JOHN DEERE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR CLAIR PETERSON, AND DEFENDING CHAMPION
STEVE STRICKER WILL HIGHLIGHT MEDIA DAY TOMORROW AT TPC DEERE RUN.

The Gog Blog travels today to the Quad Cities for Mondays media day to hear
the latest about the John Deere Classic (JDC) July 4-10 next month.

It's been a great week for Steve Stricker who is playing well at the Memorial
(Jack's tournament) at Muirfield Village near Columbus Ohio. Stricker even
made a hole-in-one on Friday on a par 3 hole that really isn't that easy. Trust
me (bogey 4 on my card). He leads by three shots headed to todays final
round.

Stricker tee's off the day (yes in person at media day) by hosting a junior
clinic for the kids (isn't that great when a PGA Tour player does that). Then
if his press conference is as good as last years, the media should be able
to load up on great golf news for shows and stories. More from Stricker
will appear this week on this site. In addition to Golfers on Golf Radio Monday
night at 6 PM WJJG-AM 1530 and WJJGAM1530.com.

Mike Munro and the Gog Blog Guy will racing back to Chicago during the show
but will be checking in with Ed Stevenson and Bill Berger in studio for a full
wrap up.

MORE INFO THE JDC is at www.johndeereclassic.com. Check it out.

While in the QC's the Gog Blog Guy will also be visiting the new Jack Nicklaus
design called Fyre Lake, that just opened for member play. The new Head Pro
is Erin Strieck (formerly of Eagle Ridge). Some public play is expected to be
available at some point in July. Look for more here in the coming weeks
about the course.

REMINDER...only 32 days to Medinah Patriot Day on Thursday July 7th. For
more info visit medinahpatriotday.com. Benefitting Illinois Military families
for educational scholarships.

The Gog Blog Guy recently had a story printed in the Chicago District Golf
Magazine, under Gems of the CDGA June issue. The 17th hole at Kankakee
CC. In addition the Golfers on Golf Group and this website are now linked
with Chicago Area Golf. The Gog Blog also has column in the June edition
there, discussing the lack of pro tour golf in Chicago.

CONGRATS TO THE FIGHTING ILLINI AND COACH MIKE SMALL..on moving
on to the elite 8 at the NCAA Championships before falling to Georgia in
the match play quarterfinals 3.5-1.5. Northwestern University finished 23rd
place after a slow first day.

It was an emotional Mike Small that spoke to the media after the loss that
eliminated his team.

"We competed hard," Small said. "Georgia played well, but we just didn't
hit it straight enough. We gave away some early holes and played catch
up most of the day."

Small had to fight off the tears when he spoke about senior class that is
done with golf for the Illini.

"These guys are awesome," Small said. "They have done some impressive
things. You will be hard pressed to find a senior class in any sport that has
had the impact they have on our program."

Tomorrow Small, and players Scott Langley, Chris Deforest, Luke Guthrie,
and mason jacobs all head off to US Open sectional qualifiers. Small will
spend the later part of the week, played in the PGA Tour St. Jude Classic.
Langley is holding off turning pro and will attempt to make the Walker Cup
Team this fall.

CDGA TV IS BACK..Hosted by Jill Carlson. Tonight at 5:30 on Comcast
Sportsnet Chicago. Features include PGA Tour player Mark Wilson, and
a look at Erin Hills home of the 2011 US-Amateur. The latest in clubs
from Wilson golf and more. This weeks replays are at 4 Pm Wednesday,
and on Friday at at 11:30 PM.

SEVERAL COURSES..contacted us in regards to golf specials. They include
Ravisloe, Settlers Hill, Foxford Hills, and Oak Grove in Harvard IL. For more
info on Oak Grove, call (815)-648-2550 or visit www.oakgrovegolfcourse.com.
Check out all of the courses at their website, some deals expire this week.

VOLUNTEERS..VOLUNTEERS..VOLUNTEERS...want to work some of the
biggest tournaments in the midwest over the next 13 months, well here is
how you volunteer to do just that.

FIRST UP..The 2011 US-Amateur at Erin Hills WI. starting this August 22nd,
through the 28th. To register www.2011USAmateur.com click on the
volunteer tab.

ON THE SECOND TEE..IN MICHIGAN...positions are available at the PGA
Senior Championship May 22-27 2012 at the Jack Nicklaus designed
Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor. For the volunteer fee of 
$125.00, volunteers get a lot of goodies and perks. To register call the
tournament office at (269)-487-3200 or visit www.spga2012.com.

AT THE THIRD HOLE IS..The 2012 US Womens Open at Blackwolf Run
in Kohler WI. Dates are July 2-8, another pile of good golf clothes and
other goodies for the $150.00 volunteer fee.

MARK THE DATE...July 15th the First Annual IAM4KIDS Foundation golf
outing at the Highlands of Elgin. Check in is at 11:30 with a full shotgun
start at 1:30. The outing is limited to 144 players, some celebrities are
expected to be on hand. 

Mark Papadas the Iam4kids Foundation Chairman promises a fun day,
entry fee covers, golf , food,drinks, goody bag and more. The Iam4kids
Foundation is a program designed to help kids in the grades of 2-5
be better students and people. The program goes into schools for free
with no cost to the taxpayer. The program helps kids be better learners,
and schools in the program get $500 worth of books donated to their
libraries. Dinner and prizes/auction follow golf.

Only 40 days remain so..please visit, IAM4KIDS.com or please call
(877)-1AM-4848.

THE GOG BLOG RETURNS TOMORROW WITH, THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS
OUT,..More on the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2011,  and more stay
tuned...In the meantime it is now warm out...GO PLAY.