FOLLOWED HIS DREAM...GEORGE KAPPOS AND CINDER RIDGE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF GREAT WINDY CITY PUBLIC GOLF

Cinder Ridge Golf Course owner George Kappos dreams big. Always has, always will. But making big dreams come true takes hard work.  So when he needed a place to live, he picked up a hammer and built a house. To make a living, he got in the kitchen and opened successful restaurants.  He bought some land and ran a campground for people looking for a weekend getaway.  And when he decided to add recreational options for the campgoers, he sat behind a bulldozer and built a golf course.  Sounds like the stuff of fairy tales? Nope, all true.

This story starts when an 18 year old Kappos immigrated to the United States with his family from his native Greece.  He soon got involved in the restaurant business, and it was at the workplace that he was first introduced to golf.  "The owner of the restaurant was an avid golfer, a member at Edgewood Valley, and we were always talking about golf, and that's how I started playing.  The first time I swung and missed, I was hooked. I'm very competitive and I was going to become good.  I'd work late, get up at 5 o'clock for an early tee time, have lunch and go back to work," shared Kappos, who spent much of his time playing popular public courses like Big Run and Cog Hill; along with occasional trips to Arizona and California.

He soon found business success as the owner of the Beef and Brandy restaurants in downtown Chicago and Countryside.  He further expanded his portfolio by purchasing land in Wilmington that once was

home to a coal mining operation that was abandoned in the 1950's. What was left of the property was an untamed tangle of lakes, woods and varied topography, part of which was developed into the Lakepoint Campground in the 1970's. And Kappos had a vision of what he could do with the additional land.

"I wanted to build a golf course as recreation for the campers. I had originally planned a 9 hole executive course, but I realized the kind of routing I could have on this land for a full scale 18 holes, and it just grew from there," he reminisced.  "I would take pictures and use them to envision the play, but did not have formal plans that I could share with an architect.  I did talk to a few construction companies but it was hard to explain what I saw.so I decided to do most of the work myself."  

So how does someone with no formal training in golf course construction build a golf course?  "I read a few books on the subject," Kappos said matter-of-factly, "and I tried to incorporate features that I liked from the many courses I played over the years. I always felt we had the chance for something special here."  Along with 2 assistants, Kappos spent 3-1/2 years building the 18 holes over the varied terrain. "I was talking to one of the campers and I showed him the equipment I was using, and he said "You're working with a teaspoon,"" Kappos laughed, "but we tried to move as little land as possible and use the topography as it was." The final product is a course that most any established golf designer would gladly add their name.

Cinder Ridge, named with a nod to the prior coal mining operation, was ready for play in 1995, but the opening was less than smooth.  "It was a vey hot and humid summer and we had difficulty with the turf, which contracted a disease called PTM.  In August we had 20 sportswriters out for a tournament and the conditions were terrible and (Chicago Tribune Golf Writer) Ed Sherman had the problem on the back page of the Tribune sports section," recalled Kappos. "But we made some personnel changes and our current Superintendent, Luca Duren, has been with us since 2003 and does a great job." 

A long overdue visit to Cinder Ridge revealed a course that has matured amazingly well since it opened 25 years ago. The nearly 7,000 yard par 72 layout is the same, an inspiring and challenging mix of  holes that flow through thick hardwoods and around the several

water hazards left from the mining days. "I focused on variety, and the only holes that have back to back of the same par on a nine are the 14th and 15th (par 4's), and they are totally different holes,": Kappos pointed out proudly.  "and I don't think you'll find a better stretch of holes in the region than #'s 12 thru 16."  

Hard to argue with that sentiment as these 5 holes feature the best that Cinder Ridge has to offer: The tight drive up the rolling 12th fairway, the majestic view of the lakes and wetlands from the par 3 13th  tee, the steep incline of the fairway up to the 14th green, and the strategic tee shot on the short dogleg right 15th utilizes the dramatic topography to maximum effect.

The 16th is the signature hole and the inspiration for the Cinder Ridge logo, a 165 yard par 3 that is all carry over the water hazard that lies 30 feet below the small green. Several sand traps embedded into the side of the hill gives this hole a truly unique look. "I had the perfect distance back to the clubhouse for the 17th and 18th holes, and I routed backwards from the 16th hole. I knew early on that I wanted this hole, so I worked the routing around it."  

