Chicago’s Premier Multimedia Golf Source & Authority March 2019, Vol. 23 No. 1

Reynolds casts its spell

Get a jump on spring

Mistwood’s high-tech dome

Instruction by Nicole Jeray

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Features Maybe the ancients had it right, designating March 1 as New Year’s Day. Winter this year has been a heavyweight, punching hard and often like Joe Start Your Spring Practice Earlier Frazier, right in front of you, going for the kill instead of the clinch. Freezing Visit our Departments is no way to start a calendar, as anyone who visits Florida can tell you. 14 Neal Kotlarek Finds The Best Places Under Roof 5 Opening Shot But winter eventually punches itself out. The sun creeps higher in the GOLFChicago sky, Pebble Beach appears on the magic lantern, and blessedly, the robin Reynolds Lake Oconee Is Just Right 6 The Good Stuff Magazine gleefully sings its song. 18 Dan Vukelich’s Tempting Tour Of A Georgia Peach Todd Mrowice Surveys So does golf, with the seductive call of a siren, luring us back for another Fan Page The Best And Brightest Toptracer Makes an Impact at Mistwood series of go-rounds pursuing the impossibility of perfection. The advent of 8 Instruction on facebook. Neal Kotlarek On Space Age Tracking the golf dome – an invention on par with the wheel, to be sure – allows us to 24 Nicole Jeray On Practicing cheat the calendar, to gain months on nature and hit the ground, when it’s Like A Pro finally unfrozen, running. 10 Sweet Home Chicago A Season Preview And More 28 Destinations Summerlin Bids To Outshine Las Vegas 31 GOLFChicago Map And Directory 36 On The Shelf Doctors Of The Game 37 On The Corkscrews Stephen Hawk Pops The Cork 38 Final Putt Barry Cronin On The Oconee Hole 16 That’s where this opening issue of our 23rd season comes in. We take Canal Shores Land Grab you inside Chicago’s best practice areas, including the domes, with a long Of 2019 Cover: The Landing Holes 4 and 5 look at the revolutionary Toptracer Range installation at the Mistwood Golf Dome in Bolingbrook. No longer need one imagine how good that last strike was. Now, the arc drawn on the screen and the numbers on the chart tell the Chicago’s Premier Multimedia Golf Source & Authority SUBSCRIBE TO happy story – or of the need for improvement. Founder: Bill Daniels Sales and Business Development We also have a pair of travel stories featuring resorts for those who GOLFCHICAGO Publisher: Dave Weretka Contact Andy Reese 312-451-1355 Editor: Tim Cronin Editorial Inquiries believe they’re ready to go now, featuring Reynolds Lake Oconee in Art Director: Stephen Hawk Tim Cronin Georgia and Summerlin near Las Vegas. Each is less likely to have snow Free Golf* with Your [email protected] Paid Subscription Senior Writers: Neal Kotlarek and Todd PO Box 541 than your backyard. Mrowice Worth, IL 60482 If you’re not ready, LPGA veteran Nicole Jeray, now teaching at Chicago’s Premier Business Offices Instructional Staff: Andy Mickelson, Andrew 3701 Juniper Avenue Mistwood, has an innovative instructional feature on how to practice. Multimedia Golf Source & Ogata, and John Platt Joliet, IL 60431 We also have a look at new equipment in The Good Stuff, a review of Authority Delivered To Your 815-741-8005 Editorial Contributors: Stephen Hawk, Rory Billy Dettlaff’s “Doctors of the Game,” a thorough tome on the golf profes- Door Six Times A Year Hughes, Dave Lockhart, Greg Martin, and John © Copyright 2019 Morrissett sion, the latest news and notes from around the area, Stephen Hawk’s review

Visit Photography: GOLFChicago Staff and Group 27 of what wine goes with a long winter’s night, and a provocative column by www.GOLFChicagoMagazine.com Advertising and Marketing Inquiries Barry Cronin on the bizarre battle for the 10th hole at Canal Shores, the for details Dave Weretka municipal short course winding through Evanston and Wilmette. [email protected] 815-741-8005 Put a log on the fire and enjoy. 4 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 5 THE GOOD STUFF Wear Your Mojo Brought to You by Skechers golf shoe game is strong. For several years they have produced some of most comfortable spiked and spikeless options on the market. The new Go Golf Mojo Elite has gripflex spikeless technology along with a TPU outsole. Ultra-lightweight and water resistant. Mizuno Goes Light $100.00 Mizuno sure knows how to cater to those that carry. The new ultra-lightweight K1-LO stand bag combines a sleek look (five colors available) with only the essentials that you need. Full- length dividers, dual shoulder straps, and a waterproof Cleveland Rocks the Soft valuables pocket Cleveland expands on its wildly popular Huntington are part of the Beach line with the new Huntington Beach soft 2.7 pound back collection. The flagship model, the 11, is a slant neck feather. Become Mr. Cool mallet with two stability wings. Its soft feel creates a $220.00 As far as style and materials go, truer roll and more consistent distance. TravisMathew might be the hottest brand $129.99 in golf apparel. No exception is the full- zip Scorpio jacket. With half-elastic cuffs Snake in the Fairway and a welt pocket on the side, this jacket The company that brought a CNC easily goes from on course to on a date. Feeling Exotic? precision-milled face to a driver now Lightweight and moisture-dispersing fabric. The EXS line is the latest addition to the debuts the same in its fairway metals Available in black and heather grey. A Winner from Wilson Tour Edge Exotics family. Adjustable with Cobra’s King F9 Speedback. $150.00 The latest launch from Wilson Staff is a game sole weights make up a Flight Tuning The sole weight structure lowers improvement iron that still maintains a sleek overall System and Rollface Technology creates the center of gravity by 10 percent look. The D7 combines technology and aesthetics straighter shots, even with off center and Cobra’s famous Baffler Rails from the award-winning FG Tour V6 and C300 combine for a lower center and contact. Available in 9.5 and 10.5 This is Big, Bertha irons. re-akt technology provides power where it’s degree adjustable heads and with faster club/ball speeds. Available in One of the most needed most, giving you superior distance. MCA Tensei CK Blue 2G stock shafts. adjustable 3-4 or 4-5 models. recognized names in golf Steel, $599.99; graphite, $699.99 $299.99 $269.0 0 equipment is packing a punch again with the Callaway Big Bertha hybrid. Revolutionary Jailbreak Technology incorporates two internal bars that stiffen the body, creating faster ball speed and longer distance. Available in hybrid numbers 3-8 with UST Mamiya Recoil ESX stock shafts. $269.99

6 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 7 INSTRUCTION Practice Like a Pro Nicole Jeray

’ve watched many amateurs and even my faulty swing mechanic. Lots of thinking NO Mechanics – The Play Box with golf course scenarios. Chip or putt Iprofessionals beat balls mindlessly on the and rehearsing occurs here, and I’m not Thinking about mechanics while playing to one hole from one spot, working on a range. Hit and rake, hit and rake. There’s overly concerned with where the ball is golf leads to guided, inconsistent shots. certain mechanic or just grooving proper no purpose or goal except attempting to going. The Practice Box always consists In order to take mindful range practice to technique, again using an alignment rod find something that works, and more likely of alignment rods (or you can use golf the golf course, I weave playing golf into to ensure proper direction to my target. grooving bad swings. clubs). One on my ball line at my target, my practice sessions. This is done in the Later I will take three balls and chip to three If you want to be a better golfer, it’s and the other parallel to that at my feet. Play Box. Here, I’m picking out a target, different holes. Picking my landing area, imperative to practice smart. Mindful, It is imperative to have a target and know visualizing my shot, feeling my shot, going visualizing my shot, seeing the trajectory efficient practice begins with a goal. What 100 percent that my alignment is accurate. through my complete routine as if I was and the ball roll out to the bottom of the am I trying to accomplish in this practice My body and brain must both be pointing on the golf course. No thinking about hole. Always, I go through my routine as session? Is it mechanics, distance control, at the same target. Otherwise I’ll cause technique in the Play Box. After five to 10 if I was on the golf course. Hit three shots, or just warming up my muscles for the more swing flaws. Lined up properly, I can shots in my Practice Box, I go to my Play pick them up, do it again. Competition with round? focus solely on my technique and work on Box for one to three golf shots. Taking friends is also a great way to improve your making the change I need to become a quality range time to the golf course is short game! Mechanics – The Practice Box better ball striker. At least two purposeful easy when I practice this way. If I am trying to make a change or work practice swings for every one ball hit. Slow, Chipping and putting practice is very Wedges – Distance Control anything mechanical, I do this in my deliberate swings. All drills are done in the similar to my Practice Box, Play Box method. Normally I hit wedge shots to head covers Practice Box. My goal here is to improve Practice Box. Focused practice on mechanics combined or colored hula hoops placed at various yardages. This is effective practice but Mechanics – The Practice Box now with Toptracer technology at the Mistwood Golf Dome, wedge practice is even smarter! Toptracer tracks every golf ball hit and provides me with statistical feedback which is super accurate! I now know exactly how far I hit each wedge shot versus eyeballing a little short or a little long of the head cover. It’s shocking how much my distance control has improved in just NO Mechanics – The Play Box a few weeks at the Mistwood Golf Dome. Toptracer is not only making my practice sessions more effective, but more fun too! Wedges – Distance Control Immediate, accurate feedback makes golf more enjoyable. I’m learning to control my ball flight, zero in on in-between club distances, an even increase my ball speed! Practice has become more fun and way smarter at the Mistwood Golf Dome. Now I realize why some LPGA players travel with a Trackman. Smart practice. Mindful, smart practice will make you a better golfer! If you are mindlessly beating balls at the range searching for answers, see a golf professional to give you some goals. Better yet, visit me at the Mistwood Golf Dome this winter and you’ll enjoy the game more!

