FROM GINO’S EAST IN ROSEMONT

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the US Open at Erin Hills, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

(Writing from Gino’s East Pizzeria, Rosemont, IL. YUM !)

WHO KNEW, I didn’t know the US Open trophy loved Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. On Monday the US Open trophy stopped into Gino’s East for lunch, over in Rosemont.

After all it was a busy day for the trophy that had flown in from Far Hills, New Jersey to O’Hare and had already stopped in Chicago for a quick TV appearance. Before heading back downtown to huddle with some writers and another TV show or two, the U.S. Open trophy (and that’s it’s real name) stopped off for pizza. Chicago Style.

THE US OPEN TROPHY stands out looking over Erin Hills, where in June the worlds top golfers will compete for the honor of holding it up high, and maybe share a beverage with it.

But before the trophy heads off to Wisconsin on Tuesday, it had to stop in Chicago before it went to the city of Milwaukee and the town of Erin.

See it seems, that the U.S. Open trophy decided that it had been way to long, since it spent a week at Olympia Fields in 2003, and it just missed the windy city.

But it wanted to send a message to the Chicago area golfers that this June, the U.S. Open makes a rare Midwest appearance. Just northwest of Milwaukee Wisconsin, but yet an easy drive nonetheless. Which is why you need to go, and better yet, you still can.

By the end of June the US Open trophy will go here, to a far far away land called Long Island and a club called Shinnecock Hills, where the trophy has a history.

This U.S. Open is not one of those events that sells out in five minutes, so you the golf fan does not need to go see your ticket broker just to get in.

It will not cost you more than a full set of new clubs to enjoy Erin Hills. It might even be less to get into Erin Hills, than you will spend on a dozen premium golf balls in some pro shops.

There is not a great amount of tickets left, but there are a few tickets for every day of championship week, still waiting for you to putt them into your pocket.

In between enjoying the pizza and all the great food at Gino’s East, I did catch up with Erin Hills Championship Manager Eric Steimer and USGA Senior Curator/ and USGA Museum Historian Michael Trostel. Steimer speaks on Erin Hills and Trostel on US Open past history and what types of golf history could be made at Erin Hills this year.

Click here to hear the interview with Eric Steimer and Michael Trostel.

It’s less than 100 days to the 2017 US Open, get your tickets today, a great Mothers Day or Fathers Day gift. See USGA.org/tickets or visit usopen.com for more information.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB, and it’s new simulators make SGC the place to be when it comes to getting your game ready to go outdoors. Make a tee time today to play some of the Top 100 Courses in the world. Schaumburggolf.com or (847)-885-9000. THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS coming to Rich Harvest Farms, May 19-31, First the Women, then the Men, two final fours, free parking, well priced tickets, get up close to the action, great food and beverage. NCAA.com/Tickets cheer on your state, or your alma mater, see the pro’s of tomorrow-today. McQs Dome Rt. 53 Bolingbrook, is a one stop golf, horse racing, food now in the dome at the dog and drink bar. Mcqsdome.com. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG a part of Golfers on Golf, and Golfersongolf.com by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the US Open at Erin Hills, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

You know golf season has arrived in the Chicago area, when the USGA and the US Open trophy arrive in town as well.

It’s first stop is at WGN TV and then it’s off to meet yours truly. When and where is yet to be decided, but if your golf course is open and your near O’Hare let us know. I had a quick visit with it last summer at Erin Hills, but looking forward to seeing it again.

The USGA is making some propsoed rule changes to golf, and that is part of the visit to town.

U.S. Open Champion Dustin Johnson played in his first tournament since becoming #1 in the world, and he wins the WGC Championship in Mexico. it’s amazing how Johnson is coming into his own as a player after various ups and downs. Now he might be on his way to his best year ever, and he could win at Erin Hills, a place that might just be suited for him and his game.

THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP at Rich Harvest Farms, the first big championships to be played in the Chicago area this year, are the NCAA Championships from May 19 to 31. Word is that tickets are going fast, and that almost 20,000 for the two weeks have been sold already. NCAA.com/Tickets.

