The Sanctuary GC - New Lenox

I have been a regular visitor to the Sanctuary Golf Club (www.golfsanctuary.com) in New Lenox since its opening in the mid 90’s, and it remains one of my favorite places to play in the southern suburbs. The course is very typical of others built in the last 20 years, a mix of “prairie links” and woods that provides a good variety of holes. It is located just north of Route 30 on Marley Rd and has a secluded feel to it that doesn’t make you think that you’re in one of the fastest growing communities in the state.

And with the extension of I-355 down to I-80, it is much more accessible to get to than before.

The course starts out fairly benign with 3 par 4's and a par 3 that all provide good opportunities for par.  The 2nd and 3rd holes run along the railroad tracks and provides a great view of the vintage train trestle that appears in the course logo.  The Sanctuary gets serious on the 5th hole, a double dog leg par 5 that plays to near 570 yards from the back tees.  The hole breaks left, then slightly further left near the green, with the last 200 yards thru a tunnel of trees.  A par on this hole will be well earned.  The 6th hole is a short par 3 over a waste area with a wide, shallow green that is an elusive target from the tee.  After a par 4 and 5, the front nine finishes with a tricky par 4 (a really long 452 yards from the new back tees hidden behind a stand of trees), with prairie to the right and wetlands left, and an elevated green with steep drops off the sides; it will be hard to get all the balls close to save par (or bogey, depending on the pin placement). 

The back nine starts out like the front with 2 straight forward holes (a par 4 & a par 3), then turns up the heat on #12, a par 5 that plays to 545 yards from the back tees. Water comes into play on the left side off the tee, and mounds to the right will make for some uncomfortable stances should you venture in that direction.  #13 ratchets up the pressure a bit more, a 440 yard par 4 with water right and prairie grass and woods to the left, and a huge sloping green to contend with.

Holes 14 and 15 are across a creek and are 2 beauties cut through the woods, a short par 4 with a tight tee shot and a difficult par 3, 209 yards, one of the hardest pars on the course.  The 17th hole is the #1 handicap on the back, a 587 yard par 5 with water bordering the entire left side and a 2nd pond to the right near the elevated green, and 18 provides a challenging finish, a long par 4 with water in play both right and left off the tee.

The Sanctuary has one of the best practice facilities in the area, and the course has normally been in pretty good condition over the numerous times I've played.  There is a lot of trouble to deal with (75 bunkers, water on 14 holes, large swaths ofprairie grass), but most everything is right there for you to see and you never feel like you are being overwhelmed by the course. The green fees top out at a reasonable $60 w/GPS equipped carts on weekends, 

and if you can play anytime on Wednesdays, it’s only going to put you out $27 w/cart. Added bonus: this is a very walkable layout, and if you’re on a budget or need the exercise, a $21 weekday / $31 weekend walking twilight rate may work best for you (they’ll even throw in a pull cart for free!). The Sanctuary is both a good course AND a good value for south suburban golfers.

Mr Z Rating

Layout - 8

Playability - 8

Conditioning - 7

Aesthetics - 6.5

Amenities - 8

Value - 8

Total Score - 76