Berwyn native Nicole Jeray first played on the LPGA Tour as an amateur in 1991 and turned pro in 1993. She teaches at the Mistwood Golf Dome and Mistwood Golf Club when she isn’t on tour. 8 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 9 This year, though, marks a return to a storied site that last hosted the Western in 1966, when Billy Casper won the champion is Californian Hannah Kim, title six days after vanquishing Arnold Palmer in the U.S. who scored the victory in one of her Down Memory Lane Open playoff at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. first starts as a professional after her Much has changed since then, including a series of career at Northwestern. Bill Ogden Played ‘Lights On’ Golf renovations to Medinah No. 3, the most recent before the The Illinois Open turns 70 on Sweet August 5, with The Glen Club and 2012 Ryder Cup. The old Tom Bendelow layout – with the North Shore Country Club is rightly proud of its heritage, but not even back nine realigned by Roger Packard before the 1988 Ridgemoor the dual sites, but Vince the member who will bust his buttons extolling the virtues of the course U.S. Senior Open and fiddled with since – should provide a India is unlikely to defend given his and club may know that Bill Ogden, their longtime head professional, solid test to the best 70 players on the American tour, start- Web.com Tour status. But Dakun was among the first to play night golf on the PGA Tour. Home ing with defending champion Keegan Bradley. Chung will be eager to defend his Night as in under the lights. The concept didn’t start with the That’s the highlight of the year, but there’s plenty before Illinois PGA Championship title when made-for-TV “Showdown at Sherwood,” featuring Tiger Woods, in that in and around the Chicago area. Western Golf debuts it moves to Ruth Lake Country Club for the early 2000s. Back in 1969, amidst the battle for control of tour a new tournament on the Web.com Tour, the Evans Scholars the first time from August 26-29. golf between the players and the PGA of America, the PGA slated a Chicago Invitational, from May 23-26, the weekend of Memorial Day, Finally, the amateur scene tournament at Sunol Valley Country Club near Oakland, Calif., to run at The Glen Club. Like the BMW, it will benefit the foundation abounds with high-quality play fea- against the Los Angeles Open, which had signed up with the name created by Chick Evans nearly a century ago. turing the star multi-millionaires of players. The John Deere Classic, the small-town tournament with tomorrow. The Western Amateur goes Before this battle of wedges could take place, peace broke out, the big-league charity impact for the Quad Cities, holds back to Point O’ Woods in Millburg, and it was decided to play both under the PGA banner. It so hap- its 49th renewal on July 11-14 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. Mich., July 30-August 3, for the pened that heavy frosts hit Oakland on tournament week, and play It’s a Big Year Ahead Michael Kim is the defending champion. first time since 2008; the Women’s was delayed. But Sunol Valley had an ace in the hole: a $325,000 It always seems strange when the BMW Championship – for Farther afield from the Loop, the U.S. Senior Open will Western Amateur makes its first stop lighting system for night play, floodlights with 269 big bulbs mounted a century known as the Western Open – is played away be played on a college campus for the first time, with the at Royal Melbourne in Hawthorn high on palm trees on the layout. from Chicago, even though that was the case for most of Warren Course at Notre Dame, a Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw Woods from July 16-20; and the Ogden, who was tied for the lead with Richard Martinez after a the storied tournament’s first 60 years. design only a couple of field goals from the Golden Dome, Western Junior camps at Rich Harvest 2-under 70, had one of the later tee times on Friday. This is a year that will be familiar, not strange. The the host from June 27-30. Those who want routine senior Farms in Sugar Grove on June 17-20 “I’ve never played golf at night, and I don’t think many of the BMW has driven back into town for at last the next two golf can venture to University Ridge in Madison, Wis., the for the second time. other guys have,” Ogden told reporters. “I think it will affect our judg- years, with a stop at Medinah Country Club from August week before, where Steve Stricker hosts and tries to win the ments of distances and reading the greens. The course figures to be 15-18 and at Olympia Fields Country Club in 2020. All American Family Insurance Championship from June 21-23. Three Area Youths Qualify for playing longer at night.” signs point to a different sponsor at Olympia Fields, but is The Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood will celebrate Drive, Chip and Putt Ogden played his back nine after sunset and scored even-par 72 the multi-million question. its 25th anniversary, most likely in mid-July. The defending Joshua Pehl of Sugar Grove, Joseph to take the lead at the halfway point by a stroke over playing partner Luchtenburg of West Chicago and Dick Lotz, who used his feet to gauge the slope of putts. And Ogden Medinah Country Club, hosting this August’s BMW Championship, was last on the Luciano Glangrossi of Evanston, all found an advantage that others did not. international stage with the 2012 Ryder Cup, won by the European team. (Tim Cronin) of whom are members of Youth on “Generally a late starter can see every little spike mark and heel Course’s Chicago-area chapter, will print on the greens,” Ogden said. “At night you can’t see them.” compete at Augusta National Golf The sage of North Shore also made this prediction: “I think some- Club in April in the pre-Masters Drive, day we will have a major open tournament played completely at Chip and Putt contest. Pehl is in the night. I think it will be fine.” Boys 14-15 age group, Luchtenburg Ogden shared fifth place, while Lotz’ fancy footwork contributed in the Boys 12-13 age group and to his one-stroke victory over Don Whitt. – Tim Cronin Giangrossi in the Boys 7-9 bracket. Youth on Course is a non-profit organization providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholar- ships, paid internships and a caddie program. Adam Hecleck, Youth on Course CEO, states that some 50,000 members compete in the program nationally. The group has awarded 223 students with college scholarships to date, totaling more than $1.4 million in financial support.

PXG Comes to Northbrook Bob Parsons, the Vietnam veteran who parleyed his GoDaddy.com firm into a billion dollars and got into golf, among other pursuits, has opened a Parsons Xtreme Golf fitting studio in Northbrook, in the heart of the Chicago area’s high-end golf clientele. 10 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 11 He personally introduced his crazy on cost”) on the development of First Tee Adds School Program product line to Chicagoans last a better club. The result was a radical- Nicor Gas has teamed with The First September with a splash, introducing ly thin-faced iron with a cavity in the Tee of Greater Chicago to provide opening-night attendees to four of middle – as opposed to the standard golf instruction to 56 public elemen- PXG’s representatives on the PGA and cavity in the back – of the face. The tary schools across the metro area. LPGA Tours – twice major titlist Zach cavity is filled with a thermoplastic Announced in November, The First Johnson, 2014 FedEx Cup champion polymer. The results? “I was certain Tee National School Program is today Billy Horschel, 2011 Masters champi- that we had developed the best club in a part of the physical education on Charl Schwartzel and three-time the world,” Parsons said. instruction at these schools. Among Solheim Cup member Gerina Piller. The self-made billionaire Parsons the school systems impacted by the “I feel this fitting studio will has taken the Giving Pledge – a investment is Evanston-Skokie School be a huge success,” Parsons told promise to commit at least half his District 65, which incorporates both GOLFChicago. “Chicago is a great fortune to charity. His PXG for Heroes the instruction aspect of the program market for our product line. There are initiative provides special discount as well as The First Tee’s Nine Core lots of avid golfers here. And avid pricing to the men and women of the Values. Evanston-Skokie School golfers all want to improve. We can military, Coast Guard, law enforce- District 65 encompasses 5,000 ele- confidently say that PXG clubs are an ment, firefighters and EMTs. mentary students. improvement over anything our com- PXG Northbrook studio (www. “Nicor Gas is committed to sup- petition is offering.” PXG.com or (847) 480-4653), the porting the communities where we A self-described golf junkie, firm’s first, offers personalized fitting live and serve,” said Melvin Williams, Parsons claims to have personally tried services with two hitting bays, a put- president of Nicor Gas. “We are out the equipment of most every other ting green and a retail area, managed excited to partner with The First Tee, major manufacturer through the years. by a team of master fitters. as well as the Chicago public school He has stated that he once spent systems in an educational program $350,000 in a single year seeking out BMW Tourney Volunteers that helps children build character clubs that best suited his game. Certain Needed and instills life-enhancing values that that technological improvements were Some 500 volunteer positions for the strengthen the communities in which possible, Parsons hired away two August 15-18 BMW Championship at they live.” designers from Ping and told them Medinah Country Club remain to be The First Tee is a 501(c) (3) to spare no expense (“without being filled. non-profit youth development organi- “Volunteers are essential to our zation whose mission is to impact the success and our charitable mis- lives of young people by providing sion to support the Evans Scholars educational programs that build char- Foundation, which awards college acter, instill values and promote healthy scholarships to caddies from mod- choices through the game of golf. est means,” said Western Golf Association senior VP of tournaments Chip Shots Vince Pellegrino. Batavia-based Tour Edge has signed Volunteers – and there will be Champions Tour regular Scott 2,000 in all – can pick from any of 22 McCarron to a logo and club deal categories to serve in, though prime for 2019. He used Tour Edge Exotics departments, including gallery control, CBX hybrid clubs to win twice on fill up fast. Those applying must be at the 50-plus circuit last year, finishing least 18 and commit to work at least second in the Schwab Cup points three shifts, which range from four to and boodle chase. “I love the Exotics six hours in length, during the week, hybrid and what it has done for my which starts with practice rounds on game, it is a great fit and a low-spin- August 13. ning, hot-faced hybrid that has me The volunteer clothing and souve- hitting more hybrids off the tee and nir package costs $129, and includes in general because I have complete two Peter Millar golf shirts, a Peter faith in the club,” McCarron said. Millar outerwear piece, a hat or Meanwhile, Tim Lehman used an visor, commemorative pin, two one- Exotics CBX 119 hybrid in winning at day grounds tickets, invitation to a Hualalai in January. ... Condolences volunteer party, food and beverage to the family and legion of friends of vouchers, and the credential, valid for longtime Cog Hill superintendent Ken the week. Lapp, who died at 82 on January 18. Interested? Go to www. He’d worked for Jemsek Golf since BMWChampionship.com and click on 1949, including the last six years on the “volunteers” tap. The deadline is the Pine Meadow crew. June 15. – Tim Cronin and Neal Kotlarek 12 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 13 ot that many years ago, Mistwood Golf Dome the definition of an indoor 730 N. Bolingbrook Dr. practice facility was simply Bolingbrook Na basement, a swatch of (630) 739-7600 AstroTurf and a net 30 feet away from mistwoodgolfdome.com the pad. A low-handicapper friend The sister property of Mistwood taught me the underlying perils of this Golf Club, this elegant Bolingbrook system when, after countless hours facility was significantly upgraded last spent honing his swing during the dead autumn with improved lighting and the of winter, he discovered by early spring introduction of Toptracer technology that he had perfected a snarling duck – the same system used to show hook that took shape about 40 yards real-time graphics on PGA Tour and off the tee. LPGA Tour telecasts. The sports dome Chicagoans recovering from the is 60,000 square feet, with 30 hitting perils of the polar vortex are fortunate bays, each equipped with large-screen to now have spectacular options far HDTVs to enjoy favorite sports events removed from those days of yore. while you practice. Managed by the Heat lamps and cozy domes have entire staff of PGA professionals from heated mat areas and target greens. Links & Tees Indoor Golf Dome ushered in a new era of practice Mistwood’s Performance Center. As a bonus, the upper deck area 880 W. Lake St. facilities across the metro area, many Attached to the dome is McWethy’s provides amazing views of downtown Addison complete with full-service restaurants Sports Bar, one of southwest Chicago and Lake Michigan. (630) 233-7275, option 4 and micro brews. suburbia’s premier entertainment and https://addisonparks.org/links-tees- Technology has inevitably played a Start Your dining establishments. Slow-cooked Topgolf indoor-golf-dome/ role in the continued evolution of these ribs, burgers and beverages are served 699 W. Thorndale Ave. This two-tiered heated facility is practice centers. As chronicled in a in a cozy setting that, across the hall, Wood Dale; (630) 595-4653 operated by the Addison Park District, companion story, Mistwood Golf Dome offers an off-track betting parlor with and featuring target banners, HDTVs and now employs the Toptracer Range 58 HDTVs. 3211 Odyssey Court indoor chipping and putting areas. system on all of its hitting bays to Spring Naperville Customized group and private lessons provide golfers with the ability to hone White Pines Golf Dome (630) 596-1000 available from area instructors. skills using real-time analytics data 500 W. Jefferson St. www.topgolf.com while playing virtual golf at some of the (at White Pines Golf Course) These year-round complexes Buffalo Grove Golf and Sports world’s most famous courses. Bensenville emphasize fun and great food along Center Topgolf facilities are as much a Practice (630) 766-0304 with golf practice. The ranges feature 801 McHenry Rd. party zone as a practice complex. In www.whitepinesgolfdome.com microchip-implanted golf balls allowing Buffalo Grove Naperville, over 100 climate-controlled At 100 yards by 100 yards and long players to earn points by successfully (847) 353-7575 hitting bays are complemented by over considered the gold standard in hitting target greens or tee shot areas. http://bgparks.org/facilities/golf.aspx 200 HDTVs, free Wi-Fi, a full-service Chicago indoor golf practice facilities, Combine this state-of-the-art practice This heated 100-yard by 60-yard dome restaurant and multiple bars and even Earlier White Pines features 48 hitting stations facility with great food and a dazzling includes a driving range and putting a rooftop terrace with a fire pit. There’s on two levels, five target greens, a sports bar and you have the hottest green. There are 32 hitting bays on the another Topgolf in Wood Dale and, late 45-foot long contoured putting green concept in golf practice. Hitting bays two-tier range, a 1,950-square foot this year, a third will open in Schaumburg By Neal Kotlarek and five state-of-the-art GOLFZON are covered, lighted and climate- green, and a professional instruction on the former site of one of Motorola’s virtual golf simulators. Owned and controlled. Clinics and individual staff on hand to improve your game. headquarters buildings. year-round, not just because they Operated by the Des Plaines Park operated by sports management lessons feature slow-motion video The golf simulator concept came stay open in insane weather, but District, this 1.5-acre facility is firm KemperSports, the dome offers analysis. SPG Green Garden Golf Dome into being about two decades ago, because they’re effectively half-and- perennially ranked among the top 50 individual and group instruction led by 9511 West Manhattan-Monee Rd. and has caught on as golf ball-tracking half operations, with indoor dining and/ stand-alone driving ranges in America. 2006 Illinois PGA teacher of the year Highland Park Field House Frankfort technology – and high-definition or lounge areas to go with heated Eighty lighted and heated hitting Chuck Lynch. The dome holds demo 2205 Skokie Valley Rd. (815) 469-3350 projection TV – has improved. Today, outdoor hitting bays. stations are spread over three tiers. days and events on a regular basis, Highland Park www.greengardencc.com/golf-dome/ slapping a ball into a soft-wall mat with Here’s a look at some of the best Golf lessons and custom club fitting and also serves up sandwiches and (847) 404-9846 Among the largest and best-lighted a picture projected on it is to many the year ‘round golf practice centers in the are available through certified GolfTEC cold beverages. Open weekdays for golf practice. This domes, Green Garden is a fully- next-best thing to a dome experience Chicago area offering a chance to see personal coaches. Adjacent to the multi-sports complex caters to golfers heated facility with two-tiered hitting or actually playing. The leading public one’s ball-flight: golf range, Club Casa Café serves up Diversey Driving Range mornings through mid-afternoon, then areas and 42 hitting stations, with 80 facilities in the area are included here great food and beverages in a sports 141 W. Diversey St. features practice and games for other yards of ball flight. The complex also (many private courses in the Chicago Des Plaines Golf Center bar setting. Chicago sports, including softball. Cash only. includes a separate area for chipping area have added simulators in recent 853 N. River Rd. (312) 742-7929 and putting. PGA professional Randy years in a bid to get closer to year- Des Plaines www.diversey.cpdgolf.com Wexter is the man to see for lessons. round operation). (847) 803-4653 While not technically an indoor driving The nearby clubhouse offers year- Some outdoor facilities are also www.dpparks.org range, this popular lakefront facility is round dining options, including a open year-round and features lighted, Sunday breakfast buffet. 14 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 15 Stony Creek Golf Course 5850 W. 103rd St. Oak Lawn (708) 857-2433 https://www.golfstonycreek.com/ Stony Creek, the Oak Lawn Park District’s course, has a sheltered outdoor hitting area open when it’s not bitter cold, plus a pair of simulators for practice at any time at just $20 hourly on weekdays, along with food in the main clubhouse.

