HALL OF FAME COURSE DESIGNER PETE DYE AND GOG BLOG AUTHOR RORY SPEARS,
  IN THE PRO SHOP AT THE PETE DYE COURSE AT FRENCH LICK RESORT HOME OF THE 2010 PPNC

IT WAS A COLD windy and misty day at the best new midwest golf destination, the French Lick Resort and
Casino in southern Indiana earlier this week.

But that didn't stop Pete Dye, the PGA of America and the folks at French Lick Resort and Casino from putting
on, an outstanding media day for this years PGA Professional National Championship (PPNC). The PPNC 
championship will be held June 27-30, with the top 20 finishers heading off to Haven Wisconsin for the 92nd
PGA Championship. Held at Kohler Companies Pete Dye designed Whistling Straits links-style walking only
golf course, that boarders right up to the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

In attendance for media day, were several members of last years victorious PGA Cup team that traveled to
Loch Lomond to win the cup. Including PPNC defending champion Mike Small whose day job is leading the
Fighting Illini golf team as their head coach. Last years PPNC runner up Mark Sheftic a professional from the
historic Merion G.C.,was also on hand. Small and Sheftic who were teammates and partners on the PGA Cup
team are expected to be among the favorites at the PPNC this year.

The PPNC will be held over both of French Licks courses, the Pete Dye Course and the renovated classic
Donald Ross Course built in 1917. The Ross Course hosted the 1924 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen.
The Dye Course was named Best New Course of 2009 by three major golf publications, while another had it in
the Top 10 of the 50 best new courses.

In the press conference Ted Bishop the Secretary of the PGA was asked about this event being a test run for
future PGA events to possibly be held at the FLRC. Bishop didn't deny the possibility, but wouldn't speak for
PGA Tournament Director Kerry Haigh.

BUT...LIKE AT KOHLER..where the PGA of America and the United States Golf Association (USGA),
turned Whistling Straits into battle ground, won by the PGA who announced three PGA Championships
(2004-2010-2015) and a Ryder Cup (2020) into Haven before the USGA could put a U.S. Senior Open (2007)
on the property. Will the USGA come and make a run at the French Lick Courses too ?

MAYBE SO..sources tell the GOG BLOG that no sooner was the PGA out of French Lick from PPNC media
day, that the USGA was coming to town for a sneak peek of their own. And it wasn't to see Larry Bird's
childhood home.

THE LPGA..also made a visit to French Lick under previous Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, who scouted
the Ross course as a potential site for the LPGA Championship. One must wonder if the new regime will
still explore the resort as a potential major location.

DYE..also had a little fun during the media session by jokingly saying that "since Herb Kohler wasn't there"
that his French Lick design was better than Whistling Straits. Or was Dye joking. June 7th is media day at
Whistling Straits and with Kohler present someone (wonder who), will have to ask Dye that question again.

THE PPNC AT FLRC..say that ten times fast, is a great opportunity for golf fans to enjoy a great golf event,
at a great price. FREE..that's right admission and parking are both FREE.

One of the perks for winning the PPNC, is getting to play in several PGA Tour events the following year. Small
has already played in an event in Mexico this year, picking up a check for over 54,000. Small announced he
will also compete at Memphis, The John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in the Quad Cities in July, Turning
Stone, Reno, Las Vegas and at The Walt Disney Classic.

FREE IS ALSO THE COST..of bringing up to four juniors to the PGA Championship with a paid adult admission. 
A family of six can come to a practice round (Mon-Wens) of tournament week starting at just $60 dollars.
Spectators can bring cameras on those days, which are also the best days to get players autographs. For
Information on tickets www.PGA2010.com or call 1-800-PGA-GOLF.

REMINDER..THE ORIGINAL BLACKWOLF RUN LAYOUT AT KOHLER, that consists of holes from both the River
Course and the Meadow Valley Course is open this year. The course which was named best new public course
in 1988, then hosted the 1998 U.S. Women's Open and will host the 2012 U.S. Women's Open, is having some
renovations done. As a result the championship layout is in play this summer, take advantage of it. For more
information call (920)-344-2838. www.destinationkohler.com. 

