MCQ’S DOME in Bolingbrook, your place to hit balls or practice in the winter. McQ’s also has an OTB to play the horses, and a full service restaurant with a new menu. So get out of the house and head to McQ’s, see mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. THE SCHAUMBURG Golf Club and Academy is now a year round golf facility, with the addition of several new simulators where you can play many of the world’s Top 100 golf courses, test your game, or just practice while enjoying the best in food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House located upstairs. Schaumburggolf.com or (847)-885-9000.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory at the 2017 PGA Show and on Facebook, Linkedn and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the new Wilson Triton Driver- winner of the Driver vs Driver contest.

It all started some years back in Michigan when then Major Dan Rooney wanted to do more for his fellow military veterans.

Rooney was not only a fighter pilot in the military, he was a PGA Section golf professional in the state of Michigan.

What started out the first year as a golf outing that raised a little more than six thousand dollars, has now grown into an organization called the Folds of Honor that raised over 7 million dollars last year.

Folds of Honor Sr. VP of Public Relations Maj. Ed Pulido works the booth at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show.

That money helps out military families with scholarships to colleges, and more.

That money comes from the tireless efforts of people like USA Major Ed Pulido, who was injured in combat in the Middle East.

Pulido who was honored by both generals and two U.S. Presidents, is coast-to-coast constantly raising funds for the FOH.

This year like in past years the Folds of Honor held a special event at the PGA Show, announce the contributions and the money raised.

Click here to hear our interview with Folds of Honor Major Ed Pulido from the PGA Show.

Folds of Honor raises many of it’s dollars from National Patriot Golf Day over Labor Day weekend, mark it on your calendar, and visit Foldsofhonor.org for more information.

 MCQS DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, is your place for winter golf. This full sized dome can get you into the swing of things for the 2017 golf season. Just hit it, get a lesson or club fitting, and now right behind the tee line is the new hotdog and drink bar. Need more, the restaurant has a new menu and the OTB has the horses running, and will the place all the way into Derby Day. See mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592.   ______________________________________________________________________

A BIG 3, Joy Sarver and Len Ziehm of Len Ziehm on Golf, and Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The PGA Merchandise Show is one place to get golf on the mind for the year ahead. The show itself has products from many companies you have heard of, and some new ones that you have not.

It’s a place for everyone to introduce what’s new, and what’s old but now improved.

As the years go by and things change in our society, they change in golf as well. Players are finding new ways to enjoy the sport we love. The keep score in a new way, or don’t keep score at all, they wear different shoes and apparel. They have lightweight golf bags and head covers with everything from animals to logo’s of the wolrds greatest golf courses on them. All in all this show is where you see it all.

Back by popular demand is the Ziehm and Spears podcast, that tells the story of the show and what two veteran observers have seen this year, below are our thoughts summed up in 11 quick minutes and change.

Click here to hear the Len Ziehm and Rory Spears podcast recapof the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show.

Please also follow the PGA Show on Lenziehmongolf.com.

The Gog Blog has plenty of show stories that will appear here on the site over the next coupe of weeks, clubs, apparel, golf balls, and products, stay clicked in to see and hear them all. RS

 THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB with new simulators is now a state of the art year round golf facility, play many of the Top 100 Courses, get a lesson or club fitting. Call now for your tee time (847)-885-9000 or visit Schaumburggolf.com 401 N. Roselle Rd.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears,. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the PGA Show and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy At the Wilson Golf booth with the new Driver vs Driver Winner, Triton.

IF THERE is ever really a day that launches golf for the year ahead, it’s demo day at the PGA Merchandise Show.

It gets many of the nations golf pro’s out hitting balls on a driving range. trying out a new club that might go in their bag, but more likely to go in their pro shop and then in your bag before it goes out on the golf course.

The next three days the show moves indoors to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida. It’s quite a show as trade shows go, for those of you in Chicago imagine McCormick Place loaded end-to-end with golf products and golf apparel. It really is something to see, The Golf Channel will have a special on it in the next day or two.

