MISTWOOD GOLF DOME-RT. 53 IN BOLINGBROOK-Home to Toptracer and the McWethy’s Sports Bar. Learn more at Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. This Thursday 4-8 Pm FREE Callaway Fittings-30 minute appointments, book now.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Welcome to the Bear Trap.

WELCOME TO THE BEAR TRAP, and what a week it was. But before I add some breakdown of the Honda Classic, there is something I must address.

Seriously, the biggest non-story and non-golf story of the week, was Tiger on a conference call revealing part of his menu for the Masters Champions Dinner.

You really have to wonder why, people especially golf writers waste time on stuff like this. Then Woods admits he hasn’t decided on the desert yet. Oh my !!! Call the pastry chef. Good God.

What failed to come out of the conference call is that 1. Woods back is back having issues. Which led to No Mexico (can’t blame Woods for not playing there), no Honda, and now no Bay Hill. 2. Woods has fallen out of the Top 10 in the World Golf rankings for the first time in 11 months. 3. Woods has fallen from 2 to 8, in the Ryder Cup point standings, and almost off the list of automatic spots on the Team USA. Perhaps he is relying on Steve Stricker to make him a captains pick. Steve #don’t do it.

THE HONDA quite a finish, then there really wasn’t one. The drama melted away when both Tommy Fleetwood and Brendan Steele went splash on 18, trying to get home in 2 on the par 5. Make the easy birdie, and head to a playoff. I know the object is to win the tournament, but if getting home in two poses that much risk, don’t lose the tournament on the second shot of a par 5 hole. Sungjae Im won his first PGA Tour event with his interesting golf swing. Im takes it back halfway very-slowly. Then hits the gas pedal and goes after it. It was nice to see Luke Donald play well, and for Wilson Golf to have three players start the weekend in the Top 15. Brendan Steele, Gary Woodland, and Kevin Streelman, too bad none of them won.

PAUL AZINGER has opened up a Twitter war with some Euro’s making a comment about Tommy Fleetwood not winning on the PGA Tour yet. To make a long story short, it’s amazing what gets people in a snit about people apparently getting disrespected. There are some folks in golf, players and non-players that need to chill, get off of Twitter and go play.

THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW was this past weekend. When I arrived on Friday 20 minutes until the doors opened, there were long lines waiting to get in, and buy tickets. But what I found surprising, was hearing from multiple people over the course of three days, that they did not think the show was crowded. Maybe the weekends nice weather played a roll.

I was asked about some regular courses that have had booths there in the past, not being there this year. What people need to remember, is that there are more and more of these indoor golf shows popping up in the winter months up north. Courses and resorts can’t go to them all. There are two shows here in town, a couple in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and the list goes on. The cost of traveling to these shows add up. Some dates do conflict, so you pick one show and go. Some properties are alternating year-to-year which show they go to.

In my opinion, what made these shows popular years back when they first started on the golf scene, was that they gave things away. Sure the show have prizes, but it’s not the same. Many of the courses do nothing but hand out literature and try to get your email address. What more of them should do. Is take some of the merchandise that did not sell in the pro shop the previous year, and use it for prizes at the various golf shows.

GOOD NEWS-some area courses have opened this week, including Foxford Hills in Cary, and Blackberry Oaks in Bristol. Maple Meadows in Addison, Popular Creek in Hoffman Estates, Fox Run in Elk Grove, Village Links in Glen Ellyn open on Thursday. Pine Meadow in Mundelein opens March 13th.

THE GOLF CHANNEL is moving it’s studios out of Orlando Florida, and north to that hotbed of golf, Stamford Ct.. Yes it’s true, and it will happen over the next year or so. What it means for their employees and the overall operation remains to be seen.

The Gog Blog is back all week. RS,

  THE CHICAGO GOLF SHOW wraps up today, but there is still time to get out there. The final putt drops at 4 pm. River Road in Rosemont, stop in and say hello to the group at show sponsor-the French Lick Resort-Frenchlick.com. Need tickets for the show, you can get them right outside the door. Who’s there see Chicagogolfshow.com #golfseason ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Golfers on Golf Radio Returns April 4 at 10 Am. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

The Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook

The Mistwood Golf Dome located on Rt. 53, in Bolingbrook is open daily and is the home for winter golf in the Chicago area.

