THE 2017 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S NCAA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE COMING THIS WEEK to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, well priced tickets on sale now, and parking of course is FREE. The Women are on the tee this week starting on Friday, and the Men one week later. Come support your school or Alma-Mater, and experience the pro stars of tomorrow up close and personal. Tickets on sale at NCAA.com/Tickets.       ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG BY RORY SPEARS, and Golfers on Golf Radio Saturday mornings at 9 Am on Am 750 WNDZ. Standing Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, seated Rory Spears and Bill Berger.

Golfers on Golf Radio is on the tee for Week #5 as the season is off and running down the fairway. Today’s show includes guests the Jim’s.

Kemper Lakes head professional Jim Billiter, and golf course owner Jim McWethy (Mistwood-McQ’s and the new Green Street Grille located in Bensenville.

Billiter the winner of the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship this past week at Kemper Lakes.

McWethy in conjunction with mike Munro of Golfers on Golf and two other partners, has recently opened the Green Street Grille in Bensenville, and the ballroom at Union Station in Joliet.

WOMEN’S GOLF DAY is coming up on June 6th, please visit Women’sGolfDay.com for more details and the clubs closest to you that hosting this event.

DAVID LEADBETTER has announced a grow the game facility in Beijing China, his main USA based school operates out of Orlando Florida.

GOLFVISIONS golf management firm has added two more courses to it’s portfolio, Broken Arrow in Lockport and Antioch Golf Club in Antioch.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY GOLFER Dylan Wu has been named a finalist for the Jack Nicklaus Award, the award will be presented on May 25th during the Memorial Tournament.

TRICK SHOT ARTIST PETER LONGO will be performing at the NCAA Golf Championships at Rich Harvest Farms, see the championship website for dates and times.

CHRIS CHARNAS of Links Capital Advisors has announced the sale of the Pacific Golf Centers in Watsonville, California. More details at Linkscapitaladvisors.com.

BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm has added a couple of new features to his website Lenziehmongolf.com, Ziehm’s stories include a look at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina and on the new golf movie, Tommy’s Honor.

KEMPERSPORTS MANAGEMENT was recognized by the National Golf Foundation by operating top public courses in the Over and Under $70 dollar range. More than $70 award went to Butterfield Trail Golf Course in El Paso Texas. The under $70 dollar award went to Sand Creek Station in Newton Kansas. Another winner in the under $70 category, not operated by KSM was the Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana, IL.

GOLF 360 Directed by Dave Lockhart, has announced the addition of former Chicago Bear Lineman Patrick Manelly an Ivanhoe member. Jill Carlson is not expected to return for the season ahead, that s of now will include three shows, that will air at least five times on Comcast Sports Net.

The Gog Blog Returns on Sunday. RS

  THE 2017 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS are coming in just one week to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. The Women including Northwestern University play from May 19-24 and the Men from May 26-31. Well priced tickets on sale now at NCAA.com/Tickets, root on your school or Alma-mater. Hosted by NIU.         ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Elisa Gaudet Director of Women’s Golf Day on June 6th, ladies go play golf, or enjoy a lesson. Check for the facility hosing a Women’s Golf Day closest to you.

When in doubt, bet the host professional. Jim Billiter the head golf professional at Kemper Lakes won his third Illinois PGA major championship by winning the Match-Play at his new home course Kemper Lakes.

Billiter survived a serious challenge by Glen Oak head professional Danny Mulhearn, who had won the play event 19 years ago. Billiter who was 2 down with five holes to play, rallied late to win 1 Up with a conceded par putt on the 18th green.

Billiter fell behind on the second hole when Mulhearn made his par, but a Billiter birdie on the par 5, 5th hole made things all-square.

After Mulhearn found the water on the 7th hole, Billiter took his first lead 1 Up. It was short-lived as Mulhearned answered with a 20 foot birdie putt on the 8th hole and again the match was A/S.

kemper Lakes head professional Jim Billiter your 2017 IPGA Match Play Champion

Mulhearn started quickly on the back nine with a 27 foot birdie putt on 10 to go 1 Up. After an Out-of-Bounds drive on 11 by Billiter, Mulhearn went 2 Up. A Billiter birdie on 12 cut Mulhearns lead down to 1 Up.

