THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB Fully reopens all 27 holes on August 1st. Learn more by visiting Schaumburggolf.com. You can call for tee times at (847)-885-9000.        _____________________________________________________________________

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

Welcome to Fyre Lake Golf Club in Sherrard IL.

FYRE LAKE GOLF CLUB in Sherrard Illinois, a suburb of the Quad Cities is getting a badly needed new owner.

Enter Mark Krizic the Director of Golf at Chicago’s Ridge Country Club, and a IPGA professional at the club for 16 years, but it became time for Krizic to follow his dreams. That is to become a golf course owner.

Krizic and his family will move on from his family at Ridge Country Club, and begin the task of building up Fyre Lake Golf Club in the Quad Cites area.

The first hole at Fyre Lake Golf Club.

Krizic will have some work to do, as the club has had it’s issues in the community under past ownership’s.

What’s expected is that under the professional ownership that Krizic will bring to Fyre Lake, the clubs new reputation will be a good one. But it will take some time to build that reputation.

The course was built by the Jack Nicklaus design team, has as they say in the industry, good bones. The potential at Fyre Lake is unlimited and Krizic might just be the golf pro to take the course to the next level. Krizic is the type of leadership Fyre Lake has been crying out for.

Krizic worked through Chris Charnas of Links Capital Advisors on the sale, and as of Monday of this week, has taken control of the golf course. What else is in the plans for Fyre Lake, listen in on our interview with Krizic.

Click here to hear the interview with the new owner of Fyre Lake Golf Club Mark Krizic.

The par 4, 12th hole with an island green.

The course is currently open for play, and Krizic has already changed some of the maintenance practices that were in place at the club.

Fyre Lake has been a popular place to play golf especially with out of town visitors who come to the Quad Cites during the John Deere Classic week.

TPC Deere Run and Fyre Lake are both public courses, and make for a great 36 hole play when your in the Quad Cities.

For more information on Fyre Lake visit on line Fyrelakegolf.com, or call the club at (309)-644-4575

  THE 2020 WESTERN AMATEUR AT CROOKED STICK-on the tee in just two weeks. The defending champion NHL referee Garrett Rank is back- Visit Westernamateur.com  _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, or Facebook and LinkedIn. On the first tee at the Schaumburg Golf Club, the Tournament Nine opens on August 1st.

HONMA GOLF is continuing it’s release of clubs in North America with it’s new line of TR20 (Tour Release) Irons.

The new irons give serious golfers a new look, set-up, feel, and performance that they should expect from a players iron.

The new TR20-P and the TR20-V irons with their sleek style shape, help create a fast speed that allows for distance and accuracy even on misses.

Early reviews of the clubs suggest great distance, less penalty, and a sound of pure speed.

Honma Golf has now released it’s line of TR20 V and TR20 P Irons $199.99 per club with graphite Shaft, or $174.99 with metal shaft. In stores-on line or with custom fitters.

“It’s no surprise that discerning players who prefer reliable performance and the un-compromised feel of a players iron are enjoying testing the TR20 P and the TR20 V,” said Honma’s President John Kawaja. “Our Carlsbad-based team has had a hand in delivering golfers many of the most proven and iconic designs of the past 20 years for other prestigious OEM’s. The work here at Honma is a brilliant culmination of industry-leading experience, relentless creativity and cutting-edge ingenuity and design.”

The TR20 P is a players distance iron that incorporates game improvement-like playability and beautifully-crafted performance. “The 3D pocket cavity on the club that distributes weight around the club, which allows for a higher and faster launch without excessive spin,” said Vice President of Global Product Chris McGinley.

The Honma TR20 P Iron.

“The blade length on the TR20 P is small enough to be accepted by a touring professional, but large enough to be forgiving and market-playable,” says McGinley. “We used CAD to position the tungsten weight in the ideal spot to create speed on both on-and-off center hits as well as the right amount of launch for the TR20 P’s strong lofts. This iron hits a wide target audience from competitive golfers and low handicaps, all the way up to mid-teen handicaps.”

THE TR20 V Iron is a players iron that delivers distance. It’s build is a one-piece cavity back head design. it’s soft S20C carbon steel helps deliver a quick and high launch, but under control. it comes with a shorter blade length and a thin topline that lower handicap golfer enjoy. The wider sole helps promote a desired launch and better turf interaction at impact.

“The TR20 V also has players distance lofts, which are one degree weaker than on the TR20 P. This is a really a good/traditional forged cavity iron,” said McGinley. “A slightly narrower sole width helps yield good overall playability. It’s an ideal iron for competitive golfers and low handicaps, yet suitable for higher single-digit handicaps, as well.”