The Mistwood Golf Dome is  home to Toptracer technology, and home to McWethy’s Sportsbar the best food and beverage in any golf dome in town. The Mistwood Golf Dome has the Mistwood Golf professionals there every day for lessons and club fittings. Details at Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600. See the Mistwood booth at the Chicago Golf Show today. Mistwood Golf Club has memberships available, and you can now sign up for permanent tee times on the weekend. Mistwoodgolf.com or call (815)-254-3333.

ILLINOIS MEN’S TEAM MEMBER Sr. Giovanni Tadiotto, finished third in Hawaii at the John Burns intercollegiate. His score was 210 (-6). Tadiotto earned the Men’s Player of the Week from the Big Ten. Congrats-Gio.

THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP that will be played from August 18-23 at the Olympia Fields Country Club, is still in need of about 700 volunteers to add to it’s list of the 1,300+ already signed up. See BMW Championship.com and click on the tab volunteers

SOUTHSIDE GOLFERS or in fact golfers from everywhere are welcome to join the 2020 Southside Golf Tour for the summer ahead. There are 10 events, and then a week of playoffs, followed by the tour championship on September 12th at Harborside International. Some of the courses you can play over the season include, Old Oak that’s first on the tee between late March and early April.

Then it’s Ravisloe CC, Glenwoodie, George Dunne, Tuckaway, Seven Bridges, Orchard Valley, Cinder Ridge, Calumet CC, Palmira G & CC, Heritage Bluffs, and then Harborside. Visit Southsidegolftour.com for details.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO VISIT PINEHURST. Now with the opening of the North and South Bar at the renovated Manor Inn, so many recent upgrades in Pinehurst, enjoy them all. Pinehurst.com.

PINE MEADOW GOLF CLUB in Mundelein part of Jemsek Golf has announced they will open for the season on March 13th, weather permitting. They will hold a 2-man scramble on March 28th, and 4-man scramble on April 4th. For more information call the club at (847)-566-GOLF (4653).

DALLAS BASED TOPGOLF has announced the newest location for a Topgolf facility to be built, will be in Wichita Kansas. With a new single level style to the design. More details at Topgolf.com.

THE CASA DE CAMPO RESORT & VILLAS has announced it will join the World Amateur Handicap Championship Team, as title sponsor of the Pairs Competition. Pairs-team winners get 4 days three nights. The Carribean Resort is known for courses like Teeth of the Dog, by Hall of Fame architect the late Pete Dye.

Registration is now open for the World Amateur Championship (August 31- Sept 4) in Myrtle Beach SC.

THE SALAMANDER HALF MOON BAY RESORT-18 holes by Robert Trent Jones in Jamica has now reopened. Salamanderhotels.com

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS ON MONDAY…RS

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT IS THE TITLE SPONSOR of this weekends Chicago Golf Show at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. THE MISTWOOD Golf Dome in Bolingbrook on Rt. 53, is your home for Toptracer, and McWethy’s Sports Bar, see their booth at the Golf Show all weekend. Mistwoodgolfdome.com (630)-739-7600    ______________________________________________________________________

The Donald Stephens Convention is Chicago’s center of golf all weekend long.

FOR THOSE who were not in Orlando last month for the PGA Show, or at any other local show in Chicago lately, your golf season has tee’d off in Rosemont.

The equipment companies, such as  Callaway, Wilson, Tour Edge, Mizuno and others are here. You can test hit the clubs, by hitting balls into nets at no charge.

The locals courses such as Mistwood, Cog Hill, Klein Creek, Makray Memorial, Carriage Greens and Golf Visions are here.

     The French Lick Resort Team

The CDGA, WGA, IPGA, IJGA, all of the local organizations are here.

Tournaments like the BMW Championship, the Evans Scholars Invitational, the 2020 Sr. PGA Championship are here.

