TOUR EDGE’s new E & C Series line is here and available. See more at TourEdge.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.

Welcome to Klein Creek in Winfield.

Written by: Rory Spears

IT HAD been years since I have played the Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield. I returned yesterday and I’m sure glad I did.

Because so much has changed, the golf course and golf operation is better that I remembered. But the even better news is that more improvements will be announced shortly.

More than just the birds are taking off at Klein Creek.

Klein Creek is under new ownership, and new management, and both are a good thing.

Brian Tulk is currently the clubs general manager, and head golf professional. With Kelly Patronas as the clubs new clubhouse manager, and director of membership sales.

But there is more. Keith Kirsch is the new superintendent, and has done a great job improving the conditioning since arriving from Wilmette Golf Club. Nick Nguyen the new head chef after spending the last 10 years at Medinah Country Club. But as the team comes together, so is the golf club.

Tulk says ownership has made a strong financial commitment towards improvements since taking over, and the punch list is not yet complete. A repaving of the cart paths appear to be next on the list. But the club won’t stop there in getting better, confirms Tulk, who wasn’t quite ready to say what’s all next. But it will be things that golfers should enjoy.

Brian Tulk is Klein Creek’s new general manager.

While the year is winding down for the outdoor golf season. It’s not over yet.

Because coming up is the Twin Peaks Golf Outing, that benefits the Folds of Honor on October 23rd. But this four-man scramble event is close to being sold out. So if you wish to enter your team, sign up quickly.

But the Chili-Open, 2-player team event is two weeks later on November 6th. Call Klein Creek to sign up for one or both events at (630)-690-0101.

The par 3, 8th hole plays 196 yards from the back tees.

In addition to the 19th hole bar and grill in the clubhouse, is the Island Bar outside the clubhouse. The Island Bar over looks the 10th hole, and is a great spot on good weather days.

But other options now open to golfers at Klein Creek are memberships. Five different levels of memberships are now available. In addition are permanent tee times in 2022, that run for 20 weeks from Mid-May to late September.

The par 5, 16th hole, 522 yard from the back tees.

Klein Creek was designed by architect Dick Nugent, and the club opened in 1994.

The course has five sets of tee’s that range from 4,909 yards from the front tee’s. The back tee’s play to a yardage of 6,701 yards.

Now with a large tent next to clubhouse, banquets, parties and special events can be held at the club. Klein Creek is located at 1N333 Pleasant Hill Road, Winfield IL. For more information visit Kleincreek.com and now check out the Klein Creek App. (630)-690-0101. So before the tempertures drop and the snow falls, visit Klein Creek, it’s time to return.

Tour Edge Golf-the new 522 Series. Now available.

THE FINAL IPGA SENIOR MAJOR saw Doug Bauman of Biltmore Country Club, take home the title.

Bauman continued his strong play, that just last week saw him advance to the finals of the IPGA Senior Match Play Championship against winner Roy Biancalana. But heavy rains shortened the event to 18 holes.

Bauman’s round included six birdies and only two bogeys, that left him with a 4 under par 67.

Bauman in addition to Mike Small (University of Illinois), John Varner (Beverly Country Club), Roy Biancalana (Black Sheep Club), Michael Troy (Zigfield Troy Golf Club), John Cleary (Exmoor Country Club), Don Morris (Diversey Golf Range), Kurt Rogers (Champaign Country Club), and Kevin Merion Marion (Old Elm Club) will now focus on the 33rd annual Senior PGA Professional Championship.

Doug Bauman

The championship will be October 21-24 at the PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie Florida.

Biancalana earned the 2021 Errie Ball Award for being the IPGA Senior Player of the Year Award, with his win at the Senior Match Play.

The Players Championship field was determined by being one of the top 32 players on the Errie Ball points list.

More at IPGA.com

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram.

SMART GOLF & FITNESS is now open in West Suburban Lombard-350 E. 22nd Street  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn. At the Lawsonia Rock-on the Links Course.