The leading golf simulator operations:

Halfway House Indoor Golf 555 S. York St. Foresight 2018 FSX Software available. Among the outdoor ranges that have Elmhurst PGA professional Kyle Rich is ready covered hitting areas and heaters (331) 642-8050 to give lessons. There’s also a full-size softening winter’s blow: https://halfwayhousegolf.com/ putting green under roof, plus the usual Four state-of-art simulators with high- restaurant options. Cog Hill tech graphics provide access to over 12994 Archer Ave. 85 world-famous golf courses from as Play 18 Chicago Lemont near as Cog Hill’s Dubsdread to as far 17 N. Wabash Ave. (630) 264-4455 as Taghazout in Morocco. You can also Chicago www.coghillgolf.com give Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach or (312) 251-0540 20 heated bays the Old Course at St. Andrews a whirl. http://play18chicago.com/ The facility is open seven days a week, In the heart of the Loop, Play 18 Green Valley with a rate of $40 per hour per bay. Chicago features a quartet of PGA 26W 101 Lake St. Halfway House suggests it takes a little Tour Simulators featuring more than 50 Hanover Park under a hour for someone to play 18 courses, as well as driving bays with (630) 289-6600 holes. swing analysis technology. Office types https://www.greenvalleygolfrange.com/ can rent clubs. You can reserve time 20 heated bays Indoor Golf Links of America online the same day. There’s also valet 16356 104th Ave. parking at $10 for four hours. Libertyville Sports Complex Orland Park 1950 U.S. 45 (708) 403-4040 Tee 2 Green Libertyville https://indoorgolflinks.net 11173 Huntley Rd. (847) 367-1502 There are 14 simulators at this busy Huntley https://libertyvillesportscomplex. destination, open 86 hours a week. (224) 650-8111 com/159/Sports-Complex Said to be the largest such facility in https://www.t2gindoorgolf.com/ 40 heated bays the world, there are 72 courses to pick Six simulators with an array of 85 from – a similar selection to Halfway courses and full swing analysis is the St. Andrews House’s list – and daytime rates of $25 centerpiece of what the owners call 2241 Ill. 59 an hour weekdays and $35 all day “a sports bar on steroids.” There’s West Chicago on weekends. There are tournaments more to play, including pool and darts, (630) 231-3160 for those with established indoor along with plenty to eat and drink and 0https://www.standrewsgc.com/ handicaps, and a restaurant featuring a place to just hang out and watch driving-range/ burgers, beer and more. a game on big-screen HDTV. Opens 10 heated bays 11:30 a.m. daily. Legends Indoor Golf Skokie Sports Park 2091 63rd St. 3459 Oakton St. Downers Grove Skokie (630) 409-1220 (847) 674-1500 https://legendsindoorgolf.com/ https://www.skokieparks.org/skokie- Located in the Meadowbrook Shopping sports-park Center, Legends opens at 7 a.m. on 11 heated bays weekends with eight simulators with 16 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 17 here’s something exciting Such a Goldilocks locale exists in Georgia, about discovering a new about 85 miles east of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where decades ago Mercer golf destination, one that’s Reynolds III launched a recreational paradise after the warm and sunny, where the damming of the Oconee River. Reynolds Tpredominant colors are green and The Reynolds Lake Oconee development, now blue, where it’s cool in the morning, owned by Met Life, boasts thousands of homes tucked into the woods, a Ritz-Carlton hotel, guest not too hot in the afternoon and the cottages and condos, fishing, boating, a shooting and winds are light throughout the day. sporting club, tennis academy, kayaking and a modern Lake Oconee It’s the golf equivalent of the equipment fitting and training center, Reynolds Goldilocks Zone, what NASA calls Kingdom of Golf presented by TaylorMade, with the highest of high-tech gadgets. a planet that’s close enough to its And the golf? Reynolds’s six golf courses were is Just Right sun to sustain life, but not so hot as designed by a virtual Mount Rushmore of golf to fry it. architects: Jack Nicklaus, Rees Jones, Bob Cupp – When you find such a place, it’s who designed two of the layouts – Tom Fazio and Jim By Dan Vukelich Engh. (If you don’t know Engh, he designed Carne time for the road-trip planning to Golf Links in Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland, plus begin. three U.S. courses on Golf Magazine’s 2016-2017 list