Need some equipment, there are a few golf retailers in the house with plenty of club, balls and bags to pick from.

Frank Jemsek was in the house to represent Cog Hill, Pine Meadow, and St. Andrews.

The Midwest resorts have their booths here. States beyond Illinois, that include Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada.

Need more, how about out west properties, the south eastern states.

Learn more from on the big stage when the pro’s give out free lessons.

Or get those lessons at the Illinois PGA zone.

Hours for today Saturday are 9:30-6 Pm and 9;30 to 4 Pm on Sunday. For prices visit chicagogolfshow.com. Kids 11 and under are free. The foursome ticket package is only available online.

FREE GOLF, always a good thing is available with a purchased ticket from GolfVisions. The 19th hole is found a several places around the show. So enjoy a cold one while touring the isles.

Parking is in the garage right across the street, and you can take the walkway bridge to the convention center and take the escalator down the entrance of the show. Have fun and enjoy the show.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME of Bolingbrook is the place for winter golf, and the home of Toptracer and McWethy’s Sportsbar. The Mistwood professional staff is ready for lessons and club fittings. See Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. Come visit the Mistwood Golf booth at the Chicago Golf Show all this weekend in Rosemont.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Host/Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory from the AM 750 studios and on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, Linkedin and Facebook.

THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP returns to the Chicago area the week of August 18-23, at the Olympia Fields Country Club.

This years championship requires a volunteer force of 2,000, and so far almost 1,300 positions have been filled. Leaving around 700 more positions still open.

This year marks the first Western Open/BMW Championship at Olympia Fields since 1971.

WGA Sr. VP of Tournaments Vince Pellegrino talks the BMW Championship.

Volunteers perform important aspects of tournament operations during a PGA Tour event, and work both inside and outside the ropes of the tournament.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing outpouring of support from volunteers year after year to ensure the success of the BMW Championship,” said Vince Pellegrino Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “Serving as a volunteer presents a tremendous opportunity to see the tournament from a different perspective while also helping us raise funds for our sole charitable beneficiary, the Evans Scholars Foundation.”

Who will be the next champion at Olympia Fields Country Club.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, and commit to work at least three shifts during tournament week. Shift range from 4-6 hours, depending on assignment.

Volunteers are asked to purchase a volunteer package at $135.00. The package is valued at $629.00. this package includes.

Two tournament grounds tickets (good for one day). Two Peter Millar golf shirts, One Peter Millar outerwear piece, One hat or visor, One BMW Championship pin, One clear BMW Championship branded bag, One Volunteer credential, valid for entry all week. One invitation to the volunteer appreciation party. Food and beverage vouchers on days you volunteer.

The par 4, 3rd hole on Olympia Fields North.

If you wish to review the volunteer positions, visit Bmwchampionship.com, and click on the volunteer tab.

Volunteer position sign-up ends on June 15th. Some area’s fill quickly, so sign up now if you are looking for a certain area to volunteer in.

Since 2007 the BMW Championship has raised over $35 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Olympia Fields Country Club has two courses, the North and the South. The BMW Championship will be contested on the North Course, that was designed by Willie Park Jr., the winner of the Open Championship in 1887 and 1889. Park designed over 100 courses in his career.

The North Course is ranked in the Top 100 course by multiple publications. Both Rickie Fowler and Vijay Singh hold the course record with a 63, with Singh’s 63 in the 2003 U.S. Open. See BMWChampionship.com for more details.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is your home for winter golf in the Chicagoland area. The Dome is home to Toptracer and McWethy’s Sportsbar, that has the best food and beverage of any indoor golf facility in the area. Mistwood Golf professionals are there for lessons and club fittings, so get your game ready now for the summer months ahead. See the Mistwood Golf booth at the Chicago Golf Show this weekend in Rosemont. Visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome (630)-739-7600.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf Radio, and Golfersongolf.com, Chicago’s only year round golf news source. You can follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or on Facebook, Linkedin or Instagram.

