THE PAR 5 14TH HOLE AT ERIN HILLS          THE SUNKEN PATIO BEHIND THE ERIN HILLS PUB

ERIN HILLS IS OPEN FOR 2011...after multiple years of late openings due
to renovations, Erin Hills the site of this years U.S. Amateur golf championship
from August 22-28, is now open for play.

In addition to the U.S. Amateur, Erin Hills will feature a new clubhouse expected
to open in late June. The club will also have a new building complete with
overnight rooms, right on the golf course.

Erin Hills made the decision to becoming a walking golf course, a pure joy
to golfers who enjoy the rich traditions of the game. Golfers playing Erin Hills
have the option of carrying their own bags, or taking one of the clubs caddies
(recommended).

When Erin Hills changed it's fescue grasses, it entered into a program that
will take four years for those grasses to fully mature. Each year the colors of
those grasses shine a little brighter, and add to the natural beauty of the golf
courses flowing terrain.

Last year Erin Hills became only the sixth public facility named to host the
U.S. Open, which the club will do in 2017. If you would like to volunteer for
this years U.S. Amateur you can do so at www.2011USAmateur.com and
click the volunteer tab and click on register now.

To play Erin Hills located 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee and two hours from
downtown Chicago, visit www.erinhills.com. Or call 1-(262)-670-8600.

CHRIS SPALLA..an Orland Park native is returning to Illinois from Florida where
he has been working as an instructor at the David Leadbetter Academy to open
his own golf school at the TPC Chicago practice facility.

The school will open later this month. TPC Chicago located in Justice near
Rt. 294 (Tri-state Tollway and the Stevenson Expressway). TPC Chicago owner
Mike Mandakis met Spalla while being an assistant pro at Olympia Fields, where
Spalla's family are members.

After learning the game at Olympia Fields, Spalla went on to play high school
golf at Providence Catholic HS, and then had a short stint on the Lewis University
golf team before becoming the youngest instructor ever hired at Leadbetter.

That experience led Spalla while on a recent golf trip to Washington DC with his
father Larry, to end up giving an unexpected golf lesson to Vice President Joe
Biden before teeing off at Congressional, this years U.S. Open site.

Spalla tells the Gog Blog, that long time PGA Tour pro's Brad Bryant and Andy
Bean have been big influences on him. Spalla's style is keep it simple, and
he teaches a "Feel Style" instead of being to mechanical. Lessons start and
students of all ages are welcome on May 16th. Spalla says in most cases 
junior golfers should be about six or seven years old, before starting to
take lessons. WWW.TPCCHICAGO.COM. TPC Chicago is located at 8500
W. 79th Street in Justice, 1-(708)-924-9889.

MAY 16TH IS THE RETURN OF GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO on WJJG-AM
1530, Monday nights all summer long. The show featuring Ed Stevenson
IPGA Pro and the new Director of Golf for the Dupage County courses, Mike
Munro owner of the White Pines Golf Dome, former PGA Tour player Bill
Berger and your's truely Rory Spears that Gog Blog Guy, will tee off at 6 PM.
Show's can be heard live on-line through WJJG's website, or if you miss
tee-time, catch them later here www.golfersongolf.com.

Mike Munro's White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville is still open for a few
more days, if you still are not ready to brave our outside conditions. The
Dome is open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM. More information on the WPGD
visit www.whitepinesgolfdome.com or call 1-(630)-422-1060.
 
FOR A FEW MORE DAYS..spring specials at Kohler allow golfers to play
the Irish course at Whistling Straits and the recently renovated Meadow
Valley Course for only $60. this special runs through this Thursday May
5th. For reservations call 1-(800)-344-2838. Mention the April special
when calling. Does not include $15 dollar cart fee or caddy fees if one
wishes to take caddy. GOG Blog recommends a caddy for the Irish Course.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2012..US WOMENS
OPEN at BLACKWOLF RUN..in Kohler July 2-8. Volunteer fee is $150, but
it gets one, shirts, jacket, hat or visor, badge and a guest badge, plus food
and beverage vouchers, and more. www.2012USWomensOpen.com.

MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR THE SR. PGA CHAMPIONSHIP,
MAY 22-27..at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor MI.. The
fee to volunteer is $125 dollars. Volunteers get shirts, jackets, hats, preferred
parking, championship program, food and drink vouchers and a round of
golf at Harbor Shores a Jack Nicklaus design. For one to register as a
volunteer, visit  www.spga2012.com.

