Bowes Creek CC - Elgin

The city of Elgin, about 40 miles nothwest of Chicago, is the 8th largest city in Illinois, and one of the fastest growing ones, too.  And with this growth comes the need for recreational outlets, and the golfing side is being met quite admirably by two newcomers, The Highlands of Elgin, the municipal links track, and the semi-private Bowes Creek Country Club at the west edge of town.  The Rick Jacobson designed Bowes Creek course opened in 2009 and has large sloping greens, an abundance of water hazards and natural wetlands, and enough elevation change (mostly on the back nine) to provide some spectacular views around the 6,900 yard / par 71 layout.

But the dominant feature of this course are the approximately 90 jagged bunkers fringed by thick grass that will intimidate and overwhelm the less skilled among us, and is a main contributor to the harrowing 73.2 / 142 rating / slope from the back set of the 5 tees.  (My group played the Whites, the middle set, which still sported a 133 slope at a few steps under 6,000 yards.)

The front nine at Bowes Creek is 3,600 yards at a par of 36 (the back is 300 yards and one stroke less), and is mostly flat with the mounded fairways and collection areas around the elevated greens that are common on newer, upscale courses.

Watery (pond/wetland) hazards are featured on almost every hole, with lakes bordering the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th fairways.  The landing areas are wide off the tee, but the fairway traps are plentiful and believe me, you don't want to be stuck in either the sand or the surrounding "hairy" lips, as extrication is painful from either.  Trees are a mere backdrop on the front until the 7th hole, the longest par 4 at 444 yards with woods tight the length of the left, and the 8th hole, a near 600 yard dogleg left with the forest bordering the entire left side, with a few particularly large specimens leaning into the fairway near the green.  The 9th hole is a 390 yard par 4 that is laid out beautifully with a pond and a large fairway trap to the right, a few solitary trees blocking access to the pin on the left, and another sizable trap fronting the right side of the elevated green, with the clubhouse in the background.

 

Trees are a more prominent feature on the back side, as the holes wind up, down and around the woods and wetlands.  the par five 10th hole (the last one on the course) provides an expansive view off the elevated tee and replays the water / sand right theme from the previous hole, with a small stand of trees guarding the left; a solid drive between the hazards may provide a chance to reach the green in two.  The 11th is one of the tighter tee shots, with woods framing both sides as the fairway curves to the right.  And the 12th hole, the shortest par four at 343 yards, is all carry over protected wetlands with one of the nastiest bunkers on a course full of nasty protecting the dogleg right.

 

The shortest par 3, #14, is tucked away at the far end of the property, but is also the most intriguing, with a trap basically forming a wall of sand to the left and one of the more severely sloped greens.  I really liked the 17th hole, a shorter (371 yard) par 4 with near double digit bunkering scattered on the path to the pin.  The par four 18th is a worthy finish to the round, with the back 2 sets of tees tucked in the woods high over the fairway, with water, prairie and another surplus of sand to the green.

All this comes at a price, as the "Member for a Day" greens fee tops out at $98 for a morning weekend (Friday-Sunday) start, but this includes cart, unlimited golf when available

and access to the extensive practice area.  Reduced rates after 1 and 4 pm are available, and the $39 (Monday-Thursday) and $49 weekend fee near 4 in the middle of the summer may be the way to go for frugal golfers.  Although the first few holes left me wondering what all the buzz was about, Bowes Creek eventually delivered and was a fun play to the end, although an overzealous rangers' unwarranted admonishment for slow play on the 11th hole marred our visit last fall.  But that aside, when you throw in the top rate conditions and expansive clubhouse, at the very least Bowes Creek is worth an initial visit.  My guess is that a return trip will be in order.

 

Mr Z Rating

Layout (20%) - 8
Playability (20%) - 8
Conditioning (15%) - 9
Aesthetics (15%) - 8.5
Amenities (10%) - 9.5
Value (20%) - 8

Total Score - 83.75
                    

Bowes Creek Country Club

1250 Bowes Creek Boulevard, Elgin

847-214-5880

5 tees, 6,917/ 5,029 yds, par 71

73.2/142 - 69.3/133 rating / slope

M-Th $79 to 1 pm, $59 to 4 pm, $39 after 4

F-Su $98 to 1 pm, $65 to 4 pm, $49 after 4

Seniors (62) $59 M-F 10 am-2 pm, $79 F-Su
Juniors (17 & Under) $39 M-Th 1-3 pm, $79 F-Su
(All rates include carts)
Drivng Range / Practice Area included

Resident Rates Available
10 minute tee time intervals