Stonewall Orchard, Grayslake, IL- is the membership worth it?

smilin assassin · October 12, 2011

I know people on the board have played here. Is anyone a member there? What has been your experience? Would you recommend it to someone that is interested? What are the areas that the club needs to improve and what areas do they excel? Are you able to get receiprocable (sp?) play at some of the private clubs in the area, even though Stonewall is not private?

I am a little hesitate to be tied to one course to play all season long.

Any other comments or thoughts are appreciated. I am considering joining for the 2012 season.

Thanks!

jdhallissey · October 12, 2011

Umm I am not a member there but I can tell you there inside staff has a lot to be learned for customer service. They are not the smartest tools in the shed nor very friendly or helpful. It seems they just don't care about you. They are get your money and then don't care. It is a great course don't get me wrong...

Hopefully if you go talk to them see if there inside staff has changed because if they have go do it. You could play that course a bunch and love every minute of it. I am trying to figure out which other courses might offer more in golf and a practice facility.

You should REALLY REALLY REALLY look into Kemper lakes and there membership along with Royal Melbourne Country club too. They might not be to far off what you would play at a public course. Along with those two are great tracks and greens are amazing.

oldpalchamp · October 12, 2011

I played there a few years ago and they "squeezed" a few extra foursomes on the course. It was a 6-hour round with 3 groups on some holes. We waited on every tee. I complained in the pro shop after the round and they couldn't care less. It's one thing to have a 6-hour round on a cheapo muni course, but when your paying about a hundred dollars for a "country club for a day" experience, you expect more.

smilin assassin · October 12, 2011

Yes, their customer service does need improvement. It seems that the arrogance only comes in play at the pro shop. The staff at the grill is wonderful.

In regards to Kemper Lakes and Royal Mebourne I do not feel like going through the riga ma row of getting sponsored and what not. Plus Stonewall is a lot closer for me to play on a regular basis.

They have done some crazy stuiff there with letting lots of people out at a time. I know Jordan was there right after the Lake Tahoe event this summer and friend said he was in a sixsome.

jabrch · October 12, 2011

[quote name='smilin assassin' timestamp='1318469339' post='3665643']
Yes, their customer service does need improvement. It seems that the arrogance only comes in play at the pro shop. The staff at the grill is wonderful.

In regards to Kemper Lakes and Royal Mebourne I do not feel like going through the riga ma row of getting sponsored and what not. Plus Stonewall is a lot closer for me to play on a regular basis.

They have done some crazy stuiff there with letting lots of people out at a time. I know Jordan was there right after the Lake Tahoe event this summer and friend said he was in a sixsome.

[/quote]

For a lot less money, I am much more fond of Bittersweet. Both pale in comparison to Thunderhawk. But that's not what you were asking.

But to answer your Q, I have no idea what sort of reciprocity you get from being a "member" at Stonewall...

jdhallissey · October 12, 2011

There is no way I would be a member at bittersweet. They are getting over run. The course is bland now that they did all the changes. Thunderhawk as we all know is a great track. So I am figuring you are in the grayslake, gurnee,libertyville,vernon area. See what White Deer is running for memberships too. They used to have a great layout I just never could afford it. They have a great range with a long range bunker and then the chipping green with a bunker too.

jabrch · October 19, 2011

It's a question of economics....I like Bittersweet - for what it costs. I like Thunderhawk if I didn't care about money. Stonewall Orchard is also a solid golf course - but not cheap. If I didn't know money was a constraint, I'd join a private club and not worry.

The reciprocity, if it is a good plan, could be a difference maker if I was looking at SO.