RORY SPEARS & ED STEVENSON will be joined in studio on Saturday by Tim Clarke the President of Wilson Golf who will guest host the show. Join us on Am 820 WCPT on the tee at 10 AM this Saturday Morning and Wcpt820.com or watch us on Facebook.      _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio (L-R) Rory Spears, Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger in studio at WCPT Am 820

More great news for Golfers on Golf Radio, this Saturday June 20th Tim Clarke the president of Wilson Golf joins regular hosts Ed Stevenson and Rory Spears in studio as a guest host.

Listens can expect plenty of talk on Wilson Golf products, what your options are with Wilson products, and what might be on the drawing board for next fall and beyond.

There will likely be some surprise guests from the world of Wilson Golf, so stay tuned and joins us Saturday morning at 10 AM. WCPT AM 820- Wpct820.com, watch us live on Facebook, get the Tune in Radio APP and search Wcpt820. If you miss the show you get a mulligan-visit Soundcloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk.

HOW TO LOWER YOUR GOLF SCORE- Chad Johansen’s 4-Step Process, online check out 4Stepprocess.com THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS, in Addison, where the new clubhouse, bag drop & starter shack are under construction. DuPagegolf.com.  ____________________________________________________________________

The new Topgolf Schaumburg under the lights.

The Dallas based Topgolf Entertainment Group has been awarded a US Best Managed Companies Award, that is sponsored by Deloitte Private, and the Wall Street Journal.

The award recognizes private companies that demonstrate excellence in strategy, execution, culture and financials.

“We are excited to be honored by the US Best Managed Companies program,” said Erik Anderson, Topgolf Entertainment Group Executive Chairman. “Our long-term view and purpose of the business is guided by our strategic Model Thinking, which serves as our playbook for successful execution. Our leaders use it as a guide, and it is how we’ve built Topgolf to become the growing, experiential movement it is today.”

The Topgolf fairway at Topgolf in Schaumburg. Photo by Rory Spears.

The Topgolf business model has been created and built on having fun. They are known for using golf to enhance the concept of sports-entertainment.

As of the end of 2019, Topgolf has welcomed over 22 million guests annually at almost 60 Topgolf locations in three countries.

Have brought Toptracer technology into the living rooms of golf fans who watch professional golf on their televisions.

Toptracer Range has improved driving ranges, golf domes, and golf performance centers at over 4,000 hitting stations in 27 countries. Swing Suite a virtual simulator technology is in over 200 facilities across America. Has brought digital excitement to over 28 million users through it’s popular online game World Golf Tour (WGT).

“At our core, we champion a dynamic culture and work hard to motivate and retain talented Associates who fuel the success and growth of our company,” said Dolf Berle, Topgolf Entertainment Group Chief Executive Officer. “I continue to be inspired by our team members and leaders across the company who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Topgolf, even in the face of adversity and challenging times. Without them this honor would not be possible.”

Topgolf became one of just 27 companies to receive this award in 2020, to view a full list please visit the Wall Street Journal website. For more information on the US Best Managed Companies program evaluation and it’s process for selecting award winners, please visit USBestManagedComapnies.com

Topgolf locations in the Chicago area currently include Schaumburg, Naperville and Wood Dale. For more information on Topgolf please see Topgolf.com.

   THE FOUR STEP PROCESS-Coached by Blackberry Oaks Golf Club in Bristol IL. head golf professional Chad Johansen, see fourstepprocess.com. Tour Edge Golf located in Batavia IL, is home to the line of Exotics & Wingman putter. TourEdge.com      ______________________________________________________________________

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

GOLF IS BACK- It was good to see the PGA Tour at Colonial this week. Congrats to Daniel Berger on his third win on tour, all three coming the second week of June.

June is the magic month for Berger, I’m sure he can’t wait for the U.S. Open to get back to being in June.

There was several players who could have won this past week, but most fell victim to an amazing amount of lipped out putts. Boy was that crazy.