Paul Schlimm of Callaway Golf show’s off the new Epic Driver, part of the Great Big Bertha Family.

One of the highlights of demo day usually revolves around new drivers and this year was no different.

First on the tee was Wilson’s Driver vs Driver winner the Triton, that now according to Wilson Golf GM Tim Clark is now totally conforming thanks to the USGA. Triton if you didn’t know is now back on the shelves in your golf show and retail stores like the PGA Tour store.

I’ll speak more with contest winner Eric Sillies and Clark in the next two days, and find out more about what’s next for Sillies and Wilson Golf. Could Iron vs Iron be next. I did hit the Triton and it feels a little funny when you first line it up, but after a few swings it settles right into your comfort zone. I had mixed results with an 9.0 loft that Clark had me hit. But for fun Maryville academy professional Juan Espejo had me hit a 12.0 loft and with todays wind, it really sailed all three times I hit it. Clark showed me the small changes the USGA had Wilson make to make Triton conforming, you really have to wonder what the USGA was thinking. I’d like to ask them again, but I’m sure the same answer would come my way, that the testing process is confidential.

CALLAWAY GOLF has introduced a new driver called EPIC. It’s part of the Great Big Bertha family, it has a novel inside that you don’t always see. It’s also part of the reason that the club is not very easy to build.

The inside of the new Epic Driver by Callaway

I did not hit the Epic but I will back in Chicago in the weeks ahead. Callaway Golf has some good things going on with putters.

First off with the Odyssey putter line and then with the purchase of the Sean Toulon Putter Company.

I’ll have more on Callaway as well over the next few days. If you watch the golf industry and companies that are the major players in club making, you have to be impressed with the direction of Wilson and Callaway. Both companies are generating a lot of real golf product buzz.

TAYLOR MADE GOLF which has been for sale for a while now, might have a group ready to buy them, which is news in itself, but what is adding some fuel to the fire here is that Tiger Woods might be part of the group. I’m sure the folks at Bridgestone will be thrilled if there is any truth to this rumor, not sure if there is any more news on this subject coming out while the show is still on. This is not real golf product buzz.

TITLEIST GOLF announced some new additons to the Scotty Cameron Putter line, with the Futura and Newport lines. But while the Titleist hitting area was busy with demo day patrons hitting the new 917 line, what seemed to be an even more active area of Titleist was the short game zone loaded with Bob Vokey wedges.

THE FOLDS OF HONOR held it’s annual show party last night at the convention center, it’s always great to hear the tribute stories from family members of our military veterans who have been helped by the foundation.

The convention side of the show starts shortly, I’m headed to the floor to find out who is headed to the course and the tee box, and what else is good golf news. Stay clicked in.

For those of your back at home, stay warm and get to McQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook and starting getting ready to take your game outside. RS

   THE FLAG ON 18 AT PINEHURST 2, Behind the 18th is Deuces one of the newest additions to the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, ready to return see Pinehurst.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to The Pit Golf Course, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

(Writing from Pinehurst, NC) by Rory Spears.

I couldn’t do an interview with Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley, without bringing up a subject that had some steam back around the 2014 U.S Open at Pinehurst, but had dropped off the map since.

What about the golf course formerly known as “The Pit” just off the edge of the Pinehurst Resort property.

The Pit built and opened back in 1985 by architect Dan Maples, was one of those courses that golfers had a love or hate relationship with, so say the locals or the stories on line. But when it closed and was sold back in late 2010, after the course fell victim to the financial climate of the times, it wasn’t hard to find golfers wishing the course was still open.

Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley in his office that overlooks the 18th green of Pinehurst #2.

Since it closed the course the course has apparently been sold, twice. Once to a local businessman, and then to the Pinehurst Resort.

The Pit property according to Pashley was about 300 acres, that land now sits side-by-side with 700 acres that the resort previously owned.

During the interview with Pashley, he admits that that if any new course was built on the land, the architects could have up to 1,000 acres to work with.

