WELCOME TO THE 2012 GOLF SEASON, COMPLETE WITH A RYDER CUP AT MEDINAH


THE GOG BLOG ANNOUNCES THE NEWEST FORCE IN CHICAGO
GOLF MEDIA COVERAGE, NOW KNOWN AS.......THE BIG 3.......
(From L-R Tim Cronin, Len Ziehm, Rory Spears. Photo in the
White Pines Golf Dome).

IF YOUR TIRED OF THE LACK OF GOLF COVERAGE in
the Chicago area by the so-called "big outlets", The Gog Blog
recommends you read on to find out where the best golf
coverage in Chicago is now found.

THE BIG 3...CRONIN, ZIEHM AND SPEARS..represent over
100 years of golf coverage in Chicago, something that isn't 
just found anywhere.

GOLF has taken a backseat to excessive over coverage of
the non-playoff bound Bears, two bad baseball teams who
are now both rebuilding. And a basketball team in a league
the country forgot about during it's recent labor stoppage.

OTHER SPORTS IN TOWN..like Soccer, Horse Racing,
and even the Blackhawks at times and colleges are at a 
loss too. As major outlets drop the ball over and over again.

WHAT IS THE BIG 3 ???...As your's truly the Gog Blog Guy
enters year four, or a third full year of doing the Gog Blog.
I'm proud to say it's grown into Chicago's top golf website. 
Getting over 17,000 hits a month back in the summer was
a great feeling, but to see those types of numbers return in
December was amazing. To all who stopped in, I Thank You.

This site attempts to stay up date with all the breaking golf
news as it happens in the area, and sometimes even before
it happens. It will continue to do that. Mixed in with travel
stories, tournament news and more.

But while I try to be everywhere, that can't always happen.
The urge to forget about about work and go pick up a club,
or 14 does happen.

AS A RESULT...there are rare times news does get out other
places a bit quicker. So the people that have golf news the
quickest are joining forces, to help you the golfer be kept up
to speed.

A NEWLY REBUILT WEBSITE...www.LenZiehmOnGolf.com
is part of our team. Ziehm allegedly retired back in 2010, but
nothing is further from the truth. The Ziehm golf machine is
cranking out as much copy as ever, now for multiple papers,
magazines and websites.

Len Ziehm on Golf will bring his longtime views front and
center, and prove to be a place that get's out all the details
the papers don't have room for. Since being "retired", Ziehm
has taken to the streets of America and has now become a
dedicated golf travel writer. Finding those "Hidden Gem" type
courses in places like the UP of Michigan, Texas, Florida
and other states across the midwest.

Don't worry Ziehm will have all the nations best resorts rated
and scouted for you too. From the courses, to the 19th hole
and the Spa's. You can count on the travel Ziehm machine.

THE SOUTHTOWN STAR'S LOSS..was the Chicagoland area
golfers gain, when long time south suburban writer Tim Cronin 
departed after 33 years last month.

The Southtown Star, Daily Southtown and Southtown Economist,
at one time had the priviledge of having the Chicago's top golf
historian on board. No longer, as that papers golf coverage now
shrinks to nothing. 

NOW YOU CAN FIND CRONIN AT...the website he has been
quietly building in the last year at GolfinChicago.wordpress.com.

Cronin is likely to have plenty of commentary when history calls,
or when the game loses a longtime contributor to the course
above. But that won't stop him from being opinionated on the
current breaking news of the day. Or passing along his latest
find from places like Golf Club Atlas, for all of you architect buffs.

The list of golf books Cronin has written include, The History of
the Western Golf Association and the History of Medinah Country
Club.His latest work celebrated 100 years of golf at Westmoreland
CC in the northshore, and the centinniel at Florida's Pinetree CC.
There are more books on the way from Cronin, and the best way
to find out what and when is at his site.

CRONIN'S...GOLFINCHICAGO.WORDPRESS.COM. rounds out
our "BIG 3" Team. 

It's our hope that if you can't find a breaking story at one site, the
other will have it until the others catch up, and add "their spin" on
the topic. IF needed we will link you to the other sites as news
breaks.

WHAT'S EVEN BETTER..for golf fans is that our radio show
Golfers on Golf Radio, summers at WJJG-AM 1530 will return.
The show hosted by Ed Stevenson, Mike Munro, Bill Berger,
and Rory Spears, brings you the golfer even things that even 
a computer can't. In print the Chicago Area Golf newspaper 
by Val Russell is back for it's third year and will still be a
home for the Big 3 and more.