Collin Morikawa is a good young player. He will win short fashion on the PGA Tour. I spoke with him at the Western Amateur in 2018, what a great interview and personality, he carries himself very well. He will always be easy to root for.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU has packed on 40 pounds in three years. 20 of them in the last year, but we hear it’s all muscle. Yes he was working out three times a day and drinking his protein shakes, but I’d love to know more on how long it took him to put on all the pounds, and how much he would recommend his plan for others.

It wasn’t long ago that DeChambeau was playing college golf and was surrounded by guys who were 5-8 or 5-10 and 160 pounds. You have to wonder if the next wave of college golfers is looking at DeChambeau and thinking about trying a similar plan to make it on tour.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO this coming Saturday Morning at 10 Am on WCPT Am 820, host Bill Berger has the week off, and a special guest host will join us. Stay tuned to Golfers on Golf.com this week to find out who.

CASINO’S HAVE REOPENED IN INDIANA-so head to the French Lick Resort in Indiana, and enjoy some action off the golf course as well. If you have not been there, it’s time to go, FLR is one of the best destination properties in America.

THE PFAU GOLF COURSE at Indiana University opens for public play today in Bloomington Indiana on the campus of the university. It’s not far off the interstate and well worth playing if your in the area. It’s a great stop-off if your on the way to the French Lick Resort in French Lick. If you have tickets for the Indy 500 in August, and want to golf before or after the race, try Pfau.

IT WAS NICE TO SEE some great play on the Korn-Ferry Tour by our local players, Nick Hardy of Northbrook 9th-Vince India of Deerfield 10th, Brad Hopfinger- Naperville 23rd, Andy Pope from Glen Ellyn 44th. Keep it going guys, and to the U of ILL players in the field who had a great return week, Brian Campbell, Scott Langley. Coach Mike Small must be proud.

I TOOK A SPIN AROUND the Chicago Highlands Club in Westchester last Thursday, it had been several years since I was out on the golf course. It has really matured and the Korn Ferry professionals should enjoy it for the Evans Scholars invitational in September. I love the Dan Wohlfeil clubhouse design, where a 3 stories tall clubhouse looks like a one floor building. Creative design into the side of a ridge. The links style course will be good for viewing for the fans that do come out. Hopefully in September there will be at least 1,000 per day let into the tournament.

IT WAS SAD TO SEE that a golf course near Charlotte NC., was force to close again because of Covid-10 concerns. There seems to be some spikes in virus cases around the country, and lets hope it does not lead to more shutdowns. Is the spike the results of protests around the country a couple of weeks back, it’s hard to say and I’m not sure anyone knows the answer. We saw golf be a leader in returning the country and live sports to being back on TV. Here’s to a safe week on Hilton Head Island in SC in the week ahead at Harbor Town at Sea Pines resort and the famous lighthouse behind the 18th green. I hope CBS mentions course designer Pete Dye, who passed away earlier this year.

ILLINOIS PGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CARRIE WILLIAMS joined us this past Saturday on Golfers on Golf Radio, to talk us through the IPGA Section of 2020. The input to the Governor’s office on getting golf restarted, the Rainsuits for Responders program, and the changes in the Illinois Open format. What we learned is that the IPGA Match Play Championship, normally the sections first major of the year in May needs a new home this year as Kemper Lakes is not available on the September dates the section has moved the matches to. There are other changes to the IPGA schedule that will be released shortly, including making the Players Championship into a 35 player invitational.

THE PGA of AMERICA has decided to give Team USA Captain Steve Stricker six captains picks instead of just four. So there will only be six spots guaranteed by the point standings. Players who were in the Top 8 and now if they don’t move up, would now need to be a captains pick to make the team are, Justin Thomas #7th and Tiger Woods #8th.

