Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[bjorn240]

Played Marovitz today.  Nice weather and lots of people.   Caldwell tomorrow. 
 

 

[ldchristopher]

Whisper Creek today. The course was pretty busy for early March. Not as muddy as I expected though. Walking only so they’re at least trying to keep it from getting wrecked early on. Or they just didn’t want to bother with taking the carts out. Played in about 3:30 as a threesome. A little slower than Bear and I usually prefer but the guy who joined us doesn’t play that much. 77. 

[B-Man]

2 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

Whisper Creek today. The course was pretty busy for early March. Not as muddy as I expected though. Walking only so they’re at least trying to keep it from getting wrecked early on. Or they just didn’t want to bother with taking the carts out. Played in about 3:30 as a threesome. A little slower than Bear and I usually prefer but the guy who joined us doesn’t play that much. 77. 

It was sunny early soooo how were the chicken fingers?

[MountainKing]

Heritage Bluffs for the second round of the season.  Course was fine - oddly wet on 1 & 9 but not as bad the rest of the course, which was shocking since those two holes sit open and higher up.   A handful of greens on the back look like they're full of disease, not sure how that's going to play out as things warm up, but a couple look like they're about lost already.  Otherwise, hard to judge conditions since it's still technically winter. Pace of play was 4:30, bit brutal this time of year but I guess it's expected since it was cart path only and pretty packed.  The reasl shocker was the $70 rate.  If you're going to charge me that in the winter, at least put out the tee markers.

 

Had a real rough start with 2 doubles in the first three holes.  Was 5 over on the par 5's which is not good, especially since the 5's out there are pretty scorable.  Ended up with an 82, but when you have 3 doubles on the card, it's hard to really have anything decent. Struggling with my alignment for some reason, hit 10 fairways but only managed 6 greens through the round so I guess I should be happy with the 82. 

[propman]

26 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

Heritage Bluffs for the second round of the season.  Course was fine - oddly wet on 1 & 9 but not as bad the rest of the course, which was shocking since those two holes sit open and higher up.   A handful of greens on the back look like they're full of disease, not sure how that's going to play out as things warm up, but a couple look like they're about lost already.  Otherwise, hard to judge conditions since it's still technically winter. Pace of play was 4:30, bit brutal this time of year but I guess it's expected since it was cart path only and pretty packed.  The reasl shocker was the $70 rate.  If you're going to charge me that in the winter, at least put out the tee markers.

 

Had a real rough start with 2 doubles in the first three holes.  Was 5 over on the par 5's which is not good, especially since the 5's out there are pretty scorable.  Ended up with an 82, but when you have 3 doubles on the card, it's hard to really have anything decent. Struggling with my alignment for some reason, hit 10 fairways but only managed 6 greens through the round so I guess I should be happy with the 82. 

Wow, $70. Decent course but come on, it's winter.

[MountainKing]

1 hour ago, propman said:

Wow, $70. Decent course but come on, it's winter.

Yeah I didn't book this one,  was a bit of a shock. 

[DavePelz4]

Interesting evening at the NIU Golf Program's fund raising dinner at Naperville CC  Saturday night. It was wonderful to meet most of both teams and their parents.  For years I've been donating to the program but not knowing exactly how the kids/team benefited.  They gave a detailed breakdown of the level of events they are now participating in, the upgrading in competition, the level of talent being recruited, with a significant amount of international players signing.

 

They also had a silent auction and of course, I don't have enough NIU stuff.  Will be sporting this new set up in 2023.

 

[Phreddy]

DP,

Now that you have the bag and shoes, how many years of NCAA eligibility do have left?

[DavePelz4]

7 hours ago, Phreddy said:

DP,

Now that you have the bag and shoes, how many years of NCAA eligibility do have left?

 

Well, if the COVID add on year is retroactive, then 1.  I might be qualified to clean their shoes at my level.  Maybe.

 

[bjorn240]

Anyone do the annual membership at Canal Shores?  Worth it?   In the slightly longer term, I’m looking to join a club in the northern suburbs, but for the spring at least, wondering if this is a worthwhile alternative to city/preserve golf.  The price is certainly right. 

[VNutz]

34 minutes ago, bjorn240 said:

Anyone do the annual membership at Canal Shores?  Worth it?   In the slightly longer term, I’m looking to join a club in the northern suburbs, but for the spring at least, wondering if this is a worthwhile alternative to city/preserve golf.  The price is certainly right. 

If I were closer I'd do it, especially with my kids. We've been out there a few times and it's a neat course that seems to have some good people working there and good things going for it right now.

[Jc0]

On 3/8/2023 at 9:46 AM, bjorn240 said:

Anyone do the annual membership at Canal Shores?  Worth it?   In the slightly longer term, I’m looking to join a club in the northern suburbs, but for the spring at least, wondering if this is a worthwhile alternative to city/preserve golf.  The price is certainly right. 