The front 9 is 250 yards longer and although it doesn't have the dramatic elevation changes as the back, it has some excellent holes throughout, highlighted by the monstrous 8th, a 628 yard par 5 that will challenge any scratch golfer to card a par as the hole turns left the last 100 yards to a green perched atop a bluff, The other par 5, #2, is also a fine hole, as the view features wetlands and prairie all

around and an early strategic decision on the proper angle for the drive as the fairway veers left off the tee, a  visually interesting and subtle design feature.

Cinder Ridge resides at the far southwest edge of the Windy City golf scene, and although just a few minutes off the Lorenzo Road exit, it is a distance to get to, but the experience is well worth the drive and reflects the remote location. Besides the last 2 holes that bump up against I-55, it's real quiet here, and the chances of seeing other golfers on the course are minimal as each hole is one onto itself. "Besides a small section of the 1st and 9th fairways, there aren't any holes that parallel one another, something I paid close attention when I planned the course." noted Kappos, who still makes the drive to the course 5-6 days a week from his home in the western subutbs.  

But what struck me the most about my recent round at Cinder Ridge were the conditions, which were far above what one would expect for a $50 (with cart) weekend morning fee.  The greens and tees were in great shape, the 60+ sand traps were well groomed, but it was the fairways that stood out, thick, plush carpets of green that were among the best I've played this year.  "We always knew we had a great design, but now we feel we have the conditions to compete with the best courses," Kappos believes. When asked what the future holds for Cinder Ridge, he responded without hesitation: "I want to make Cinder Ridge one of the best courses in Illinois, to be a destination course that golfers will travel to."

I recently sent birthday wishes via text message to my 28 year old godson who lives in Lisle and loves to golf, and I mentioned that I had recently played Cinder Ridge and asked if he had been down there. He responded, "I played a few months back. I've played there about 5 times. Love it! Honestly, it may be my favorite in Illinois."  That's sweet music to George Kappos' ears! Looks like another of his big dreams may soon come true.

THE GLEN CLUB SUCCESSFULLY STRADDLES THE PRIVATE CLUB / PUBLIC ACCESS LINE

The North Shore of Chicagoland is stocked with historic, well heeled country clubs dating back to the golden age of golf design from the early 20th century.  So when The Glen Club came to be at the start of the 21st century, the new kid on the private club block needed a way to differentiate itself from the well established competition. Start with a championship course by a highly regarded architect.  Add in a modern 48,000 square foot clubhouse.  Offer initiation and membership fees far below neighboring clubs.  Anything else?

Enter the Private Club / Public Access concept.  Although The Glen Club provides all the amenities commonly found at private clubs, the opportunity for the public to play the Tom Fazio designed course is a significant break from the traditional country club model.  "About 70% of the rounds are played by club members, with the balance filled by the public," shared Ethan Roush, Head Golf Professional at The Glen Club.  Members are allowed to secure tee times up to 30 days in advance, while the public is restricted to 7 days advanced booking. 

"Most of the prime weekend tee times will be filled by members, but weekday and weekend afternoon times can be found by non-members who want to experience The Glen Club," provided Roush, who played on the Northern Illinois golf team and has been at The Glen Club since 2013 after stops at The Merit Club and Bolingbrook.

The story of The Glen Club is in itself unusual.  Tom Fazio was hired to create a

golf destination on the site of the former Glenview Naval Air Station, a flat, featureless stretch of suburban concrete and asphalt.  The end result of his labor is a 7,200 yard par 72 layout featuring elevation changes, several lakes and streams, acres of prairie grasses and stands of hardwoods and evergreens spread across 195 acres.  Since its opening in 2001, The Glen Club has been a regular on several golf publication lists of "Best Courses you can Play". 

Although The Glen Club provides the general golfing public access to the course, the cost will guarantee that only serious golfers will make the trek to Glenview to tee it up.  In season green fees in 2017 topped out at $195 to walk, and a cart will tack on another $25, a full $65 more than the $155 charged by Cog Hill #4.  But summer early morning weekday and twilight rates are as low as $105, and the Spring and Fall season provides further discounts to attract the curious public.

I made my first visit to TGC the day after Thanksgiving and took advantage of the $70 rate at the close of the season on an unseasonably warm 60 degree day.  The course was a manageable walk for this senior citizen, and the track provided the kind of dramatic eye candy expected for the price.  Wide and receptive landing zones beckon off most tees, but the undulating greens guarded by deep bunkers is the main challenge that lends to the 75.3 rating / 142 slope.  Several greens are perched at the very edge of water, with the par three 11th and 17th greens precariously positioned at opposite sides above the hazard.

