University Golf Club - University Park

I had played the Urban Hills Golf Course in University Park a few times over the last 20 years, but it never made enough of an impression to be in my regular rotation.  Earlier this summer, I visited the University Golf Club, which is the old Urban Hills reborn with a million dollar plus facelift.  Job well done!!  The layout is classic parkland, with plenty of mature trees lining most every fairway, gently rolling hills, and enough sand (about 40 traps) and water hazards to keep your attention.  Raised greens are the norm here, so any wayward approaches will likely have a tricky chip shot from below the putting surface.

The current course plays to just over 6,700 yards, with the 16th hole stretching to over 600 yards from the back set of 4 tees.  Both nines start off with short dog leg left par 4's, with the 10th requiring a more precise tee shot to the right to avoid the large trees and the pond protecting the turn.   There are 3 other par 4's that play at under 370 yards, with the 5th hole having a tough 2nd shot to a sloping green with water on the right, and the 12th an intriguing little par 4 with 2 large fairway bunkers on the left and one of those push up greens to punish wayward short irons.

The two toughest holes on the front (both in my estimation and on the socrecard) are #'s 3 and 6, two long par 4's (428 and 446 yards, respectively).  The holes are nearly identical, down to having their tee boxes next to one another and running parallel, with wide fairways and water in play on the 2nd shot.  The 7th and 9th holes also stood out on the front side.  The par 3 7th is a challenge at near 200 yards, with thick prairie bordering the left side, and the 9th is a par 4 with a blind tee shot over a ridge

and a great view of the newly built clubhouse in the background behind the green.

Not having a lot of history with Urban Hills, I can't say for sure what has changed with the new configuration, but the 13th hole, a short par 5 at 488 yards, is certainly one of the upgrades.  Six sand traps are scattered along the fairway and near the green, with mounding giving definition to the fairway and rough.  The 14th and 15th holes, both par 4's, form the west border of the

property, with OB the entire length on the left, and the 14th featuring one of the more severe greens on the course.  The 4th and 17th holes are short par 3's over water, with the 17th particularly picturesque, nicely tucked back in the woods.  The round finishes with a dog leg left with water along the right out to 175 yards, with one last elevated green to overcome.

University GC sits just north of Governors State U. on Crawford Avenue (Pulaski to city dwellers), and along with Deer Creek,

provides 2 pretty nice tracks for a tiny south suburb.  Although not beastly difficult with an accurate 71.4 / 123 Rating / Slope from the tips, the Gold tees at 6,350 (69 / 119) is still plenty of challenge for most golfers. 

The main issue at University is the lack of "pop" in the layout, as there is not a lot of variety to the holes and the one or two that stand out from the rest is missing.  But that aside, this is still a solid layout, and with top weekend rates with cart in the mid $40's (plus mid day discounts), and a friendly and accommodating staff, this course is definitely worth a visit by south suburban golfers.

Mr Z Rating


Layout (20%) - 7
Playability (20%) - 7.5
Conditioning (15%) - 6.5
Aesthetics (15%) - 6
Amenities (10%) - 7.5
Value (20%) -8.5

Total Score - 72.25