The Landing Hole 18

18 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 19 of the Top 100 You Can Play.) turning into a residential getaway for golfers and competitions and 75 different clubs, including a A la carte, Reynolds Lake other lovers of the good life. The concept of Reynolds veterans’ group. The nearby towns of Greensboro, Oconee’s green fees run between Plantation was born. The 19,000-acre Lake Oconee, Madison and Milledgeville, plus Athens and Augusta $160 and $280. Peak season is with fingers of water extending into countless inlets, – the latter is 82 miles down I-20 – offer all the March 15-July 13 and August is now a spectacular sportsman’s paradise featuring shopping, dining and small-town charm you’d expect 29-November 30, but buddy-trip plenty of undeveloped rolling pine forest still available of Georgia. golfers know real road-trip values to build that vacation or retirement home you’ve been It’s a place where an overcoat is rarely needed. lie in stay-and-play packages. dreaming about. Weather records for Greensboro, the nearest town, On that score, Reynolds Lake Over time, one golf course after another was show that August generally sees temperatures Oconee has plenty of deals starting added, and sporting grounds with clay shooting, averaging in the mid 80s. Through mid-November, at between $219 and $359 per person per night for a party of four in a two-bedroom condo or four- Great Waters Hole 11 bedroom cottage. All golf packages include The Preserve Hole 3 breakfast, one round a day, cart, unlimited use of practice facilities, and discounted replays, free wifi, use of the fitness center and access to the best swing-analysis and club-fitting center this side of the PGA Tour. Packages can be built around golf alone, golf and shooting, or golf, shooting and fishing/ boating/tennis. Like I said, let the trip planning begin. Reynolds Lake Oconee is located in Greene County, Ga., about 70 miles east of downtown The National Hole 15 Atlanta. With only 17,281 people in the county, this qualifies as rural. Oconee Hole 1 The property started as 10,000 acres of undeveloped yellow-pine woodland but that all changed in archery, fishing and boating were developed. The temperatures stay in the high 60s to low 70s. The 1979 when the U.S. Army Corps Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee, a five-star hotel average low in January is 38 degrees – which means of Engineers dammed the Oconee with its own level of dining and spa pampering, was an half the time, the nights are warmer. A season’s average River and turned it into Georgia’s early centerpiece of the destination. Reynolds found snowfall is one inch. second-largest lake. himself overextended in the Great Recession, which is By March, while Chicagoans brace for the This was a boon to Mercer how Met Life acquired the property. season’s final snowstorm (or two), Greensboro’s Reynolds III, who envisioned his There’s a different owner now, but the same weather is back into the high 60s to low 70s. Average farmland, suddenly benefitting vision. For residents, there’s a robust schedule of snowfall: 1 inch. And the sun shines 217 days a year. from 374 miles of shoreline, theater and music productions, art festivals and As folks at Reynolds Lake Oconee like to say, “Come

20 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 21 for a weekend, stay for a lifetime.” Nicklaus’ company started last June and is expected since it opened in 1988, The golf is both ample and exceptional. Visitors to be completed by fall. Like every course in the this par-72 adventure have their choice of five pedigreed courses that play sprawling complex, the par-72 layout has multiple has just 20 bunkers but hide-and-seek with the shores of Lake Oconee as they tees to guarantee everyone can find a fair test. In plenty of false fronts and wind through pine-studded hills. There’s a sixth course Great Waters’ case, distances vary from 5,272 to swales to make up for if you’re lucky enough to be invited by a member to 7,073 yards, with the highest rating and slope 73.7 its lack of sand. It’s just play The Creek Club, a private club. and 134, respectively. 6,698 yards from the “Reynolds Lake Oconee is one of the most The Landing was the first course in the Reynolds back tees, but the rating comprehensive golf facilities in the country,” said Wes area, opened as Port Armor Resort & Country Club is a robust 72.3 and the Forester, the club’s director of golf. “With 117 holes in 1986. Reynolds acquired the Bob Cupp design and slope 132 from there. Uniquely, The Preserve features a short course within a course. The Quick Six, a loop of six The National Cottages holes, each under 130 yards, can be played in about an hour. The Oconee Course, a Rees Jones design routed mostly along the Lake Oconee shoreline, is the newest public course, opened in 2002. It stresses risk-reward via shots over inlets or corners of doglegs. Creeks or the lake itself come into play on nine holes of the par-72 test.

Jones was involved in The National Tavern a 2013 renovation that reshaped tree canopies to open up fairways. Reynolds Creek Hole 5 From the tips, it’s 7,029 yards, rated 73.5 with a to choose from the golf experience combines variety, renamed it in 2005, then renovated it in 2006 and 137 slope. challenge and natural beauty in a rare collection of 2013. The par-72 course has a bit of a linksy Scottish The National has courses suitable for players of all skill levels.” feel. Amazingly at its debut, it was ranked No. 2 in three nines designed by Start with Great Waters, the Jack Nicklaus Georgia – second only to Augusta National. It can Tom Fazio, all featuring Signature Course that put Reynolds on the golf map stretch to 7,029 yards with a 74.4 rating and 138 significant changes in in 1992. Twenty-six years later, it’s still ranked No. slope from the tips. elevation, some as great 41 on Golf Magazine’s Top 100 You Can Play list. Cupp was brought back to design The Preserve, as 60 feet. The Ridge The front nine is mostly parkland but the lake tests with U.S. Open champions Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert and Bluff nines were you on nos. 11 through 18. A renovation overseen by Green adding their insight. Updated three times the original 18 holes in Sandy Creek continued on page 30 22 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 23 lthough some starts with a quartet of high-speed video cameras positioned above the golf fans might hitting bay which registers the flight of the ball and proceeds to transfer not be readily a dizzying array of information to a TV screen. This data includes ball Afamiliar with speed, trajectory, shot shape and distance. From an entertainment the Toptracer brand standpoint, these data points allow golfers to play games, have contests name, the product itself with companions and even play a virtual round at some of the greatest has impressed all who golf courses in the world, including Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. view the game on TV. Mistwood Golf Dome is the first golf dome in America with Toptracer Consider the last PGA Range technology. Jim McWethy, owner of Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, or LPGA tournament purchased the former Ditka Dome a few years ago with the express goal you watched. You of evolving it into the metro area’s premier indoor range. While improved surely recall that lighting and atmosphere were elements of that plan, the opportunity spectacular red or to introduce the Toptracer Range technology to the facility immediately blue swirl that tracks intrigued him. “Andy (Mickelson) and Dan (Bradley) came up with the idea the players’ tee shots. to bring Toptracer to the dome,” McWethy recalled during grand opening The graphic depicts in ceremonies. Mickelson is Mistwood’s director of golf, Bradley the general real time the moment manager. “It was an incredible opportunity to upgrade the facility and bring the tee shot is hit, the something new and exciting for our guests to enjoy,” McWethy added. peak of the ball’s flight Mickelson echoed McWethy’s sentiments. “Our goal from the outset and then its descent to of buying the dome was to provide an experience for our guests that they the landing area. That’s couldn’t get anywhere else in the metro area. We’re convinced that Toptracer Toptracer technology Range is the home run we were looking for. The feedback you get when – called Protracer using this system is critical for game improvement. But just as importantly, when the software was golfers have a real blast using Toptracer both as a learning tool and for first introduced by a competition with friends.” Swedish group to the All 30 hitting bays at the dome are equipped with Toptracer Range European tour in 2006. technology which involves four overhead cameras that read, interpret and Today, a scant 13 record the result of each player’s shots. As a teaching tool, the system years after Toptracer’s can tabulate the results of multiple shots taken with each club to provide unveiling, guests at the insights on all facets of one’s performance. Mistwood Golf Dome Six games are available on the system. Launch Monitor is a training in Bolingbrook can be mode that registers distance, ball speed and height to compare with others just like the pros and in your group. Points Game is a challenge competition based upon proximity utilize the complex to targets stationed across the landing areas. Long Drive turns the dome data tabulated by the into a long drive grid on who among your group can do the best Brooks Toptracer system for Koepka imitation. Closest To the Pin rewards the most accurate shots fun and as a learning in a group. What’s In My Bag reveals the most accurate player over the tool. More than just entire spectrum of clubs. By far the most popular competition at the facility that pretty animated is Virtual Game which allows players to play a virtual round at a world arc that you see on renowned golf course. the video screen, the During my last session at the dome, I used Toptracer Range to software application focus on wedge shots and 9-iron shots of my favorite hole in America Toptracer Makes an By Neal Impact at Mistwood Kotlarek – the iconic No. 7 at Pebble Beach. Played from a tee perched high above a putting surface which rests on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the hole is a mere 107 yards, made even shorter due to the steep decline. Wind plays a factor on the hole, of course, and sand bunkers protect the front of the LIKE A LOCAL green. One by one by 25 shots on the iconic par 3, I was ready to enjoy still another amenity one, I aimed my shots provided at the sports complex. The entire teaching staff at Mistwood Golf Lush fairways, immaculate greens and challenging approach shots make Greater toward target flags set Club has taken winter residence at the dome. This talented roster of PGA Lansing a truly memorable Midwestern golf destination. Book your getaway today! www.LANSING.org up around the dome teaching pros includes the aforementioned Mickelson, winner of the 39th Love Lansing like a local and we promise, you’ll love Lansing as much as we do! #LOVELANSING at varying lengths. I PGA Assistant Championship four years ago, and the affable Dan Phillips, would strike my shots teacher and player development director at the club. toward the flagstick My instructor on this day was none other than the newest member of and would admire the Mistwood’s teaching staff, Nicole Jeray. image of the 7th green “Looking for a little more loft on your approach shots?” Jeray asked, Go ahead tell me that I’m not good enough. Tell me I can’t do on the screen above studying my ball flight and the computer data. A slight adjustment of my it because I will show you over and over again that I can! the hitting bay. A stance and shoulder position happily provided immediate results. A star at the streak on the screen University of Northern Illinois where she won eight collegiate tournaments, Greater Illinois Title Company Supports the The Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open. indicated the exact Jeray was the youngest athlete elected to the NIU athletic Hall of Fame. She You Can Too. The IWO Pro Am Tournament. Coming in July. arc of my shot and played on the LPGA Tour for almost two decades and also enjoyed stints on where on the green the LPGA Symetra Futures Tour and on the LPGA Legends Tour. Match your shots with a Pro. Greater (or, in one case, the “I’ve been a fan of Mistwood ever since the club began hosting the Illinois ocean) my ball would Illinois Women’s Open in 1998,” Jeray said. “I cannot imagine the opportunity www.gitc.com. www.mistwoodgc.com Title Company land. The experience to teach the game at a better facility.” GIT was a wonderment As with most of the other teaching staff members, Jeray will transition for a guy who grew up to the Mistwood Golf Club Learning Center during the spring, summer and hitting striped Wilson fall seasons. One of her goals as a Mistwood teacher is to develop teaching K-28s at a rugged programs geared to women and girls and to expand Mistwood’s elite junior driving range built program that prepares high schoolers for collegiate golf. next to a used car lot The Mistwood Golf Dome is a fully heated 60,000 sq. ft. facility that on the south side of offers a full service restaurant and sports bar, operating throughout the Milwaukee. winter until April 30. Hourly rates per hitting bay are $30 weekdays. That After hitting about works out to a reasonable $7.50 per person in a foursome.

