THE AUGUST GOG NEWS BLOG BRINGS YOU WESTERN AM
COVERAGE ALL WEEK LONG FROM NORTHSHORE CC IN GLENVIEW.
ADMISSION AND PARKING ARE FREE.

OUR FULL PREVIEW FEATURE ON THE 109TH WESTERN AMATEUR...
comes up right here later today. David Chung will defend his title, that he
won in 2010 at the Skokie Country Club.
                                                     
BREAKING NEWS..HEAR IT HERE FIRST...and that is. The Canadian
PGA Tour has a Pro-Am tournament scheduled for here in the Chicago
area for the week of September 10-16 in 2012. The host for this new
event is, The Royal Country Club of Long Grove.

Tournament Director Michael O'Neal a former University of Illinois
golfer has brought a professional tour to event to Chicago, and he
might not be done with just the Canadian PGA Tour.

"It will be run like the AT & T event where it's one amateur players
with a Canadian Tour pro, " O'Neal said. "You will play as a team
on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. After Saturday the field is cut to 
the low 60 players and the pro-am field is cut to the low 20 teams."

O'Neal's format makes sure the best amateur players will play on
Sunday when the pro's are battling for the title.

"It's a very unique experience to play on Sunday when players are
in the hunt for a championship, " O'Neal said. "This is the kind of
experience that has not been offered in Chicago before. Pro-Am's
in Chicago have always just been on Monday or on Wednesday
before the Western Open and or the BMW Championship."

The agreement O'Neal has put together is for three years with
the Royal Country Club of Long Grove, and the same with the
Canadian PGA Tour. But O'Neal is hoping that this event goes
well beyond the three years.

"Chicago needs more golf tournaments," O' Neal said. "It's been
a shame to see these tournaments leave town. It was disappointing
to see the Nationwide Tour event disappear, and the Western Open
leave to be part of the Fed Ex Cup. I don't think the PGA Tour is
coming back to Cog Hill either. As good as the golf courses are
here and as big as the market is here, there should be at least
three events in town."

O'Neal hopes to be able to announce more sponsorships, and 
a title sponsor and PGA Tour player who will be part of the event
in the short future.

"This will be a great event and it should create a buzz over the
next 12 months," says Jami Brighty head professional at the
Royal Country Club of Long Grove. "This is not only a good
thing from an area economic standpoint, but our club is excited
to showcase it's potential. It has already come a long way from
where it was 12 months ago. The people who have come and
played here have loved it, and can't believe a course like this
was sitting here all along right in Long Grove."

THE GOG BLOG...will have details on this event as they unfold.

GOLF TOURNAMENTS ARE NOT THE ONLY THING LEAVING
CHICAGO, IT SEEMS LIKE..Golf Shows are too. The Chicago
Golf show in Rosemont will live for 2012, however the show
in Schaumburg seems to be history. So golfers will be down
to one major winter show, which means..you better go to
Rosemont..The Gog Blog will see you there at the Donald
Stephens Convention Center..next February.



THE GOG BLOG CAUGHT UP WITH  TOM O'TOOLE JR CHAIRMAN
THE USGA'S CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE..recently at Erin Hills.
Our interview with him is coming up in the short future, stay tuned
or web'd in.


PGA TOUR PLAYER KEVIN STREELMAN RETURNS TO CANTIGNY GOLF THIS FRIDAY AUG. 5

Wheaton native Kevin Streelman and former Cantigny employee
will have his second Cantigny day this Friday August 5th. Streelman
made another appearance at Cantigny two years ago. During his 
clinic presented by Illinois Junior Golf (IJGA) and Wilson Golf,
Streelman will spend time with junior golfers, giving them tips
and encouragement.

"We are very excited to welcome Kevin back to Cantigny," said
Patrick Lynch, Cantigny head golf professional. "We are proud
to call him one of our own, especially given his sense of of values
and professionalism. Even more exciting is the fact Kevin shares
our passion for junior golf."

Streelman will oversee the IJGA Wilson Staff Slam Finals, which
concludes a season-long skills challenge at golf courses in
the Chicago area. Boys and Girls ages 6-13, will test their skills
in putting, chipping, iron play and driving.

The event runs from 10 AM-4 PM, admission is free but advance
registration is recommended at ijga.org. Lunch tickets can be
bought online.

CANTIGNY GOLF IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF GOLFERS ON GOLF
RADIO FOR THE 2011 GOLF SEASON.

