THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, SPECIAL EDITION
RORY SPEARS
THE GOG BLOG GUY
(18th hole Westmoreland CC)
Photo By Steve Leventhal
THE WEEK HAS BEEN A TOUGH ONE...while I have enjoyed some year
end golf at great clubs. The loss of two people who have played a role in my
golf world has been tough.
FIRST UP...Bob Held a longtime golf pro at Fresh Meadow in Hillside was
for over 20 years, my teaching pro and club fitter/repair guy. I never worried
about thing golfwise with my swing or clubs, because Bob was always there
to fix all of the above. Now I move forward with a bit of a void. I'm hoping
for the best. Bob was a cancer survivor and who beat the deadly disease
head on. Only to have a heart attack take him a few years later at age 57.
To young to be moving on.
I HAD HOPED..to keep our Chicago area golf media family intact for one
year in 2011, after losing Phil Kosin in 2009, Reid Hanley in 2010 both to
cancer. That was one thing I wanted this year, to make it through 2011
with no more loses. DIDN'T HAPPEN. I have heard things happen in 3's,
but as a golfer the only 3's I want are ones posted across my scorecard.
ONLY TWO DAYS..before he passed. Bob check my swing and then we
went out and played about 12 holes. I am sure glad we went on the course,
and I finished up with two birdies in the last three holes we played. I won't
forget that ever. As our season winds down, go get an 18 in with someone
you enjoy the game with. Because if they don't make it until spring of 2012,
you will be glad you did.
THE BARON OF BARRINGTON JOE GENTILE..passed away this week. I
found out in route to Bob Held's wake. Joe lived a long life but at 87, his
time ran out. Joe raised a lot of money for special causes, including his
schools St. Ignatius and Loyola University. Joe held golf outings that much
of that money. I was honored to be invited to play in them, they were always
fun. Education turned out to be winner when the day was over, because
"The Baron" made sure it was.
When Gentile left the car business, he jumped into the radio business by
purchasing WKDC Radio and turning it into WJJG-AM 1530. JJG his initials.
The studio was a Gentile hall of fame tour, with photos of Joe and everyone
you have ever heard of, and many you haven't.
My "Spears on Sports" show ran there for seven years, after starting off
with a helping hand from Jerry Kuc. I talked plenty of golf on that show,
and Joe loved it. Now as part of Golfers on Golf, Joe would still drop by
at times, and tell us how great we were doing. One day this past summer
he walked into the studio while we were on-air. He pinched my cheek
and patted me on the head while I was mid-sentence. He smiled and walked
out, I never saw him again until his wake last night. WJJG will never be
the same.
YOU HOT DOG..Okay I haven't been Tiger Woods biggest supporter, but
throwing a hotdog at him mid-round was uncalled for. I understand why
the guy did it, but again there is no place for it in golf. But I do wonder
why the Golf Channel did not show it, something tells me they would
have if the player involved had not been Woods. TGC has now set a
precedent for incidents like this, it will be interesting to see how they
proceed going forward.
COMING UP IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS...recaps of my visit to Michigan
earlier this week. Some serious Raves to two great properties, St. Ives
and Tullymore in Stanwood, and Island Hills Golf Club in Centerville.
New management at both facilities has those properties headed in the
right direction, Chicago golfers should visit both if not this fall, in 2012 for
sure.
THE GOG BLOG...HITS AMERICA'S HIGHWAYS for just over a week
so we will be quiet after tomorrow's post of the SMSG, until returning
around the 24th. Upon return there will be full details about the trip,
and courses for all to play in six midwest states.
THE WINDON GOLF CLASSIC..hosted by Northwestern University at
the Evanston CC tee's off tomorrow (Sun) the 16th and runs until Monday.
Michigan is defending champion, and #1 rated UCLA is in the field.
Admission is free, go enjoy some great mens college golf.
A BIG RAVE..goes out to IPGA Players Championship winner, Cantigny
Golfs Rich Dukelow, who by winning is also the 2011 IPGA player of the
year. Glen Oak assistant Matt Slowinski is the IPGA Assistant of the
year,and Jim Sobb of Ivanhoe CC is the 2011 Senior Player of the year.
Congrats to all.
THE ILLINOIS GOLF HALL OF FAME..dinner is coming up. Congrats to
the class of 2011 that's headed for enshrinement. Longtime Knollwood
GC pro Sherm Finger, former Hillcrest pro Steve Benson, Robert Gardner
former CDGA President, and longtime Briarwood superintendent Paul
Voykin.
THE GOG BLOG RETURNS MORE THIS WEEKEND...The Gog Blog
Speaks Out, are the opinions of Rory Spears and not always my partners
on Golfers On Golf Radio.
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