26 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 27 DESTINATIONS Vegas Neighbor Summerlin Cody Law has Glitz of its Own

ust off Interstate 15, and near the home “Palm Valley is a very player-friendly Summerlin’s stay-and-play experience is in Jof the PGA Tour’s Shriners Hospitals for course,” added head pro Shane Sanchez. red numbers – well under par and at the Children Open in Las Vegas, you’ll find three “While there are plenty of challenges for top of the leaderboard. golf courses created by three-time major players of all skill levels, most golfers leave “After nearly 30 years of Las Vegas winner Billy Casper and design partner Greg the course satisfied.” golf existence it was time for us to sing our Nash. The Highland Falls, Palm Valley and “The private feel at Golf Summerlin praises to the masses,” Long said. “While Eagle Crest courses, located within the Sun is a bonus,” says Long. “And our friendly, we have forever known that our quality of City Summerlin community and managed knowledgeable staff will just add to that courses, professional service and challenging by Golf Summerlin, are well conditioned, feeling as you play, dine and shop here.” play offer a great golf experience, it wasn’t challenging, affordable and enjoyable. Seasoned golf writer and Las Vegas until we first started attending national golf Highland Falls Hole 17 “This is the best place to play in town,” native Bill Bowman wrote the following when shows that we realized that the stay-and- said Greg Wickensimer, Eagle Crest’s head describing the Golf Summerlin layouts: play golf market was a bit oblivious to our pro. “We have three great golf courses, “Highland Falls is the cornerstone course part of the Las Vegas golf world.” two championship-style and an executive of the trio. It plays just 6,512 yards from the The feedback from players of all abilities, course. There is truly something for all ages tips, but it’s a challenge from start to finish.” from across the country, has been nothing and skill levels.” Agreeing with Neighbors, Bowman but positive. Low or high handicap players All three of the courses offer playability wrote, “Elevation changes, bunkering and love the Golf Summerlin getaways because and affordability. If you’re looking for golf water hazards abound, but it’s the 14th hole it offers what every golfer is searching for in courses that are fun to play and always in that will leave players breathless. The view a golf vacation of any length: great course great shape, check out any of the three on the 206-yard par-3 hole is one of the conditions, comfortable accommodations courses at Golf Summerlin. best around. Players are perched on an and a fair price. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Director of golf Donny Long said, “Golf elevated tee looking down to a large green. just down the road is the famed Las Vegas Summerlin’s courses are among the best But it’s the backdrop that will have players Boulevard, waiting to celebrate every round maintained in southern Nevada. Most believe grabbing for their cameras. The entire Las under par or to help pay out lost bets. Golf Summerlin is private as we are a bit Vegas Strip sits stunningly in the background. The manicured conditions and club-like of a hidden gem, but all three courses are Palm Valley, at 6,900 yards, is the atmosphere of these courses are at odds public and open to outside play. Highland longest of the three courses. But don’t let with the pricing, especially when considering Falls is a five-time winner, including the last the length scare you – there are plenty of other higher-end, sexier courses in the area. four years in a row, of the Review-Journal’s scoring chances on the course, especially At Golf Summerlin the advantage goes to Best of Las Vegas award.” on the first and 18th holes. Both are par 5s the visiting golfer. The courses aren’t cookie-cutter layouts. playing around 540 yards so players have “The private feel is a bonus,” says Long. “Golf Summerlin offers three very the option of going for the green in two “Not only are you secluded in a beautiful Palm Valley Hole 8 unique and different golf experiences, and setting up possible eagle putts to start community but you will enjoy the mountain each with its own charm,” said Highland and finish the round in style. scenery as we are located on the base of Falls head pro Jim Neighbors. “Hole 14 at Then there’s Eagle Crest. This executive Vegas’ scenic mountain range. Our courses Highland Falls is my favorite par 3 in Las course (4,067 yards) has become a favorite sit at 3,000-foot-plus elevation, making us Vegas. The tee sits about 40 feet above for many players. There are 12 par 3s, along about five degrees cooler than most of the the green, so picking the correct club is with six par 4s, that will let players get in a Las Vegas area.” the key to playing this hole well and there quick round, while still giving them plenty of Golf Summerlin is the “home course” is not a better view of the Las Vegas valley challenges along the way. The par-3 holes for the Southern Nevada Golf Association than on the tee box at 14.” range in length from 115 yards to 224 yards, and hosts many amateur championships You’ll love the resort-like atmosphere so it’s definitely not a pitch-and-putt course and junior events throughout the year. at Highland Falls and Palm Valley – without and you’ll use every club in your bag. Yes, Las Vegas is built on fast-paced, the sticker shock. Long says Highland Falls Sometimes “build it and they will neon-encrusted fun, including some of its tends to be the favorite for most out-of- come” isn’t the answer. A few years ago more popular golf courses, but if you’re towners due to its spectacular conditions, Golf Summerlin professionals, with the looking for wallet-friendly, scenic but chal- elevation changes and the views. Palm expertise of the Citywide Golf Solutions lenging golf with a variety of design and Valley is a more traditional layout, flatter staff, hit the road, meeting with golfers personalized service, look here first: www. but longer, with well-placed bunkers and across the country, putting the courses’ golfsummerlin.com. outstanding conditions. Eagle Crest has scenic layouts on display both in person become a favorite for many due to the and in all forms of traditional and digital Cody Law is the executive director of Golf quick pace of play and playability. marketing. Now, to put it in golf terms, Golf Mesquite Nevada. Eagle Crest Hole 1 28 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 29 Reynolds Lake Oconee To best graph your swing, the By far the favorite of visiting buddy-trip Shepherd's Shiloh Park Highway 173 Crook GC GC GOLFChicago continued from page 23 Kingdom uses Gears, a full-swing club- golfers, the National Club Cottages are Highway 83 and body-tracking system popular among a sand wedge away from The National Directory 1997, with Fazio adding the Cove nine PGA Tour professionals, club fitters, and Tavern, a vibrant craftsman-style farm- Highway 12 three years later. The National was named manufacturers. Your swing is captured in house restaurant/brewpub loaded with Golf Facilities of Interest Highway 59 by Golfweek as one of America’s Top full 3D from address to follow-through via local beers and great food. Inside, there’s to Every Golfer

Residential Courses shortly after opening. video at 240 frames per second. Putting is a stacked stone fireplace. Outside, there’s Highway 120 Make sure when Highway 134 Village The original 18 is a par 72 of 7,034 yards at analyzed via the Quintec putting launch a fire pit and a lighted practice green for Green GC you play a course Butterfield the max, with a 73.8 rating and 138 slope. monitor, and lasers are used to aid alignment. the night putters among us. Stonewall Winchester from our directory Orchard GC Beyond golf, there are myriad options that you mention Guests at Reynolds Lake Oconee have Highway 31 Finally, there’s the Creek Club. Named Highway 176 Highway 176 Lake Bluff Highway 83 you saw it in the for the Creek Indians and designed by a variety of lodging choices, starting with for fun. GC Jim Engh, this private club within a club The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee, On the 100-acre Sandy Creek Sporting GOLFChicago Crystal Lake Rd Rawson Bridge Road Roberts Road Course Directory. Highway 12 Rand Road opened in 2007. A channel of Richland a 251-room five-star hotel. It’s a short Grounds property is a five-stand. That’s Highway 22 Half Day Road Creek comes into play on 14 holes. Unique walk from the lakefront and steps from shooting slang for an elevated open-sid- Randall Road is the par-5 18th, with three separate greens the Linger Longer Steakhouse, an upscale ed shelter above a pond. Clay discs are Lake Cook Road

that change the character of the second dining experience. The Ritz-Carlton has two launched by remote control into the Highway 47 and third shots. It’s a par 72, playing as other restaurants on property along with shooter’s field of view from five different Highway 66 Dundee Road Sportsman’s Chicago CC Executive Milwaukee Road angles upon the command “pull.” There’s a Glenview short as 4,737 yards to 7,079 yards. The five culinary options within the community. Airport Sheridan Road Whisper National Creek GC Nine GC tips rating is 72.1 and a slope of 131. Family and buddies-trip lodging choices separate 20-station clay-shooting course, Highway 72 Highway 12 Rand Road Rob Roy The Glen But wait, there’s more. You know include The Village at Lake Club Pointe, which an archery range, an air-rifle range and a Highway 31 GC Club Euclid Shermer kayaking and a private catch-and-release Randall Road Higgins Road Highland those equipment vans at PGA Tour events? offers two and three-bedroom condos just Woods GC Glenview They have one at Reynolds – TaylorMade’s yards from The Ritz-Carlton; The Landing fishing lake. Park GC Highway 25 Bridges At Sandy Creek is the brainchild of Justin Highway 59 Poplar Creek Golf Road original traveling tour van, actually, where Cottages, three- and four-bedroom cottages McLean Boulevard G & CC Chick Evans Weber custom clubs can be made by a master in a nearby Reynolds community; and The Jones, a Welsh sporting-clays champion GC Park GC Highlands Tam O’Shanter Touhy Avenue who worked with The Greenbrier in West Lake Street / Route 20 GC Robert Black clubmaker on the spot. It’s at the Reynolds National Club Cottages, each designed to Bowes Road of Elgin Highway 19 / Irving Park Road GC

Woodale Road Edgebrook Kingdom of Golf, which also has a 16-acre accommodate eight people comfortably. Virginia and Gleneagles in Scotland to Bowes Eaglewood Resort GC Billy Caldwell Creek CC GC Sidney range, three-hole short game area, and All National Club Cottages have four bed- develop similar sporting properties. He’s O’Hare Marovitz GC International Airport three open and four enclosed heated rooms, 4½ baths, and a full kitchen, plus also tutored members of Britain’s royal Orchard Road

Randall Road Maple Harlem Avenue / Highway 43 family in the sport of shooting. Guests are Meadows GC Indian hitting bays equipped with TrackMan 4 two open living spaces and porch areas. Boundary GC Oak launch monitors. Guests enjoy daily housekeeping service. given basic instruction and safety equipment St. Andrews Meadows GC DuPage Diversey Highway 59 G & CC Airport Range

Links & Tees Mannheim Road Highway 12/20 before being handed Beretta over-under Highway 53

GC Sheridan Road Lake Street / Route 20 20-gauge or .410-gauge shotguns and Highway 38High shepherded by instructors through the Columbus Park GC various shooting locations. Roosevelt Road Roosevelt Road

