Junior Golf Nine, Dine and Wine Royal Fox Reborn Dave Pelz’ Short Game Advisor Golfchicagomagazine.Com Stacy Lewis

Chicago’s Premier Multimedia Golf Source & Authority April 2018, Vol. 22 No. 2

Junior Golf Nine, Dine and Wine Royal Fox Reborn Dave Pelz’ Short Game Advisor GOLFChicagoMagazine.com Stacy Lewis

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Media sponsor of April 2018 Vol. 22 No. 2 Dave OPENING SHOT and contents Tim Features The crocus may or may not have bloomed in your backyard, but spring is here. Junior Golf: The Game’s Future That mountain of snow has melted. The sun is higher in the sky. Thunder occasionally rumbles. You may have even hit the links on a reasonably warm – Why and how the kids will lead the way. 14 Departments above 45 degrees – day. Royal Fox Reborn The key indicator is on the television screen. Golf’s on the telly 24/7, but for 5 Opening Shot those of a certain age, the annual transmissions from Augusta, Georgia – off New owner makes big changes. 20 the television map for the other 51 weeks of the year – mean earth still follows Nine, Dine and Wine 6 The Good Stuff a proper orbit and warmer days are ahead. 22 How to make the time before and after sunset count. Amen (corner) to that. 8 Sweet Home Chicago The Masters is the one tournament that we can’t get enough of, and perhaps News From Here And the limited hours on the air – even the five hours on Sunday seem to go by in There seconds – is why. Few will watch all of the 12 Instruction U.S. Open across four Dave Pelz On Downhill days, or even a regu- Wedges lar tournament on the circuit, which might 24 Fitness Edge cover 12 or 14 hours, Don Morris but the Masters? We’re glued to the set, and 25 GOLFChicago Map and often have the iPad with one of the extra Directory channels that Augusta offers. Who can resist 41 On The Corkscrews watching action at Stephen Hawk Amen Corner all day? It’s a magical place, 34 Final Putt Augusta National. It Neal Kotlarek And The changes every year, Visit our Cover: Cog Hill’s PGA Jr. League team from 2017 exemplifies the fun to be had in junior golf. Kicked Bucket (Photo: Mike Schoaf / Southwest PGA) sometimes subtly, occa- GOLFChicago sionally outrageously, as when Hootie Johnson Magazine SUBSCRIBE TO Chicago’s Premier Multimedia Golf Source & Authority turned into Johnny Fan Page Founder: Bill Daniels Editorial inquiries should be directed to: Appleseed and planted pine trees everywhere but downtown Aiken to toughen Tim Cronin GOLFCHICAGO Publisher: Dave Weretka [email protected] the course. But the place is always green, manicured more perfectly than a on facebook. Editor: Tim Cronin PO Box 541 Free Golf* with Your Worth, IL 60482 Hollywood star, and always ready for its close-up. Art Director: Stephen Hawk Business Offices It’s also a different place. Fans can’t bring in cell phones, so there’s no Paid Subscription 3701 Juniper Avenue Senior Writers: Neal Kotlarek and Todd Mrowice Joliet, IL 60431 chance of a buzz, unless you hit the concession stands with the 1980s prices for Chicago’s Premier 815-741-8005 Instructional Staff: Scott Hogan, Andy Mickelson, [email protected] the $4 beers. There’s also no official course rating for the layout, and the green Dave Pelz, Andrew Ogata, John Platt, and Carl Rabito Multimedia Golf Source & jackets never announce Stimpmeter speeds for the roly-poly greens. (Upon the Authority Delivered To Your Editorial Contributors: Stephen Hawk, Rory Hughes, switch from bermuda to bent a generation ago, they ran 18, which is equivalent Door Six Times A Year Dave Lockhart, Greg Martin, and John Morrissett © Copyright 2018 Photography: GOLFChicago Staff and Group 27 to infinity, a member whispered to someone sworn to secrecy.) Visit Augusta National is treated with more reverence than it should be – did you

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6 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 7 there. (The beach would be closed if So said Chicago Park District general superintendent the BMW Championship or a similar Mike Kelly when the revised routing was revealed to the tournament played through.) Down Memory Lane public this winter. He was upfront in noting that much of One thing that could push the the money for the course had to be raised, and that much project to happening – and some The First World Championship’ of the rest – including $25 million for a pair of critical industry insiders think it’s a 50-50 George S. May was never bashful. Sweet underpasses that would connect portions of the course – proposition at this point – is its Thus, when in 1943 the flamboyant impresario of Tam O’Shanter had not been allocated to the project in any budget. inclusion in the South Lakefront There is every likelihood, of course, that the $60 Framework Plan. The Obama decided golf needed a boost and arranged a 36-hole match between million cost will go up. Environmental issues, notably the Presidential Center, planned for a Harold “Jug” McSpaden and Sam Byrd, winners of the All-American Open Home relocation of a nature sanctuary, are still in question. So part of Jackson Park immediately at Tam and the Chicago Victory National at Beverly, respectively, he didn’t is the construction timetable. Kelly noted that once con- north of the golf course, is also in call it an exhibition. struction began, it would be at least 18 months. that plan. He called it the first World Championship. The project is already a year behind the envisioned “This is part of the Framework The winner – which turned out to be McSpaden – collected $1,000, schedule, and Jackson Park and South Shore remain Plan, and the Framework Plan will Chicago open in their original configurations as separate 18- and not be published until we’ve got a double what runner-up Byrd earned – but more important, May was 9-hole park district courses. consensus on golf,” Kelly said. “I pleased that 2,500 fans came out on an October weekend 75 years ago, “We did slow down and we have a better project for need the community’s support and spurning college and pro football turnstiles to watch his concoction. it,” Kelly said. I need the donors’ support. It is our The All-American was already popular. Now he The golf course design, by Beau Welling of Tiger intention that this will be a privately saw a second opportunity to $60 Million and Counting Woods’ design company, was changed considerably fund-raised golf course and that it bring in fans. After World Urban renewal does not come cheap. from the original concept. It now features a clubhouse on will be something supported by the Nor do high-end golf courses. the south end of the course. The front nine returns to the community and the donors.” War II ended, he took advan- Put the two together, and even a rich man might con- new clubhouse so nine-hole rounds could be accommo- Kelly argued that the two exist- tage. In the 1946 World sider taking out a loan or begging for donations. dated. South Shore’s gigantic old clubhouse, now called ing courses were outdated, saying Championship there were That, on a municipal level, is the case with the pro- the Cultural Center, remains. Jackson Park had narrower fairways four players, then eight and posed rebuilding of the Jackson Park and South Shore The par-70 course, a better layout than Welling’s than Oakmont Country Club – which 12 in subsequent years. golf courses on Chicago’s lakefront. A controversial con- original, plays anywhere from 2,998 to 7,161 yards for is hundreds of yards longer and And in 1949, May expand- cept when it was announced last year, the project is now customers, and with the use of wayback tees, including effectively widened its fairways only in its second iteration, and the announced $30 million one that would play over a public beach on the 16th after taking down every tree – and ed to a 72-hole full-field price tag of 2017 has doubled. hole, 7,341 yards for a tournament, should one be held that South Shore had smaller greens showcase featuring men’s than Pebble Beach. As it should, and women’s pro and since it’s a course with short par 3s, amateur divisions with The revised plan for the revamped Jackson unlike Pebble, where only the par-3 network TV coverage Park / South Shore golf complex, designed seventh is of a similar length. on DuMont. Crowds by Beau Welling of Tiger Woods’ design While the city and park district company. (Chicago Park District / TGR Design) plan on trading some land to make flocked to Tam to see room for the Obama Center – which pros play for ever-in- will eliminate Cornell Drive as a creasing purses. shortcut from Stony Island Avenue to It was the 1953 Lake Shore Drive – the Framework edition, the first on Plan is expected to be debated and coast-to-coast TV, tweaked for several months. that proved May’s Remembering Brent gamble correct. Wadsworth Lew Worsham In golf, the name Wadsworth con- sank a skidding 104-yard jures up visions of earth movers and wedge shot on the final hole for an eagle 2 tractors, clearing or creating a landscape for a new course. to beat Chandler Harper by a stroke. First-time viewers thought But Brent Wadsworth, who died golf was a snap, Worsham collected $25,000, Harper pocketed $10,000 February 6 at his Yorkville home at and May crowed. The next year, the first prize of $50,000, captured by 88, was more than a man who liked Bob Toski, was more than anyone won across the rest of the season. to get his hands dirty as a worker in McSpaden’s $1,000 in 1943 was laughably small by today’s stan- the field whose course construction dards, but the raging war and travel restrictions meant there were only company came to be recognized as the best in the country. three regular tournaments all year. Combined with his $2,000 for win- He was a philanthropist, both ning the All-American, he was the Tour’s leading money winner with only privately and through the Wadsworth $3,000 – which is why the PGA Tour to this day omits the number, saying Golf Charities Foundation, which was “statistics not compiled.” – Tim Cronin founded in 1997, 40 years after his first 8 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 9 construction job. The last few years, it “Links Across America,” it’s a future and went all-in on that end. has donated upwards of a half-million called, and one of the first courses His design and construction of Fox dollars to various golf organizations was the four-hole layout and prac- Bend, which opened in 1967, was across the country, ranging from tice area on Lockport Township his lone solo design project in the junior golf operations in New Jersey, High School’s east campus. If there’s Chicago area. Naturally, when Fox Tennessee and Nebraska to park dis- another high school with even one Bend’s layout was tweaked a few tricts with burgeoning junior programs, real golf hole on its property, we years ago, Wadsworth was the con- such as Rockford’s. don’t know about it. But that innova- structor of choice. The foundation’s main goal is building tive thinking is what Wadsworth and – with the parent for-profit company doing his late friend, golf pro Leon McNair, the construction – youth-friendly golf cours- believed would bring new golfers to es, layouts of three, six or nine holes, and the game. often convertible via multiple tees, where Wadsworth started as an archi- kids could both learn how to play the tect with designer Larry Packard, game and be comfortable on the course. then saw construction as a field with

