DUPAGE COUNTY COURSE OAK MEADOWS HAS STARTED THE PROCESS OF RISING
FROM THE RUBBLE AND ASHES.

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON GOLFERS...December is here and there is
some cheer for all of you golfers. Things are happening on the local golf
scene and golfers will all be better off down the road.

For all the local golf news keep it here on the Gog Blog, Chicago's only
year round golf news source. At least until my colleague at Val Russell's
Chicago Area Golf Newspaper Len Ziehm gets his new website up.

OAK MEADOWS RISES FROM THE RUBBLE...the long process of
making Oak Meadows a solid first rate public golf course is underway.
The deadline for golf architects to submit proposals has past, and the
review process is underway to narrow the list of applicants.

ED STEVENSON THE DUPAGE COUNTY DIRECTOR OF GOLF
OPERATIONS, tells the Gog Blog that the county was, "very pleased at
the quantity and quality of architects who have expressed interest in the
Oak Meadows project."

After a short list of finalists is determined, they will be interviewed about
their plans for the project. Once an architect is selected the plans for a
master routing can be begin. The hope is to announce which architect
or team of architects, will be doing the project in January of 2012.

It will then take some time for the new master plan to be developed,
and decisions made on how to renovate the golf course. Then beyond
renovations there will be a plan to eliminate the reoccuring flooding
problem, and finally the rebuilding of a new clubhouse that all golfers
can enjoy. Hopefully a few good local tournaments won't be far behind.

STAYED TUNED..to the Gog Blog for details on the new and very much
improved Oak Meadows GC as they happen.


AT MISTWOOD GC IN ROMEOVILLE THE WORK CONTINUES...by
the award winning architect Ray Hearn (Island Hills-Flossmoor CC).

HEARN TOOK TIME FROM A FULL SCHEDULE..to chat golf design 
with the GOG BLOG and about Mistwood earlier this week. "The work
is over 75 percent complete," Hearn said. "We have been blessed with
some great weather this fall to move the project along."

When Mistwood reopens in 2012 (Opening date is still TBD), golfers
should be thrilled with the changes Hearn has made. Some of which
include 21 new sod stacked (british open style looking) bunkers.

"All 18 holes will have changes, " Hearn said. " I really try when doing
a renovation project to enhance the shot value and strategy, and I think
that has been accomplished with the new changes at Mistwood.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON MISTWOOD AS IT PLANS TO REOPEN
IN 2012.

ARROWHEAD GC IN WHEATON..is also under going renovations by
Batavia based architect Greg Martin. This fall the second of three nines
(the south nine) is being worked on. On a recent tour the Gog Blog was
blown away by what was seen. The East nine is complete, and when the
south nine opens in 2012 (hopefully May) golfers you will want to go play
the newly finished 18 ASAP.

THE GOG BLOG..plans a feature on Arrowhead and Martin's work in the
weeks ahead.


THE WHITE PINES GOLF DOME IS FULL SWING SINCE OUR WINTER LIKE WEATHER
HAS ARRIVED.www.whitepinesgolfdome.com (630)-422-1060. Equipment demo days are
coming up soon this month.

OWNER MIKE MUNRO as he does every year, has made the 
WPGD 2011-2012 even better than before. Munro has added the
SAM PUTT LAB to the dome for the season. The SAM PUTT lab
is only found in one or two places around the entire Chicago area.

GOLFERS SUFFERING ON THE GREENS..this might be the best
way to fix that putting stroke during our upcoming winter.

ON THE TOPIC OF PUTTING ..Titliest just in time for Christmas
has come out with several new models of Scotty Cameron Putters,
while Ping Golf has re-released the classic Anser putter. Four
different models are available, Anser, Anser 1, Anser 2, Anser 3.

BOTH COMPANIES WILL BE AT THE WHITE PINES GOLF DOME,
with demo days in the short future.

PLEASE JOIN THE GOG BLOG..on sending some thoughts and
prayers to Carol McCue who is in the hospital. McCue spent many
years at the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA), before
heading to both Cog Hill and St. Andrews as Director of Marketing.

McCue also spent many hours helping long time Chicago area
and Daily Southtown/Southtown Star golf writer Tim Cronin, launch
the newspapers junior golf tournament held every summer at
Glenwoodie GC.

THE CDGA 2012 SCHEDULE IS OUT...the Illinois State Amateur
will be held at Kokopelli in downstate Marion August 7-9th. The
CDGA Amateur will begin June 25th at Cantigny Golf Wheaton.
More info. please visit www.cdga.org.

SAVE THE DATE...MAY 29TH AT MEDINAH CC..For the 2012
Illinois Patriot Golf Day, that supports Illinois Military families
through the Illinois Patriot Education Fund.

DIRECTOR MARK SLABY..and his staff and crew of hard working
volunteers make the event one of the great charity outings the
Chicago area has all summer. www.medinahpatriotday.com for
more information. For a few extra dollars to a great cause some
players will have the chance to play Medinah's famed course #3,
only weeks before the 2012 Ryder Cup takes over.

