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*** CHICAGO AREA GOLFERS - Has anyone played Blackhawk Trace

TM_Bobby723

TM_Bobby723

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I'd never heard of this place, but I'm playing Friday morning with a few buddies of mine. Has anyone played here? If so, thoughts, reviews, what to expect, etc....

Thanks!
 
yes, its ok. Doesn't really get my juices flowing and I don't play it much. Its usually in good shape and there are a few interesting holes. For me its price tag is not in line with the course.

Not to be a huge downer but I don't think it would be in my top 15 to play and I would never bring someone from out of town their with all of the other great options in the area.

That being said, I am far more concerned with what courses I am playing than most of my buddies. I have played BT with good friends and had a hell of a time, which is what I am sure you will do.

If you have specific questions let me know, I know some other guys here have played it more than me...There are 3 9's, the Island has an Island green, go figure. Its probably the best of the three but is the most likely to be closed because of drainage issues.
 
Byron and I played there at the beginning of year, and I've played there before. The pace of play is pretty slow sometimes and the course itself is just "OK". The course itself isn't too challenging and there isn't a whole lot of trouble to be found. A couple of nice holes, but again, just OK.
 
Thanks guys .... Yeah, I wasn't really expecting too much. They needed a fourth, so I said I'd take the day off work and play. A day on the golf course is better than a day at work, right? I guess the tee time was booked on golfnow @ $40 with cart. What's the normal greens fee?
 
TM_Bobby723 said:
Thanks guys .... Yeah, I wasn't really expecting too much. They needed a fourth, so I said I'd take the day off work and play. A day on the golf course is better than a day at work, right? I guess the tee time was booked on golfnow @ $40 with cart. What's the normal greens fee?
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Rack rate on the weekend is $75, I believe its $50 during the week. At $40 its a good play. Golf is always better than work! Stop back in and tell us what you thought of it.

Have you played Kankakee Elks? I have heard really good things about the design and lay out... that is the one course I want to get down there to play.
 
Dude....YES.... I was a member @ the Elks for the past 8 years. Starting this year, I'm now a member @ Kankakee Country Club. The Elks has a great layout. Been around since 1926. Very challenging greens with a lot of slope. The greens are their own best defense. Very few sand traps, but most greens are protected by elevation and grass bunkers. If you come down to play the Elks, I'll try to play along with you.

I could even get you onto the Country Club, which is private. It's always in great condition. Been around since 1916. It's not too long, but driving the ball is a premium. A lot of bunkers and greens are speedy.

ALSO.... another course suggestion kinda down this way if you haven't already played it - Ravisloe C.C. in Homewood.
 
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TM_Bobby723 said:
Dude....YES.... I was a member @ the Elks for the past 8 years. Starting this year, I'm now a member @ Kankakee Country Club. The Elks has a great layout. Been around since 1926. Very challenging greens with a lot of slope. The greens are their own best defense. Very few sand traps, but most greens are protected by elevation and grass bunkers. If you come down to play the Elks, I'll try to play along with you.

I could even get you onto the Country Club, which is private. It's always in great condition. Been around since 1916. It's not too long, but driving the ball is a premium. A lot of bunkers and greens are speedy.
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Those sound like to fun courses to play regularly.... I am interested in Langford and Moreau (Elks). They did a course in Wisconsin that I am dying to play, Lawsonia Links. Thanks for the invite and I will try to figure out a time to drive down. I know Michigan THP'er Jspangs is in the area for work quite often. Could be a fun 36!! Are you just driving
up for the 18 at BT or are you going to try to get 36 in?
 
We're just playing 18 @ BT. My buddy & his buddies work Midnights, so we're heading up there when they get off work. Keep in touch & we can try to figure something out to play.

I'll post my thoughts of BT on Friday when I get back home.
 
OK... So I just got home. First impressions... I liked the amount of land they had and they have a nice driving range. The course was in pretty good shape. Must've gotten a lot of rain because some bunkers were puddled and some drainage areas were REALLY soggy. Pace of play wasn't too bad. We had a foursome, tee'd off @ 9:40am and we were walking to the car @ 2:00pm. Negatives... The bunkers were complete sh!t. Not because they were wet, but because they were poorly manicured and had way too much sand in them. The greens were slow & didn't look like they had cut them this morning (but that could be due to rain - maybe last night?). All in all, for $40, it was worth it. I would probably play it again, but not like a high priority.

I drove the ball extremely well. We played the black tees. I shot 75. I'm pretty happy with that considering I hit some skanky iron shots & I'd never seen this place before.
 
Yeah if you are going to make the driver up here again....we can suggest some better options. If your pro will make a call for you, then you have options for days. Lots of good public and private golf in the area.
 
TM_Bobby723 said:
OK... So I just got home. First impressions... I liked the amount of land they had and they have a nice driving range. The course was in pretty good shape. Must've gotten a lot of rain because some bunkers were puddled and some drainage areas were REALLY soggy. Pace of play wasn't too bad. We had a foursome, tee'd off @ 9:40am and we were walking to the car @ 2:00pm. Negatives... The bunkers were complete sh!t. Not because they were wet, but because they were poorly manicured and had way too much sand in them. The greens were slow & didn't look like they had cut them this morning (but that could be due to rain - maybe last night?). All in all, for $40, it was worth it. I would probably play it again, but not like a high priority.

I drove the ball extremely well. We played the black tees. I shot 75. I'm pretty happy with that considering I hit some skanky iron shots & I'd never seen this place before.
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This is a list I posted in the Wilson Extra round thread... travel time is dist from O'Hare. Not at all comprehensive but all very good, I have not played two and noted that. Thought you might have fun checking out the websites...

Highlands of Elgin is my personal favorite, followed by Blackstone and Bowes. Dubs isn't on my favorite list only because I only get to play it once a year or so. Cantigny I great too but a little steep for my taste.

A Makray Memorial Golf Club (Tough Course) 35 min http://makraygolf.com/
A+ Cantigny Golf Club 37 min (Excellent practice facility)(Exceptional Public golf, caddies available) http://www.cantignygolf.com/
A+ Dubs B+ Ravines Cog Hill Golf Club (Excellent practice facility)(Exceptional Public golf, caddies available) http://www.coghillgolf.com/
A Bollingbrook Golf Club (I have never played it but hear its very good) 42 min http://www.bolingbrookgolfclub.com/
A+ Highlands of Elgin 48 min (Excellent practice facility) http://highlandsofelgin.com/
A+ Bowes Creek Country Club 50 min (Excellent practice facility) http://www.bowescreekcc.com/
A+ Prairie Landing 50 min (Excellent practice facility) http://prairielanding.com/homepage/start_page.php/
A+ Blackstone Golf Club 50 min http://www.blackstonegc.com/
B+ Mistwood 50 min (Excellent practice facility) http://www.mistwoodgc.com/
A George Dunne 52 min (based on rep, have not played) http://georgedunne.forestpreservegolf.com/
A+ Harborside 55 min (great view of city, notorious for slow play) (Excellent practice facility) http://www.harborsidegolf.com/
 
LordByron said:
Yeah if you are going to make the driver up here again....we can suggest some better options. If your pro will make a call for you, then you have options for days. Lots of good public and private golf in the area.
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The area looked really familiar. Then I was like "Wait! I know that course" as we passed Medinah, lol

*** Oh....and KILLER list of courses you gave there. Thanks a lot, buddy!
 
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