THE GOG BLOG SPEAKS OUT, RANTS, RAVES & MORE
RORY SPEARS-LEN ZIEHM
IF YOU HAVEN'T..by now read my story on the Architect finalists for
the renovation project at Oak Meadows, you should. It's just the story
below this one.
The Dupage County Forest Preserve District has made some tough
choices already, and the job to pick the winner will be even harder.
GOOD LUCK.....To Ed Stevenson the DCFPD Director of Golf
Operations, the staff and board in making the best choice. All five
finalists have done work in the area with various municipalities, and
seem well suited to take on this job.
OAK MEADOWS..will be one of the premier jobs in not only the
Chicago area, but in the entire country. While the board of directors
has not yet voted to approve any set cost figure, millions could be
spent to redo the classic style golf course, improve the driving range
and rebuild the burned down clubhouse. A well done job could be
worthy of some national type awards.
THE CONSTRUCTION WORK..might start very late fall in 2013, but
will roll in 2014. In the meantime, go play and enjoy Oak Meadows
in it's original classic form. Play will not be interrupted in 2012, and
for most if not all of 2013.
THE 2013 CHICAGO GOLF SEASON, is apparently about to receive
a big boost. A little birdie tells the Gog Blog that the announcement
should now be close, of the host site for the 2013 BMW Championship.
While it's not clear if the ink on the contract is dry yet, we are told it's
location is a "done deal".
Chicago golf fans, the championship doesn't seem to be driving off to
another state either. In a year where Chicago is starving for golf events,
2013 will see the BMW Championship drive into Lake Forest. Near
the corner of the Tri-State Tollway Rt. 294 and Rt. 60. It seems that
Luke Donald for one, will be very happy with the announcement. So
will all the northsuburban BMW dealerships too. I send a congrats
to all parties involved.
BIG 3 PARTNER LEN ZIEHM...will begin his daily podcasts from the
PGA show in Orlando right here starting this Wednesday. Check into
the Gog Blog for all the latest..and visit www.lenziehmongolf.com for
more information.
For full recaps of the show. Everything you want to know, equipment,
clothes, accessories and more in golf.
ZIEHM..has already posted a preview story on his site, with a look at
what's new at Chicago based Wilson Golf...a long putter...hmmm.
BIG 3 PARTNER TIM CRONIN..has posted his "Front Nine" Column
today at www.golfinchicago.wordpress.com Tim has more on the
BMW Championship move up north and away from Cog Hill. Plus
fallout from the decision to "open" the Illinois Open to all.
ARCHITECT KEITH FOSTER...a good friend of yours truly has a
new venture going on. Foster who has been traveling like crazy in
recent years around the county, for his golf course design and
renovation work. Has been collecting antiques, furnishings, and
other great artifacts. No all of them are not just golf related things.
Check out, The Keith Foster Outpost www.keithfosteroutpost.com
to see the what's in the Outpost.
RAVES.........
A TIP OF THE CAP OR GOLF VISOR TO...Elmhurst's Mark Wilson
his third PGA Tour win in less than 13 months. It's obvious that with
early wins by Steve Stricker and Wilson, the midwest area guys are
going all out to make the USA Ryder Cup team at Medinah this
coming September.
TO FORMER NORTHWESTERN PLAYER DAVID LIPSKY..who
won the Asian Tour Q-school tournament. Lipsky will compete on
the Asian Tour starting with it's first event in Yangon, Myanmar
Feb. 2-5. Lipsky shot a four under par 68 final round to capture
the title. He credited NU coach Pat Goss and World #1 NU Alum
Luke Donald for sending him encouraging messages all week long.
TO GEOFF SHACKELFORD AND CRAIG DOLCH..for the work
put into surverying 81 PGA Tour Players, on the best and worst
PGA Tour Courses.
Poor Cog Hill..got pummeled. Finishing 46th out of 52 courses.
Comments about Cog included "worst redesign in history of the
PGA Tour" and that the late "Joe Jemsek must be spinning in
his grave."
The news was better for the D.A. Weibring designed TPC Deere
Run course in the Quad Cities, home of the John Deere Classic.
Deere Run finished 24th, with comments that included. " Fun
course even with soft greens." I wonder if that quote came from
the three-time defending champion Steve Stricker.
RANT........
AT THE GOLF CHANNEL...Concluded the final round on Sunday
by announcing their coverage from at the Farmers Insurance
Championship at Torrey Pines this week, okay. Then more
coverage with Tiger Woods at Abu Dhabi. ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Only one player talked about again, why couldn't they mention
the good players who will be at Abu....geez.
Please visit the Gog Blog this week, for more travel destinations
and all the best via Len Ziehm at the PGA Show in Orlando.
Winter is speeding past us...stay in golf shape at the White Pines
Golf Dome, owned and operated by Mike Munro one of our Golfers
on Golf Radio partners...WPGD is located in Bensenville.
All the best,.....RORY SPEARS...The Gog Blog Guy.
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