NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT, in Farmington PA. 18 holes open for play and 18 more on the way. New Pete Dye Course Opens summer of 2017, for details see Nemacolin.com. The Carnoustie Fall Line of Shirts, Carnoustiesportswearonline.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

ROUND 1 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP (By Rory Spears-reporting from Carmel, Indiana)

Rain caused a 3 Hour and 33 minute rain delay in the first round of the 2016 BMW Championship at the Crooked Stick Golf Club. As a result Rd. 1 will restart at 8 AM on Friday, and then round 2 will begin almost immediately following. Round 2 is expected to be completed on Friday. Round 1 play saw the horns sounded at 7:36 PM EST. and the players had the option to finish the hole they were playing.

*** The PGA Tour has announced that second round tee times will begin at 10 Am EST, with players going off both tee’s.

As a result the first 11 groups completed the first round, leaving 36 players on the course. The field that was supposed to be 70 players, ended up being 69 when Henrik Stenson decided to rest a sore knee and skip the championship.

Roberto Castro is the leader in the clubhouse with a 7 under par 65, but Castro was 8 under par before a bogey on the 18th dropped him back a stroke.

“The course was fast and firm before the rain delay,” said Castro. “After the delay the course was gettable. There have been a lot of delays on the tour this year, but I’m really glad to get the round in.”

Castro who lives only 15 minutes from Atlanta, said his goal this week is just to make sure he gets to the tour championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

2014 John Deere Classic Champion Brian Harman was in second place one shot back, after a bogey free round of 66 had 4 birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 15th hole. Harman the new father is in 57th place in the Fed Ex Cup Point standings, he knows he needs a strong finish to make the top 30 and qualify for Atlanta. Jason Dufner, Chris Kirk and 2014 BMW Champion Billy Horschel were tied for third place at 5 under par.

Defending Champion Jason Day finished T-51 with a score of 73 +1. Rory McIlroy who won the BMW in 2012 the last time it was played at Crooked Stick was at 3 under par through 10 holes.

Winfields Kevin Streelman had the roller coaster round of the day. He played the front nine in 3 over par, after double bogeys on the third and fourth holes set him back, but he played the back nine in 3 under par to finish at even par 72. Streelman needed two birdies and an eagle on the par 5, 15th hole to get back to even par.

Adam Scott carded a 31, 5 under par on the front nine, but bogeyed his only hole on the back nine before calling it quits for the day, he is at 4 under par and tied for 6th place. Harris English was 4 under par through 11 holes, before back-to-back double bogeys dropped him back to even par. English then made a birdie on 17 to finish the round at 71, one under par.

Northwestern Alum Luke Donald only completed 10 holes before play was halted, Donald had 1 bogey and 3 birdies on his round that included back-to-back birdies on holes 8 and 9.

2011 BMW Champion Justin Rose, and this years Gold Medal winner in Rio during the Olympic Games, is struggling and is 3 over par through 16 holes and is T-66.

The Gog Blog returns tomorrow with Round 2 coverage of the BMW Championship.

  IT’S BMW CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK AT Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, come out and support the Evans Scholars, see the Top 70 players on the PGA Tour. Above (L) WGA VP Vince Pellegrino, (R) behind the 18th, Pete and Alice Dye Statue.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

It’s Official, Mike Small is not going anywhere except to his office at the University of Illinois, of course he will be at the great golf practice facilities the school has, and on the road or at the course with his team.

The University of Illinois made a commitment to Small and the Men’s Golf Program, when they gave Small today a new 6-Year deal worth 2 million dollars, the buyout if ever nescessary and it won’t be is set at $600,000.

Mike Small with the Illinois PGA section trophy at Olympia Fields.

“I’ve had contracts before,” Small told Golfers on Golf. “But this is a bold statement from the University of Illinois and I’m excited.”

