Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[DavePelz4]

14 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

You always have a good story from your rounds.

 

Thanks...our group is never boring.  Years ago this would have made to "Animal Stories" with Larry Lujack on WLS.

[chrisf60526]

2 hours ago, MountainKing said:

 

Yesterday was the wet/windy combo.  It was nice getting out, but honestly the fun factor went down each hole.  We were trying to figure out how many strokes the conditions added yesterday.  It was an odd experinece at Carillon where cause of the routing most of the holes were into the wind, and holes where I would normally be hitting 8 or 9 irons into I was hitting 4 irons/hybrids and even a 3 wood at one point into.    Downwind it didn't really do much help either, it was blowing so hard that the wind woudl just knock the ball out of the sky.  On top of the wind, there was no area on the course where water didn't come up if you took a step, other than greens that were sitting a bit higher, very difficult to keep fotting when swinging.  I don't remember the last time I had a ball plug, let alone have it be almost expected every hole.   Hopefully things start letting up a bit, I'm not much for adverse conditions and don't get much joy out of being out or playing in them.  I absolutley shouldn't be living in Chicago.  

 

My friends who have been out this year are saying the courses are bombed out.  I always hope for April golf but May may be the norm now.  April is so unpredictable.

[ldchristopher]

Whitetail Ridge and Blackberry Oaks today. I hadn't played either and wanted to get in WTR before their rates jack way up. It's good but it's not a $65-$100 facility. However, the $40 Spring rate felt more than fair. Overall, I enjoyed the variety and have a soft spot for Greg Martin designs, though the front and back are basically two different courses. The front is smashed into a pit while the back has lots of gently rolling terrain. I really don't get why they don't even offer a walking rate since it wasn't even a remotely challenging walk. I mean, I understand why they want the cart revenue but c'mon. Let's not act like WTR actually has elevation change. Anyway, the greens were fair but on the slow side. Given all the moisture I wasn't expecting much in the way of pace but the green complexes are big enough that I'm assuming they can get those moving at 10.5/11 in the summer. Bear hit 13/13 fairways while I was a little wild. I hit the pin on 17 and made my only birdie of the round on that hole. Managed a 76. 

 

Blackberry Oaks is one of those places that we've always thought about playing but never got around to. We don't exactly live near Oswego but, since we were in the area we figured we'd check it out. Given the distance yet high slope I was expecting it to be like Arboretum. Just a lot of target golf on a 6400 yard course with a bunch of water. However, it felt more like the front nine at Marengo Ridge. Overall, it was nothing special but it did have some holes that made one think off the tee. The bunkers were junk. Visible liners in every greenside one and they hadn't been groomed in a while. I will say this; if anyone has a thing for courses with lots of commercial freight train traffic, Blackberry Oaks is the course for you. We had four freight trains go right past us during the round. Was the whistle obnoxiously blown repeatedly? You know it. I left a few strokes on the course but got into a nice groove for the last 5-6 holes. 77. 

 

 

[stasek]

Busy weekend..... Saturday - Cog #1.  Oh boy, obviously it was CPO, so I walked and carried my bag.   Probably the wettest condition''s I've ever played in. Not too many drives that didn't plug.  I was pretty spent by the time we finished.  they are aerating #1 this week, so I'd stay away for at least a month.... or a year.

Sunday - Blackstone GC.   Unlike Cog, the course was dry (except couple holes in the woods, that I'm pretty sure are always CPO), and the carts were allowed on the course. Course conditions? Check..... Weather (temperature)? Check..... Wind????   DAYMN!    Had to be one of the (if not THE) windiest I've ever played in.   It was so bad, it was almost comical.   Game is very much rusty - had some decent shots, and some real head scratchers, short game was non-existant, and putting....  let's not go there.   

FWIW, I've heard from a semi-reliable source that there's talk of closing down Ruffled Feathers.  I guess time will tell if true, but with Gleneagles closing, Big Run probably on its' last legs, it would be a shame.   I won't even bring up rumors about Cog...

[chisag]

6 minutes ago, stasek said:

Saturday - Cog #1.  Oh boy, obviously it was CPO, so I walked and carried my bag.   Probably the wettest condition''s I've ever played in. Not too many drives that didn't plug.  I was pretty spent by the time we finished.  they are aerating #1 this week, so I'd stay away for at least a month.... or a year.

