COURSES PLAYED 2023

DECEMBER

DEER CREEK (University Park) - Good south suburban track a perfect place for a mid-December round...

NOVEMBER

RUTH LAKE (Hinsdale) - 100 year old private club at Route 83 & 63rd Street features original Langford & Moreau layout... 

LEGACY HILLS (LaPorte, IN) - Elevation change galore at playable, interesting layout about an hour east of Chicagoland...

BOLINGBROOK - Upscale links course a good end of season play and always in good shape...

STEEPLE CHASE (Mundelein) - Park District course rivals bigger name tracks with a scenic Ken Killian design and stout challenge (73.6/141 from tips)  

OAK BROOK - Top west suburban muni featured excellent fall conditions in an ideal location (22nd St & York Road)

GENOA LAKES (Genoa, NV) - Carson River in play on 14 holes at fun course with big mountain vistas...

WOLF RUN (Reno, NV) - Home course of University of Nevada featured super slick greens and links style layout...

OCTOBER

SUNRIDGE (Carson City, NV) - High desert golf in the Sierra Nevada features 300 ft tee to fairway drop on 14th hole...

PRAIRIE BLUFF (Crest Hill) - Prairie links layout the perfect play for an entertaining fall round...

GREEN GARDEN GOLD (Frankfort) - Sportier option to the original Blue 18 a fair test for the average golfer...

RANDALL OAKS (West Dundee) - Top option in far northwest suburbs meshes parkland and prairie links styles...

MISTWOOD (Romeoville) - Linksy southwest suburban club one of the best public options for Windy City golfers...

CRYSTAL TREE (Orland Park) - Private club features an RTJ Jr layout and fast, sloping greens... 

FOX LAKE - Far North suburban layout a thrill ride 1 thru 18, with no walking allowed elevation change and lots of big views... 

BOWES CREEK (Elgin) - Friendly $55 Senior rate at one of the best courses the Windy City has to offer...

SEPTEMBER

HARBORSIDE PORT (Chicago) - One of 2 Dick Nugent links gems on the shores of Lake Calumet in fine late summer condition...

KLEIN CREEK (Winfield) - Challenging sub-division golf course undergoing changes, more playable than in the past...

FOSS PARK (North Chicago) - Top 20 Windy City value play in the north suburbs a personal favorite...

FRESH MEADOW (Hillside) - Great location, good layout, a little rough around the edges...

MAKRAY (Barrington) - Upscale facility on Northwest Highway offers super slick greens over rolling terrain...

NAPERBROOK (Plainfield) - Prairie links sibling to Springbrook is an enjoyable southwest suburban play... 

LEGACY (Phoenix, AZ) - Older resort course near PHX airport is a best value option in the Valley of the Sun...

AUGUST

STERLING GROVE (Surprise, AZ) -  Semi-private Nicklaus group design a new links addition to the Phoenix golf scene...

QUINTERO (Peoria, AZ) - Rees Jones masterpiece in the mountains west of Phoenix is a stunning challenge...

BOULDERS SOUTH (Carefree, AZ) - Public access course at 36 hole resort defined by amazing rock formations...

WE-KO-PA SAGUARO (Fort McDowell, AZ) - High end Coore/Crenshaw desert design did not disappoint...

PRAIRIE LANDING (West Chicago) - Prototypical prairie links always fun and in prime summer condition...

WHITE HAWK RED/SILVER (Crown Point, IN) - Red 9 is my fave but Silver 9 at 36 hole semi-private Indiana club was a scenic, monstrous challenge...

HICKORY HILLS - Old favorite hasn't changed in 50 years...hills, trees and tilted greens in abundance...

GLENDALE LAKES (Glendale Heights) - Shorter (6,100 yd) par 71 course weaves through several lakes for a target golf test...

SANCTUARY (New Lenox) - Linksy feel to 6,900 yd par 72 highlighted by twisty 568 yd 5th hole thru the woods...

JULY

WHITE PINES EAST (Bensenville) - Par 70 twin to the longer West course requires accuracy off the tee thru narrow tree-lined fairways...

BROKEN ARROW (Lockport) - Improved conditions at challenging 27 hole facility in Southwest suburbs...

CHICK EVANS (Morton Grove) - Short (5.600 from tips) par 71 Cook County FP layout was more than expected on 1st time visit... 