ONE MORE TIME-Today is one of the fun golf outings of the year.

The Langford Shield at Lawsonia Golf Links in Green Lake Wisconsin.

Lawsonia is a Top 100 Classic golf course, and if you have not played it. You should, before the snow falls and temperatures drop.

The good news is that trees are not really a factor on the Links Course, so fall leaves are not an issue. Lawsonia has a second course-The Woods Course that reopened this year after a renovation. The Woods Course was designed by Rocky Roquemore, who did the design work for the Jemsek family when they restarted Pine Meadow in Mundelein in the Mid-1980’s.

The Langford Shield is a 2-person team outing. Due to heavy rain two holes into playing last year, my partner and I got drowned. We froze when the temperatures dropped, never made a birdie. So as a result we finished toward the bottom of the scoreboard. This year is the rematch we have been waiting for for a full year, lets hope the weather holds out, and the day is better than last year.

PGA JR. League. Great job by Coach Kevin Weeks of Cog Hill with the Team Illinois of the PGA Junior League. But while they did not qualify for the match play and the final four. Team Illinois posted a good number and was very competitive, only six shots out of advancing. So as all of us have head in this town before, wait until next year.

BROOKS vs BRYSON. Another one of these day after Thanksgiving made for TV events. I don’t know if I should be excited or not. They seemed to make-up at the Ryder Cup, now we are supposed to believe this guys are enemies again. But another thing is that the event is 12 holes. 12 holes ?, why play 12. So if your bored on Black Friday, there you go.

CONGRATS to Roy Biancalana on winning the IPGA Senior Match Play Championship last week over Doug Bauman. But in addition to winning the tournament, Biancalana won the 2021 IPGA Senior Player of the Year award. Biancalana is playing out of Blackberry Oaks in Bristol.

THE LPGA is moving the ANA Inspiration the former Dinah Shore out of California after all these years, and sending it out to Houston Texas. Details still coming together, but the purse will increase.

Go play, it’s Mid-October and the weather won’t last much longer. The Gog Blog is back all week. RS

The Second round of the 2021 PGA Junior League Golf Championship on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. Photo Courtesy of Bill Ibrahim and the Southwest PGA Section.

TEAM ILLINOIS is playing at the PGA Jr. League Championship in Scottsdale Arizona.

But of the 12 teams competing, only the top 4 teams advanced to the match play finals. Because Team Illinois is in seventh place, they did not advance.

But the effort on Day 2 by Team Illinois was good. Coach Kevin Weeks from Cog Hill Golf & country Club, guided his team to a -39 score. But a score of -45 was needed to advance. Great showing by Team Illinois, and it appeared the kids had a great time competing in the championship at Grayhawk Golf Club.

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

PINE MEADOW GOLF CLUB in Mundelein has announced changes this past week to it’s aerification schedule. So if playing a course that has recently been aerated is a concern, call Pine Meadow at (847)-566-4653 (GOLF) before booking your tee time.

DENNIS JOHNSEN GM and Director of Golf at Pine Meadow has announced that after almost 20 years of club fitting at “The Pine” Tim Porter is retiring as of October 15th. A new fitter will be in place by October 16th. Everyone at Pine Meadow wishes Tim well as he moves on to the next chapter in life.

IILINI NEWS-first up it was a 4th Place finish at the Blessings Intercollegiate in Arkansas for the men’s golf team. Illinois caught the host Razorbacks early in the final round, only to fall back on the back nine. Coach Mike Small said his young team has a chance to show everyone on national television their new identity. But failed to take advantage of the opportunity. Sophomore Piercen Hunt led the Illini with rounds of 69-69-71 (-7). Next up for the Illini is the Islewworth Collegiate, in Windermere Florida October 16-19. But for more details see FightingIllini.com.