 

 

... Just such a shame that after Joe Jemsek died Cog Hill turned into a money grab when Joe was all about a CC experience for a public golfer. He didn't allow cart paths, the course was always in good to great condition and if you didn't keep pace you were asked to pick up and go to the next hole and if still behind pace you were asked to leave with a full refund. Joe aerated 1/2 the green putting the pin on the clean half then 2 weeks later aerated the other half putting the pin on the sealed half. Before moving to Phoenix, 2 summers ago I don't think the aeration ever recovered. Hard to recognize what was once a nice course with the shape it is in today.  

[stasek]

28 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Just such a shame that after Joe Jemsek died Cog Hill turned into a money grab when Joe was all about a CC experience for a public golfer. He didn't allow cart paths, the course was always in good to great condition and if you didn't keep pace you were asked to pick up and go to the next hole and if still behind pace you were asked to leave with a full refund. Joe aerated 1/2 the green putting the pin on the clean half then 2 weeks later aerated the other half putting the pin on the sealed half. Before moving to Phoenix, 2 summers ago I don't think the aeration ever recovered. Hard to recognize what was once a nice course with the shape it is in today.  

The greens, while on the slow side, were actually the highlight of the course.   Probably better than the greens on #2 are all year round (don't remember them being in even a decent shape in years).  

[propman]

10 hours ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Just such a shame that after Joe Jemsek died Cog Hill turned into a money grab when Joe was all about a CC experience for a public golfer. He didn't allow cart paths, the course was always in good to great condition and if you didn't keep pace you were asked to pick up and go to the next hole and if still behind pace you were asked to leave with a full refund. Joe aerated 1/2 the green putting the pin on the clean half then 2 weeks later aerated the other half putting the pin on the sealed half. Before moving to Phoenix, 2 summers ago I don't think the aeration ever recovered. Hard to recognize what was once a nice course with the shape it is in today.  

We had permanent tee times on Sundays starting in 1991. The "keep pace" rule was poorly enforced. The rangers would hang around the 18th hole acting like Barney Fife, never monitoring the pace of play on other holes. This resulted in 4somes literally running thru the last couple holes to make sure they kept pace. Back then, it was 3 strikes and apparently loss of permanent tee rime 

[Woodridge]

Bears QB has car stolen from Beverly CC parking lot.

 

https://chicagocitywire.com/stories/623179496-new-bears-qb-siemian-has-car-stolen-at-beverly-c-c#.YlW5CCOUfw4.twitter

[ldchristopher]

White Hawk Grey to Silver today. I’ve settled on a driver/3 wood shaft and weights set up after some cold weather tinkering and it’s paying off big time. White Hawk also drains very well so I had good lies and few mud balls. The greens there were extremely smooth and rolling at a 10. I’m not sure how they keep that place in such good shape given the fact that it’s open year round but props to their staff. The bunkers all need sand and I’ve been saying that for a few seasons now but that’s my lone critique and I stayed off the beach today. I started -2 through the first three holes with birdies on 1 and 3 and only dropped two shots the rest of the round (bogies on 7 Grey and 4 Silver) to shoot a 72. Good to get back into the land of negative indexes. Outstanding weather today. High 60’s and sunny with a pretty consistent 15 mph breeze. 

Edited April 12, 2022 by ldchristopher

[Madhoshi]

21 hours ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Just such a shame that after Joe Jemsek died Cog Hill turned into a money grab when Joe was all about a CC experience for a public golfer. He didn't allow cart paths, the course was always in good to great condition and if you didn't keep pace you were asked to pick up and go to the next hole and if still behind pace you were asked to leave with a full refund. Joe aerated 1/2 the green putting the pin on the clean half then 2 weeks later aerated the other half putting the pin on the sealed half. Before moving to Phoenix, 2 summers ago I don't think the aeration ever recovered. Hard to recognize what was once a nice course with the shape it is in today.  

I'm flying in Mid May to O'hare, en route to WI for a golf trip, and was planning on playing Cog #4 the afternoon I fly in. Reading these reviews from you guys, would you consider any other courses as opposed to the Dubs?

