Golfers on Golf Radio
the blog between the broadcasts . . . with news and notes from Rory Spears
Spears on Golf
CHAPMAN LEADS SENIOR PGA BY 5 HEADED TO FINAL ROUND
THE HARBOR SHORES CLUBHOUSE, HOME OF THE 73RD SR. PGA
CHAMPIONSHIP, in Benton Harbor Michigan.
It looks like the Roger Chapman show at this point, as
Chapman has a five shot leaded heading into the final
round of the 73rd Senior PGA Championship.
Chapman took the Jack Nicklaus designed Golf Club
at Harbor Shores designed course, and crushed it
with a course tying record seven under par 64. That
record had been set the previous day. Eight birdies
and only one bogey summed up the day for Chapman.
Golf fans in America don't know Chapman because
he's been playing the European Tours over the years,
both the main tour and in later years the Euro-Senior
Tour.
Chapman also hasn't been winning, which is why he
is not a household name. His last win came back in
2000 in an event held in South America, part of title
of that championship was "The 500". Making it feel
like Chapman won an auto race.
It's not like Chapman hasn't had his chances. He
spoke after his round yesterday about being a
bridesmaid on some 16 occasions. He has lost
some events in playoffs, been the leader in the
clubhouse many times only to see other players
have amazing finishes to beat him on the last hole.
The Champions Tour players know him. John Cook
who is in second place five shots back says all of us
on this tour know Roger, we know how well he can
play. Cook is playing solid golf this weekend, and
doesn't count himself out of it yet. Cook had 16 pars
and two birdies in round three in route to a 69.
Steve Pate and and 66 year old Hale Irwin, sit lurking
seven shots back of Chapman tied for third place..
The leaders tee off today 12:35 Chicago time, or
1:35 over in Benton Harbor. NBC will show the final
round on TV this afternoon.
The Golf Club at Harbor Shores is a 90 minute drive
from downtown Chicago, and two hours from the far
Northwest Suburbs. The course is open to the public
for play and is operated by the Northbrook based
Kemper Sports Management.
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW WITH ROGER CHAPMAN:
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW WITH ROGER CHAPMAN:
Download | Duration: 00:04:15
THE PAR 4 8TH HOLE AT HARBOR SHORES, Lake Michigan can be
seen in the back of the photo..
seen in the back of the photo..
FORMER WGA PRESIDENT CEO DON JOHNSON DIES AT 77
DON JOHNSON
FORMER WGA PRESIDENT AND CEO
Don Johnson the former Western Golf Association President and CEO
passed away in his Lake Bluff home on Thursday night. Johnson was
77 years old.
His cause of death is unknown at this time, or is not being released
by his family.
When Johnson took over the WGA in 1988, the financial picture was
not strong. During his reign from 1988 until his retirement in 2009, he
helped build an endowment of 45 million dollars. Johnson also saw that
all 14 Evans Scholars homes on the campus of various colleges were
debt free.
Johnson helped secure scholarships for over 4,000 caddies during his
time as President/CEO.
"Don enjoyed a lifelong love of, and respect for the game of golf," said
John Kaczkowski current WGA/ESF president and CEO. " He was
dedicated to giving back to the game through his work with both our
scholarships and championships, and he clearly succeeded."
Johnson was introduced to the game of golf in his hometown of Racine
Wisconsin, learning on a nine-hole public course called Washington Park.
Within two years he was a caddy at Meadowbrook Country Club.
Memorials honoring Mr. Johnson may be made out to. ESF One Briar
Rd. Golf Illinois 60029. Or online at www.wgaesf.org.
A memorial service is being planned for early June.
MORE DETAILS AND REACTION AS WE GET IT...............
ILLINOIS MEDINAH PATRIOT DAY IS COMING UP FAST
MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB WILL HOST ILLINOIS/MEDINAH PATRIOT DAY
ON MAY 29TH.
FINAL DAYS TO ENTER..THE OUTING IS THIS COMING TUESDAY.
Several celebs are playing. Some top military brass on hand to award
the scholarships. Come say Thank You to those who keep us safe.
The big day is coming and it's coming soon. Less than one
week remains until it's tee-time at Medinah Country Club home
of the 39th Ryder Cup Matches later this fall.
