Daily Dose: May 21 - All things golf...

Spent the weekend out in the Quad Cities to attend the media day for the PGA Tour stop in Silvis, the John Deere Classic.

With no BMW Championship this year, this is the only chance for golf fans to catch the highest level of the sport.

(Now, the Nationwide Tour's Bank of America Open is no slouch either, as the top notch field will include many PGA Tour members that couldn't get into the Memorial.)

But there is something to be said about being at a PGA Tour event, and having covered the JDC for years, it is unique. First, it's a lot hillier than Dubsdread at Cog Hill - so wear comfortable shoes. And you will see really good golf - that's a guarantee.

From out here, the drive is very nice. It's over 2 hours, sure, and with gas prices what they are, that's something to consider. But, you can get a hotel room cheap and you won't find the type of crowds you get at Cog Hill (unless you want to follow Iowa native Zach Johnson). And, it's a simple trek - I-88 pretty much ends right at TPC and a Ramada.

There are casinos down there, and other nice places to visit and golf - definitely worth your time to go out there in July.

I want to thank head pro Kevin Kwak and Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport, for hosting some of us media folk for a great day of golf on Sunday. The course is fabulous, and the greens were rolling at a mere 10.3. If the name sounds familiar, it is - Crow Valley was the host of the first Quad City Open.

Monday was media day at TPC Deere Run where defending champ Jonathan Byrd made an appearance. Having played this course a handful of times, I highly recommend it.

Speaking of recommendations, if you want to have some fun and have time to kill tomorrow, the first major of the Illinois PGA's season is underway and will finish up tomorrow at Kemper Lakes.

The semi-finals of the Match Play will begin at 8 am with the Finals slated for Noon.
Head out there for some great golf, especially since Westmoreland Country Club's Hans Larson is making a great run. He started the tournament as the 104th seed, after all.
Here's who is left: (104),Hans Larson,Westmoreland CC, (4) Darren Stanek,Oak Club of Genoa, (15),Simon Allan,Westmoreland CC and (3),Matt Slowinski,Glen Oak CC.