SO UNTIL..CAG is back in print, and GOG Radio is back on
the air, or for those that need their golf news "now", or where
to find warm weather golf until winter ends. Keep it here, or
visit the websites of "The Big 3". It will feel like the Chicago 
golf season is year round.

2012 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR..for golf around town. Coming
soon right here to The Gog Blog is "12 Reasons to be excited
about golf in 2012."


THE BEST DOME IN TOWN FOR WINTER PRACTICE IS THE WHITE PINES GOLF DOME
IN BENSENVILLE. Tell Owner Mike Munro the Gog Blog sent you.

THE WHITE PINES GOLF DOME...is the biggest dome
in Chicago in height and length. The dome also has two
levels to hit from, and target greens. A simulator that allows
you to play 17 great courses from around the world. A
putting green to work on your stroke.

The Dome is now home to the SAM Putt Lab one of the
two in the Chicago area. SAM (science and motion) Putt
is part of what's called The 4 Players Golf Academy at the
dome, www.4playersgolf.com. for more information.

The academy is home to teachers like Dan Kochevar, John
Platt,Travis Johns, Doc Suttie, Mike Baldwin and John Perna.
In addition longtime WPGD teachers like Chuck Lynch and
Marty Joyce can still be found there.

A refreshment stand with bar, and a few big screen TV's now
reside at the WPGD. Grab a beer or bite to eat, while checking
out sports action from all of your favorite teams between swings.

FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE NEW CLUB MODE...demo days
at the dome are coming. Booked so far in January are, Adams
Golf on Thursday Jan. 5 from 6-9 PM. YES Putters same night
5-6 PM.

TITLEIST..drops in Thursday Jan.19th 5-9 PM, PING on Jan. 18th
from 6-9 PM, TAYLOR MADE  comes in Feb 15th 5-9 pm, but is
working on a date for Jan. as well. Take advantage of these days
golfers, sometimes companies offer great deals if you buy that
night.

The WPGD is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM, and you can call
them for directions or other information at (630)-422-1060.
   
THE 3RD GREEN (distant) ON THE EAST NINE AT ARROWHEAD GC IN WHEATON,
with the second hole in front. (photo courtesy of Martin Design Inc.)

THE GOG BLOG..caught up with Batavia based architect
Greg Martin, who is doing a stellar renovation at Arrowhead
GC in Wheaton.

Martin finished the East 9 in 2010, and the incredible South
9 just needs some final touches in the spring to be ready.
Martin and the Wheaton Park District are "hoping" for a
mid-late May of 2012 opening. When the South 9 opens,
18 of the 27 holes will be done, with the West 9 on tap
for fall of 2012.

Golfers you will want to book a tee-time here to play the
renovated 18 holes ASAP. Between some tree removal,
the sparkling new white sand bunkers and redone greens
and squared off tee boxes. Golfers will really enjoy this
west suburban venue. Arrowhead GC, is on Butterfield Rd.
in Wheaton (630)-653-5800.

MARTIN RENOVATES FOX RUN GC ELK GROVE...Martin
has begun renovation work at the Fox Run Golf Club operated
by the Elk Grove Park District. The Gog Blog toured five of the
front nine holes and gives Martin another, Tip of the Cap or Golf
Visor.Back nine work at Fox Run will begin in 2012. Fox Run
GC is located on Plum Grove Rd. in Elk Grove. (847)-228-4534.



CONGRATS TO NORTHWESTERN ALUM..Luke Donald on
winning just about everything for the year 2011. The worlds #1 
ranked player won the PGA Player of the Year Award, and the
PGA Tour Player of the Year Award.

DONALD..also made history being the first player to win both
the PGA Tour and the European Tour money title in the same
year. He was named player of the year by several publications
including the Global Golf Post.

"It's something that I didn't think was possible, " Donald said. "I
played extremely solid consistent golf all year winning four times
and playing right at the right moments. I think it is a testament
to my hard work and it's nice to see it paying off."

A RANT GOES OUT TO STATE FARM INSURANCE for dropping
the Central Illinois Charity Golf Classic in Springfield like it does 
customers. The 36 year old tournament was a longtime staple of
the LPGA Tour, it donated over 3.5 million dollars to various needy
charities. State Farm had been the sponsor for the last 19 years.

The tournament board looked for a new sponsor for over ten months
before deciding to dissolve the 501C3 Not-For-Profit corporation.
Tournament Director Kate Peters called it, "a tremendous loss
for Central Illinois."