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The company handles large and small projects, and built a reputation of solid work on short notice. The best example came when downpours and a flood turned Rae’s Creek into a torrent and obliterated bearer, walking scorer, and player Volunteers may register at rus- reopening. Greens and bunkers are Augusta National’s 11th and 12th shuttle driver. toleumchampions.com/volunteer or being reshaped and tees updated, greens one winter. With the Masters “Volunteering at the Rust-Oleum email [email protected]. with drainage improved to allow the a few months away, the club called Championship is an excellent oppor- The Chicago area’s web.com course to reopen more quickly after Wadsworth. Armed with plans detail- tunity for volunteers to see some of tournament features a field of downpours. Bob Lohmann’s firm did Public Course. Private Experience. ing the contours to millimeters and an the world’s top golfers up-close, meet up-and-coming young players, for- the planning, while Wadsworth is unlimited budget, the firm rebuilt the new friends, and support the tourna- mer college stars, and other players carrying it out. ... In contrast, Lake holes perfectly. ment’s charity mission,” tournament who aspire to qualify for the regular Bluff’s park district is considering Wadsworth also built Shadow director Scott Cassin said. “Many of PGA Tour. closing its golf course as it reaches Creek, the Las Vegas wonderland our volunteers love the experience so The $35 Volunteer Package its 50th anniversary, citing financial WWW.MCQSDOME.COM course, and local layouts ranging from much they can’t wait to come back.” includes a tournament logo golf shirt, losses and a need to spend money a tournament logo golf cap or visor, on clubhouse upgrades if the course 730 N. Bolingbrook Drive (Route 53) Cantigny to the recent reconstruction Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440 of the Preserve at Oak Meadows. a tournament credential with lanyard, remains open. Some 200 people Stephan Jaeger kisses the trophy after a meal for each shift worked, six were at a late-February meeting 630.739.7600 winning the 2017 Rust-Oleum. Having Hang Out as a Volunteer graduated to the PGA Tour, he’ll not “any day” tickets, and, best of all, a and most wanted the course kept be back this year. (Photo: Tim Cronin) discounted round of golf at private open. The course, which opened in • 60,000 sq. ft. fully-heated The Rust-Oleum Championship is Indoor Dome seeking volunteers for the June Ivanhoe Club (three shifts minimum, 1968, is mostly on a flood plain. ... • 40 Hitting Stations 4-10 tournament at Ivanhoe Club in and a cart fee applies). Kyle Holmes is the new manager of • 900 sq. ft. Putting Green Mundelein. They’re available in such Harbor Shores GC in Benton Harbor, • Short Game Area areas as hole marshal, standard Shag Bag Mich., which hosts the Senior PGA • Performance Center The Blackberry Amateur Championship again this year over • PGA Professional Lessons has begun taking entries for this Memorial Day weekend. • Custom Club Fitting year’s tournament, June 23-24 at • Club Repair Blackberry Oaks in Bristol. Players • Full Menu & Bar Service with 8.0 or lower handicaps can Available register at blackberryamateur. com; fee is $140. ... The Niles Park Chicagoland’s Premier Indoor Golf Facility District is applying a $1.3 million makeover to its Tam O’Shanter nine-hole course for a late spring

10 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 11 SHORT GAME ADVISOR Tackling The Downhill Wedge The Zero Gravity G-Force Is The Ideal Dave Pelz Bed For Comfort And Relaxation.

ownhill wedge shots are difficult, and fact, for downhill trouble lies, it’s the exact make a walk-through finish. Stand ver- Having your feet slightly above the the perfect one just for you. If you’ve Dit doesn’t take much of a downhill position you need to maintain through tically, but set up aiming way left. Open level of your heart allows your body been dreaming about discovering this slope to create a problem. Changing your impact in order to execute a successful, your clubface and hit a cut shot from orientation to the ground by tilting your powerful escape from this lie. the sidehill lie you’ve created (see the to achieve ultimate relaxation and kind of comfort in a bed, consider the shoulders is the best solution to hitting Set your shoulders parallel to the setup in the Golfer’s Eye View photo). cardiovascular health. And The Zero Zero Gravity G-Force Adjustable Bed. downhill shots, as long as the slope isn’t ground, keep your balance as well as Aiming far left changes the downhill lie Gravity G Force Adjustable Bed provides You’ll be amazed at how energized you too severe. you can on your backswing, then make to a sidehill lie, with the ball below your The solution to a downhill lie: The proper a good through-swing. Allow yourself to feet. This is still not an easy shot, but if thousands of positions, so you can get feel all day long! set-up for downhill slopes is to spread walk forward on your follow-through to you can’t catch the heel of your wedge your stance (feet) more than normal to keep from falling. You can play the ball on the ground before impact, you can provide a wider base, then lean forward in the middle (or slightly back in your hit a cut slice around your target. to get your spine closer to perpendicular stance if you want to provide a little Practicing this in the mirror is a great to the sloping ground. This will also place “fudge margin,” to avoid hitting the shot way to internalize the adjustments and a disproportionate and unusual loading fat), and plan on the ball coming out low the feel of swinging from the proper on your forward leg, knee and ankle, and and running longer than normal once on position. Now you’re getting the feel of make keeping your balance as you swing the ground. putting your body into position (wide a real challenge. When the slope is severe: When the stance and minimum spine tilt or lean) Because this forward weight distribu- downslope gets too steep to stand with to make good solid escape swings from tion is unusual doesn’t mean it’s wrong. In your shoulders parallel to the ground, sloping lies. Good scoring to you!

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Junior Golf is the Sport’s Growth Engine By Dave Lockhart

lipping the dial on the old TV, sans a remote control back organizations, including the Illinois Junior Golf Association, then, is how I discovered the game of golf as a 14-year- The First Tee of Greater Chicago, the American Junior Golf Fold kid on the far northeast side of Chicago in the Rogers Association, and the team-based PGA Junior League. Plus, near- Park community. From there I spoke with my parents who had ly every golf course around town has junior group lessons, or a a couple of friends that were avid players, so perhaps they could junior program of some sort for boys and girls. guide me and show me the finer points of the game. One of the finest programs to look into is The First Tee of One of those friends took me out to Evanston Community Greater Chicago. They facilitate programs at 24 golf course Golf Course (now it’s Canal Shores) and we just went out on locations throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area. Sessions the quiet course late in the day where I was taught some of the begin in April and run through October. A key component of the basics and proceeded to hit a couple of ground balls, pretty First Tee is offering group lessons for youth ages 7-17, regardless straight if I remember correctly. So I was hooked. of background and experience. From there I started getting golf magazines and instructional “Golf is a sport for a lifetime, so having fun and learning the books in order to hone my game. Moving onward in my basic fundamentals at an early age will not only prepare them for suc- progression was a PE golf class in high school. That consisted cess on and off the golf course, it will increase the likeliness of them of “some instruction” from the teacher and hitting whiffle golf becoming a golfer for life,” executive director Lisa Quinn said. balls off of an AstroTurf mat into the wall of the gym, or just The off-the-course equation is a First Tee key. It focuses on clanging around off the old wooden bleachers. Of course there nine principles – core values, the group calls them – to be fol- was no video, so the only real way to see your swing was to lowed on and off the course, backed by nine healthy habits. In look into a mirror! What am I getting at with all this hyperbole many ways, golf is used as the hook to get children to be better is that learning and playing golf as youngster has come a long people. And given the pleasant learning environment, they may way in the past forty-plus years. stay in the game as adults. Now in Chicago, you have a number of top-notch Another great place to start getting your children involved