The contract does not head off a move by Small to play more often on the Champions Tour. While he did recently make the cut at the U.S. Sr. Open he doesn’t plan on playing the tour on a regular basis.

“I’m a coach first and player second,” said Small. “It’s been that way for 15 years and it will continue to be that way. I like to play when the time and my schedule allows me to compete. It’s a good way for me clear my head as well when I need to.”

Small said the University didn’t just commit to him but the Men’s Golf program as well, because of it’s championships and what the program has accomplished in recent years.

Small says he is planning on being at Illinois the rest of his career until he retires. Small shared with the Illinois Golfer that he remembers his team practicing in the basement of the Huff Gym, and on how when Ron Guenther hired him, it was about building a program, and not just a team.

It’s obvious Small has built more than just a team.

University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman called Small,”simply the finest golf collegiate golf coach in the country.”  Whitman added that Small’s record speaks for itself and Small has “defied the odds” by building Illinois into one of the top collegiate golf powers in the country.

Small is in hist 17th season as head golf coach, during his tenure Illinois has won 7 Big Ten titles, and Small has been Big Ten Coach of the Year 8 times. In 2015 he was an Dave Williams award winner for national coach of the year. Small has taken Illinois to the national championships 12 times advancing to the nationals 11 times. Illinois has won 4 straight NCAA Regionals and advanced to the match play a record five straight times.

10 Illinois players have earned 21 All-American awards under Small, and several players have earned academic awards as well. For more information see Fightingillini.com.

 (L) CARNOUSTIE SPORTS WEAR has released it’s fall line of shirts for the upcoming season, see Carnoustiesportswearonline.com for more information. The Ryder Cup makes an appearance in town at Cog Hill in Lemont this Wednesday for an entire 60 minutes between 2-3 PM. For more information please visit Coghillgolf.com #Rydercup. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On the 6th hole covered bridge at the Crooked Stick Golf Club home of this weeks BMW Championship.

It’s Labor Day and many people have the day off, if you do what are you doing today. Are you at the BBQ or watching the ball game, are you at the course and getting in 18 holes or at least nine.

Golf today is a great way to spend some time with family or friends, take out the junior golfer and let him or her learn the game.

Many courses have deals today, especially if you want to play this afternoon. If you are reading this after you went out and played early this morning, then sit back with a cold beverage and enjoy the PGA Tour final round in Boston and get ready for the BMW Championship being played this week in Indiana, north of Indy at Crooked Stick in Carmel.

Today is a rare Monday finish on the PGA Tour, but hey it’s the playoff’s so the tour is trying to be creative. They are ducking the weather so there was an early start today and Rory McIlroy is making a charge. McIlroy who won in Boston in 2012, also won the BMW Championship that year at Crooked Stick, could history repeat itself, maybe so. If you are Darren Clarke the team Europe Ryder Cup Captain, you are hoping McIlroy is regaining his form that has helped him win 4 majors.

THE RYDER CUP is coming to Cog Hill this Wednesday as part of it’s trophy tour, which is great, but it’s only there for 1 hour. 2-3 PM. You would think think it would be there for at least 2 hours minimum or why bring it there at all. Take those pictures quickly folks, the trophy will be gone before you know it.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO will be gone before you know it too, as this Sunday is week 22 of our 22 week run for the 2016 golf season. Chicago’s Favorite Foursome of Ed Stevenson, Mike Munro, Bill Berger and your’s truly have enjoyed our past 21 weeks, and are working on a great show to close it out for 2016, be tuned in this Sunday at 9 Am on Am 1240 WSBC.

LABOR DAY is considered by some to be the end of summer, even though it really isn’t until the calendar says so later in month. But the passing of Labor Day doesn’t mean the end of golf season, especially with two more weeks of PGA Tour playoffs and the Ryder Cup 3 weeks away.

So clean up the clubs and get ready for the fall golf season. There are golfers that will tell you it’s the best time of the year to play. It’s always fun to throw the bag over your shoulder and get in a good walk. The high heat and humidity disappear and there is nothing like walking those final few holes as the earlier sunsets start to happen.