CANTIGNY GOLF IN WHEATON..has several programs upcoming. May
10,12,17 & 19 try the "Lunchbreak" clinics. Four hours of instruction for only
$120.00, they run from 12:30 to 1:30. May 7th is the second Cantigny Golf
Saturday "Power Camps". Creating power in the golf swing from 2-5 PM
for only $150.00. More information visit www.cantignygolf.com. Or call
1-(630)-260-8199.

THE PGA TOUR ACADEMY JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS..are also coming to
Cantigny in June, July and August. Cantigny golf professional Rich Dukelow
is lead instructor, only 27 locations nationwide have been selected to host
these camps. Times and fees do change, more information please visit
www.touracademycamps.com or call 1-(877)-611-1911.

THE ROYAL COUNTRY CLUB OF LONG GROVE..formerly known as the
Hillcrest Country Club is now open for play. The are very limited public
opportunites to play the course, as the Royal Hospitality Group owners
of the Royal Fox CC, Royal Hawk CC  both in St. Charles, Klein Creek
GC in Winfield has expanded it's portfolio of courses.

RHG is now recruiting new members for Royal CC of Long Grove with
different plans available, both golf and social. Jami Brighty formerly at
Turnberry CC and Conway Farms has taken over as Head Professional.
Royal CC plays to a par of 72 and a yardage of 7,032.

For more information on Royal Golf clubs and membership please call
1-(877)-423-0231. Royal CC of Long Grove is 1-(847)-550-0983.

CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLFER RETURNS IN MAY...hosted by Jill Carlson
later today May 1st at 5:30. Interviews with Jack Nicklaus about Harbor
Shores, Ben Crenshaw on his work at Pinehurst #2, Exmoor Country
Club's new historic wing. Other times the program will repeated are,
Sat. May 7-7 pm, Sun May 15-12:30  PM, Mon May 16-3 PM, Thurs. May
26- 11:30 PM.

MORE FROM THE CDGA...the 20th Illinois State Public Links Golf
Championship will played tomorrow May 2nd at Foxford Hills in Cary.
A field of 89 will tee off, with the low 20 playing the final round on
Tuesday. Several past champions are in the field including four-time
winner Mark Esposito of Naperville. The course will play at 6,800
yards for the championship and to a par of 72.

ORCHARD VALLEY GOLF COURSE IN AURORA.. that is hosting a
mens U.S. open qualifier, will give golfers the chance to play the same
course those trying to make the national championship will play.
Monday May 9th is the 1:30 shotgun. $50 gets you green fees, cart,
range balls, post round food, prizes, and a future buy 1 get one round
free at OV. Limited to 144 entries and they are going quickly says GM
Brad Kale. To sign up 1-(630)-907-0500.

DA WEIBRING..checked in with the Gog Blog to say that his Peoria IL.
project Metamora Fields is making progress. The range will open next
weekend May 7th. To see some great photos of MH..visit the website
at www.metamorafields.com. The course will open later this summer.

THE FRENCH LICK RESORT HOSTS..the Cleveland Golf scoring Clinic
with PGA Tour Star Jeff Overton, from July 22-24. The cost for the three
day clinic is with rooms is $1,299 (Single Occupancy) or $1,599 for
(Double Occupancy). More info www.frenchlick.com or call 1-(888)
936-9360 and mention code CLEGF.

THE HARVESTER IOWA'S #1 GOLF COURSE..is open for the 2011
golf season. The lodging on site at the golf course has seen a full
renovation of all rooms. Head Professional John Haberman says
the course looks the best it has in spring in several years. The Keith
Foster renovations have taken hold. For more information on the
Harvester Golf Course located just east of Des Moines please visit
www.harvestergolf.com or call 1-(641-227-4653).

CONGRATS TO NORTHWESTERNS LAUREN WEAVER..on being
named to the Big Ten Womens All Big Ten Team-1st Team. The Big
Ten Network will be showing the Big Ten Mens and Womens Golf
Championships over the next two weekends..stay tuned. The NU
ladies team has advanced to the NCAA regionals at the Warren
Course in South Bend Ind. later this week, GO Cats.

CONDOLENCES..to members of the Kosin family on the passing
of Joe Kosin, an avid golfer and father of the late Phil Kosin the
former Publisher of Chicagoland Golf. He died in his home on
the Carillion golf course in Plainfield last Wednesday.

THATS ALL FOR THIS MONTH..BACK ABOUT JUNE 1ST..UNTIL THEN
It's finally getting nice outside...GO PLAY.
BY RORY SPEARS @GogBlogGuy Twitter.-Facebook Rory Spears.