14 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 15 is the Illinois Junior Golf Association. The IJGA is dedicated to inspire young people to discover their individual potential. providing playing opportunities for its members ages 8-18, con- Plus, golf is unique from other sports because players learn val- ducting educational clinics and events, and serving as a junior ues like honesty and responsibility by calling penalties on them- golf information clearinghouse. Each year the IJGA provides selves and reporting their own score. The sport is the perfect Junior Golfand manages over 140 is separate theevents throughout Sport’s Illinois. These Growth platformEngine for helping kids develop character because just like in include one-day 9-hole and 18-hole tournaments, and 36-hole life, players experience the highs and lows of the game.” and 54-hole major championships. Abdel-Haq believes the values of golf are a terrific platform Jordan Abdel-Haq, the IJGA’s executive director, knows it’s for kids of all ages. key to start kids off early in our sport. “Parents should consider entering their kids into the game of “While there are certainly very competitive juniors and events golf (not just the IJGA) because of all the qualities and skills that at this level, the Youth Development Program is geared more for the game teaches a young person,” Abdel-Haq said. “Furthermore, development and as such, is less competitive as a whole than our the IJGA gives juniors the chance to compete and see how they older divisions,” Abdel-Haq said. “We believe it is like anything stack up against their peers. But just as important, it provides an else. The earlier you start, the more reps you are afforded and the outlet for social interaction and exercise, in what we feel is one of comfort level with the pressure of tournament golf (which is much the safest sports available for young juniors. different than a recreational round) is greater as the juniors begin “Regardless of the level of competition that the junior at- to enter the more competitive events. tains, the ability to play the game of golf can be beneficial be- “From a social standpoint, it also takes some time for juniors yond junior golf and if nothing else, is an activity that can be to get comfortable with their peers/fellow competitors and that enjoyed throughout the entire life span.” can sometimes be easier when starting young because everyone The PGA Jr. League, to use the organization’s preferred else is probably fairly similar in terms of their years of experi- spelling, is another terrific group to look into. The Chicago ence in the IJGA.” area currently has more than 20 courses offering open enroll- Golf is the perfect sport for your kid, and the ideal babysit- ment – families don’t have to have an existing relationship with ter. The recipe is plain to see – fresh air, exercise, learning the the golf course in order for their kids to participate. Parents game, meeting new people and making new friends. It’s the can visit www.PGAJrLeague.com and enter their zip code to safest sport there is, keeps the kids out of trouble, off the streets find nearby courses and register online. This list of courses is and onto the lush green fairway. expected to grow. “The First Tee is more than a sports program for youth,” PGA Jr. League is a fun and engaging way for boys and girls Quinn adds. “Its coaches create positive relationships that ages 13 and under to learn and play golf with expert coaching

16 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 17 from PGA and LPGA Professionals. Some facilities offer 16 and The following facilities in the Chicago under programs. Kids play in a supportive, two-person scramble area are now offering PGA Jr. League format that encourages mentorship, builds confidence and pro- open enrollment: motes sportsmanship. They also wear team jerseys with numbers. Cog Hill’s team has advanced to the national championship Arrowhead GC, Wheaton the last two years. For groups of 8 or more, please contact: Cantigny Golf, Wheaton Early in March, the Illinois PGA announced an alliance with Alex Whiteman, PGA Cog Hill G&CC, Palos Park Junior.Golf, an Austin, Tex.-based marketing company, to use their Golf Group Sales Manager Coyote Run GC, Flossmoor computer platform to make it easier for players – parents and kids [email protected] Deerfield GC, Riverwoods alike, to find and sign up for everything from lessons to leagues. (812) 936-9300 ext. 7227 The Glen Club, Glenview “With the increased influence of technology in the sport, we Glenwoodie GC, Glenwood are committed to supporting Illinois PGA members with tools Forest Hills CC, Rockford that give them a competitive advantage to grow their business and increase the number of golfers playing in Illinois,” Illinois Naperbrook GC, Plainfield PGA executive director Carrie Williams said. Pine Meadow GC, Mundelein Kids can also learn by watching, so here’s another heads up. Randall Oaks GC, West Dundee Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich., will be host- Redtail GC, Lakewood ing the Senior PGA Championship from May 22-27. All juniors Royal Fox CC, St. Charles age 17 and under receive free access with a ticket adult. Bring Royal Hawk CC, St. Charles the entire family to see these living legends up close and person- St. Andrews G&CC, West Chicago al; visit www.SrPGA.com for more info. Springbrook GC, Naperville Junior golf opportunities have grown by leaps and bounds Double Down on Your Playtime Topgolf, Naperville since the 1970s. I wouldn’t change the way I learned the game, but perhaps if I learned the game through one of these groups Forty-five holes of golf, including two championship courses by Village Greens of Woodridge, legendary designers Pete Dye and Donald Ross. Nearly 150 ways I might have been a little better. Instead of always tweaking, it Woodridge to win at the casino. The numbers are on your side for an epic guys’ would have been great to learn the game properly with correct Village Links of Glen Ellyn, Glen Ellyn trip. French Lick Resort is where it happens with golf and gaming all fundamentals at an early age. together at one unforgettable destination. Whitetail Ridge GC, Yorkville Yes, opportunities for junior golfers are plentiful to say the least! Visit frenchlick.com or call (888) 936-9360 for more information. Management reserves the right to cancel or modify any event without notice. Must be 21 years or older to enter the casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT! 18 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com n an era when other area country clubs are struggling to survive, Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles is nearing the completion of a regal renaissance. Opened Iin 1990, the private club underwent an evalu- ation by membership, staff and the new ownership group early last year with the singular goal of upgrading every aspect of the facility, from the golf course to the clubhouse to the food service to the club’s other amenities. The resulting action plan was spe- cific: Spare no expense to make Royal Fox the premier country club and residential community in the western suburbs and the only dual private club membership opportunity with privileges at their sister club in Long Grove, The Grove Country Club (formerly Hillcrest Country Club). “Royal Fox is a unique club in many ways,” explained club general manager and PGA Professional Brian Tulk during a late February sneak preview of interior clubhouse renovation. “Much of our membership lives either on the club grounds or nearby. Thus, the club is virtually an extension of their homes. They can utilize the picturesque surrounding areas for evening walks and many use our fitness center in the mornings. Whether the New members are meeting other members and their families to watch a ballgame in the evening or stop in for the happy hour after work, we want the experience to be special.” That said, the new ownership group which bought the club last year felt it was time Look to reward long-time members and to make the complex an extra-special experience for guests and new members. “The first order of business when I started in April of 2017 was to organize a business plan to make top-down changes and for improvements, which included the acquisition of a brand new equipment fleet to provide our superintendent the resources needed to improve the daily turf maintenance operations,” said Tulk. “Mike Siefken, the golf course superintendent, has made it a top priority to Royal deliver tournament conditions every day.” The centerpiece of the club is a championship golf course designed by local legend Dick Nugent, whose credentials include the public Harborside International in Chicago and the private Dunes Club in New Fox Buffalo, Mich., ranked by many experts as By Neal Kotlarek the finest 9-hole course in America. Nugent, who died New Year’s Day at age 86, utilized the property’s naturally rolling terrain to construct a 6,816-yard, par-71 gem that over the years has hosted seven Illinois Opens and multiple CDGA qualifying events. If Charles Dickens would have writ- you can face a startlingly similar sequence left side of the fairway 80 yards up to the ten about the course, he surely would have of finishing holes at Royal Fox. The 378-yard green. From there, the putting surface is called his work “A Tale of Two Courses,” as the 15th plays much longer due to water along the surrounded by both more water and three tree-lined and bunker-filled front nine gives entire left side of the fairway and deviously-po- snaking bunkers, the green complex atop a way to a water hazard-laced back nine. The sitioned fairway bunkers to the left and right bulkhead-fronted bluff. If no one has ever ref- stars of the front nine are two delightful par of the landing area. The 427-yard 16th calls for erenced this as Nugent’s Revenge, I just did. 3s. The 200-yard fifth hole calls for a hybrid or a tee shot avoiding water down the left side of While the design of much of the course fairway wood to a massive tiered green sur- the fairway and a creek crossing the landing remains intact, irrigation and drainage upgrades rounded by six bunkers. The putting surface area 240 yards from the tee. No. 17, a manly have been vastly improved to ensure that the on No. 8 is more open with only three bunkers par 3, demands a formidable tee shot over a layout quickly recovers from drenching storms. fronting this formidable 220-yard challenge. A large pond to a large tiered green also protect- Phase One of the course project involves bunker par on either hole feels like a birdie. ed by an L-shaped bunker on the back side. renovations, cart path pavement and replacement If time constraints keep you from Finally, the 550-yard 18th is a true of the invasive grasses around the fairways and playing the final four holes known as The Bear three-shot par 5, as the tee shot must be kept greens in the transitional areas where multiple Trap on the PGA National’s Champion course, away from a large pond that rests along the continued on page 30 20 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 21 pon reflection, it’s safe to say that Mick Jagger and the dozen terrific stand-alone nine-hole courses along with larger golf Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course, Chicago Downers Grove Golf Club, Downers Grove Rolling Stones got it all wrong. Time, truly, is not on his facilities which offer more than 18 holes. This popular nine-hole gem rests east of Lake Shore Drive on No guide to nine-hole courses in metro Chicago can exclude side. Nor, more importantly, is it on the side of most Herewith, a gazetteer to some of the better courses and bistros, the city’s north side and features terrific views of both the city this remarkable layout. Celebrated as the site of Charles Blair golfers. While we may never identify the masochist some at the course and some nearby, where time-strapped players and Lake Michigan. Built as a nine-hole addition to the original Macdonald’s first design, the original Chicago Golf Club was built whoU invented golf so many centuries ago, it is safe to say he had needing hydration and food following their rounds can both raise (and now long-gone) nine holes at Diversey Ave. in Lincoln on farmland in Belmont (which later became Downers Grove) far more time available back then than we ever will. Who among a glass and chow down. It is by no means complete, so consider it Park, the 3,265-yard course was among two in Chicagoland and was so successful it compelled club members to purchase an us – besides perhaps our Golfer-in-Chief – can regularly budget the an appetizer to what can be found in our area. ranked among the 25 best nine-hole courses in America by additional plot of land in nearby Wheaton. After the club changed four or five or six hours it takes to play a round of golf? Golf World in 2010. addresses in 1895, the Downers Grove property was operated Golf course managers across the nation have, of course, spent Cantigny Golf, Wheaton As the golf course is just a few blocks away from Wrigley Field, by the Illinois Golf Club for a year, briefly farmland again, and many sleepless nights pondering this question. Some have created We start in the western suburbs, where Cantigny Golf has embraced there are more dining and pub options here than any other place evolved into the Belmont Golf Club in 1899 on some of the same speed-of-play programs aimed at getting players through rounds in nine-hole golf in a big way. The 27-hole complex in Wheaton is in the city. The Cubby Bear Lounge (where you might find a band property Macdonald used, plus an adjacent plot of land. under 4.5 hours. Others have rigged their courses up in various loops promoting a “Couples Nine and Dine” event on Saturday, June 16 playing after twilight golf) at Clark and Addison and Murphy’s It is that course that transitioned 69 years later when the city of 12 holes and four holes to accommodate busy schedules. Still others that includes nine-hole green fees, range balls, prizes for net and Bleachers at Waveland and Sheffield are fan favorites with a Cub- park district purchased it. Downers Grove says only five holes have just split courses into separate nines to promote nine-hole rounds. gross winners, an obstacle course putting contest and a BBQ dinner centric atmosphere, while fine dining options include Mia Francesca remain from that design, largely that of Herbert James Tweedie, It’s easy to find a nine-hole course, or a 18-hole (or more) with head pro Patrick Lynch. They set a fine table at Cantigny. The (3111 N. Clark St.), Diva Thai & Sushi Bar (3542 N. Halsted St.), and after renovations were made over the years to accommodate a facility that will sell a nine-hole round. But what about after the two-person scramble event will be repeated on July 21 and, assuming the newly constructed Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern (3647 N. Clark driving range. final putt drops? This is where GOLFChicago comes in. Fortunately its success, summers and years into the future. St.) immediately northwest of the ballpark. Built on a surprisingly hilly landscape, the course winds for time-sensitive area players, the metro area is home to over a www.cantignygolf.com www.sydneymarovitz.cpdgolf.com through trees that were surely not part of Macdonald’s original

