GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO from yesterdays show with Golftini Owner and designer Susan Hess, if you need a mulligan, catch the video replay on WCPT Facebook Page or listen at Soundcloud.com/ChicagosProgressiveTalk. The Gog Blog-by Rory Spears, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. #Golf  _____________________________________________________________________

Women’s Western Amateur at Prestwick CC. Champion Brigitte Thibault on Saturday July 25, 2020
WGA/Charles Cherney

The 120th Women’s Western Amateur goes to Bridgitte Thibault, of Rosemere, Quebec, who defeated Jackie Lucena, of Chico California, by the score of 4 & 3. The second Canadian to win claim the crown in four years.

Thibault is a senior on the Fresno State University Women’s golf team, and she is the Mountain West Conference champion from 2019.

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up, because my game right now is kind of a rollarcoaster,” said Thibault. “But I did gain some momentum from my play on Friday, and just kept the faith, and didn’t give up.”

It was Thibault who took an early 2 Up lead after seven holes, but Lucena didn’t quit winning holes 8 & 9 to square the match at the turn.

But from there it was all Thibault, who won the 10th, the 13th and 14th holes with a par, and closed out the match with a birdie on the 15th hole. Lucena call the the match “a grind” and admitted she didn’t have her best game. Both players earned exemptions into the 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville Maryland from August 3-9.

Lucena admitted to being very excited to be playing in the U.S. Amateur, since she has never even been to a USGA Championship before. Thibault is waiting to see what lies ahead in college golf. Thibault made the Quarterfinals in the 2018 WWGA Amateur Championship at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

MICHELLE WIE-WEST has been named an Assistant Captain to the 2021 Team USA Solheim Cup by Captain Pat Hurst, the Cup will be played the Inverness Club outside of Toldeo Ohio.

CHRIS CHARNAS and the Wilmette Illinois based Links Capital Advisors have announced the sale of the Kings Creek Golf Club, in Spring Hill Tennessee. For more listings on courses for sale see LinksCapitalAdvisors.com.

The Ozarks National Clubhouse at the Big Cedar Resort in Ridgedale Missouri

The Big Cedar Resort owned by Johnny Morris, has announced recent awards and rankings for two of it’s courses by Golfweek Magazine.

The Buffalo Ridge golf course designed by Tom Fazio and the Ozarks National golf course designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have been named the #1 and #2 public courses in the State of Missouri, with Ozarks National coming in at #1, and Buffalo Springs at #2.

The new Payne’s Valley Golf Course will fully open for play this September. For more information visit BigCedar.com.

Len Ziehm in PGA Village Port St. Lucie Florida

Len Ziehm Illinois Golf hall of Fame inductee from the class of 2019, and a contributor this year to Golfers on Golf Radio, and Co-Host of the Ziehm and Spears Podcast 2020 Series, has posted another one of his travel columns.

Now posted on LenZiehmonGolf.com are updates on several travel destinations, that include Destination Kohler, North and South Carolina, including Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island. Ziehm will join Rory Spears later this week for the newest edition of the weekly podcast. Volume 20.

DRY GLOVE ANTIPERSPIRANT is a lotion that keeps golfers hands dry longer, to help extend the life of your golf glove. It’s also effective in other sports where gloves are used. The lotion is non-sticky, non-chalky and odorless, and it dries within seconds of being applied.

“Our goal was to develop a product that not only keeps golfers hands dry, but extends the life of golf gloves and other sports gloves,” said Dry Glove USA founder Brad Nazzarini, a former college golfer for the University of Alabama, and has played professionally.  For purchasing the 1.75 Oz at $11.99 tubes visit DryGloveUSA.com.

Club Champion is the nations largest club fitter with over 70 locations across America.

While some companies are having trouble with bricks and mortars stores, one golf fitting company is having success.

Club Champion, that had overall growth of 46% in 2019, is widely being recognized by golfers.

“We offer a service every avid golfer can benefit from,” said Nick Sherburne, Club Champion’s founder. “Our business model works because we can show measurable improvement. The retail landscape has changed but the success of our process has not.” A Golf Digest study says golfers getting fit by Club Champion are lowering scores by an average of up to six shots per round, and 21 yards off the tee.