The Gog Blog returns this week. RS

THE CHICAGO HIGHLANDS CLUB hosts the Evans Scholars Invitational from Sept. 9-13 a Korn Ferry Tour Event, benefiting the Evans Scholars Foundation. THE CLUB CHAMPION stores are back open, and a fitting for new clubs just in time for Fathers Day next weekend, makes the perfect gift for dad. For details Clubchampiongolf.com.     _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf, follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and Facebook or Linkedin. At WCPT Am 820 studios in Chicago. Golfers on Golf Radio Saturday mornings at 10 AM.

GOLF IS BACK-yes live golf, tune in on CBS this afternoon to see the final round of the Charles Schwab Classic from Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth Texas.

Several of our local players including Nick Hardy, Vince India and Andy Pope are in contention at the Korn Ferry Tour event in Florida today.

It is nice to have live golf tournaments back on television, even if it is without fans in the stands, or next to the ropes.

The Golf Heritage Society-GolfHeritage.org

The Golf Heritage Society a non-profit celebrating it’s 50 Anniversary in 2020, is announcing a special $25 membership fee for the rest of the year. As it will welcome new members from both the USA, and from around the world.

“It is our pleasure to announce this special membership fee for the remainder of 2020,” said Dr. Bern Bernacki, president of the GHS. “We invite anyone who loves to golf to join us as we salute 50 years of honoring and preserving golf’s history for future generations.”

The GHS exists to offer information about the game’s history, players, courses, championships and equipment-from the past through the present. Collecting and trading golf memorabilia and artifacts also is a part of what interests many GHS members, who enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise with others.

To learn more about the GHS visit the organizations new website at GolfHeritage.org.

The Volvik Vivid USA-Ball pack.

VOLVIK USA a high performing golf ball and growing company, has announced a Vivid USA 6-Ball Pack in time for both Father’s Day and the Fourth of July.

The Vivid 6-Ball Pack includes USA-logo’d golf balls, and a Lady Liberty logo’d ball marker.

Each sleeve includes one red, white and blue 2020 VIVID ball. Every ball has the number 1776, and the full set comes in a Lady Liberty custom box.

“The 2020 USA Pack will be a fantastic Father’s Day gift or terrific way to celebrate the 4th of July holiday weekend or the return of golf throughout the U.S., and we are pleased to offer this special limited-time product to the trade,” said Wes Whittingham, vice president of sales for Volvik USA. “The patriotic design and high-performance quality of the balls combine to create a perfect holiday gift.”

The 2020 Volvik VIVID balls have the VAS Triple-line Volvik Alignment System and a new-and improved UV protected matte coat finish coating. The 3-piece construction balls feature 75 compression and a maximized Energy Core $24.99 Volvik.com

The new Exotics EXS 220- 3 Wood TourEdge.com

TOUR EDGE GOLF has been added to the summer series of demo days at the Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein next Saturday June 20th.

This demo day for fittings and testings is by appointment only. You must call Pine Meadow to be put on the list for a fitting at (847)-566-4653 (GOLF).

The new HL4 fairway metals and irons can be tested, or how about the EXS 220 metal woods, or the new for 2020 the Wingman putter. Check out Tour Edge products at TourEdge.com or the Pine Meadow Golf Club.

PITCHFIX SPOKESMAN CHIP BECK- is the featured guest on Chad Johansen’s 4 Step Process FREE Webinar tonight at 8 PM, see 4stepprocess.com or visit Chad’s website at Chadjohansen.com. #BlackBerryOaks GM and head golf professional, or you can even call him Coach Johansen these days. Call BB Oaks at (630)-553-7170.

PITCHFIX is now offering clubs that want one a Pick Cup, that helps keep the golf ball at the top of the hole, to help during these Covid-19 times. it’s an easy way to retrieve the golf ball from the hole, and not help spread the Corona Virus.

For details visit PitchfixUSA.com/product/PickCup. For more information on PitchFix see our story from the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show on this website, and hear our interview with a Mr.59-Chip Beck.

  FOREST DUNES GOLF CLUB in Roscommon Michigan has opened for the season, and it’s complete with Covid-19 safety guidelines in place.