Tuesday May 29th at Medinah is a big day too.The Illinois Patriot
Education Fund's third annual Medinah Patriot Day will be held
to raise money for Illinois Military Families in need. The event is
an opportunity to play Medinah courses No.1 or No.3 and have
a chance to compete in a Million Dollar Shootout hosted by AON
Corporation.
After golf is complete, a premium silent auction with gifts that do
include tickets to the Ryder Cup. Dinner with gourmet food will be
on the menu.The event is a great chance to network with golfers
and members of the military. 100% of the money raised remains
in the State of Illinois. The Illinois Patriot Education Fund is one
of the best ways to give back to our military families in need.
The event still has room for a few partnerships, including Title
Sponsor, Reception Sponsor, Caddie Sponsor. Title Sponsor
includes two foursomes on course No. 3. Other sponsors do
get one foursome on course No.3. Delta Dental has sponsored
the Driving Range, and Tour Edge has sponsored lunch.
Why participate. Why Not. Over 250 Illinois Citizens have lost
their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan, there are 580 Gold Star families
listed in Illinois. More than 1,400 Illinois Citizens have been
wounded in action. Only 15% of of families of wounded soldiers
qualify for Veterans Education Funds.
There are also opportunities to sponsor the event, and holes on
the golf courses (but that number is shrinking fast). The opportunity
to play Medinah's famed Course No.3 unfortunately is sold out.
For more information on Medinah Patriot Day which will be held
for the third straight year. Please contact the Illinois Patriot
Education Fund at 4064 N. Lincoln Ave. Suite 436 Chicago IL.
60618.
Additional information can be obtained from Sponsorship and
Tournament Coordinator Brian Tomkins (708)-250-0153. Golf
Committee Chairman Scott Grady (312)-607-3334. You do not
have to play golf to attend. It is possible to attend just the dinner,
or even just send a donation if you can not attend in person that
day.
Illinois/Medinah Patriot Day one of the great charity golf outings
that will be played all summer in the Chicago area. Time is starting
to run short, so sign up today. Over 140 golfers are expected to
attend.
SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SET TO TEE AT HARBOR SHORES
THE GOLF AT HARBOR SHORES NEW CLUBHOUSE
(Home of the 2012 Senior PGA Championship)
Championship golf returns to the state of Michigan, but just
right over the border from Indiana and around the Lake
Michigan bend from Chicago.
The Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor is more
than just a golf club. It's a facility that is helping to revive a
community. In areas that were garbage dumps we now
have a signature Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. It
hasn't been open long (2010) but it's already being tested
by the best senior professional players.
When the PGA of America awarded Harbor Shores the
2012 and 2014 Senior PGA Championships, the grass
had hardly even grown in. But the PGA had heard what
they needed to hear from Nicklaus,respected as the
greatest player the game has ever seen.
What hasn't hurt is the sponsorship from an area company
Kitchen-Aid that also owns Whirlpool brands. The company
has become very involved in golf, and that has proved to
be beneficial to everyone.
JACK NICKLAUS TOOK AN ACTIVE ROLE DURING
THE DESIGN PHASE AT HARBOR SHORES
The 2012 Senior PGA Championship plans on doing things
right the first time. Just because it's a new venue in terms of
hosting a championship, this is not a test run for 2014 says
championship director Jeff Hintz.
One thing that is disappointing about this years championship,
was that defending champion Tom Watson was forced to
withdraw over the weekend. Watson is still suffering from a
pinched nerve in his wrist. Watson will be on site this week
to address the media and attend a champions dinner.
Nicklaus will be on hand Tuesday to hold a press conference,
and then present a clinic in the late afternoon. There is already
a plaque on the 10th tee, about one of the greatest putts ever
made by the "Golden Bear". Nicklaus made a putt of just over
100 feet from the bottom tier of a three-level green, that was
recorded for TV at the Champions for Change event. The
show was aired prior to a 2011 Masters broadcast on CBS.
The field for this event is still great even without Watson, among
the players competing are: Fred Couples, Peter Jacobsen,
Andy North, Fred Funk, Tom Wargo, Chip Beck and Jeff Sluman.