IF YOU MISSED IT, over the weekend our two part story about the courses at Sea Pines Resort at Hilton Head Island. Both Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III and Harbour Town by Pete Dye, with an assist from Jack Nicklaus have recovered from Hurricane Matthew. Harbour Town is in outstanding condition, and back a month ago when I played it, it looked the RBC Heritage Tournament could have been played that week.

Special thanks to Director of Golf John Farrell and Sea Pines member Augie Tonne for helping out with the all the arrangements, and tours. Visit Seapines.com.

Valspar Championship on Copperhead at Inninbrook Resort in Florida.

This week the PGA Tour as it moves through Florida, it heads to Palm Harbour and the Innisbrook Resort.

The Coppherhead Course is now in outstanding condition after a renovation that went on for parts of two years.

Last year the grass might have been a little thin in someplaces, but now it’s ready to roll, and the pro’s should have a great week. Innisbrookgolf.com for your next Florida golf getaway. Innisbrook is home to some of the ‘World’s Best Onion Rings”. Major league Yum !

More good golf news coming up this week, do stay clicked in right here. RS

   THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now home to the latest in golf simulators, and a year round golf facility. You can play Top 100 Courses from around the world, while you enjoy the best in food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs. For more information and how to book your cold season tee time see Schaumburggolf.com or (847)-885-9000. Schaumburg Golf Club is located just minutes from Woodfield Mall.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG, by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory to Harbour Town and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

Hilton Head Island is back, not that it was ever gone, but last fall when Hurricane Matthew invaded Hilton Head did take a hit. Some parts of the island where hit worse than others, and fortunately for the home of the RBC Heritage Classic, Harbour Town was not hit as bad.

The golf course is back in outstanding shape, and even in late Jaunary the PGA Tour tournament could have been played that week.

Not a tree limb or leaf was out of place, in fact the course looked like nobody had played there in months, which was far from the truth. The superintendent and crew should be named maintenance crew of the year. Whatever secrets they have should be shared in the industry.

The new Harbour Town Clubhouse

The golf course designed by Pete Dye, with a little help from Jack Nicklaus, has a great history, that runs even beyond the famed lighthouse seen behind the 18th green. Even though it isn’t exactly behind the 18th green, it sits back a bit (see top photo).

This year it will be fun to see what the championship does to honor it’s first winner of the tournament, the King himself, Arnold Palmer.

 THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT RICH HAREVST FARMS in Sugar Grove May19-31 come see two Final-Fours in two weeks in the atmosphere of the 2009 Solheim Cup. You can enjoy free parking, well priced tickets for up close action instead of nose bleed seats. Much better food and beverage selections and pricing. NCAA.com/Tickets and get them now. The famed lighthouse at Harbour Town, Seapines.com. Warm weather is coming, get your golf practice in at MCQs dome Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Mcqsdome.com.

 ON THE FIRST at Harbour Town (L) and the Par 3, 4th (R) with it’s risk-reward tee shot even from the middle tee boxes. Thanks Pete.

The Harbour Town golf course has a reputation for being tight and narrow, and in some places it is, but in many places it’s not what you would think. It’s crafty Dye design has a way of reeling in some of the long bombers, but your driver won’t sleep in the corner of the your golfbag through all 18 holes.

 HARBOUR TOWN has one of the best sets of four par 3 holes that you will find on any golf course, anywher., Ol’ Pete snuck in some water on all of them, bus massive long carries don’t come into play on all of the holes.

The par 3, 17th hole, sets one up for the challenge of the famed lighthouse hole, coming right around the corner.

The Par 3, 17th hole isn’t real long, but as you come out from in between the homes and the trees on the back nine, 16,17 and 18 do expose you to change in the wind and temperatures.

So what you have had through most of your round, can change at the end. For those of you that are playing for something, or might want to post a certain score, don’t wait until too late in round to post a charge, put yourself in a solid position by 15 or 16 at the latest.