Nine, Dine and Wine continued on page 32 Area golf courses serve up couples nine and dine specials By Neal Kotlarek

22 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 23 Shepherd's Shiloh Park Highway 173 Crook GC GC GOLFChicago THE FITNESS EDGE Stable Strength = Highway 83 Directory Highway 12 Golf Facilities of Interest Don Morris Faster Swing Highway 59 to Every Golfer

Highway 120 Make sure when Highway 134 Village Green GC you play a course Butterfield

Stonewall Winchester from our directory Orchard GC ith golf season fast approaching the Chicago area, it is very that you mention Highway 176 Highway 31 Highway 176 Lake Bluff Highway 83 you saw it in the Wimportant to prepare your body for a stable golf swing GC that can produce more speed without risking injury. Working and GOLFChicago Crystal Lake Rd Rawson Bridge Road Roberts Road Course Directory. Highway 12 Rand Road teaching at one of the premier health clubs in the country has Highway 22 Half Day Road taught me that just because a person might become stronger, it Randall Road does not make them faster or more efficient with their golf swing. Lake Cook Road

In order to produce longer drives and more consistent contact Highway 47 with your irons, you need stability to support increased speed. Highway 66 Dundee Road Sportsman’s Chicago CC Executive Milwaukee Road Core, ankle, thigh, glute and shoulder stability are essential to Glenview Airport Sheridan Road Whisper National Creek GC Nine GC make your 2018 golf season a success. Highway 72 Highway 12 Rand Road Rob Roy The Glen That strength doesn’t come overnight, but here are two Highway 31 GC Club Euclid Shermer exercises demonstrated by myself and Matt Bailey. Randall Road Higgins Road Highland Woods GC Glenview In the first exercise you can use a fitness band to engage core Park GC Highway 25 Bridges At and shoulder stability. If you do not have one, a golf club will suffice. Highway 59 Poplar Creek Golf Road McLean Boulevard G & CC Chick Evans Weber (Photo 1) Start position is with your front foot planted flat GC Park GC Highlands Tam-O’Shanter Touhy Avenue in line with the front knee. The rear foot is placed behind with Lake Street / Route 20 GC Robert Black Bowes Road of Elgin Highway 19 / Irving Park Road GC

Woodale Road Edgebrook the toes down, heel up. This is a balance and stability position. Bowes Eaglewood Resort GC Billy Caldwell Creek CC GC Sidney Stretch out the resistance band to engage the core and shoulders. O’Hare Marovitz GC International Airport

(Photo 2) Second position is to turn away like you would do Orchard Road

Randall Road Maple Harlem Avenue / Highway 43 in a golf swing. Maintain your balance and hold for three seconds. Meadows GC Indian Boundary GC Oak (Photo 3) Third position is rotating as fast as you can in the St. Andrews Meadows GC DuPage Diversey Highway 59 G & CC White Pines Airport Range

Links & Tees Mannheim Road Highway 12/20 other direction while maintaining balance. You should feel ankle, Highway 53 CC

GC Sheridan Road Lake Street / Route 20 thigh, glute, core and shoulder stability. Hold the finish move Highway 38High for three seconds. Columbus Park GC Repeat the move five times and reverse the feet and swing Roosevelt Road Roosevelt Road

Highway 25 Fresh

direction in order to work both sides. Randall Road Meadow GC Cantigny Oak Brook 22nd Street Picture 1 GC Highway 56 GC

Don Morris is the PGA teaching pro at Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago. 31st Street

Highway 47 Arrowhead Meadow GC Lark GC

Wolf Road Jackson Marquette Park GC Orchard Park GC Highway 31 Valley GC Harlem Avenue / Highway 43 South Shore Flagg GC Creek GC Midway Seven Airport New York Street Bridges GC Aurora / 75th Street Sugar Grove Airport

Plainfield / Naperville Road Village Zigfield 83rd St Greens GC Troy GC Highway 59

Highway 34 / Ogden Avenue Highway 53 Springbrook Harborside Fox Bend GC 111th Street International GC GC Boughton Waters Edge Naperbrook Ridge GC 90 GC GC McCarthy Road

111th Street Highway 6 State Street

Bolingbrook Ruffled Feathers GC Joe Lewis GC GC Highway 25 135th Street Halstead Street / Highway 1 82nd Avenue 143rd Street 147th Street Renwick Road Burnham