THE PAR 4 8TH HOLE AT HARBOR SHORES
The golf course will provide plenty of challenges for the players,
especially with the different looks that Harbor Shores has.
Around the first hole is where an old factory once stood, there
is now some trees around the creek and wetlands to avoid.
After a few holes that wind through a new parkway with some
of the new homes that have been built. The course does move
across the street into Jean Klauk Park, where three beautiful
holes move in close to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Wind will be a factor here as it comes off the lake. The par 4,
7th hole will draw a lot of conversation from the players. It's a
scenic hole from the top of the dunes near the green. But from
the fairway up to the small green, is like hitting a ball from the
front yard and landing it on the roof of three story building.
The 8th hole runs along the shoreline from tee to green, with
the par 5, 9th hole heading back inland from the elevated tee
box. A wind off the lake could help the players find the way
home in two shots.
After taking the path to the par 5 10th hole, the golfers enter
a stretch of a few holes that give that Northern Michigan feel
with trees on both sides of the holes. Starting at hole 14 and
in, the wetlands return forcing golfers to be especially careful
off the tee. The par 5, 15th hole is another great example of
Nicklaus using the angled creek to give the golfer a risk-reward
factor. Either go for the green in two or layup.
Nicklaus and his team have made the greens in some places
very undulated, to make up for the lack off distance. The golf
course plays just under 6,900 yards from the championship
tees. Putting could be an adventure on some holes, even for
these top players.
TO HEAR RORY'S INTERVIEW WITH CHAMPIONSHIP
DIRECTOR JEFF HINTZ CLICK HERE:
Download | Duration: 00:10:39
For more information on the 2012 Senior PGA Championship
at Harbor Shores, visit PGA.com. Harbor Shores is located
on south end of Benton Harbor near St. Joseph Michigan.
THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, RANTS, RAVES AND MORE
THE GOG BLOG VISITED MERION GC
DURING THE PHILLY TRIP LAST WEEK
(photo courtesy of John Capers/Wayne Morrison)
HE'S BACK !!!....Yes I survived the Philadelphia trip and the
story on that will appear in the short term. I'm sure the golf
architect buffs will enjoy what I found.
A special Thanks You to John Capers Merion GC Historian
and Merion member and famous architect William S. Flynn
expert Wayne Morrison for being so helpful in my recent visit.
I'll have more in the Philly story, and right after the final putt
drops at the 2012 U.S. Open at the Olympic Club. It will be
Merions turn to be on the clock, as the club will host the
2013 U.S. Open. A place many folks thought the open
would never be able to return to. My interview with 2013
U.S. Open Chairman Rick Ill (pron:Rick ILL) will give some
great incite about what many think will be one of the most
special U.S. Opens in years will run about June 12th.
HOW ABOUT JASON DUFNER..he has won again this
time in Texas at the Byron Nelson Classic. The former
winner on the Nationwide Tour at the Glen Club, looks
like somebody ready to try and win at Medinah this fall
as part of TEAM USA. Dufner is also wearing spikes
made by Champs, he is using the ProStinger model a
product I featured here on the Gog Blog a few stories ago.
THE GREENBRIER RESORT..I love the place and the
Greenbrier Classic, played on a classic C.B. Macdonald/
Seth Raynor designed course Old White. But what is
the marketing department thinking.
Since the resort made the mistake in letting go of longtime
PR whiz Lynn Swann (she's female and not the former Steelers
receiver), the promotion department is hurting.
I actually received an email on "How the Greenbrier Classic
just got better", it said that Tiger Woods had committed to
play. No word yet on if the release was put together by
by Dan Hicks PR, or the ESPN crawl people.
THE ESPN CRAWL..made my skin crawl when under golf
on the Sunday night after the Players Championship. It said
Matt Kuchar wins -12, Tiger 10 back. That's the best you got
ESPN, a so-called world leader in sports. Ahhh-NO your not.
CANTIGNY GOLF..is re-opening the Woodside Nine this May
25th, after a renovation to the par 5 second hole. The new
bunkers and improved visibility should make this hole a good
one.
OTHER RE-OPENINGS...Mistwood coming this weekend so
it appears. Arrowhead has opened the South Nine as of April
28. Settlers Hill is now open. Even Erin Hills in Wisconsin is
now open. Everyone is open, no excuse now not to Go Play.
