COURSE REVIEW - WIND SWEPT LINKS DEFINE PRAIRIE BLUFF

A good piece of land can go a long way in the successful design of a golf course.  Prairie Bluff Golf Club was blessed with just such land.  The sprawling 230 acre parcel of rolling prairie on Renwick Road, just west of Route 53 in southwest suburban Crest Hill features a ridge that cuts north-south across the property, adding visual interest and scenic drama to the wind swept links track.

The course was designed by Roger Packard and two-time U.S. Open winner Andy North. Although North's after golf career is defined mainly by his work as a highly respected commentator, he has had a degree of success in course design.  In collaboration with Packard, his imprint is on acclaimed works like The General in Galena and Trappers Turn in the Wisconsin Dells, and their work at Prairie Bluff is rock solid.

Prairie Bluff plays as a traditional par 72 and stretches out to near 6,900 yards from the back set of 4 tees, plenty of yardage to attract bigger hitters, and on most tees there is enough room to let it fly with the driver; the 6,500 yard Blue tees and 6,100 yard Whites are good options for higher handicappers and seniors to enjoy the round.  There are 6 separate ponds in play, with the biggest challenge presented by the water filling the bend on the dogleg left par four 14th, and on the 9th and 18th holes, a pair of par fours that curl around each side of the hazard heading north back to the clubhouse.

Besides the woods at the northeast corner of the property that borders the left sides of the 544 yard 4th hole and 401 yard 5th hole, trees are scarce and minimally in play, but what Prairie Bluff does have is the aforementioned water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, big sloping greens and acres of dense prairie grasses that swallow errant shots. When the wind is howling, Prairie Bluff is much more difficult than the 72.7 rating / 124 slope from the tips.

The gently rolling prairie transitions to the ridge at the east end of the property on the 5th hole, a scenic par 4 that climbs uphill and turns left between the native grasses to an oversized green.  The 7th, 14th and 15th holes all utilize the elevation change to dramatic effect, with the sprawling view of the 15th hole tumbling down and then back up to the green 573 yards in the distance one of the best.  The 14th has a stand of large trees next to the pond that pinches the fairway from the left, making this one of the tighter drives as the grasses lurk near the right edge.  

Prairie Bluff is located a few miles west of downtown Lockport, but the site feels much more remote as open fields border the west and south edges, and the massive Stateville correctional facility in the distance the main structure in view from the confines of the course.  A good sized driving range is ideally located to the left of the 1st tee, and the clubhouse houses P.B. Mulligan's, a full service bar and restaurant that offers an extensive menu and covered outdoor dining overlooking the 9th and 18th holes, a fun, casual atmosphere to unwind after the round.

The green fees on Weekday mornings are $52 with cart and Weekends jump an additional 20% to $65, and a $16 savings is offered to walkers off each rate.  Discounted rates for seniors and mid day rates will bring the cost down to around $40 w/cart.  I made the (bad) decision to save a few dollars and get some exercise the last time I played Prairie Bluff, and after traipsing up and down the ridge on the front nine on a steamy summer afternoon, I staggered into the clubhouse and asked

for a cart to finish the round. Though the layout is mostly walker friendly, be forewarned that the maximum exposure on a sunny, humid day can be draining.

There are several high profile prairie links style courses in the Windy City area that command steeper fees to play, and though Prairie Bluff may not normally be included in that discussion, for my money this is a good play that provides the right mix of challenge, conditions, amenities and cost that makes it worth a trip to the southwest suburbs.

WCPGG Rating 

Layout (20%) - 8
Playability (20%) - 8.5
Conditioning (15%) - 7.5
Aesthetics (15%) - 7
Amenities (10%) - 8
Value (20%) - 8

Total Score - 78.75

Prairie Bluff Golf Club

19433 Renwick Road, Crest Hill

815-836-4653

www.prairiebluffgc.com

4 tees - 6,893 - 5,326 yards, par 72

Rating/Slope 72.7/124 - 68.9/116 (M)

74.7/121 - 70.7/113 (W)

M-F $36 walk/52 ride, $28/42 Mid-Day, $26/36 twilight

SA-SU $49/65, $36/51 Mid-Day, $32/42 twilight
SENIORS $26/38 M-F  JUNIORS $20 walk M-F
8 minute tee time interval
Driving Range On Site