I SPENT part of the summer reorganizing my golf bag. Got a new driver and played a few rounds without a driver in the bag. Then I sold off my irons and had to wait a longer than planned for the new ones to come in. I had to play 11 rounds with borrowed irons, which were the same brand and model number, but different shafts and grips than I was used to didn’t help much. Now I have the new clubs, but I’m still trying to replace the grips, since I did not get the ones I expected. I am looking forward to a fall season with a full bag of clubs and with a complete set, that is set up to my specs. I figure I’ll have things dialed in about the time the snow starts falling and the domes open for winter.

The BMW tee’s off this week at “The Stick” drive down and support the Evans Scholars, I’ll see you there. The end of summer season is starting this week, go play. RS

  THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP Tee’s off this week at the Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Indiana, an easy drive from the Chicago area. Support the Evans Scholars during a road game year and get your tickets at BMWChampionshipUSA.com. (R) The Carnoustie sports wear line with stylish and comfortable shirts both long and short sleeve are out, visit carnoustiesportswearonline.com for details. Look good this fall.        _____________________________________________________________________

Golfers on Golf Radio, seated L-R Rory Spears and Bill Berger. Standing L-R Mike Munro and Ed Stevenson. at WSBC AM 1240.

Time is flying by, Chicago’s favorite foursome is headed for the 18th hole this week, and the grill room and 19th hole next Sunday.

So this morning at 9 AM join mike Munro, Ed Stevenson, Bill Berger and Rory Spears for week #21 of the golf radio season.

This weeks guests are expected to include, Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small who won his 12th IPGA Section Championship this past week at the Olympia Fields Country Club, and is gearing up for college golf season with University of Illinois Golf Team.

Mike Small with the trophy at Olympia Fields.

We return to Pinehurst for a quick chat with Alex Podlogar who brings us up to speed on the new “Deuces” restaurant that sits behind the famed 18th green of Pinehurst. After many months, this new 19th hole is what you call “state of the art”. Golfers will enjoy what Pinehurst has to offer. See Pinehurst.com and catch our update with Alex from Pinehurst, where it’s always a beautiful day.

Finally we head north to to the home of the 2017 US Open and Erin Hills. John Morrisett joins the show and will bring us up to speed on how you can play an U.S. Open venue and it’s not that far away. But time is quickly running out for this year, and filling up quickly for next year after the U.S. Open leaves Wisconsin. Erinhills.com.

Rydercup.com

The Ryder Cup trophy tour is underway, and after several visits to great places in the last week, that included stops at Whistling straits home of the 2020 Ryder Cup, it is returning to the Chicago area.

The Ryder Cup last seen here in 2012 at Medinah is coming this week to Cog Hill on the 7th, contact Cog Hill for times.

Then if you have tickets for the Cubs and the Brewers at Wrigley Field on Friday September 16th, it’s your lucky day. The Ryder Cup will appear at Wrigley Field for one day only, before it heads off to South Bend for the Notre Dame-Michigan State game on the 17th.

The Glen Club home of the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

The Glen Club will again be the host of the Speedgolf World Championships this October 17 and 18.

For more information please visit speedgolfinternational.com. The Speedgolf International, that serves as the governing body for Speedgolf has announced a new affiliates program.

Speedgolf International is partnering with other Speedgolf organizations around the world to form a global network of organizations. “We are really excited about our Affiliates program,” said Jim Kosciolek, the President of Speedgolf International. ” We are looking forward to working with some of the other organizations and creating a cohesive unified footprint and we are excited about the feedback we are getting. For more information visit speedgolfinternational.com.

      The 18th at Oak Meadows. Good news it already looks better than this 2 month old photo.

No Oak Meadows is not open until next year. But it is making progress and the grassing has started. The Gog Blog will have new updated pictures of that shortly.

