Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round 3)

[mikes919]

Had to bail on my round today. Snagged a 6am at Mt Prospect tomorrow, should be early enough to walk without melting. I’m settling into middle age nicely, almost all of my rounds this year have been before 7am and with a push cart.

[Holy Moses]

6 hours ago, MountainKing said:

I love Blackstone, but at $105 to play, $15 or so in gas, minimum of two hours of driving time to get there and back.  I put all that together and I'd rather drive 20 minutes up the road and play dubs for what would essentially be the same value.  

Blackstone is not a $105 course considering how far out it is in the western burbs. I used to play Blackstone on Saturday mornings with a group that has permeant tee times, but I can’t justify the cost anymore. Nice course, just falling out of my rotation. 

[DavePelz4]

Drove 3,000 miles, or what it seemed like, to pay Timber Pointe on Thursday. Have previously thought highly of the course and facility but this round offered a solid Hmmmm.

 

I get that there was a lot of rain, the pro shop said 4 inches, but when I called to ask if the range would be open, the honest answer should have been "No" as opposed to it'll be open an hour before you get here. Who won with that lie? Neither of us.

 

The course was in tough conditions, partially because of the rain, and partially of the 32 new varieties of grass that have permeated the course.

 

The bunkers were 90% washed out/or pond-esque, the greens were running about 4. On 16, which I birdied for the first time ever, as our group was walking to the carts, some impatient young buck behind us flew one into one of the carts. Geez dude, wait 7.2 seconds, we'll be on our way. I've heard the word "FORE" can be used if there is potential peril.

 

Sucked on the front, and then back was a different guy. Probably the Aleve kicked in. There's an irony in the last few holes that carried into today at Silver Lake for a tournament round.

 

 

[ldchristopher]

32 minutes ago, DavePelz4 said:

Drove 3,000 miles, or what it seemed like, to pay Timber Pointe on Thursday. Have previously thought highly of the course and facility but this round offered a solid Hmmmm.

 

I get that there was a lot of rain, the pro shop said 4 inches, but when I called to ask if the range would be open, the honest answer should have been "No" as opposed to it'll be open an hour before you get here. Who won with that lie? Neither of us.

 

The course was in tough conditions, partially because of the rain, and partially of the 32 new varieties of grass that have permeated the course.

 

The bunkers were 90% washed out/or pond-esque, the greens were running about 4. On 16, which I birdied for the first time ever, as our group was walking to the carts, some impatient young buck behind us flew one into one of the carts. Geez dude, wait 7.2 seconds, we'll be on our way. I've heard the word "FORE" can be used if there is potential peril.

 

Sucked on the front, and then back was a different guy. Probably the Aleve kicked in. There's an irony in the last few holes that carried into today at Silver Lake for a tournament round.

 

 

Even when it’s been bone dry, Timber Pointe is always wet. After a big storm, I’m assuming it’s a glorified swamp. Fun layout but it’s always jammed and the people there are in that Blackstone category of awful humans. 

[TheBear95]

1 hour ago, DavePelz4 said:

Drove 3,000 miles, or what it seemed like, to pay Timber Pointe on Thursday. Have previously thought highly of the course and facility but this round offered a solid Hmmmm.

 

I get that there was a lot of rain, the pro shop said 4 inches, but when I called to ask if the range would be open, the honest answer should have been "No" as opposed to it'll be open an hour before you get here. Who won with that lie? Neither of us.

 

The course was in tough conditions, partially because of the rain, and partially of the 32 new varieties of grass that have permeated the course.

 

The bunkers were 90% washed out/or pond-esque, the greens were running about 4. On 16, which I birdied for the first time ever, as our group was walking to the carts, some impatient young buck behind us flew one into one of the carts. Geez dude, wait 7.2 seconds, we'll be on our way. I've heard the word "FORE" can be used if there is potential peril.

 

Sucked on the front, and then back was a different guy. Probably the Aleve kicked in. There's an irony in the last few holes that carried into today at Silver Lake for a tournament round.

 

 

 

Not a lot birdies on #16 at Timber Pointe. Nice!

[ldchristopher]

Another year, another one stroke victory over Bear in our buddy’s charity golf outing at Billy Caldwell. I accept my winnings in the form of gift cards. 

Edited June 21 by ldchristopher

[Mob]

A friend of a friend is hosting me at Shore Acres next month.  Looking forward to it.

[mci711]

I'm going to be back in Chicago this week. Contemplating bringing my clubs but I'm flying in and won't have a car. My thought is jumping on the blue line to ohare then Ubering to The Preserve. Is the blue line stop there easy to get an Uber or do I have to go to the actual ride share spot at Ohare? If that's the case may be better getting off at Rosemont? Seems like a lot of work.

