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The Ryder Cup may bring you to Chicago, but the city will make you want to return
The 2012 Ryder Cup will take place at Medinah Country Club later this month and folks traveling to Chicago for the event are in for a real treat -- and not just the golf. Chicago has so much to offer -- from its sites, sports, blues and food -- that you'll want to make a return trip. Where to begin? Dave Berner has some suggestions on what to do, see and where to stay in the Windy City.
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Hard to pronounce, easy on the eyes: 27 holes of golf in nature at Cantigny near Chicago
Cantigny Golf is one of the premier courses in the Chicago area, but golfers have an awful time pronouncing its name. But playing the course is nothing like trying to pronounce it. Sure, the course is challenging, but the beauty of this 27-hole layout can easily erase any unease one might have with correctly articulating its name. The trio of nine-hole courses is nestled into a 500-acre park, teaming with gardens, old-growth trees and several lakes. Cantigny Golf is not just a golf course; it's a nature retreat.
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Schaumburg Golf Club is a muni near Chicago that lives up to the hype
There was a time when municipal golf courses rarely lived up to their own publicity. Over the years, that has changed. And there may be no better example of this transformation than Schaumburg Golf Club just northwest of Chicago. The price is reasonable, the atmosphere is welcoming and the golf is fair yet challenging, Dave Berner writes.
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Hard to pronounce, easy on the eyes: 27 holes of golf in nature at Cantigny near Chicago
Cantigny Golf is one of the premier courses in the Chicago area, but golfers have an awful time pronouncing its name. But playing the course is nothing like trying to pronounce it. Sure, the course is challenging, but the beauty of this 27-hole layout can easily erase any unease one might have with correctly articulating its name. The trio of nine-hole courses is nestled into a 500-acre park, teaming with gardens, old-growth trees and several lakes. Cantigny Golf is not just a golf course; it's a nature retreat.
... full article »Schaumburg Golf Club is a muni near Chicago that lives up to the hype
There was a time when municipal golf courses rarely lived up to their own publicity. Over the years, that has changed. And there may be no better example of this transformation than Schaumburg Golf Club just northwest of Chicago. The price is reasonable, the atmosphere is welcoming and the golf is fair yet challenging, Dave Berner writes.
... full article »A great clubhouse and good golf await at Bowes Creek Country Club near Chicago
The clubhouse at Bowes Creek Country Club in Elgin is similar to the grand one at Royal Troon: a stately yet elegantly unassuming building that immediately says golf, good golf, pure golf. The greater Chicago area has a lot of splendid options. But when considering an experience that's above the typical municipal course and just below the ultra-expensive, Bowes is a great pick. Play the course, bring a camera, hang out in the clubhouse, and pretend for a moment you're spending some time at Scotland's Royal Troon.
... full article »With enjoyable golf and more, Oak Terrace Resort and Spa in Pana is a central Illinois rarity
Offering nearly every imaginable amenity, from fishing and boat rentals to a lakeside spa to 18 holes of golf, Oak Terrace deserves a vote for "Most Unexpected" golf resort in Illinois, Kiel Christianson writes. The vast difference between the resort's two nines gives the golf course a bit of a split-personality, but the medium-length track provides plenty of shot-making bang for a reasonable amount of buck.
... full article »Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Mahomet boasts recent upgrades
Located in the forest preserves of Illinois' Champaign County, Lake of the Woods Golf Course has long been a favorite of Mahomet golfers. Now, thanks to recent renovations, this Robert B. Harris design is better than ever. Improved greens, more interesting elevations and much-needed tee boxes are part of the new look, which met with enthusiastic response from regulars.
... full article »Photo gallery: Oak Terrace Resort in Pana
Offering nearly every imaginable amenity, from fishing and boat rentals to a lakeside spa to 18 holes of golf, Oak Terrace Resort deserves a vote for "Most Unexpected" golf resort in the state.
... full article »Golf on the Iowa-Illinois border: John Deere Green with envy
Although golf courses aren't the first things that come to mind when you think of the Quad Cities, the sport here is bigger than just the yearly John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, Zachary Michael Jack writes.
... full article »The Southern Illinois Golf Trail brings golfers to courses and resorts in the state's southern tip
Golfers from metropolitan areas like Indianapolis and St. Louis are beginning to recognize the excellent value and year-round golf, along with the wide variety of other activities on the Southern Illinois Golf Trail.
... full article »Rend Lake is a Southern Illinois golf and recreation heaven
Rend Lake Recreation Complex is one of the few golf resorts in downstate Illinois. As part of the Conservancy District surrounding the 19,000-acre Rend Lake, the resort offers lodging, dining and all manner of outdoor activities.
... full article »Emeis Golf Course looks to vie for top Quad Cities 'hidden gem' title in Iowa
For all of us not ready for prime-time players Emeis Golf Course in Davenport, Iowa, is arguably the best non-tournament-venue value in the entire Quad Cities area, with greens fees at $14-$18 ($11 extra for a cart). And recent renovations all but guarantee the city-owned track top "hidden gem" status for a while to come.