Lemont Silver Woods GC All information in this directory is Mistwood Lake CC provided by participating courses. GC Cicero 151st Street GOLFChicago is not responsible 159th Street River Oaks Lockport Street Highway 53

LaGrange Road Highway 45 GC or liable for errors or incorrect Highway 59 Archer Avenue George Dunne Weber Road information.Highway 47 Map © Copyright 2017 National GC GOLFChicago Magazine. All rights White reserved. Mountain GC Gouger Village 183rd Street Course Managers: Green GC

For inclusion in this directory, or Flossmor to update your listing,Highway please 52 / Jefferson callStreet 815.741.8005 or email us at Lincoln Highway Highway 30

[email protected] Harlem Avenue / Highway 43

Picture 2 Picture 3 Heritage Bluffs GC 24 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com Morris April 2018 25 CC Highway 6 Arrowhead Bolingbrook Golf Club Bowes Creek Country Cantigny Golf Forest Preserve Golf Fox Bend Golf Course The Glen Club Glenview Park Golf 630-653-5800 630-771-9400 Club 630-668-8463 Courses | Cook County 630-554-3939 847-724-7272 Club 26W151 Butterfield Rd. 2001 Rodeo Dr. 847-214-5880 27w270 Mack Rd. 800-460-0010 3516 Route 34 2901 W. Lake Ave. 847-724-0250 Wheaton, IL 60189 Bolingbrook, IL 60490 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd. Wheaton, IL 60189 forestpreservegolf.com Oswego, IL 60543 Glenview, IL 60026 Shermer Rd. arrowheadgolfclub.org www.foxbendgolfcourse. bolingbrookgolfclub.com Elgin, Illinois 60124 cantignygolf.com Affordable GOLF. Friendly theglenclub.com Glenview, IL 60025 Arrowhead Golf Club is Bolingbrook Golf Club bowescreekcc.com Designed by Roger Packard, SERVICE. Fantastic com Chicago’s finest semi- golfglenview.com recognized for its beautifully features a championship bowescreekcountryclub.com Cantigny is both challenging EXPERIENCE. Fox Bend is Oswego’s own private golf experience. Experience pure golfing maintained course and golf course designed by Here at Bowes Creek and breathtakingly scenic. Forest Preserve Golf welcoming and challenging The Glen Club is a enjoyment at the Glenview inviting atmosphere. Arthur Hills and Steve Country Club, our patrons are Cantigny Golf’s Red offers something for every public course. This 18-hole, stunning Tom Fazio Park Golf Club. After a Arrowhead is a public Forrest, an exceptional not treated like an everyday Oak Club loyalty program golfer. PLUS … save EVERY par-72 course boasts plush designed championship complete renovation in course which offers practice facility with a customer. You can buy a rewards customers with DAY with the FPG Golf and fairways, mature trees, and course located on the 2014-2015, the course has impeccable golfing learning academy, state- membership for the year or free golf and other benefits. Rewards Card! challenging greens. With former site of the historic re-opened to rave reviews. conditions at affordable of-the-art GPS-equipped you can pay to be a Member The Young Executive • Billy Caldwell: 9 Holes 34 well-positioned bunkers Glenview Naval Air Station. Bent grass from tee to rates on three separate golf carts, and a 76,000 for a Day! Instead of standard Program offers reduced and water coming into play In the heart of a 195-acre green, rolling fairways, and par 72 18-hole layouts square-foot clubhouse green fees, we offer a daily green fees for golfers 39 • Burnham Woods: 18 Holes on 11 holes, the course refuge, The Glen Club meticulous landscapes surrounded by forest with men’s and women’s membership. The Member and under. • Chick Evans: 18 Holes tests skills of all levels. features rolling terrain, await you on this 18-hole, preserve. The West, East, locker rooms, lounges, two for a Day Fee will allow you The Red Oak Club and • Edgebrook: 18 Holes USFGA FootGolf is also dramatic elevation changes, 6,133 yard par-70 course. and South Courses feature full-service restaurants, to play unlimited golf with Young Executive Program available on select days. tranquil lakes, and striking The Glenview Park Golf new bunker renovations and full banquet facilities. cart, and allow you full use are each free to join. • George Dunne National: Enjoy a drink or dinner on vistas. Club offers the amenities of and enhancements. The Memberships are available. of the practice facility. There Cantigny’s 27 holes are 18 Holes the deck overlooking the Enjoy the grand 48,000 a private club, but is open practice area includes a Bolingbrook Golf Club will be no limit to the amount ideal for outings ranging • Harry Semrow: Driving scenic course at Pearce’s sqare-foot clubhouse, to the public and close to lighted driving range, putting was named #28 in the of golf you can play that day from 16 to 220 golfers. Range & Mini Golf restaurant, or book the superb dining, 21 overnight home. green, and chipping green. 2010 Golf World Readers’ because you are … Member The course employs a full- • Highland Woods: Pavilion for your next guest rooms, a grand Golf Inc magazine voted Group and individual golf Choice Awards for best for that Day! time golf-event coordinator 18 Holes outing or special event. ballroom, and the finest in the Glenview Park Golf lessons are available. public course in the to ensure an exceptional Take advantage of tee time corporate amenities and Club the Best Renovation country; named to the 2009 experience for planners • Indian Boundary: 18 Holes specials and book online. membership. of the Year in 2016. Come Golfweek Best Courses You and guests. • Joe Louis: 18 Holes out to see what everyone Can Play list; and received NEW for 2018: The • Meadowlark: 9 Holes is talking about. Host of the 4½ stars from Golf Digest. Woodside Pavilion for USGA - 2017 U.S. Women’s weddings and golf outings! • River Oaks: 18 Holes Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier.

Chicago Park District Green Meadows Maple Meadows The Preserve at Oak Glenview Prairie Club Golf Center Des Harborside Heritage Bluffs Public Golf Golf Club Golf Club Meadows 847-657-1637 Plaines International G.C. Golf Club 312-245-0909 630-810-5330 630-616-8424 630-595-0071 2800 W. Lake Ave. 847-803-GOLF 312-782-7837 815-467-7888 cpdgolf.com 18 W. 201 W. 63rd St. 272 Addison Rd. 900 N. Wood Dale Rd. Glenview, IL 60026 GolfCenterDesPlaines.com 11001 S. Doty Ave. East 24355 W. Bluff Rd. Great Golf in the Heart of Westmont, IL 60559 Wood Dale, IL 60191 Addison, IL 60101 golfglenview.com 9 Holes: Par 27 Chicago, IL 60628 Channahon, IL. 60410 the City. DuPageGolf.com DuPageGolf.com DuPageGolf.com • Meticulous conditions like Yardage: 80 - 210 harborsidegolf.com heritagebluffs.com With six courses, three Green Meadows is a fun Maple Meadow’s After two years of extensive no other 9-hole course Chicagoland’s only fully- Located just south of the 18 Holes: Par 72 driving ranges, and two nine-hole gem that offers Championship “West 18” renovation, the 288-acre • Affordable Rates. lighted 9-hole course is loop in the City of Chicago, Yardage: 5,035- 7,171 miniature golf courses, quality conditions in a features a modern prairie The Preserve at Oak • 4 sets of tees to meet all open late year-round, and Harborside features two Located near the there’s golf enjoyment for traditional parkland setting. design, and is honored to Meadows is NOW OPEN as skill levels until midnight Fall–Fall. The championship-style links intersection of Interstates the whole family. Featuring three par 4s be a qualifying site for the a new world-class 18-hole • 90 minute pace of play for 80-bay lighted & heated courses designed by 80 and 55 just south of and six par 3s, the Green Illinois Open and the host course and practice facility. a quick 9 Driving Range is one of renowned architect Dick Joliet, Heritage Bluffs is PLUS…save EVERY DAY, Meadows layout is the course for the DuPage • 2017 Golf Digest Award • Challenging, fun, and the Top 50 Ranges in the Nugent. the pride of the Channahon secure early tee time access perfect blend of challenge, Junior Classic. Winner enjoyable for all. country: automatic ball Harborside is home to Park District. The tranquil and more with the CPD enjoyment, and value for all Choose from four sets of • 2018 US Amateur tee-up, 300-yard outdoor Chicago’s largest practice surroundings make a day Players Advantage Card! skill levels! tees and enjoy immaculate Qualifying Site After your round stop in landing area, plus 11 grass facility, a prairie-style playing golf fun and relaxing. Senior discounts are bent grass fairways and This transformation, for a cold beverage in tees. The 1-1/2 acre Short clubhouse, and The Pier at Along with our award- • Robert A. Black: 9 Holes available every day, and greens. designed by golf architect our beautiful clubhouse Game Area features three Harborside restaurant. winning course we also • Sydney R. Marovitz: DuPage Golf Discount Card Maple Meadows’ Greg Martin, produced setting overlooking the 9th sand bunkers and multiple Harborside’s Port and feature a large all-grass 9 Holes Holders save on every convenient location features an award winning green. Craft Beers, Fine putting greens; you can Starboard courses rank practice range along with round. easy access from O’Hare, environmental haven that Wines sport and soft drinks annually among the • Jackson Park: 18 Holes practice chip shots from up a large putting green and a Look for Green Meadows I-290, I-355, I-294, and is best described as a “golf available. to 60 yards out. Unlimited Midwest’s list of best separate chipping green and • Columbus Park: 9 Holes behind the Westmont water Route 83. preserve.” Memberships are available courses you can play. bunker. After your round • Marquette Park: 9 Holes tower on 63rd St. Find our best specials The Preserve’s location Make Glenview Prairie for the Course and Short you can relax in our Grille Find our best specials and promotions only on features easy access from Club your home club for a • South Shore: 9 Holes Game, and the Driving Room or out on the patio, and promotions only on www.DuPageGolf.com. O’Hare, I-290, I-355, I-294, premier 9-hole experience! Range. Restaurant, Sports enjoying a full menu of • Diversey Range www.DuPageGolf.com. and Route 83. Bar, Pro Shop, and GolfTec delicious food and beverage The only double-deck For news and tee-times Lessons. choices. range in Chicago. visit DuPageGolf.com

