SAND VALLEY READIES TO OPEN FOR 2022

WNDZ-AM 750 CHICAGO is the new or old home for Golfers on Golf Radio. Chicago’s favorite foursome Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger, Len Ziehm and Rory Spears all return. The old tee time of 10 Am is back on the sheet. So tune in for 16 weeks of great golf talk.

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

SAND VALLEY GOLF in Nekoosa Wisconsin. Destination Golf Keiser Golf style. So book your golf trip today, tee sheets and lodging opportunities are filling up quickly.

Because the season begins next weekend on April 29th. So now is the time to call the reservation team and get your stay booked at Sand Valley.

Reservations are now being taken through October of 2023. Golf only reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance of your requested dates by calling (855)-421-1052.

COMING SOON in 2023 the Lido Course, in 2024 Sedge Valley by Tom Doak will open.

Learn more at Sandvalley.com.

ILLINOIS DUMONT de CHASSART BIG TEN CO-GOLFER OF THE WEEK

THE PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS has upgraded it’s dining experience in it’s new clubhouse as the 2022 golf season heads into summer. See more at DuPageGolf.com

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

Senior Adrien Dumont de Chassart of the University of Illinois

University of Illinois Senior Adrien Dumont de Chassart, who won the Boilermaker Invitational. Was named the Big Ten Co-Golfer of the week.

Chassart’s wire-to-wire win, came with a 9 under par score of 204.

Rounds of 69-65-70 were more than 7 shots below the course average of 75.30 for the week. those scores included 13 birdies. But he added 50 of 54 holes played at par or below.

The award was Chassart’s third of his career and second this season.

Illinois will compete at the Ohio State invitational this weekend in Columbus Ohio.

Then Illinois will head to the Big Ten Conference Championship on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort.

PING FITTING DAY AT COG HILL

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO RETURNS Saturday May 7th on WNDZ-AM 750, and is back at it’s old tee time of 10 Am. Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger, Len Ziehm & Rory Spears all return for the two time award winning show’s 32nd season. We hope you will listen.

Welcome to Cog Hill in Palos Park. CogHillGolf.com.

Sunday May 1st Cog Hill Golf & Country Club will host an equipment demo day for Ping Golf.

Times are from 11 Am to 3 Pm.

But you must make an appointment in advance, by calling the pro shop at Cog Hill.

(866)-254-4455, (866)-COG-HILL.

Call quickly because times are limited, and enjoy the opportunity to have new clubs for the 2022 golf season.

PRESERVE AT OAK MEADOWS CLUBHOUSE EXPANDS DINING

THE AWARD WINNING GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO RETURNS on Saturday May 7th, at 10 AM back on our old home WNDZ-AM 750. Chicago’s favorite foursome will return.

The Greenway Tap in the Preserve at Oak Meadows.

THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS part of DuPage Golf is back in swing.

But even better the new clubhouse has upped it’s game.

So are you ready for lunch or dinner. Because as warm weather arrives, you can dine in or dine out. As in outside.

This 18,000 square foot facility brings not just golfers, but a building that everyone can enjoy.

The Chef’s menu for April runs Thursday through Sunday, during the hours of 11 Am through 7 PM. How about sandwiches, salads, and healthy inspirations. But there will be more additions as the summer months arrive.

THE GRAB and GOLF menu that’s available every day, includes the walk-up window that opens at 8 AM weekdays, 7 Am on the weekend. Indoor bar seating is on the tee at 9 AM, with last call at sunset. The Grab and Golf menu is open until 7 PM.

Do you drink DuPage. “DuPage drafts” are available at at the Greenway Tap. But even more news, is that all three DuPage Golf Courses are now open.

Visit DuPagegolf.com for details, rates, events and more.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT-WE’RE BACK !

MISTWOOD GOLF on Renwick Road in Romeoville is open for the season. So book your tee time at (815)-254-3333 or visit MistwoodGC.com. DuPage Golf now has all three of it’s golf courses open for the season. To learn more do visit DuPagegolf.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook. In the NEW WNDZ Am 750 Studio’s.