THE DATES AND MORE informations for the 2014 Ryder Cup at
Gleneagles in Scotland have been announced. Please visit PGA.com
for more information.


THE GOG BLOGS..COG HILL CORNER..is loaded with goodies so
read on. First up the annual Cog Hill golf and Christmas sale is this
Saturday Dec. 3 from 10 AM- 4 PM.

Door prizes,savings in the golf shop, and FREE gift wrapping are
available during the sale. Come sample the holiday cheer (punch) 
courtesy of the Jemseks in the food area of the 2-4 building. A
reminder from owner Frank Jemsek and Cog Hill President Katherine
Jemsek, COG HILL IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND.

Courses #1 and #3 stay open ALL YEAR ROUND..so if you want
to go hit it, rain, snow, wind or cold. Go do it on the course or over
at the range which is open 8 AM-5 PM daily except for closing on
3 PM Christmas eve and closed on Christmas. Fully enclosed
carts are available.

GOLFERS COME TEE IT UP..in the 3-club Frosty Open on December
11th, or the Eskimo Open on Jan. 8, 2012..on courses #1 & 3.

COG HILL..Is now booking dates for Christmas parties this month,
and for outing and permanent tee times for 2012. (866)-COG-HILL.

CONGRATS TO...Cog Hill instructors Jim Suttie #17 and Kevin
Weeks #44 on being named to the Golf Digest List of America's 50
Best Golf Instructors. In Illinois Suttie is #1, Weeks is #3, other
Cog Hill instructors Garrett Chaussard is #5 and Louise Davis #6.

PINE MEADOW GC..The Jemsek operated facility in north suburban
Mundelein closed a little early this year (Nov.13th.) Frank Jemsek
tells the Gog Blog that a more extensive fall conditioning program
was put in place. It should have Pine Meadow in better condition for
the 2012 golf season.

The course is the only known Illinois design left by classic architect
William S. Flynn, it has struggled with it's conditioning in mid-summer
the last two years. To reach the Pine Meadow golf shop (847)-566-GOLF.


 

THE WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION (WGA)..is offering a holiday
package for single day tickets, at the 2012 BMW Championship to
be held Sept. 3-9 at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel Ind..

The package includes two any day tickets, with two lanyards with
ticket holders for just $150.00. There are only 3,000 of these packages
available for purchase, and the sale runs only through December 31st.
Starting Jan 1. of 2012, only weekly ticket options are available.

"The response from Indiana golf fans since our weekly ticket packages
went on sale this past September has been great,"said Vince Pellegrino,
WGA vice president of tournaments. "We also expect this holiday package
to sell out quickly. This is a great way for our Chicago area fans to travel
to Crooked Stick for a day or two and not be faced with deciding whether
or not to make a week long commitment to attend the championship."

2012 BMW CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS AT CROOKED STICK CAN BE
purchased at www.BMWChampionshipUSA.com. Or call (847)-724-4600.
Juniors 16 and under admitted FREE all week when accompanied by an
adult. Crooked Stick GC is the home course for 19 Evans Scholars Alumni.


HALL OF FAME COURSE DESIGNER PETE DYE (L), Not only designed Crooked Stick
GC, but makes his summer home there. (R) The par 3 6th hole, that requires a covered
bridge crossing to reach the green.

DYE HAS WRAPPED UP TINKERING WITH "THE STICK"..for 2011. A new
irrigation system is in place, along with new tee boxes on holes 4, 10 and 14.
Just to give the pro's a few more yards to carry next September.


THE GOG BLOG GUY..at the entrance of Erin Hills GC in Erin Wisconsin.
After a successful hosting of the US-Amateur with Blue Mound CC this
past August, the course is still getting improvements.

JUST COMPLETED...this fall are new target greens on the 350 yard long
multi-directional driving range. There are five new strategic bunkers on the
course including on holes 3 & 7, new tee boxes on holes 5 (405 yards) 
and 8 at 487. However plans to build more cottages near the three existing
cottages have been put on hold until 2012. A new bridge has been built
between holes 13 & 14.

ERIN HILLS..WILL HOST THE 2017 US OPEN...go next year and beat
the crush, expected to grow each year leading into 2017. Erin Hills is
one of only six public courses in the country that has or will host the
US Open. www.erinhills.com (262)-670-8600 for more info or tee times
in 2012.

CONDOLENCES..to friends and family of Bud Lewis who passed away
last week at age 103. Lewis was the oldest living member of the PGA,
and the first member to reach 80 years of PGA membership.


CLUB MAKERS TITLEIST...ALSO THE #1 BALL IN GOLF...will be joined by
Callaway, Ping, Taylor-Made Adidas and several other big manufacturers at
the annual PGA Mechandise show in Orlando Jan. 26-28. If all these club
makes are showing up together for the first time in years, one would have to
think 2012, will be a great year for new golf products and equipment.

NORTHLAKE BASED...Golfvisions..is offering it's 2012 season Players Pass
normally over $700. Right now for only $124.95..act quickly (708)-562-5247
or visit www.golfvisions@coursetrends.com.