The Pit’s clubhouse front entrance is now overgrown.

It’s also unlikely that the name “The Pit” would last as part of the Pinehurst Resort. Even though the resort does have this “thing” for preserving history. If a new course opens on the land, it would likely be called Pinehurst #10.

The Pit at Pinehurst #10 ? Just asking.

When the resort didn’t have any pictures on file. I decided to go exploring around the abandoned golf course and see what I could find on the property, that claimed it’s original name from mining work that had previously been done on the site.

This area from left of the clubhouse was reportedly the short par 4, 10th hole.

I walked out in several directions from the clubhouse to follow the routing a few holes in each direction. It was an easy walk for the most part, since the cart paths are still in pretty good shape. I found evidence of golf being played on the site, and old Titleist was laying in what was the 11th fairway. On a hole that appears to be late on the front nine, the water stand, was still standing.

I was curious to see what Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are seeing as they walk the land. Yes, Ben and Bill have submitted a routing that runs through the 1,000 acres the resort has to build on.

Pinehurst Owner and CEO Bob Dedman has been spending his fair share of time out on the property, walking it as well.

Signs of the Pit still exist just outside the clubhouse.

Based on the current routing that Crenshaw and Coore have turned in to the resort, if that plan stands, not much of the old Pit would come into play as part of a Pinehurst #10 course.

Pashley admits that only 3 or 4 holes from the old routing would be back in play.

If that’s true, then there will be plenty of tall pine trees to clear out. So if this new Pinehurst course happens, when does it come online.

Click here to hear our interview with Tom Pashley regarding the future of the Pit, and could it become Pinehurst #10.

Pinehurst has quite a project going with course #4 and other things attached to that overall project. So it’s probable that at some point after #4 reopens in late 2018, that Pinehurst will catch it’s breath and then take another look at creating Pinehurst #10.

In 2019 the U.S. Amateur will be played at Pinehurst, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the resort announces the project either right before or during the championship, when the golf media assemble.

I can tell you this, with the land the resort has there from the old Pit property and the additional 700 acres they have previously owned, the potential for Crenshaw and Coore to create another “something special” golf course on that site is there.

For more on Pinehurst see Pinehurst.com. or call (800)- ITS-GOLF.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB and Academy, located at 401 N. Roselle Road, is now open year round with the addition of new state of the art golf simulators. While golfing, getting a lesson or fitting, why not enjoy food and drinks from Chandlers Chop House located right upstairs, see Schaumburggolf.com or call (847)-885-9000. McQ’s DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is one of the area’s premier golf domes, but add on an OTB to play the horses, a great restaurant, and a new hotdog and drink bar right behind the tee line. Get your game ready for 2017, get to McQ’s Dome. Mcqsdome.com            _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR, for most people in the golf industry to really launch the 2017 golf season.

Over 40,000 people will attend the four-day show, with one day at the Orange County Driving Range for demo day, and then three days in the convention center. Where attendee’s will see just about every product on the golf market today and maybe some that are hoping to be very soon.

BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm and I will be in Orlando, with Tim Cronin back in Chicago minding the fort on the local front. Ziehm and will check in with our podcast reports during the show on multiple days.

Rory Spears with Len Ziehm at demo day during the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show.

I know that Len and I have already received about a 100 emails each with everything going on at the show. We will spend Monday night at the new Ziehm Florida estate planning our show coverage strategy.

What I do know is there will be plenty of things to see, and both this website and Lenziehmongolf.com will have plenty of material to write about in the weeks ahead. So stay clicked in with all the partners for all the latest updates. At some point during the show, The Golf Channel will air a one-hour TV special, watch local listings for times and dates.

In Dueces the new bar behind the 18th green at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, with Pinehurst Presdient Tom Pashley. Pinehurst has hit a Home Run with creation of Dueces. See Pinehurst.com for details.

After starting the winter trip at the French Lick Resort, home of the new 2017 Sr. LPGA Championship this July, I continued on to Pinehurst where it’s always a beautiful day.