26 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 27 The Highlands of Elgin Lake Bluff Golf Club Mistwood Golf Club Mt. Prospect Golf Club Springbrook Stonewall Orchard Tam-O’Shanter Golf Water’s Edge Golf 847-931-5950 847-234-6771 815-254-3333 847-259-4200 Golf Course 25675 West Highway 60 Course & Learning Course 875 Sports Way 355 W Washington Ave. 1700 W. Renwick Rd. 600 See Gwun Ave. 630-848-5060 Grayslake, IL 60030 Center 7205 West 115th St. Elgin, IL 60123 Lake Bluff, IL 60044 Romeoville, IL 60446 Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 2220 W. 83rd St. 847-740-4890 6700 West Howard Street Worth, IL 60482 highlandsofelgin.com lakebluffgolfclub.com mistwoodgc.com golfmtprospect.com Naperville, IL 60564 stonewallorchard.com Niles, IL 60714 708-671-1032 The new Quarry nine and Located on the scenic Mistwood Golf Club, The newly restored Mt. golfnaperville.org Cutting through hundred- 847-965-2344 watersedgegolf.com the Original nine holes North Shore of Chicago, with its recent multi- Prospect GC will take Springbrook Golf Course year old oak and pine trees, niles-parks.org Rated Best Places To Play flow over beautiful rolling Lake Bluff Golf Club million dollar renovations you back to a style of commands some of the Stonewall Orchard Golf One of the most important By Golf Digest. terrain, creating a diverse offers a beautiful and and new state of the art architecture made famous finest views of Naperville’s Club has quickly become courses in popularizing the Water’s Edge is Chicago’s collection of holes. The challenging layout in a golf-learning center, has by names like Raynor, open space and trails. one of Chicago’s most game of golf in America south side destination new nine holes reclaim an traditional parkland setting. become one of the premier MacDonald, and Ross, The facility features a prolific public golf courses. is located right here in course. This championship old stone quarry, and are The course measures golf experiences in the with low square tee boxes, challenging, parkland-style Since opening in 1999, Niles, Illinois. In 1953, 18-hole golf course offers routed to take maximum 6,589 yards from the back Chicagoland area strategic cross bunkers, championship course, a The Arthur Hills-designed Tam O’Shanter Country bent grass greens and advantage of the unique tees and offers three Mistwood, host of the and challenging plateau recently renovated practice gem located in northwest Club hosted the first-ever fairways, and a complete and dramatic landforms that additional sets of tees greens, all in our quiet facility with a one-acre turf suburban Grayslake has nationally televised golf day/night practice and range were left behind. Four holes Illinois Women’s Open, to accommodate all skill features new Scottish-style parkland setting. The practice tee, a large practice served as Final Stage tournament. facility, along with The Edge hug the top of the bluff levels. Lake Bluff Golf Club redesign features most of putting green, and two Qualifying site for the U.S. Today, a public 9-hole Bar & Grill for great meals thirty to forty feet above stacked sod-wall bunkers, takes great pride in the which are not something the original routing, plus short-game practice greens Open and currently sits par-33 course remains, and daily specials. the water, providing golfers immaculately conditioned five new holes and historic with bunkers. Golfers of in rotation with Olympia maintained with the with incredible views and seen in traditional American bentgrass fairways and golf. Other amenities “template holes” with all skill levels return time Fields and Medinah goal of providing playing PLUS…a program for numerous shot options on greens. Other amenities names like Redan, Eden and again to play. Enjoy Country Club as host conditions reminiscent of everyone! each hole. include a full-service pro include a full-service shop, golf instruction, and and Punchbowl. . post-game refreshments site for the Illinois PGA those Hogan, Palmer, and • SAVE on every round golf shop, private and wonderful dining. Mt. Prospect is the on the expansive patio Section Championship Nicklaus enjoyed years with the Edge PLUS group instruction, and closest thing to the with great views of the held every Fall. ago. Swing out for a scenic Pass an exceptional dining • Golf Magazine’s “2013 conditions and feel of an old course. Springbrook also Best U.S. Renovation You round and walk in the • UNLIMITED twilight golf experience at the new private club, with a daily fee offers lessons, outings, a footsteps of legends at Hel’s Kitchen. Can Play” rate. Come back to a new well-stocked golf shop, and and range with the Edge • Golf Range Association Tam O’Shanter! Practice Club The club hosted the 90-year-old classic. more. OPENING EARLY JUNE. 44th Annual Lake County of America “2013 Top 50 Amateur. Golf Ranges.”

Naperbrook Orchard Valley Golf Rob Roy Golf Course St. Andrews Golf & Weber Park Golf Whisper Creek Golf White Mountain Golf White Pines Golf Club Golf Course Course 847-253-4544 Country Club Course Course Park 500 W. Jefferson St. 630-378-4215 630-907-0500 505 E. Camp McDonald Rd. 2241 Route 59 847-674-1500, ext. 3600 12840 Del Webb Blvd. 9901 179th St. Bensenville, IL 60106 22204 W. 111th St./ 2411 W. Illinois Ave. Prospect Heights, IL 60070 West Chicago, IL 60185 skokieparks.org Huntley,IL 60142 Tinley Park,IL 60477 630-766-0304 Hassert Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 robroygc.com 630-231-3100 847-515-7680 708-478-4653 whitepinesgolf.com Plainfield, IL 60585 9 Holes: Par 27 orchardvalleygolf.com Winding through 51 acres, standrewsgc.com whispercreekgolf.com whitemountaingolfpark.com East Course 18 Holes: golfnaperville.org Yardage: 1,095 6th Best Public Course in the beautiful 9-hole Rob 36 Holes: Luxury Golf at a Whisper of Learn. Practice. Play. Par 70 Located in Plainfield, scenic Illinois by GOLF Magazine. Roy Golf Course will Located just twenty Course #1: par 71, a Price! • Executive course Yardage: 5,150 - 6,371 Naperbrook Golf Course is One of Chicagoland’s best challenge golfers at any 5116-6920 yards minutes north of Chicago Whisper Creek Golf Club West Course 18 Holes: a “links style” course that public courses, Golf Digest skill level. The 3,022-yard on I-94, all ages will enjoy offering 9 holes of Course #2: par 72, is a fair test for a gamut of competitive golf Par 72 features rolling hills and ranks Orchard Valley 4½ course is narrow and tree- 5341-6818 yards Skokie’s Weber Park Golf golfers. From beginners Yardage: 5,751 - 6,624 wide fairways. Challenges Stars! A true championship lined, requiring accuracy Since 1926, golfers have Course. This 9-hole, par-3 to scratch golfers, anyone • Practice Range with artificial and grass Located within minutes of in the way of ponds, a layout featuring wetlands, with water, sand traps, sought out St. Andrews golf course features bent who appreciates a day O’Hare, White Pines feels double green, and hidden lakes, roughs, water and other strategically- for its two championship grass greens, beautiful on the course will come hitting stations, and heated, covered stalls like you are getting “away bunkers await golfers hazards, marshes, and placed obstacles around courses. With its vast landscaping, and is ideal away feeling rewarded by a from it all.” of all levels. Additional more. the course. Rob Roy also rolling terrain and mature for learning to play golf, round at Whisper Creek. • Mini Golf park offering Situated on over 240 amenities include a ten-acre includes a lighted driving trees, St. Andrews offers a working on your short 18 holes acres, the club has been driving range, separate PLUS…a program for range with 52 hitting high-quality golf experience game, or gathering a few PLUS…a program for a favorite among Chicago lesson tee, and practice everyone! stations. Bring the whole friends for a fun round of • Professional instruction for players, golf outings, everyone! for all levels and abilities golfers since 1928. The putting greens. Enjoy • SAVE on every round family for mini golf, and leagues, and permanent FootGolf. • SAVE on every round • Fully stocked golf shop Clubhouse offers a fully- post-game refreshments with the OV Rewards grab lunch overlooking the tee-times. Guests will also with the Whisper stocked golf shop, an on the picturesque patio; PLUS program. course at the 10th Hole Bar enjoy the award-winning Rewards PLUS program • Party room perfect for elegant banquet facility, Naperbrook also offers & Grille. There is something 32-acre Practice Center with • UNLIMITED twilight golf events, fundraisers and and 37 Bar & Grill which lessons, outings, a well- for everyone at Rob Roy! premium range balls and • UNLIMITED twilight more! and range with the PPP golf and range with the offers patio dining. Call for stocked golf shop, and 10 heated, sheltered hitting senior and youth rates and much more. card. PDP card bays. Other amenities: golf PLUS…earn FREE stuff specials. • Annual Memberships carts with GPS, J.J.’s Bar • Annual Memberships and MORE! with the Playback Rewards & Grill, exquisite lakeside and MORE! program – join TODAY! ceremony site, and live entertainment.