THE OMNI LA COSTA RESORT AND SPA

IF YOUR READY to get out of the Chicago winter, and your ready for a California coastal getaway why not consider a resort with a great golf tradition.

The Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in the foothills of Southern California is the place for you.

Omni La Costa is home to 36 holes of championship golf, on both it’s Champions Course and it’s Legends Course.

“Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is a destination that is synonymous with world-class golf and unforgettable vacation experiences. It’s a privilege to promote this iconic property and share the stories as the La Costa legacy grows in new directions through the years,” said Kevin Frisch, CEO of KFPR (Omni La Costa’s new Gaylord Michigan based PR firm). “The golf staff led by Dustin Irwin is a dream team and their fresh approach to service and the golf experience sets the standard in the industry.”

The resorts famed history started in the early 1960’s when a Las Vegas real estate developer found the equestrian ranch in the California foothills. When the resort opened, it had horse-back riding, tennis, and a pool. But for golfers the architect Dick Wilson (Cog Hill #4 designer) new 7,200 yard par-72 golf course stole the show.

Covering over 215 acres and built at the cost of $1.5 million dollars, CBS quickly jumped and brought in it’s made-for TV CBS Golf Classic. With golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead on the La Costa Links, it didn’t take long for golfers to start arriving in droves. Wilson’s partner Joe Lee added nine more holes in 1973, and then another nine holes opened in 1984. The PGA Tour brought it’s Tournament of Championships there from 1969 to 1998. 1999 saw the arrival of the Andersen Consulting World Match Play Championship.

“Omni La Costa Resort & Spa has a rich and celebrated history and our team remains dedicated to sharing to sharing that legacy and the charms of this special place with every member and guest,” says Irwin.

The resort is just North of San Diego in Carlsbad and located close to many popular tourist attractions. Carlsbad is home to many of the top golf equipment companies in the industry. A.J. Avoli over see’s the Omni La Costa Golf Performance Institute.

There are now 8 pools on property, and food & beverage is highlighted by Bob’s Steak and Chop House, along with VUE.

To book your tee-times and your golf play away package, call (800)-854-5000. Or visit Omnilascosta.com.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME OPEN DAILY 8 AM TO 10 PM WEEKDAYS and 7Am to 10 Pm on the Weekends. McWethy’s Sportsbar and Toptracer await your arrival, get your tune-up lesson or club fitting from the Mistwood Golf professionals. For more on everything Mistwood, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600.    _____________________________________________________________________

  WOMEN’S GOLF DAY Founder ELISA GAUDET shows off a Women’s Golf Day in the AHEAD booth at the PGA Show in Orlando. Ahead is a partner of Women’s Golf Day that is coming up on June 2nd, of 2020.

Click here to hear our interview with Elisa Gaudet about Women’s Golf Day.

The 5th annual Women’s Golf Day is coming up on June 2nd, and if your register your facility by March 1st you can do so before the fee kicks in. Go to Womensgolfday.com and punch in the discount code VIP2020.

On Women’s golf day, ladies are treated to 9 holes of golf or a day on the range, a free lesson, and then appetizers and drinks during a social time afterwards, where they can compare notes about their day of golf. Sign up and be a part of Women’s Golf Day 2020, ladies it’s the perfect way to connect and network with other women who golf. Get a group together and find a location near you. Women’s Golf Day June 2nd is coming up fast, be a part of it.

Your facility can sign up after March 1st, but fees then do apply. Ladies attending, see the signup deadline at the facility you wish to attend.

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME in Bolingbrook on Rt.53 is the place for winter golf. It’s home to Toptracer technology, and the McWethy’s Sports Bar. The Mistwood Golf Club has it’s professional staff there for lessons and club fittings. For more details on demo days and other special events, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600.        _____________________________________________________________________

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

THE IMPROVED TITLEIST AVX GOLF BALL $47.99 a dozen.

Titleist has re-launched the AVX Golf Ball, saying it now has higher speed, longer distance and more control, that results in an increased short game spin.

AVX has advanced the multi-component feel golf ball technology that has produced breakthrough results for those players looking for better distance and feel.