After your round visit the brand new clubhouse, and maybe chat with Director of Golf John Farrell, a real ambassador for the course, the property and the game itself. If anyone knows low-country golf it’s Farrell. The new players lounge, open to the public right off the lockroom is a great place to relax post round and has a great view down to the 9th green.

The gift shop at the top of the lighthouse.

If you don’t fine what your looking for in the big pro shop, you can then head over to the famed lightouse for a tour of history up the stairs, and then into the gift shop at the top.

It’s a great view from the top ledge and walkway.

Sea Pines is one of those resorts that at some point, you must put on your golf bucket list if you have not been there.

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy Sea Pines. The PGA Tour’s tournament week in April brings in over 100,000 spectators for the week, you could be one of them, or come down and play Harbour Town when the pro’s are not. It’s a round you will enjoy.

For more information visit Seapines.com or call (866)-561-8802, to stay and play or get information on tickets to attend the RBC Heritage Classic on the PGA Tour.

  THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S NCAA National Championships at Rich Harvest Farms, two final fours in two weeks, come enjoy the collegiate sports atmosphere in the fine setting of Rich Harvest Farms of Sugar Grove, well priced tickets on sale now, enjoy the free parking, and get up close to the action, who needs over priced nose-bleed seats, see the future LPGA and PGA Tour players now, the NCAA Championships from May 19-31 NCAA.Com/tickets. The Championships are hosted by Northern Illinois University of Dekalb. MCQ’S DOME is your place today to go practice while it’s a little cool out, the next couple of days will be warmer, so be ready for that by stopping at McQ’s Dome, enjoy the food, play the ponies, McQsDome.com Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. #MistwoodGolf   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by, RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory into the new simulators of the Schaumburg Golf Club at 401 N. Roselle Road, indoor today, outside tomorrow. More golf at Rory’s Facebook, Linkedin Pages, or on Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

There are some new golf holes to be played at the Sea Pines Resort on the Plantation Island of Hilton Head, located in South Carolina.

While Sea Pines may be known for it’s PGA Tour event on it’s Harbour Town golf course, Harbour Town now has some sister courses that golfers will enjoy.

(More on that course with the lighthouse tomorrow)

Pete Dye who designed Harbour Town has also renovated Heron Point, a fun Dye Course that the resorts golfers enjoy. Bur right next door is what was known as the the Sea Pines-Ocean Course that now after renovation is called the Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III.

The par3, 15th hole on Atlantic Dunes with the ocean running past the backside of the green, is a great place for picture taking.

The Sea Pines Ocean Course was the very first golf course built on Hilton Head Island (known as HHI).

The course has the feel of a seaside links courses, that is accented by the Lowcountry feel, complete with Coquina Shells, and seasdie grasses.

It’s holes mix through the area’s native pine trees, and oak trees that are common to the area.

The resort felt that Love III, the 5-Time RBC Heritage Champion and current reigning Ryder Cup winning Captain, was a proper choice to redesign and modernize the golf course. Love Golf Design that is made up of Davis Love III, his brother Mark and their lead architect Scott Sherman, redesigned holes to fit todays longer game, in addition to creating corridors with scenic views.

    The Heron Point and Atlantic Dunes Clubhouse at Sea Pines (L) and the Par 3, 3rd hole on Atlantic Dunes (R).

Atlantic Dunes by the recreation and restoration of natural sand dunes, adds the benefit of strategic and visual options to the round. other dunes have been created to add to the courses features. There are over ten thousand new plants that give the golf course a more seaside feel.

“Sea Pines is one of my favorite all-time places to play and visit so I’m excited the redesign will be in line with the great golf offered by Harbour Town and Heron Point,” says Love.

Course stats: Love tee’s 7,010, 143 slope, 74.3 rating and a par of 72.

To visit and play golf at Sea Pines Resort, visit Seapines.com or call (843)-842-8484.