[stasek]

1 hour ago, Madhoshi said:

I'm flying in Mid May to O'hare, en route to WI for a golf trip, and was planning on playing Cog #4 the afternoon I fly in. Reading these reviews from you guys, would you consider any other courses as opposed to the Dubs?

IMO, Dubs is still top notch golf course - most of the complaints are regarding the other 3 courses.  

[Madhoshi]

1 hour ago, stasek said:

IMO, Dubs is still top notch golf course - most of the complaints are regarding the other 3 courses.  

 

Thanks! I've never played in the area, would y'all recommend Dubs or Cartigny? 

[Holy Moses]

Thought my round was at Hilldale, but I realized when I was in the clubhouse that it was at Mount Prospect. I left in a rush but forgot I grabbed a water bottle from their cooler and took it with me in a panic and didn’t pay for it. As I’m driving to Mount Prospect, I realize this and call them to pay. They say just pay next time I’m in. I had punched Hilldale into my gps to get their number and then start driving back there for a few minutes because my head is spinning in a rush to get to Mount Prospect. I turn around, barely make my tee time, and again make no putts at Mount Prospect.

[mci711]

12 minutes ago, Madhoshi said:

 

Thanks! I've never played in the area, would y'all recommend Dubs or Cartigny? 

 

I'd play dubs over Cantigny. I'm not positive dubs is better, but I think I prefer it. Cantigny is kind of a pain, love the course, but every time I go it is a 5+ hour round. 

[Argonne69]

Definitely Dubs over Cantigny. Cantigny is a fine course, but Dubs is Dubs. Yeah, conditions have been less than perfect on occasion, but it's still a PGA caliber layout. 

 

[VNutz]

9 hours ago, mci711 said:

 

I'd play dubs over Cantigny. I'm not positive dubs is better, but I think I prefer it. Cantigny is kind of a pain, love the course, but every time I go it is a 5+ hour round. 

I always felt Cantigny was as much about the setting and ambiance as the golf. Love the place but something about the course and layout just doesn't do it for me, cannot figure out what or why. Maybe it's the par 5 with the 90* turn at the very end.

[DavePelz4]

Played hooky yesterday and met one of the guys from our group at Blackstone.  For early in the season, the course is in amazing shape with possibly the best bunkers I've played out of in the last few years.  Real sand, and enough to where you can actually anchor your feet.  They've done the old way of aerating, which is to do half the green, roll and sand it and then do the other half a week or so later.  That did lead to a couple of interesting putts that went from extremely fast to stunningly slow but all in all, the greens were at Blackstone speed.  Played in 3:30 which was wonderful as well and that time could have been faster if the group in front of us would have let us play through.  We let 2 single so through as there was no reason to slow them down.  Be respectful people.

 

My one criticism is that Blackstone needs new range balls as the ones they have are really beat up.

 

At least it was nice to just play in shorts and a polo.

[DavePelz4]

Apparently Milf Creek is reopening tomorrow.  Rather interesting email:

 

MILL CREEK GOLF CLUB IS OPENING!

 

We are excited to announce we will be opening the course this Thursday, April 14th.  We do not have all of our riding carts in yet so we will be taking tee times from 9am to Noon as we have limited carts available.

 

The driving range will not be open yet, but the practice putting green will be ready for use on Thursday.

 

Please note our NEW phone number is (630) 232-4311

[Holy Moses]

1 hour ago, DavePelz4 said:

Played hooky yesterday and met one of the guys from our group at Blackstone.  For early in the season, the course is in amazing shape with possibly the best bunkers I've played out of in the last few years.  Real sand, and enough to where you can actually anchor your feet.  They've done the old way of aerating, which is to do half the green, roll and sand it and then do the other half a week or so later.  That did lead to a couple of interesting putts that went from extremely fast to stunningly slow but all in all, the greens were at Blackstone speed.  Played in 3:30 which was wonderful as well and that time could have been faster if the group in front of us would have let us play through.  We let 2 single so through as there was no reason to slow them down.  Be respectful people.

 

My one criticism is that Blackstone needs new range balls as the ones they have are really beat up.

 

At least it was nice to just play in shorts and a polo.