The AVX golf ball that first came on the market in 2018, as an option to the famed Pro-V1 and Pro-V1x golf ball. Titleist now feels the AVX ball from Core-to-Cover has been redone to give golfers total improvement from tee to green.

Michael Mahoney Titleist VP of Golf Ball marketing, shows off the improved Titleist golf ball line for 2020.

What Titleist did with the new AVX was to create a larger low compression core, that combined with a new redesigned high flex casing layer, allows for AVX to increase ball speed and long game spin.

The new thinner cast urethane cover, created for AVX by the Titleist R&D team, has created more spin for shots around the green.

With the larger core, AVX feels softer that it’s previous model. The ball now comes in white and a optic yellow, and is available in pro shops worldwide.

Click here to hear our interview with Titleist VP of Golf Ball Marketing Michael Mahoney.

“In our ongoing discussions with golfers, we are constantly meeting players who tell us, ‘AVX is the ball I’d been waiting for,” said Frederick Waddell, Senior Product Manager, Titleist Golf Balls. “At the same time, we’ve been able to lean on those golfers to better understand how they experience AVX and what we can do to help them shoot lower scores. The improvements to AVX are a direct result of their insights and the inventiveness of our R&D team to take this design to the next level-and we expect golfers to see better numbers across the board. The new AVX is faster and longer, it performs better around the green, and delivers even more of the incredibly soft feel that golfers love about this product.”

For more information on the new AVX ball for 2020 see Titleistgolf.com.

  THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME IN BOLINGBROOK is the place for winter golf and the home of McWethy’s Sports Bar and Toptracer technology. The Mistwood golf staff is ready for off season lessons and new club fittings. Catch all the details on special events and demo days at Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call the dome at (630)-739-7600.    _____________________________________________________________________

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. At the new WNDZ-AM studio.

HOW BOUT IT !!! Patrick Reed wins again when Bryson DeChambeau falters down the stretch in Mexico.

First off, nice to see Reed win. Second off, I’m not sorry that the all the folks that don’t like Reed are upset today.

It’s been annoying to see people just pile on him in recent months. There are other players who probably deserve the wrath more than Reed. But that’s another story for another day. And if Peter Kostis is still mad about losing his job at CBS, Peter go yell at the network on your next podcast. Don’t take it out on Reed. It shouldn’t matter if he gets along with his family or not, even though it would be nice if he did. But after seeing him play yesterday, Reed might be a front runner for another green jacket come April. We will see. I’ve had a couple of exchanges with Reed over the years, mostly at John Deere and he has been great to talk to. When he was the “Hero at Hazeltine” it was good times, too bad things have changed.

I MADE MENTION yesterday about the Joliet Country Club closing after 114 years and that’s too bad. Word is that the club will be plowed under this summer to make room for a new warehouse district. OUCH ! Of course there are always rumors about a comeback, and people stepping up to save the club. That appears to be a long shot as of now, and if it isn’t, I’d like to know more.

JOLIET IS NOT ALONE in this situation. What will happen at the Pheasant Run Resort where an auction just took place. The winning bid was apparently six million dollars according to reports, but no mention as to who bought the resort, and or plans about the golf course. Calumet Country Club has apparently been closing for two years, but now it’s not. The land has been wanted by both UPS and Fed Ex to build a distribution hub. Word is the club will be open this year, and then, nobody seems to know. Stay clicked in.

IN WISCONSIN the only Jack Nicklaus golf course in the state “The Bull at Pinehurst Farms”, that has had financial issues for a while, was put up for auction, which got cancelled at the last second. Seem’s as if at the last minute when reality set in, people are coming out of the woodwork to possibly buy the course, including many of the neighboring home owners around the course. Personally, with all the delays on opening a fifth course at nearby Kohler, maybe the Kohler’s should buy the course and include it on their Destination Kohler golf packages. Nicklaus has worked with the late Pete Dye over the years, and with Dye’s history at Kohler maybe this could be the needed answer. Time will tell.

Jordan Spieth has come out with a new line of golf shoes through Under Armour.

