WELCOME BACK! NEW AND IMPROVED SETTLER'S HILL RETURNS AFTER GREG MARTIN UPDATE

I'd been patiently waiting for the unveiling of the renovated Settler's Hill, Greg Martin's latest project in the Chicagoland Public Golf scene.  A course I've always liked in the hands of an architect who has worked on some of my favorite Windy City layouts (Coyote Run, Phillips Park and the Preserve at Oak Meadows, to name a few), had my anticipation level on high alert.  So when I saw that Settler's Hill was reopening on August 5th, I had my weekend tee time booked.  Uncooperative weather delayed my visit by a few weeks, but it was worth the wait. 

Anyone expecting a major overhaul might be disappointed, as the majority of the routing remains intact.  But a closer look shows subtle changes that will greatly enhance the overall player experience.  "The intention was to open up Settler's for a more playable and fun experience for most any caliber of player by widening corridors and fairways, open views and take advantage of this extraordinary property." shared Martin, whose recent work at The Preserve at Oak Meadows has received award winning acclaim.

The course now plays to a par 71 at just shy of 6,500 yards, about 200 yards and 1 shot less than the original layout, but the updated rating / slope of 71.5 / 129 from the Black tees will provide a stern test to the better player.  Most would be advised to tee it up from the Whites, 6,037 yards at 69.5 / 124, still plenty of course for the average golfer.

The routing has shifted by 1 hole, so the former short, downhill par 4 opener is now a potential birdie opportunity at the end the round.  This hole is temporarily serving as the start to the round (the proposed new clubhouse is on hold and the old red barn is still in service as the pro shop), but an important change is revealed.  3 deep bunkers were added and set into the mounding on the right side of the fairway, and the new, reshaped traps throughout the course reminded me of a cross between the Donald Ross inspired stylings at Ravisloe and the blow out bunkers of the sand hills of Nebraska, deep and craggy and a little bit menacing, too. and a better fit to the linksy feel of Settler's Hill.

There were 3 major changes that Martin incorporated in his renovation. The first arrives at the 5th and 6th holes. The tees on the former 6th were moved up 50 yards to transform the par 5 into a monstrous 441 yd par 4 that rightfully holds the #1 handicap.  The creek up the right side remains prominently in play and the turn of the hazard to the left just yards in front of the green demands 2 precise shots to reach the green in regulation.

The new 6th hole is the most dramatic revision at Settler's Hill.  The par 3 runs perpendicular to the 5th green and plays at 153 yds, requiring a carry over a ravine to a slightly elevated green tucked in a semi-circle of mature hardwoods, a beautiful hole destined to be one of the signatures of the new layout.  This hole replaced the former  #7, a downhill par 3 that was parallel to the left side of old #6.  The new configuration eliminates a major pinch point on the course as shots on the par 5 were often aimed away from the creek, ending up in the firing line of the par 3.  This is both an aesthetic and functional winner

The next change is on hole 10, a par 5 that is one of the most difficult challenges at Settler's Hill, if not the western suburbs.  The old #11 had a pond directly in front of the tee box with a narrow landing area and thick woods on the left.  A creek crosses the fairway about 125 yds out, then it's straight uphill to a long, narrow green.  Martin moved the tee box to the right and widened the fairway on the left by about 20 yards, improving the angle of the drive and greatly reducing the intimidation factor on a still daunting hole.

Finally, the par three 15th and par five 16th holes are a much different play than the prior layout.  The original par 3 was tucked into the far corner of the property, and although one of the more memorable holes on the original layout, did not meet the playability aspects of Martin's vision.  "That par 3 was downhill to a green with water front left, out of bounds back left, trees back right and a cart path in front that bounded to the water." shared Martin.  In other words, a near perfect shot to have a chance at par.  

The new par 3 is 160 yds, slightly uphill with a sand trap right, with an "infinity" green that appears to float on the horizon, a pretty cool look that flows better with the current routing.  The big payoff is on #16, where the new elevated tees provides a stunning vista.  The play off the tee for most is a fairway wood or long iron short of the water that forms the right edge of the hole, but an aggressive shot over the water is a risk / reward option with a chance to reach the green in two.  The angle of the 2nd shot is key to having an easy approach to the back to front sloping green, a marked improvement both visually and strategically.

Every green and tee box has been renovated, and drainage issues were addressed by targeting problem areas and adding 18" to 24" of materials along with significant underground infrastructure improvements. I can attest to this success as the course was not only playable after a heavy rain the previous day, but carts were allowed on the fairways, an unthinkable occurence a few years ago.  

What has remained of the original layout features the same details that made Settler's Hill an entertaining play in the first place, while removing some of the rougher edges.  The 3rd hole is still a pretty little par 3 from the elevated tee over a creek.  The par four 4th has the dogleg left around a pond, but a new trap at the far side of the fairway has been added and the green has been shifted to provide more room in back so long approaches have a chance to stay out of the woods. 

The tee shot on the 390 yard 7th hole still has the drive up the hill from the tee tucked in the woods, and the 8th is a big par 5 downhill from the tee, then a steady rise to the green.  The 11th hole, at 439 yds the longest par 4 on the back nine, is a stunner cut between woods left and prairie right.  The severe slope of the green on the par three 12th hole has been softened to lessen the chance for deflating 3 (or 4) putts.  The 17th was a tough finish before and the uphill approach on the short dogleg left is now a good lead to the downhill 18th.  And don't miss the dazzling view looking north from the 14th green, one of the best in the Windy City.

The new driving range is an important addition to the Settler's Hill experience, and when the clubhouse is built (still waiting for funding from the Kane County Forest Preserve), everything will be completed at the Settler's Hill renovation.  Give the course the rest of the season to grow in and the new turf to take hold and the playing conditions will be fast and firm.  I'm excited for the 2023 season at Settler's Hill.