THE ATKINS GOLF CLUB the new home of the Illini men’s and women’s golf teams, starts to reopen. Because the Pro Shop, the driving range and the putting green will open for public use on October 22nd. New Director of Golf Jim Buyze is working with the Troon team, to fill the pro shop with new merchandise. The golf course is still in the middle of the grow-in process, and will open late next spring. Once the pro shop opens it will carry merchandise, with a variety of Illini logo’s. Range hours Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to Thursday, will be 10 Am to sunset. Thursday and Sunday 10 Am to 4 Pm. Bags of 50 range balls are $8.00, and the putting green is now over 8,500 square feet. But used for putting only. More information at FightingIllini.com

G-Tech Apparel hand warmers just in time for the fall and winter golf season.

G-Tech Apparel is a high-tech apparel company that specializing in heated clothing.

The heated hand warmer’s have been so well received that G-Tech has just announced a partnership with Major League Baseball. All players and the umpires will be using G-Tech hand warmers.

Other leagues using G-Tech handwarmers are the NFL, CFL, NBA, NCAA, PGA Tour, and the US and European Ryder Cup teams. The US Military, FBI and Secret Service also use G-Tech handwarmers. But for more information visit Gtechapparel.com.

TROON GOLF INTERNATIONAL appoints Clinton Southorn as it’s new director of Construction and Agronomy, who started in the position this past week. Southorn replaces Robin Evans who stepped down after 20 years in the position..

BELVEDERE GOLF CLUB members Ross Hays, Jerry Esselman and Belvedere head pro Marty Joy, will join 13 other Team USA members in the Grail Cup at St. Andrews in Scotland October 24-29. The Grail Cup will be played on the Old Course. The matches are Ryder Cup style format, and both Team USA and Team Europe will have 16 players on it’s teams. The semiannual event was founded in the year 2000, and is played with Hickory style golf clubs.

Nemacolin Indoor Golf Academy renovated.

NEMACOLIN RESORT (Just south of Pittsburgh PA.) has announced major renovations to it’s indoor golf academy.

Late this summer, the resort opened a 4,000 square foot addition, and along with the addition came new furnishings, seven flat screen TV’s, simulators, launch monitors, biomechanical feedback technology and other top grade technologies.

The four hitting bays open up to the 25-station driving range, that sits at the two short-game practice area’s and large putting green. Michael LaBella a Golf Digest Best Top-Young teacher award winner and his team. Director of Golf Kelly O’Donnell the golf academy is becoming one of the hot spots to gather around the Nemacolin Resort.

“We couldn’t be happier with the Academy’s renovations,” said Nemacolin President Maggie Hardy Knox. “Because having a five-star, indoor golf amenity that serves both serious golfers and fun-seekers elevates our member and guest experience. Nemacolin offers 36-holes of golf, and two of the top rated public courses in Pennsylvania Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock. Both designed by the late Pete Dye. But you can learn more at Nemacolin.com/golf.

  MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB (L) and (R) Lisa Copeland of Naperville hits balls in the Mistwood Golf Dome winter of 2019. Copeland has advanced to the national finals at Augusta National in 2022, for a second time.

Medinah Country Club recent hosted a regional competition for advance four boys and girls to the national finals of Drive, Chip and Putt on April 3rd, 2022. The following boys and girls advanced from Medinah.

Eloise Fetzer, 7 from La Grange IL., Liliana Graham, 11, Bettendorf Iowa, Lisa Copeland 13, of Naperville IL., Martha Kuwahara, 13, of Northbrook. From the boys side, Hayden Klein 8, of Coon Rapids Iowa, Ledius Felipe, 11, Popular Grove IL., Michael Jorski, 11, Clarendon Hills, IL. earned a second trip to Augusta National. Cody Guetzke, 13, Hartland Wisconsin. But for more details see, DriveChipandPutt.com.

The new Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Triple black putter.

NEW from Scotty Cameron and Titleist.

The Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black Putter, now available as of October 8th.