28 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 29 Royal Fox “The upstairs Saloon is definitely the long stint at Butterfield Country Club. He continued from page 21 member’s focal point of the clubhouse takes over from Chris Ettner, who moved main level, providing expansive views of to The Grove Country Club. Ettner will varieties had taken root. Phase Two will the golf course and a birds-eye view of work alongside the club’s new Director incorporate grass bunkers and waste the 18th green. We wanted to build on of Golf, Fred Reeder, who spent 20 years bunkers into the final design. what works and modernize other areas at the prestigious Point O Woods Country Even long-time residents and guests of that need updating,” said Tulk. Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. the club will be staggered by the massive Last year, the clubhouse roof was “We are truly excited to begin this renovations performed across the interior entirely replaced. Additional enhancement year with several staff additions, program of the clubhouse. “Our 30,000-square foot projects since include upgraded lighting, improvements and facility renovations we clubhouse is the epicenter of Royal Fox,” renovated restrooms, restaurant equipment, feel will set us apart from other clubs in said Tulk. “We studied every aspect of the furniture upgrades, paint, tile and carpet Chicago,” Tulk said. building, from the patio to the veranda to the are either already in process or planned Along with multiple dining areas dining areas to the banquet facilities to the for this spring. “Our private party and and an outdoor swimming pool, the club { GET A GRIP } swimming pools and to the lounge. We saw banquet business is thriving at both clubs maintains an active social calendar for different ways we could improve each area and we’ve added a new director of sales couples, families and avid golfers. The from a service and logistical approach and to continue to grow,” said Tulk. Several Royal Fox Junior Coaching Programs Be here for the gripping competition of the 79th KitchenAid® SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, also to enhance the member experience.” upgrades are also planned for The Grove are geared to juniors 6–13 and promote May 22-27 at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Mich. Stop by the Community Showcase The renovations to the Thomas Jefferson this year and next. team building athletic skills. Regularly to learn about all of the nearby fun. Stay awhile — there’s plenty of lodging only a putt away. Monticello Estate-inspired clubhouse literally “Our improvements haven’t stopped scheduled events include a Memorial Day started from the ground floor up as the entire with the golf course and clubhouse,” & July 4th Pool BBQ Party, Mother’s Day, lower level of the building was gutted. The said Tulk. “We have also recruited top Easter, Thanksgiving & Holiday Brunches, new layout includes a 19th Hole Lounge, new talent to manage our golf courses and Father’s Day Cookout, nightly specials don’t miss THE MAKERS TRAIL golf and social locker rooms, an improved dining operations, starting with the and a variety of specialty wine and beer 19TH HOLE Featuring local fitness center and expanded pro shop, with addition of our new Executive Chef, pairing dinners. The player development craft brews, wines & spirits. all improvements totaling over $3 million. Michael Lannon, who previously spent programs include golf clinics for all players While much of the main upstairs area seven years as the Executive Chef at throughout the season. SWMGOLF.ORG has remained intact, it will receive a facelift Naperville Country Club.” “Royal Fox and The Grove country and the interior decorating team has their In April, Alex Mendez will become clubs are unique in the Chicago metro area priorities in place. head professional at Royal Fox after a as both clubs are known for their premier golf and social events,” said Tulk. “The club SM80311 Golf Chicago ad-April 2018.indd 1 3/22/18 12:14 PM has a built-in reciprocity program with The Grove that allows players to experience a second club. We also have an amazing social environment that truly makes members feel like part of an extended family. Third, we are a family-oriented club with lots of programs and events geared toward every member of the family.” Regular golf membership at Royal Fox Country Club provides unlimited golf and amenity access to members and their families to both Royal Fox and The Grove, with a limited time offering to spread the initiation fee over time. Membership includes the primary member, spouse and children under 25. Young Executive memberships (under the age of 35) are available for individuals and families seeking a networking hub and social gathering space. Social memberships are also available and provide limited access to the golf course.

