THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, RANTS, RAVES & MORE
RORY SPEARS
(THE GOG BLOG GUY)
Photo by Austin Roesch
Mr.Outdoor Services at
The Erin Hills Golf Club
The PGA Championship is over and in exciting drama, Keegan Bradley the son of a PGA Professional is the champion.
Winning in a playoff over Jason Dufner by one shot. The drama kept
me anchored to the couch for some 5 hours, as great golf and birdies
just kept happening. Of course a few splashes on the final four very
tough closing holes, but it left me waitiing for another PGA at the
AAC in the short future. I think 2019 is open.
FINALLY FINALLY..CBS stuck to action of the good golfers and forgot
about ol' world number "30 something" and sinking like a rock. With
the way he played, he looked more like a 30 handicapper, at least
he won't be a factor in the Fed Ex Cup. Finally and smartly he'll go
home and like some baseball teams, it's wait til next year. Todays
outcome showed there is too much talent on tour, for the sport to
be just about one guy. A factor that almost killed the game. For
most of the week CBS and it's broadcast partners insulted golf
fans everywhere, by again trying to make it all about him. Their effort
like his failed miserably, Amen (Corner) to that. Just remember the
fastest way to get golf fans to change the channel, is too much
talk about him.
MIKE SMALL
The University of Illinois golf coach is apparently finding his golf
game, again. Small who was extremly frustrated with his golf
game as late as the Illinois Open only three weeks ago, was the
only club professional to make the cut in Atlanta. He shared TV
time at the end of the broadcast with Bradley in receiving a glass
bowl, as the low finishing club pro of the 20 that started at the
PGA Championship. Congrats Mike, and to all the field that
thought they had a shot at taking Small down at Medinah in the
Illinois Section Championship starting August 29th...well ahh,
good luck. The many time defending champ seems to be peeking
at the right time.
THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION..or WGA is rumored by
the Global Golf Post to be moving the 2013 Western Amateur
to the Alotion Club in Arkansas. I for one would wonder why.
Right now the event is scheduled to be held at Olympia Fields
Country Club, one of the flagship courses in Illinois. Is this
just a rumor, or might there be some truth to it.
I can't believe the WGA would leave OFCC out in the cold, but
if the club is having the AM move out, it's to clear a path to host
the 2013 BMW Championship that appears to be on it's way
out of Cog Hill regardless of how great course conditions are
next month.
After seeing the story I contacted the WGA asking if someone
could confirm or deny this rumor. A WGA spokesman told me
that the WGA's official position was the organization would
have "no comment' on rumors or speculation regarding either
the Western Amateur or the BMW Championship. The one
thing I have learned from over 25 years in the media business,
is that a no comment means somebody is getting to close to
the truth. It seems the local Chicago golf media feeling around
town is that, if there is smoke there is fire.
Hopefully there is no smoke or fire at the WGA, or Olympia
Fields where work has leaked out that the new bridge at
the club's main entrance is done and open. A relief to the
members I'm sure.
The WGA didn't get dealt a fair hand by the PGA Tour when
it closed down the Western Open and moved the tournament
to September. The WGA is now having to do a juggling act
to keep some 860 caddys in college with their tuition paid,
and everyone involved deserves a better fate. The WGA
made a great move in bring the amateur back to some of
the great Chicago area clubs, lets hope it too isn't moving
away now and then like the BMW Championship that just
drives out town every few years.
IF IF IF THE BMW..is headed to Olympia Fields in 2013,
and not the other rumored courses which are Kemper Lakes,
Conway Farms and the Glen Club. Let's hope another
Chicago area course gets the championship that year.
Enough tournaments have left Chicago, the market needs
to hold on to what it has.
THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS HERE, ARE..those of Rory
Spears and not always my Golfers on Golf broadcast
partners, even though at times they could be.
Golfers on Golf Radio returns tonight at 6 PM on WJJG
AM-1530 and www.wjjgam1530.com. (708)-493-1530
is the call in number...
Hit'em straight and GO PLAY..the weather is great...RS
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