... full article »- Crab Orchard Golf Club the homiest stop on Southern Illinois Golf Trail
- Gambit Golf Club in Vienna, Ill. aims for "destination" status
- Carbondale's Hickory Ridge defies stereotypes as a superb municipal golf course
- Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort in Makanda: One killer view complements brutal course design
- Marion's Kokopelli Golf Club is finally living up to its potential
- Central Illinois replete with excellent golf and authentic Americana
- Highland Springs in Rock Island, Ill. is everything a park district course should be
- Byron Hills Golf Course is a picturesque Quad Cities layout in Illinois
- TPC at Deere Run: Play the golf course that felled Michelle Wie
- The Quad Cities golf: A sure bet for a family Illinois golf trip
- Bloomington-Normal: Abnormally blessed with fine public golf courses
- Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon, Ill. keeps getting better
- Red Tail Run Golf Club by Ray Floyd is crown jewel of Decatur Parks in Illinois
- Public Brookhill and Willow Pond golf courses shine in Champaign-Urbana area
- Eagle Creek Resort is perfect for the rugged, outdoorsy golfer in Findlay, Ill.
- Illinois' Ironwood Golf Course in Normal, Ill. is nice, but normal
- The Den at Fox Creek makes Bloomington-Normal a legit golf destination in Illinois
- Angus Links serves up a tasty round of golf in Windsor, Illinois
- Trees make a test at Highland Park Golf Course in Bloomington, Illinois
- Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. is challenging but fair
- Illinois State University Golf Course is a shot-maker's dream in Normall, Illinois
- Flying into Chicago, Illinois gives golfers first-class options
- University of Chicago professor studies why some golfers choke under pressure
- Stone Creek is stone good
- Indianapolis overlooked option for family golf getaway
- Mistwood Golf Club emerges out the mist of severe financial storm
- Piper Glen G.C. in Springfield, Ill., deserves critical praise
- For $30 you can golf where the pros play: The Rail in Springfield
- Playing nine doesn't have to mean wimping out on real golf
- Decatur's Hickory Point G.C. home to Futures Tour event
- The Den golf course in Bloomington, Ill. is a mess, readers says
- Decatur's Scovill Golf Club a shot-maker's muni
- Golf just west of Chicago shouldn't just be ignored
- Springfield: A 'capital idea' for a family golf trip
- Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield: Better than a night at the theater
- RailSide Golf Club in Gibson City: Golf oasis in a corn field desert
- Historic St. Andrews Golf Club in West Chicago shoots high, scores
- Ironhorse Golf Club: East-central Illinois' "new" upscale public
- Champaign-Urbana: More than meets the eye
- Stone Creek in a class by itself in Champaign-Urbana
- Lake of the Woods offers best value and hills in central Illinois
- The early bird's best bets for early-season golf in Chicago
- March madness on the links
- Golf skills of Illinois coach are no Small wonder
- Some pricey places are really a rip-off
- WeaverRidge's owners love golfers more than golf
- Go Orange! Go Blue! Illini courses offer great value
- So you want to design your own golf course?
- Chicago-area offers some great golf as autumn arrives
- Ugly duckling Thunderbird Country Club turns into a swan with Makray Memorial
- St. Louis golfers shouldn't discount a round in the fall
- Need a good round? Try these Chicago-area courses to break 80
- Cantigny Youth Links is not your father's golf course
- Remoteness, odd layout add to mystique of The Bourne
- Hend-Co Hills Golf Club is where Open champ learned to play
- Village Links of Glen Ellyn gets good marks from regular golfers after $5 million renovation
- Waiting for the call
- Whispering ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park is music to Illinois golfers' ears
- Woods prepares for U.S. Open, Western Open; insists he'll 'play great golf again'
- Chicago's best par-3s have it all -- beware!
- Annika goes for three-peat in Chicago
- Rockford: The best little golf town in Illinois
- BlackHawk Trace at Indian Lakes Resort undergoes big makeover
- Orchard Valley Golf Course: Not your father's muni
- Where is the Golf Center of the World? It's not where you think
- Eagle Creek Resort: For the golfer and the fisherman
- Chicago Golf Show marks start of spring season
- Windy City Rejuvenation puts Forest Preserve back on the map
- When will Illinois see Wie?
- February is for love and making plans for golf
- Dale Tallon's passion for golf runs deep
- Resolving to be a serious Illinois golfer
- Chicago is home of the golf dome
- For Bears quarterback, golf is second love
- Cubs fans travel south for baseball and golf
- Chicago-area college golf courses graduate with honors
- Chicago suburb brings big golf to small town
- Dr. Jim Suttie has the cure for your game
- From garbage to golf, Harborside is a study in urban renewal
- Chicago area course inspired by golf's greatest holes
- Foxford Hills Golf Club welcomes one and all
- The TPC at Deere Run is a big deal in Quad Cities
- Playing Chicago on the cheap
- Indian Lakes Resort gets new lease on life
- Stonewall Orchard is a thinking man's course
- Tiger prepares for U.S. Open with an old friend
- Big changes come to old Chicago favorites
- The Glen Club heads top 10 places to play in Chicago
- Scratch that itch: Fantasy golf can be the cure for the winter golf blues