Forest Dunes is home to Top 100 golf course Forest Dunes by Tom Weiskopf and the 18 hole reversible course by Tom Doak called “The Loop”. The Loop changes direction each day from it’s Black to Red routing.

During the 2020 golf season the new 10-hole short course will be open along with the two new lake cottages. Special packages now available for the 4th of July weekend, to book your play and stay call (989)-275-0700 or see ForestDunesGolf.com

Forest Dunes is located in a 1,300 acre wooded area within the Huron National Forest. You can also follow Forest Dunes on Twitter @forestdunesgolf.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO (L-R) is Rory Spears, Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger, Golfers on Golf Radio is on the tee at 10 Am, on WCPT-AM 820. You can now listen live at Wcpt820.com. Watch us Facebook on the WCPT FB page. If your on the golf course or at the range, download the Tune In Radio APP, search WCPT820. If you miss the show and need a mulligan, go to SoundCloud.com/Chicagosprogressivetalk.

Don’t forget all week long visit Golfers on Golf at Golfersongolf.com

This weeks show features guests…..

Carrie Williams Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section, and Anthony Holder the Director of Golf at Horseshoe Bay Resort in Austin Texas, home of Slick Rock golf course and the “million dollar hole’ (above right).

We will also hear from…

Len Ziehm in PGA Village Florida

Len Ziehm from LenZiehmongolf.com and the golf columnist from the Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Len speaks about the return of live golf from the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry tour.

In addition a great story from Indiana University men’s golf coach Mike Mayer, who talks about the new IU-Pfau golf course that opens for public play this Monday June 15th.

Golfers on Golf Radio on the tee at 10 Am, do join us, and then head out to the golf course. Or tee off early and get done before we hit the airwaves. Thanks for listening, Ed, Billy and Rory.

THE KORN FERRY TOUR plays at Sawgrass Valley this weekend, Welcome to the Chicago Highlands Club-Westchester IL., home of the 2020 Evans Scholars Invitational  _____________________________________________________________________

The new clubhouse at the Chicago Highlands Club in Westchester Illinois. Photo by Rory Spears.

THE 2020 Evans Scholars Invitational (ESI) has a new home for this September 9-13.

Enter one of the newer clubs in the Chicago area, The Chicago Highlands Club. The ESI will be one of five tournaments that will comprise the Korn Ferry Tour’s fall schedule.

“We’re excited to be joining with Chicago Highlands to conduct the Evans Scholars Invitational in Chicago’s western suburbs this September, “said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “This will be an outstanding venue for championship golf, and we join with the Korn Ferry Tour in looking forward to seeing golf’s future stars compete on such a quality layout.”

The second green with a great backdrop.

The ESI was originally scheduled for late May, but was pushed back on the schedule due to the Corona Virus. With the date change, the previously scheduled venue, the Glen Club, was not available to hold the tournament in September, due to previously scheduled commitments. The 2021 ESI has not yet scheduled a venue.

2019 ESI champion Scottie Scheffler was named 2019 Rookie-of-the-Year for the Korn Ferry Tour. Scheffler is currently playing on the PGA Tour.

The 576 yard par 5, 12th hole at Chicago Highlands.

The Western Golf Association (WGA) and local officials will be working together to provide a safe atmosphere to everyone on property that week.

Pellegrino adding,” safety is our top priority.”

The Chicago Highlands Club is a links style golf course, that is spread out over 270 acres. It first opened for play in 2010, and was designed by Arthur Hills. It’s new clubhouse only finished completion in the last two years, was designed by architect Dan Wolhfeil.

The par 3, 13th hole will be a partially blind tee shot.

“We’re excited to have this opportunity to host the Evans Scholars Invitational and see some of the world’s finest up-and-coming golfers test out our unique and challenging layout,” said Tom Healy, one of the managing partners of Chicago Highlands. “We’re equally thrilled to know that, through our partnership with the Western Golf Association, we’ll be helping to send more caddies to college on Evans Scholarships. We’re looking forward to a great week of championship golf and charitable fundraising with the Western Golf Association.”