TOURNAMENT GOLF SEASON IS HERE..an this is really
tees off golf season. The CDGA Mid-Am has a winner, the
Illinois PGA first major of the year is in the books. Congrats
to Curtis Malm on winning another IPGA major, the Match Play
Championship at Kemper Lakes.
KOHLER AND THE USGA..bring in the media this Tuesday
for media day at Blackwolf Run. The Senior PGA Championship
tees off this week at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor. The
Golden Bear Jack Nicklaus himself is on hand at his design on
Tuesday to to talk with the press and host a clinic. My story
on the championship and interview with Tournament Director
Jeff Hintz runs this week.
2011 U.S. WOMENS OPEN CHAMPION
SO YEON RYU
Begins here title defense on Tuesday with media day at
Blackwolf Run in Kohler Wisconsin. 1998 U.S. Womens
Open Champion Se Ri Pak will join Ryu on the course
for a sneak peek on Tuesday.
RORY SPEARS ADD'S A PODCAST FROM THE INN ON
WOODLAKE IN KOHLER WISCONSIN. SETTING THE SCENE
FOR MEDIA DAY FOR THE 2102 US WOMENS OPEN MEDIA
DAY.
Download | Duration: 00:03:36
A RAVE..goes out to Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small and his
Fighting Illini squad, off to their 5th straight national championship
tournament. Lead by Thomas Pieters and Luke Guthrie the Illini
have a great shot to be right there for the national title.
A RAVE..goes out to the courses that are lowering rates and
or finding other deals to get golfers back on the golf course.
THE CRYSTAL LAKE GOLF LEARNING CENTER..is now the
Fore Seasons Golf Learning Center. It's under new management
run by GM Eric Pelfresne, stop in and tell him I sent you. It's
across the street from Prairie Isle GC on RT.176. Improvements
are starting to happen. Visit them on Twitter.
Time for us all to hit the links, make time, take the kids your
wife or husband. It's never too late to start playing.
GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO hopes to make the announcement
of it's new home and time later this week. Stay tuned.
THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, is written by RORY SPEARS.
THE GOG BLOGS SUNDAY MORNING SHORT GAME
THE NEW CLUBHOUSE AT THE GOLF CLUB AT HARBOR SHORES,
BENTON HARBOR MI. HOME OF THE 2012 SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
The 73rd Senior PGA Championship tees off this week at The Golf
Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor Michigan. The course is
designed by Jack Nicklaus, who will hold a press conference and
be part of a clinic this coming Tuesday.
If you still wish to buy tickets for this event, and there is a package
where if you do purchase Senior PGA Championship tickets. You
can also buy Ryder Cup tickets for Medinah this September as well.
Visit PGA.com for more information.
TOM WATSON..the defending champion in the Senior PGA, has
withdrawn as of yesterday. Watson has a pinched nerve in his wrist
that has not healed well enough to play. He will speak to the media
and attend the past champions dinner this week on site at the
championship.
In the field from Illinois are. Jeff Sluman, Chip Beck, Billy Rosina,
and Tom Wargo. Other top players include, Fred Couples, Kenny
Perry, Brad Faxon, Andy North, Bob Tway,Peter Jacobsen,Craig
Stadler, Fred Funk and more.
ILLINOIS ADVANCES TO NCAA NATIONALS FOR 5TH STRAIGHT TIME
MIKE SMALL..and the Fighting Illini have advanced to the NCAA National
Tournament for the fifth straight year, joining an elite group of only five
schools to do so.
The Illini lead by Thomas Pieters who finished second overall, finished
in third place at the Norman Oklahoma Regional. The top five schools
advanced to the nationals May 29-June 3 at Riviera Country Club in
Pacific Palisades California. Senior Luke Guthrie was tied for 7th place.
"I am so proud of these guys," Small said. "It is quite an accomplishment
to make the five in a row, which really shows how we are building a
program and not just a team. It was survival day and adversity hit us
early, but we persevered again and had a strong showing."
ILLINOIS PATRIOT DAY IS COMING UP..TUESDAY MAY 29TH AT
MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB. Come and support our Illinois Military
Families.