But this release is a limited, small seasonal run. Because the Phantom is a new High MOI mallet shaped head, it shares some qualities with the Phantom X 5.5 and the Phantom X 11 models. But with the Black Matte finish.

The new Phantom is milled in the United States from a block of 303 stainless steel. But it comes in lengths of 33″, 34″ and 35″ inches. MAP is $750.00 more information at Scottycameron.com or Titleist.com.

More photo’s of the above stories on Rory Spears Facebook or on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. The Gog Blog Speaks out returns on Monday. RS

The first round of the 2021 PGA Junior League Golf Championship on Friday, October 8, 2021 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

THE PGA JR. LEAGUE is holding it’s national championships this week at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale Arizona.

Team Illinois is once again in the field, and led by Coach Kevin Weeks, of Cog Hill Golf & Country Club.

The Illinois Teams are comprised of both boys and girls.

Golfers on Golf thanks the Southwest PGA section for providing photo’s of he boys and girls from Illinois in action, during this exciting championship week.

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

Welcome to the new Smart Golf and Fitness location on 22nd Street in Lombard.

Smart Golf & Fitness has opened a a second location, this time located in the western suburbs of the Chicago area.

The new location is located adjacent to the famed Greek Islands Restaurant.

This new facility follows on the heels of the first facility in Lincoln Park.

The new Lombard facility is a state-of-the-art 8,000 square foot complex, that offers a mix of options.

One of the four hitting bays at Smart Golf Lombard.

Because of the demand for full-year golf and training facilities, in a large market like Chicago. Smart Golf Lombard has been brought online.

“Chicago is one of the largest golf markets in the U.S., and golfers from all of the surrounding area’s have shown a desire for a year-round training environment. This has all but eliminated seasonal golf in Chicago,” said Co-Founder Joe Sheren. “We started in the West Suburbs in 2011 just offering fitness services. But then we ventured into the downtown Chicago market in 2013. Because we saw our business flourish when we added golf instruction to our service offerings. This allowed us to rebuilding our flagship facility in Lincoln Park. So now we are privileged to bring the same experience, back to where it all started,” said Co-Founder Tommy Asuma.

Ben Nelson shows off the fire place and members lounge at the new Smart Golf and Fitness facility.

This new facility comes with four Trackman simulator bays, a 1,000 square foot indoor putting and chipping green.

But there is also a state-of-the-art gym, men’s and women’s locker rooms, and a member’s lounge. The member’s lounge is a great place to relax before or after your workout, or for hosting private events.

So if your looking to improve your golf game, and using fitness and training to take the next step. Smart Golf and it’s staff of PGA Professionals can help you lower that handicap, and make your body feel better during and after your round.

(L-R) Tommy Asuma-Rory Spears-Joe Sheren.

“Our main goal at Smart Golf & Fitness is to facilitate positive change in all aspects of our clients lives, through the game of golf,” says Asuma. “The new Lombard location will allow us to expand our reach and service offerings. While providing a total golf game improvement experience that is second to none.”

Reece Bartelt Director of Instruction, and Ben Nelson are teaching professionals in Lombard, that can help you with your game. Smart Golf Lombard is on 22nd Street in Lombard. But you can get more information at Smartgolfitness.com.

SMART GOLF & Fitness second location is open at 350 East 22nd Street in Lombard.    _____________________________________________________________________

KOHLER, WI – SEPTEMBER 26: during the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021 in Kohler, WI. Dustin Johnson winner Team USA. (Photo by Hailey Garrett/PGA of America)

THE INAUGURAL Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin award, presented by AON, at the 43rd Ryder Cup, was awarded to Dustin Johnson of Team USA, and Sergio Garcia of Team Europe.

This new award was presented to the player on each team, that best represented the spirit of the historic 1969 concession, when Jack Nicklaus conceded a 2-foot putt to Tony Jacklin.

So as a result the match between Nicklaus and Jacklin was halved, and for the first time in Ryder Cup history, the matches ended in a draw.