SILVER LAKE SOUTH (Orland Park) - Popular par 70 course at 45 hole south suburban mainstay was in top condition...

OLD OAK (Homer Glen) - Heavily wooded course over hilly terrain gets a little bit better with every visit...

ARROWHEAD (Wheaton) - 9 holes on the West course at top west suburban play to rival Cantigny...

SCHAUMBURG - Recently renovated 27 hole facility features top conditions and learning center...

RIVER BEND (Lisle) - 9 hole par 36 on Route 53 one of the best 2 hour rounds in Chicagoland...

BRAE LOCH (Grayslake) - First time visit to Lake County Forest Preserve layout was a good value parkland round...

GLENVIEW PARK (Glenview) - Well maintained par 70 near north course an entertaining play...

FLAGG CREEK (Countryside) - 9 hole par 33 layout off I-55 is a great place for both beginners and experienced golfers...

JUNE

WATER'S EDGE (Worth) - Heavily wooded course bordering the Cal-Sag canal is a popular south suburban choice... 

ST. ANDREW'S #2 (West Chicago) - Par 72 course a hillier version of #1 with a tough 2 hole finish over water...

HERITAGE BLUFFS (Channahon) - Easy access off Bluff Road exit on I-55 finds top rated community layout with new clubhouse...

GEORGE DUNNE (Oak Forest) - Centerpiece of Cook County Forest Preserve courses a supreme test, but traps need work...

WOODRUFF (Joliet) - Back 9 at par 68 Joliet Park District course is a testy roller coaster ride...   

COUNTRYSIDE PRAIRIE (Mundelein) - Acres of native grasses featured at prairie links layout at 36 hole Lake County Forest Preserve facility...  

WHITE HAWK GREY/BLACK (Crown Point, IN) - 36 hole semi-private club features 4 scenic, difficult 9's...

CHALET HILLS (Oakwood Hills) - Stunning scenery across hilly McHenry County countryside near Cary offers big challenge...

TUCKAWAY (Crete) - Big views in the far south 'burbs a good test for the average golfer...

MAY

CARILLON (Plainfield) - Top value play features Red, White and Blue nines off I-55 and Weber Road...

VILLAGE LINKS OF GLEN ELLYN (9H) - 9 hole course at always busy west suburban facility complements top 18 hole track...

GENEVA NATIONAL TREVINO (Lake Geneva, WI) - Traditional parkland layout with unique Trevino flair...

GENEVA NATIONAL PLAYER (Lake Geneva, WI) - Dynamic, edgy layout on the shore of Lake Como...

HERITAGE OAKS (Northbrook) - First time visit to the renovated and rebranded Sportsman's a long-time North suburban favorite...

CARDINAL CREEK (Beecher) - Played North/Center Nines at Far South course, fun 6 ea par 3-4-5 configuration at a super value price... 

MAPLE MEADOWS (Wood Dale) - Par 70 sister course to Oak Meadows a worthy member of DuPage Forest Preserve golf portfolio... 

LINCOLN OAKS (Crete) - True neighborhood course an engaging throwback with postage stamp greens and player friendly green fees... 

COG HILL #2 (Lemont) - Ravines course a hilly, scenic, affordable alternative to Dubsdread...

FOX RUN (Elk Grove Village) - Northwest suburban layout balances player friendly and challenge aspects with a sparkling new clubhouse...

COG HILL #1 (Lemont) - Par 71 twin to the #3 course at the home of Chicagoland public golf...

APRIL

ORCHARD VALLEY (Aurora) - Improved conditions at top west suburban layout worth a visit... 

COG HILL #3 (Lemont) - Par 72 course at mega-complex in southwest suburbs always a fun play...

WILLIAMSBURG NATIONAL YORKTOWN (Wiliamsburg, VA) - Affordable, scenic option in golf rich Williamsburg part of 36 hole facility...

ROYAL NEW KENT (Providence Forge, VA) - One of seven courses designed by the legendary Mike Strantz is a unique, one-of-a-kind experience...

ST. ANDREW'S #1 (West Chicago) - Classic west suburban track on Route 59 part of Jemsek family public golf kingdom...

BOUGHTON RIDGE (Bolingbrook) - Early season warmup at popular par 32 muni...

FEBRUARY

DANCING RABBIT OAKS (Philadelphia, MS) - Scenic Fazio/Pate collaboration at the Pearl River Resort in central Mississippi...