 

Don't really want to play at Sydney Marovitz but I guess that's another option, it's been probably 12 years. 

 

Also dont want to deal with walking to

Union Station taking the Metra those days are behind me 😂. 

 

Any other ideas? 

 

 

Edited June 22 by mci711

[Holy Moses]

1 hour ago, mci711 said:

I'm going to be back in Chicago this week. Contemplating bringing my clubs but I'm flying in and won't have a car. My thought is jumping on the blue line to ohare then Ubering to The Preserve. Is the blue line stop there easy to get an Uber or do I have to go to the actual ride share spot at Ohare? If that's the case may be better getting off at Rosemont? Seems like a lot of work.

 

Don't really want to play at Sydney Marovitz but I guess that's another option, it's been probably 12 years. 

 

Also dont want to deal with walking to

Union Station taking the Metra those days are behind me 😂. 

 

Any other ideas? 

 

 

What about Harborside?

[DavePelz4]

What an interesting weekend of golf. Had the usual combination of Fri/Sun tournaments at Silver Lake sandwiched with our 24 year comp group at St. Andrews. St. Andrews deserves it's own post.

 

Friday at SL was a "pick your partner" comp on the South. Course was impacted from the downpour of Wednesday with lots of standing water. Somehow all the range time on Monday and Tuesday brought a new weapon into the arsenal...get ready for this...it was the driver. Holy Freaking Cheese Whiz, what a different game when you're playing from the middle of the fairway. The only fairway missed on Friday was being too long (how rare is that phrase coming from me) on the 12th hole. Had the perfect partner for this 110 player event. We didn't get to play together, but we knew we were partners, and through the app, you can see how each is doing. Started out well with a solid front, including hitting the 235 yard par 3 9th, with a 3W, which is so not me. Long story short, used 7 of my holes on the front and 2 on the back. With my partner, we used 2 of his holes on the front, and 7 on the back...quite the ham and egg pairing and we won. 11 of 12 fairways hit with the driver. Hmmm. Shot 4 under my index.

 

Today was a shotgun start, not really a fan, and on the range at 6A, it was 81 and already muggy. Blind partner event, paired with 2 awesome guys, and being forced to ride, which I'm not a fan of with the other, had the Butch Harmon of Orland Park as my cartner. Sheesh, do you really need to analyze every swing of every player's shot/putt. Here's a little ditty to you Sir, you slice every putt with that outside to in stroke which is why you miss every putt left. Did I say anything, hell no. Did I turn the music up on the ear bud, hell yeah. The driver was a bit skittish today, but still hit 12/14 fairways. Absent 2 horrific holes, OK round, but contributed 12 holes so that my unknown partner and I picked up the W. Next Friday will be picking up 2 envelopes. Should easily fund more golf for a while. 

 

St. Andrews coming up.

[DavePelz4]

So Saturday at St. Andrews. Let's talk about Administration a bit, OK? Having administrated our group this since George W. Bush was President, I have a process for reservations, confirmations etc. For this group, I print out a personalized scorecard for each person with their strokes holes, their match play opponent, who is receiving or giving holes inside the subset of the match, etc. Setting things up/producing cards take about 2 hours. The tee times for the 2-4 groups are booked online, yet on Wednesday of each round, I call the pro shop to confirm the tee times, etc.

 

For this round, I booked course #2, which is known as either the Jemsek or Lakewood Course. Prepaid tee times. On Wednesday when confirming things, they said "We moved you to the St. Andrews Course/Course #1." OK, no worries as my scorecard production day is Thursday. Based on the CR/Slope differential, I adjusted all the handicaps, strokes, match play stuff, we're good to go. Scorecards, all the skins and comp results stuff printed on time. Ummmm...maybe.

 

When we get to the starter on 1 about 10 minutes before our time, he says, you're not playing this course. Told me to check my email and St. Andrews sent an email 48 minutes before our tee time saying we were being moved. Great, on the range and not checking email then. What the fluff. Thankfully, the CDGA app has a handicap calculation so by the second hole everyone had their index, match play stuff, etc. That was a bit of unnecessary stress for a DP4 and the missed 2 foot par putt on 1 didn't help either.

 

I've played St. Andrews too many times and a word I've NEVER used to describe either course is PLUSH. At least the Jemsek Course is PLUSH. From tee to fairway to green, this course is in about in the best shape I remember. After starting like a 36 handicap playing Oakmont the morning after the USO, suddenly things kicked in. For the round 13/14 fairways hit as that tactical weapon was on point. Finished second in the group after totally messing up scoring opportunities on 17 and 18. On 18, had a brutal break that cost 2 shots.

 

So that's how I spent my weekend of golf, and now on to a martini.