WE’RE BACK for year #32.

Chicago’s longest running golf radio show returns on Saturday May 7th, and back to our roots from 2019, WNDZ-AM 750.

BUT EVEN BETTER YET, is that Golfers on Golf returns to morning drive with a tee-time of 10 AM.

WITH A SLOW golf season in terms of tournaments in town this year, Golfers on Golf elected to go with a 16 week run this summer.

THE LACK OF bigger tournaments and the playing of the BMW Championship in Delaware in August, and with no area Ryder Cup this season. Golfers on Golf elected for a shorter run this season. Because hey, aren’t short courses the new rave in golf. Yes we thought so.

AS FOR WCPT AM 820-we loved our time there. But so does everyone else that has a show currently there. So as a result WCPT’s tee sheet is full, and Golfers on Golf moved an entire 20 feet down the hallway to new studio’s and a new station. Special thanks to GM Mark Pinski for getting us back into our old permanent tee time from 2018 & 2019.

Golfers on Golf Radio is now a two-time ING National award runner-up winner for best golf radio show in America.

So Chicago’s favorite foursome returns for another season.

Golfers on Golf Radio is the only golf show in Chicago, with a member of the Illinois PGA Section in Ed Stevenson who operates DuPage Golf.

A former member of the PGA Tour in Bill Berger, and now in charge of Jakes Pizza on Grand Avenue in Franklin Park.

A member of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame in Len Ziehm, who’s golf column is still found in the Daily Herald Sports section on Wednesdays.

Last but not least there is a hard working golf media guy, in me. But this foursome works well together, and plays a good game, maybe even better we talk a good game. So when your not on the golf course, or the practice range, give us a listen. We will let you know where to find us, if you need a mulligan and still want to catch the show.

WEEK 1 will be a preview of the summer golf season, and is there a shortage of premier golf events in town this summer, and if so why.

BEST OF LUCK to our 11 Illinois PGA Section professionals, who are playing in the National Club Professional Championship. On the line is one of 20 places in next months PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa Oklahoma. The club professional championship is being held in Austin Texas, at the Omni Hotel Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

Wildcat Academy instructor Tim Streng led the Illinois group of professionals on Day 1, with a 4 under par 66. But the 66 also left Streng in the top ten on the leaderboard (T-8th). Royal Hawk’s Brian Carroll shot a 2 under par 68, and so did Illinois golf coach Mike Small. Mistwood’s Andy Mickelson rallied from +2 to finish at 69 (-1). Skokie’s Garrett Chaussard and Mistwood’s Frank Hohenadel shot respectable 1 over par scores of 73.

A TIP OF THE CAP OR GOLF VISOR TO retired John Deere CEO and Evans Scholar Sam Allen. Allen recently made a 20 million dollar donation to his alma mater’s golf team, the Purdue Boilermakers. Because with that money, the Boilers will do some major clubhouse work and more at the schools Kampen Course, designed by the late Pete Dye.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW-RS

THE GOG BLOG’S SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME-NEWS COLUMN

MISTWOODS Andy Mickelson (L) and University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small (R) head up an Illinois PGA group of 11 players at the Club Professional Championship

There is nothing like Sunday at the Crossings House on the Cradle in Pinehurst. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

But inn addition to Easter, today is Round 1 of the Club Professional Championship at Barton Creek in Austin Texas.

Good luck to all 11 Illinois PGA Players, make you advance to this years 2022 PGA Championship.

Because there are 20 spots open in the field at Southern Hills in Tulsa.

This years purse is $1.5 million dollars, so while your at it, bring home some money as well.

LEN ZIEHM ON GOLF has posted a new golf travel column on his website, Lenziehmongolf.com Ziehm covers Myrtle Beach, Sand Valley, Eagle Ridge and the Homestead in Virginia, check out Len’s column if your ready to golf-away.

Angelica Carmen joins Mistwood.

Mistwood Golf in Romeoville is expanding what they do.

