Mill Creek Golf Club in Geneva resides in the sprawling subdivision of the same name. The course is scenic, with an abundance of trees, wetlands, wildflowers and prairie grass present as it wanders through the east side of the property. And though the back tees play to a reasonable 6,420 yard par 71, don’t be fooled, this course can be brutally difficult, as represented by the 71.4 rating/135 slope. There are several carries over hazards, narrow landing areas off the tee, hidden ponds, and maddening greens filled with so many slopes and swales that they border on unplayable.
The major issue at Mill Creek, however, is the hole routing, as there are way too many spots were streets and homes come into play. The most glaring example of this is #10, a short (310 yards), slight dogleg right par 4 that may have you salivating at the chance to drive the green. Well, settle down, as there is a sign on the tee that states “Irons Only”; I can only imagine that too many mothers with strollers or kids on bicycles were terrorized by shots sliced off the tee. (I’ll come clean…I used a 5 wood, but I kept it in the fairway.) The next hole (dogleg left par 5), isn’t much better, although no restriction on club selection here, and the quaint row houses across the street from the right side of the 9th fairway are potential targets, also. The couple working in the backyard along the par three 2nd hole knew better, as they temporarily stopped and stepped away as we teed it up (I guess our practice swings didn’t give them any confidence that we wouldn’t shank a 6 iron…).
The 1st hole is a good indicator of what’s to follow, a short par 4 with a blind tee shot, then an approach to a narrow green protected by wetlands front left and an unnaturally tall mound to the right. The 3rd hole is one of the best on the front, a gorgeous uphill par 4 with a 125 to 175 yard carry over a pond off the tee with prairie grass bordering both sides of the fairway, and an approach to a front to back sloped green guarded by trees that sits up on a plateau. Don’t be surprised if what you thought was a good approach hits the down
slope and ends up in the high grass behind the green. The 4th hole is a par 5 dogleg right with water at the end of the fairway at the bend, plus another pond left of the elevated green. The tightest driving hole on the course is #5, a 330 yard par 4 with about 20 yards of fairway between thick stands of trees. My favorite par 3 is #6, 170 yards over a waste area to a green surrounded by bunkers. But the 9th hole is the one you’ll remember (or hope to forget) on the front, a shortish par 5 at just over 500 yards, but a blind tee shot up a hill, and a 2nd (or 3rd) shot down to a wide, severely sloped green with a lake center left the last 100 yards. You’ll need to be within 150 yards of the pin to clear a ridge and have a look at the pin. It’ll take a few times playing this hole to determine the best way to attack.
The back 9 is highlighted by four good par 4’s. #12 is the longest at over 430 yards, and features a drive over wetlands; #14 is slightly uphill to a huge tiered green; #15 is another carry over prairie, and beware of the hidden pond to the back left of the green; and the finishing hole has wildflowers and water to the right, then more water left towards the green. The other highlight on the back side is #16, a 215 yard par 3 with another pond to carry on the drive, and an elevated green protected by deep bunkers (both sand and grass).
Mill Creek was designed by land developer / course architect Roy Case, who also built its subdivision neighbor, Tanna Farms, and where Tanna Farms was his post graduate work, Mill Creek was his class project. My feelings towards Mill Creek is similar to the love / hate relationship I have with Klein Creek, although with a top rate of $50 w/cart, the flaws at Mill Creek are a lot easier to swallow. So my best recommendation is to give it a try and make your own decision, it won’t cost an arm and a leg, and at the very least you’ll play some scenic and “unique” holes.
Mr Z Rating
Layout (20%) - 5
Playability (20%) - 5
Conditioning (15%) - 7
Aesthetics (15%) - 8
Amenities (10%) - 7.5
Value (20%) - 8.5
Total Score - 67
The 1st hole is a good indicator of what’s to follow, a short par 4 with a blind tee shot, then an approach to a narrow green protected by wetlands front left and an unnaturally tall mound to the right. The 3rd hole is one of the best on the front, a gorgeous uphill par 4 with a 125 to 175 yard carry over a pond off the tee with prairie grass bordering both sides of the fairway, and an approach to a front to back sloped green guarded by trees that sits up on a plateau. Don’t be surprised if what you thought was a good approach hits the down 
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