Buddies Trip Within Three Hours of Chicago? April/May 2020

[Dashfast]

A group of 16 of us are looking to play a few quality rounds of competitive golf over a Friday (36) + Saturday (18) in April/May 2020. Ideally, there'd be an affordable lodging option on site or nearby. Looking to spend no more than $300 a person (includes: three rounds of golf and one night's stay). TPC Deere Run has been suggested, but we're pretty open to other ideas. Thanks!

[matt70286]

Lawsonia / Green Lake, WI?

[braincramp52]

Eagle Ridge , Galena, IL.

[DavePelz4]

Great call by LM. You can play 3 awesome course at Eagle Ridge with the North, South and General. Downtown Galena also has some great restaurants and pubs just in case you enjoy a beverage or 6.

[bobbo621]

Gull Lake near Kalamazoo, MI is a great buddies spot. Affordable and they just added a top-tier course in Stoatin Brae.

We've also done a trip to South Bend, IN to play the Notre Dame Warren Course (which just hosted the US Senior Open), South Bend CC, and Blackthorn. It was a shockingly fun and affordable time. Some really nice AirBnB options there.

Another good option would be Lake Geneva. Their big public track up there called Hawk's View has a super fun 18 hole course (some very dramatic tee shots), and another 18hole par3 course.

 

[Dashfast]

Looking into these courses now, thanks!

[cpeck12]

You could do the Ravines in Saugatuck, MI (Palmer course) and Hawkshead Links in South Haven, MI. You would be about 2.5 hours from Chicago but downtown South Haven is great and Saugatuck is as well. Lots of VRBO options for rental houses in both areas, along with a few other less expensive courses.

[Jose c.]

we did this last may had a blast. stoatin brae is a must play if going to gull lk.the others were good for our group,the nice thing 4 of the course's are close so doing 36 is easy.

[stringbean502001]

I like, and have done all, the recommendations on Galena, Gull Lake, and particularly South Bend.

April is really too early to have confidence in Wisconsin, but if you can do May, I would add the spot which would be my favorite, Geneva National at Lake Geneva. Great accommodations for 16 right at the courses, great food at Hunt Club Steak House (as well as in town), and best of all outstanding golf courses---3 excellent courses that can be as challenging or forgiving as you want. They do a great job with groups, and during May the deal you can get would be excellent. You would have to enjoy golf in the 50s potentially though.

[stringbean502001]

Apologize, just thought of another trip we did recently which we really enjoyed that might fit--West Lafayette IN. The two Purdue courses, Kampen ( a Dye gem) and Ackerman Allen (just rebuilt and terrific) can be coupled with Harrison Hills (historic William Langford course you can get for about $50) or Coyote Crossing. Plenty of hotel choices although it would not be staying on course.

Lots of choices!

[Argonne69]

I'd toss in Indianapolis. Lots of excellent courses, and lodging can be as cheap as you want to budget. Purgatory and Bear Slide are 15 minutes apart. Prairie View or The Fort would make a good third round.

[Symphonize]

Came here to say this. West Lafayette is within 3 hours of Chicago, and with weather being iffy in April (and sometimes even May) heading south sounds better then heading north to Wisconsin. Great courses in the area, and you will easily be able to stay at under $300 per person.

[54putts]

Can’t go wrong with West Lafayette or Indy. This may be slightly above three hours but it’s worth looking into French Lick as well. The Dye Course, Ross Course, and not far away Sultans Run is excellent.

[Dashfast]

Thanks for all of this info. Lots of fun golf to look into...

[stickfish]

Good call on the Lafayette courses, believe Tim Liddy did the redesign of Attica for the owners of Harrison Steel,

[zer0]

That time of year your best bet is to head south. I wouldn't chance Wisconsin at that time of year.

[TRyan]

Go to Galena and stay at Eagle Ridge!!! They have a spring deal for to stay on site for about 400.00 bucks and its unlimited golf friday through Sunday. we play 36 on Friday and Saturday

and 18 on Sunday. Two free breakfasts' Its a sweet deal

[ChaosTheory]

We also did a buddies trip to Lafayette, Indiana and liked it a lot.

[zucco3z]

 

Review of Lawsonia Links, the best golf value in WisconsinLawsonia is amazing. They played host to the Wisconsin State Am last year too.