Royal Fox Country Club 4405 Royal & Ancient Drive St. Charles, IL 60174 (630) 584-4000 6,816 yards, par 71 www.royalfoxcc.com www.thegrovecc.com 30 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com April 2018 31 TR-1075_Custom_Golf_Chicago.indd 1 3/27/18 2:04 PM Nine, Dine and Wine and cheese. The restaurant is located less cart and a $12 voucher that night at the than five minutes from the golf course. clubhouse’s elegant Chandler’s Chophouse continued from page 23 ON THE www.dgparks.org & Grill. Can’t Keep ‘em Down on the vision of the property. One of the course’s The Langford and Moreau design was CORKSCREWS original holes, the long par-3 No. 8 may Schaumburg Golf Club, Schaumburg purchased by the village’s park district in Stephen Hawk just be America’s first redan hole as the Like the aforementioned Cantigny Golf, 1989 and renovated by renowned area Farm After They’ve Seen Puhree green slopes aggressively to the right Schaumburg Golf Course was built as architect Bob Lohmann, whose firm is now around a bunker. a 27-hole complex in 1926, the private reprising its effort. Over the years, the course There can be no better name for a Westmoor Country Club. Even in the has hosted U.S. Open Qualifying events restaurant unassociated with a golf course middle year of a three-year renovation – and the CDGA Mid-Am Championship. All n 1976, an Englishman who owned a wine fruit. On the palate, there are flavors of fresh than Another Round Bar & Grill, at 5141 Main one nine a year – the course will feature three nines feature bentgrass fairways and Ishop in Paris hit upon the idea of holding orange zest and ginger which segues into St. in downtown Downers Grove. There are the luxury of late afternoon Nine & Dine undulating terrain. a blind tasting pitting ten of France’s and a long and spicy finish. The wine was aged 22 beers on tap in this Blackhawks fan haunt, events which launch on May 11 and have www.schaumburggolf.com California’s best producers against one for 10 months in 100% French oak. including Gumballhead by Three Floyds, a continuous schedule through August another. He enlisted nine French wine Serve this legendary wine with white- and complemented by killer mac(donald?) 10. The $30 package includes green fee, Bolingbrook Golf Club, Bolingbrook experts as judges; the French wines includ- fish with filbert and lemon sauce, chicken While Bolingbrook is an 18-hole course, ed the 1970 Haut-Brion, the 1970 Mouton Marsala, or duck with mustard and leeks. the club is setting aside nine holes for a Rothschild, and the 1973 Domaine Leflaive Couples Nine & Dine event on Friday, May Puligny-Montrachet Les Pucelles. 2015 Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon $61 Steve Fine Sports 18 from 5:30–8 p.m. Spousal duos will The famous tasting has come to be Dark ruby in color, this wine offers rich, compete in this net Peoria two-person known as The Judgement of Paris. No one complex aromas of fresh raspberries, scramble with prizes and hors d’oeuvres expected the upstart Yanks to really put up strawberry jam, vanilla and black pepper. GOLF MEMORABILIA SUPER SALE and drinks afterwards. a fight against the French heavyweights. In the mouth, this wine makes a full soft The 18-hole championship golf However, when the votes were tallied, the round entry, after which the acid builds course was designed by Arthur Hills judges were shocked to discover they had nicely, supporting the dominant flavor of and Steve Forrest and stretches to 7,134 awarded the top prize for the red to the dark stone fruit. Plenty of fine-grain tannin yards from the championship tees. The 1973 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet completes the mouthfeel, followed by a club’s spectacular clubhouse features Sauvignon, and top prize for the white tremendous long finish. The Nest Bar & Grill with daily food and to Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, both Pair this Cabernet with beef in wine drink specials. from Napa Valley. It was the shock heard on skewers, grilled pork New Orleans, or www.bolingbrookgolfclub.com ‘round the world, and legitimized California leg of lamb in balsamic vinegar. [email protected] as a world-class wine-making region. Silver Lake Country Club, Orland Chateau Montelena has seen three Park cycles of family stewardship. The winery Built in 1963, the executive nine known as was founded in 1882 by Alfred L. Tubbs, a Rolling Hills was created to complement European immigrant and entrepreneur. The the 36 holes on the property for decades, original property was 254 acres of rugged, and inspired by the nine-hole course at stony, and loose land just two miles north Augusta National that opened three years of Calistoga at the base of Mount Saint earlier. Designed in-house by superinten- Helena. (Montelena is a contracted form of dent Ray Didier and pro Dudley Smith, and Mount Saint Helena.) By 1896 Tubbs’ winery recently tweaked after the long-needed was the seventh largest in the Napa Valley. addition of a driving range necessitated The Tubbs family sold the winery in the rearrangement of the South Course, 1958 to Yort and Jeanie Frank, who were Rolling Hills has seven par 3s and pair of looking for a peaceful spot to retire. The drivable par 4s that might as well be par setting inspired Frank to excavate a lake 3s on a windy day. and add landscaping to reflect the Chinese It’s a quick play, fun for couples and gardens of his homeland. beginners, and close to Orland and Tinley The modern renaissance of Chateau Autographed items from my collection – with authenticity Park’s vibrant shopping and restaurant Montelena started under the leadership scene, which includes The Tin Fish (18201 Palmer, Nicklaus, Mickelson, Player, Tiger, Hogan, and more of Jim Barrett, who purchased the winery S. Harlem Ave.), the Bonefish Grill (15537 S. in 1972. The vineyard was cleared and Masters, U.S. Open, British Open La Grange Rd.), a Cooper’s Hawk Winery replanted, and the chateau was renovated Photos, Scorecards, Programs, Pin Flags, Golf Balls (15690 S. Harlem Ave.), a Rock Bottom and outfitted with modern winemaking View by appointment in Deerfield restaurant (16156 S. La Grange Rd.), Isabella equipment, complemented by the high- Italian Cafe (17211 S. Oak Park Ave.), and the Call 847-444-1090 or email [email protected] est-quality grapes from the Napa Valley. perennially-crowded Cheesecake Factory Shortly thereafter, Chateau Montelena on the west side of Orland Square, not far stunned the wine world with its win at the ASK ABOUT OUR GOLF OUTING SPORTS MEMORABILIA from Macy’s, or, as traditionalists call it, 1976 Paris Tasting. Marshall Field’s. 2015 Montelena Chardonnay $58 SILENT AUCTION CONSIGNMENT SERVICE www.silverlakecc.com This wine is brilliantly clear with a golden-straw Bon appetit! color. The nose suggests pineapple and stone 32 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com Double Bogey Bogey Par Birdie Eagle All prices are estimated. April 2018 33 FINAL PUTT Kicked Bucket Neal Kotlarek

ut Dr. Phil, Judge Judy and Oprah in a room – the guy who organizes the teams and the stakes. Ptogether and turn the cameras on. I sincerely Then there was The Prankster – the fellow who doubt whether any or all could conjure an answer relentlessly teases every bartender, waitress and to life’s eternal question: What happens to a golfer bellman. And of course there was The Jock – the His pals wanted to who has completed his bucket list and is still alive local legend whose feats from 40 years ago are and puttin’? still celebrated in reverential tones. Somehow, All right, maybe Oprah knows the answer. She someway, I had walked onto the set of a geriatric play at the country’s is, after all, Oprah. And the sad fact is that most John Hughes movie. The Breakfast Ball Club? golf bucket list creators never have to encounter Sad to say, none of us remotely qualified as The this mystery, anyway. Given the difficulty level of Good-Looking One. most famous resort; some of the bucket lists I’ve viewed, most play- Our rounds over the ensuing three days were a ers check out long before the final item on their gratefully unrecorded version of an ESPN blooper checklists have been checked. Items like: “Play 18 reel. My tee shot on No. 2 at Spanish Bay was so the place where holes with Jason Day and Beyonce.” And, “Receive far right that our caddies didn’t even waste their an invitation to join Augusta National.” Likelihood time looking for the ball. My presumption was that of either? To quote the indie rock band Dinosaur they had already sized me up as a lousy tipper. U.S. Opens are won Jr.: “I don’t think so.” At Spyglass Hill, we watched George’s drive on Through some marvelous good fortune, I was No. 13 zip through the plexiglass cab window of both a witness and a participant in the completion a backhoe resting in the right rough. The caddies and lost; where the of eight bucket lists late last year. The story start- and landscaping crew all stopped to marvel at the ed in April when my buddy Stu called with some ball’s location inside the fortunately unmanned astonishing news. He had just sold his ridiculously cab. George, of course, couldn’t have cared less if sea otters bark as successful food business and wanted to celebrate he had killed the driver as he instead bemoaned his good fortune by hosting seven of his friends the lost distance on his tee shot. on a golf junket. Playing the spectacular 8th hole at Pebble you tee off; where “There are lots of options,” I helpfully vol- Beach, I trudged far off into the left rough and unteered, reciting factors like location, climate waited for my partner to hit his approach. The ball and affordability. came off his club low, maybe 5-foot-8 or 5-9 off Clint Eastwood Stu cut me off in mid-babble. “There are no the ground. I knew this height exactly because I factors involved,” he said curtly. “My buddies only had to duck to avoid a hard shot to the temple. have one destination and one item on each of As I cowered, I watched in amazement as his ball hangs out; where their bucket lists,” he declared. As Stu explained hit the cart path curb and bounded past a bun- it, his pals wanted to play at the country’s most ker and through thick rough before miraculously famous resort; the place where U.S. Opens are settling 3-feet from the flagstick. “Greatest shot Bing Crosby used won and lost; where the sea otters bark as you tee of my life!” Stu yelled with delight. Sadly, this was off; where Clint Eastwood hangs out; where Bing probably a fact. Crosby used to cavort, and where ocean waves We spent our final dinner at the resort remi- to cavort, and crash beneath your feet as you sink your final putt. niscing about three rounds that were memorable “I think,” I told him, “I get the picture.” more for the story-telling and jokes than for the Patience, along with ample amounts of quality shot-making. After some speechifying about where ocean waves cash, will secure rooms and tee times at Pebble brotherhood, golf and the beauty of Monterey Beach Resort in California. It took six months of Bay, we were left to contemplate the fact that in a waiting and the cost of a well-equipped Subaru little less than four days we had each started and crash beneath your Outback to launch our junket, which included checked off the only item written on our personal rounds at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and Pebble golf bucket lists. Beach Golf Links. We all met at San Francisco What does a golfer do after completing his feet as you sink International and drove two rental SUVs south bucket list? We pushed aside our desserts, pulled to the Monterey Peninsula. out our smartphones and began to consider a new Put together eight guys with diverse back- adventure and the creation of a new single-item your final putt. grounds and you yank open the double doors of bucket list. The next time we meet will be at Bandon your high school where every kid was defined by Dunes in Oregon on some week this summer. a skill or talent. Our octet included The Statistician Oprah, I’m fairly certain, would approve. THERE IS GOLF, AND THERE IS GOLF AT A HIGHER LEVEL. Where courses both exceptionally beautiful and incredibly challenging beg to be experienced. As it happens, the opportunity to do that is right in front of you. Beautiful. GAMEGAME ON.ON. Deadly. Irresistible. 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*Offer valid March 21 – May 8, 2018. Specials cannot be combined with other discounts and must be paid in full and booked with Reservations at least 48 hours prior to play. Specials do not include play at Lakewood Golf Club. Specials do not include tax or lodging. Not valid with previously booked packages. There is a $10 surcharge for each round on the Judge at Capitol Hill. Some restrictions may apply. Offers subject to change.

RTJ1108GameOn_SPRING_GolfChicago.indd 1 1/12/18 9:10 AM