Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[Shriner]

Yep, I noticed that after I re-read the IL golf restrictions. My guess is other courses will follow suit.

[mci711]

just a statement...Unreal. Honestly, if you are in bad enough health/too old to walk you should probably being staying home at this time anyway. Obviously there are exceptions to this, leg injuries and what not, but I'd assume the vast majority are seniors or bigger people who are probably putting themselves at risk by even being out. I guess that is their decision, idk.

[Shriner]

Boone Creek was CPO on Saturday. The two guys behind us who had carts probably walked more distance than we did... ;)

[Argonne69]

I just couldn't spend another day on the sofa, so it was soggy morning at Harborside (Port). I literally had the place to myself. As I was getting my clubs out of my SUV I saw two players coming from the first hole on Port. I assume they called it quits after a few holes, and shortcutted their way back to the parking lot. As I was packing my clubs away after the round, another player was getting ready to head out. Otherwise it was me, myself, I, and one coyote on the 7th hole. 45 degrees, a steady rain, and a 10 mph NE wind doesn't make for a spectacular day on the course, but it was playable. I can usually walk in 2:15 to 2:30, but this was a tough 3 hour round. I was sucking wind trying to push my cart through some of the soft turf. This is definitely a course that is best played carrying. Other than the typical soft turf the course looked great. Fairways were lush. Greens were rolling at maybe 9. Bunkers were fairly wet, but playable. The course really needs to tear out the cart paths and start over. They make Chicago streets look like pristine.

 

[chisag]

... You guys are ahead of the curve. Just got this from Forest Preserve Golf:

 

Who can use a riding cart?

It has been reported that in order to rent a cart you must have a Doctor's note or an ADA placard. This is NOT true! If you have a physical disability or physical limitation that prevents you from walking the course, you may rent a cart and you do not have to produce a placard or note from a physician. Walking is encouraged and we understand not everyone can walk the 2 to 6 miles necessary for a round of golf. If you feel you can’t or would be safer using a cart, please inquire at check-in and we will be happy to rent you a cart for your round.

[@_the_crook]

habitual cart riders have the potential to ruin this easement for play, IF the riders matched up are coming from different households.

without proper course marshaling and guidance, there isn't any way to monitor or regulate behavior.

 

 

[geochitown]

The preserve made it clear they are NOT providing carts

[Argonne69]

My inbox is always flooded with emails from various courses I've played. Apparently booking a round online gives them permission to spam you seven days a week. I don't recall ever seeing an opt-out option when booking.

Anyway, I woke up this morning to an extra large helping of Spam, each one proudly stating that carts are available. 'Seems that the "No Carts" rule is basically a joke. Wink. Wink. They'll be available for anyone with a doctor's note or a handicap placard. Oh, and any "senior" over 55. And persons of any age unable to walk the course. Sheesh.

The carts are going to be "power washed after every round". Yeah, right. At CR the other day I saw carts parked near the clubhouse, but there were no staff to ensure that a player didn't simply grab a cart that was recently returned.

 

[AUTIGER07]

Other than the max of 2 in a group, I'm a huge fan of these new guidelines. 15 minute tee times, walking only, rounds being under 4 hours, etc. I'll take this any day over waiting 5-10 minutes on each tee box due to a course stuffing as many slots onto the tee sheet as possible.

[B-Man]

Village Links late tomorrow afternoon. Forecast calls for plenty of birdies and a high of 64.

[Dashfast]

Played Willow Crest for the first time today. Went off from the tips (6433) and was surprised by how long it played. Great conditions, lots of water trouble, challenges, protected greens, etc. I was impressed by the course and was very surprised by how fast the greens rolled. They’re among the fastest greens I’ve played in the Chicagoland area.

 

[Argonne69]

Keep in mind that the course has six par 3's. That's basically 400 to 500 yds shorter than a course with only four. The wet conditions probably didn't help either. I'll be playing there tomorrow morning.

[Dashfast]

@Argonne69 the funny thing is that the fairways and rough areas were a bit damp, but the greens were so so quick.

[TheBear95]

LD and I played Bowes Creek this afternoon. The greens were bad. Slow and shaggy. It was very noticeable they haven't been cut in a few days. The rough was very thick too. Likely over a week since that was cut. The course was dry, but I would wait a few weeks before heading out there. I didnt think the maintenance was in season form just yet.

[MountainKing]

Another 9 holes at Village Greens, the game felt a lot better today. Was hoping to get 18 in on Saturday but it looks like most places are filled. Loving the current state of golf, it’s so peaceful.

