Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[propman]

Played a scramble event today at Royal Melbourne. What a great course!

 

Wait, where?

Looks like Royal Melbourne in Long Grove

Yes, it's in Long Grove. I too never heard of it until I was invited to a benefit held there.

[B-Man]

Played a scramble event today at Royal Melbourne. What a great course!

 

Wait, where?

Looks like Royal Melbourne in Long Grove

Yes, it's in Long Grove. I too never heard of it until I was invited to a benefit held there.

 

Cool. I'm only familiar with the Royal Melbourne back in my hometown.

https://www.royalmel...mposite-course/

[DavePelz4]

Played a scramble event today at Royal Melbourne. What a great course!

 

Wait, where?

Looks like Royal Melbourne in Long Grove

Yes, it's in Long Grove. I too never heard of it until I was invited to a benefit held there.

 

Cool. I'm only familiar with the Royal Melbourne back in my hometown.

https://www.royalmel...mposite-course/

 

It explains your proficiency out of the sand.

[PuttCurseRepeat]

I skipped the annual trek to Gull Lake this year. The group I went with has been going for over 10 years. I agree that the prices have continued to increase while the quality has trended downward. My suggestion last year was to find a new venue. possibly Geneva National.

 

All said and done we ended up paying just over $450 per person with accommodations/golf/carts ect. When I started going the entire trip with food/gas ect didn't even cost that. For us it's progressed into just as much a social event as it is a golf event because so many of the guys live across the country now and this is the only time we all get together. They don't seem to really give any reason to draw us back in, either thrown in the carts or thrown in the new course but the extra money is getting ridiculous. I have a feeling the new course is bleeding money out of that place with how unfinished it is and what still needs to be done to make it a golf course and not a goat ranch.

 

With that said, anybody have any suggestions of a similar type of setup Gull Lake has? We're looking anywhere within about 4 hours of Chicago that's not Eagle Ridge or Lake Geneva, and a minimum of two courses. Lawsonia in Wisconsin appears to be a good option.

 

Lawsonia is a great option. They have onsite houses you can rent and I think the prices are pretty cheap. Also think you can fit your whole party in one house. Play all day fee is $135 and although they only have 2 courses, they make up for it with quality over quantity.

 

And it doesn't hurt that Green Lake is really nice.

 

 

The Acorn Ridge Motel, just outside of Green Lake has golf packages for Lawsonia, Mascoutin and others. Rates seem really good. There may be a small upcharge for Lawsonia Links. Give them a call for details.

 

 

http://www.golfgreenlake.com/

[stasek]

Last minute "can you play at 2:20 today" round at Ruffled Feathers. What a cluster you know what! The course is in decent condition, but the pace of play... oh my... They had an outing (holes 1-8, double foursomes on each hole) go out 50 minutes before we teed off. 5 and a half hours later and 6 half pint beers later we managed to finish. Needless to say, my game was off. Thank God the round was free, or else I would have walked off after 9 (a 2-some in front of us did).

Into Prairie Landing this Saturday...

[Scratch2Plus]

Hilldale Thursday and TBD for Sunday...

[geochitown]

I'm playing Greg Norman designed Royal Melbourne in Long Grove next Friday

 

 

A visit to the sand belt in Victoria area would be awesome!

 

Dream bucket list

[jimwgt26]

Royal Melbourne in Long Grove is really nice. A friend used to be a member and took me out a half dozen times. My first time playing there Richard Dent joined our twosome for 7, 8 and 9. He might be the biggest human ever.

[B-Man]

I'm playing Greg Norman designed Royal Melbourne in Long Grove next Friday

 

 

A visit to the sand belt in Victoria area would be awesome!

 

Dream bucket list

 

I'll be hitting a couple of the sandbelt courses in two weeks. Growing up nearby made them all easily accessible.

[Well Played]

Anybody know any bars or clubhouses that will be open early Saturday and/or Sunday for some bourbon and the Open Championship viewing?

[Scratch2Plus]

Just finished Hilldale...CPO but damn was it soggy out there. The ranger said in the 18 years he's worked there, this is the most water he's ever seen on the course.

Ho hum 37-43 for a solid 80, yeah baby!

 

Buddy wants to play Prairie Bluff tomorrow, said the south burbs didn't get much rain...

[chisag]

Just finished Hilldale...CPO but damn was it soggy out there. The ranger said in the 18 years he's worked there, this is the most water he's ever seen on the course.

Ho hum 37-43 for a solid 80, yeah baby!

 

Buddy wants to play Prairie Bluff tomorrow, said the south burbs didn't get much rain...