But the highest praise I can share is that the course felt like it had always been there, with little trace of the military base that resided here for over 70 years.  My late season trip to TGC guarantees that I will make a return when the greens roll true, the trees are leafy green and the native grasses are swaying in the wind.  For more information on The Glen Club, visit www.theglenclub.com.

Final Thoughts on 2014 Golf Shows

As March begins with yet another blizzard battering the Windy City in the never ending winter of 2014, I thought this would be an opportune time to finally filter through the 7.4 lbs (yes, I weighed it) of  brochures, pamphlets, magazines, newsletters, books, balls and tees that I accumulated at the Chicago Golf Show last Sunday.  Here are some observations and random thoughts on the 31st annual event:

Where the Tinley Park Expo is a relatively small, intimate affair, the show at the Rosemont Convention Center is gigantic by comparison, with the biggest difference the number of out-of-state courses and resorts represented, as at least 70 booths were dedicated to luring local golfers.  For the facilities located in warmer winter climes, that objective may be less difficult to achieve after the last few months.

But I did feel sorry for the rep from the Lake Cumberland Golf Club & Resort in Kentucky, who looked like he would rather be in a hundred other places than passing out brochures in Chicago in February.

They could accurately rename this the "Chicago Golf and Travel Show".

I don't enjoy paying $13 to park.

Only 2 public courses from the southern regions of the Windy City Public Golfers Guide had individual booths (Mistwood and Cog Hill), highlighting the north side / south side divide between the 2 shows...

And I absolutely have to get out to Mistwood in 2014, the pictures on the monitor of the 2013 Golf Digest "Best U.S. Renovations You Can Play" looked phenomenal!

I talked to the reps from Metamora Fields, a newer links style course just outside Peoria, and as a proud graduate of Bradley University, I'm always thinking of excuses to take a road trip downstate, and a long weekend of golf with three of my college buddies may be in the cards this year.

I consider myself a patient person, but that was tested when a representative of a home repair company tried to coax me to his booth by offering a quote on roof repairs.  I had to politely but firmly inform the persistent salesman that I was here for the golf, and when I was ready to repair my roof, I would attend the home improvement expo!  He finally relented and let me continue on my way...

I also promised my wife that I would not complete any applications related to time shares and vacation clubs, and I had one young lady implore me by blurting "But I get a commission if you fill out the form!"  Sorry, a promise is a promise...
 
Every year I tell myself to bring return address labels, and every year I'm reminded that I once again forgot when I see someone smarter than I applying them while I suffer writer's cramps.

I stopped by Cam Golf (one of many golf equipment vendors present) and I finally purchased the classic Zebra putter that I was eyeing at the Tinley show.  I don't know if it will help me sink more putts, but at least I like the way it looks and I can't wait to get on the course to try it out!

Maybe some day I'll break down and buy a Bettinardi...

And with that thought, I must once again clear the snow off my driveway.  Golf season can not arrive soon enough...

Twilight Rate Added at Cog Hill #4 for 2014

Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, the 72 hole public golf facility in southwest suburban Lemont, recently unveiled their greens fee schedule for the 2014 season, and new for this year is a twilight rate on the #4 course, the iconic Dubsdread.  Beginning at 4 pm each day, a round can be played for $100 (including cart and range access), a 35% discount from the normal rate of $155.

"It was my daughter's idea" stated owner Frank Jemsek, referring to Cog Hill President Katherine, "and we wanted to give golfers who might not be able to afford the regular rate an opportunity to experience the #4 course."  In the height of the summer (mid-June to mid-July), the first few twilight times have a good chance of completing the round, so as many as 500 additional golfers can play 18 holes on a course that has held 20 PGA tour events and have some extra dollars left for a drink afterwards.

The green fees have remained the same on the other 3 courses from last year, with a mid-day (1 pm) weekend rate carried over from 2013 on courses 1 & 3 offering a $6 drop from the $45 walk / $61 ride morning rate.  Cog Hill has traditionally shunned coupons and tee time discounters that are commonly used by many courses to lure golfers, but the reasonable 3 pm fees ($29.50/35 weekdays / weekends on 1 & 3, $40.50/$42.50 on the Ravines course, less $10 for walkers), coupled with consistently excellent conditions, provides the type of value that brings golfers back to Cog Hill on a regular basis.

But it's the twilight rate on Dubsdread that has my attention (there's also a reduced Juniors rate of $100 / $80 after 4 pm for golfers under 18), and with a 90 day in advance booking policy for foursomes, I'll be picking up the phone in late March to secure a mid-summer spot at one of the premier public courses in America.