Best course conditions, worst range balls. That’s when the machine actually accepts the token 😂.

[geochitown]

16 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

Thought my round was at Hilldale, but I realized when I was in the clubhouse that it was at Mount Prospect. I left in a rush but forgot I grabbed a water bottle from their cooler and took it with me in a panic and didn’t pay for it. As I’m driving to Mount Prospect, I realize this and call them to pay. They say just pay next time I’m in. I had punched Hilldale into my gps to get their number and then start driving back there for a few minutes because my head is spinning in a rush to get to Mount Prospect. I turn around, barely make my tee time, and again make no putts at Mount Prospect.

you have entered the Twilight Zone 

[geochitown]

Played Schaumburg on Monday morning and what a pleasure it was 

 

a bit chilly with the clouds and wind but very pleasant overall

 

they had cut and rolled the greens and they were pure

 

Only my second time there ever

 

last summer played Tournament /Players

 

monday we played Players /Baer

 

have played all three 9’s now

 

Would love to get in a 27 hole day there at some point 

Edited April 13, 2022 by geochitown

[Argonne69]

7 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Apparently Milf Creek is reopening tomorrow.  Rather interesting email:

 

MILL CREEK GOLF CLUB IS OPENING!

 

We are excited to announce we will be opening the course this Thursday, April 14th.  We do not have all of our riding carts in yet so we will be taking tee times from 9am to Noon as we have limited carts available.

 

The driving range will not be open yet, but the practice putting green will be ready for use on Thursday.

 

Please note our NEW phone number is (630) 232-4311

 

I received the same e-mail. It wound up (rightfully) in my spam folder. I played the course one time in 2008. Wow, an elephant never forgets.

 

[dhartmann34]

Played a 5 man scramble on Sunday at Hawk's View. Cart path only! Tees were on the back of tee boxes, tough sidehill pins and crazy wind made for a rather long day. Over 6.5 hours. And the par 3's were brutal... But I really enjoy that place and the dinner they served afterwards was phenomenal.

 

Interesting note.... Winning score was 8 shots lower than last year. Definitely a fun, but challenging day! 

[ldchristopher]

9 hours ago, DavePelz4 said:

Apparently Milf Creek is reopening tomorrow.  Rather interesting email:

 

MILL CREEK GOLF CLUB IS OPENING!

 

We are excited to announce we will be opening the course this Thursday, April 14th.  We do not have all of our riding carts in yet so we will be taking tee times from 9am to Noon as we have limited carts available.

 

The driving range will not be open yet, but the practice putting green will be ready for use on Thursday.

 

Please note our NEW phone number is (630) 232-4311

Who even owns and operates Milf Creek these days. Arcis dumped it and I figured that would be the kill shot. 

[Holy Moses]

28 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

Who even owns and operates Milf Creek these days. Arcis dumped it and I figured that would be the kill shot. 

Some Saudi investment fund

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Is Calumet CC worth playing if I am driving past on my way to Erin Hills?

[TheBear95]

51 minutes ago, ldchristopher said:

Who even owns and operates Milf Creek these days. Arcis dumped it and I figured that would be the kill shot. 

Owner... Good question. 

 

Operator... Everyone's favorite, GolfVisions!!

[TheBear95]

26 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

Some Saudi investment fund

 

Milf Creek is a perfect course for a LIV Tour Event.

[ldchristopher]

40 minutes ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Is Calumet CC worth playing if I am driving past on my way to Erin Hills?

The layout is good. It’s a Donald Ross design that’s been around since 1901. I think it’s better than Ravisloe across the street. But it went public a few years ago and the new owner has made clear his plan to redevelop it (very long story short, the community is trying to block the sale so it doesn’t become a warehouse or fulfillment center or something and there are some zoning technicalities that they’re clinging to) so conditioning could be iffy. You’ll go past much better courses on the way to EH though. I’ll say this, Calumet will be waaaaaay different than EH. 

Edited April 14, 2022 by ldchristopher

[mci711]

2 hours ago, BEND OF THE RIVER GC said:

Is Calumet CC worth playing if I am driving past on my way to Erin Hills?

 

No. Not with all of the other good courses you'll pass on your way through Chicagoland to Wisconsin.