But during TR fittings some golfers are finding a mix of the two lines is working for their game. McGinley says, “golfers are opting for a blended set of TR20 P’s and V’s, for optimal feel, trust and performance.” For more details see http://us.honmagolf.com.

The Honma Golf fitting trailers are moving across North America.

Honma has welcomed a new team of club fitters to it’s brand and added the Honma Mobile Experience, a club fitting program that will be in key markets across America.

The Honma fitting experience will be coming to private clubs, public and resort courses, and other facilities in Boston, the Carolinas, Colorado and Ohio in the U.S., while visiting Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

Earlier this year, Honma developed a presence in both Hawaii at Ko-Olina resort and in Florida at Reunion resort. The experience will make it’s way to Illinois at some point in the months ahead.

Currently the fitting stations are set up with safety protocols during the pandemic, so golfers can feel while going through the fitting experience.

For more information on the Honma Tr20 Irons the Honma fitting experience and the full line of Honma Clubs, please see Honmagolf.com.

THE SCHAUMBURG GOLF CLUB is getting ready to open it’s Tournament Nine Course, expected opening to be August 1st. The 27 hole and facility renovation project will finally be in the books. For more details keep it here or visit SchaumburgGolf.com.   _____________________________________________________________________

Welcome to historic Olympia Fields Country Club Olympia-Fields.com

THE 2020 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP with be held without spectators, announced both the PGA Tour and the Western Golf Association (WGA).

The PGA Tour then announced yesterday that the remainder of the 2019-2020 season tour events, through the Tour Championship will not have any spectators in attendance.

There is still no word about fall PGA Tour events that would be part of the 2020-2021 season.

“As we have said from the start, our No.1 priority remains the health and safety of everyone in the communities where we are invited guests every week,” said Andy Pazder, PGA Tour Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer. “We appreciate the understanding of the Western Golf Association, BMW-and of course- the fans of the greater Chicago for recognizing why this decision needed to be made. We continue to be very excited about the opportunity to present the BMW Championship to be a global audience as part of the three-week stretch of FedExCup Playoff events.”

The top 70 players still remaining in the playoff format will compete at Olympia Fields from August 27-30, for the 30 remaining places in the Tour Championship the following week in Atlanta.

“We great appreciate the support of BMW, Olympia Fields Country Club and the PGA Tour in conducting the 2020 BMW Championship,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice presidents of tournaments. “We will continue to work with them and follow the recommendations and regulations of county, state and federal officials to ensure the safety of the players, volunteers and staff essential to conducting the BMW Championship.”

“Our BMW Championship team has been working tirelessly over the past several months to develop a comprehensive plan for a limited number of spectators, following guidance from the PGA Tour and county and state officials,” Pellegrino added. “However, we understand the decision to proceed without spectators is in the best interest of everyone involved.”

The 2019 BMW Championship at Medinah.

“While our fans won’t be able to attend this year’s BMW Championship,” Pellegrino added, “we encourage them to stay engaged with this years tournament by following the competition on the BMW Championship and PGA Tour social media channels and tuning into our broadcast partners.”

Fans who have purchased BMW Championship tickets through Ticketmaster will automatically receive a full refund within the next 30 days. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the Evans Scholars Foundation to help send caddies to college, may do so by calling (224)-260-3746.

For more information on the BMW Championship please visit PGATour.com or BMWChampionshipUSA.com.

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

IT’S THIS WEEKEND…sorry for the short notice.

Do you want to play golf for 24 hours straight, it’s not a race or a marathon, but your endurance is tested.

This is about Mason. You probably don’t know or ever heard of this young man before he passed away in 2017.

But Mason was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 7 in 2013. Almost 4 years later his fight was over but the battle continues.

This weekend July 18-19 at TPC Sugarloaf in Georgia. Is Mason’s 24 Hours Straight golf fundraiser outing will tee off. It goes 2-days and 24 hours. Golfers you will play through some back pain, headaches, tired feet and more. Just a little bit of what kids go through when they have to have cancer treatments.

NOW IN 2020-1 Division. 3 person teams, for a minimum of $3,000. Two members must remain on the course throughout the 24 hours. Your entry gets you Food, beverage and and tee gifts. The best fundraising team and that also completes the marathon also wins an all-inclusive golf vacation for 4.

IF YOUR TIRED of sitting in the house, and you need to work the rust off your game, go play golf for 24 hours straight.

http://team.curethekids.org/campaign/masons-twenty-four-straight/c268550.