Three time major championship winner Jordan Spieth, has announced a new line of golf shoes through his sponsor Under Armour.

Currently PGA Tour Superstores are running specials, that have a variety of the Spieth shoe line at $99.95.

The shoes can come with the Boa grip for a comfortable feel, and they are waterproof. Check in with the Under Armour Website, or PGA Tour Store for more information.

AFTER THE WGC final results were in yesterday, Tiger Woods has now fallen to 8th place in Ryder Cup points. Woods barely has the last automatic spot on Steve Stricker’s Team USA for Whistling Straits this September. Is he hoping his friend will Captain Pick him this fall.

BIG 3 PARTNER LEN ZIEHM has posted a column on his Lenziehmongolf.com site, about golf in Florida, and the PGA Tour sweeping through the state over the next few weeks. Personally, the PGA Tour should bail on Mexico and return to Miami, whether it’s at Doral, or another property.

STEVE DELL who was the head golf professional at Whittaker Woods in new Buffalo Michigan for the last 10 years, has moved back to Illinois in the same role at Ravisloe Country Club in Homewood.

NICE JOB BY THE PINEHURST RESORT to offer Carolina Hurricanes Emergency goalie David Ayres a round of golf on Pinehurst #2, hit’em straight David.

LET’S HOPE THIS INCOMING SNOWSTORM doesn’t dump to many inches on us and set back spring golf in the Chicago area. #Fingerscrossed

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS this week. RS

ARE YOU ENJOYING THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME THIS WINTER. Outdoor golf season will be here before you know it and you need to be ready. The Mistwood Golf Club professional staff is ready with lessons, or club fittings when your ready to upgrade your game. Mistwood Golf Dome is home to Toptracer Golf and McWethy’s Sportsbar. Visit Mistwoodgolfdome.com to see the special events. (630)-739-7600 #inBolingbrook   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook or Linkedin. It’s a Ryder Cup year-Kohler/Haven Wis. this September.

55 DEGREES TODAY-YES the snow is melting away.

While winter is expected to return later this week, February is winding down and the Chicago Golf Show is next weekend.

BUT PARS UNDER THE STARS is coming up on Friday May 8th at Foxford Hills in Cary. Did you ever want to play night golf ? Well for $75 or $300 a foursome you can. Great Italian dinner options for part of your fee.

Call Foxford Hills to sign up at (847)-639-0400. Event runs from 5 Pm to 10 Pm. In case of rain golfers get a 9-hole rain check to be used by October 31-2020.

IT’s NOT TOO LATE-Schaumburg Golf Club has golf and hockey this afternoon at 2 Pm. The Blackhawks and Dallas Stars while you golf in the simulators and enjoy food and beverage from Chandlers Chop House upstairs, call the pro shop for the special at (847)-885-9000. Schaumburggolf.com 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg.

HONMA CLUBS announce Club Fitting Experience across North America.

Honma Golf has announced a premier club fitting experience across North America.

Honma Golf has fitting locations now at Reunion Resort & Golf Club in Orlando Florida, and the Ko Olina Golf Club on Oahu, in Hawaii.

The Honma Golf Performance Project, in Victoria British Columbia Canada. The Honma Mobile Experience is now reaching 13 markets in the east-west and southeast part of the country. No word yet on a visit to the Chicago area. For more information on Honma Golf see Honmagolf.com or call (877)-476-4653.

Club Champion in Willowbrook broke the 100,000 appointments mark in 2019.

Willowbrook based Club Champion hit the 100,000 appointment mark in 2019 says Club Champion.

“”We had a great year in terms of growth,” said Nick Sherburne, Club Champion founder. “We added two dozen new stores, over 70 new employees and of course our appointment and revenue numbers grew alongside those other successes.”

Club Champion offers “Tour Level” fittings like no-other. “We offer a service that every serious golf can benefit from,” said Sherburne. “Our business model works because the service works-we can show measurable improvements for our customers, and that translates to happy golfers and a higher demand for what we do.”

The Club Champion Team at their Club Champion Booth at the PGA Show in Orlando Florida.