In the meantime the famed Rambo Scramble is set for Oct. 15th at Maple Meadows just across the street from Oak Meadows.

The Patriot Golf Weekend is now underway at Maple Meadows, and you can still donate to Folds of Honor with your round of golf today or tomorrow at Maple or Green Meadows. See DuPagegolf.com for details.

GOLFBREAKS.COM and the Ryder Cup, just in time for the 41st Ryder Cup being played Sept. 30 through Oct. 2nd in Minnesota at the Hazeltine National Golf Club, is the newest Golfbreaks promotion. Are you headed over seas on that golf trip of a lifetime, or with special clients or family members. Why not knock some $$$ off the bill of your trip.

If your trip is booked by Sept. 30th and if you guess the correct score of the Ryder Cup you win another $500 dollar discount off the price. To qualify enter all the details you find at usagolfbreaks.com/win-500-off-your-golf-vacation/. Enter today and then plan your trip with the golfbreaks.com team or call them at (844)-676-GOLF.

Golf pro and inventor Chad Johansen at Blackberry Oaks.

Chad Johansen the man behind the Blackberry Oaks Golf Club, has just released the Guide for Golf, and right now there is a 7-Day Free Trial Membership available. How about over 250 lessons on video when you need them.

If your up practicing at 2 AM and you pro is a sleep, check out these lessons that will have you ready for that 8 Am shotgun. See Guideforgolf.com.

In addition golf at Blackberry Oaks today and tomorrow is only $39.00 for 18 holes and a cart. See blacberryoaks.com or call (630)-553-7170.

THE BGLCC is having it’s 29th annual golf outing on Friday September 16th, at the Arboreteum Golf Club in Buffalo Grove. registration is at 7:30 AM and the shotgun fires at 8 AM. The Buffalo Grove/Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce are using the outing to raise funds for the Special Olympics group of Area 18. Contact the golf club or Kristen Wisniewski at (224)-377-8378 for details.

TELL THE STORM TO GO AWAY, and then head off to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, not far from Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers got the first planes to fly, you can get your golf ball in the air at clubs like Kilmaric Golf Club, The Pointe Golf Club and The Carolina Club. and Nags Head Golf Links.

Right now OBXGOLF Packages include, the Tee & Seas Fall Package, just $299 per person and it includes 3 rounds of golf and a 2-Night stay. The Sand Castle Fall Package, for $329 a night per person, also 3 rounds of golf and a two night stay. The Outerbanks area of North Carolina where the phrase is, if we don’t have it, you don’t need it. For more visit PlayOBXGolf.com or call (800)-916-6244.

Rory Spears wearing Carnoustiesportsouterwear, from the Fall Collection now available.

Carnoustie Golf or Sports Outerwear is the just look and feel you need for the fall season.

In the Chicago area you can find Carnoustie sold at these fine golf clubs.

Ivanhoe Golf Club, Bull Valley Country Club, Green Acres Country Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Flossmoor Country Club, Itaska Country Club, Willow Crest Golf Club, Strawberry Creek Golf Club, Rich Harvest Farms. Online you can visit Carnoustieouterwearonline.com. Brighter colors and more comfort, it’s Carnoustie.

The Irish Course in Haven/Kohler Wisconsin. greens 9 and 18.

Are you ready to golf next year, if so get a start on 2017 right now and reserve your tee times at the four championship Pete Dye Courses in Kohler Wisconsin, and the courses that make up the 5-Star Destination better known as the American Club.

Whistling Straits will host the 2020 Ryder Cup after just coming off a very successful PGA Championship.

Why not visit Wisconsin Golf, visit Kohler and find out more and reserve your stay and tee times at destinationkohler.com.

DIGITAL GOLF moves into high tech to offer BIG Daily prizes at KemperSports courses that are participating in the program.

Video from the course can be show in the clubhouse, providing what KS calls a more interactive and engaging entertainment experience for golfers at Kemper courses.