A DIRECTED FORCE 2.1 LAB GOLF PUTTER-THE CALLAWAY MAVERICK DRIVER  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, LinkedIn or Facebook. On the 1st tee at Schaumburg Golf Club on the soon to open Tournament Nine.

WITH THE VIRUS making this a weird summer golf season, golfers have taken a different approach to just about everything in their game.

Where they play, how much they play, will they travel more or less to play, or what about improving their equipment.

As for me, I’m taking some time to improve what’s in my bag, which will be a future column. I have an order in with Callaway Golf, because after hitting the Maverick Line, those clubs have shown me they are really something special. But what about the putters.

It’s easy to say that the big names in golf putters, like Scotty Cameron at Titleist, or Sean Toulon with Callaway and other companies like Taylor Made, Ping or Bettenardi have to be the best. That being said, all of the above make great putters. But if your willing to think outside the box of big name equipment makers, their are a few smaller custom companies who make good putters.

As research continues on putters, the putting stroke, the loft on putters, and whether the weighting on putters should be in the toe or the heel, should the shaft be in the middle of the club face or the heel. Should the putter be a blade, or have some big sized weighting on the back end, the options golfers have today continues to expand.

  THE LAB GOLF- B.2 (L) or DIRECTED FORCE 2.1 (R), not fancy but they make putts.

Last week I learned about what I’ll call a new or newer putter company called LABGolf Putters. Lab is-Lie, Angle, Balance. On the surface they look weird, on the putting surface they make putts. It’s as simple as that. It didn’t make me long to start rolling in putts with both of these putters on the carpet inside the PGA Tour Store in Vernon Hills. Players on mini-tours are starting to use them, and big name players on the PGA Tour are starting to inquire about them. Stay tuned.

After my first 8 putts with both putters, I started making everything. It was shocking how much my putting improved with no lessons, and in a span of 10 minutes. I’m not used to having a large grip on my putters, but even with a bigger grip the feel was really good. The lighter grip pressure on these putters seems to help you get a feel for how to put a good roll on every putt. If your thinking about a new putter, do check out LabGolf putters before you buy. Labgolf.com. Watch the video by CEO Highland Park Illinois native Sam Hahn.

RENOVATION REVIEW there is one course going into renovation, and one coming out of the renovation phase.

The Schaumburg Golf Clubs Tournament Nine is days away from reopening and putting the final touches on a plan that has been in the works for 5 years. At Sportsman’s Golf Course in Northbrook, the work has started. The old clubhouse and cart barn have been torn down, and many of the 27 holes have been dug-up. Architect Rick Jacobson and his team are hard at work in Northbrook.

The Good news at Sportsman’s is that with work getting underway early this year, there is hope for some golf there in 2021. In Schaumburg the final pieces of the puzzle are about to be put in place. August 1st is expected to be the opening day and club officials are looking forward to having 27 holes, finally reopened for play.

Architect Todd Quitno and along with the Schaumburg Golf Club renovation team headed up by GM Jon Parsons, have really delivered a facility golfers can enjoy. It will be hard for some golfers to play there and realize that Schaumburg Golf Club is a public golf course.

THE RYDER CUP is finally pushed back to 2021, and that had become one of the worst kept secrets in golf. Now how do you select a team, do the standards change. I agree with Davis Love III, who says lets take the 12 highest players in the point standings and put them on the team. A captains pick only in an emergency. By next September players will have had three years to earn enough points to make the team. Not a bad plan.

WHAT A DAY this past weekend at Blackberry Oaks Golf Club in Bristol/Yorkville. First on the tee, a horse had got loose in the area, and was racing down the fairways looking like it was ready to win the Kentucky Derby. Then the range picker and cart ended up in the drink, the driver was penalized. Later in the day a golf cart ended up in a pond. GM and head golf professional Chad Johansen was left speechless. So you wanted to be a golf professional, hey all in a days work. Video of the horse and pictures of the carts can be found on Johansen’s Facebook page.

I FIRST MET Collin Morakawa at the Western Amateur, he is a good kid and really showed what he is made of when he defeated Justin Thomas yesterday in the playoff at Muirfield Village. I hope golf fans get on board and support Collin, he is really worth rooting for.

KUDO’s TO NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Alum (Class of 2011) David Lipsky on his Korn Ferry Tour win this past weekend in San Antonio Texas. Lipsky closed out the win with a final round 65, and shot 25 under par for the championship. That’s great playing on any course at any tournament.