At one point earlier this year, all but 5 stores were closed due to Covid-19, but there was a large bounce-back in June. With a 49% increase over June sales of 2019. Club Champion is taking safe measures during the pandemic, with limited amount of customers in stores, masks and other social distancing guidelines at all times.

A Club Champion Survey, says their customers are spending an increased amount of 58% this year on golf. For more information please visit ClubChampionGolf.com.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out-returns tomorrow. RS

SUSAN HESS OWNER OF PROSPECT HTS. BASED GOLFTINI joins Bill Berger and Rory Spears as this weeks in studio host. we’ll talk golf apparel and the Western Am. We also hear from Len Ziehm and Kohler VP of Golf Dirk Willis, & Tristyn Nowlin U of I.  _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio Week 14, Rory Spears @GogBlogGuy and Bill Berger, Jakes Pizza in Franklin Park, are joined by Golftini Owner Susan Hess.

Golfers on Golf Radio returns for Week 14 with Bill Berger and Rory Spears. Ed Stevenson remains on the DL.

Susan Hess the owner and lead designer for Golftini joins us as in studio host for this week.

Julie Siegler Chariman of this weeks Western Amateur Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana joins us live.

We hear from the Daily Heralds Len Ziehm and Dirk Willis VP of Golf at Kohler. Tristyn Nowlin from the U of Illinois Golf team adds some thoughts about women’s golf legend Nancy Lopez.

Golfers on Golf Radio on the tee at 10 am WCPT AM 820, listen live at Wcpt820.com watch us facebook live WCPT page. The Tune-In radio APP-Search WCPT 820. If you need a mulligan visit Soundcloud.com/ChicagosProgressiveTalk.

If the championship match at the Women’s Western Amateur ends in time, we hope to have the winner join us live, stay tuned in. WCPT Am 820. 10-11 Am.

  THE 120TH WOMEN’S WESTERN AMATEUR at Prestwick Country Club. Quarterfinal match play matches now underway. Championship match Saturday 7:30 AM wwga.org.  ______________________________________________________________________

  LEN ZIEHM-2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Inductee and Rory Spears combine over 85 years of golf media coverage in the Chicago area and beyond. Our weekly podcasts are the most complete wrap up of golf news in the Windy-City. Listen in to what’s up in golf.

Click here to hear Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2020-Volume 19.

Len and Rory discuss this weeks 120th Women’s Western Amateur at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort Illinois. next weeks Western Amateur at Crooked Stick golf Club in Carmen Indiana.

The 10 new par-3 holes and baths coming to Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. The renovation review in the Chicago area, including architect Greg Martin’s work at both Park Ridge Country Club and Settlers Hill in Kane County.

REMINDER..Susan Hess Owner and designer of Golftini Women’s golf apparel joins Bill Berger and Rory Spears live in studio tomorrow from 10-11 Am on Golfers on Golf Radio Am 820 WCPT.

PRESTWICK COUNTRY CLUB in Frankfort Illinois home of this weeks 120th Women’s Western Amateur Championship. Next week it’s the men’s turn in Carmel Indiana at the Pete Dye designed Crooked Stick Golf Club. There is live scoring on both websites.        ______________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF reporting from Frankfort IL. and the Prestwick Country Club. by Rory Spears, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or LinkedIn & Facebook/Instagram

Medalists Caroline Curtis- University of Alabama (L) and Blair Stockett Mississippi State University (R) are the medalists for the 2020 WWGA National Amateur Championship.

Tournament golf in the Chicago area make a triumphant return with the playing of the 120th Women’s Western Amateur at Prestwick Country Club.

In late June, the Women’s Western Junior Championship at the Grove Country Club in Long Grove Illinois was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Virus Pandemic.

This weeks field consisted of 120 players, and a full field turned out to be an outstanding accomplishment, after around 25 players had to withdraw from the championship, due to visa issues, travel issues, or exposure to people with Covid 19. There was no known cases of players who withdrew, actually testing positive for Covid-19.