Golfers who make a hole-in-one can make both cash and have a video of their special shot as it rolls into the cup.

The Par 3, 4th hole at Five Farms, or Baltimore Country Club.

The B1G Ten has announced that the Men’s 2017 and 2018 Big Ten Championship will be played at the Baltimore Country Club, on the recently renovated Five Farms golf course.

The course which has hosted multiple USGA championships, was an original A.W. Tillinghast, and most recently renovated by architect Keith Foster who is known for his work in the Chicago area on courses like the Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, the Highlands of Elgin in Elgin and Shepherd’s Crook Golf Club in Zion. the dates for the 2017 Championship are April 28-30 with the 2018 dates TBD. For more information on Baltimore Country Club and it’s rich golf history see bcc1898.com.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS lead by Coach Mike Small has announced it’s full schedule for the 2016-2017 golf season. In a reloading year, Coach Small will have two freshman on his team will take them starting next weekend to the Wolf Run Intercollegiate and then to the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Classic the following week.

Illinois will play a series of invitationals in the spring, the B1G Ten Championship at Five Farms near Baltimore, then NCAA regional’s and hopefully the national Championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. More details at Fightingillini.com.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND  is great this time of year. Need more how about a 2,000 acre resort with golf holes on the ocean. You can have that and three courses on property when you visit the Palmetto Dunes Resort.

The three courses the Jones (RTJ) Course, the Hills (Art) Course and the Fazio (George) Course all named after the architects that designed them all offer the challenge to golfers that play them of moving around lakes, lagoons and marsh’s. The Par 5 10th hole on the Jones Course with views of the Atlantic Ocean has been rated one of the best holes in golf for years by various publications. The other courses have in past years been on various top 100 lists.

The Par 5, 10th hole on the RT Jones Course at Palmetto Dunes Resort.

The palmetto Dunes Resort offers plenty to do when your not on the course, or for other members of your traveling party who might not play golf.

But for junior golfers, senior golfers beginners or ladies who might not be big hitters, there are plenty of golf options for them as well.

Accomendations are about as good as you will find anywhere, many villas have golf course views, or condo’s with views of the ocean or the closest swimming pool. Coming up this September 22-25 is Scotty Cameron Putter Golf Weekend, the package includes 3 nights, 3 rounds of golf and a new Scotty Cameron Putter for only $699 a player. This special is limited so to call on the Scotty package call (877)-567-6513 or PalmettoDunes.com/Scotty.

For information on other packages or visits call the number above or visit online PalmettoDunes.com.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS

  UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS GOLF COACH MIKE SMALL wins his 12th IPGA Section Championship, congrats Mike. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort just south of Pittsburgh should be added to your golf destination bucket list. 18 Pete Dye holes are now open for play, 18 new ones are on the way, opening summer of 2017. See Nemacolin.com.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on facebook, linkedin and twitter @GogBlogGuy. With “Big” Chief Nemacolin on the Mystic Rock Golf Club.

The fifth time is the charm for Todd Mitchell, who extends his record in the winning the Illinois State Amateur for the fifth time.

This was the 24th playing of the championship, and it was contested at the Flossmoor Country Club.

Defending champion Chadd Slutzky ended up in second place after being tied for the lead after each of the first two rounds.

The championship is played with golfers who are over the age of 25.

CDGA.org

“I haven’t won it in a while, so I kind of forgot how it felt,” said Mitchell. “It’s very nice, especially with the guys that were out here. Chadd Slutzky is a great player and Derek Meinhart is a great player. We all battled a tough wind and I held on with both hands to and got it done.”

It was the 38-year old Bloomington natives fifth victory in the championship, no other golfer has won the event more than twice.

Mitchells rounds were 70-72 and 71. Rain delayed tee times by over 2 1/2 hours on Tuesday. The championship will be played at the Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park next year.