NICE JOB BY CBS in giving several mentions to the John Deere Classic on Sunday, this past week would have been JDC week. I’m looking forward to being at the 50th PGA Tour event in the Quad Cities, at TPC Deere Run next July.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

LABGOLF Putters-Not Fancy looking-but good feeling-and Great Results. Labgolf.com.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram. With Wilson Golf President Tim Clarke at WCPT Am 820

Great weekend for golf at Muirfield Village in Ohio. The Wilson Golf staffers are playing great. Kevin Streelman, Gary Woodland in the hunt, with Brendan Steele not far back. Catch all the action today on Golf Channel and CBS, an early start is happening because of bad weather coming into the area by afternoon.

This weekend was supposed to be the final rounds at the John Deere Classic, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis IL. A suburb of the Quad Cities area.

While there was no John Deere Classic this year, there was a tournament at TPC Deere Run this past week, run by the Iowa PGA Section. The Deere Run Junior Open Tournament was won by Dillon Burr of Marion Iowa, with a two round score of 146 (+4) Burr won by one shot over Luke Lofgren of Rock Island (147). Congrats to the junior players who got to play TPC Deere Run this week, instead of the PGA Touring professionals.

BRIGHTON DALE Links part of the Kenosha County Golf Course system in Wisconsin. Has a Callaway Golf Fitting Day today July 12th, from 10 Am to 2 Pm. If you buy new clubs there are great trade in values on your old clubs. (262)-925-8004. Don’t forget the Kenosha County Open coming up on August 8th and 9th. Registration is now open.

Kemperlakesgolf.com

Head golf professional and multiple IPGA Section major champion Jim Billiter has moved on to the Glen View Club in Golf Illinois.

The historic Glen View Club will host the 2021 Western Amateur, the site of the first Western Amateur.

Matt Simon has joined Kemper Lakes as it’s new head golf professional.

Simon comes over to Kemper Lakes from Biltmore.

Linkscapitaladvisors.com

Links Captial Advisors has announced the sale of Heddles Hideaway Golf Club in Spartanburg South Carolina.

LCA has also announced the sale of Lakota Canyon Golf Club in New Castle Colorado. For more information on other listings, call Chris Charnas at (312)-543-7192 or visit LinksCapitalAdvisors.com.

FOR SALE-upcoming auction. The Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort and Conference Center in Western PA. hits the auction block at Noon EST, on July 25th. See Hostetter Auctioneers.

Architect Bobby Weed walks the grounds.

Golf Course Architect Bobby Weed’s redesign and renovation of the Soth Course at Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach Florida, has been selected to host the 74th Florida Open Championship from July 17th through the 19th.

Weed more recently has been recognized as the designer of the new Grove XXIII Golf Club owned by former Chicago Bulls and NBA star Michael Jordan.

The Florida Open will be held in conjunction with the famed Pine Tree Golf Club, also located in Boynton Beach.

Weed calls the Quail Ridge South Course, “a challenging but enjoyable venue for the Florida Open.” More details at BobbyWeed.com.

LANDSCAPES GOLF MANAGEMENT of Lincoln Nebraska, has been selected to manage the Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan KS, and to provide select services to the Midvale Country Club in Rochester New York. Details at LandscapesUnlimited.com.

SRIXON-CLEVELND-XXIO fitting day is coming up at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Palos Heights formerly Lemont this coming Friday July 17th from 12-4 PM. To schedule a fitting time, call Cog Hill at (866)-Cog-Hill (264-4455).

HOLLAND MICHIGAN Golf Architect Ray Hearn known for his work in the Chicago area at both Mistwood Golf Club and Flossmoor Country Club, will soon begin work at the Midlothian Country Club in the South Suburbs of Chicago. The project includes both a bunker renovation and other course restoration work. Hearn is also working on four other projects this summer in both Michigan and New Jersey. RHGD.com for more information.

CHAD JOHANSEN GM-Head Golf Professional at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol IL., has announced his Boot-Camp, scoring clinics, a three hour session in the comfort of the Go-For-it indoor dome in Yorkville. See ChadJohansen.com or call Blackberry Oaks at (630)-553-7170. Coach Chad and his team of assistants will help you lower your golf scores like never before. #Shootlowerscores #FourstepProcess.

THE VOKEY WEDGE WORKS-T GRIND.

Wedge craftsman Bob Vokey is now making available to you, what he puts in the bag of PGA Tour players.

One of the favorite wedges of tour players Justin Thomas and Jordan  Spieth is the T-Grind wedge.

T-Grind was built for players with great hands and a creative short game imagination. The T-Grind comes in 58 and 60 degree lofts. It works well for a shallow angle of attack in firm conditions. Compared to the L-Grind has a wider back flange for a lower measured bounce.