By early Wednesday evening the match play field of 32 players was set, after the completion of a 5 players for 2 spots playoff, that went three holes before ending on the 18th green behind Prestwick’s clubhouse.

The WWGA National Amateur Trophy, with the 2 USGA Women’s Amateur flags that will be awarded to the two finalists on Saturday.

Micaela Farah of Lima Peru won the last spot into the field of 32 for the match play bracket.

Farah proved right out of the blocks that she belonged, when she defeated medalist and No.1 seed Caroline Curtis who plays on the University of Alabama golf team by a 3 & 1 score.

Co-medalist Blair Stockett a member of the Mississippi State golf team, had a touch opening match defeating the #31 seed Noor Ahmed 1 Up. Stockett was then defeated in 19 holes in the Round of 16 by Taylor Kehoe. Kehoe is one of three players remaining from Canada, joining both Mary Parsons and Brigitte Thibault in the Quarterfinals. The remaining other five players are from America, all from different states.

The final remaining local player from Illinois, was Lauren Beaudreau of Lemont who plays for Notre Dame University. Beaudreau lost her round of 16 match in 20 holes to Jackie Lucena from California.

Prestwick Country Club is hosting it’s second WWGA national event, having previously hosted the 1972 WWGA Junior Championship, won by Nancy Lopez.

Click here to hear interviews with Co-Medalist Caroline Curtis, and remaining high seed #4 Erica Shepherd of Greenwood Indiana, and member of the Duke University golf team.

Click here to hear interviews with Co-Medalist Blair Stockett and University of Illinois senior Tristyn Nowlin, 2018 WWGA Amateur runner up at Mistwood Golf Club. Nowlin advanced to match play as the 29th seed, and lost her first match to #4 Erica Shepherd.

Quarterfinal and semi-final play will take place on Friday, with the championship match teeing off at 7:30 Am on Saturday morning. If the match concludes early enough on Saturday morning, the champion will join Golfers on Golf radio live on the air. For more information on the Women’s Western Golf Association please visit wwga.org.

GOLFTINI OWNER & APPAREL DESIGNER SUSAN HESS joins Golfers on Golf Radio hosts Bill Berger & Rory Spears, to guest host Saturdays show. Am 820 WCPT-10 AM     _____________________________________________________________________

The Baths of Blackwolf Run are under construction in the Meadow Valley.

Only in Kohler Wisconsin, could golf get mixed in with baths. 10 par 3, style holes, and 4 baths.

A tip of the cap or golf visor to the history of the Kohler Company.

Kohler that’s been home to bathroom and shower area products, is bringing some of that to a new 10 hole par 3 course, that’s being designed by architect Chris Lutzke along with Kohler Company Executive Chairman, Herbert V. Kohler Jr.. Kohler created the idea of the baths.

The idea started with the Kohler Golf team now headed up by Vice President of Global Golf, Retail and Landscape, Dirk Willis. Willis told Golfers on Golf that he brought the idea to the company some years back during his first stint with the company. Willis left and went to California to work for a golf company for several months, but returned to Kohler after there was an opportunity to return with promotion into his current position.

After returning to Kohler, he proposed the idea again and with success this time, as Kohler was looking for something new as part of it’s golf experience at Destination Kohler.

There was just over 20 acres available between holes 1 and 11 on the Meadow Valley Golf Course at Blackwolf Run. In between the golf holes, will be 4 “baths” with beach like entrances, and a sandy bottom. The ten golf holes can be altered so play can continue, while groups of “bathers” enjoy the water. Willis would not speculate on what the new logo “could be” for the Baths at Blackwolf.

Click here to hear the interview with Kohler VP of Golf Dirk Willis.

The goal is to have the project wrapped up and ready to open by June of 2021, so that the “Baths of Blackwolf Run” get their proper due, before the delayed into 2021 Ryder Cup arrives in September.

Some early photo’s of the project have just been taken by the Kohler Company, and when photo’s get approved for release by Herbert Kohler to the media, they will get posted here at Golfersongolf.com.