WINDY CITY GOLFERS BRAVE COLD AND SNOW TO ATTEND THE TINLEY PARK GOLF EXPO

I took time off from my day job to attend the opening of the Tinley Park Golf Expo, with the hope of avoiding the weekend crowds.  I arrived at 12:30, a half hour after the doors opened, and the packed parking lot was the first sign that my plan may not work.  Then the sight of the 100 person + line to score the 3 free golf balls given to the early arrivers indicated that weather weary Windy City golfers needed a break from the dismal winter of 2014.  Eric Hoffer, publicist for the Expo, confirmed that the cold and snowy weekend did not keep the 3 year old show from setting attendance records.

The Expo was sponsored by Global Golf Post, an online only, free magazine that will be delivered to your e-mail on Monday morning, and I've already enjoyed reading my first copy.  Many of the top south side public courses were in attendance, including Cog Hill, Mistwood, Silver Lake, Lincoln Oaks, Balmoral Woods, Broken Arrow, Odyssey, Glenwoodie and Gleneagles, and my ears perked up when I heard the rep from Gleneagles mention that bunker renovations are on the short list of course improvements, as I play in a golf league there every Tuesday and the traps are begging for attention.  Two south side private clubs, Lincolnshire and Joliet, were also looking to expand their membership, and I may have to make a road trip to Crete to take advantage of the "Member For A Day Monday" special at Lincolnshire, with a probable walk across the parking lot for an afternoon round at Lincoln Oaks (a long time personal favorite), followed by an after round drink with my old Marist classmate (and Oaks co-owner) Mark Haines.  I also noticed that Cog Hill is offering a twilight rate this year on Dubsdread starting at 4 pm, and I'll have my Ben Franklin at the ready for that mid-summer tee time.

I had a nice conversation with Travis Kane, Manager of the Chicago Park District courses for Billy Casper Golf, and the story he shared of golfers playing cards while waiting their turn on the tee boxes back in the day at Sydney Marovitz will not dissuade me from leaving this notoriously slow playing 9 hole course along the shores of Lake Michigan on my 2014 courses to play list.  Foss Park was the only other Windy City course north of Madison Avenue to have a presence, and they were much more interested in selling clubs then promoting the North Chicago course.

Several other retail outlets were represented with equipment in tow, including Palos, Budget and Cam Golf (I have my eye on the classic Zebra putter I saw at Cam), and local manufacturer Tour Edge also had a booth to hawk the latest technological advancements in their product line.  Many of the other top brands were at the demo area at the north end of the hall, but I abstained as I didn't wish to tempt another pulled muscle on this aging and out of golf shape body! (and why services like ChiroOne also have representatives on site).  A new indoor, year-round Golf Center, Golf4Groups, recently opened in far southwest suburban Crest Hill, and features the most advanced golf training technology and equipment for all levels of golfer.  I don't know if there is anything that can help this 20 handicapper, but my curiosity and the close proximity to my home in Lemont may encourage me to pick up the phone and make a reservation.

I visited with the local communication outlets such as GolfNow! Chicago, GolfTime and Chicagoland Golf, and congrats to Kim of GolfTime on the birth of her first child (as proudly relayed by her mom, who was manning the booth).  I also had an enlightening discussion with Cheryl Justak, President and Publisher of GolfNow! Chicago, and I now fully understand that her fine golf destination guide is NOT affiliated with the other GolfNow; some collaborative opportunities between herself and yours truly may be on the horizon.  Roger Scott and Brian Alberts from NIMAGA (the Northern Illinois Men's Amateur Golf Association) shared the Chicagoland Golf booth, and after thorough review and thoughtful consideration (and a green light from my wife, of course), I've decided to join and give it a whirl in 2014.  Since NIMAGA tournaments are played under the official rules of golf, I best find a copy and give it a thorough reading to avoid unwanted penalty strokes and total embarrassment!

The First Tee of Greater Chicago occupied the far southeast corner, and I met with Terri Wetterberg, Director of Communications and Operations for this charitable organization that teaches children life skills through the game of golf, and the cool portable miniature golf layout was a hit with the kids in attendance.  Look for an in depth article about First Tee in 2014 on the Windy City Public Golfers Guide.  I also found out that Dan Dillon, one of the First Tee instructors, attended Mt. Carmel back in the '60's with my cousins Dave and Ron, just another example of what a small world it can sometimes be.