Sergio Garcia with Tony Jacklin (m). At Whistling Straits

This new award represents sportsmanship, and performance between teammates, in the context of better decision making.

Johnson played in all five sessions, and became the fifth player to go 5-0-0 during a Ryder Cup.

Johnson was partnered with Colin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, both team USA rookies.

“it was a dream to go 5-0-0 in a Ryder Cup,” said Johnson. ” So this has been a great week.”

Garcia was 3-0-1 in his four matches. But while he won his first three matches with partners. Garcia lost his Sunday’s singles match to Bryson DeChambeau. Garcia was paired with Jon Rahm a fellow Spanish countryman.

For more details see RyderCup.com

THE TEAM USA RYDER CUP TEAM-THE RYDER CUP SITS ON THE 18TH HOLE AT WHISTLING STRAITS IN HAVEN WISCOSNIN. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Director of Content & Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory-Twitter @GogBlogGuy.   _____________________________________________________________________

The United States Ryder Cup Team donates $2.85 Million to Community Outreach and Youth Golf Development Programs.

Team USA Captain Steve Stricker, Team USA’s 5 Vice Captains and the 12 members of US team, have completed their commitment to the 43rd Ryder Cup Outreach Program. Which see’s a figure of $2.85 million be donated to various charities and youth golf development programs across America.

First starting in 1999, and being a part of the last 11 Ryder Cups. The outreach program has donated over $28.6 to over 200 charitable organizations. Because the entire 12-members of Team USA and Captain Stricker were each given $100,000 dollars to donate to charities of their choice. The Team USA Vice Captains, Fred Couples, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson, were given $25,000 for donation. In addition to another $25,000 for youth-golf development programs.

“The PGA of America works with the U.S. Ryder Cup Team. That continues the longstanding tradition of providing significant financial support. To deserving charities, foundations and golf development programs,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “Over the last 22 years the Ryder Cup Outreach Program has touched countless lives. In addition to contributing millions of dollars to worthy causes aligned with each team member. Because these team members have made a difference in communities across America.”

YOUTH and JUNIOR GOLF programs that will receive the financial assistance include, The PGA Junior League. But the league has now grown to having teams in all 41 PGA Sections, and all 50 states.

DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT Championship. This free to participate nationwide junior skills competition, is for boys and girls ages 7-15.  Finalists from regional competitions earn their way to the national finals at the Augusta National Golf Club.

KPMG Future Leaders Program. This program allows top female high school seniors across the country, the opportunity to enhance their personal growth through college scholarships. In addition to a leadership development retreat at Stanford University. This retreat allows for a mentoring relationship with a woman business leader and an instruction to golf.

While many of the players sent their share of money (or part of it) to their own foundations. But other organizations that received donations included, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Make-A-Wish Foundation. The ALS Foundation, and the Animal Network.

But for more information, and to see the list of donations. Visit IPGA.com.

SMART GOLF is now OPEN in LOMBARD-350 East 22nd Street Smartgolffitness.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.

Roy Biancalana won the Illinois PGA Senior Match Play, and the 2021 Illinois PGA Senior Player of the Year Award. Photo IPGA

ROY BIANCALANA (Blackberry Oaks) hung on to defeat Doug Bauman  (Biltmore Country Club) in a back and forth championship match, 2 & 1 to win the 2021 Illinois Senior Match Play Championship, contested at Shoreacres.

But by doing so, Biancalana earned a second prize on the day. Because the points earned for the the senior major championship, earned Biancalana the 2021 Errie Ball Senior IPGA Player of the Year Award.

“I didn’t hit my irons well at all this week,” said Biancalana. ” I found something on the 14th hole in the Championship Match, and was able to pull it together at the end. I’m most proud of how I hung in there without having my A-game. I tend to get down on myself when I’m not playing the way I can. But I didn’t do that.”

Biancalana started the championship with bye and a number two seed, by being second in the points race entering the years next to last championship. Next week the final IPGA Senior event will be held at Beverly Country Club. As the Senior Players Championship will wrap up the year.