The par 3, 13th had some drama when Billiter missed the green, Mulhearn converted on a par save of his own, and when Billiter could not, Mulhearn went back to 2 Up.

Billiter’s 6 foot par putt on 14, put him back to 1 Dn. A Billiter par on the par 5, 15th hole brought the match back to A/S.

After both players made bogey on the 16th hole, they went to the famed par 3, 17th hole.

Billiter managed to find the green, with Mulhearn in a side bunker. Mulhearn could not get up and down after his bunker shot went long to the backside of the green, and Billiter went 1 Up after a conceded par putt.

On 18 Billiter found a fairway bunker and his approach just made the front of the green, Mulhearn with a longer fairway shot got home in two shots, but faced the longer putt. After his birdie putt came up short and his par putt conceded, Billiter missed his birdie putt for the win, but his par putt was conceded and the match concluded with a final tally of 1 Up for Billiter. His second match play win.

Click here to hear interviews with Jim Billiter and Danny Mulhearn.

In the semi-finals played in the morning. Mulhearn defeated Garrett Chaussard of Skokie Country Club, and Billiter defeated Curtis Malm of White Eagle Country Club. The next IPGA major is the Illinois Open in August at the Glen Club, with the second course being Briarwood in Deerfield.

For more information on the Illinois PGA, please visit IPGA.com.

  THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S 2017 NCAA Golf Championships are at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from May 19-24 is women’s week, and May 26-31 is the men. Well priced tickets on sale at NCAA.com/Tickets, parking is FREE, support your school. The DONALD ROSS COURSE at the French Lick Resort is celebrating it’s 100th year, be part of the centennial, see Frenchlick.com. The RUST-OLEUM CHAMPIONSHIP is back for it’s second year at the Ivanhoe Golf Club from June 5-11. The championship is part of the Web.com Tour, tickets are now on sale at RustOleumChampionship.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. The KPMG/PGA Championship at Olympia Fields from June 26-July 2, the best of the LPGA will play. Tickets on sale now.

The golf season is here and so far Mother nature is not cooperating. The weather has been cloudy, rainy and cold, and in fact some golfers will say we had better weather the first three months of the year. I really hope things start to turn around tomorrow.

It’s that time of year where the golf media will start visiting the tournament sites, and there are plenty this year. The media day season is underway and it started last week at the River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst.

The Big 3, Len Ziehm, Tim Cronin and myself, joined RFCC head professional Chris Gumbach for a round on the home of this years Women’s Western Amateur Golf Championship (WWGA). The championship it’s 117th will be played from June 12-17 and the field of 144 players is full with a waiting list.  See WWGA.org for more details. The River Forest Country Club that just underwent a bunker improvement program by architect Greg Martin, looks in great shape with the new white tour sand for the championship. One player who entered into the field that stems from Colorado, is sporting a +6.2 handicap.

The Ivanhoe Country Club clubhouse, home of the Rust Oleum Championship from June 5-11.

Earlier today the Rust Oleum Championship tee’d off year number two at the Ivanhoe Country Club in Mundelein.

This years championship will be played from June 5-11, the week before the U.S. Open. Tickets on sale now, and all the money is going to various area charities.

Defending champion Max Homa was expected at media day, but had a scheduling conflict with his U.S.Open qualifier and could not attend. Web.com players Vince India of Deerfield (University of Iowa) and Michael Schachner of Mundelein (Duke University) who grew up playing Ivanhoe filled in along with Taylor Pendrith of Canada, who played college golf at Kent State. Pendrith and Schachner along with Lake Forest native Brad Hopfinger received tournament exemptions.

Tournament Chairman Scott Cassion, and Ivanhoe Director of Golf Jim Sobb are encourage about the growth of the championship, and are looking forward to all the golf fans coming out to support this tournament in it’s second season. Tickets are now on sale at Rustoleumchampionship.com. A great field is expected including some players with local ties, and players who have spent time on the PGA Tour.

THE WOMEN’S NCAA REGIONAL’S are underway and things are off to good start for the Lady Wildcats of Northwestern who are in third place in Athens Georgia, top six teams advance to Rich Harvest Farms (RHF).