Mitchells win was by 2 shots over Meinhard and Slutzky, and by 4 shots over Tim Sheppard.

  THE US OPEN VISITS Erin Hills in 2017, so get your tickets now before the run out, USGA.Org/tickets. Carnoustie fall Golfwear line is out. Carnoustiegolfwearonline.com.    _____________________________________________________________________

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Directer of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Mike Small holds the Kemper Cup as he wins the IPGA Section Championship for the 12th time.

In the Illinois PGA Section Championship there is no other player like University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small.

Small won the championship for the 12th time, with a 2 shot victory over Curtis Malm, Brian Brodell and Travis Johns.

Small finished at 10 under par, with the second place finishers all at 8 under par.

What was different this time at Olympia Fields for Small a member, was that he did not run a way with the title like in past years. Small had to fight back all day and win it, this one was no 7 or 8 shot runaway.

This time it was Curtis Malm’s title to win or lose and unfortunately for the head professional from the White Eagle Country Club in Naperville, he lost it. Leading most of the day, Malm saw Small make back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15 with the second birdie for the tie. With both players at 11 under par Malm was home in two on the par 4, 16th hole. Small on right side fringe, but he rolled his first putt up within two feet and made his par.

Malm left himself 4 feet and missed for a three-putt bogey. Now down 1 shot on 17 and with Small in the fairway, Malm pushed his drive right and saw it kick into the brush buy about 2 feet. While taking a stance and trying a practice swing, Malm’s hand got hooked on a sticker branch and it cut open the top of his hand.

Malm had to get a towel from his caddie to wipe away the blood, after electing to take a drop from an unplayable lie, Malm’s attempt to punch out hit a tree and deflected back into the brush about 50 yards closer to the green. Then after another drop he almost holed his approach from 85 yards. After missing a short putt, Malm made a triple bogey 7, and now 4 back with one hole to play Small pretty much had things locked up.

On 18 Small played it safe and had a short par putt lip out, to finish at 10 under par, while Malm hit driver off the deck and was almost on the par 5 hole in two shots. Malm pitched up for an easy birdie to tie Medinah teaching professional (Travis) John’s who would have had second place solo, but his birdie putt on 18 also lipped out. John’s bogeyed holes 1 & 2 and struggle to find his game most of the round. By the time he did down the stretch it was too late to put pressure on Small and Malm.

Click here to hear interviews from Mike Small and runner up Curtis Malm.

Mistwood’s Brian Brodell made a nice final round charge with 8 birdies, but admitted he never felt he had a chance to win starting the final round just too far back of players he knew would not back up. But like Johns and Malm, all three second place finishers qualified for the 2017 Club professional championship.

For Small being a three-time past champion in the Club Professional Championship, he is exempt into the field. Small won a first place check of $11,200 as the section championship continues to be a place for Small to build a retirement fund for himself.

Next years championship will be played at the Stonewall orchard Golf Club in Grayslake.

 THE US OPEN is coming to Erin Hills in June of 2017, tickets are still available at USGA.org. The Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington PA. 18 Pete Dye holes are open for play, and 18 more are on the way. Opening summer of 2017, nemacolin.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

    The Illinois PGA Section Championship is still playing Round 2, due to weather delays and wet conditions at Olympia Fields. Round 2 will resume play on Wednesday at 8:30 if no additional rain falls at OFCC. The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Olympia Fields and on Facebook, Linkedin and at Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

*Update-Round 2 final Malm -8 Johns -7 and Small -6 atop the leader board.

There have been no carts, and there has been lift clean and place rules in place. But over 10 inches of rain has fallen at Olympia Fields in the last 2 weeks, and grounds chief Sam MacKenzie and his crew have seen all the water they need to see.

White Eagle Country Club professional Curtis Malm is 6 under par but his second round is not complete, he is on the 17th tee box with two holes to play. Three groups back are the other co-leaders 11 time section champion Mike Small the University of Illinois golf coach, and Medinah teaching professional Travis Johns.