         MCQ’S GOLF DOME is ready for your weekday warm up, for the warm weather ahead this weekend. Friday night go see the Blackhawks game at this official Blackhawks Bar, the OTB is open and ready to show you those Kentucky Derby contenders. Get the clubs out and get a lesson from the Mistwood Staff of professionals on site. Go 2 MCQ’s Dome, and visit mcqsdome.com, the new menu is here. THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now a year round golf facility, with the addition of the latest in golf simulators, play golf and enjoy food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs, for more information and to play a TOP 100 golf course, see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000 SGC located at 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, near Woodfield.    _____________________________________________________________________

One of those days, The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

IT’S ONE OF THOSE DAYS…

Back in the 1990’s when I used to head down to the Glenwoodie Golf Club, I was usually greeted by a smiling face by the name of Jim Mattas.

I’ll never forget the days when I would head over to play a quick 18 with my former WSCR radio AM-820 co-worker Dan McNeil.

Glenwoodie was one of our haunts in the day, after 18 holes of golf, and on somedays a big half pound burger with cheese, Mac and I would head then head down to Belmont Ave and another air-shift.

Jim Mattas of Cog Hill and Jemsek Golf.

When the Jemseks lost out on keeping Glenwoodie as the lease ran out one year, there were many who wondered what would happen to Jim. Would he be out of job, where would he go.

Thankfully, Frank Jemsek kept him on by giving him a job over at Cog Hill. Upon arrival in the big clubhouse the home of Cog Hill courses 1 & 3, there was Jim, at the counter or close by, and a welcome smile and a handshake. Cog Hill regulars always knew they were in good hands with Jim.

What many people didn’t know was that, in recent years Mattas ran into a cancer battle that he fought hard against. Sadly, this past Superbowl weekend Jim lost his fight with the deadly disease. Thanks to the folks at Cog Hill, I just got the sad news.

The Jemseks on Feb. 4th lost a great worker, the golfers who played Cog Hill over the last 20 some years, lost a friend and smiling face. Golf lost someone special, and the customer service industry lost someone who had the industry mastered. RIP Jim, you will be missed.

MATTAS was 63, he is survived by his wife and two children.

  MCQ’S DOME ON RT. 53 IN BOLINGBROOK, is your place for warm winter golf workouts, be ready for outside golf this weekend, with an indoor session in the dome during the week, grab a lesson from the Mistwood professionals. McQs Dome your home for Blackhawks Hockey, and horse racing in the OTB. Visit Mcqsdome.com. The SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB located at 401 N.Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg, now has the latest and greatest in simulators, play several Top 100 courses, call (847)-885-9000 ______________________________________________________________________

ILLINOIS PGA PROFESSIONAL JIM BILLITER JOINS KEMPER LAKES GOLF CLUB, Billiter with the Illinois PGA Section Championship Trophy (L) and with the Illinois PGA Section Match Play Championship Trophy (R). 

THE GOG BLOG, by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Kemper Lakes and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

On a day that the National Hockey League had as it’s trade deadline day, it seems the Illinois PGA is making moves of it’s own.

Jim Billiter a two-time IPGA Section major championship winner, has putted out at the Merit Club, and moved over to Kemper Lakes, to become the clubs head professional.

Billiter will start his duties at Kemper Lakes on March 10th. He joins the club after 10 years at the Merit Club, where since 2010 he served as the First-Assistant. Billiter helped oversee the LPGA International Crown in 2016, and will be right back to work with the LPGA/PGA when the KPMG Championship arrives at Kemper Lakes in 2018.

Billiter is a past champion of the Illinois PGA Section Match Play Championship, that is played ever year on his new home course. Billiter won the IPGA Section Championship at Medinah in 2015.

Jim grew up in Gurnee and played golf at Warren high school, his brother John is the head professional at the Sportsmans Golf Club in Northbrook.

IPGA Professional news of the day also included, Simon Allan moving from Prestwick CC to become the Director of Golf at Flossmoor Country Club.

Garrett Chaussard moves from Chicago Highlands to the Skokie County Club as the teaching professional.