Edited June 23 by DavePelz4

[MountainKing]

Wonderful day at Hawks View.   First time playing it and really enjoyed it.   A couple of sleeper holes,  but overall a pretty great layout.   Course was in great shape,  and things moved nicely at just over a 4 hour round.  Maybe the heat helped that?

 

Started things out by knocking my 2nd shot in for eagle on 1.   Followed that to with almost chipping in for eagle on 9.   On 10 after messing around a bit I had 120 in for my 4th and left that on the lip.     14 after botching my 2nd shot,  I managed to dunk my 3rd right into the cup from 60 yards,  it unfortunately bounced out... but nice to have so many spot on shots today.    Eagle  couple birdies for a 74.   Our group overall combined for 12 birdies on the card, so a bit of a fun day for everyone. 

[VNutz]

Had the rare chance to play on Friday with an invite to White Eagle with an old friend, White/Blue courses. Course played great, greens were quick and true, and the wind was quite a challenge. Not the greatest round, but to be expected for the 2nd time out this year. Missed dunking an ace by less than a foot, must have missed the pin by an inch. Great start to an otherwise baseball filled weekend.

[DavePelz4]

16 minutes ago, VNutz said:

Had the rare chance to play on Friday with an invite to White Eagle with an old friend, White/Blue courses. Course played great, greens were quick and true, and the wind was quite a challenge. Not the greatest round, but to be expected for the 2nd time out this year. Missed dunking an ace by less than a foot, must have missed the pin by an inch. Great start to an otherwise baseball filled weekend.

 

 History suggests you only make HIOs when playing with certain people. No doubt an opportunity will present itself soon!

[mci711]

21 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

What about Harborside?

 

That is an option. Weather is looking kind of junk. Probably not worth the hassle. I will spend my time eating at all the restaurants I miss the most in Chicago instead. 😂

Edited June 23 by mci711

[Gdane]

Parent/Child scramble at Mt Prospect last night.  9 hole shotgun start with holes ranging from 85-125 yards set up on the front 9. We had a great time, and really cool that Mt Prospect puts on an event like that.   

 

We carded a 33...I missed in way too many bad spots for us to be competitive, and the greens were lightning fast.  The low score was 22 (par 27) from the 8-9 year old division!   I think that beat every other age group by 5 strokes.

[Holy Moses]

Highlands of Elgin will only give you a rain check if you cancel your online tee time, even if just 1 of the 4 spots in my foursome. I get a 24 hour cancellation policy, but giving them 4 days notice and only getting a rain check back is extreme. Are other courses doing this? The same goes if your round gets completely rained out before you even play. 

Edited June 23 by Holy Moses

[psygolf]

On 6/22/2025 at 11:44 AM, mci711 said:

I'm going to be back in Chicago this week. Contemplating bringing my clubs but I'm flying in and won't have a car. My thought is jumping on the blue line to ohare then Ubering to The Preserve. Is the blue line stop there easy to get an Uber or do I have to go to the actual ride share spot at Ohare? If that's the case may be better getting off at Rosemont? Seems like a lot of work.

 

Don't really want to play at Sydney Marovitz but I guess that's another option, it's been probably 12 years. 

 

Also dont want to deal with walking to

Union Station taking the Metra those days are behind me 😂. 

 

Any other ideas? 

 

 

The metra drops off near Ravisloe.

 

Canal Shores has the entire renovated 18 open now, right off the purple line at Central.

[ldchristopher]

Day one of 36 in Michigan is in the books. Beeches always delivers, and today was no different. Monstrous greens that always run at 10 or 11, very lush fairways and rough, and the first tee time eliminated needing to wait too much (though we had to play through two groups on the back who were sent off 10). My ball striking was excellent. Definitely among my best rounds this year, with 7 fairways and 14 greens. Only one birdie, on 3, but also only two bogies (1 and 4). Everything was just very crisp. Maybe I need the 3:00 AM wake-up and 2-hour drive more often. I'm sure my wife would be fine with that. 73. 

 

The Meadows Not of Blue Island But of Grand Valley State was...good? Above average? Better than "fine" but not eyebrow raising? It's a great layout, but it didn't really feel like a Michigan course. I guess my issue with TMNOBIBOGVS had more to do with the setting. Pretty much all the other Michigan courses we play on these trips (e.g., The Medalist, Angel's Crossing, Hemlock, Cedar Chase, Pilgrim's Run, Diamond Springs, Beeches, Heritage Glen, Calderone, The Grande) feel very secluded. Either the footprints are enormous or there are pretty dense woods separating holes. The Meadows is smack dab in the middle of the Grand Valley State campus with a highway going past and some nearby industry humming. The greens were great though. Really quick and tough to read. My ball striking was again pretty good and I hit some monster tee shots, particularly with my three wood. 10 greens and 1 birdie for a 75. 

