COURSE REVIEW
Ironhorse Golf Club
in Tuscola: East-
central Illinois' "new"
upscale public course
By Kiel Christianson,
Senior Writer
TUSCOLA, Ill. (May 26, 2005) - Gerald Forsythe came to Tuscola with a mission: Turn Ironhorse Golf Club from a struggling, unkempt daily-fee track into an upscale, semi-private yet still affordable showpiece. No small task, considering Ironhorse is located in isolated Tuscola, whose main claim to fame is the Tanger Outlet Mall.
But Forsythe is no small thinker, and no stranger to upscale golf. As owner of the ultra-exclusive, invitation-only Canyata in Marshall, Ill., he knows a thing or two about providing golfers with that coveted country-club experience. So the first thing he did upon purchasing Ironhorse in December, 2004, was completely renovate and redecorate the entire clubhouse.
"Everything you see is new," says Director of Golf at both Iron horse and Canyata, Jerry Williams, as we sit in comfy leather chairs in the grillroom. And given that the abundant flat-screen TVs and sound system alone cost upwards of $40,000, you get the distinct feeling that no expense was spared.
The renovations did not stop in the clubhouse, however. According to Williams, every single bunker on the course was rebuilt, receiving new liners and new, higher-quality sand. Add to that new tee markers and increased use of fertilizer and weed-killer, and players who visited in past years might just have trouble recognizing the place.
Of course, the improvements haven't come cost-free to golfers. "Last season, no one paid full price," explains Williams, "so it's hard to say exactly how much rates have gone up. I believe last year's weekend rate was $39.50 with a cart. This year, we're at $45 all week with a cart, and just $29 to walk."
Believe
it or not, some regulars are actually complaining about the increase,
despite the fact that to Chicago-land
golfers, these rates seem like a steal. "What people have complained
about more, though," continues Williams, "is the increase in annual
memberships. In 2004, it was $1100. This year it's $1750." But Williams
explains that the membership is not just a pass; it's a real membership
to a club, which might in the future be offered as membership to a consortium
of central Illinois
courses.
"The goal," says Williams, "is to draw golfers in from a 50-mile radius." To accomplish this though, Ironhorse will have to distinguish itself via it's layout and conditions, no matter how great the clubhouse and pro shop.
How it plays
The seven-year-old Paul Loague design is, like most courses in east-central Illinois, open to the often brutal wind, which changes how it plays daily. Unlike many area courses, however, Ironhorse offers tournament-caliber length (7,131 yards from the championship tees, ranging down to 5,322 yards from the forward tees), and lots of water, which is in play on 11 holes.
The round starts with several holes that force you to not only be precise, but also to be smart. The 422-yard opener is reminiscent of the Nike swoosh, as it wraps around a pond on the right. There are easily ten different ways to attack this hole, depending on the wind, the tees, your swing, and your cojones
The 545-yard second also gives one pause when it comes to club selection. After an open drive, you're faced with a tricky second over a deep, creek-filled ditch. If you've hit a bad tee shot, you'll need a solid fairway wood to cross it. If you have to lay up, you're looking at an extremely long third to a green that falls away on all sides
The
new bunkering is no where more apparent than on the 210-yard par-3 sixth,
where the green looks like a green island floating in a sea of sand.
The best par-3 on three on course, however, is the 231-yard 12th, where
you find water right and left, and between the elevated tee and elevated,
two-tiered green. This is one of those holes that so engages your eye,
that you need to settle down and really concentrate on picking out a
target and not getting distracted.
The 435-yard par-4 closer throws everything at you all at once. First, there is an awkward sight-line off the tee (a common theme throughout the layout, actually) - aim farther right than you think, as water intrudes farther in on the left than you think. Second, there's a touchy approach over more water on the right and the slightly scar-like cartpath that crosses the fairway about 100 yards in. Finally, the approach had better be accurate, because OB lurks to the left of the two-tiered green and more water threatens to the right. This is one of those holes that prevents you from being able to count up your score until you're safely in the cup.
The
verdict
Ironhorse challenges golfers of all levels off the tee. There are some tricky angles to be navigated (for example on the 369-yard fifth), and a few amazingly narrow fairways abutted by OB and water(for example the 580-yard 8th and the 554-yard 111th). The greens are easy to read, however, and despite being a bit shaggy early in the season, firm and true.
The old maintenance problems were still visible in many places, but so too were signs of the new maintenance regimen. Most noticeable were sweeping arcs of dandelions blooming throughout the rough and sometimes in the fairways. Happily, however, many of these swaths were already succumbing to herbicides, obviously withering and blackening in response to the new treatments.
The houses surrounding the course are a bit close for my tastes; it is never pleasant driving from one hole to another via the sidewalks of a subdivision. No one wants to be guilty of pulling a Tiger and letting rip with a few choice words after ripping a bad tee shot when there's a family 40 yards behind you in their screened-in porch. Even less appealing is the prospect of killing some kid on his swingset with one of your vicious hooks.
Nevertheless, Ironhorse lives up its billing as a "new" upscale course, which still offers solid value and excellent shot-making challenges.
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Stay and play
While there are no packages offered yet, there are several chain hotels near the Tanger Outlet Mall just off I-57. The mall offers the perfect couples' getaway: The golfer can golf, the non-golfer can shop.
Dining out
Chain restaurants also dot the side of I-57, but don't forget that the grill and menu at Ironhorse have also been renovated.
Fast fact
Ironhorse boasts outstanding banquet facilities, and employs an event director dedicated to coordinating and catering events.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
