WELCOME TO 2010, THE NEW DECADE AND NEW YEAR IS HERE..I hope you are ready
for a new golf season.

The PGA Tour at Kapalua is coming up in just a few days. there is nothing better than beautiful
Maui this time of year. If you are looking for a better game this year, here's hoping you find it. If
2009 ended with you playing your best golf, I hope that level of play comes back to you in short
form in 2010.

For 2010 golf should be as interesting as ever. Maybe just maybe golf fans will learn more about
golf and the best players in the world, because one player will take some time away from the sport.

That player Tiger Woods is being dumped left and right by companies, that can now be called his
past sponsors. Accenture, Gillette, Tag Hauer, Golf Digest and now AT & T have bailed on Woods.
Either in full or in part. Woods will not be hosting his 4th of July PGA Tour either, the AT & T event
will played in Pennsylvania this year and next at Arronimink G.C., just without Woods as host.
Whenever the AT & T does return to Congressional after hosting the 2011 US Open, the members
would be happy if Woods doesn't return with the tournament.

First off the bulk of the membership doesn't want the event anyway, second of all they don't want
changes made to the golf course that come from Woods, not the USGA in advance of the open.
Bottom line, trees and bunkers should not be taken out because Tiger Woods hit's them or lands
in them. What will happen to golf in 2010 without Woods if he takes the year off, not much different
than what would happen if he played his full schedule. Other than a couple of guys win some tour
events, or maybe even a major if Woods is not present.

Regardless of what Woods does, enjoy the golf you play or watch played on your TV set. That's
what really matters anyway.

Currently with winter upon us, I have been recommending golf at indoor domes. Especially the White
Pines Golf Dome (WPGD) in Bensenville, owned and operated by our good friend from Golfers on
Golf Mike Munro. That being said, the White Pines Golf Dome is making some news that it really
doesn't need.

A person named Kaywin Hardman of Melrose Park, claims last Valentines Day (2009) that he fell from
the upper hitting level. As a result, he has filed a lawsuit against the WPGD and the manufacturer of the
dome. Hardman is seeking at least 50,000 for injuries he sustained in the fall. What those injuries are
are not clear. Hopefully this suit will be settled quickly and to everyones satisfaction.

JANUARY 3rd IS THE 46TH ANNUAL ESKIMO OPEN. The E-O will played from 7 AM to 1 PM at Cog
Hill in Lemont. Cost is $42 dollars for golf, chili and a hot drink.

THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP will be played again at Cog Hill this September, as part of the FED EX CUP
PLAYOFFS. The only question remaining is will the BMW be played there in 2013-2014. While BMW
has renewed it's contract with the PGA Tour, and the Western Golf Association (WGA). The event still
has no home for those years. As everyone knows money talks, and the 2008 BMW in St. Louis helped the
WGA and Evans Scholars (ES) receive 3.3 million dollars. The 2009 BMW at Cog Hill saw a check to WGA
and ES, in the amount of 1.6 million.

So who is the mix for the 2013 and 2014 BMW Championship. That's the big question. Sources close to
Bellerive C.C. in St. Louis say, the club is thinking major championship for it's next event. Not a PGA Tour
event. In 2012 Crooked Stick will host the BMW, do they want another ? Maybe, just not right away. Since
Crooked Stick hasn't had it's first BMW yet, it's hard for them to say they want another. But look for them to
have the door open in 2014.

The good folks at the Northbrook based Kemper Sports Management group, might be in the mix with a
couple of clubs they manage. In the local Chicago area, the Glenclub is a possibility. On the west coast,
Harding Park in San Francisco has been promised a few more events via a deal with the PGA Tour. 2010
should yield answers to these questions.

LIBERTYVILLE BASED GOLF ARCHITECT RICK JACOBSEN... has opened his first 18 hole Championship
course in China. The Moon Course at Lion Lake Resort is now open. The Resort is adding another 18
holes, that course will also be a Jacobsen design. Jacobsen has other course projects under construction
currently in China. Chicago area golfers are also encouraged to visit Jacobsen's new course in the Elgin
area called Bowes Creek, which opened for a few weekends in fall of 2009. 

PETE DYE"S NEW CLASSIC COURSE IN FRENCH LICK INDIANA, is getting plenty of awards in the Best
New Course category. First up was Golf Digest, then Golf Magazine followed. In between Golfweek named
the course, 7th Best New Course on it's 2009 list that included 50 courses. For more information on
the French Lick Resort, visit this website and see the story called, Pete Dye the newest star in French Lick.

AMERICA'S RESORT THE GREENBRIER..is offering a Winter Escape Package available now. The Greenbrier
is located in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia. A casino is now open along with a new restaurant that
is a tribute to area resident basketball great Jerry West. For more information visit the resorts website at
info@greenbrier.com

THE CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION, is currently renewing it's members for the 2010 golf season.
People renewing by Jan. 4th 2010, can win Blackhawks tickets, or gift certificates to Eagle Ridge Resort and
Spa, and Dick's Sporting Goods stores. You can renew at My CDGA Caddy at www.cdga.org

FOREST DUNES GOLF CLUB.. in Roscommon Michigan, named the number one public golf course in America
by Golf World Magazine,has retained Resort and Golf Marketing as it's marketing and public relations firm. If you
have never played Forest Dunes,  it's about an hour south of the Gaylord Michigan area. You will be glad you did.

THAT'S IT FOR THIS MONTH, GOG WILL BE BACK SOON WITH MORE STORIES THIS MONTH. HAPPY NEW YEAR
GOLFERS...FROM RORY SPEARS-MIKE MUNRO-ED STEVENSON-BILL BERGER, CHICAGO 'S FAVORITE
FOURSOME AND THE "GOLFERS ON GOLF" STAFF.