I first visited the Fox Run Golf Links in the summer of 2011, and I discovered a fun 6,200 par 70 course with good bones, but badly in need of a facelift. Enter local architect Greg Martin, who spent parts of the next 2 years addressing serious drainage issues, installing a new irrigation delivery system, replacing cart paths and redesigning the majority of the approximately 50 bunkers to improve the course and nudge it into the 21st century. After a recent visit, I can attest that Fox Run has added significant aesthetic appeal, along with a bit more spunk to challenge area golfers.
The changes are fully evident on the 1st hole, as the previous oval shaped, shallow and bland fairway and greenside traps are gone, replaced by deeper, mounded hazards that offer a more upscale feel and look to the layout. The bunker improvements are evident throughout the round, especially green side at the 5th hole and in the fairway on the 7th hole. I also noticed that the long, skinny trap that ran parallel to the water hazard on the 13th hole was removed, so any shots bouncing right will no longer be saved by the sand.
The course routing was left in place as it winds through a quiet sub-division, with the 1st, 9th, 10th, 17th and 18th holes on the clubhouse side of the property, and the balance across a lightly travelled neighborhood street. I'm not the biggest fan of courses in housing developments, but with the exception of the townhomes to the left of the fairway on the short par four 8th hole, I never felt that an errant shot would do any harm to a home or resident. The nines are nearly identical in length par 35's, with only the 508 yard 4th and the 477 yard 11th listed as 3 shot holes on the scorecard, but the 4th can play longer than its listed length. A narrow creek crosses the fairway about 200 yards from the tee, with the safe play short with a long
iron/hybrid/fairway wood, but a driver over the hazard between the woods left and water right opens the opportunity to reach the uphill green in two.
There are several lengthy par fours that are no pushovers, with the parallel 13th & 14th holes two of the best at Fox Run. The aforementioned 13th has a very tight landing area with mature trees left in addition to the pond right. The 14th, the longest par four at 415 yards, is a right handed slicer's nightmare with the hazard right and overhanging trees very close to the tee box forcing drives towards the water. The fairway on the other 400 plus yard hole, #2, drifts to the right through the trees, with a pond left that wraps around the back of the green.
The signature hole at Fox Run is #10, as water running parallel the length of the hole splits the fairway. Option A is the more direct play to the right side to an effectively island fairway as water is in play on both sides, with the 2nd shot over the hazard. Option B requires a well struck drive over the hazard to the left fairway, which will leave open access to the large green. This hole was also the only one that was not included in the renovation, and will be worked on a later time. The par threes, particularly the 6th and 17th holes, are worth a mention, as the 6th (166 yards) has water framing both sides and a sprawling green, and the 17th (173 yards) featuring an
elevated green protected by three deeper sand traps. The 18th hole is a solid finish to the round, as more water is in play off the tee to the right, with trees tight left as the fairway moves slightly in that direction up to the big, back to front sloping green, and a snowman 8 sabotaged what would have been one of my better rounds.
Ponds, creeks and wetlands are in play on two-thirds of the holes, and this combination of water hazards along with plentiful mature trees and wildflowers provides an appealing mix that has been enhanced by the $2 million worth of updates. The slope has jumped from 119 to 125,
indicative of a stiffer challenge, and though the very best golfers may overpower the relatively short course, this 20 handicap found it to be an entertaining play with enough variety to keep my interest, plus the relatively level topography provides a good opportunity to stretch your legs and get some exercise if walking is your preference, a rare occurrence on a sub-division layout.
The top rate at Fox Run is $63 with cart on weekends ($54 Monday thru Friday), but 3 pm twilight rates and several weekday discounts provides for a reasonably priced round, and Elk Grove Village residents pay up
to $11 less with a Resident Identification Card (available for a nominal processing fee). The densely populated area at the north edge of the western suburbs is packed with quality golf options, and this scenic and golfer friendly park district facility has a good mix of playability and challenge for the average golfer. When I'm looking to play 18 holes in this region, Fox Run is always an affordable,viable option.
Mr Z Rating
Layout (20%) - 7
Playability (20%) - 7.5
Conditioning (15%) - 7.5
Aesthetics (15%) - 7.5
Amenities (10%) - 7.5
Value (20%) - 8.5
Total Score - 76
Fox Run Golf Links
333 Plum Grove Road, Elk Grove Village
847-228-3544 www.foxrungolflinks.com
4 tees - 6,257 / 5,213 yards par 70
70.1/125 - 67.1/117 rating/slope (men)
72.5/121 - 70.3/116 (women)
M-F $36.50/54 to 3 pm, $25/38 after 3
SA-SU $45.50/63 to 3 pm, $28/41 after 3
Juniors/Seniors $28/45.50 M-F
Monday Special - $35 w/c
Tuesday Special - $32 w/c 10 am - 1 pm
Friday Special - $30 w/c 6 - 8 am
8 minute tee time intervals
No comments:
Post a Comment