” Wedge play is an art, and the T-Grind brings out the best in the artist,” Vokey said. “The leading edge stays low to the playing surface as the wedge is rotated which allows you to hit a variety of shots from tight lies. This is the wedge that really made Vokey Grinds an important part of our process-and to this day is a great option.”

You can find more details at Vokey.com or Titleist.com. The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

  GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO Am 820 WCPT. Celebrating our 30th season. Join Bill Berger, Ed Stevenson and Rory Spears,as they give you the best golf coverage in the Chicago area. Tee time is 10 AM Saturday mornings, and you can also listen live at Wcpt820.com, watch on Facebook Live, get the Tune-In Radio APP in your phone Search Wcpt820. If you need a mulligan, Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk for a full replay of the show once your back in the clubhouse. Golfers on Golf Radio today.   ____________________________________________________________________

  We hear from the Daily Herald’s Len Ziehm, and Cog Hill GM Troy Newport joins us live at 10:30.

A Lab Golf putter, CEO Sam Hahn joins us

One of the new hot putters in the game that is gaining traction quickly, are the new LabGolf putters.

After almost heading out of business a few years ago, new CEO Sam Hahn a Highland Park native talks about pulling the company back together.

Before he heads out to play in the Oregon State Open. Hahn joins the show at 10:10 this morning.

We hope you will join us too. WCPT Am 820 at 10 Am this morning.

2019 ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE LEN ZIEHM & RORY SPEARS, bring you Chicago’s most complete weekly report on golf, with the Ziehm & Spears Podcast Series 2020.

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks Ziehm & Spears Podcast Series 202-Volume 17.

This week Len and Rory discuss the postponement of the Ryder Cup and President’s Cup, and ideas on how the team could be picked going forward into 2021. Is there another college golf coach who could be a force in the Illinois PGA Section.

The great field for a tournament that will be played the Western Amateur at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana.

Renovation review-who is wrapping it up, and who is just getting started. Some golf travel notes. Will fans be let in to the BMW Championship.

The 2020 World Long Drive championship is off at Cog Hill, but will it return in 2022.

Putting around the world of new putters, and what the hottest emerging putter could be.

All this and more, so thanks for listening, Len & Rory.

THE GENERAL AT EAGLE RIDGE in Galena. One of 63 holes of golf you can play.

A SPECIAL GOLF PACKAGE SALE  is running through 9 PM tonight July 9th

Call 1-800-892-2269, restrictions apply, you can save up to 37% off normal rates. Call today, and enjoy three days and two nights at Eagle Ridge Resort. Play the North Course, The South Course, the East Course and the General. Eagleridge.com.

TEAM USA CAPTAIN-STEVE STRICKER (L) and TEAM EUROPE CAPTAIN PADRAIG HARRINGTON hold the Ryder Cup last September at Whistling Straits, and a press conference with the world golf media. Now they both have another year to play captain.  ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and Facebook or LinkedIn. With the Ryder Cup at the PGA Merchandise Show.

WELL NOW IT’S OFFICIAL- what was expected for a long time has now been announced.

This years 2020 Ryder Cup has been delayed into 2021. The dates for the Ryder Cup are now September 21-26 in 2021.

As a result, the 2021 President’s Cup scheduled for the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte North Carolina has been moved back to 2022. With dates moving up into September from the 19th to the 25th.

The PGA of America made the decision with Ryder Cup Europe, after consulting with the Center’s of Disease Control the State of Wisconsin and Sheboygan County.

“Unlike other major sporting events that are played in existing stadiums, we had to make a decision now about building facilities to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators in September would be possible. Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call. We are grateful to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners at the Tour for their flexibility and generosity in the complex task of shifting the global golf calendar.”

As a result the Ryder Cups going forward will move back one year. Marco Simone Country Club Italy, in 2023, Bethpage Black New York into 2025, Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2029, 2031 location is TBA, 2033 The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

“White it is disappointing that the Ryder Cup won’t be played this year, the decision to reschedule is the right thing to do under the circumstances,” said U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker. “At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all the other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin, and now we have the opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen.”

Padraig Harrington, Captain of the European Ryder Cup Team said,” Rescheduling the Ryder Cup was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors to take into consideration. But I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time. September of 2021 seems like a long time away, but it will come around quickly and our players will be ready when it does.”

Both sides will revisit their team selection process, tickets purchased for this year, WILL BE automatically valid for 2021. The PGA of America will offer full-refunds for those who can not attend next year. In addition the Junior Ryder Cup schedule for Blue Mound Country Club in Wauwatosa Wisconsin will be pushed back into 2021.