Speaking of carts, drove by Butterfield today, loaded with 4somes and carts. Adults are worst than kids when it comes to listening.

[ldchristopher]

I wasn’t that impressed with Bowes. I’ll take other people’s word for it that the greens are usually in much better shape and $35 is an excellent weekday twilight price. Had a fat guy in a cart behind us. Also saw a twosome zooming around in their own carts (both of Boomer age). However, pretty much everyone else was walking. I don’t understand why Bowes has their stupid cart policy in all other years. There are tough walks but Bowes Creek isn’t one of them.

[DavePelz4]

Looks like no golf at Harborside for a while...https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-harborside-golf-shut-down-20200507-eo57wo4tpnfrxfxyod7pcqvp4i-story.html

[SpeedKills7]

Yea, just got them email from them. I have a feeling Chicago's policy that is coming out today will be much stricter than Prizkter's if that is even possible.

[golfdad907]

People's Republic of Illinois

[Duncan8190]

I don't know if a comparison to China is very applicable. Unless I missed the update that Illinois State Troopers going around and welding front doors shut for those that have tested positive for Covid.

[golfdad907]

Not only China, NoK, Kommiefornia come to mind ;-)

[chisag]

... Never thought I would have to use the ignore feature on this thread. SMH...

[mci711]

You're an idiot.

[AUTIGER07]

If true, this is a poor decision and I wouldn't be shocked to see a lawsuit against the city.

This won't stop people in the city from golfing...they'll just drive further out to play. Reminds me of the idiotic soda tax debacle of 2017.

[@_the_crook]

expected frost delay Saturday morning. I guess we will be sitting in our cars instead of standing near the clubhouse.

we have 5:45.

this will test the waiting groups patience like never before.

"Don't be hitting up on me, bro"

 

[Argonne69]

Willow Crest this morning. Nice day, but a lot windier than I was expecting. What part of prepayment do they not understand? Showed up at the course to find two young guys working at a small table behind a plastic shield near the entrance to the pro shop. I gave them my name and tee time, and expected to get a thumbs up. No, apparently providing a credit card online is not sufficient. They need my card so they can go inside and swipe it. After a few minutes the guy comes out with a paper receipt to sign. FFS. It's 2020 and we're still signing f-cking receipts? Wasn't that the whole point of replacing cards with chip cards a few years back? Oy.

Get to the tee and just as we're getting ready to hit two bozos appear in the landing area. No idea who they are, as the the hole was clear a minute ago. My playing partner asks the crew at the table if they could check it out, and one hops in a cart and heads towards the 1st green. So we wait. He comes back and tells us that they're the group in front of us. Huh? Fifteen minutes and they haven't finished the first hole? It seems they were looking for a ball(s) for nearly 15 minutes along the left side of the hole, out of view from the tee. When we got to the 2nd tee they were ~100 yds out in the fairway. FFS. Twosomes and 15 minute tee times were supposed to lead to quick rounds. Yeah, right. We wound up waiting on each shot on the second hole, but luckily they waited on the 3rd tee and let us play through. When we finished the round I saw them on the 13th hole. Some people should simply not be allowed near a course.

Conditions were decent. Fairways were lush, and had little rollout. A few wet spots, but nothing major. The rough was thick and nasty. As noted yesterday, the greens were quite speedy. I'd say close to 11. Bunkers were absolute trash. Not wet sand, but dried out mud, and possibly concrete. It's nearly the middle of May. How can a course not have the bunkers in playable condition given the downtime this Spring?

[geochitown]

Chevy chase was in good shape, yesterday

greens a little slow but not too bad

happy to get out and play

didnt see anyone out with carts, had a 1:45 pm tee time

nice that there is not much traffic out on the roads

found a fair number of unrepaired ball marks

greens were firm enough that ball marks were relatively small

 

 

 

 

[DavePelz4]

The percentage of people testing positive in the Northeast region which Chicago is in is nearly 22% as compared to the overall state average of 15% today. Like it or not, Chicago is the true hotspot in the state and we're the NE region will most likely be the last region to fully open unless a virus/treatment comes along soon. And I wouldn't expect that either.

[Dashfast]

@Argonne69 yeah, I forgot to mention the bunkers ?.
Played Sunset Valley today (wanted to prep for the Golfweek Am Tour tournament on the 16th) and really enjoyed it. Great conditions, including the bunkers, and pretty perfect weather to boot. Had about 8 putts go over the edge of the hole, but what can you do?

[AUTIGER07]

My point was that people who want to play golf will still get out and golf. Shuttering Chicago or Cook Co golf courses will not do much to deter people from getting out to play, especially as we're entering prime golf season in May / June.