IN NEW MEXICO things not going so well for the University of Illinois who sit in 13th place out of 18 schools, only the top six move on to RHF. Coach Renee Sloan has recently gone to more of a younger lineup, with some upper classmen sitting out. Not sure that strategy is currently paying off. Illinois will have to rally to make the nationals. Tuesday’s round two needs to be moving day for the Illini.

AT KEMPER LAKES the Illinois PGA is holding it’s first major championship of the year the IPGA Match Play Championship. Past Champion Jim Billiter now head professional at Kemper Lakes is rolling after 6&5 win in his first match. Past champion Travis Johns a winner in his first match 3&2. Rich Dukelow of Medinah blasted current IPGA President Mark Labiak 8&7. Mr. President, less time on IPGA paperwork (LOL).

Green Street owners Mike Munro and Jim McWethy (Mistwood & McQ’s owner) welcome you to Green Street in Bensenville. 120 Green Street downtown Bensenville. M&M, Two Golf Dome owners now working on another project. Greenstreetgrille.com

The golf media gets a look at Mistwood on Wednesday. the home of the Phil Kosin Illinoi Women’s Open.

Mistwood one of Chicago’s top public courses, has now completed all three phases of it’s renovation plan, the golf course, the performance center and the clubhouse. The introduction of McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood gives the club on of the best 19th holes in all off the Chicago area. IN FACT this just in, the Mothers Day brunch at McWethy’s Tavern has just sold out. McWethy’s welcomed over 800 people for Easter, and now Mother’s Day has pushed the envelope further. See MistwoodGC.com or call (815)-254-3333 for tee times and reservations.

Coming this summer, see DuPagegolf.com

ED STEVENSON Interim Ex-Director of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District was kind enough to show me around the new Preserve at Oak Meadows Golf Club. While I have seen other courses reopen for business with less grass in place after renovations, Stevenson is not ready to announce opening day quite yet and admits some warm weather over the next 50 days would really help the final stages of the grow-in process.

The good news is that this Greg Martin renovation is really taking shape, even if a little slower than hoped for. So when the Preserve does open, it will be really ready for play. The tree removal and new white tour sand really give the course a wow-factor.

In addition, the recent wet weather has tested the new drainage system, and the early reports show that system is working very well. Gone are days of heavy rains putting the course several feet underwater for days. Follow all the progress and news on opening day at DuPagegolf.com.

The Gog returns tomorrow… RS

  THE 2017 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S NCAA GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP’S are coming to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove (outside Aurora) from May 19-24 the Women, and from May 26-31 the Men. Well priced tickets on sale now at NCAA.com/tickets and of course parking is FREE. Support your school or your Alma-mater, see the future pro’s today.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the NCAA Golf Championships and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy with Illinois Men’s Golf Coach Mike Small.

It’s spring time and that time of year where in men’s college golf, the Illini headed up by men’s coach Mike Small are heating up for another run for a potential national championship.

They have been close several times and have finished as high as second place. There have been several top four finishes and more trips to the elite eight.

Maybe this year, is the year they break through and win it all when the national championships come to Illinois, and Rich Harvest Farms.

But first there is work to be done in West Lafayette Indiana, on the Kampen Course at the University of Purdue. The 54 hole regional will be played from May 15-17. The low five teams and low individual not on one of those five teams, will advance to Rich Harvest Farms.

Click here to hear our interview with Illinois Men’s Coach Mike Small.

The Purdue Regional at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex will see the Illini winners of three straight tournaments come in as a #2 seed, while the University of Florida Gators will be #1. 3. is UNLV , 4. is Auburn, 5. U-South Carolina, 6. is Colorado and 7. is host Purdue.

Big Ten Player of the Year Dylan Meyer of Illinois, and Ben Hogan Award finalist.

Illinois advanced to the regional by earning the Big Ten Conference automatic bid when they won the Big Ten Championship by 16 shots over second place Northwestern. As a result, coach Small was named coach of the year in the Big Ten. Big Ten Champion Dylan Meyer was named the Big Ten Player of the Year. Michael Feagles was named Freshman of the Year. Nick Hardy and Edoardo Lipparelli joined Meyer on the All-Big Ten first team.