Kohler Company is hoping to wrap up some final legal issues and other concerns to the Sheboygan property they owner near Lake Michigan, that will get developed into the resorts fifth full 18 hole course. That course-still unnamed will be the first course not fully designed by the late Pete Dye. Who the designer will be is still a question, and it could be Lutzke the long time Dye-disciple. But it might not be Lutzke, and for now only Herb Kohler knows the answer to that question.

TEE TIMES are filling quickly on all four courses including Whistling Straits for late September, now that the tee sheet is open with the Ryder Cup being pushed into 2021.

Over 1500 tee times were sold on the Straits Course within 10 days of the Ryder Cup being postponed. So book quickly if September in Kohler is on your hit list, see Destination Kohler and Americanclubresort.com.

SUSAN HESS OWNER AND DESIGNER of GOLFTINI an industry leader in Women’s golf apparel, joins Bill Berger and Rory Spears as a guest host in this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio, on the tee this Saturday morning at 10 Am on WCPT AM 820.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

A major in Women’s Amateur Golf returns to the Chicago area, with the playing of the 120th Women’s Western Amateur Golf Championship at Prestwick Country Club.

First round play begins on Tuesday, and concludes with the 18-hole championship match Saturday July 25th.

It’s the first Women’s Western Golf Association Championship at Prestwick, located in Frankfort of the southern suburbs of Chicago, since the 1972 WWGA  Junior Championship, won then by 15-year old Nancy Lopez. A title some would call her first major win in golf. Lopez then went on to win two more WWGA Junior Titles in the following years of 1973 and 1974.

The Par 5, 2nd hole at Prestwick Country Club, will play 494 yards for the championship.

“Prestwick is looking forward to hosting the Women’s Western Amateur, and the club members and staff are planning another memorable and rewarding experience for the players,” said Susan Buchanan of Athens, Georgia, tournament chairman and Women’s Western Golf Association first vice president, “The course is in excellent condition and ready to challenge some of the nation’s finest amateurs in another first-class event.”

Four current LPGA stars are among those on the past champions list, including Ariya Jutanugarn, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Land and Christie Kerr.

The defending champion Sarah Shipley of Hastings, Michigan, is unable to defend her title this year, after she received a sponsors exemption into this weeks Symetra Tour event.

The par 4, 18th hole green at Prestwick Country Club.

As a result, the championship will crown a new champion in 2020, who will have her name engraved on the W.A. Alexander Cup.

Among the contenders from the field of 120 players is last years runner-up Antonia Matte, of Santiago Chile. 2017 USGA Junior Girls Champion Erica Shepherd, who has competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019, is among the top players who will compete.

Players with local ties include University of Illinois graduate Tristyn Nowlin, 2018 WWGA-Amateur runner-up in 2018 at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeville. Later that summer Nowlin was runner-up at the Illinois Women’s Open, also contested at Mistwood Golf Club.

Lauren Beaudreau from Lemont, who attends the University of Notre Dame. 2019 Illinois State Amateur Champion Sarah Arnold from St. Charles of Western Kentucky University. Five players from Northwestern University will join the field. Sr. Brook Riley, Juniors Kelly Su and Kelly Sim, Freshman Rachel DeAngulo and Charlotte Hillary.

This years champion and runner-up will receive invitations to play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville Maryland, this coming August 3-9.

Format for the championship is Tuesday 18 holes, Wednesday 18 holes, with the top 32 players advancing to match play on Thursday morning.  The round of 16 will be played on Thursday afternoon, with the quarterfinals on Friday morning, and the semi-finals on Friday afternoon.

The 18-hole championship match is expected to begin approximately 7:30 or 8 Am on Saturday. The course yardage will be set at 6,374 yards, and a par of 72.

The WWGA and WGA have been monitoring Covid-19 developments, and will take several precautions to help ensure a safe and healthy environment for championship week at Prestwick Country Club.

  PRESTWICK COUNTRY CLUB WILL HOST this weeks 120th Women’s Western Golf Association’s National Amateur Championship. For more details visit WWGA.org             _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Creation and Content. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook and LinkedIn. At Prestwick Country Club, home of this weeks WWGA Amateur.