 

... We got a decent soaking in Bolingbrook but we played Prairie Bluff yesterday and it was more like a short shower than any real rain. Wasn't even enough to water the course so you should have great conditions to play in. It was running pretty fast in the wind so a little more rain could only help.

[Scratch2Plus]

Just finished Hilldale...CPO but damn was it soggy out there. The ranger said in the 18 years he's worked there, this is the most water he's ever seen on the course.

Ho hum 37-43 for a solid 80, yeah baby!

 

Buddy wants to play Prairie Bluff tomorrow, said the south burbs didn't get much rain...

 

... We got a decent soaking in Bolingbrook but we played Prairie Bluff yesterday and it was more like a short shower than any real rain. Wasn't even enough to water the course so you should have great conditions to play in. It was running pretty fast in the wind so a little more rain could only help.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm heading to Lockport tomorrow!

[ldchristopher]

I see the Prairie Bluff love continues on this thread. I'm playing Broken Arrow tomorrow, taking Saturday off for my wife's birthday, and playing River Pointe and The Brassie on Sunday with The Bear. I'm expecting the mosquitoes to be awful at RP but I haven't been there in over a year and Deep Woods Off does the trick.

[chisag]

... Just curious but exactly what is it you don't like about Prairie Bluff? It has some of the best views of any golf course I have played, especially coming up to the 15th tee. Just beautiful natural surroundings with plenty of birds and other wildlife. Always in good condition and is challenging but fair and when the wind really howls, like it often does it is another challenge I really enjoy. Plus when I hit a bad shot I can look at the prison and realize things aren't so bad. ; ) I get courses are like women and subject to personal opinion but wonder what is it you don't like about the course?

[MountainKing]

... Just curious but exactly what is it you don't like about Prairie Bluff? It has some of the best views of any golf course I have played, especially coming up to the 15th tee. Just beautiful natural surroundings with plenty of birds and other wildlife. Always in good condition and is challenging but fair and when the wind really howls.like it often does it is another challenge I really enjoy. Plus when I hit a bad shot I can look at the prison and realize things aren't so bad. ; ) I get courses are like women and subject to personal opinion but wonder what is it you don't like about the course?

 

I think PB is one of the most overlooked courses in the area. Lots of good holes on the course, depending on the wind the course can be a brute or it can play very easy and it's generally in good shape. It gets a lot of love here but doesn't seem to get much outside of here.

 

I'm out for about a month or so with another wrist injury that was a result of playing out of weeds last week up at Gull Lake. Hopefully I should be ready to go for some fall golf right after labor day.

[ldchristopher]

... Just curious but exactly what is it you don't like about Prairie Bluff? It has some of the best views of any golf course I have played, especially coming up to the 15th tee. Just beautiful natural surroundings with plenty of birds and other wildlife. Always in good condition and is challenging but fair and when the wind really howls.like it often does it is another challenge I really enjoy. Plus when I hit a bad shot I can look at the prison and realize things aren't so bad. ; ) I get courses are like women and subject to personal opinion but wonder what is it you don't like about the course?

I find Prairie Bluff to be extremely underwhelming. No holes really jump out as aesthetically impressive or memorable and it gets very repetitive. If I need a round where I know I can go low, PB serves that purpose but I'm always careful not to confuse "easy to score at" with "legitimately good course." It's got a full range, the maintenance is generally pretty strong, and it's open year round, but, again, the same can be said of quite a few courses in the Chicago area. I don't see people getting giddy about a round at St. Andrews, Sanctuary, or Deer Creek like they do when they play PB. Honestly, the only two things PB has on those other courses I mentioned are smoother, quicker greens and a prison next door that has housed some infamous criminals.

[chisag]

... Just curious but exactly what is it you don't like about Prairie Bluff? It has some of the best views of any golf course I have played, especially coming up to the 15th tee. Just beautiful natural surroundings with plenty of birds and other wildlife. Always in good condition and is challenging but fair and when the wind really howls.like it often does it is another challenge I really enjoy. Plus when I hit a bad shot I can look at the prison and realize things aren't so bad. ; ) I get courses are like women and subject to personal opinion but wonder what is it you don't like about the course?

I find Prairie Bluff to be extremely underwhelming. No holes really jump out as aesthetically impressive or memorable and it gets very repetitive. If I need a round where I know I can go low, PB serves that purpose but I'm always careful not to confuse "easy to score at" with "legitimately good course." It's got a full range, the maintenance is generally pretty strong, and it's open year round, but, again, the same can be said of quite a few courses in the Chicago area. I don't see people getting giddy about a round at St. Andrews, Sanctuary, or Deer Creek like they do when they play PB. Honestly, the only two things PB has on those other courses I mentioned are smoother, quicker greens and a prison next door that has housed some infamous criminals.