No golf show would be complete without the presence of out of state resorts and courses, and although my golf travels have been limited to nearby favorites like Eagle Ridge, Grand Geneva and Geneva National (with the rare trip to Arizona, South Carolina and Florida), the friendly folks from Gull Lake and Harbor Shores in Michigan, and the free round and night's stay offered at the Fox Hills resort in Wisconsin, piqued my interest.  And I'm always surprised by the several home improvement vendors who promote their services, but when I really think about it, most of the people who come out on a frigid Friday afternoon to a golf expo are much more likely to be out golfing then working on their homes!  Thanks to everyone who spent a few minutes talking with me at the show, and here's hoping for an early spring...

Village of Homer Glen Purchases Woodbine

When it opened 25 years ago, I was a frequent visitor to Woodbine, the par 70 course in southwest suburban Homer Glen.  The 6,000 yard layout always had a problem with spacing, as the 18 holes only cover a little over 100 acres, but the bent grass tees, fairways and greens were in excellent shape, and although the overall design may have lacked any "wow" holes, it was fresh and new and always a place were you might post a low score and feel good about your game.

As more courses were built in the area (Broken Arrow, Sanctuary), and others resuscitated (Big Run, Old Oak), Woodbine gradually fell off my golfing radar and I rarely visited.  The last few years I've attended a golf outing there, and the course had not aged well.  The overall conditions felt ragged (particularly the bunkers), and in general it was in need of a major facelift, and although the trees that were planted years ago on the corn field turned golf course had matured to the point that they added some hole definition and aesthetics, in my opinion it was still a step or two below the local competition.

So although my disdain for Woodbine was not a secret (as my course review on this website clearly indicated) I still felt a hint of sadness when I heard the news that the course had been sold to the Village of Homer Glen.  I know several people who were regulars at Woodbine and enjoyed the layout, and the lodge style clubhouse was always a great place to grab a bite to eat after a round (plus the Sunday brunch was excellent, too).  Could an influx of cash for updating and some creative redesign provided a winning golf experience?  The amateur golf architect in me thinks "yes", but the perfect marriage of the owners wanting out and the young village needing a central location for a Town Hall and open space occured, so I guess we'll never know. 

The course will be in operation through the 2014 season before the Village officially takes control, so if you're a fan, there is still time to get in a few rounds before Woodbine no longer exists.  My thoughts harken back to a long departed facility from my youth, the 36 holes at the old Westgate CC on Ridgeland and 135th Street, courses like Woodbine that catered to beginners and moderately skilled golfers, but where Westgate was transformed into a real estate development, Woodbine will be repurposed with the intent of benefitting the residents of Homer Glen with parks and open space, an infinitely better use in my world. 

Mr Z's 2013 Golf Year Review

When my golf year began on April 7th at Ruffled Feathers near my home in Lemont, I had hopes of playing 1,000 holes in 2013, but when I sank my last putt on November 21st at Oyster Reef on Hilton Head Island, the final tally was "only" 827.  This included 29 different courses locally, including 11 that I had never set foot on previously, plus 54 holes in Texas (north of Dallas) in April, 54 holes in May at Eagle Ridge in Galena, and 36 holes in South Carolina to close the year.  I was able to tour some of the best courses the Windy City has to offer, and I had a few good shots interspersed with all the shanks and slices that are common to a 20 handicapper's game (my CDGA handicap was actually 16.0 at the end of the year, close enough).

I checked off 9 of the 13 tracks on my "Courses to Play" list, missing out on Mistwood, Willow Crest, Deerfield and Shepherd's Crook, but I did get to ThunderHawk and Schaumburg, two superb facilities left over from the 2012 list.  Here are the 10 that delivered the best total golf experiences from 2013:

ThunderHawk (Beach Park) - This Robert Trent Jones Jr design near the Wisconsin border was a thrilling mix of woods and wetlands, with higher end amenities that belie its Lake County Forest Preserve roots.  Weekend green fees w/cart in the mid $80's might be a strain to some budgets, but twilight rates are extremely reasonable and this is one of the best courses I've played in the Windy City and definitely worth the money and the drive.

Village Links of Glen Ellyn - One of the courses that I look forward to playing each year, the Village Links is a beautiful parkland layout with the just the right spacing to make it great for walkers.  I grabbed 3 friends and we took advantage of the $100 Happy Hour special, and $25 each to walk the Village links on a pleasant Sunday afternoon in early May was the best bargain of 2013.  The new clubhouse and driving range only adds to the overall excellent experience.

Orchard Valley (Aurora) - An old favorite that I hadn't visited for several years, this Ken Kavanaugh design uses imaginative and extensive bunkering and the lake that runs through the property to wondrous effect.  Rumors of substandard conditions were not apparent on my visit Memorial Day weekend.

