Blackberry Oaks GC - Bristol

The small town of Bristol is located west of Oswego, sandwiched between Sugar Grove and Yorkville about 20 miles west of Naperville.  Besides being home to the Bristol Tap, a classic roadside bar famous for burgers, Bristol also has a pretty nice golf course within its borders, Blackberry Oaks.  The par 72 track plays to a modest 6,400 yards from the Blue back tees (6,000 and 5,300 yards from the White and Red tees, respectively), but courts a hefty

71.3 / 134 rating / slope from the tips.  About 55 sand traps and 15 holes with water in the form of Blackberry Creek and several ponds are the main contributors to the difficulty.  Whatever significant elevation at Blackberry Oaks is found on the front side, which sits to the north of the clubhouse, while the back nine occupies the flatter terrain to the south.
My last visit to Blackberry Oaks was an eerie, fog laden late season round on a weekday in November 2012.  Although we could hardly see the ball through the pea soup the first few holes, I had enough familiarity with the course to know where we shouldn't be going (and to my surprise myself and my playing partner did not lose any balls).

Once the fog lifted (around the 5th hole), a challenging and entertaining course was unveiled in all its late autumn splendor that was in surprisingly good condition for this time of year.  All the par 4's are 400 yards or less, and the longest par 5 tops out at 523 yards (#11), so distance challenged golfers like myself will not be overwhelmed by sheer length, yet bigger hitters will still be able to use driver on most holes if they choose.  Ultimately, this is a shot makers course, where ball placement and the short game are keys to scoring well.

The 1st hole is a good warm up, a short par 4, though any stray shots will be penalized by the prairie bordering both sides.  But the 2nd and 3rd holes ratchet up the challenge, with #2 the longest par 5 on the front (515 yards) with two deep fairway traps to the right and six more surrounding the green, and #3 a par 4 requiring a drive threaded between ponds with three more fairway traps right.  The first par 3 follows, 172 yards and all carry over water that wraps around the right side to the back of a large green.  After two more short par 4's with water and sand significantly in play (#5 features a huge sandy waste area reminiscent of desert courses), the 7th provides a breather, a reachable par 5 that is probably the best chance at birdie on the course (I made a 40 foot putt for a four, if I can do it, then anyone can!).  Blackberry Creek pays a visit on #9 as it meanders across the fairway off the tee and flows up the right side, then protects the front of the green about 50 yards out with a big willow to the right.

The back side is more compact as the creek plays an increasing role and trees are more evident.  The 10th hole has 2 large oaks blocking the left side of the fairway, while the creek bends in from the right to narrow the landing area considerably, a good hole to start the next nine.  The par three 12th green is tightly surrounded by water, effectively creating a peninsula that is difficult to find off the tee if the wind is blowing.  #'s 13 and 14 (both 360 yard par 4's) brings the prairie into play, as any shots left are likely lost.  The two par 5's, 11 and 16, run parallel as they bend to the right, strategically separated by ponds and both heavily bunkered greenside.  The last hole is a tricky par 4 as the creek crosses the fairway about 175 yards out and then continues up the left side, with the green hidden in a semi-circle of mature trees.

  The top rate is $65 w/cart on weekends, $57 during the week, with twilight rates at 2 and 4 pm on the weekends, and that is probably about the right price for this course, especially when you add in the driving range conveniently located adjacent to the 9th hole and the 10 minute tee time intervals, which is a major bonus and rare at this price point.  (Check the Blackberry Oaks website or GolfNow to score a better deal.)  If you like to walk, this is an excellent course to do so and you can save a few dollars for an after golf drink.

Blackberry Oaks touts itself as a "Link with Nature", and the late local architect David Gill provided a respectable mix of trees, wetlands and prairie into the design.  But what is missing are those one or two "wow" holes that stick in your mind long after your round is over, the ones that separate a good course from a great course.  Above all else, though, Blackberry Oaks is a fun track to play and one that warrants a return trip sometime in the future.  Top off your round with a beer and burger at the Bristol Tap, and you'll have all you need for a winning day on the links.

Mr Z Rating

Layout (20%) - 8
Playability (20%) - 8.5
Conditioning (15%) - 8
Aesthetics (15%) - 7
Amenities (10%) - 8
Value (20%) - 8

Total Score - 79.5

 

 

Blackberry Oaks Golf Course

2245 Kennedy Road, Bristol

630-553-7170

3 tees, 6,404/ 5,294 yds, par 72

71.3/134 - 69.6/130 rating / slope

M-F $41/57

Sa-Su $49/65 to 2 pm, $39/55 to 4 pm, $32/48 after 4

Seniors (60) / Jrs (17 & Under) $30/46 M-F
Drivng Range On Site

10 minute tee time intervals