EAGLE RIDGE RESORT AND SPA OF GALENA...is offering 2012 golf at
2011 prices..visit www.eagleridge.com or call (800)-892-2269.


FORMER USGA PRESIDENT JUDY BELL (center with award) WAS  HONORED
BY THE ELK GROVE BASED REVELATION GOLF. Bell the first and only woman
president of the USGA, was named the organizations Humanitarian of the Year at
a Nov.10th dinner at the Wellington in Arlington Hts.

Bell is seen here with Revelation Golf founder Donna Strum and the board of
directors. A full feature on the night and a Gog Blog interview with Judy Bell
are coming soon, stay tuned. www.revelationgolf.org more info (630)-253-7703.
Revelation Golf uses golf to help veterans, children, or at risk adults with
cancer or a physical disability and help make them active again in society.

RAVISLOE CC...closed for the season on November 20th. The course an
old Donald Ross classic, is using the fall season to make serious course
improvements for the 2012 season.

New improvements include, extending the drainage and irrigation system.
The pruning and removal of trees, improvements to the cart paths, and
covering of seven greens to help them regrow lost grass.

Andrew (sorry no last name was provided) the course superintendent is
providing a blog all winter and spring to help golfers monitor the courses
recovery. Check it out at ravisloeturf.blogspot.com.


THE EMIL ESPOSITO.. MARCH OF 2012 LAS VEGAS GOLF TRIP, along
with PGA pro Andy Perez is almost full. Money is due today Dec 1, or work
out a payment plan with Emil at Emil@emilespositogolf.com.

The four day-three night trip features luxury accomendations on the strip
and features three of the best courses in Las Vegas.

ORCHARD VALLEY GC..in Aurora is having a proshop Christmas sale this
Saturday and Sunday Dec. 3-4. Up to 40% off on some items and check out
the beer tasting as well. OVGC (630)-907-0500.

SPECIAL TICKET SALES FOR THE 2012 SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
May 22-27 at Harbor Shores GC in Benton Harbor. This event is limited to
galleries of only 8-10,000 per day. Holiday package 1 is $140 1 day grounds
ticket, and holiday package 2 is 1 weekly grounds ticket $220. Both packages
include a round of golf at Harbor Shores. For more info visit SPGA2012.com.


THE AMERICAN CLUB IN KOHLER WISCONSIN..is offically a Forbes 5-Star Property.

THE AMERICAN CLUB...part of the Kohler Wisconsin resort, that is also
home to great golf at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits is now home
to another star. It's fifth according to Forbes Five Star hospitality awards.

KOHLERS WATER SPA..also joined the group. The American Club is
one of only 57 hotels worldwide with this designation. It's also the only
hotel in Wisconsin with this rating.

KOHLER AND THE AMERICAN CLUB..will be the center of golf activity
come next July 2-8 when the US Womens Open hits town. The PGA
Championship returns to Whistling Straits in 2015. For more information
on the American Club resort visit www.AmericanClub.com or please call
(800)-344-2838. More information can be found on the resorts Facebook
and Twitter pages.


THE KEITH FOSTER DESIGNED SHEPHERD'S CROOK GOLF CLUB IN ZION,
recently had a chance to welcome Foster back to the club for the first time in
10 years.

Foster toured the property with Zion Park District Director Rich Walker, club
GM Larry Myers, superintendent Craig Shipley, and the Gog Blog Guy.

Look for Shepherd's Crook to under go some minor changes over the course
of 2012. A few trees and brush area will get removed around holes 5,6,8,9
on the front. 17-18 on the back. A couple of grass bunkers may become
sand bunkers. Some tee work will be done and a few of the wider fairways
might get tightened up. A few chipping areas around the greens might be added.

FOR MORE INFO ON SHEPHERDS CROOK..visit www.shepherdscrook.org.
Or call (847)-872-2080, Christmas specials are now available in the proshop.



ILLINOIS COACH MIKE SMALL..with his 2011 Big Ten Conference
Champion Fighting Illini Squad.......

Small will reload his squad to replace graduating seniors with solid recruits
who will join the Illini in the 2012-13 season, after signing three players to
national letters of intent.

"We are excited about all three players we have signed, " Small said. "All
three players are very talented and bring something different to our program."

The three players are Charlie Danielson from Osceola WI., Thomas Detry
of Belgium, and David Kim of Redondo Beach CA. Danielson is a former
Wisconsin state champion, and Kim advanced into match play portion of
the US Amateur this last summer at Erin Hills.

WELL THAT'S ALL FOR THIS MONTH...THE GOG BLOG'S SUNDAY
MORNING SHORT GAME RETURNS DEC. 18TH...until then..a few new
features will appear, when and IF this month the WGA announces a 2013
BMW site in town the Gog Blog will have reaction.

In the meantime...GO PLAY..hey there is no snow yet. OKAY..hit the
Christmas golf sales, and the White Pines Golf Dome. The Gog Blog
guy will visit Cog Hill's sale on Saturday, and The White Pines Golf Dome
next Tuesday night the 6th to break in his new AP-1 Irons. Enjoy the
holiday season everyone.