 MARCH IS HERE, lets play golf. Warm up for the warm-weekend ahead by getting your practice in-inside at the new simulators of the SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB located at 401 N. Roselle Road, call for your tee time today at (847)-885-9000. In Bolingbrook stop at MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53, this golf dome, OTB and official Blackhawks Bar is a one stop place for fun, see the Blackhawks battle Pittsburgh tonight at 7 PM. Golfers grab a pre-summer lesson at MCQ’s where the Mistwood pros hang out. Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. MCQs Dome part of Mistwood Golf.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the Loop at Forest Dunes Golf Club, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

This past weekend I attended the Chicago Golf Show, and it was great to visit the destination golf property booths that were on the show floor.

One booth in particular caught my eye.

The Forest Dunes and the Loop Course booth that was. I made a visit late last June up to Forest Dunes and the Loop, to see the new Loop course.

The Loop is the reversable course that was designed by Tom Doak, it is quite concept and it is being copied by other architects in other places in the country. My visit to Forest Dunes a fantastic Top 100 rated course and property by mulitple national publications was not only to play the courses, but write a story on the new Loop golf course. To my surprise last August, CDGA used my story of the Loop and the new Mike Keiser Sand Valley design in Wisconsin as the cover story. Always a proud moment for those in the writing business.

L-R Forest Dunes Operations Manager Don Helinski, GM Chad Maveus, Head Professional Elliott Oscar show off The Loop and Forest Dunes courses to Chicago Golfers.

As I toured the golf show last Friday, I went past the Forest Dunes and Loop booth, and what did I find.

But my story highlighted up on the easel of the booth. There’s a first time for everything, and that was my first golf show in booth promo.

For that, special thanks to Don Helinski, Chad Maveus and Elliott Oscar for the extra promotion of my work.

That being said, it’s easy to write and promote great facilities like Forest Dunes located in Roscommon Michigan. Now Roscommon is not a big town, it’s a bit remote and it’s located about 1 hour south east of Gaylord.

   THE TEE MARKERS ON THE LOOP, and the flag on the 18th green of both the Black and the Red Routing of the Loop course.

   WELCOME TO FOREST DUNES and how about this shot on the Par 3, 9th hole on the Forest Dunes Course.

While the Forest Dunes course doesn’t change much, the Loop course changes every day, from Black to Red and back to Black. So if you play one routing one day, you get the other direction and other color the next day.

Which direction will be your favorite route around the Loop, well travel to Forest Dunes and play the Loop, then decide for yourself.

For more information on Forest Dunes, see Forestdunesgolf.com or call (989)-275-0700. Then again visit CDGA.org, there is a story from last August you can read as well.

 THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS will be played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from May 19th through the 31st. Come see Two Final Fours in two weeks, tickets on sale now at NCAA.com/Tickets Almost 20,000 tickets have been sold already _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GgoBlogGuy. and to Rich Havest Farms in May.

The #2 ranked Fighting Illini Men’s Golf Team did not start the srping golf season the way they or Head Coach Mike Small would have preferred them to.

The Illini had to settle for a 4th place finish in the 32nd annual Louisana Classics, held in Lafayette Louisana, and contested on the Oakbourne Country Club, 7,098 yards and a par of 72.

Illinois carded a total score of 873 (+9) for the championship, that was played in windy conditions. Kent State at -21 won the championship, with Texas A&M edging out LSU by a stroke at -2 and -1. Illinois then 10 shots back was 4th.

Afterwards Illinois coach Mike Small was less than pleased.

“This was not an inspiring effort,” said Small. “We pride ourselves in closing off tournaments better than this, but today the golf course and the conditions got the better of us.”

Nick Hardy who carried the Illini with a 3 under par score for the tournament, backed up in the final round with a 3 over par 75. Michael Feagles had the low final round for Illinois with a 1 over par 73, Dylan Meyer had a 74 and finished 1 over par for the tournament.

Illinois had four players finish in the Top 25 for the tournament. The Illini have a chance to put this championship behind them quickly, as they head to Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete in the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters, March 6-8.

You can stay tuned to FightingIllini.com and this website for more news on the Illinois men’s golf team.

