1 MINUTE READ - WATER'S EDGE

WATER'S EDGE BY THE NUMBERS

• 7205 W. 115th Street, Worth   708-671-1032
• YARDAGE - 4 TEES - 6,891 / 5,323 YDS PAR 72
• SLOPE/RATING - 72.9/134 - 69.1/125 (MEN), 74.7/131 - 70.6/122 (WOMEN)
• MAXIMUM GREEN FEES - around $60 M-F, $70 SA-SU (W/CART) 
• www.watersedgegolf.com

1 MINUTE READ

Playing Water's Edge Golf Club feels far away from the middle of suburbia location at 115th & Harlem Avenue in Worth.  The course straddles Harlem, with the clubhouse, driving range and the 1st and 18th holes to the west and the rest of the course across the road and stretching a mile east to Ridgeland.  The layout is heavily wooded with water in play on 11 holes and over 70 well-positioned sand traps .  The Water's Edge name comes from the Cal-Sag canal, which forms the southern boundary and comes into play along the 11th, 15th and 17th holes. 

The par 5's are stout, highlighted by the afore mentioned 11th, the signature hole at Water's Edge.  The hole starts with the landing area off the tee threaded between the canal left and another water hazard to the right the last 250 yards.  The fairway takes a sharp right turn near the green, which effectively sits just yards past the hazard.  The 1st hole is a challenging start, a 525 yard dogleg left with a creek crossing the fairway about 125 yards short of the green, which sits in a circle of large hardwoods. And the 4th has wetlands left off the tee and right near the green, but at 537 yards with a following wind, a chance to reach in 2 for big hitters.

The par 4's range from 382 to 428 yards from the tips and although similar lengths, each has enough distinguishing features to be memorable on their own. The 5th is one of my faves, a 424 yard dogleg left with a well bunkered, elevated green sitting in a bowl.  The 2nd is the hardest (#3 handicap), with OB left and a pond / wetlands bordering the right side.  The back nine features the parallel 13th & 14th holes, with 13 slightly uphill with a tricky, semi-blind approach to a tilted green and the 14th green well protected by a series of 3 bunkers left and a drop off right towards the woods. 

The best scoring opportunities may be on the par 3's, which besides the 200 yard 7th, are all under 160 yards, but some of the more contoured and difficult greens help protect par and water is in play to some degree on each hole.  Any good round requires a successful finish, and the par 4, 395 yard 18th delivers, with a tee box tucked in the trees behind the creek and a water hazard right to catch any shots pushed away from the hardwoods left.

LOST BALL QUOTIENT - Medium+.  The water is plentiful and there is lost ball thick woods bordering several holes.  The prairie grass that was originally featured has thankfully been drastically reduced, making the course more playable for the average golfer.   

HIT A HOUSE FACTOR - Very, very low.  Only a row of homes along the 2nd hole are remotely in play.

WALKER FRIENDLY RATING (0-10) - 8.  Besides the lengthy trek under Harlem Ave from the 1st and 17th greens, this is a compact layout that is a good walk in the park.

FINAL VERDICT - I enjoy Water's Edge a little more each time I play. Great location, reasonably priced, good variety of holes and the 4 sets of tees are spaced nicely to cater to all skill levels.  The covered patio overlooking the 18th hole is a good place for an after round beverage, too. The pace can get a little slow on busy weekends, but otherwise Water's Edge is a worthy visit to the south side.

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