It’s been a great place to open the 2017 golf season with three rounds and 54 holes of golf. Starting the year on Pinehurst #2 was asking a bit much from my golf game after 2 months off, but I’ll take the seven pars I made and try to improve the rest of the year.

Since then I moved over to Southern Pines, and have enjoyed two days of play and stay at Talamore and the Mid-South Club. Both are very good and should be on golfers hit lists. The lodge at the Mid-South Club is about as good as it gets for golf stays. I’ll have more on both clubs in the next couple of days.

The front entrance to the clubhouse at The Pit is overgrown, but it might see life again.

THE PIT Golf Course in Aberdeen, just a couple of miles down the road from the main part of the Pinehurst Resort has been closed for almost 7 years but…

This Dan Maples design could live again according to Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley. The Pit was orginally opened in 1985, but closed about 25 years later and was sold, and then sold again to the Pinehurst Resort.

More often than not, The Pit is referred to as a golf course that many golfers who played it, wish was still open. Could it happen again, maybe so. Probably not as The Pit, but maybe as Pinehurst #10. Tomorrow hear our interview with Pashley as he talks about The Pit, and the fact that Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore and quite often Pinehurst Owner and CEO Bob Dedman have been out there walking the property. Stay clicked in to hear about my visit to The Pit, as I walked several of the old holes this past weekend.

The last few days since being on the road has really got me fired up for the show and the golf season ahead, I hope as you hit the domes, watch the pro’s on TV, or watch the golf show special later this week, you too will start getting excited about golf season.

With that it’s off to Florida and some even warmer weather. Stay clicked in. RS.

  THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB 401 N. Rosell Road in Schaumburg, is now a year round facility, complete with new golf simulators on it’s lower level. You can now play Top 100 courses, by yourself, or in a group. Grab a lesson, get a fitting, and while you golf enjoy food and drink from Chandlers Chop House upstairs. For details or to book your simulator time, Schaumburggolf.com of call (847)-885-9000. Golf season is here.   ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow the Gog Blog and Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. In Dueces at Pinehurst, with Resort President Tom Pashley.

With the success of Pinehurst #2, that now includes bold looking waste area’s, more yardage and a rotation of par between holes 4 and 5, Pinehurst Resort is now announcing a change to it’s # 4 course.

Architect Gil Hanse the designer of the olympic course, and lead architect on several other Top 100 courses, gets the nod for the restoration of this Donald Ross original design. Upon the completion of the course 4 work, the course will have more of a course #2 look and feel to it.

The rendering of the 6th hole on Pinehurst #4, before and after.

Hanse’s work will not stop with just a course #4 restoration, Hanse will create a nine-hole short course of par 3 holes, that will range from about 60 yards to just over 100 yards. The course will have greens that will allow Pinehurst members and resort guests to get creative, and practice different shots around the green, before they head out and play courses 1-9. This course will be done on just 10 acres.

In order to create the short course there will be some restoration work on courses #1 and #3. These adjustments on courses 1 & 3 will help return the courses to the original visions of Donald Ross.

The before and after restoration look for hole #9 on course 4.

The work will begin this October and is expected to be completed with the course reopened for play in the fall of 2018.

“There’s a unique character at Pinehurst because of the landscape Donald Ross found when he arrived in 1900,” said Bob Dedman, Pinehurst owner and CEO. “Back then, he may have been a minimalist by necessity, but we’re making a choice to present our historic golf courses in a natural state similar to that era.”

In addition to the work on courses 1, 3 and 4, the overall plan also calls for work to be done on Maniac Hill, Pinehursts driving range, the first range in America. The resorts putting course Thistle Dhu, will be moved closer to the clubhouse and expanded. Allowing for more golfers to come and enjoy this experience. (For additional comments on this project from Pinehurst President Tom Pashley see our previous story).

Pinehurst President Tom Pashley stands near the first tee of course #4, that will undergo a Gil Hanse restoration.