Golf Club of Illinois (Algonquin) - An early prairie links style track in northwest suburbia was considerably softened by the removal of acres of fescue, but there is still plenty of challenge at this par 71 layout.  Possibly the best greens I played in 2013, the under $60 green fees and 10 minute tee time intervals are major pluses.

Schaumburg GC - It took me 2 summers to play all 27 holes at SGC, but the wait was worth it, as the three nines (Players, Tournament, Baer) are equally appealing, and the course is hillier than one would guess from the entrance on Roselle Road.  10 minute playing intervals plus a 55 and over senior rate are added bonuses.

Seven Bridges (Woodridge) - Few courses in the Windy City rival the scenery at this high end parkland course, and the 74.6 / 144 rating / slope from the tips makes this a supreme challenge.  The reduced spring and fall rates are the ideal time to play and avoid the $100+ green fees (we paid $47 in October on a Saturday afternoon with the age 55 senior discount).

Pottawatomie (St. Charles) - Full length 9 hole course on the eastern bank of the the Fox River was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr in the late 1930's, then meticulously updated by local architect Greg Martin a few years ago.  Smallish footprint (42 acres) is a bit tight in spots, but none the less one of the better 2 hours you can spend golfing in the far west 'burbs.

Harborside Port (Chicago) - Wind swept links on the shore of Lake Calumet in south Chicago costs a pretty penny ($100+ with the city amusement tax) but the final 3 holes along the water are truly amazing.  The starter told us we're as close to Scotland as you'll find in metro Chicago, and he might just be correct.  Spring and fall savings have been instituted since Billy Casper golf took over management, softening the blow on the pocketbook.

Hilldale (Hoffman Estates) - The only 18 hole Windy City track with RTJ Sr's name attached, this par 71 layout is on the short side (6,400 yds) by modern standards, but has plenty of chops with mature trees, rolling hills and quick, sloping greens.  Extremely reasonable green fees added to 10 minute tee times help negate a few rough edges and the subdivision routing.

Prairie Isle (Prairie Grove) - Over shadowed by its more acclaimed neighbors in Cary (Chalet Hills and Foxford Hills), Prairie Isle was a major surprise as the elevated tees and tight, tree lined fairways provides an aesthetically pleasing and very playable course. The 12th and 13th holes at the far end of the property that run up and over a ridge are beauties.  Take advantage of the $27 walk / $44 ride weekday rate.

Here are the other fine public facilities in the Windy City where I chased the ball (mostly yellow Noodles) in 2013:  Ruffled Feathers (Lemont), Bonnie Brook (Waukegan), Old Oak (Homer Glen), Wedgewood and Inwood (Joliet), Lincoln Oaks (Crete), Odyssey (Tinley Park), Naperbrook (Plainfield), White Pines West (Bensenville), Village Greens of Woodridge, Broken Arrow (Lockport), Sanctuary (New Lenox), Gleneagles Red and White (Lemont), Wing Park (Elgin), Woodbine (Homer Glen) and the recently rejuvenated Fox Run (Elk Grove) and soon to be redesigned Oak Meadows (Wooddale).

Special mention goes to Stonebridge CC in Aurora, which I was invited to play back in July.  One time home to the LPGA and Senior tours, Stonebridge is a modern prairie / parkland hybrid designed by Tom Fazio, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time (except for the 5 putts I took on the crazily sloped 8th green), and it would definitely be in my top 10 list if open to the public.

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Although I've never professed to be an expert on golf course design, I know when a hole is aesthetically appealing and strikes the right balance between fairness and challenge.  I'm sure that other golfers, if given the same group to pick from, may choose a completely different list, but here are my favorite 18 out of the 486 holes I played locally last year, the ones that made the biggest impression on me in 2013:

Par 5's

ThunderHawk 16th Hole 578 yards - The tee shot is slightly uphill through mature trees, but it's what you see at the top of the ridge that's amazing, as the prairie laden mounds to the left and the lake to the right, with the wide green tucked behind the water and the woods in the background, provides a spectacular view.

Wing Park 6th Hole 571 yards - The first 5 holes at this history rich course in Elgin (oldest 9 hole muni in Illinois) does not prepare you for the 6th.  The downhill tee shot disappears with OB right and a pond out of sight (but not out of range for longer drivers) to the left.  The hole continues past the water with a steady rise through the woods to a green that is comfortably nestled in an amphitheatre of mature trees, an excellent parkland hole.