Pellegrino said the ESI is used to raise funds to send more caddies to college on Evans Scholarships. Currently, the WGA has 1,010 caddies in college at 18 different colleges or universities.

The Korn Ferry tour has made changes to it’s schedule before it awards 25 PGA Tour cards at the 2021 WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by KraftHeinz. 25 more tour cards will be presented at the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Finals.

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Host of Golfers on Golf Radio on Am 820 WCPT Chicago Saturday mornings at 10 AM, and Director of Content and Creation for GolfersonGolf.com. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram.

LEN ZIEHM CLASS OF 2019 into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame (L) and RORY SPEARS host of Golfers on Golf Radio have added another chapter to their run of podcasts.

This weeks topics include the return of professional golf including both the PGA Tour in Texas and the Korn Ferry Tour in Florida. Next weeks opening of the new Indiana University Pfau Golf Course, Rory’s visit to Chicago Highlands home of the 2020 Evans Scholars Invitational. Schaumburg Golf Club’s renovation project nears completion and some Father’s Day gift thoughts.

CLICK HERE to hear the latest Ziehm and Spears Podcast-Volume 13. Volume 14 will run next week. Stay clicked in, Len and Rory.

THE KORN FERRY TOUR returns to Chicago Sept 9-12 at the Chicago Highlands Golf Club, and to live action tomorrow in Florida. THE NEW CLUBHOUSE at the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison, is rising from the ground, see the details at DuPagegolf.com  _____________________________________________________________________

YESTERDAY INDIANA UNIVERSITY held a Zoom media conference call with head coaches Mike Mayer (men’s team) and Clint Wallman (women’s team) in regards to next weeks opening of the universities new Pfau Golf Course.

Click here to hear the conference call between Indiana University golf coaches Mike Mayer and Clint Wallman. The gaps on the call have been edited out for time concerns, and the 27 minute call is only 20 minutes here. The link begins with opening comments by men’s coach Mike Mayer.

The PFAU Golf Course opens on June 15th, and the courses website is now up and operational at thePfaucourse.com.

The new PFAU course clubhouse (view from 18th green) and the second hole from the tee box.

Click here to hear the interview with architect Steve Smyers on the renovation of the golf course (Oct. 2019).

The 15th hole on the Pfau Course (L) and the closing hole the 18th with clubhouse (R).

Opening day is June 15th details at ThePfauCourse.com

CLUB CHAMPION stores now open-Great idea for Fathers Day Clubchampiongolf.com The Korn Ferry Tour comes to Chicago Sept. 9-12-tournament site Chicago Highlands.   _____________________________________________________________________

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

Honma TR20 line of clubs

Honma’s TR20-which stands for Tour Release 2020, is a product line that combines 60 years of design work from a team of club design engineers.

The TR 440 and 460 drivers, are part of the line that includes TR20 P and V irons.

This line of clubs brings tour level performance to amateurs, who handicaps range from low-to-middle-to high.

“When you combine the attention to detail and finely crafted performance upheld by the takumi with our expert Carlsbad R&D team, every phase of clubmaking process becomes a finely engineered work of art,” says John Kawaja, president of Honma Golf. “In the hands of golfers, the TR20 family of clubs inspires confidence and the pride that they’re using equipment that’s been meticulously created by two expert teams. When Japan’s finest club designers’ team up with America’s most accomplished club designers, the clear winner is the golfer who values inspired quality and performance.”

The TR20 clubs-drivers and irons, the new TR21’s coming this fall include fairway woods and hybrids. Bur regarding the TR20 Driver,

“Like a race car, these drivers are built for speed,” says Chris McGinley, VP of Global Product. “They have a minimum lightweight TiCarbon Fast frame with a maximum amount of carbon body area. It’s a carbon clamshell-the entire outer crown and sole are made of carbon, while the underside of the crown is ribbed to reduce weight and increase strength-that sits on top of a very thin titanium frame eliminating vibration and the variable face thickness increasing face repulsion and COR for more initial ball speed.