BEST WISHES AND GOOD LUCK TO JEFFREY HINTZ..who was
named the Championship Director for the 73rd and 75th Senior
PGA Championships, at the Jack Nicklaus designed Golf Club at
Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor Michigan. Harbor Shores is
operated by the Northbrook based Kemper Sports Management.
Championship week starts on May 22nd. Tickets which are very
limited per day are now on sale. More info at 1-800-PGA-GOLF
or 742-4653. The tournament office is (269)-487-3200.

THE PGA TOUR..tees of this week at beautiful Kapalua Maui, to
start the 2012 golf season. Golf at Kapalua always a favorite of
the Gog Blog, is run by GM Mike Jones (formerly of several local
area clubs). If you haven't been to Hawaii you must visit Kapalua,
and tell Mike the Gog Blog sent you.

THE CHAMPIONS TOUR..(or Senior Tour as some still call it)
has released it schedule for 2012. Many date changes and venue
changes but still no stop here in Chicago, too bad.



THE COG HILL CORNER...Golf at Cog Hill continues year round,
on courses 1 & 3. The range with overhead heaters is open daily.
The first big event of 2012 is the Eskimo Open this Sunday Jan. 8,
for more info call (866)-COG-HILL. Or visit www.coghillgolf.com.


FOR THOSE OF YOU STILL DECIDING  WHAT GOLF GIFT TO BUY
WITH THOSE HOLIDAY GIFT CARDS......The Gog Blog suggests.

Discovering Donald Ross, by Golfweek Senior Writer Bradley S. Klein.
$65 plus $5 for shipping and handling. www.discoveringdonaldross.com.
Autographed copies available. The Gog Blog has read this book and
gives it a Tip of the Cap or Golf Visor.


THE GOG BLOG GUY DRIVES BETTER THAN THIS...and loves
the new book about the gang at Prairie Winds GC on the bluffs
above St. Louis on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.

AUTHOR JAMES ROSS..new book Pabby's Score is a must
read. It will be released later this month. For more information
see www.authorjamesross.com. Great suspense, and a must
read for golfers, horse players, and people who hate the awful
politics of Illinois.

LIBERTYVILLE BASED ARCHITECT...Rick Jacobson  has now
completed construction on his latest "Far East" project. The
Moganshan Gowin GC will formally open next spring. The club
is located in one of China's premier resort areas about 100
miles from Shanghai. The course is a Par 72, that measures
over 7,100 yards from the tips. The course winds through valleys
and is complete with mountain views.



IS ONLY 182 DAYS AWAY......for more information on the
US Womens Open please visit www.2012uswomensopen.com.
In the meantime a visit to Kohler and Kohler properties like
the American Club, Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits is
also a great idea.www.americanclub.com.

ONE OF THE GREAT GOLF OUTINGS OF THE YEAR IS the
one for the Illinois Patroit Education Fund. May 29th this year
and that's now only 148 days away. Director Mark Slaby and
his staff of volunteers put on a great day at Medinah CC, the
home of the 2012 Ryder Cup.

For more information on this great event please visit the IPEF
website at www.illinoispatrioteducationfund.org. IPEF supports
our military families right here from Illinois.The foundation has
another website www.medinahpatriotday.com.

JUST A REMINDER ABOUT SOME OF OUR UPCOMING
TRAVEL FEATURES HERE AT THE GOG BLOG...........


    LA POLOMA CC/WESTIN               FARM LINKS GC                     PINEHURST # 2
        TUCSON, ARIZONA              SYLACAUGA, ALABAMA          PINEHURST NORTH CAROLINA

The Gog Blog will also feature Bandon Dunes of Oregon as
 the Ben Crenshaw-Bill Coore par 3 course "The Preserve"
opens. A great gift for any golfer is the 2012 Bandon Dunes
Calendar. $20 www.bandondunesgolf.com. Happy New Year.

Within a week..Gog Blog Speaks Out, and 12 great reasons
for Chicago area golf fans to be excited about 2012. Until then,
GO PLAY.. or at least practice...no snow yet...good time to
buy new clubs. Book that winter golf trip, it's warm somewhere.

CHICAGO GOLF SHOW IN ROSEMONT....Feb. 24-26. Only
53 more days. Free golf will be given away by Golfvisions, to
all in attendence. Buy tickets online by Friday Jan. 6th and
receive two-dollar discounts for Saturday or Sunday. Visit
www.chicagogolfshow.com. Special guest on Friday and
Saturday will be, Big Break Ireland winner Mark Murphy. The
Schaumburg show will not be held this year, so we will see
you all in Rosemont.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT GOLFERS ON
GOLF, CHICAGO AREA GOLF, AND THE BIG 3........