The path to victory for Biancalana started with a 1 Up win over #31 seed Tim Troy (Zigfield Troy Golf Club). Biancalana won two matches on Tuesday. First in the morning against #15 seed Mark Woodcock (The Village links). In the afternoon Biancalana won his quarterfinal match 7 & 6 over Dave Erickson (St. Andrews Golf & Country Club).

But the semifinals were a little tougher for Biancalana. After taking a 3 Up lead through 11 holes over Kevin Healy (Black sheep Club). But Healy won holes 12 and 13 to trim Biancalana’s lead to 1 Up. But after five straight halved holes, Biancalana won the match 1 Up.

In the championship match against Bauman, Biancalana went 1 Up after the first. But after trading pars for the next eight holes. Biancalana was still 1 Up at the turn. Then Bauman rallied by winning holes 10 and 11 to take the lead. Biancalana had to make a good par save on the 13th hole, to keep Bauman’s lead at 1 Up.

But Bauman missed the green on the par 3, 14th and could not get up and down for par, and the match was tied again. But Biancalana made birdie on the par 5, 15th hole to regain a 1 Up lead. After a poor tee shot by Bauman on 16 that forced Bauman to hit a second tee ball. When Bauman missed the green with his fourth shot, and Biancalana sitting in close for birdie, the hole was conceded.

When both players made par on the 17th hole, Biancalana emerged a 2 & 1 winner. For Biancalana he became the Illinois PGA Senior Player of the Year winner for the third time in four years. More details at IPGA.com.

THE FIRST TEE of GREATER CHICAGO announces PGA Tour member Northbrook’s Nick Hardy as it’s new ambassador. Coming soon Oct. 14 to Callaway Golf- APEX-UW.  _____________________________________________________________________

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.

Britt Pavelonis (L) won the 2021 XXIO Illinois Senior Open at Flossmoor Golf Club

Britt Pavelonis (Carbondale) is the winner of the 2021 Illinois Senior Open, at the Flossmoor Golf Club.

Pavelonis shot a 36 hole total of 6-under par 138, to win his first Illinois Senior Open by 3 shots over amateur Mike Henry of Bloomington.

Pavelonis ended the first round in a four-way tie with three other players at 4 under par. But day two was a different story, trying to stay in contention.

” I just tried to make some putts today,” said Pavelonis. “I didn’t really make anything in the first round, but I two-putted for birdie three times in round one. Then I made four birdies on four par fives. I just couldn’t sneak anything in the hole. Today, I played solid except for the eighth hole, which was just a little hiccup. I came right back with a birdie on the ninth hole. But I just felt like I was hitting the ball well and giving myself a chance to make putts on almost every hole.”

While he did keep score, Pavelonis did not look at the leaderboard until the 12th hole.

Pavelonis started the final round with a birdie on the first hole. But first round co-leader Rich Dukelow the new head golf professional at Ridge Country Club, rallied with a birdie on the second hole, to pull even with Pavelonis. But Dukelow did not stay tied with Pavelonis for long, falling back after a bogey on the third hole, and double bogey on the 4th hole.

The 18th hole at Flossmoor Golf Club.

Dukelow made a short-lived charge inn the middle of the round. Because with birdies on the ninth and tenth holes, Dukelow briefly pulled back even with Pavelonis for the lead.

But Dukelow fell back off the lead for good, by carding birdies on the par 3, 13th hole, and the par 4, 17th hole.

Roy Biancalana (Blackberry Oaks) and John Wright (Aurora IL.) (a) tied for Dukelow for third place. Finishing at (142) two under par for the championship. Biancalana shot a 3 under par 69, in round one to be just one shot off the lead. But his 1-over par 73 in round two never allowed him to challenge for the lead on the final day.

Pavelonis says he will play in both the Arkansas and Texas Open’s, as he prepares for the PGA Tour Champions Q-school. See a full scoreboard at IPGA.com.