“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from the work on No.2 encouraged us to explore options that are a continuation of that effort,” Dedman said. “We think this is a thoughtful approach to the evolution of golf at Pinehurst, and we think Gil Hanse, with his timeless and natural design philosophy, is the right person for the project.”

“We think this approach will create a more authentic, visually interesting golf course and one that feels in tune with its unique surrounds,” said Hanse. ” A playable, artfully shaped and conceived golf course that derives it’s character and appearance from the traditional golf flavor of this region is what we aspire for in our approach to Pinehurst #4.”

“Fun and skill development are the most important concepts behimd the short course,” said Pashley. “Whether you’re and avid amateur, a beginning golfer, or on and outing with friends or family, the short course will offer an experience that can be enjoyed by all.”

“While Pinehurst is the country’s most historic golf resort, we’re constantly evolving,” said Dedman. “The opening of the short course next fall, along with this summers opening of the Deuce brings a new level of energy and excitement to the Pinehurst experience.”

Pinehurst is located in the sandhills country of North Carolina, it has 9 courses more than any other american resort. For more information see Pinehurst.com or you can call (855)-235-8507. Remember, “it’s always a beautiful day in Pinehurst.”

  McQ’s Dome is your winter home for indoor golf, located on Rt.53 in Bolingbrook McQ’s has not only a full scale golf practice area, but a great restaurant and OTB bet the horses. McQ’s is part of Mistwood Golf the home of McWethy’s Tavern that is open all year round, for more information visit Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. #mcqs.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Deuce’s behind the 18th on Pinehurst #2, and to Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley.

(Writing form Pinehurst NC)

On January 20th it was time for a new president, #45 to take office. Here in Pinehurst North Carolina another president sits at his desk over looking #2.

Course #2 that is, yes that course #2, the one that will host four U.S. Opens in 25 years.

Holding the reigns these days at the birthplace of american golf, the Pinehurst Resort is Resort President Tom Pashley. The job of president at Pinehurst sounds like a job that everyone who loves golf would like to have. While there is some truth in that, it’s that kind of responsibility that goes with the job that keeps Pashley a busy man.

The bar in Deuces, the new center of attention at the Pinehurst Resort, that has chairs looking out on to one of the most historic 18th hole’s in golf.

Since taking over as president Pashley has seen the boom in business because of the renovated Pinehurst #2, by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore.

But Pinehursts projects didn’t stop there. As Pashley is quick to explain, that while Pinehurst looks to continue it’s great history and traditions, there is that responsiblity of getting modern, so that today’s younger families and generation still find Pinehurst a great destination.

Next step for Pinehurst is a major project in the renovation of Course #4. This Donald Ross original was last renovated by Tom Fazio in the late 90’s, this time it’s Gil Hanse who will get the call. It was not the easiest of decisions to make in bringing in Hanse, even though it was easy when you look at Hanse’s track record. The tough part fell into the lap of Pashley who drove to Fazio’s office in Henderson North Carolina to inform Fazio of the decision. One that Pashley was glad that Fazio took quite well.

The restoration of Pinehurst #2 has changed the way golfers think about the course, how they play the course, and they vote which Pinehurst course in their favorite.

The last thing that Don Padgett told Pashley before he retired as the resort president was, that Deuces would be located right behind the 18th green of Pinehurst #2, “don’t screw it up.”

Well Pashley and Pinehurst got it right, there are some nice touches around the new bar, including a new location for Putter Boy, the original Donald Ross drawing of Pinehurst 2 underglass (complete with a mustard stain on it). The windows can all open giving Dueces that open air feel and look right onto the action as players try to hole out their putt, or recreate the famed Payne Stewart winning putt from the 1999 U.S. Open.

The Par 4, 14th hole on Pinehurst #2.

The course #4 restoration also brings a few other other changes with it, like the addition of a nine-hole par 3 course. To get land for the addition of the par 3 course, there are changes made being to adjoining courses # 3 and #5. The putting course Thistle Dhu, will get relocated as well.

Off the course work has led to the addition of a brand new pool, room renovations last year in the historic Carolina Hotel. Underway right now, are room and dining renovations in the Holly Inn, and that will not be all.

