Pinecrest Golf Club
11220 Algonquin Road
Huntley, IL 60142
847-669-3111
6,666 - 4,659 yds Par 72
72.3 / 128 - 63.8 / 108 Rating / Slope (M)
77.1 / 130 - 68.0 / 116 (W)
www.pinecresthuntley.com
PINECREST PHOTO TOUR
THE STORY
In 1970, the Village of Huntley was a small (population 1,432) rural outpost 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, a pass through on Route 47 on the way to Lake Geneva. It was under this scenario that Herb Jackisch transformed 130 acres of farmland on Algonquin Road into Pinecrest Golf Club in 1972. His vision was interpreted by golf architect Ted Locke, a name not commonly linked to Windy City courses who did most of his work out west in Washington state and British Columbia. Names more familiar to the local golf scene, Bob Lohmann and Dick Nugent, were also noted as having worked on Pinecrest in later years.
Fast forward to 2020. Huntley is a thriving town which over 25,000 people call home, with the sprawling Sun City senior community putting Huntley firmly in the Chicagoland consciousness. The Huntley Park District purchased the course in 2003 for $5.7 million, and a sparkling new clubhouse built in 2008 with a 200 guest capacity for banquets completed the Pinecrest campus. Along with the Sun City based Whisper Creek, Pinecrest completes a dynamic duo of 2 fine courses located in the village.
THE PLAY
The par 72 course stretches to a respectable 6,666 yards and is a true parkland layout with hundreds of deciduous hardwoods and evergreens framing most every fairway. Each nine has the standard 2-5-2 pars 3,4,5 configuration, with the front 9 slightly longer. Sixty three bunkers dot the landscape, with two dozen penalizing errant drives and the rest tightly protecting the greens. A few holes feature forced carries over traps, the most prominent on hole #4, a short (502 yds) par 5 which features 2 large traps carved into the front of the elevated green.
The concept of easing into the round is not present in the Pinecrest routing, as 2 of the most difficult holes are served up at the start. The 1st hole (#5 handicap) is a mid length (380 yard) par 4, with a semi blind tee shot over a ridge. The 2nd shot requires a carry over the first of 5 ponds to a subtly elevated green. The par five 2nd hole (#1 handicap), a monstrous 593 yards from the tips, has an intimidating drive as pond #2 covers the left half of the fairway. Option A is to aim right and land between the water and the woods, or muscle up and fly the water with Option B; either one requires a well executed shot to avoid a lost ball and a penalty stroke. The next shot is up and over a hill, with an open view of the green and pond #3, which hugs the right side from 75 yards out to the putting surface.
Substantial par fives are featured on 2 of the last 3 holes. #16 is 550 yards with a slight dogleg to the left and 6 fairway bunker providing obstacles on the way to the pushed up green. The 18th is an excellent finish, as the 533 yards gradually bends to the right. The placement of the second shot is key to get past the ever present woods on the right and have an unimpeded look at the heavily trapped green.
SHOW STOPPERS
I love short, well designed par threes, and the 8th hole fits well into that mold. Only 116 yards, the tee shot crosses pond #1 next to the 1st hole, with three side hill sand traps between the water hazard and the rolling green. The previous hole, #7, is my favorite par 4, 413 yards long with a gradual incline to the hole. But the par 5's are the stars here, all well designed, challenging and memorable to varying degrees, and the 18th is a big finish to the end of the round.
Pinecrest is nicely appointed with the perks that lead to a positive experience. The driving range is ideally located between the 1st tee and the 10th fairway, a perfect place to warm up before the round. The friendly staff in the halfway house welcomes a quick stop to grab a hot dog on the way to the 10th tee, and the clubhouse is a great place to enjoy a beer and a bite to eat after the round, with the outdoor patio providing a great view looking back over the 18th green and fairway.
THE TICKET
For what it has to offer, Pinecrest is a high value play in the far Northwest burbs. Published rates for 2020 top out at $59 with a cart on weekend mornings, and walking is allowed after 11 am for a $15 savings at a very walkable track. Early twilight at 2 pm is $42 walking / $50 riding.
Monday-Friday rates are $44 w/cart ($29 walking), dropping to $24 walk /34 ride at 2 pm. A Senior rate for age 50+ will save a modest $3 off weekday rates, and Huntley Park District residents get a $4 discount at all times. Pinecrest lures Junior golfers (17 and
CRITICS CHOICE
I play 30+ different courses in the Windy City each year, and if I lived closer than the 60 miles from my home in Lemont, I would likely visit Pinecrest on a regular basis. The website states that Pinecrest has "some of the best greens in the state", a lofty statement but the putting surfaces are uniformly fast and smooth. The course conditions in general, including tees, fairways and
The layout may not have the topographical dynamics or upscale flourishes of the highest regarded Windy City courses, but it is solid in every way, a fun and entertaining play that has plenty of challenge for all skill levels at a very reasonable cost. The rating on Golf Advisor for Pinecrest is a respectable 4.0 out of 5, and the near 90% Recommended Rate and high annual volume is a testament to its popularity. My guess is the Huntley Park District is quite pleased with the investment made in Pinecrest GC.
WCPGG RATING
Layout (20%) - 7.5
Playability (20%) - 8
Conditioning (15%) - 8
Aesthetics (15%) - 7
Amenities (10%) - 8
Value (20%) - 8.5
Total Rating - 78.5
No comments:
Post a Comment