Highway 25 Fresh

Nearby, a restored wood-beam barn Randall Road Meadow GC dating back to the 1820s serves as an Cantigny Oak Brook 22nd Street GC Highway 56 GC

entertainment and wedding venue. 31st Street

Highway 47 Arrowhead Meadow GC Lark GC

Finally, anglers will be pleased to learn Wolf Road Jackson Lake Oconee has an estimated 433 pounds Marquette Park GC Orchard Park GC Highway 31 per acre of largemouth bass, white bass, Valley GC Harlem Avenue / Highway 43 South Shore Flagg GC Creek GC Midway Seven Airport bream, crappie and catfish – twice the fish New York Street Bridges GC Aurora / 75th Street Sugar Grove population of a typical Georgia lake. Four Airport

Plainfield / Naperville Road Village Zigfield full-service marinas and The Ritz-Carlton 83rd St Greens GC Troy GC Highway 59

Highway 34 / Ogden Avenue Highway 53 Springbrook Harborside offer rentals of jet skis, ski boats, fishing Fox Bend GC 111th Street International GC GC boats, fishing tackle, fishing guides, canoes, Blackberry Boughton Waters Edge Oaks GC Naperbrook Ridge GC 90 GC GC McCarthy Road

kayaks and paddleboards. There’s also 111th Street Highway 6 State Street tubing, water-biking and wakeboarding. Bolingbrook Ruffled Feathers GC Joe Lewis GC GC Highway 25 135th Street

All of this is overseen by a familiar Halstead Street / Highway 1 82nd Avenue 143rd Street 147th Street face to many Chicago golfers. Mike Scully, Renwick Road Burnham

Lemont Silver Woods GC previously the director of golf at Medinah All information in this directory is Mistwood Lake CC provided by participating courses. GC Cicero 151st Street Country Club, is the general manager of GOLFChicago is not responsible or 159th Street River Oaks Lockport Street Highway 53

LaGrange Road Highway 45 GC liable for errors or incorrect information. Highway 59 Reynolds Lake Oconee, overseeing the Archer Avenue George Dunne Weber Road Map © CopyrightHighway 47 2019 GOLFChicago National GC entire operation. Magazine. All rights reserved. Ravisloe Glenwoodie Goldilocks and golfers alike say CC GC Gouger 183rd Street Reynolds Lake Oconee is just right. Course Managers: For inclusion in this directory, or to update your listing, please call Flossmor Dan Vukelich, a former Chicago newspaper Highway 52 / Jefferson Street 815.741.8005 or email us at Lincoln Highway Highway 30 and wire service reporter, is a freelance golf [email protected] travel writer and runs the online golf news Harlem Avenue / Highway 43 website newmexicogolfnews.com. He lives

in Albuquerque, N.M. Heritage Bluffs GC Balmoral 30 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com Morris March 2019Woods CC 31 CC Highway 6 Arrowhead Balmoral Woods Golf Blackberry Oaks Golf Bowes Creek Country The Preserve at Oak Forest Preserve Golf Fox Bend Golf Course The Glen Club 630-653-5800 Club Course Club Meadows Courses | Cook County 630-554-3939 847-724-7272 26W151 Butterfield Rd. 708-672-7448 630-553-7170 847-214-5880 630-595-0071 800-460-0010 3516 Route 34 2901 W. Lake Ave. Wheaton, IL 60189 26732 S. Balmoral Woods 2245 Kennedy Rd. 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd. 900 N. Wood Dale Rd. forestpreservegolf.com Oswego, IL 60543 Glenview, IL 60026 arrowheadgolfclub.org Dr. Bristol, IL 60512 Elgin, Illinois 60124 Addison, IL 60101 Affordable GOLF. Friendly www.foxbendgolfcourse.com theglenclub.com Crete, IL 60417 Arrowhead Golf Club is www.blackberryoaks.com bowescreekcc.com DuPageGolf.com SERVICE. Fantastic Fox Bend is Oswego’s own Chicago’s finest semi- recognized for its beautifully www.balmoralwoods.com Located just forty minutes Ranked as Golfweek’s Best After two years of extensive EXPERIENCE. welcoming and challenging private golf experience. maintained course and A fun public golf course on west of Chicago, Blackberry Courses You Can Play, renovation, the 288-acre Forest Preserve Golf public course. This 18-hole, The Glen Club is a inviting atmosphere. IL-394 in Crete 40 minutes Oaks Golf Course was Bowes Creek Country Club The Preserve at Oak offers something for every par-72 course boasts plush stunning Tom Fazio Arrowhead is a public south of Chicago. The built to blend and enhance gives you every option to Meadows is NOW OPEN as golfer. PLUS … save EVERY fairways, mature trees, and designed championship course which offers 18-hole course with a the natural assets of the play your ideal round of a new world-class 18-hole DAY with the FPG Golf and challenging greens. With course located on the impeccable golfing driving range is spread out property, such as Blackberry golf. Along with annual course and practice facility. Rewards Card! 34 well-positioned bunkers former site of the historic conditions at affordable over undulating terrain and Creek, the wetlands, the memberships, we offer a • 2017 Golf Digest Award • Billy Caldwell: 9 Holes and water coming into play Glenview Naval Air Station. rates on three separate features a number of holes prairie lands, and mature “member-for-a-day” pass, Winner • Burnham Woods: 18 Holes on 11 holes, the course In the heart of a 195-acre par 72 18-hole layouts with mature oak trees. oak groves. Blackberry Oaks allowing you the privilege tests skills of all levels. refuge, The Glen Club surrounded by forest Also the annual home to is a true “Link with Nature.” to play unlimited golf with • 2018 US Amateur • Chick Evans: 18 Holes USFGA FootGolf is also features rolling terrain, preserve. The West, East, the Will County Amateur in Blackberry Oaks Golf cart as well as full use Qualifying Site • Edgebrook: 18 Holes available on select days. dramatic elevation changes, and South Courses feature the Spring. A “must play” Course features 18 holes of the practice facility. If This transformation, • George Dunne National: Enjoy a drink or dinner on tranquil lakes, and striking new bunker renovations and course on the south side of golf, a practice range, playing a quick round of designed by golf architect 18 Holes the deck overlooking the vistas. enhancements. The practice and a great venue for your an exceptional junior golf nine or eighteen holes suits Greg Martin, produced scenic course at Pearce’s Enjoy the grand 48,000 an award winning • Harry Semrow: Driving area includes a lighted next event or function. academy, and a fantastic your game better, we offer Range & Mini Golf restaurant, or book the sqare-foot clubhouse, driving range, putting green, Book tee times online or restaurant. Please visit that as well. Bowes Creek environmental haven that Pavilion for your next superb dining, 21 overnight and chipping green. Group check out other information allows the public golfer is best described as a “golf • Highland Woods: outing or special event. www.blackberryoaks.com 18 Holes guest rooms, a grand and individual golf lessons about the property at www. to learn more and to reserve to experience the private preserve.” Take advantage of tee time ballroom, and the finest in are available. balmoralwoods.com. a tee time. club, without an annual The Preserve’s location • Indian Boundary: 18 Holes specials and book online. corporate amenities and Home of the Blackberry membership. features easy access from • Joe Louis: 18 Holes membership. Amateur, the premier O’Hare, I-290, I-355, I-294, • Meadowlark: 9 Holes and Route 83. Midwest amateur golf • River Oaks: 18 Holes event. For news and tee-times www.blackberryamateur.com visit DuPageGolf.com