Wedgewood 2nd Hole 563 yards - The tee shot is innocent enough with only water far off to the left, but a turn to the right exposes stands of mature trees bordering both sides of the slightly downhill fairway, with the back to front sloping green blocked by several particularly large hardwoods on the left.

Hilldale 2nd Hole 550 yards - From the tee tucked back in the woods, the fairway moves to the right and away from the first pond, then shifts slightly left as the second pond comes into play the last 125 yards.  The view from the elevated 3rd tee overlooking this hole is special.

Par 4's

Schaumburg GC (Players) 6th Hole 440 yards - Tight drive through evergreens left and mature hardwoods right bordering Roselle Road heads due south, and the approach will test your nerves as water / wetlands bisects the fairway from right to left and curls around the back of the green.  Four sand traps guard the putting surface should you make it safely over the hazard, an intimidating and beautiful hole.

Village Links of Glen Ellyn 14th Hole 429 yards - Inspiring view off the tee with a huge beach style bunker bordering the pond on the right and 2 more traps at the base of the mounds on the left, with the fairway climbing to an elusive, narrow green.

Golf Club of Illinois 12th Hole 393 yards - This hole follows the signature 678 yard monster at GCI, but I enjoyed it so much more.  A pond lurks off to the left, but it's the bunkers built into a side hill on the far edge of the water that adds to the visual interest and challenge.  Thick woods border the OB to the right, and the green is severely tiered with prairie in all directions.

Prairie Isle 13th Hole 408 yards - The drive needs to travel 250 yards to reach the top of a steep hill, then it's up and over down to the green.  Dramatic hole at the far edge of a very nice layout was a stunning surprise.

Pottawatomie 9th hole 420 yards - Plantings enhance the tee area with OB left, with a turn left the last 100 yards to an elevated green with traps studded liberally into the hill below.  A fitting end to an excellent 9 hole track.

Naperbrook 13th Hole 406 yards - A stand of old growth trees guard the right side, and the green teeters on the edge of a pond that stretches back 100 yards on the left.  Two humps on the right half makes for several treacherous pin placements on the huge putting surface.

Bonnie Brook 11th hole 306 yards - An excellent short par 4 that might be reachable from the elevated tee, but the water that crosses halfway out and widens up the left side, the large fairway trap 75 yards short of the green on the right, and the 3 additional traps greenside adequately protects par.

Harborside (Port) 17th Hole 407 yards - This dogleg left sits on the north shore of Lake Calumet and epitomizes the stark beauty of Harborside.  A beach worth of sand lies at the bend and merges into the water to capture any offline attempts to cut the turn, and extrication from the waste area can be painful.  The ever present prairie fringes the hazard up to the green.

Seven Bridges 14th Hole 427 yards - The DuPage River plays havoc on the back nine at Seven Bridges, and it's the main feature on 14, as it flows straight through the dogleg.  The option to play over the river off the tee is available, but a forecaddie would be advisable to help find your ball.  The green sports an unusual front to back slope.

Inwood 15th Hole 396 yards - This dogleg left par 4 stood out on my first tour of this Joliet Park District course.  Water crosses the fairway twice, the 2nd time about 75 yards short of the elevated green.  Woods on the left will block the approach if you're not positioned properly off the tee.  Two big traps flank each side of the putting surface on this very good hole.

Par 3's

ThunderHawk 17th Hole 182 yards - The tee box is hidden back in the woods, with the large green to the left of the lake shared with the par five 16th.  Prairie and wildflower covered hills provide a gorgeous and hazardous backdrop.  These were the 2 best consecutive holes I played in 2013.

Orchard Valley 17th Hole 208 yards - This hole hugs the edge of the lake so any shots pushed right are gone, and a sprawling trap flanks the left side of the long, narrow and sloping green.

Ruffled Feathers 3rd Hole 193 yards - Pete Dye became famous by pushing the limits of golf course architecture, and the 3rd hole at Ruffled Feathers (his only design in the Windy City area) fits this model as the green seems to disappear into the water hazard.  If your ball somehow manages to find the strip of land between the two, be careful not to fall in the pond.

Gleneagles (Red) 16th Hole 166 yards - The 16th hole was updated a number of years ago at this 90 year old facility in Lemont.  The wide, shallow green is perched atop a plateau above the water hazard, with thick rough and the woods tight behind, a difficult target to find, especially when into the westerly breeze.