GOLFERS ON GOLF RADIO..is welcoming Golfweek Magazine
Senior Writer and Director of Golf Course ratings BRAD KLEIN to
 the show  tonight. In addition to discussing golf course renovations
and rankings, Brad will discuss the second edition of his book
Discovering Donald Ross...Klein will join the guys about 6:30.

AUTHOR MICHAEL ANTHONY A RECENT GUEST ON GOLFERS
ON GOLF RADIO..has released the following books and CD's.
Michael Anthony's Mental Golf Tips, The Mental Keys to Improve
Your Golf. The CD..Using the Mental Keys to Polish the Wheel.

Mental Golf Tips is a collection of some 75 tips Anthony would
put in his newsletter. The book is an informative read, without
one needing a PHD to understand the logic and process it
presents a golfer to improve your game. Anthony has worked
with athletes in other sports to improve what they do.

The Mental Keys to Improve Your Golf, enhanced edition that
Anthony says will lower your score guaranteed. This book helps
one with the mind to body connection making it easier to play
and enjoy the sport we all love. Golfers and golf coaches alike
love the help they have received from this book.

If you just like to sit back and listen, maybe close your eyes
and visualize the words of Anthony's CD. Using the Mental
Keys to Polish the Wheel has a two-part system two it. The
before and after, with Part-One prior to hitting the course and
Part-Two for listening after playing your round. So if what you
hear pre round, doesn't have the desired effect there is
something to hear later that might explain your day. Making
you a better player the next time out.

For more information visit WWW.MENTALKEYS.COM.
information can be found there to order both books and
the CD. Makes a great golf gift, but try it yourself before
opponents do. Otherwise they will continue to take your
money, or leave you buying the drinks at the 19th hole.

TO HEAR THE GOG RADIO LIVE INTERVIEW WITH
MICHAEL ANTHONY, please visit this websites Past
Shows and click on our show from July 18.


COG HILL "DUBSDREAD" COURSE #4 IS THE HOME OF THE BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
THIS SEPTEMBER.

COG HILL COURSE #3 is the home of the August 7 Adult-Junior
scramble. The two person team scramble costs $110 per team,
and includes green fees, range balls, prizes and lunch. The age
divisions are 9-11, 12-15, and 16-18. For more information call
(866)-COG-HILL EXT 2.


BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND..WHAT'S IN THAT BARN AT COG HILL...It's
the teaching home of Three-time IPGA teachers of the year award winners
Kevin Weeks and Doc Jim Suttie. A recently updated version of the 10
questions with Kevin Weeks will run again coming this Wednesday here
on the Gog Blog.

FROM THE GREAT LAKE STATE OF MICHIGAN..comes word Island Hills
golf club in Centerville, is not only under new management but has
improved the golf course and the grillroom. Architect Ray Hearn (Mistwood)
was brought in to redo fairways and other changes on the golf course.
For more info please visit www.islandhills.com.

IN BELLAIRE MICHIGAN...at the Shanty Creek Resort golf and spa 
packages starting at $192 are now available. www.shantycreek.com.


THE PETE DYE COURSE AT FRENCH LICK RESORT, HOME OF THE 2012-13-14 BIG TEN
MENS AND WOMENS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS.

French Lick Resort is now offering fall golf packages. There are a 
variety to pick from. Call (888)-936-9360 or visit www.frenchlick.com




VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FOR THE 2012 WOMENS US OPEN..are
filling up quickly. Volunteers who work the2012 US Womens Open
will have first priority on working the 2015 PGA Championship at
Whistling Straits and the 2020 Ryder Cup Matches also to be held
at Whistling Straits.Tickets are also on sale for the Womens Open.

You can volunteer or buy tickets for the 2012 US  Womens Open at
www.2012USWomensOpen.com. The volunteer fee is $150.00 but
gives volunteers access for all seven days, two volunteer gift shirts,
one wind jacket, one hat or visor, volunteer pin, food and beverage
vouchers, free parking. 15% off of purchases in the Pavilion during
tournament week, and more.

THAT'S IT FOR AUGUST..STAY TUNED IN THE MONTH AHEAD,
coverage of the Western Amateur, Illinois Womens Open, the PGA
Championship, The 2011 US-Amateur, the Illinois PGA Section
Championship at Medinah, and come later the this month, the 30
day countdown to the BMW Championship at Cog Hill. In the
meantime..the weather is great GO PLAY.

THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT..RETURNS ON TUESDAY THIS WEEK.