One testing outlet but’s the TR20 460 driver fourth overall in Most Wanted testing, and had the third highest ball speed among all drivers tested.

The TR20 series of drivers sell for $649.99 apiece, with the irons at $199.99 per club with a graphite shaft and at $179.99/steel shafts. A new iron release is coming out this summer, it will be the TR20B for blade irons.

There are three Homna Experience locations that include Reunion Resort in Kissimmee Florida, Ko Olina Golf Club on Oahu in Hawaii, and the Honma House in Carlsbad California.

For more information on Honma clubs visit us/honmagolf.com.

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB IN ROMEOVILLE-tee times and more call (815)-254-3333.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Host of Golfers on Golf Radio, Director of Content and Creation for Golfersongolf.com Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram. In the WCPT AM 820 Studios.

WELCOME BACK-No Gabe Kotter isn’t coming home this week, but professional golf including the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour are back on the tee.

By Thursday, those sports fans looking for current live action will have something to see. The PGA Tour will be playing in Texas at the Colonial Country Club, while Korn Ferry Tour hits the fairways at the second course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.

The Korn Ferry event will have some Illinois influence in the field. Nick Hardy, Vince India, Andy Pope are among the players looking for their first win of 2020. Here’s hoping they have a great week in their first week back on tour. I’m hoping the TV networks show us some live looks of each event, that would be great to see.

***THE EVANS SCHOLARS INVITATIONAL*** will be played Sept. 9-12 at the Chicago Highlands Golf Club near Oak Brook.

THE REAL QUESTION is what will sports be like with no fans.  According to story by Golfweek, the Memorial Tournament coming up the third week of July will be able to have 8,000 fans per day. Let’s hope they do, and people stay spread out.

Having played Muirfield Village there are several holes that sit down, while the neighboring houses sit up on the ridges. You can bet that they will add to galleries with back yard viewing parties. If the Memorial gets by with out any major spreading of Covid from galleries of that size, hopefully it’s not long before 10,000 fan’s are the limit. Here’s hoping the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields in late August, can have 10 to 12,000 a day.

THIS WEEK the Illinois PGA Section is expected to release it’s revised schedule for the remainder of the 2020 season. It will be interesting to see when the four major tournaments will get played. It will keep our local section professionals busy for a while. Illinois PGA Section Executive Director Carrie Williams joins Golfers on Golf Radio this coming Saturday to speak more on the Illinois PGA Section and what lies ahead.

WORD FROM AROUND TOWN is that now with courses in Illinois being allowed foursomes, would area courses stay busy, after going a month with limited play and turning away business. Apparently they have, this past weekend with nice weather and no rain the tee sheets have remained full. Illinois courses deserve several straight weekends of solid business.

ARE YOU READY TO TRAVEL-Who Isn’t. Everyone is pretty much getting tired of sitting in their homes, and is ready to go somewhere, anywhere at this point. Golfers on Golf combined with Len Ziehm on Golf will continue to do our best in keeping everyone informed with the reopening of travel destination properties as that happens.

What parts of the facilities are open, golf courses, spa’s, casino’s, restaurants and more. Stay clicked in, or listen to our weekly podcasts for updates on golf properties. In addition to travel stories coming up right here at Golfers on Golf.com.

JUNE 15th will be the official opening the new PFAU Course at Indiana University in Bloomington, a great stop off on the way to the French Lick Resort. The website is now up and running. Architect Steve Smyers was brought in to renovate the course. I saw all 18 holes last fall, this should be added to your must play list.

If your ready for new equipment, Club Champion and other fitting locations are back up and running. Call your local fitter if it’s time for new product in the bag. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow. RS