Shooting for bargains
Gas prices may have skyrocketed, and the weather hasn't been especially springlike since the vernal equinox, but golfers will have one thing going for them this year once the sun appears for good: It's a buyer's market for tee times.
Gas prices may have skyrocketed, and the weather hasn't been especially springlike since the vernal equinox, but golfers will have one thing going for them this year once the sun appears for good: It's a buyer's market for tee times.
Golf Courses: Southland (A-M)
Here it is, just about anything you possibly could want to know about 134 courses in the area. We give you the addresses, the phone numbers, the Web sites, the greens fees, the ....
Here it is, just about anything you possibly could want to know about 134 courses in the area. We give you the addresses, the phone numbers, the Web sites, the greens fees, the ....
Has the boom gone bust?
Since 2003, nine public golf courses, totaling 153 holes, have opened in the greater Chicago area. In that same span, nine public golf courses, totaling 162 holes, have closed in the greater Chicago area. The golf market is stagnant, locally and nationally.
Since 2003, nine public golf courses, totaling 153 holes, have opened in the greater Chicago area. In that same span, nine public golf courses, totaling 162 holes, have closed in the greater Chicago area. The golf market is stagnant, locally and nationally.
A mystery tour
The PGA Tour last year moved the Western Open from July to September, renamed it the BMW Championship, and cut the field by more than half. For all the rearrangement, it was still recognizable. This year, not just the Western looks different. So does Dubsdread. It's closed, undergoing a makeover by architect Rees Jones.
The PGA Tour last year moved the Western Open from July to September, renamed it the BMW Championship, and cut the field by more than half. For all the rearrangement, it was still recognizable. This year, not just the Western looks different. So does Dubsdread. It's closed, undergoing a makeover by architect Rees Jones.
SouthtownStar Challenge: New twist on an old favorite
Under the leafy branches of the big trees at Glenwoodie Golf Course in Glenwood, a revitalized Challenge will beckon junior golfers on June 20. This year, the girls division will be split in two just like the boys side of the tournament.
Under the leafy branches of the big trees at Glenwoodie Golf Course in Glenwood, a revitalized Challenge will beckon junior golfers on June 20. This year, the girls division will be split in two just like the boys side of the tournament.
Tournament schedule
Golf tournaments coming to the Midwest this year.
Golf tournaments coming to the Midwest this year.
Palos Hills Golf Club: Short course long on nuances
When Palos Hills unveiled its nine-hole municipal course in 1990, it was jumping on the public golf bandwagon. Construction of golf courses in the Chicago area was booming, and Palos Hills, with a sliver of land along Stony Creek just west of Harlem Avenue to play with, was not to be left out.
Sanctuary: A premium on precision
At first glance, Sanctuary Golf Course in New Lenox appears to be only a slight cut above the average municipal layout. The first hole meanders toward a railroad, a wide fairway enticing big hitters to take a commensurately big cut.
Maxing out at Minne Monesse
I don't expect everyone to get Minne Monesse. At least not the way I get it. I love the place not for all the usual reasons one loves a golf course: pristine conditions (though it is kept up quite nicely), a brilliant layout (I'd call it "sporty"), lavish service (think "mom and pop") in an opulent clubhouse (Minne is more North Woods supper club, though the 19th hole is magnificent in its own way).
I don't expect everyone to get Minne Monesse. At least not the way I get it. I love the place not for all the usual reasons one loves a golf course: pristine conditions (though it is kept up quite nicely), a brilliant layout (I'd call it "sporty"), lavish service (think "mom and pop") in an opulent clubhouse (Minne is more North Woods supper club, though the 19th hole is magnificent in its own way).
Harborside: Driving in the wind
Golfers who pass through the gates of Harborside International, near the 111th Street exit of the Bishop Ford Expressway, quickly find themselves in another world. A long, uphill road to the clubhouse passes among mounds of tall fescue grass, creating an image of a chunk of Scotland dropped next to Lake Calumet.
Golfers who pass through the gates of Harborside International, near the 111th Street exit of the Bishop Ford Expressway, quickly find themselves in another world. A long, uphill road to the clubhouse passes among mounds of tall fescue grass, creating an image of a chunk of Scotland dropped next to Lake Calumet.
Mid-Iron Golf Club: No sign of pretense
Somewhere along the line, American golf got full of itself. Pretense replaced informality as hundreds of what industry types call the "country club for a day" were built nationwide. An antidote for the extraneous addenda to golf exists. It is called Mid Iron Golf Club.
Somewhere along the line, American golf got full of itself. Pretense replaced informality as hundreds of what industry types call the "country club for a day" were built nationwide. An antidote for the extraneous addenda to golf exists. It is called Mid Iron Golf Club.
Old Oak CC: Check out these changes, challenges
About 15 years ago, brothers Al and Peter Lieponis, who knew every inch of the course, mapped out a plan for a multiyear renovation of Old Oak Country Club. The results are in, and they have a winner, having reconceived the layout to what it could have been originally.
About 15 years ago, brothers Al and Peter Lieponis, who knew every inch of the course, mapped out a plan for a multiyear renovation of Old Oak Country Club. The results are in, and they have a winner, having reconceived the layout to what it could have been originally.
University Golf Club: Easy does it here
University Golf Club isn't exactly good-golfer-friendly mostly because it's generally friendly to just about any other kind of duffer. Low handicappers would be bored by it. But this isn't a rip. University is, in the main, an entirely pleasant golfing experience.
University Golf Club isn't exactly good-golfer-friendly mostly because it's generally friendly to just about any other kind of duffer. Low handicappers would be bored by it. But this isn't a rip. University is, in the main, an entirely pleasant golfing experience.
Chi. Hts. Park District West: Over the fairway and back through time
There's no need for anyone in Chicago Heights to bury a time capsule featuring golf in the suburb. Those curious about the old days need only venture to 1112 Scott Ave., in the Country Club District, and tee it up on the Chicago Heights Park District West Course.
Coyote Run: Give it time to mature, then give it a run
Coyote Run is far and away a better course than its predecessor, the pedestrian Cherry Hills. Yet it is far from being the course it will become in maturity -- an odd notion, considering the place looks so established.
Coyote Run is far and away a better course than its predecessor, the pedestrian Cherry Hills. Yet it is far from being the course it will become in maturity -- an odd notion, considering the place looks so established.
Big Run: It's a big hit
Built in 1930, Big Run Golf Club in Lockport is celebrating its 78th birthday. Arguably, the grand old course has never looked better nor provided as much of a challenge to duffers as it does in its current state.
Built in 1930, Big Run Golf Club in Lockport is celebrating its 78th birthday. Arguably, the grand old course has never looked better nor provided as much of a challenge to duffers as it does in its current state.