Mistwood has hired Angelica Carmen a native of Lemont and graduate of Loyola University in Chicago to be a new sustainability specialist.

So what this means is that Carmen will be creating an 8,000 square foot farm in the middle of the Mistwood Golf Club. Carmen has won multiple awards for her work in this industry from both the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Greater Chicagoland Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

This program helps Mistwood be environmental friendly. But not only will various events be held at the farm, the farm will create various foods. Which can be used in foods served in McWethy’s Tavern. Because of the addition of 10 beehives. The potential will be as much as 500 pounds of honey each year.

Late Mistwood owner Jim McWethy’s son Todd is the driving force behind this new venture at Mistwood. “Angelica is a great addition to our team here at Mistwood,” said McWethy. So learn more about the new program at MistwoodGC.com.

WILLOWBROOK BASED CLUB CHAMPION has announced the acquisition of Australian club fitter PureForm Golf.

“We’re very excited to partner with the PureForm team down under<” said Club Champion CEO, Adam Levy. “Like our other recent acquisitions, PureForm strives to give their customers a top-tier experience and measurable results on the golf course. So we felt a natural connection with them and their model.

“We’ve seen what Club Champion has done in America. So we are ready to explore the same approach here in America,” said Paul Jenner, Managing Director and Co-Founder of PureForm. You can learn more about the two companies and club fitting at Club Champion at ClubChampionGolf.com.

The range-under the lights at Cog Hill.

COG HILL GOLF has announced a series of club fitting demo days on the range over the next few weeks.

Wilson Golf is first on the tee next Saturday April 23rd from 10 AM to 2 PM.

CLEVELAND GOLF’S Wedge fitting clinic is April 27th from 5 Pm to 6:30 PM, this event is limited to the first 14 golfers who sign up. Participants will receive a fitted wedge from Cleveland Golf, cost is $179.00.

CALLAWAY HAS IT’S FITTING EXPERIENCE on the range from 11AM to 3 PM, cost is $60.00. Participants will receive a dozen Chrome Soft golf balls.. So to register for any of these events see Coghillgolf.com or call (866)-264-4455.

JAPANESE CLUB MAKER MIURA GOLF is releasing it’s first putter models in four years. So visit Miuragolf.com for information on the KM1 and KM2 putters.

ACE INDOOR GOLF has recently completed the installation of new state-of-the-art simulators in the Denver Colorado based headquarters of Golf Tec. But for more information on industry leader of golf simulator design and installation, visit Aceindoorgolf.com.

CHARLIE MECHAM a long time advisor to both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus has released his new book, Arnie and Jack, my stories with two amazing men. There is 152 pages of great stories on the King and the Bear. Available at Amazon or go visit CharlieMecham.com.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT- returns tomorrow. RS

ZIEHM & SPEARS PODCAST SERIES 2022 VOLUME 9

HERITAGE OAKS IS OPEN and now with carts available. So come out and enjoy a full season of golf this year. HeritageOaksgc.com. THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS and all three DuPage Golf venues are now open. So learn more at DuPagegolf.com.

LEN ZIEHM (L) & RORY SPEARS (R) in the 19th hole of the Palm Aire Country Club in Sarasota Florida.

ZIEHM & SPEARS are back!

The Len Ziehm and Rory Spears 2022 Podcast Series is back again this week with more of what’s happening in the world of golf.

This weeks edition Volume 9, covers some thoughts on the Masters, this weeks tour stop the Heritage Classic at Harbor Town on Hilton Head South Carolina.

Closers to home the weather has not been good for golf, so 11 Illinois PGA professionals head south to Austin Texas and the Club Professional National Championship, starting Sunday.

The Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) is making news with multiple announcements on championships sites, and who has made a commitment to join this years field.

Len and Rory discuss Eagle Ridge Resort, Illinois’s best golf resort located in Galena has anniversary’s coming up on it’s golf courses.

But more topics include the University of Illinois wins a golf tournament. Mistwood’s April fools joke that maybe wasn’t so funny, $1,000 dollar putters and more.