Total "Course" - 7,043 yards Par 72

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A main part of the experience of a day on the course for me is the recap after the round, a chance to share a drink, some food and a few laughs with your playing partners.  I always try to find a local establishment to top off the day and experience some of the flavor of the area.  Here are my favorite after golf stops from last year:

The Shanty - Wadsworth (after ThunderHawk) - Rustic roadside diner is known for its seafood, but the burgers were stellar, too.  Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and a number of other local shows, this was the perfect finish to a great round (aesthetically, not score wise) at ThunderHawk.  www.theshantyrestaurant.com

Alfie's Inn - Glen Ellyn (after Village Links) - Famous for their burgers and ribs, though I'm partial to the lean corned beef on the regal Reuben sandwich at this legendary west suburban eatery.  www.alfiesinn.com

Quonset Pizza - Waukegan (after Bonnie Brook) - Being housed in an old quonset hut is totally unique, and the food was pretty good, too.  Didn't have time for a pizza, but the Meatball sandwich was quite tasty.  The 50's diners motif definitely harkens back to a bygone era.  www.quonsetpizza.com

Ed & Joe's - Tinley Park (after Odyssey) - Located on Oak Park Avenue in old Tinley Park, this old school pizza parlor features excellent pies, sandwiches and salads in a comfortable setting just a few miles north of the Odyssey.  www.ednjoes.com

Kief's Reef - McHenry (after Prairie Isle) - Eclectic restaurant & bar on the Fox River has good food and a cool vibe, and is a haven for motorcyclists in the summer.  Just down the street from Prairie Isle on Route 176...  https://www.facebook.com/kiefs.reef

Cousin Tony's backyard in Elgin (after Wing Park) - Hand crafted burgers on the grill can't be beat!  Unfortunately, not open to the public... 

If you prefer to stay and utilize the "19th hole" at the course, the view from the clubhouse at Harborside overlooking the 18th hole of the Port course is hard to beat.  Other top 19th hole views from 2013 included the outdoor patios at Orchard Valley and the Village Greens of Woodridge, overlooking the 18th holes at each course, great places to enjoy a cold one after the round.

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I'm all about the "deal", and as I previously mentioned, the $25 I paid to walk the Village Links of Glen Ellyn was my best of 2013.  Here are some of the other bargains I uncovered last year:

$30.50 w/cart at the Golf Club of Illinois on  a Sunday afternoon in September using a 2 for 1 special with the Chicago Golf Pass

$35 w/cart at Schaumburg GC, booked on their website as an early bird special on the Friday morning of the 4th of July weekend

$30 w/cart at Hilldale on a Monday in August at noon (regular rate)

$19 w/cart at Lincoln Oaks on a weekday afternoon as part of a special offered at the Tinley Golf Expo (but the rates are always reasonable here)

$27 w/cart at the Sanctuary, weekend afternoon fall rate

$33 w/cart at Bonnie Brook, weekend afternoon online fall special

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What were my most memorable shots from 2013?  Not a lot to pick from, but I do recall making a winding 50 foot putt at the long par three 13th hole at Wedgewood (to save a bogey).  I was also lying 3 in a sand trap about 125 yards from the green and staring at triple bogey on the fabulous par five 16th at ThunderHawk, but I pulled a rabbit out of the hat and hit an 8 iron to within 10 feet...only to miss the par putt and settle for bogey.  But my best shot(s) was on the short 15th hole at Seven Bridges.  The ball mark from my tee shot was a foot away from the pin, and the slick downhill 15 footer found the bottom for a well earned birdie. 

On the very next hole, the chip shot of one of my playing partners from the edge of the green was a bit off line and struck my ball, which was about 7 feet from the pin...and ricocheted it right into the cup!  Can't recall ever seeing that happen before, but it was a totally unusual and appropriate ending to an amazing golf year on the public links of the Windy City!

SETTLER'S HILL PLANS EARLY MAY OPENING

Building a golf course on a landfill is a creative use of normally unusable property, but in the case of Settler's Hill in Batavia, it has delayed the opening of the course for the 2012 season as Waste Management renovation work has affected several holes.  The course is planning an early May opening, dependent on completion of the project and the growth of new turf.

Additionally, the course is also removing several trees from behind and around the 6th & 7th holes to improve air flow and the conditions of the greens.

Settler's Hill is a scenic Kane County Forest Preserve Course that occupies the site of a former Waste Management landfill, and provides some of the biggest elevation changes and views in the Windy City area.  It is located on Fabyan Parkway just west of Kirk Road, about 5 miles north of I-88 at the Farnsworth exit, and just south of the Kane County Cougars home field.