Pashley hints that Pinehurst will maybe later this year make yet another announcement, that won’t be a golf course. What it is we will have to wait and see, but it appears that it will continue to be a “Beautiful Day In Pinehurst.”

Click here to hear our interview with Pinehurst resort President Tom Pashley. It covers a wide range of topics and looks at what the resort is doing to keep improving as a resort destination.

PINEHURST #10, yes that is a strong possibility, if it happens this course will not be “A Pit”. More on a potential Pinehurst Course # 10, coming in Part 3 of our look at The Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.

DID YOU KNOW ? that Pinehurst is more than resort. It’s real name is Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, a club that has over 4,500 members, even though all of them are not golfers. Even with nine courses, Pinehurst would have trouble finding 4,500 tee times if all the members wanted to play the same day.

Golf memberships are very affordable and members do receive quite a few benefits. If you would be interested in membership, please inquire.

Part 2, will be our look at the Pinehurst Course #4 renovations. For more information on Pinehurst the host of the 2017 USGA Foreball Championships, the 2019 USGA Amateur Championship and the 2024 U.S. Open, please visit Pinehurst.com or call (800)-ITS-GOLF.

  BRENDAN SWEENEY the French Lick Resort Director of Golf Marketing in the French Lick Resort booth, visit French Lick Resort at Frenchlick.com. Chicagoland will be the Chicago Golf Show program creator for this years show Feb. 24-26 held at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, pick up your free glossy copy at the show.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy and to the French Lick Resort home of the 2017 Sr. LPGA Championship coming this July.

(French Lick Ind.)

NO IT’S NOT tournament week yet for the brand new Sr. LPGA Championship at the French Lick Resort.But the FLR is a great pace to start the winter road trip.

The trips ends up in Florida at next weeks PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, and then makes the rounds in a few southern states (golf rounds that is).

French Lick Resort doesn’t have it’s golf courses open on this 48 degree day here, but with this weekend expected to be close to 60 here, the resort might have to think about opening one of them. Around the 4th of July French Lick Resort is going to be a hot spot to be. The temperatures will be warm, but the tournament action from the Symetra Tour and LPGA Legends Tour should be exciting.

 The West Baden Hotel, Indiana’s very own Pete Dye and the famed Donald Ross have all made their mark on the town of French Lick, that at one time was better known for a basketball player who went on to have NBA fame. See frenchlick.com.

The French Lick Resort has a great old time Tom Bendelow course, yes that Tom Bendelow who made his name in Chicago building courses at Medinah. There is the Donald Ross course, named for the famed architect who created the course here that held the 1924 PGA Championship.

World Golf Hall of Fame architect Pete Dye Indiana’s very own designed the course here that carries his name. The Dye Course known for it’s views of up to 40 miles on clear days, is a challenge all golfers need to enjoy at least once in their career. Many that have played it, come back for a rematch at least once.

The resort will be bringing in the media before the new championship this summer for a look, I’ll be back then to take a closer look at the courses, that are a little cold and wet today.

French Lick resort is also known for it’s casino for those of you who want to play. It can be a great place to have some fun, who knows it might even fatten your wallet enough so you can enjoy a few meals on the house. Wink-Wink.

With that it’s off to Pinehurst to see Donald Ross, Payne Stewart and a few other people who enjoy the game. It will be in the mid-60’s and the courses, all 9 of them at the resort are open. So is the new sports bar Dueces right behind the 18th hole on course No.2. Pinehurst.com. See You there…RS

 Lock and Lube your body with SwingOIL, used by U.S. Sr. Open Champion Gene Sauers and top rated Jason Day, visit Swingoil.com. Chicagoland Golf, the 2017 show program (Glossy Edition) for the Chicagoland Golf Show, Feb. 24-26 in the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. The new simulators in the Schaumburg Golf Club, golf year round while enjoying food from Chandlers Chophouse. Schaumburg Golf club is located at 401 Roselle Road in Schaumburg. Book a tee time at (847)-885-9000. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears. Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy and to McQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook.