Cantigny Golf Chicago Park District Green Meadows Maple Meadows Glenview Park Golf Glenview Prairie Club Glenwoodie Golf Club Golf Center 630-668-8463 Golf Golf Club Golf Club Club 847-657-1637 708-758-1212 Des Plaines 27w270 Mack Rd. 312-245-0909 630-810-5330 630-616-8424 847-724-0250 2800 W. Lake Ave. 19301 S State St. 847-803-GOLF Wheaton, IL 60189 cpdgolf.com 18 W. 201 W. 63rd St. 272 Addison Rd. Shermer Rd. Glenview, IL 60026 Glenwood, IL 60425 353 N River Rd. cantignygolf.com Great Golf in the Heart of Westmont, IL 60559 Wood Dale, IL 60191 Glenview, IL 60025 golfglenview.com glenwoodiegolf.com/ Des Plaines, IL 60016 golfglenview.com Designed by Roger Packard, the City. DuPageGolf.com DuPageGolf.com • Meticulous conditions like Glenwoodie, just 25 minutes GolfCenterDesPlaines.com Cantigny is both challenging With six courses, three Green Meadows is a fun Maple Meadow’s Experience pure golfing no other 9-hole course from Chicago, has been 9 Holes: Par 27 and breathtakingly scenic. driving ranges, and two nine-hole gem that offers Championship “West 18” enjoyment at the Glenview • Affordable Rates. a favorite championship Yardage: 80 - 210 miniature golf courses, Park Golf Club. After a Cantigny Golf’s Red quality conditions in a features a modern prairie • 4 sets of tees to meet all course for serious and Chicagoland’s only fully- Oak Club loyalty program there’s golf enjoyment for traditional parkland setting. design, and is honored to complete renovation in skill levels recreational golfers in the whole family. 2014-2015, the course has lighted 9-hole course is rewards customers with Featuring three par 4s be a qualifying site for the • 90 minute pace of play for Chicago and Northwest open late year-round, and free golf and other benefits. and six par 3s, the Green Illinois Open and the host re-opened to rave reviews. a quick 9 Indiana for over 90 years. PLUS…save EVERY DAY, Bent grass from tee to until midnight May–Fall. The The Young Executive Meadows layout is the course for the DuPage • Challenging, fun, and Consistently ranked in the 80-bay lighted and heated Program offers reduced secure early tee time access perfect blend of challenge, Junior Classic. green, rolling fairways, and enjoyable for all. top 35 public courses, the and more with the CPD meticulous landscapes Driving Range is one of green fees for golfers 39 enjoyment, and value for all Choose from four sets of 18-hole, par-72, 6902-yard the Top 50 Ranges in the and under. Players Advantage Card! skill levels! tees and enjoy immaculate await you on this 18-hole, After your round stop in course features bent-grass • Robert A. Black: 9 Holes 6,133 yard par-70 course. country: automatic ball tee- Cantigny’s 27 holes are Senior discounts are bent grass fairways and for a cold beverage in fairways and large rolling up, 300-yard outdoor landing ideal for outings ranging • Sydney R. Marovitz: available every day, and greens. The Glenview Park Golf our beautiful clubhouse greens surrounded by Club offers the amenities of area, plus 11 grass tees. The from 16 to 220 golfers. The 9 Holes DuPage Golf Discount Card Maple Meadows’ setting overlooking the 9th groves of majestic oaks. 1-1/2 acre Short Game Area course employs a full-time • Jackson Park: 18 Holes Holders save on every convenient location features a private club, but is open green. Craft Beers, Fine • 14,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse to the public and close to features three sand bunkers golf-event coordinator to • Columbus Park: 9 Holes round. easy access from O’Hare, Wines sport and soft drinks and Community Center and multiple putting greens; ensure an exceptional Look for Green I-290, I-355, I-294, and home. available. with Fully Stocked Golf • Marquette Park: 9 Holes Golf Inc magazine voted you can practice chip shots experience for planners and Meadows behind the Route 83. Make Glenview Prairie Shop from up to 60 yards out. guests. • South Shore: 9 Holes Westmont water tower on Find our best specials and the Glenview Park Golf Club your home club for a • Full Service Bar and Grille, Club the Best Renovation Unlimited Memberships are In 2019, for the fifth • Diversey Range 63rd St. promotions only on www. premier 9-hole experience! and Outdoor Patio available for the Course and time, Cantigny will host Find our best specials DuPageGolf.com. of the Year in 2016. Come The only double-deck out to see what everyone • Electric Cart Fleet Short Game, and the Driving the Illinois State Amateur range in Chicago. and promotions only on Range. Restaurant, Sports Championship (July 16-18). www.DuPageGolf.com. is talking about. Host of the • Lighted Practice Range/ USGA - 2017 U.S. Women’s PGA Professional Staff Bar, Pro Shop, and GolfTec Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier. Lessons. 32 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 33 Harborside Heritage Bluffs Public The Highlands of Elgin Mistwood Golf Club Ravisloe Country Club St. Andrews Golf & Springbrook Stonewall Orchard International G.C. Golf Club 847-931-5950 815-254-3333 708-798-5600 Country Club Golf Course 847-740-4890 312-782-7837 815-467-7888 875 Sports Way 1700 W. Renwick Rd. 18231 Park Ave, 630-231-3100 630-848-5060 25675 West Highway 60 11001 S. Doty Ave. East 24355 W. Bluff Rd. Elgin, IL 60123 Romeoville, IL 60446 Homewood, IL 60430 2241 Route 59 2220 W. 83rd St. Grayslake, IL 60030 Chicago, IL 60628 Channahon, IL 60410 highlandsofelgin.com mistwoodgc.com ravisloe.com West Chicago, IL 60185 Naperville, IL 60564 stonewallorchard.com harborsidegolf.com heritagebluffs.com The Highlands of Elgin Mistwood Golf Club, Ravisloe Country Club standrewsgc.com golfnaperville.org Cutting through hundred- Located just south of the 18 Holes: Par 72 has become a premier with its recent multi- has been one of the most 36 Holes: Springbrook Golf Course year old oak and pine trees, loop in the City of Chicago, Yardage: 5,035- 7,171 destination for thousands million dollar renovations acclaimed golf courses Course #1: par 71, commands some of the Stonewall Orchard Golf Club Harborside features two Located near the of golfers throughout the and new state of the art in Chicagoland since 5116 - 6920 yards finest views of Naperville’s has quickly become one championship-style links intersection of Interstates region. Nine new holes golf-learning center, has its inception. Bearing Course #2: par 72, open space and trails. of Chicago’s most prolific courses designed by 80 and 55 just south of reclaim an old stone become one of the premier the signature of world- 5341 - 6818 yards The facility features a public golf courses. renowned architect Dick Joliet, Heritage Bluffs is quarry, and take maximum golf experiences in the renowned course designer Since 1926, golfers have challenging, parkland-style Since opening in 1999, Nugent. the pride of the Channahon advantage of the unique Chicagoland area Donald Ross, it has sought out St. Andrews championship course, a the Arthur Hills-designed Harborside is home to Park District. The tranquil and dramatic landforms that Mistwood, host of the played host to many great for its two championship recently renovated practice gem located in northwest Chicago’s largest practice surroundings make a day were left behind, including Illinois Women’s Open, golfers and features rolling courses. With its vast facility with a one-acre turf suburban Grayslake has mounds, deep bunkers and facility, a prairie-style playing golf fun and relaxing. a twelve-acre quarry lake. features new Scottish-style rolling terrain and mature practice tee, a large practice served as Final Stage clubhouse, and The Pier at Along with our award- Four holes hug the top of stacked sod-wall bunkers, challenging greens. Located trees, St. Andrews offers a putting green, and two Qualifying site for the U.S. Harborside restaurant. winning course we also the bluff thirty to forty feet which are not something just 25 minutes from high-quality golf experience short-game practice greens Open, and currently sits in Harborside’s Port and feature a large all-grass above the water, providing seen in traditional American Chicago, 10 miles from for players, golf outings, with bunkers. Golfers of rotation with Olympia Fields Starboard courses rank practice range along with golfers with incredible golf. Other amenities the Indiana state line and leagues, and permanent all skill levels return time and Medinah Country Club annually among the a large putting green and a views and numerous shot include a full-service pro across the street from the tee-times. Guests will also and again to play. Enjoy as host site for the Illinois Midwest’s list of best separate chipping green and options on each hole. The shop, golf instruction, and Homewood Metra Station, enjoy the award-winning post-game refreshments PGA Section Championship courses you can play. bunker. After your round you prairie-style clubhouse wonderful dining. Ravisloe is your one stop 32-acre Practice Center with on the expansive patio held every Fall. features an expanded golf destination. Wine-Dine- premium range balls and with great views of the can relax in our Grille Room • Golf Magazine’s “2013 or out on the patio, enjoying shop, locker rooms, event Stay-Play with Ravisloe, La 10 heated, sheltered hitting course. Springbrook also rooms, and a full-scale food Best U.S. Renovation You Voûte Bistro and La Banque bays. Other amenities: golf offers lessons, outings, a a full menu of delicious food Can Play” and beverage choices. and beverage operation. Hotel. carts with GPS, J.J.’s Bar well-stocked golf shop, and • Golf Range Association & Grill, exquisite lakeside more. of America “2013 Top 50 ceremony site, and live Golf Ranges.” entertainment.

Mt. Prospect Golf Club Naperbrook Orchard Valley Golf PGA TOUR Superstore Tam O’Shanter Golf Water’s Edge Golf Weber Park Golf Whisper Creek Golf 847-259-4200 Golf Course Course 1017 Butterfield Rd. Course & Learning Course Course Course 600 See Gwun Ave. 630-378-4215 630-907-0500 Downers Grove, 60515 Center 708-671-1032 847-674-1500, ext. 3600 847-515-7680 Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 22204 W. 111th St. / 2411 W. Illinois Ave. 1319 E. Golf Rd. 847-965-2344 7205 West 115th St. skokieparks.org 12840 Del Webb Blvd. golfmtprospect.com Hassert Blvd. Aurora, IL 60506 Schaumburg, 60173 6700 West Howard Street Worth, IL 60482 9 Holes: Par 27 Huntley,IL 60142 The newly restored Mt. Plainfield, IL 60585 orchardvalleygolf.com 295 Center Dr. Vernon Hills, Niles, IL 60714 watersedgegolf.com Yardage: 1,095 whispercreekgolf.com golfnaperville.org golftam.com Prospect GC will take 6th Best Public Course in 60061 Rated Best Places To Play Located just twenty Luxury Golf at a Whisper of you back to a style of Located in Plainfield, scenic Illinois by GOLF magazine. PGA TOUR Superstore One of the most important by Golf Digest. minutes north of Chicago a Price! architecture made famous Naperbrook Golf Course is One of Chicagoland’s carries the largest selection courses in popularizing the Water’s Edge is Chicago’s on I-94, all ages will enjoy Whisper Creek Golf Club by names like Raynor, a “links style” course that best public courses, Golf of golf clubs, clothing, game of golf in America south side destination Skokie’s Weber Park Golf is a fair test for a gamut of MacDonald, and Ross, features rolling hills and Digest ranks Orchard footwear, and accessories is located right here in course. This championship Course. This 9-hole, par-3 golfers. From beginners with low square tee boxes, wide fairways. Challenges Valley 4½ Stars! A true for your game. With the Niles, Illinois. In 1953, 18-hole golf course offers golf course features bent to scratch golfers, anyone strategic cross bunkers, in the way of ponds, a championship layout most advanced technology Tam O’Shanter Country bent grass greens and grass greens, beautiful who appreciates a day on and challenging plateau double green, and hidden featuring wetlands, lakes, for club fitting, we also offer Club hosted the first-ever fairways, and a complete landscaping, and is ideal the course will come away greens, all in our quiet bunkers await golfers roughs, water hazards, the Fitting Van Experience nationally televised golf day/night practice and range for learning to play golf, feeling rewarded by a round parkland setting. The of all levels. Additional marshes, and more. which is a TOUR caliber tournament. facility, along with The Edge working on your short at Whisper Creek. redesign features most of amenities include a ten-acre assessment. With three Today, a public 9-hole Bar & Grill for great meals game, or gathering a few the original routing, plus driving range, separate PLUS…a program for Chicagoland locations, par-33 course remains, and daily specials. friends for a fun round of PLUS…a program for five new holes and historic lesson tee, and practice everyone! come see why nothing maintained with the FootGolf. everyone! “template holes” with putting greens. Enjoy • SAVE on every round compares to PGA TOUR goal of providing playing PLUS…a program for • SAVE on every round names like Redan, Eden, post-game refreshments with the OV Rewards Superstore. conditions reminiscent of everyone! with the Whisper and Punchbowl. . on the picturesque patio; PLUS program. those Hogan, Palmer, and • SAVE on every round Rewards PLUS program Mt. Prospect is the Naperbrook also offers Nicklaus enjoyed years • UNLIMITED twilight golf with the Edge PLUS • UNLIMITED twilight closest thing to the lessons, outings, a well- ago. Swing out for a scenic Pass conditions and feel of an old stocked golf shop, and and range with the PPP round and walk in the golf and range with the private club, with a daily fee much more. card. footsteps of legends at Tam • UNLIMITED twilight golf PDP card rate. Come back to a new • Annual Memberships O’Shanter! and range with the Edge • Annual Memberships 90-year-old classic. and MORE! Year-round instruction Practice Club and MORE! available!