The University of Illinois announced the Big Ten has awarded Freshman Bryan Baumgarten the Sportsmanship Award Honoree. Small has now been named Big Ten Coach of the Year, nine times.

The conference championship was the third in a row for Illinois, and it’s eighth in the last nine years. Small has won eight titles as coach, and one more as a player during his time at Illinois.

MEYER A HOGAN AWARD FINALIST..Junior Dylan Meyer has been named a finalist for the Ben Hogan award, college golfs equal to the Heisman Trophy in college football. The award is presented at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth Texas, during the week the club hosts the PGA Tour on May 22nd.

 RICH HARVEST FARMS OWNER JERRY RICH, welcomes everyone to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from May 19 through the 31st for the 2017 Men’s and Women’s NCAA National Championships. The Women’s tee off first from May 19-24 and the Men from May 26-31. Support your school or Alma-Mater, NCAA.com/Tickets on sale now.    _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the 2017 NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

After a second place finish in the Big Ten Championships on the Baltimore Country Club East Course (Five Farms), Northwestern University will head south to Louisiana for the Men’s Regionals.

The Wildcats have been to the University Club at LSU to play in the regionals on two occasions, most recently four years ago.

Northwestern’s Director of Golf Programs Pat Goss told Golfers on Golf Radio this morning, that NU has missed advancing to the nationals on both trips to the University Club, once missing by one stroke and once missing by four shots.

THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY at Rich Harvest Farms.

The field at the University Club includes the #1 seed the LSU-Tigers. Right behind LSU is the reigning defending national champions, the Oregon Ducks.

Then it’s University of Virginia, Duke University and then Northwestern. University of Iowa of the Big Ten is seeded 10th.

Of the 14 schools, five teams and the low individual not on one of the five teams, will advance to the nationals in Sugar Grove.

Northwestern won once in the fall, and then started the spring schedule with a win at the Big Ten Match Play Championship. (Illinois did not compete).

Northwestern shot 3 under par in the final round at the Big Ten to beat third place Ohio State by 10 shots. northwestern did finish second by 16 shots to Illinois.

Northwestern Coach Pat Goss talks about Northwestern advancing to the LSU regional as the number five seed, and the national championships at Rich Harvest Farms.

Sophomore Ryan Lumsden took second place, by shooting under par in all three rounds of the championship. Wu finished up the final round with a three under par 67, given Wu the Les Bolstad award for low scoring average in the Big Ten this year.

It marked the first time in six years all four Northwestern players finished in the Top 25. With their performances in the Big Ten Championship, both Lumsden and Wu were named First-Team All Big Ten.

Coach Emily Fletcher will lead the Nu Women’s team to the Athen’s Georgia regional at the University of Georgia.

 THE 2017 NCAA MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS, from May 19-31 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. The Women play from May 19-24 and the Men from May 26-31, well priced tickets on sale now at NCAA.com/tickets. Parking is FREE.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy and to the NCAA Golf Championships at Rich Harvest Farms.

The Fighting Illini have done it again, make it three straight B1G Ten titles for the men’s golf team.

The 2017 Big Ten title makes it eight wins in just nine years. Something that Coach Mike Small told Golfers on Golf “never gets old.”

The winning score of of 11 under par 829 sets a new Big Ten record, breaking the old record of 838 set by Illinois last year. Junior Dylan Meyer shot a final round one under par 69, to finish the championship at 5 under par, and win the individual title by 1 shot.

Illinois Junior Dylan Meyer the 2017 Big Ten Champion

Meyer set the tone for the Illini with his opening round 7 under par 63, a personal best and a Big Ten record.

On Friday it was Juniors Meyer and Nick Hardy (-3 67) that got Illinois going, and had the Illini up 13 shots after one round. The lead became 20 shots over Purdue and Northwestern after round 2, when the underclassman stepped up to carry the team.

Edoardo Lipparelli’s 4 under par 66 lead the way, with Freshman Michael Feagles coming at at 69. The juniors Meyer and Hardy were back in the 60’s on Sunday to wrap up the championship. Northwestern was second, but 16 shots back of Illinois at 845.

Click here to hear our interview with Illinois Coach Mike Small from Baltimore, after winning the Big Ten title.