THIS WEEK marks the return of covering golf in the Chicago area, with the return of the Women’s Western Golf Association’s  (WWGA) National Amateur Championship.

I played Prestwick Country Club last week for the first time, and it is a very good and fun golf course.

The ladies will be tested, but can have some fun a long the way. I’ll have more on the WWGA coming up later in our preview story of the championship.

I will be out at Prestwick this week, for some on property coverage.

Jack Nicklaus the one and only #GOAT at the 2019 U.S. Senior Open-photo by Rory Spears.

JACK NICKLAUS hosted his Memorial Tournament this week, from his Muirfield Village Golf Club design in Dublin Ohio. A northwest suburb of Columbus.

Again this year, Muirfield looked like it was set up for the U.S. Open. With high rough around the golf course and a few other things that make a golf course play difficult.

Single digits under par won, thanks to a crazy penalty on new World #1 Jon Rahm. His amazing for chip-in for a 2, on a par 3 from the rough, was ruled a 4-after a 2-shot penalty, because his ball moved in the rough during one of Rahm’s practice swings. It took CBS dropping things into super-slo-mo to really see it move. I’m not sure Rahm could see the ball move if he was staring straight down at the ball in that deep rough. Regardless, the 5-shot win turned into only three after the day was over, but the adjustment in Rahm’s score wasn’t good news for the gamblers who took the under on Rahm’s score for the day. Because the under went to an over, by the time the PGA Tour rules officials were done.

Your on the first hole at the Club at Porto Cima, a Nicklaus design at Lake in the Ozarks in Central Missouri. The course gets better in all the holes ahead.

There are those who say that Muirfield Village is Jack’s best work as a golf architect. But while I like Jack’s work in general, Muirfield Village is not one of my favorites.

Nicklaus has had his critics since he got into the design business. The biggest issue being that he built his courses to play better for left-to-right players, like him.

The old saying is that most Nicklaus courses are so hard, only Jack in his prime can play them. Getting a Nicklaus signature design course built comes with a hefty price tag, so Nicklaus has always made sure he did and or built enough, so those writing the checks got their money’s worth.

My visit to Muirfield Village was about 10 years ago, and I hope somethings have changed since I was there. My visit came during a, 21 courses in 18 day trip. Muirfield Village was not only my worst score, but worst experience.

Things were bad from the start when I had to have my spikes changed from plastics with small spikes, to the ice cream swirl plastics, made for courses with bad greens that rip-up easily. Remember those plastic swirls, the very worst plastic spikes ever made.

I was there late morning on a Tuesday, and the course was soggy and muddy, from a previous Friday night into Saturday morning 1 1/2 inch rain storm. One would think the drainage would be better than it was at the time. I was slipping all over the place, and Muirfield Village is not the place to be spraying the golf ball around. There are too many holes, that simply put, have too much going on at Muirfield Village.

Checking my count, I have played 21 Nicklaus designs, and Pebble Beach after Jack did a great job fixing the 5th hole. My favorite Nicklaus design is one that never gets any credit, and that’s The Club at Porto Cima part of the Four Seasons Lodge in Central Missouri. The USGA, the Korn Ferry Tour and the Symetra Tours need to have some tournaments there. This powerful design is really good, and it’s a public course people. Go there, play it, you will be glad you did. Whatever the green fee is, it’s worth it.

Valhalla is another very good Nicklaus design even though some folks don’t like the 18th green. I loved playing Valhalla the day after Tiger survived the playoff with Bob May in the 2000 PGA Championship. The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort in Florida is wonderful. I have not played the Bear’s Club, but hope to. From the book that is recommended reading called “A Golden Eighteen”, a showcase of golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, you will see some incredible clubs, most all would end up on many golfers bucket lists. The Challenge at Manele (Bay) on the small Hawaiian island of Lana’i has some the most incredible views you will ever find on a golf course. Bill Gates got married on one of the tee’s boxes on the back nine, it’s that good. Most courses, even the great ones have one hole that could use some improvement. But I can’t think of one hole at Porto Cima, or Manele Bay I would make changes on. I loved Manele Bay, it was a great place to be one February day, when it was around zero back in Chicago.