Do you remember when you used to spend your fourth of July week hanging out at places like Butler National or Cog Hill. Of course you do, they were fun times that we all hoped would never end. But they did.

The PGA Tour invented something called the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs, and before golf fans in Chicago knew it, fourth of July week and the Western Open became fall golf, and at times on chilly days in September.

156 players became only 70, there was no Monday qualifier at Village Links in Glen Ellyn, there wasn’t a local club pro or top amateur getting into the field. The championship was competing with local high school sports, Bears games, the NFL in general, baseball pennant drives, even Blackhawks training camp or pre season games. Tournament volunteers, many of them teachers were now back in school and not working the championship.

Yes, the Western Open sponsored by several companies over the years, had become the BMW Championship, which in addition doubles as the third round of the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs.

By all accounts from the good folks at the Western Golf Association (WGA), they say the BMW people have been great sponsors. They have donated plenty of cash to the Evans Scholars Foundation, and put a big number of caddies into college. When a touring pro makes a hole-in-one during the championship, bingo ! some lucky caddie has just won a full ride (not in a BMW) but to a college of his or her choosing. In spite of this, there are people at the WGA headquarters who miss the Western Open in July, and who can blame them.

I like BMW week here in September, when it’s actually here in September, which is every other year. (The out of town locations have been really good…but they are not here) This year the BMW Championship will drive into Lake Forest and Conway Farms (maybe for the last time) come mid-September. Next year it’s off to Philadelphia and then back in town to Medinah in 2019.

BUT NOW ALONG comes new PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and he is doing some thinking about the PGA Tour schedule.

First up could be some tinkering with The Players Championship. The tournament was held in March for years, and has been recently moved to May. Now the debate is on about moving it back to March, so the PGA Championship has a window to move up from August to May. In my books this is a split decision.

I like the idea of having The Players back in March, at TPC Sawgrass while the tour is making it’s swing through Florida. It makes the players tune up their game before they go hunting for a green jacket at Augusta. The island green on 17 makes for good drama while some of us are still in the house keeping warm and looking out the windows at snow.

When the PGA Championship moved up last year to July because of the olympics, fans didn’t really like the idea of having the majors all done before August. Imagine now if the PGA goes to May, the idea of all the majors done by mid-July and all the majors on American soil in the books by Fathers Day, that just doesn’t work for me. Memo to Monahan, work with the PGA of America and keep the PGA in August.

SECOND MEMO to Monahan, bring back the Western Open.

Monahan says he and the tour are thinking about making the playoffs a three-event series instead of four. Okay if so, which event do you drop, or move. How about this.

You take BMW and move it and it’s smaller field to the Greenbrier Resort and let the players stay on the East Coast for the duration of the playoffs. New York-West Virginia and Atlanta, with Boston getting dropped. Or Boston- The Greenbrier and then the Tour Championship with the over used New York market missing the cut.

Chicago gets dropped from golf’s edition of the fall classics, and takes the Greenbrier dates at the 4th of July, so Greenbrier owner Jim Justice can fill up his resort in July with guests on holiday.

The Western Open returns with a new sponsor, and Chicago plays “pack-the-place” at courses than can hold 40-50,000 a day like Cog Hill, Olympia Fields, Medinah or Kemper Lakes. Those four clubs would make quite a rotation. Conway Farms is always a possibility, if they are not hosting a few other championships that could come their way.

EVEN BETTER, the players then have the option of driving right down Rt.88 to the John Deere Classic the following week. What an idea, pork-chop sandwiches for everyone.