“Winning the Big Ten Conference Championship is a major goal on our schedule,” head coach Mike Small said. “To do it again with a different team, gives us a good sense of accomplishment. It continues to give us momentum heading into the NCAA’s.”

Small has now won eight Big Ten titles as the coach of the Illini, and one as player in (1988). Small called a 16 shot win in the Big Ten Championship as “significant”.

The championship was played on the Baltimore Country Club’s East Course known as Five Farms. The course was designed by AW Tillinghast and underwent a restoration by architect Keith Foster in 2014. The yardage was 7,181 and the par was played at 70.

Illinois will be awarded a spot in a regional this Thursday during the selection show. There are six regionals. If Illinois is in the Top 6, ranked teams, they get to go to the regional closest to their school. In this case the Purdue University Kampen Course. Regional play will be held from May 15-17.

Mike Small will throw out the first pitch along with Luke Donald on Thursday at Wrigley Field, after the regional announcements.

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

College golf is heating up as the Road to Rich Harvest Farms is now packed with schools fighting to make it to Sugar Grove in May to compete for the national championship.

This weekend is no different as on the men’s side, conference championships are being held across the country. For the B1G Ten, this years competition is on the Baltimore Country Club’s East Course, called Five Farms. Illinois led by Dylan Meyer, Nick Hardy, Edoardo Lipparelli, have a 20 shot lead after 2 rounds. With 18 holes left to play.

The par 3, 4th hole at Baltimore Country Club, home of the 2017 B1G Ten Men’s Championship.

The Illini shot -1 as a team in Round 2 that helped them open their lead from 13 shots up to 20, heading into the final round.

It was Edoardo Lipparelli who led Illinois with a 4 under par 66 in round two, after first round leader Dylan Meyer backed up from 63 to 73.

Lipparelli is the overall leader and Meyer is in second place, Hardy sits 7th after a 74.

 JERRY RICH INVITES GOLF FANS TO EXPERIENCE AND ENJOY the 2017 Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division 1 Golf Championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, come enjoy the best in college golf, and see the future stars of the pro tours today up close and personal. Well priced tickets and Free parking, make this a family affordable event. The Women play from May 19-24, and the Men from May 26-31. Two final fours in two weeks. Tickets on Sale now at NCAA.com/Tickets support your school _____________________________________________________________________

Illinois got solid play from Giovanni Tadiotto 70-71, and he is tied with Hardy in 7th place, while Michael Feagles is in 24th place after a second round 69 (-1).

“I was very proud of our young players today,” said head coach Mike Small. “It was a good team effort. We weren’t as sharp today, as a team, as we were yesterday, we had a few unforced errors that we need to clean up. The way the freshman finished and the way Edoardo played today was the key to the day. I’m proud of them for that, as they stepped up and took care of business.”

Northwestern and Purdue are tied for second place 20 shots back of Illinois (548) at (568). Wisconsin sits another 4 shots back at (572), in fourth place.

NU Coaches David Inglis and Pat Goss are liking what they see from the Cats who will battle with the Boilermakers for second place in the final round.

Ryan Lumsden with a pair of 69’s (-1) is leading Northwestern. The men’s regionals will be announced this Thursday, and Coach Small will be speaking at Wrigley Field before the Cubs and Phillies game.

THE LADIES..had their Regionals announced this past Thursday. NU Coach Emily Fletcher and her lady Wildcats are off to Athens Georgia, and the University of Georgia golf course. NU comes in as the #3 seed. Coach Renee Sloan and her Illini team are off to the University of New Mexico on the Championship Course at UNM. Illinois is the #8 seed and only 6 teams will advance to Rich Harvest Farms. UNM will have several top teams in it’s field, and UNM could be the toughest road to RHF. Women’s regional play will be held from May 8-11.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS on Sunday with a recap of the Men’s B1G Ten Championship at Baltimore Country Club.

  THE 2017 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S NCAA DIVISION 1 FINAL-FOUR’S AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS May 19-31 at Jerry Rich’s, Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. the Women play from May 19-24 and the Men from May 26-31. Well priced tickets on sale now at NCAA.com/Tickets parking of course is FREE. Come cheer on your school. The DONALD ROSS COURSE at the French Lick Resort is celebrating it’s 100th Birthday, come enjoy the Centennial on this classic style golf course, Visit Frenchlick.com.             ______________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO is Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson, Seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger. GOG RADIO Saturday Mornings at 9 Am on AM 750 WNDZ.