Each golf course architect has something they do very well that they bring to most of their designs, in the case of Nicklaus, Jack add’s angled creeks that aren’t very wide, but they bring in the aspect of risk-reward shots. It’s part if his design strategy, that I hope he never changes, but there somethings at Muirfield Village that could be changed.

I must congratulate Ridge Country Club Director of Golf Mark Krizic on his purchase of Fyre Lake Golf Club in the Quad Cities area. Krizic is the kind of owner that club needs to rise to the next level. Krizic, a golf professional buying a course and going from director of golf to golf course owner made me wonder one more thing. How many other golf professionals from around our area might be thinking of doing the same thing.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

    THE 120th WOMEN’S WESTERN AMATEUR tee’s off this week on Tuesday at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort IL. through Saturday. The 118th Western Amateur is on the tee at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, from July 27th-August 1st.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook and LinkedIn. On the First Tee at the Schaumburg Golf Club, the Tournament Nine opens from renovation on August 1st.

It’s time for tournament golf to return to the Chicago area. The first of four Western Golf Association/Women’s Western Golf Association events tee’s off this week at Prestwick Country Club in South Suburban Frankfort IL. more coming up on the championship during the week.

The Western Amateur at Crooked Stick runs the following week, see our preview from two weeks ago for more details.

The Illinois Open from August 3-5 brings tournament coverage on to our schedule for the three weeks ahead. Stay clicked in for updates on golf tournament play returning to the area.

Volvik Golf Balls and Marvel Comics-introduce the Black Widow Gift Set, Volvik.com

Volvik Golf Balls and Marvel Worldwide have created yet another special gift set of golf balls.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Marvel with the introduction of the Marvel Black Widow Gift Set,” said Don Shin, president of Volvik USA. “Demand for all our Marvel character golf balls has been outstanding, and we anticipate the same response from Black Widow.”

Volvik has reported record-setting sales of the Marvel x Volvik collaboration of Captain America, Ironman, Spider Man and The Hulk VIVID 4-Ball sets. With black Widow being the newest member of the collection. The four-ball set includes two white and two black 2020 VIVID golf balls with the Black Widow and Marvel logos, and a magnetic hat clip and logoed magnetic ball marker. The set retails at $24.99 and is available at Volvik.com or retail stores beginning yesterday July 17th. Marvel Worldwide publishes comic books and it’s parent company is the Walt Disney Company since 2009.

The Golf scene with Steve Kashul is back tonight. NBC Sports Chicago at 6 PM.

The Golf Scene with Steve Kashul is back tonight at 6 PM on NBC Sports Chicago.

Both at 6 Pm and at 10:30 Pm.

More showing coming up include Monday July 20th at 7 Pm on NBC Sports-Chicago Plus.

July 23rd at 1:30 Pm, July 24th at 7:30 Pm on NBC Sports Chicago Plus. Then the final showing in July is on Sunday the 26th at Noon.

Topics include the Preserve at Oak Meadows and the courses of DuPage Golf. Picking the right golf ball with Srixon Golf Balls. The Woodbine Bend GC in Stockton IL. near Galena. The Deerfield Golf and Learning Center. Cleveland Golf’s/Srixon/XXIO Chuck Thiry on the State of Golf. Visit The Golf Scene on Facebook to win prizes.

Kyle English holds the Championship Trophy after winning the IPGA Assistant Professional Title

Kyle English of Crestwicke Country Club won the Illinois PGA Assistants Professional Championship this past week.

English won by six shots with a pair of 6 under par-66’s, and it’s his second title in the event, also winning in 2018.

English will be joined by runner-up DePaul Assistant Coach Michael Schachner and Justin Bardgett of the University of Illinois Golf Club, at the 44th National Rental Car Assistant PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club, in Port. St. Lucie Florida Nov. 12-15.

” I made today ( Round 2) pretty stress-free,” said English. “I had a lot of close looks for birdies especially early on. I got off to a really solid start in the second round and was able to sit back and trust my swing and not press anything. Overall a really good day.”