 

... Thanks for answering. We are obviously playing two different courses or at least looking at the same course from a different perspective. For me, it has some of the most beautiful and memorable holes I play. From Hawks to Monarch Butterflies (few left) to Muscrats to Frogs, I find it a nature respite and am always happy to walk around in it. Playing golf is a bonus.

[krzeczowskimatt]

Me and the boys have a nice game set up for 330 today at Crystal Tree Country Club going to be a lot of mud balls out there today should be fun!

[DavePelz4]

Me and the boys have a nice game set up for 330 today at Crystal Tree Country Club going to be a lot of mud balls out there today should be fun!

 

Not sure where you live but out south, there hasn't been as much rain as farther north. You might get lucky...

[krzeczowskimatt]

Me and the boys have a nice game set up for 330 today at Crystal Tree Country Club going to be a lot of mud balls out there today should be fun!

 

Not sure where you live but out south, there hasn't been as much rain as farther north. You might get lucky...

 

I live down in Mokena its by Frankfort and Orland Park we have gotten pounded down here with storms the last two nights the club is cart paths only we will be playing lift clean and place

[ldchristopher]

Broken Arrow was completely drenched after storms last night. When in the fairway it was like walking on a huge sponge. It led to tee shots that mostly plugged but the greens were in pretty decent shape all things considered. The humidity was insanely high so it would have been nice to see some coolers on the course. Add Broken Arrow to the list of places that don't have complimentary water, along with GCI and Oak Grove. Bogies on 6 and 7 South and 1 and 4 East as well as a birdie on 2 South led to a 75. Broken Arrow is another course that must have been rated by the same guy who rated Glencoe. It should play over par but 2.5 strokes over seems high. I'll take it though. Bonus points to that place for having swans and therefore no Canadian geese.

[geochitown]

Volunteered at the preserve at oak meadows today

 

Opening is August 7 and rates are on the website

 

There is sti some grow in required, but preview play should be solid

 

The holes look phenomenal

 

Very excited for the opening

[jimwgt26]

I'm also excited for the Preserve. IMO the rates are fair.

 

[stasek]

Just finished at Prairie Landing. Surprisingly, the course was in good condition. Never encountered any standing water and the bunkers were dry. The greens were also pretty fast considering all the rain we had. Couldn't make any putts (0 birdies) and couple loose shots resulted in 79 (41-38). Played the last 12 holes with Vice Pro Plus - highly recommend the ball.

[Scratch2Plus]

Had car issues(radiator end cap decided to break and spray coolant all over the place) so I wasn't able to make it to Prairie Bluff Friday. Heading to HoE tomorrow...

[@_the_crook]

Trying for a redo Sunday morning at Sportsman's. The overnight night rains caused the 18 hole course to remain closed Saturday.

There was standing water visible at the practice range this evening.

[B-Man]

Lincolnshire Country Club yesterday for a scramble. Course was saturated but we managed a smooth 63 with a bogey! Hit it great all day and made a few putts too.

 

Oakbrook today. First time in about 5 years that I've played two days in a row. What a difference that makes. More consistent. Hit it better than yesterday but could not make a putt. Played off the short whites tees but no roll out there yet still managed to hit every green except 17. 2 putt birdies on 1 and 16 and almost dunking it on 10 and 12. Best round in a year. Off to Melbourne next week for 2 rounds on the sandbelt. Should be a blast.

[@_the_crook]

Lincolnshire Country Club yesterday for a scramble. Course was saturated but we managed a smooth 63 with a bogey! Hit it great all day and made a few putts too.

 

Oakbrook today. First time in about 5 years that I've played two days in a row. What a difference that makes. More consistent. Hit it better than yesterday but could not make a putt. Played off the short whites tees but no roll out there yet still managed to hit every green except 17. 2 putt birdies on 1 and 16 and almost dunking it on 10 and 12. Best round in a year. Off to Melbourne next week for 2 rounds on the sandbelt. Should be a blast.

 

Was Oakbrook as well groomed as in years past?

Haven't had the opportunity to play that course recently and always enjoyed rounds there with friends.

Super convenient meeting point.

[Argonne69]

I got in late Friday night (Saturday morning) due to weather delays, so I took a pass yesterday. My body is telling me to take another break today. I have to imagine it's pretty wet in most areas.

 

'Had a great trip last week in Monterey. My quest to play Pebble Beach as my 400th course was a smashing success. http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1514970-san-francisco-to-monterey-trip-report/