[MountainKing]

16 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

Highlands of Elgin will only give you a rain check if you cancel your online tee time, even if just 1 of the 4 spots in my foursome. I get a 24 hour cancellation policy, but giving them 4 days notice and only getting a rain check back is extreme. Are other courses doing this? The same goes if your round gets completely rained out before you even play. 

 

 

I've heard this is the policy of most pre-paid courses.  Highlands would let you book without pre-pay if you call them, at least they did last year.   We've taken all the pre-pay courses off the table, unless they allow you to call in and book without paying.   Pre-pay needs to go.   

[Holy Moses]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

 

 

I've heard this is the policy of most pre-paid courses.  Highlands would let you book without pre-pay if you call them, at least they did last year.   We've taken all the pre-pay courses off the table, unless they allow you to call in and book without paying.   Pre-pay needs to go.   

I think they are trying to keep people from buying and reselling tee times like is happening in Los Angeles and New York City, but they at least give you multiple free cancellations a month. I do get a 24 hour cancellation policy, but a 4-5 day cancellation rain check one hour after you make your tee time is extreme. 

[MountainKing]

4 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

I think they are trying to keep people from buying and reselling tee times like is happening in Los Angeles and New York City, but they at least give you multiple free cancellations a month. I do get a 24 hour cancellation policy, but a 4-5 day cancellation rain check one hour after you make your tee time is extreme. 

 

I don't know if it's that.  A lot of courses went pre-paid during covid to eliminate face to face/payment etc, and they just never went back.   There's a lot of good courses we dropped because of it.  Dubs is about the only one we've made an exception for.  

[Holy Moses]

29 minutes ago, MountainKing said:

 

I don't know if it's that.  A lot of courses went pre-paid during covid to eliminate face to face/payment etc, and they just never went back.   There's a lot of good courses we dropped because of it.  Dubs is about the only one we've made an exception for.  

I don’t mind prepaid, just give me my money back if I cancel or modify more than 24 hours in advance

[ldchristopher]

Day two of Michigan is dunzo. Hemlock remains incredible. It’s probably my favorite course and even though the rate went up 130% from when we played it pre-Covid, I’ll gladly drop extra coin for that layout. Let’s be real: $30 was an absolute steal. I love the huge dunes, pine tree-lined fairways, and isolated feel on every hole. I’m sure there were other people on the course, but I didn’t see or hear anyone. Basically, Hemlock is the ideal Michigan course. I forgot what a monster walk it is. I knew it was lengthy, but 8.5 miles with some elevation change is no picnic. Holy humidity was it sticky. My only complaint is the amount of sand on the greens, as it was impacting putting lines. I played well but bogied all three par 5’s. I did have 2 birdies though. 75. 
 

Blackthorn was also excellent but we’re just not cart golfers. At my wife’s request, we took a cart. Something about her not wanting one - or both - of us to faint. I was a little tired with all the swings so I did a homemade combo tee. Just shortened up 5 par 4s so it played 6946. I played great and the lame cart kept my legs fresh but it just felt a little off. Like cheating. Anyway, I only hit 8 greens but had two birdies and only 26 total putts for a 72. 
 

[Holy Moses]

 

[psygolf]

2 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

 

Never yell at crazy.

[TheBear95]

3 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

 

 

That video is crazy. I can't help but laugh that the senior keeps his cigar in his mouth the whole time.

 

Also, short-cut to where? Too bad he didn't run his SUV into the "pond" that is on #5. I saw it on Saturday and it had a very odd yellow tint to it.

 

 

[MountainKing]

Pretty pumped for the next week starting off with Flossmoor tomorrow, Phillips Park on Sunday then Arrowhead/Dunes Club for 4th of July weekend.  Hopefully mother nature will cooperate. 

[mikes919]

On 6/25/2025 at 9:31 AM, TheBear95 said:

 

That video is crazy. I can't help but laugh that the senior keeps his cigar in his mouth the whole time.

 

Also, short-cut to where? Too bad he didn't run his SUV into the "pond" that is on #5. I saw it on Saturday and it had a very odd yellow tint to it.

 

 

 

When he started swinging the rope around his head, I laughed loud enough that someone in my office came over to ask what's so funny. People are nuts! If there is one thing I learned while living in the city for 12 years, it's to leave crazy alone. Off-duty Billy Caldwell employee going off with the rogue justice, lol.

[ldchristopher]

Stonehenge this morning. Oppressively humid out there. Temps in the high 80’s and the dew point in the low 70’s. I love this miserable weather. Take one practice swing on the first tee and I’m nice and loose. The course is in pretty solid shape. The rough has kind of a gold hue to it and the lush fairways and firm rough creates a nice contrast. Greens were smooth and rolling at a standard 9. I played well. Hit 12 greens and had 2 birdies on 6 and 10 to go with two bogies on 2 and 3 for a 72.