 

Have you played there before? It's not much different than your city/forest preserve courses. If you are willing to drive a little farther north you have some solid public options like sunset valley and glencoe. 

[grip-it-rip-it]

On 3/8/2023 at 9:46 AM, bjorn240 said:

Anyone do the annual membership at Canal Shores?  Worth it?   In the slightly longer term, I’m looking to join a club in the northern suburbs, but for the spring at least, wondering if this is a worthwhile alternative to city/preserve golf.  The price is certainly right. 

 

FYI, Canal Shores is undergoing a major renovation starting in August, and will be closed for a year.

[1] https://evanstonroundtable.com/2023/02/05/canal-shores-golf-course-slated-for-5-9-million-revamp/

[2] https://www.therecordnorthshore.org/2023/02/07/canal-shores-5-9-million-renovation-to-focus-on-youth-facility-caddie-academy/

[ldchristopher]

The Bluffs and White Tail Ridge today with Bear. The Bluffs was pretty nice weather-wise. High 30’s/low 40’s with the sun peaking out and no wind. The course itself was okay for March. The holes with tree coverage on both sides of the fairway (6, 7, 10, and 18) were pretty wet but the rest was drier than expected. Some greens were alright, others had visible drainage tiles, punch marks, or both. I don’t play there much in the Summer but it was fine for late Winter. One birdie on 10. 76. 
White Tail Ridge was much chillier. It was overcast throughout the round and the wind off the water made it feel colder than it was. The front was soaked. There was no standing water but every step brought up a lot of moisture and drives were plugging, hitting and stopping or coming back. It was walking only so few people were actually playing the course. My ball striking was excellent. I couldn’t buy a birdie putt but I had plenty of looks. 73. 

[ldchristopher]

The Jemsek Course at St. Andrews today. It was playing about 6400 yards from the blue tees but honestly, given the frozen greens I would have preferred the par 3’s be playing their normal length. I hit perfect irons into  all of them and my rewards were superball bounces that went all over the place. Would much rather run up tee shots. It was good to get out but scoring was tough. I was over the green in two on 9, on in two on 10, drove 12, and was just short on 13, yet came away with pars on all those holes. Still finished with a 76. Could be worse. I could be a Purdue fan (sorry Symphonize; low-hanging fruit). 

Edited March 19 by ldchristopher

[Symphonize]

On 3/19/2023 at 3:43 PM, ldchristopher said:

The Jemsek Course at St. Andrews today. It was playing about 6400 yards from the blue tees but honestly, given the frozen greens I would have preferred the par 3’s be playing their normal length. I hit perfect irons into  all of them and my rewards were superball bounces that went all over the place. Would much rather run up tee shots. It was good to get out but scoring was tough. I was over the green in two on 9, on in two on 10, drove 12, and was just short on 13, yet came away with pars on all those holes. Still finished with a 76. Could be worse. I could be a Purdue fan (sorry Symphonize; low-hanging fruit). 

still dead inside. 

[ldchristopher]

2 hours ago, Symphonize said:

still dead inside. 

I’m not laughing at you. Just at Matt Painter. Losing to a double digit seed three years in a row gets most coaches fired. Not sure what the holdup is in West Lafayette. 

[Symphonize]

3 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

I’m not laughing at you. Just at Matt Painter. Losing to a double digit seed three years in a row gets most coaches fired. Not sure what the holdup is in West Lafayette. 

Realistically, Purdue isn’t going to bring in anyone that is going to do better. More likely chance it ends up being an Archie Miller at IU situation setting them back further. 
 

Purdue has been in the top 4 of the Big Ten 9 of the last 10 years, and has 3 Big Ten regular season championships (shoulda been 5). They were one missed free throw and a bad box out/crazy play from going to the final four in 2019 vs Virginia. He’s not going anywhere. Nor should he. 
 

last 3 years in March have been inexplicable, so it is time to see if he can adjust going forward. 

[Quem24]

Highland woods yesterday afternoon to kick off the season. 10-15 others out there braved the below-freezing wind chill (1-2 club wind depending on the gust).

 

Conditions were decent / good. Greens rolled fairly true and there was plenty of roll out. It was far less swampy than I expected.
 

We were joined by groups of deer on at least a third of the holes, which was neat.

 

Overall we got exactly what we were hoping for and more, for $35. No crowds which that course never manages well, and conditions not all that different from the middle of summer (which aren’t bad then either, but clearly better options at that time).

 

Feels good to get the luck, waking up to snow on the ground today was very satisfying.  

[psygolf]

13 hours ago, Symphonize said:

Realistically, Purdue isn’t going to bring in anyone that is going to do better. More likely chance it ends up being an Archie Miller at IU situation setting them back further. 
 