We are now down to 9 days, it's time to sign up if you have not already
done so. www.illinoispatriotday.com. Or please call Brian Tomkins at
(708)-250-0153.
Tournament Director and Executive Director Mark Slaby does wish
to pass along that, opportunities to play Course # 3 that day are sold
out. But still welcomes golfers to play course # 1 and enjoy the day
and lunch/auction. There will be chances to bid on Ryder Cup tickets
at the auction.
www.cantignygolf.com or call (630)-260-8218.
CANTIGNY TO REOPEN WOODSIDE 9 THIS WEEK MAY 25...
The Woodside Nine was closed last October to make way for the
reconstruction of Woodside hole No. 2. This was done because
od the serious erosion along the banks of the creek running
through the hole. The hole has has the the areas in question
stabilized and planted with grasses and native wetland species
to hold the soil in place.
Canitgny also wanted to improve the sightlines and playability
of the hole named "Double Jeopardy". Now with the fairway
completely recontoured, golfers can see the the hole from tee
to green. Trouble areas are clearly visible, there will be no more
blind second shot.
"We made a good hole even better, " said Mike Nass, Cantigny
Golf Executive Director. "It was a hard decision to take Woodside
out of play for so long but we think our customers will agree that
the improvements were worth the wait. For fairness and playability
this is a huge step forward."
There are also two new bunkers on the hole. One in the fairway
and one by the green. There has been a new shelter added in
the new pump house by the green, in case of inclement weather.
Design work was handled by Rick Jacobson Golf Design based
in Libertyville.
TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY OF THE DUPAGE COUNTY..junior
golf classic at Oak Meadows in Addison. Come out and watch
the kids play this afternoon, several hundred are playing. For
more information call Oak Meadows at (630)-595-0071. Oak
Meadows is also hosting a Ryder Cup Youth Skills challenge
qualifier on June 2nd.
OKAY..WHO TOOK IT..somebody broke into the USGA Museum
in Far Hills NJ, and stole the U.S. Amateur Trophy. ( A retired one)
and things from the Ben Hogan exhibit. Keep your eyes open
on EBAY folks.
SETTLERS HILL IN BATAVIA..is finally open. They are running
specials. Call (630)-232-1636. The Waste Management work is
finally complete.
THE 20TH CDGA MID-AM..was won by Kyle Nathan of Chicago,
at Flossmoor CC. Nathan finished at +5 one shot ahead of Glen
Przybyski of Frankfort.
SPECIAL RATES ON GOLF AT KOHLER...in honor of the U.S.
Womens Open. Through July 8, call (800)-344-2838 or please
visit www.americanclub.com. Special rates apply to the Meadow
Valley, River, and Irish Course only.
RAVISLOE COUNTRY CLUB..now has the outdoor bar open. Plus
new rates for 2012. Tuesday is Seniors Day. Golfweek Magazine
rates the Donald Ross design Ravisloe the # 14 public course in
Illinois. Call(708)-798-5600 for more information or please visit the
website www.ravisloecountryclub.com.
THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW..with our Gog Blog
Speaks out Column..until then GO PLAY.
CURTIS MALM WINS IPGA MATCH PLAY AT KEMPER LAKES
CURTIS MALM WINNER OF THE 2012
IPGA MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
(photo courtesy of IPGA)
Curtis Malm of the St.Charles Country Club defeated Rich Dukelow
2 UP to win the 2012 Illinois PGA Match Play Championship at
Kemper Lakes.
It took Malm all the way to the last hole to win the championship,
and he pulled off quite a rally to do it. Dukelow of Cantigny Golf
and the 2011 IPGA Player of the year, looked ready to win his
second straight major after winning the IPGA Players Championship
last October.
"Match play at Kemper Lakes is always a ride, " Malm said. "I love
this place. It's a great championship golf course. I won five of the
last six holes and that's just the way it goes out here sometimes."
Dukelow lead Malm 3 UP with only six holes to play, before Malm
turned it on and won five of the last six holes to win the title. Malm
had to get up and down for par on the par 4 18th hole to win the
title.
For Dukelow it was his second straight trip to the match play finals
before going down to defeat. Last year Dukelow lost to champion
Jim Sobb. This year Sobb was not able to defend his title, after
losing in round 3 to Doug Bauman 5 & 4.