Small said the key to his play has been that he has Eagled the par 5, 10th hole in both rounds. But with defending champion Jim Billiter seven under par through 15 holes in round 2, he is only two shots back at 4 under par and the final round could be a shootout.

With the players having a chance to play lift clean and place, the very wet Olympia Fields South Course has been a little more birdie friendly. The real question is as the course dries out on Wednesday, will the set up be a little tougher. Malm suggested as much when he said “let’s move’m back and see what happens”.

Something I’m sure all the leaders will gladly take, especially Johns who is probably the longest hitter near the top of the leader board.

Click here to hear interviews with leaders Mike Small and then Curtis Malm.

Round 2 is now complete with the third round getting ready to start off of tee’s 1 & 10. For more details see IPGA.com.

  RORY SPEARS Sportswear shirt by Carnoustie Golf, see Carnoustiesportswear.com for details on the Fall 2016 line. The First Tee of Greater Chicagoland holds it’s annual Luke Donald taste of the First Tee fundraiser at Medinah Country Club on September 12th. Luke’s special guest is Rory McIlroy so tickets are going quickly. Visit the First Tee of Greater Chicagolands Wesbite or Social media pages to to acquire tickets today.         ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG, by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Welcome to Erin Hills, home of the 2017 U.S. Open.

They are back, the USGA returns to the Midwest in rare U.S. Open visit as the advance starts today at the Erin Hills Golf Club in Erin Wisconsin.

Erin Hills for some reason is the only U.S. Open site in the Midwest, during a span of 24 years.

The golf media are invited today for a press conference, and course and full facility tour. A great day to gather interviews and some course videos and or pictures.

I will post pictures and interviews this week here on the site, it should be an interesting day and I look forward to seeing what the Erin Hills staff and the USGA has to say. There are still is some limited tickets left on sale for the U.S. Open that will be played in the third week of June next year.

Erin Hills will close a little earlier this fall and not reopen for public play until after the U.S. Open is over in 2018, there are limited tee times and overnight rooms left for this year. See Erinhills.com for more information.

 The Illinois PGA Section Championship tee’s off today at the Olympia Fields Country Club in South Suburban Olympia Fields. Jim Billiter from the Merit Club is the defending Champion. Illinois golf coach Mike Small is bidding for his 12th section championship title. Players will be walking for round 1, due to heavy rains at Olympia Fields in recent days, and that cart paths do not go around the entire 18 holes.

Top finishers will qualify for the PGA PNC Championship in 2017, where the top 20 finishers in that championship get to play in the 2017 PGA Championship at the Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte. Mike Small is already exempt into the PNC as a past champion.

I HOPE THAT Chicago area golf fans will take the time to go see the Ryder Cup either at Cog Hill on Sept. 7th, or at the Cubs-Brewers game on September 16th at Wrigley Field. It’s small trophy but really neat to see in person. I’m sure those who saw it at Medinah 4 years ago found it interesting.

The 18th hole at Bethpage Black, home this past week’s Barclay’s Championship and PGA Tour Fed Ex Cup event.

The BARCLAY’s at Bethpage Black on Long Island in New York, was the home of this past week’s PGA Tour Fed Ex Cup Playoff event.

The first three rounds all looked pretty good for our local connections, but Sunday was not so good.

Winfield’s Kevin Streelman went backwards, so did Steve Stricker, Luke Donald and Streelman’s co-Wilson staffer Ricky Barnes. Here’s hoping they all advance to Boston next week and then the BMW Championship at Crooked Stick in Carmel Indiana.

GOLFER ON GOLF RADIO..it’s hard to believe that our 20th show of the season is in the books, and we have only two weeks left. It all ends on September 11th with our BMW Championship recap and our season recap, with a look at the year ahead. We hope you will joins us for our final two weeks. Sundays at 9 Am on AM 1240 WSBC.