THE USGA WILL ANNOUNCE..the future site winner of the 2017 U.S. Open at this years U.S. Open at Pebble
Beach on Wednesday June 16th, during the state of the USGA press conference. Finalists are Frank Jemsek
and family at Cog Hill here in Lemont, Erin Hills just northwest of Milwaukee, and a third choice is rumored to
be Oakland Hills just northwest of Detroit. Just 47 days left to keep your fingers crossed Frank, good luck. In
addition get well wishes to Frank Jemsek who is still on the mend from knee surgery over the winter months.

ANOTHER AREA COURSE IS HOPING FOR GOOD NEWS THAT WEEK FROM THE USGA, that would be
Olympia Fields C.C. which is hoping to land the 2015 U.S. Amateur. 2015 is the 100th anniversary for OFCC.

THE ILLINOIS WOMEN'S OPEN LIVES ON..for it's 16th season this July 22-24 at Mistwood G.C. in Romeoville.
There were questions about it's future after tournament founder and director Phil Kosin passed away last
summer. Visanu Tongwarin the Head Professional at Mistwood becomes Tournament Director. Mistwood
Director of Golf Dan Phillips says the course is glad to have the event back. The trophy awarded to the winner
will now be named the Phil Kosin Trophy. Rightfully so.

ONE OF OUR GOG BLOG FEATURES EARLIER THIS YEAR, was the new-look Harvester G.C. in Rhodes
Iowa. Just northeast of Des Moines. Iowa's #1 course rated in America's Greatest Modern Top 100
(Golfweek Magazine), was unsure of it's opening date for 2010 because of fall renovations by original
architect Keith Foster. Good news the changes came in quickly, that allowed the Harvester to open in April
and the course is in great shape says Head Professional John Haberman. Top green fees under $100.
For more information www.harvestergolf.com. (641)-227-4653.

THE NEW JACK NICKLAUS DESIGNED HARBOR SHORES G.C. located in Benton Harbor Michigan only 90
minutes from downtown Chicago, will open fully by June 30th. The folks at Harbor Shores tell us that they hope
to open a little earlier than the 30th so stay tuned. Last fall the course opened 10 holes for limited weekend play. 

NICKLAUS THE GOLDEN BEAR WILL BE JOINED BY THE KING ARNOLD PALMER, for a special grand
opening day on Tuesday August 10th starting around 9 AM. Two other legends of golf (TBD) are expected to
join Jack and Arnie for a game of 18 holes that day. Harbor Shores which has three holes that give the players
some Lake Michigan views,is run by Northbrook based Kemper Sports Management. For information on
Harbor Shores  www.harborshoresresort.com.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP...or even if you are not. Another Jack Nicklaus design
is open for play with some great deals. The Bull at Pinehurst Farms just south of Kohler (920)-467-1500.
www.golfthebull.com. Time is running out for PGA week specials. The Bull offers  specials or unlimited May
play, free 10 minute golf lessons, and other early May deals. Check out the Mothers Day brunch at The Bull,
for only $22.95 for adults and 12.50 for kids 6-14. www.shopthebull.com.

FROM THE WORLD OF TITLELIST...the leading designer of custom made putters Scotty Cameron has
released two new versions of older models. The Laguna and the Kombi-S. www.scottycameron.com. Titlelist
has also sold off sister company Cobra, to Puma athletics. Titlelist will continue to handle service work on
Cobra products through most of the summer of 2010.

TITLELIST THE NUMBER ONE BALL IN GOLF...also wants to put you into the proper Titlelist golf ball. Titlelist
sales reps, will appear at at least 15 Chicago area locations (TBA-stay tuned) to do ball fittings. It's expected
that all who participate will get a comp two-pack of Titlelists, that best fit your swing and or game. I think my
game needs Pro-V1x's and I will have to go to at least 12 of these fittings.