The Semi-finals saw Dukelow defeat Kevin Marion of Old Elm by a
score of 5 & 3, while the ohter semi-final match had Malm defeating
the 2010 match play champion Travis Johns from Twin Lakes 3 & 2.
Next up on the major schedule for the seniors is the IPGA Senior
Match Play at Shoreacres from May 29-31. Jim Sobb is defending
champion. The Illinois Open at the Glen Club July 16-18 is the next
major for all players.
For a full recap of all matches in the 2012 IPGA Match Play, please
visit www.ipga.com.
HEARNS RETURN RAISES MISTWOOD TO NEW HEIGHTS
SOD LAYERED POT BUNKERS GIVE MISTWOOD A NEW LOOK
The project is not even done yet, but the excitement is starting to
build around the changes at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.
Credit owner Jim McWethy for deciding to fix up Mistwood in a
first class manor for golfers everywhere to come and enjoy. He
didn't decide to wait for the economy to "get better" McWethy
just made the call the time was right to take his club to a new
level.
McWethy also made the call to the right architect for the project,
when he recalled Michigan based architect Ray Hearn to come
back and renovate one of his old projects.
Under the original ownership group, Hearn didn't get to finish the
course the way he wanted to. Now he gets his chance and he
couldn't be happier, Hearn wastes no time telling anyone who
asks what a great owner and client McWethy is.
The plan is to reopen the golf course on June 1st and it looks
like they just might make it. The course changes will make things
interesting when the Phil Kosin Illinois Womens Open returns
this summer. McWethy also makes it clear that he does want
some other tournaments besides the IWO at some point in the
future.
Mistwood should open on June 1st, but the course and it's fescue
will be growing in all summer. By fall the course should look great,
but don't wait that long to go try out Mistwood. Golfers you will
want to go play it when it's nice and warm out this summer.
THE NEW 3RD HOLE AT MISTWOOD, A HALF ISLAND GREEN
What really jumps out to the golfers that will play Mistwood, is
the new sod faced bunkers. Hearn installed 19 of them, they look
really neat but you will not want to hit out of them. The first place
you see them is in the fairway of the second hole. Long hitters
might encounter them off the tee.
Hearn scattered the rest of the new bunkers around the course,
the 12th hole has a few more of them. Including one deep one
right in front of the green. There is one hidden back left of the
9th green, but you will see it on the way to the first tee. So put
it in the back of your mind for later.
The golf course is not the only change to Mistwood. Work has
just started on the new learning center, which is expected to
open around Labor Day weekend. Then finally the new clubhouse
will be built. Both the learning center and the clubhouse will have
that Scottish/Irish club feel to it.
Look for Mistwood to become one of the highest rated public
courses in the Chicagoland area, it's that good.
McWethy didn't just stop with just improving Mistwood, he also
went down the road to Bolingbrook and bought the Ditka Dome.
Improvements are happening and that facility will reopen soon.
In the meantime go play Mistwood, you will be glad you did.
TO HEAR RORY'S INTERVIEW WITH JIM MCWETHY AND
RAY HEARN CLICK HERE:
Download | Duration: 00:17:20
For more information on Mistwood Call (815)-254-3333 or visit
online www.mistwoodgolf.net.
THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, RANTS RAVES AND MORE
THE TROPHY ROOM AT MERION HOME OF THE
2013 U.S. OPEN, Ardmore PA.
THE GOG BLOG HITS THE HIGHWAY....our second trip out
east this 2012 year and it should be a good one.
It starts at the The Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor
for The PGA of America's PGA Golf America Day this Saturday,
followed up by a trip to Pennsylvania and some great historic
clubs.
Harbor Shores a Jack Nicklaus signature design course is
getting ready to host the Senior PGA Championship May 22-27.
Tom Watson is defending champion.More on Harbor Shores
by the end of next weekend.
The William S. Flynn designed Lancaster CC home of the 2015
U.S. Womens Open is stop #1. Then it's onto Philly and places
like Merion, Huntington Valley and the Philadelphia Cricket Club
Wissahickon Course a 1920 A.W. Tillinghast course that Keith
Foster will renovate in 2013. I'll have more for all you architect
buffs upon my return.