If you haven’t had much of a chance to play, go do so. Labor Day weekend is a great chance to get out and get in at least one round of golf, maybe more.

I’m back with more this week, stay clicked in. RS

  NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT, in Farmington PA., who is Fat Bird (R), to find out see Nemacolin.com. 18 Pete Dye Holes Open for Play, 18 more on the way. #2017.  _____________________________________________________________________

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO Seated L-R Rory Spears & BIll Berger, Standing L-R Mike Munro & Ed Stevenson. 9 Am Sundays Am 1240.

Week #20 is on the card, and posted in the handicap computer. Special thanks to Ed Stevenson who tee’d it up with only half a voice.

Bill Berger and Rory Spears rounded out the threesome, as Mike Munro had the weekend off.

Val Russell, Publisher of Chicagoland Golf and Tim Clark the President of Wilson Golf joined the show this morning. The new September issue of Chicagoland Golf will coming out this week to golf courses and golf retail stores in the area. Wilson Golf will be launching a short-run series on the Golf Channel in October called “Driver vs Driver”, it’s a contest to design a new Driver for Wilson Golf, the winner or winning team will win $500,000. The driver will go on sale on Black Friday in time for the Christmas and Chanukah Rush.  Wilsongolf.com for more details.

   Marshall Mancillias (L) President of Carnoustie Golf Sportswear, and Golfers on Golf Editor Rory Spears show off Carnoustie Golf Products, including the new fall line. For more details, Carnoustiesportwearonline.com. More on Carnoustie golf coming up this week. Available at several Chicago area golf clubs and in Pennsylvania visit the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington.

cdga.org

The 24th CDGA Mid-Amateur takes place this week at the Flossmoor Country Club in Flossmoor. Chadd Slutzsky is the defending champion.

The championship is for those players 25 years of age and older.

The format is that the field will play 36 holes this Tuesday, and a cut will be made down to the remaining 35 players and ties, for a third round of 18 holes that will be played on Wednesday.

Wilson Golf’s Tim Clark, show’s off the Wilson DUO Golf Ball at the PGA Show in Orlando Florida.

The Luke Donald Taste of the First Tee will be held on Monday Sept. 12th starting at 5 PM at the Medinah Country Club.

Luke’s special guest this year is 4-Time major champion Rory McIlroy.

There are different levels of tickets and sponsorship’s, so contact the First Tee of Greater Chicagoland at the offices in Glenview at the Glen Club for more details. Come and enjoy great food and taste some of Luke’s custom designed wine.

Rydercup.com

Just in case you missed it.

The Ryder Cup trophy tour is on the move starting tomorrow morning on the Today Show on NBC.

The good news for Chicago area golfers is that there are two stops in the Chicago area, and a couple more stops in the Midwest.

First up right here in town is a stop on Sept. 7th at Cog Hill, contact Cog Hill for arrival time. On September 16th the trophy will visit the Cubs-Brewers game at Wrigley Field game time is 1:20 PM. On the 17th the trophy will visit Notre Dame Stadium for the Michigan State-Notre Dame football game.

On September 2nd the Ryder Cup will visit 2020 Ryder Cup site, Whistling Straits in Kohler/Haven Wisconsin. The Gog Blog Speaks Out, returns tomorrow. RS

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the Ryder Cup at the PGA Show.

The Ryder Cup that will be contested this Sept 30 and Oct. 1-2 at the Hazeltine Golf Club in Chaska Minnesota, is seeing it’s famed trophy begin a trophy-tour around the country.

That tour will make two stops in the Chicago area.

The first one will be on Sept. 7th at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont.

Stop #2 in Chicago will be at Wrigley Field in advance of a Cubs-Brewers game on September 16th. The next day the trophy heads over to Indiana and the game between Michigan State and Notre Dame, with the trophy on display at Notre Dame Stadium.

For more information on the tour, see Rydercup.com.