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is now a year-round golf facility. Complete with the newest top level simualtors on the market, SGC gives you the golfer, a place to work on your game, play Top 100 courses from around the world, and golf while you enjoy the best in food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House right upstairs. So why not tune up for the main body of the outdoor golf season, by getting some practice in at the Schaumburg Golf, 401 N. Roselle Road, minutes from Woodfield Mall. (847)-885-9000. ______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SIMULATOR BAY at the Schaumburg Golf Club, THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory and Golfers on Golf on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Golf Show season in the Chicago area has long-putted out, and is now ready to move the game outdoors.

In the next few weeks it’s still not a bad idea to get some good practice done inside, and away from any snow, wind, rain or cooler temps that might linger outside.

As for golf show season, Tenco Corp. started the season with shows in Lake County and in Tinley Park. This past weekend the Chicago Golf Show held in Rosemont, saw large numbers of golfers attend, to get some free golf lessons from the Illinois PGA professionals on hand, hit some new equipment, check out destination properties and more. The Chicago Golf Show was a big success, with one minor issue of concern from some media, vendors and golfers in attendance.

IS THERE ANY NEED for the “headliners” on the main stage to be baseball players, regardless of their Hall of Fame Status, and the fact they do play golf. Some 30 media types, vendors, IPGA, other state’s pro’s, plus show-goers I spoke with, expressed a return to seeing names from the golf world back on stage in 2018. Apparently having John Daly, Lee Trevino and golf types like them, is who the golf crowd is looking to hear from.

I’d love to see Paul Azinger and Mike Davis of the USGA hold a town hall session on the world of golf, up on the main stage of the Chicago Golf Show.

There are two major women’s golf events in town come 2018, and hearing from players that will play in them would be great.

          THE LPGA/PGA KPMG CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE CONTESTED AT KEMPER LAKES IN LATE JUNE OF 2018. 

          THE U.S. SR. WOMEN’S OPEN WILL be contested at the historic Chicago Golf Club in July of 2018.

The 2018 Sr. Players Championship will be held at Exmoor Country Club and having a top Champions Tour player would be a good idea to have at the show. Maybe 2018 will have golfers back on stage, I know Tom Corcoran and his staff will work hard on making something like that, a reality.

The 2017 U.S Women’s Open, at Trump National Bedminster, this July 13-16.

The U.S. Women’s Open will be contested at the Trump National Golf Club-Bedminster in New Jersey.

There is a group lobbying golf media including me to write that the championship should bemoved to another golf course.

Shaunna Thomas the Co-Founder of a group called UltraViolet, is having a DC based PR firm contact golf media members, telling them that over 100,000 people have signed a petition to have the tournament moved because the 45th president of the United States is a racist and sexual predator. However the group has taken no stance against former President Bill Clinton, who has been accused by numerous women of sexual harrassment and crimes. The group has not taken any action against former President Barack Obama, who some groups and high-profile individuals have labeled a racist.

Thomas is quoted in the press release as saying that,” golf is a sport that carries a long history of sexism and racism and mistreatment of those with disabilities.” Included is a comment from Thomas about the Casey Martin vs the USGA case, where Martin wanted to use a golf cart during the U.S. Open.

Ms. Thomas has a resume that includes one year of college time spent at two California universities, and two years in Colorado at Boulder. There is no mention of her being a golfer or having any type of athletic background. All of which explains a few things.

MEMO to Ms. Thomas, it is too late to change a major championship of this nature, doing so would give the championship a black-eye and look poor for women’s golf, which I’m proud to say, is making strides across America and around the globe.

Groups like the First Tee are working hard with minorities to grow the game. The Illinois Patriot Education Fund (IPEF) and group like the Folds of Honors and the Wounded Warriors Project are helping veterans through golf, put their lives and families back together again.

Speaking for myself, I fully support USGA Executive Director Mike Davis, and LPGA Commisioner Michael Whan in their decision to support the 2017 U.S Women’s Open being contested in it’s choosen location.

Any effort to move the championship is a black-eye to women’s golf, and an insult to the POTUS. Shaunna Thomas, take down your petition, and move forward in a positive direction where you help women, and not set back their progress.

The Gog Blog Returns soon..stay clicked in. RS.