JIM “DOC” SUTTIE (L) and GARY PINNS (R) at the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame dinner, last Friday night at The Glen Club in Glenview. Two members of the 2021 IGHOF Class. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn. In the clubhouse lobby of The Harvester Club in Rhodes Iowa.

FALL GOLF IS HERE-enjoy the season.

Because it will quickly fade away, as fast as it has arrived. Where did summer go ? But the amazing thing is that golf courses remain crowded, even during the week it seems.

But every nice sunny day, with warm temperatures, are likely to leave us with crowded golf courses.

By about 6:30 PM every day, the daylight to play another hole, or sink another putt has fallen into that day’s sunset. So don’t wait, get out and play. Because before we know it, it will be time to visit our local golf domes like the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook.

TPC WISCONSIN-could it be. This is not official yet, but yet another great golf course could be in the works in the Madison area. The location would be Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker’s home club, that would be renovated, with Stricker involved and likely two-time former U.S. Open Champion Andy North. Stay tuned for developments. IF this plan comes together, one would have to think that Stricker’s AM-Family tournament on the PGA Tour Champions, would move there.

GOLF GIFTS for the holidays. Shopping season will be here before you know it. But there are still problems with supply and demand across the country. It’s not just in the golf industry. But if you want to get your favorite golfers some holiday golf gifts, I suggest you order sooner than later. This way they won’t arrive on Valentine’s Day.

I’m still waiting on a club, that might take a while longer to get here. I’m not alone. Recent stories show that people are waiting for new clubs all over the country. Some golf stores can’t keep the shelfs stocked. Because when a new shipment arrives, those products have already been sold. The thought is that the golf industry is not designed for this type of demand, but what industries are.

Perhaps another thought, is that should American companies rely on product coming from the Far East. Is this a signal to build it here. But the argument would be, that prices would reach levels that nobody would pay. I think it’s time to test the market, and see how much of the golf industry can be brought here, or built here.

The Evans Scholars Invitational now partnered with NV5.

THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA) and the Korn Ferry Tour, have announced a new five-year partnership with NV5.

The Evans Scholars Invitational, will now be the NV5 Invitational-presented by First Midwest Bank.

All proceeds from the championship will benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, and it’s mission to supports deserving caddies with full tuition and housing scholarships to attend college. For more information on NV5, see www.NV5.com.

IT SOUNDS LIKE area golf courses are staying busy for this time of year. Multiple golf professionals have told me that large numbers of golfers were out playing this past Friday and over the weekend. The only thing expected to start lowering those numbers is that it’s getting dark sooner, meaning less tee times to sell in the afternoons.

GOLF CART ISSUES do the golf carts at your golf club lock-up far too often. The problem I have received the most feedback on during this golf season, are golf cart lock-ups on the golf course.

These issues have come from a variety of courses and multiple golf cart brands. IF your cart is telling you to return to the cart path, when your two feet from the path. OR telling you you are too close to the green, and your 50-60 yards away still out in the fairway. DO report these issues to the pro shop when your done playing. Because nobody likes lock-ups that make you go in reverse for a while, before you can go forward. But if you don’t inform the pro shop, which issue, where, what hole etc., they can not do anything to fix the problem.

LAST WEEK I got to sample some of Dave “Links” Lockhart’s of Golf 360TV, Links Lager beer. It’s good tasting, and served with a good ABV. So try some at Mike Munro’s Green Street Grille in Bensenville, or other area clubs that are selling it, like the Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison.

SMART GOLF that has a location in Lincoln Park, has opened a second location at 350 East 22nd Street in Lombard. I’ll have more about my visit to this new location later this week.

I recently visited The Harvester Club in Rhodes Iowa. This former #1 public in the Hawkeye state, is now private after a renovation from original architect Keith Foster. The club re-opened in late 2019, and is even better than in the past. Stay clicked in for details.

The Gog Blog is back all-week. RS