IF THE PGA TOUR is going to drop a playoff tournament, or move things around. Why not let Chicago get the Western Open back during 4th of July week, those were the days. RS

 MCQS DOME RT. 53 IN BOLINGBROOK, your dome for winter indoor golf. Work on your game, play the ponies in the OTB or enjoy the food and beverage off the new menu in the restaurant, how about the new Dog & Beer stand right behind the tee line in the dome, McQ’s is an Official Blackhawks Bar, watch the Hawks take on Colorado their tonight. Mcqsdome.com or (630)-739-1592. McQs part of Mistwood Golf in Romeoville.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the Schaumburg Golf Club and the new indoor simulators, golf year round at SGC. Rory Spears on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. with the new Titleist 917 Driver.

*****PRODUCT REVIEW*****                      By Editor Rory Spears

How many times have you played golf and run out of energy on the golf course, or had tired muscles that are sore after you play.

Well it’s time to put an end to that, and don’t let a tired and achy body stop you from playing two days in a row.

LOCK & LUBE with SwingOIL, used by Jason Day, and U.S. Sr. Open Champion Gene Sauers and many other players on various professional golf tours.

What is SwingOIL, it’s a supplement that can help golfers no matter when you take it. Before, during or after the round, you can drink SwingOIL and your body will feel the difference.

2015 PGA Champion Jason Day drinks a Lemon-Lime supply of SwingOIL.

I have had the pleasure of trying SwingOIL and it makes a difference. Now living up north and being in the middle of winter, I have not tried SwingOIL on the golf course yet, but that day is coming as I head towards the PGA Merchandise Show next week in Florida.

But I have drank SwingOIL on days where I was doing activites that can take a toll on your body, so I have to believe that SwingOIL makes a difference on the golf course.

I know I feel tired and sometimes sore after shoveling show, this year I drank SwingOIL before heading out to shovel and I still felt great long after being done and back inside my home. The extreme cold can wear you out. While doing work around my housing complex, that kept me outside for almost 30 minutes on a 6 degree day. I was able to come back inside, not feeling out of gas after drinking SwingOIL before I headed outside into the cold.

SwingOIL comes in three flavors, Orange, Lemon-Lime and Strawberry-Banana.

I’m sure there have been times where you eat or drink things because they are supposed to be healthy or good for you.

The problem is when those good things are not very good tasting, and you then have to weigh the benefits while dealing with an awful taste or after-taste in your mouth.

That is not a problem with SwingOIL, that currently comes in three flavors. All three flavors Lemon-lime, Strawberry Banana and Orange taste great. The 3 Ounce packages are easy to open and drink. The product tastes so good that you wish you were getting more than 3 Ounces. SwingOIL is only 45 calories.

When my test samples were delivered it was on a 10 degree day, the driver of the delivery service just left them on my front step and did not ring the the doorbell. About 30 minutes later I went online to track my order, and it read my package had been delivered. After walking out the front door I found the box and it took it inside. It was then I found out SwingOIL tastes great cold.

U.S. Sr. Open Champion Gene Sauers uses SwingOIL

From my taste testing I enjoyed Lemon-Lime the best, followed by Strawberry-Banana and then Orange, but Orange was also very good. I am hoping that SwingOIL comes out with more flavors in the months ahead.

Top rated golfer Jason Day makes SwingOIL part of his daily routine. This product will help your flexibility and your focus, there is no sudden energy crash a few hours after taking it.

If your energy is running low on the backnine, pass on the beer or soda and try SwingOIL. What makes SwingOIL so good. 1. Glucosamine 100mg and 2. Chondroitin 50mg, this is like getting an oil change for your body. 3. Turmeric 40mg. helps keep inflamtion under control. 4. Taurine 100mg when you need a sugar free pick me upon the back nine. 5. Citrulline Malate 100mg for when you want or need to play the next day. 6.Ginseng Extract 100mg for when you have to keep your focus. 7. Rhodiola Rosea Extract 50mg. helps leave the stress, back in the clubhouse.

Make your body and swing feel better, which in turn makes it easier to shoot the number your looking for. Enjoy the game, and enjoy it more often, by using SwingOIL. You will be glad you did. Visit swingoil.com for more details, or follow SwingOil on Facebook, and Twitter. Trusted for use on tour by Jason Day product ambassador and players on various golf tours, and by amateurs who just love to play golf.