Purdue has been in the top 4 of the Big Ten 9 of the last 10 years, and has 3 Big Ten regular season championships (shoulda been 5). They were one missed free throw and a bad box out/crazy play from going to the final four in 2019 vs Virginia. He’s not going anywhere. Nor should he. 
 

last 3 years in March have been inexplicable, so it is time to see if he can adjust going forward. 

Why does Painter dress like a high school wrestling coach...horrible look for a top notch school/basketball program.

[St Jimmy]

The snow sucks, but considering I already have 7 rounds played this year (Makray 2x, GCI 4x, Spring Valley) and I'm likely to play all twelve months in 2023 I should feel blessed.  

 

As mild as it's been this could very well be my last winter in Illinois.

I f-ing can't take them anymore. 

[DavePelz4]

Opening our competitive season Saturday Sunday at the home of golf, St. Andrews.

 

Hoping there's no snow tomorrow so it isn't mud-ball-palooza.

[Symphonize]

Got out for 3 holes after work yesterday. It felt good to swing a club for the first time in a few months. I really gotta stop going to entire winter without swinging a club. 
 

didnt feel too bad out there, though couldn’t get a touch for chipping. 
 

Hitting up the WJ Golf sims at arboretum club tomorrow. 

[Shriner]

Maple Meadows yesterday.   Course was in very good shape for March and I honestly didn't think they would be open due to the impending remodel.  Hilarious as we finished the front 9 and a twosome jumped in on hole 10, probably not realizing the difference between the 1st and 10th tee boxes.  I almost shouted at them that you tee'd off on the wrong 9 but gave them a chance.  I was rewarded as we played the back in 1.5 hours.  Greens rolled awesome, likely the best they will all year lol!

 

Tee times Sunday are impossible to come by around here.  We are going to head West to get a round in...

[Quem24]

Who’s golfing tomorrow?  

 

What’s up with mid-season (or more) prices in April and do you strategize your choices or-don’t care?
 

Is the new norm $60-$95 for a decent course in April?

 

Insert your own Get Off My Lawn joke here, but demand is so high since Covid that prices have doubled? 

[Holy Moses]

First round of the year at Bridges of Poplar Creek on Thursday. The course was in great shape for the time of year. The practice green and hole greens were lightly sanded and were rolling at peak season speed. The driving range was open too which never hurts when it's your first round of the year. After I hit my tee shot on the first, an older man asked to play with me. He wanted me to attest his score card for handicap reasons. He promptly hit his drive OB into the driving range on the right. He asked me what the penalty was and I told him stroke and distance. He said he would just drop at the point of entry, which I guess you can do if you are hitting 4. When it’s cart path only and the GPS makes you go backwards for an entire hole because it thinks you are off the path, it’s kind of unsafe. Fun day though with the Cubs radio playing on my phone. 

Edited April 1 by Holy Moses

[ldchristopher]

Headed to Indy for four rounds with Bear on Monday and Tuesday. Rock Hollow in Peru and Bear Slide on Monday and Purgatory and Sandy Pines on Tuesday. We’ll be dodging raindrops but I’m looking forward to the trip. 

[MountainKing]

10 hours ago, Quem24 said:

Who’s golfing tomorrow?  

 

What’s up with mid-season (or more) prices in April and do you strategize your choices or-don’t care?
 

Is the new norm $60-$95 for a decent course in April?

 

Insert your own Get Off My Lawn joke here, but demand is so high since Covid that prices have doubled? 

 

As much as it sucks paying, I'd love to see rates get to a point where courses empty out a bit.  Getting old having to fight for times and ending up with tee sheets full of morons.  I'm at the point where I'll pay $200 to play on a half empty course. 

[Argonne69]

13 hours ago, ldchristopher said:

Headed to Indy for four rounds with Bear on Monday and Tuesday. Rock Hollow in Peru and Bear Slide on Monday and Purgatory and Sandy Pines on Tuesday. We’ll be dodging raindrops but I’m looking forward to the trip. 

 

Enjoy. I'll wave to you on the way past. I'm less than a mile from I-65. Color me jealous.

 

 

[IndyArcher]

On 4/1/2023 at 8:59 PM, ldchristopher said:

Headed to Indy for four rounds with Bear on Monday and Tuesday. Rock Hollow in Peru and Bear Slide on Monday and Purgatory and Sandy Pines on Tuesday. We’ll be dodging raindrops but I’m looking forward to the trip. 

 

Man, I’m jealous. Used to play Rock Hollow all the time. Look forward to hearing how the course is. Buddy of mine used to be the Sup @ neighboring Honeywell in Wabash and he was good friends with the Sup @ Rock Hollow so we’d visit there quite a bit. One of my favorite Northern IN spots!

 

BUT, still nothing like Purgatory. What a real treasure. Haven’t been there for several years and now am out of the area. 

 

I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Please post some pics!