CLICK HERE to hear this weeks edition of Ziehm and Spears Podcast Series 2022 Volume 9.

So thanks for listening, Len and Rory.

11 ILLINOIS PGA PRO’S OFF TO PGA CLUB PRO CHAMPIONSHIP

MISTWOOD GOLF CLUB on Renwick Road in Romeoville is open for the summer golf season. Matt Carter (R) is part of Mistwood’s club fitting team. So if your ready for new golf equipment see Eric Russell or Matt Carter. Ready to golf, go visit Mistwoodgc.com

BY RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

PGA of AMERICA CLUB PROFESSIONALS are on the tee.

20 places in the 2022 PGA Championship are on the line starting Sunday. But the final round is played on Wednesday.

312 of the nations top club professionals will compete to be in the field at Southern Hills next month in Tulsa.

But 11 of the players will be from the Illinois PGA Section.

University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small has won the championship three times. But is bidding to be the first four-time winner of the championship.

MISTWOOD’S Andy Mickelson (L) and University of Illinois Men’s golf coach Mike Small (R) head the field of 11 Illinois PGA Section professionals headed to Texas, to compete in the 2022 PGA Professional Championship (PPC).

This years PPC will be played at the Omni Hotel Barton Creek Resort and Spa. But take note the first round in on Sunday April 17th, and runs through Wednesday April 20th.

“We are excited to once again play witness to the PGA Professional Championship,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section. “We have a strong group of professionals representing the Illinois PGA Section this year, and we wish them the best of luck.”

So in addition to the Illinois PGA Section champion Andy Mickelson of the Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small a three-time past champion will compete.

Illinois will also be represented by Reece Bartelt, of S.M.A.R.T. Golf & Fitness in Lombard. Brian Carroll from The Hawk Country Club in St. Charles. Garrett Chaussard from Skokie Country Club in Glencoe. Chris French of Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford. Frank Hohenadel from Mistwood Golf Club. David Paeglow from Kishwaukee Country Club in Dekalb. Kurt Rogers Champaign Country Club. Matt Slowinski of Hinsdale Country Club in Clarendon Hills. Tim Streng of the Wildcat Golf Academy in Lake Forest.

The championship was first held in 1968, and now has a purse of $1.5 million dollars. But to watch the championship on television. So tune in to The Golf Channel all four days from 2-5 PM local time. But for more coverage click into PGAProChampionship.com.

THE TICKET WAITLIST FOR LIV GOLF

LIVGOLF.COM LIV GOLF comes to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove IL. Sept. 16-18.

THERE IS NOW a ticket waitlist for the LIV Invitational golf series.

This September the LIV Golf Series will come to Illinois, and play at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove Illinois from September 16-18.

The format is three days and the start will be a shot gun start, will puts the entire field on the course at the same time.

The 48 player field will bring plenty of excitement to Rich Harvest Farms. RHF owner Jerry Rich will be donating much of the proceeds to several great charitable causes.

Learn more about the LIV Golf Series at Livgolf.com.

DESTINATION KOHLER READY TO OPEN ALL COURSES FOR 2022

HERITAGE OAKS in Northbrook-Now Open for 2022. Clubhouse, driving range and golf course (walking only) for now. HeritageOaksgc.com. FLYING HIGH Again Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena continues to improve under new management. See EagleRidge.com

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook. On Whistling Straits in Haven Wisconsin.

OPENING DAY while be here in full form shortly.

So while the Irish Course at Whistling Straits and the original championship course at Blackwolf Run have been taking tee times.

All the courses are getting set open for the season on April 22nd.

On the 22nd, Whistling Straits will open for the year, along with 18 holes at both courses over at Blackwolf Run.

Kohler’s sensational new par-3 course The Baths will open as well. So check out Destination Kohler to enjoy some of the best golf in the Midwest. Kohler has four, 18-hole championship Pete Dye Golf Courses and a par-3 course inspired by Dye’s historic designs.

Golf is back for 2022 in Kohler Wisconsin.