The National Assistants Championship has a field of 132 contestants, who are playing for a purse of $150,000. A cut is made after 36 holes, down to the low 70-players and ties.

Welcome to Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale Missouri (near Branson) created by Johnny Morris owner of the Bass Pro Shop’s, home to a back-to-back Champions Tour events.

Above (R) Buffalo Ridge by architect Tom Fazio. Below Ozarks National designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, called the Best New Course in 2019.

From August 17-26 the PGA Tour Champions heads back to Missouri and Big Cedar Lodge from August 17-26, for two Charles Schwab Champions Tour events. After two practice rounds on Buffalo Ridge, the first tournament will be played from August 19th through the 21st.

Players get two practice round days on August 22-23 to warm up before the second event starts on Ozarks National from August 24-26.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, there will be no spectators at either tournament. Courses around the resort will be closed on various days between August 16-26. See the resorts website at BigCedar.com for shutdown schedules at each of the 5 courses.

“This our seventh year hosting the PGA Tour Champions, and we are very happy to welcome these incredible players and friends back to Big Cedar Lodge,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge. “We continue to take great pride in this special place and our continued enhancements, including the grand opening of Ozarks National last year and the debut of Payne’s Valley course later this year. We know the unique beauty of our courses leave a lasting impression, and we look forward to providing a challenging, memorable experience to all of the players while showcasing the beauty and wonder of the Ozarks with the world.”

MYRTLE BEACH 37TH WORLD AMATEUR scheduled for August 31-September 4th will go on as scheduled, with changes to the format, and the post round celebrations at the World’s Largest 19th hole. Over 2,300 players are signed up, for more information please visit MyrtleBeachWorldAmateur.com,

Visit Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena Illinois.

Golfers if you are looking for great golf rates on the best resort golf courses in Illinois, check out Eagle Ridge in Galena Illinois.

The great rates that were offered in July, will partially carry-over in the month of August.

Eagle Ridge is improving all of it’s golf courses under the new ownership. For more details on Eagle Ridge Golf and the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, please visit EagleRidge.com.

COG HILL has some upcoming tournaments, that golfers who enjoy stogies, or best brews from Pollyanna brewing will enjoy. See CogHillgolf.com or call (866)-COG-HILL for more information.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are now available for the (Len) Ziehm and (Rory) Spears Podcast Series 2020. Volume 19 is on the tee this week. Contact either Len or Rory for details through LenZiehmongolf.com or Rory via Golfersongolf.com, or our social media sites, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns on Monday. RS

  FYRE LAKE GOLF CLUB in the Quad Cities Area has been purchased by Chicago golf professional Mark Krizic-hear from Krizic during this weeks edition of Golfers on Golf Radio.

Golfers on Golf Radio is L-R Rory Spears, Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger at Am 820 WCPT

IT’S WEEK 13 of Golfers on Golf Radio on Am 820 WCPT, Tee time is 10 AM.

This week Bill Berger and Rory Spears bring you the best of golf radio in the Chicago area.

Our guests this week include Susan Buchanan Chairman of this weeks Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) National Amateur Championship.

Jason Finley Director of Brand and Product Management for Callaway Golf will join us live from the West Coast.

We will also hear from our contributor Len Ziehm and from Ridge Country Club golf professional Mark Krizic on his purchase of Fyre Lake Golf Course in Sherrard IL.

WCPT Am 820 or WCPT820.com or watch us on Facebook Live on the WCPT Facebook page. On the Tune In Radio APP, search WCPT820. or if you need a mulligan check out the Cloud anytime at Soundcloud.com/ChicagosProgressivetalk.

Thanks for listening.

LEN ZIEHM 2019 Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Inductee and RORY SPEARS longtime golf reporter have recorded the 18th edition of their 2020 Podcast Series, posted below.

CLICK HERE to listen to Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2020-Volume 18

Len and Rory discuss this weeks Memorial Championship, the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) National Amateur Championship, whats happening with fall tee times at Whistling Straits now that the course is open, Callaway redoing it’s Chrome Soft Golf Ball, local players on the Korn Ferry Tour and more.

Thanks for listening, Len and Rory.