THE GOG BLOG RETURNS AND SPEAKS OUT..RANTS, RAVES AND MORE
RORY SPEARS
THE GOG BLOG GUY RETURNS
(Photo by Pinehurst Caddy Adam)
THE GOG BLOG RETURNS...and what a wild week it has been. On
the road again as the song goes, and what we have learned and seen
is amazing.
But first order of business is that I had promised to post a Sunday
Morning Short Game column last Sunday that I did not. Sorry the
Gog Blog was on the road headed home from North Carolina, after
a week of gathering golf news. As a result that column will appear
this Sunday after a run to the Tinley Park Golf Show, that runs
this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (I-80 and Harlem Ave. Expo
Center)
TOPICS,TOPICS,TOPICS...The new look Homestead in Hot Springs
Virginia is happening, with more new golf in store for guests. The
renovated Pinehurst # 2 by Ben Crenshaw & Bill Coore is very well
done. The Dormie Club another Crenshaw/Coore design in West
End NC. ( 9 miles from Pinehurst # 2), is solid, with currently
some public access.
The Gog Blog also took advantage of an invite from friend and a
former Mt. Prospect guy Ray Roth, to see the Ballantyne CC
in Charlotte. Looks like Rees Jones and crew are coming back
to update that club.
Locally the Chicago Tribune stirred the pot regarding Butler National
again. A previous trib writer did that some years back and it sent
shock waves through the club, because what was written wasn't
true. Now that same topic is being lobbed out again to see what
sticks, and the answer probably hasn't changed much.
ON THE PGA TOUR..at Pebble Beach Phil Mickelson made up
some final round ground to win the AT&T, and while doing so
beat his partner Tiger Woods by 11 shots (64-75). Mickelson
now takes the lead in USA Ryder Cup points for Medinah later
this year. Callaway will also make for sale the model of driver
that Mickelson used to win at Pebble Beach, starting this Friday.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR FINAL ROUND COMMENTS BY WINNER
PHIL MICKELSON, AND TIGER WOODS.
Download | Duration: 00:02:23
THE GOG BLOGS ROAD TRIP was a great way to start the 2012
golf season. Yes GO PLAY..was the theme in between stops out
east in IN., KY.,WVA.,VA.,NC.,SC., and TN. 54 holes was all that
I played but enough to get us fired up heading into two weeks of
Chicago based golf shows.
UPON ARRIVING...in Hot Springs Virginia at the Historic Homestead
land of 1766, the Cascades Courses and The Old Course. The Gog
Blog learned that the Homestead will be starting over 25 million worth
of resort improvements this year. Including Yes, that long awaited for
fourth golf course. The Mini-Cascades, a miniature golf course that will
put Par-King to shame.
A quick dinner over at Sam Sneads found some new memorabilia on
the walls. But back at the resort, a new pool with water slides, room
renovations, restaurant and spa changes too. "The Next Chapter"
it's being called. Homes to be built in "The Homestead Preserve",
only 450 homes over 3,000 acres. More coming up on this during
the Sunday column. www.thehomestead.com. Check it out.
4 HOURS SOUTH OF HOT SPRINGS..is Pinehurst and course #2
looks great after the renovations. Several new tees and angles add
to the layout that will host the 2014 Mens and Womens US Opens
on back to back weeks. The new waste bunkers and "love grass"
off the fairway bring an old style and original look back to # 2. The
greens have been regrassed and putt even a little more true.
PLEASE VISIT ...www.pinehurst.com. In the Carolina Hotel the
newly redone Ryder Cup lounge with big comfy chairs, sofas,
fireplaces and big screen TV's are awesome. I arrived just as
Duke and NC were tipping off. That's real college hoops, unlike
what the home state of Illinois provides us. More coming up on
Pinehurst # 2 in the days ahead, right here at the Gog Blog.
THE DORMIE CLUB..A private club to start with, has changed
it's long term plans. The membership ranks are filling and the
club will be all private again, and maybe as soon as later this
year. Highly recommended by yours truly, if your in Pinehurst
go play while you still can. After golf, The Dormie Clubs founding
partner Robert Hansen took me on a tour of his home. Hansen
you see now owns the famed Donald Ross house off the third
green of course #2. More on that in the days ahead. Visit
www.dormieclub.com. Another great Pinehurst area course.
LOCALLY..The Chicago Tribune did it again. First up their
announcement of the 2013 BMW going to Conway Farms is
old news. But is it, see recent Gog Blog columns for the full
story.
BIGGER SURPRISE..is yet another story on Butler National
changing it's all male membership and allowing in the gals.
Not likely, or at least anytime soon. The last time this was
rumored (another Tribune story), the fury roared through the
clubhouse. As a result the ranks pulled together, announced
a renewed commitment to current membership policies and
that was that. Members threatening to leave did not, and more
possible members thinking of joining who almost backed out
did not.
WHY CHANGE..well the thought of a US Open and the $$$
it would bring the club. Problem is the next US Open to be
announced, will not be this year but in 2013. That will be the
2020 US Open. Front runners for that one appear to be the
Southern Hills CC in Tulsa OK., or Oakland Hills CC in the
suburbs of Detroit MI.
2021 is expected to be back east. So then 2022 is up next
and that's where Butler could come into play. However since
that's 10 years off, any membership change at Butler could
be almost ten years away. If ever. What I really wonder is
how many Chicago Tribunes quickly made it to the dumpster
at the club when that story posted, or flushed down the you
know where in the same day.
FINALLY..OUT AT PEBBLE BEACH...Phil wins again after
having his season get off to rough start. Between legal issues
with a website, and his daughter fainting at school. 2012 did
not start the way "lefty" was hoping for on or off the course.
But his final round 64 while paired with Woods should give him
a whole load of confidence. While Woods the "Helicopter King"
for all his club flinging, including a whopper I hear on Saturday
backed up again at crunch time.
I give Tiger credit for his final round interviews after a tough day,
he did well. His game is coming around too, but it shows that
players are no longer afraid of him on Sunday.
What's sad is the media hype he gets already. Nick Flado just
couldn't wait to pick Woods to win on Saturday. ESPN is way
over the top with it's Tiger Alerts, someone there needs to get
a clue. PS..Where were those alerts on Sunday. Lefty alerts
were called for. Ratings for Sunday..way up so it's said. Maybe
that many people love watching Woods blow it. After all he is
tied with federal felon Michael Vick as the countries most disliked
athlete. It will take a while to live that down.
BIG 3 partners Len Ziehm and Tim Cronin are hard at work too,
Ziehm is in Florida where he just covered the Big Ten Match Play
Championship won again by the Wildcats of Northwestern over
the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Tim Cronin who has launched Illinoisgolfer.net on the web, has
now informed us he is going into print as well. Starting this April,
so be on the lookout for that at your favorite golf course.
The Gog Blog returns later this week..okay Go Play..I did and it
was great.
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