34 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 35 ON THE Oh, Doctor! An Encompassing ON THE SHELF CORKSCREWS Ball of Confusion Tim Cronin Study of Golf’s Professionals Stephen Hawk

hen a book arrives that weighs as He notes in the introduction that when “Inevitably, someone would answer in the et’s clear up some confusion right packs plenty of flavor. The immediate Wmuch or more than a newborn child, he started taking classes on his road to a affirmative, leading Jemsek to name him the Laway. This column is about the sensation is that of cola, followed by the thought comes to mind that it may PGA of America membership, he expected chairman of the company’s new golf league.” Benziger winery of Sonoma, not the juicy fruits, especially strawberry, and well be less than its weight in gold, even instruction on the history of golf professionals, Dettlaff traces the birth of American Beringer winery of Napa. But people subtle spices. The acidity and tannins if it doesn’t require burping. and received none. He’s made up for it for golf through more than biographies of often make this mistake, as Chris Benziger are in nice harmony. Not so with Doctors of the Game – A generations to come. The author of PGA the brothers Foulis and Smith (to name can attest to. Invite some friends over and serve History of the Golf Profession, for which the Centennial, that organization’s 100th anni- just two families); the growth of the game In the early 1980s, the Benziger fam- this with roast chicken with endive and detailed documentation and lively writing on versary celebration of itself, Dettlaff created here via notables including Johnny Farrell ily migrated west from White Plains, N.Y. potatoes, baked fish with sorrel béar- a rarely-covered department of the game that work as an abridged version of this one, and Gene Sarazen and characters like to start a winery in Sonoma. Winemaker naise (Pinot Noir often works with fish), is matched by the elegant production. a nine-pound tome covering the profession George Low (in whose story Jemsek has a Joe Benziger learned his craft by making or lentils with vinaigrette. Billy Dettlaff, who grew up as the from the days before Allan Robertson of St. cameo role); and the explosion of interest large production wines for the Glen Ellen 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon $20 son of a golf professional in Oshkosh, Andrews, generally recognized as the first in it following World War II through the brand, but eventually decided that his This dark-ruby colored wine is very much Wis., and briefly toiled as a reporter and professional golfer, to today’s modern pro, teaching Harmon family and Milwaukee future lay with a series of small, artisan in a Eurorpean, rather than California, editor for a chain of northwest suburban who takes reservations by computer and is legend Manuel de la Torre, who got his wines, sustainably produced. style. It is quite dry, with zippy acidity. weeklies before turning pro himself and often more concerned with shop inventory start as an assistant at Lake Shore Country Depending on location, every Benziger There are flavors of rich berry, cocoa, settling in at TPC Sawgrass, has turned than rebuilding clubs. Club in Highland Park. vineyard is certified sustainable, organic, and mocha, with a hint of cinnamon. out a masterwork. Seven years in the making, the sweep Happily, Dettlaff didn’t ignore the or biodynamic, using the most up-to- Seamless tannis play a supporting role. Like the game itself, it appears daunting of the centuries takes time to detail, and growth of women’s professional golf. date green farming practices. But, just This hearty red will go nicely with at first blush, but keeps luring you back in. Dettlaff smartly does most Several thousand of the approximately what does that mean? Green, sustainable, paté with herbs, steak with shallot sauce, of the traveling through 450,000 words and 335 illustrations are and organic are words that are often or braised short ribs with carrots. over 100 mini-biographies devoted to the ladies. If you didn’t know used rather casually. At Benziger, they [email protected] of prominent pros, some there was a women’s circuit before the try to be more precise. Their third-party of them players, some LPGA, this book will fill you in. certified-sustainable vineyard program of them teachers, some All of this – and there is a lot – is emphasizes environmentally-sound of them architects (Tom displayed on silky oversize pages that, to growing methods, such as biodiversity, Bendelow, long based in fit it all in, has slightly narrower margins soil revitalization, and integrated pest Chicago, is pages away and smaller type than a book with 9-by-12 management. Their growers are required from the better-known inch pages might normally carry. But it’s to participate in sustainable farming. and nearly-as-prolific all in one volume, which was the idea. Organic grape growing avoids the use Donald Ross), some of Remarkably, Dettlaff self-published the of synthetic chemicals and uses natural Where one great course leads to another them promoters. book, taking on a considerable financial methods like crop rotation, tillage, and Joe Jemsek, Chicago’s risk. It’s paid off, he told an interviewer, natural composts to maintain soil health, very own, is best char- and thus he’s recently lowered the prices as well as natural methods to control acterized as a promoter, for the three editions – the standard trade weeds, insects, and other pests. The and earned eight of the edition at $150 (the price of a new wedge), winery itself is certified organic, too. 696 pages. For one who a slipcased limited-edition which now goes Organic is an evolutionary step knew the patron saint for $200 (the original price of the standard up from sustainable. After that, many of public golf, there version), and a handmade leather-bound Benziger growers move on from cer- are new stories, and edition that, at $1,200, comes with every- tified organic to certified biodynamic. new details within old thing but a set of hickories. Add them all Animals and beneficial gardens play an It’s close to home... And, with 13 incredible courses at stories, including on up, and there are only 1,000 copies. important part in biodynamic farming how he built up his Buy it for the knowledge and the lore, techniques. Benziger relies on sheep for one unforgettable destination, it’s a golfing experience business at St. Andrews wallow in it on a chilly winter night, and the removal of overgrown cover crop, you’ll treasure. You’ll spend less time traveling and more in West Chicago by know that it will only go up in value. and they replace the need for mowing, time doing what you love to do... Playing tons of golf. appealing to both disking, and spraying herbicides; they Come PLAY and STAY with us. Book your Golf Trail fraternal groups and Doctors of the Game – A History of the aerate the soil while continuously depos- blue-collar workers. Golf Profession By Billy Dettlaff iting nutrient-rich fertilizer throughout Getaway today. Visit GolfAtLakeOfTheOzarks.com. “A popular ploy on WJD Press the vineyard. Olive trees also support his factory visits was 696 pages; three editions ($150; $200 the health of the estate. to shout out: ‘Anyone limited to 400 copies; $1,200 limited to 2017 Pinot Noir $20 here used to be a cad- 55 copies) Even thought deceptively transparent die?’” Dettlaff wrote. www.doctorsofthegame.com in the glass and light bodied, this Pinot 36 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 37 WCTD847-017_FY19_GolfChicago_8.25x10.875_PROD.pdf 1 1/14/19 10:11 AM

FINAL PUTT The Canal Shores Barry Cronin Land Grab of 2019

anal Shores Golf Course will be celebrating its Chicago politics since 1871, the year of the Chicago C100th anniversary in 2019, unless, of course, fire, with only one gap of 15 years for a Cullerton to the Cook County Board authorizes an estimated not serve in public office from then to now. $700,000 to build an asphalt road on its 10th fairway On November 15, 2018, the Metropolitan Water as a favor to a local real estate developer with the Reclamation District board – which controls the land strongest of political connections. because it oversees the Canal – voted 5-4 to grant The 180-yard par 3 10th – where Bill Murray once an easement enabling the county board to build the ran the hot dog stand – is 80 feet wide. The proposed road. Cullerton lobbied in favor of the road. And, in road would be 142 yards long and 60 feet wide. The reality, the vote wasn’t that close. More than just a obliteration of the hole would transform Canal Shores Of the three dozen people who spoke at two into a 17-hole course, effectively killing it. MWRD meetings only one was in favor: Joe Keefe, a golf course, Canal If that happens, the taking of public land for spokesman for the family trust. The City of Evanston, private use will be nothing to celebrate for any Illinois Wilmette Park District, Friends of the Chicago River, resident, let alone local golfers. local golfers and other environmental groups opposed Shores serves as Seldom do golf and Machine politics intersect, the road. but Canal Shores finds itself at this very precarious Local residents were aghast that the MWRD crossroads. commissioners ignored their opposition voices. a “community Founded in 1919, Canal Shores – formerly known Perhaps they believed – naively – that the small “d” as Peter N. Jans Community Golf Course after its democracy they read about in their grade school founder – runs along the North Shore Channel of civics books actually applies in big “D” Chicago green” open to all, the Sanitary and Ship Canal. Democratic Machine politics. Traversing the borders of Evanston and Wilmette, Some may wonder how Cullerton could influence Canal Shores is a par 60 featuring 12 par 3s and six the votes of the MWRD board members. Each part- where joggers, dog par 4s – a not-too-easy-not-too-hard track perfect time board member collects $70,000 annually plus for everyone’s golf games and personal time-pars. A medical and pension benefits. He or she who wants non-profit entity that receives no taxpayer money, it to be a Democratic candidate for the board – or walkers, nature conducts junior programs, charity outings, and a concert future considerations post-board service – does as series. Fans of Northwestern football park their cars on Cullerton says, courting his influence on who gets the course, helping the course’s bottom line. slated or who doesn’t. lovers, birdwatchers More than a golf course, Canal Shores serves Another thing. Cook County Commissioner as a “community green” open to all. Joggers, dog Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) lives down the street walkers, nature lovers, birdwatchers and cross-country from Canal Shores. Suffredin has neither spoken and cross-country skiers take in the outdoors. It’s reminiscent of golf’s publicly about the controversy nor testified against original course, St. Andrews in Scotland. the road at the hearing. WBBM-TV’s Derrick Blakely skiers take in In 1988 and 2002, the Dick Keefe Development reported Cullerton bankrolled Suffredin’s first political Corporation acquired 1.1 acres of landlocked property campaign, donating $50,000 years ago. adjacent to Canal Shores on the east, the CTA rail Keefe recently told reporters the family com- the outdoors. tracks on the south, Isabella Woods Forest Preserve pany would prefer to access the property another on the west, and seven single-family homes to the way. Yet in approximately 2007, when Keefe had a north. Keefe bought the land at a steep discount chance to gain access via a strip of land adjacent to knowing there was no road to access it. The property the CTA tracks, the company passed. lies in Wilmette. Environmentalists – a group including golfers Frustrated by his inability to develop the property – are concerned. The 10th hole is one of the most into four upscale homes, Keefe enlisted the aid of ecologically sensitive in the community. The road Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), would destroy one wetland and negatively impact who listed Keefe on his Statement of Economic two others, eliminating nearly 26,000 square feet of The views and opinions Interests in 2018. green space and endanger a stand of 100-year-old expressed in this article are Cullerton, one of Illinois’ most powerful politi- oaks lining the left side of the fairway. those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the cians, also is serving as the company’s attorney in The taking of public land for private use through official policy or position of the matter. The Cullerton family has been involved in political muscle ought to terrify everyone in Illinois. GOLFChicago. 38 GOLFChicagoMagazine.com March 2019 39 Golf Summerlin - Golf Chicago - Club Selection.indd 1 1/31/19 3:04 PM