CALLAWAY GOLF HAS TEAMED UP WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, to give the long ball hitting baseball
stars some free golf clubs.  Any player that hits a homerun over 470 ft, will be given a free set of clubs. Only
10 HR's were judged by MLB to be over 470 ft. last year. Only one has qualified this year. On opening day
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward hit one 476 ft (against the Cubs), maybe Callaway guys Ernie Els
or Phil Mickelson will deliver them in person.

IF CHICAGO IS NOT WARM ENOUGH FOR YOU ..there are great golf deals now available at www.hawaii.com
and head to the golf section of the website. Right now there are specials for golf courses on the Big Island
(Hawaii), Maui and Oahu.

MOTHERS DAY IS COMING AND THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO TAKE THE GOLFING MOM, than Shepherd's
Crook Golf Club in Zion on Mothers Day May 9th. Mom's get FREE GOLF that day, when accompanied by another
paying customer. The Keith Foster designed Shepherd's Crook, recently named 8th best public course in IL. by
Golfweek Magazine, is located on Green Bay in Zion. 847-872-2080 www.shepherdscrook.org.

LONG TIME CHICAGO MEDIA GOLF GUY DAVE LOCKHART,  has put together some great golf interviews
on video. See interviews with Ian Poulter and Jack Nicklaus to name a few at www.golfchicagoTV.com.

ONLY 31 DAYS TO THE OPENING OF THE OLD MACDONALD COURSE AT BANDON DUNES. Mike Keisers
newest creation along with designer Tom Doak will open on June 1st. The course will be the fourth at Bandon
Dunes the Oregon coastline set of links-style walking only courses. The course is not built on a farm, but is a
tribute to legendary designer C.B. Macdonald (Chicago Golf-National Golf Links-Old White at the Greenbrier).
(888)-345-6008 www.bandondunes.com. Bandon Dunes is operated by Kemper Sports Management.

IF YOU LOVE LINKS-STYLE GOLF, and you have always wanted to take that special golf trip to Ireland. To play
the finest courses that country can offer (okay who hasn't). Please check out Classic Golf Destinations (CGD) 
based in Huntley IL., President Bob Fennell will make sure your groups Ireland trip is one to remember. With
groups over 20, CGD can also make donations to your favorite charity. Call (847)-909-6035 or visit the website
at www.classgolftrips.com. Play Doonbeg, Killarney, Waterville and more.

THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCATION..which runs the Evans Scholars Foundation (putting caddies into college),
has announced that Kent State golfer John Hahn will return to defend his title at the Western Amateur Golf
Championship presented by Callaway. The Western-AM first held in 1899 at the Glen View Club in Golf
Illinois, will be played this August 2-7 at the historic Skokie Country Club.

The tournament has had a who's-who of golf list of champions, including Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson
and Tiger Woods who in 1994 called the Western Amateur  the "Masters of Amateur Golf." Is August 2-7 at the
Skokie C.C. in Glencoe. Bobby Jones was the stroke play medalist in 1920. Skokie is the second of seven
area Chicago clubs to host the event over the period of 2009-2015.

BLUE MOUND C.C. of Wauwatosa Wisconsin, which will host the WGA Juniors Championship this summer,
is the second course for the early rounds of stroke play in next years US-Amateur at Erin Hills.

ON THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP FRONT...to be held September 6-13 at Cog Hill. Watch for upcoming ticket
specials. In addition since Sundays final round will go head to head with the Chicago Bears home opener
against Detroit. Tournament Director Vince Pellegrino promises there will be many TV's on the grounds at
Cog Hill for fans to keep track of the Monsters of the Midway.

FUTURE BMW..while BMW has renewed for the 2013-2014 seasons. No course site has yet been selected,
even though it looks like the championship should return to Chicago in 2013 after a year at Crooked Stick G.C.
in Carmel IN. just north of Indianapolis. The BMW will play in Indiana in 2012, because of the Ryder Cup in
town at Medinah.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS, THANKS FOR READING CHICAGO'S #1 GOLF NEWS SOURCE..GOLF SEASON IS
HERE..GO PLAY. THE GOG NEWS BLOG RETURNS ON JUNE 1ST.......R.S.