Golfers on Golf Radio is back for Week #3, on Saturday morning at 9 AM, on AM 750 WNDZ.

Our guests include Chicagoland Golf Publisher Val Russell, and Gary D’amato writer from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Along with news from various golf events and the tours. The B1G 10 Men’s Conference Golf Championship is underway at the Baltimore Country Club’s East Course known as Five Farms.

Jr. Dylan Meyer the defending Western Open Champion is the first round leader at the Big Ten Championship

Junior Dylan Meyer shot a 7 under par 63, and Junior Nick Hardy shot a 3 under par 67 as Illinois opened up a 14 shot lead over Ohio State and and 15 shot lead over 3rd place Purdue.

Tournament play concludes on Sunday, with 18 holes on Saturday and Sunday.

ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME, the finalists list has been made public, and due to ties there are 12 finalists this year.

They include. 1, Doug Bauman, 2. Emil Esposito, 3. Gary Groh, 4. Gary Hallberg, 5. Phil Kosin, 6. Greg Kunkel, 7. William Langford, 8. Carol Mann, 9. Francis Peabody, 10 Gary Pinns, 11. Horton Smith, 12. Len Ziehm. Final voting is on May 23rd at the Glen Club the home of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The Women’s KPMG/PGA Championship this June 29-July 2nd at Olympia Fields, tickets on sale now.

The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship that will be played at the Olympia Fields Country Club the final week of June and Rounds 3 & 4 on July 1-2. has announced that Czech golfer Klara Spilkova has accepted a sponsors exemption into the field. Spilkova has won one tournament in play over-seas.

Tickets for the championship are on sale now. Come out and see the championship live on the Southside.

It’s a great opportunity to Olympia Fields one of the great clubs in the Chicago area, and in all of America.

For tickets see KPMGWomensPGA.com of look for the championship on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

IT’S outdoor Demo day at Cog Hill today Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM, event will be held rain or shine. Come hit the clubs by all the major manufacturers, discounts for those who purchase and buy while at demo day. Check with the equipment reps and Cog Hill pro staff for more details. See Coghillgolf.com. Callaway-Titleist-Taylor Made, Ping and more.

Join us on the air, tee time is 9 AM, at Am 750 WNDZ. The Gog Blog returns tomorrow.

  JERRY RICH owner of Rich Harvest Farms invites everyone to come and enjoy the 2017 Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division 1 Golf Championships, hosted by Northern Illinois University. The ladies are on the tee first, from May 19-24 and then the men from May 26-31. Well priced tickets on sale at NCAA.com/Tickets, parking of course is Free.   _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the Donald Ross Course at the French Lick Resort, and on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy

IT WAS TIME for a Senior Women’s Major Golf Championship, and the French Lick Resort along with the Old National Bank has stepped up to the tee and made it happen.

This July 10-12, on the Pete Dye Golf Course, the field of 81 players will embark on a journey that will bring senior major championship golf to women of age 45 and older.

The Sr. LPGA Championship comes to the Legends Tour before the U.S. Sr. Women’s Open that will be contested for the first time at the historic Chicago Golf Club in July of 2018. The Sr. LPGA Championship has a Five-year deal with the resort and the Golf Channel.

The Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Resort.

“French Lick is proud to host such a prestigious event,” says Steve Ferguson, Chairman of the Board for the Cook Group, owners of the French Lick Resort. “We have long supported women’s golf and to now be part of the first major championship for senior women is indeed an honor. We look forward to a great relationship with the LPGA and an outstanding championship.”

The 81 player field will consist of a variety of the, “Whose-Who” in women’s golf. Including LPGA Hall-of-Famers, some current LPGA members and major champions over the age of 45. The championship will be 54 holes and include a purse of over $600,000. There will not be a cut.

“This is a landmark event for the LPGA because it provides a larger platform to celebrate the legends of the game,” said Mike Whan, LPGA Commissioner. “With the USGA’s recently announced U.S. Sr. Women’s Open and now our event, the women that forged the way for the current generation will now have two major championships each year.”

The entrance to the now 100 year old Donald Ross Course in French Lick.

