COURSE REVIEW - RENOVATION DONE RIGHT - MT. PROSPECT CHANNELS CLASSIC ERA OF GOLF DESIGN

Biarritz, Redan, Eden and Punchbowl are golf related terms that I was faintly aware, but it wasn't until I played a round at Mt. Prospect Golf Club that these words were brought vividly to life.  The course dates back to the 1920's and for years was considered a modest, but somewhat uninspiring entry in the crowded north suburban public golf landscape.  The decision was made by the Mt. Prospect Park District in 2014 to proceed with a complete renovation of the property, which included a new irrigation system, redesigned greens, an expanded driving range and practice area and several new holes.

Local Architect David Esler was commissioned to update the course for the 21st century while instilling the charm of the classic era of golf design from the original layout.  Esler had great success in his work at Ravisloe, the highly regarded private turned public course in south suburban Homewood, where he revitalized the lost elements of the work of Donald Ross, one of the legendary architects of the early 20th century.  Although Mt. Prospect didn't have an architect of Ross stature linked to the 1926 design (there is no record of the architect of that version), the result of Esler's work will invoke much of the same "step back in time" aura found at Ravisloe.

The layout is expertly pieced together on a compact parcel of land within a mid-century Mt. Prospect neighborhood, which adds to the classic feel and experience. Esler was able to lengthen the course by a few hundred yards and create a 20,000 square foot putting green and two 15,000 square foot short game areas; there is very little wasted space at MPGC.  The par 70 course plays to 6,300 yards from the back tees, certainly not long by today's standards, but anyone above a single digit handicap might be best suited playing the Silver tees at just under 6,000 yards, as this course is no pushover.  The tips carry a stout 70.3 / 135 Course Rating / Slope, while 300 yards closer still sports a 68.1 / 130 line.

The round kicks off with a 575 yard monster of a par 5 ("Principal's Nose", all the holes have descriptive names), and the par four 2nd hole ("Horseshoe") checks in at a hefty 460 yards with a creek flowing across the fairway about 100 yards from the green, and having the number 3 and 1 handicap holes to start requires immediate focus.  The balance of the front nine has a blend of medium length par 4's, with the notable exception of the 465 yard 6th hole (Plateau), with 2 unique par 3's thrown into the mix.  

The 220 yard 4th hole is a "Reverse Redan", and here is where I reach for the dictionary of

golfing terms: A Redan is "a par 3 with a green that tilts from the right front corner to the back left." Mt. Prospect's version slopes from front left to back right, with 3 green side bunkers and dense native grasses and wildflowers framing the right side and back of the green, adding a popular prairie style element to the mainly parkland style layout.  The 7th hole ("Lion's Mouth") features a deep three-tiered putting surface, with a pot bunker centered in front of the green, a nod to the 13th hole at St. Andrew's, one of several "template" holes that pay homage to famous courses.

The back side starts with a tiny par 3 ("Short"), but the adventure starts at the green, which features different levels and slopes that will test even the best golfers.  The complex and at times severe greens are a common theme here and in many cases the main defense to par.  The 180 yard 12th hole ("Eden") has a steeply sloping back to front green and is modeled after St. Andrew's 11th hole, with deep bunkers front left (the "Hill") and right (the "Strath") protecting the approach.

The third par 3 on the back is 16 and features a "Biarritz" green, with a deep swale bisecting the putting surface from left to right. At 225 yards from the tips with OB right, finding the right level from that distance to avoid putting through the swale is a major challenge and pars are an accomplishment. 

The par five's on the Inward Nine are both under 500 yards and offer different risk/reward opportunities.  The 15th ("Narrows") has a tight landing area off the tee, and any thoughts of going for the green in two are tempered by a pond that blocks the

left front side.  The 17th ("Road") has an equally difficult drive, with a near perfect shot needed to have a look at the elevated green that wraps around a deep bunker modeled after the famed Road Hole, #17 at St. Andrews.


Here are the common themes I found at Mt. Prospect. The course is interesting and fun from start to finish with a wide variety of holes, it's a challenging but fair test, it is an easy walking layout for those inclined and it's affordable: MPGC was included in Golf Digest's "25 Courses That Offer the Most Bang for Your Buck" in the U.S.  Posted rates are $58 walking / $77 riding on weekends

and $43 / $62 on weekdays, but the course utilizes a dynamic pricing booking model and discounted rates are commonly found on the MPGC website.  If you do decide to ride, handy Touchscreen GPS is featured in each cart, a nice upgrade.

The clubhouse features a comfortable full service grill to enjoy a burger and a beer after the round and the place mats featuring a hole by hole description of the course are a nice touch. This is a true community facility that is abuzz with activity most days, and the update hits all the right notes of a classic era experience in the 21st century.  If you haven't made the trip to the Near North 'burbs to experience this course, I recommend that you fix that situation ASAP and enjoy a perfect example of a "Renovation Done Right".

WCPGG RATING

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

Total Rating - 84

Mt. Prospect Golf Club

600 South See-Gwun Avenue, Mt. Prospect

847-259-4200

www.golfmtptospect.com

4 tees - 6,305 - 5,065 yards, par 70

Rating/Slope 70.3/135 - 63.5/119 (M)

73.0/133 - 66.7/120 (W)
Posted Rates (2018)

M-F $43 walk/62 ride, $26/40 twilight

SA-SU $58/77, $32/46 twilight
SENIORS / JUNIORS $34/53 M-F
9 minute tee time interval
Driving range on site