Each Club Champion store does between 500-1500 fittings per year, and some stores surpass that number.

Club Champion had only eight locations in 2014, now in 2020 they have 70.

“By 2015 we had proven our new store concept as well as the ability to open multiple locations in a market. So it was time to grow at a national level. So we have been opening new locations at an accelerated pace,” says CEO Joe Lee.

The normal Club Champion studio includes at least 3,000 square feet of space, with a minimum of two fitting bays equipped with TrackMan launch monitors, a SAM PuttLab, a build shop, with an extensive equipment wall that includes more choices that any other retail golf store chain. Lee says the “shaft wall + our fitters is where the magic happens.”

Need more distance, studies show that Club Champion fitted clubs have added 21 yards off the tee, or 15 yards with Irons. For more details see Clubchampiongolf.com.

JOLIET CC TO CLOSE… Yes it’s true, after 114 years the Joliet Country Club is closing down. As of now the land will be used to build a new warehousing area. It’s not what anyone seemed to want, including village officials. But for now that is the plan. Stay tuned, maybe somehow over the months ahead a plan to save the club can happen. But those odds currently seem to be long ones.

Galvin Green new Apollo waterproof Jackets.

Galvin Green has announced it’s new waterproof Apollo jackets, are the headliners of the Glavin Green 2020 Collection.

The Apollo is the first model that has been designed with the new GORE-TEX Paclite Technology.

This lightweight stretch fabric, allows golfers to wear 100% waterproof jackets, without restrictions that golfers don’t like to have interfering with their swing.

Two years in the works to create, Apollo made sure the addition of pockets did not interfere with a golfers swing, weighs just 300g. The Apollo fits nicely in your golf bag, and sizes run from Small to 3XL. For more information and ordering options, please see Glavingreen.com.

The Ben Hogan golf bag

THE BEN HOGAN Golf Company has announced two new additions to it’s golf bag line.

In addition to it’s current full-size bag, Ben Hogan has announced a mid-sized bag (pictured) and a Sunday carry bag.

The new additions add a variety of options to the line of Hogan bags. Prices do vary, so see Benhogangolf.com for more information and full pricing.

KNUTH GOLF INTRODUCES HIGH HEAT 257+ at PGA Show. Knuth Golf introduced High Heat 257+ at the recent PGA Merchandise Show. The new model has what’s called Turf Glider Sole Technology (TGS) on the sole of the fairway woods 3,5,7, and Hybrids 3,4,5,6 and 7. This allows amateurs to get the ball airborne and creates more distance, even from tough lies or divots. Reviews from various media outlets have all been extremely positive. More information at knuthgolf.com

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

THE MISTWOOD GOLF DOME is ready to help you get your game in mid-season form for when the snow melts. The Mistwood Golf Club professionals are there for lessons and club fittings. Come try Toptracer and enjoy McWethy’s Sports Bar. For details and the special events schedule, see Mistwoodgolfdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. #golf  _____________________________________________________________________

The Srixon Golf Ball

SRIXON has released the third generation of the Srixon Q-STAR TOUR golf ball.

The Q-Star ball is now available in pro shops and golf retail stores.

“The new Q-Star Tour is a tour-caliber golf ball, delivering a softer feel at impact,” said Jeff Brunski, Vice President of Research and Development. “We’ve enhanced this generation with the new FastLayer Core to drive more ball speed and distance, while the SeRM urethane cover offers maximum spin and stopping power.”

The new FastLayer Core is what makes the Q-Star ball, and helps the transition from a soft-inner core, to a firm outer edge. The FastLayer Core is the largest core in it’s class. Which allows for more distance, better spin on short game shots.

The SeRM urethane cover bites further into the wedge and iron grooves, which increases the friction at impact. The new Srixon Spin Skin will increase the spin. The dimple pattern is the 338 Speed, that gives the ball a more penetrating ball flight in any weather condition. With the 338 dimple pattern built to increase lift and reduces drag for more distance.

Srixon Q-Star golf balls have a $32.99 MAP per dozen balls.