In addition to major championships, there are two tournaments as part of the celebration of Women’s golf.

The Symetra Tour will begin the Sr. LPGA Championship week, as the two tours bridge the gap in women’s golf.

The Symetra Tour with today’s up and coming golfers starts on Friday July 7th and runs through the 9th on the Donald Ross Course, as part of the Donald Ross Centennial Classic. On Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th, the Senior LPGA Pro-Am will be played on the Dye Course.

With the Senior LPGA to tee of on Monday July 10th. The Sr. LPGA Championship will conclude on Wednesday July 12th. The Women’s U.S Open from Trump Bedminster will begin on Thursday the 13th, essentially having a week plus of days where all the women’s professional golf tours will be bridged together.

Click here for the Sr. LPGA Championship media day interviews with Jane Blaylock, Jan Stephenson, and Michelle McGann. Who give their thoughts on the new Sr. LPGA Championship, and the long awaited for U.S. Sr. Women’s Open in 2018.

(L-R) Lindsey Gahm Symetra Tour, Jan Stephenson, Michelle McGann, and Jane Blaylock. Photo by Joy Sarver.

The Pete Dye Course adds the new championship to it’s list of other championships contested there.

The 2015 Sr. PGA Championship, the Big Ten’s Men’s and Women’s Conference Championships from 2012 to 2014. The 2010 PGA-PPNC club professional championship, and the Legends Tour event from 2013 to 2016.

Women’s golf history in French Lick reaches back to 1957, when the late Louise Suggs won the French Lick Women’s Open on the Donald Ross course. In 1959 Betsy Rawls won the championship followed by Mickey Wright in 1960.

The sponsor from the championship is the famed Riley’s Children’s Hospital and Foundation.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and Free for kids under 17. Tickets are valid for all three days of the championship, and can be purchased at Frenchlick.com/seniorpga.

To visit the French Lick Resort, please visit Frenchlick.com. You can come enjoy golf on three of the resorts golf courses.

  THE DONALD ROSS COURSE turns 100 in 2017, and the French Lick Resort has launched the Sr. LPGA Championship for this July. Find out how you can come enjoy all great things happening this summer in Southern Indiana, please visit Frenchlick.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content, Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy and to the French Lick Resort.

It’s always a good time in golf when something new comes along, and in women’s golf something new is headed to the first tee at the French Lick Resort.

This July the Sr. LPGA Championship, the first ever senior women’s major championship will start a new chapter senior women’s golf.

Today is media day at the French Lick Resort, and the gathered group will find out more about what’s to come.

The is a Symetra Tournament on the front end of the Senior Championship that will help build the bridge between the two groups. Some LPGA players could play in a pro-am that runs in between the two championships, but more to come after today.

TIGER WOODS, is done again for the year after his fourth back surgery, that and four knee surgeries his camp admits he had, some say as many as eight. The real question is Woods done for good. I would say not yet, but if this surgery doesn’t get it done, then it will be time for him to call it quits. If the surgery takes hold, Woods might compete for a title on the PGA Tour in the right event on the right course. But another major does seem out of the question.

PARS UNDER THE STARS, clubs looking for a fun event should try and put together a night golf evening with glow in the dark golf balls. While I have not played in one of the recent events, I did try this one night while in high school on the course where I worked in Prospect Heights, Rob Roy. The game for our group didn’t last long, because we ran out of painted glow in the dark golf balls. But it was fun while it lasted. Foxford Hills in Cary is having such a night on May 13th, it runs from 5:30 Pm to 10 PM you need to sign up by May 5th, and to do so call the pro shop at (847)-639-0400.

ICYMI.. if you missed Golfers on Golf Radio last Saturday morning, Jim Richerson the Director of Golf at Kohler, who also serves as the national secretary of the PGA of America, and now a rules official at the Masters joined us. Among all the good stories and information that Jim had for us, he did remind us that all the courses in Kohler are now open for the season, including Whistling Straits. See Destinationkohler.com.

DEMO DAY at Cog Hill comes up this Saturday starting at 9 AM, all the major golf companies will be present, come check out all the new equipment. Discounts on club purchases if you buy that day after getting fit.

THE GOG BLOG returns tomorrow, with more. RS