Just because I'm on road the Gog Blog will be busy this week,
check out out preview of the first Illinois PGA major championship
of 2012, the IPGA Match Play Championship at Kemper Lakes.
Jim Sobb of Ivanhoe CC is defending champion. Speaking of
Kemper Lakes, rumor has it the club is about to announce a great
new membership deal if anyone might be interested in joining the
club. Stay tuned for details.
Later in the week, I'll have a look at Mistwood that is ready to
reopen after a Ray Hearn renovation., and a recap of the IPGA
match play.
IT'S MOTHERS DAY..Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's and
if your a golfing mom there are deals for you everywhere today.
From Cog Hill to Shepherds Crook, all the Golfvisions courses.
There are other specials that can golfers can take advantage of
that will alow you to treat mom to great golf at the Dupage County
Forest Preserve District Courses, like Oak, Maple and Green
Meadows.
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP IS ON..check out final round
action this afternoon on NBC. Watch players try to steady their
nerves when they hit the island green par 3 17th hole. SPLASH!!
went the golf ball and somewhere Pete Dye is laughing.
Tiger is off to a slow start. The Golf Channel went on and on just
breaking down his poor swing after round one. Yawnzzzzzzzz.
TGC tells us more about the good players PLEASE.
THE CGDA MID-AM...tee's off this Tuesday and Wednesday at
Floosmoor, three time defending champion Todd Mitchell of
Bloomington leads the field of 79 players. Good Luck guys.
THE WEATHER IS GETTING BETTER..follow my lead here and
GO PLAY..you will be glad you did.
More coming soon on the return of Golfers on Golf Radio...stay
tuned.
THANKS..GOG BLOG GUY...RORY SPEARS
THE 2012 RYDER CUP AT MEDINAH..POINT STANDINGS
MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB WILL HOST THE 2012 RYDER CUP
With the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah now less than five months away,
the Gog Blog will start to keep everyone informed as to who is likely
to make both the European and United States Ryder Cup Teams. So
please keep it here for updates.
Heading into this weeks Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass the
U.S. point standings look like this.
1. Bubba Watson 4,798.395
2. Phil Mickelson 3,793.749
3. Hunter Mahan 3,347.102
4. Keegan Bradley 3,111.492
5. Jason Duffner 2,855.087
6. Steve Stricker 2,291.246
7. Rickie Fowler 2,238.459
8. Tiger Woods 2,173.667
The above eight players would automatically make the team if the point
race ended now. Captain Davis Love III will take the top eight players with
earned points. Then he will make four captains picks to round out the
team of 12 players. Other standings,
9. Brandt Snedeker 2,145.857
10. Bill Haas 2,106.071
11. Kyle Stanley 2,037.457
12. Johnson Wagner 2,027.401
13. Mark Wilson 1,998.593
14. Matt Kuchar 1,866.930
15.Kevin Na 1,573.287
16. Webb Simpson 1,541.466
17. Dustin Johnson 1,538.402
18. Robert Garrigus 1,522.979
19. Ben Curtis 1,498.605
20. Ben Crane 1,496.281
21. Jim Furyk 1,493.147
22. Zach Johnson 1,456.626
23.D.A. Points 1,454.533
24.John Huh 1,402.580
25. Bo Van Pelt 1,382.276
THE EUROPEAN TEAM..Captain Jose Maria Olazabal.
Five players make the team through Ryder Cup earned points.
They are currently: Rory McIlroy NIR, Peter Hanson SWE,
Martin Kaymer GER, Justin Rose ENG, Paul Lawrie SCO.
Five players make the team via European Team World points
They are currently: Luke Donald ENG, Lee Westwood ENG,
Graeme McDowell NIR, Sergio Garcia ESP, Gonzalo Fdez-
Castano ESP.
Two players will be captains picks by Olazabal. Leading players
to be captains picks by Olazabal at this time should they not
move up as automatic selctions are. Francesco Molinari ITA,
Ian Poulter ENG, Miguel Angel-Jimenez ESP, Alvaro Quiros
ESP.
The point races end for Team USA at the PGA Championship
August 12th at Kiawah. For the European team at the Johnnie
Walker Championship August 27th at Gleneagles.