| The greens at Meadowview Golf Course are relatively flat, but plenty fast (GolfPublisher.com) |
Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon keeps getting better
By MATTOON, Ill. — Some golf courses have one memorable hole after another. Some have stratospheric slope ratings. Some have greens that undulate like anacondas. Some have big-name course architects. And some, like Meadowview Golf Course, just offer one solid, well-conditioned golf hole after another.
Sure, the "wow" factor is nice now and then, but for daily play, leagues, outings and golf with the kids, it's tough to knock an honest course — and honest bargain — like Meadowview.
Exactly who it was that designed Meadowview is not clear. And the design isn't terribly imaginative. Assistant Professional Nick Sloat points out that the two nines are "mirror images of each other."
But that doesn't mean that the gently rolling 6,745-yard track doesn't have some teeth, said Sloat, who won a local amateur tournament here last year.
"It's playing four to five strokes harder this year than last," Sloat said.
There are two main hazards at Meadowview, especially when playing from the tips. First is water. In normal years, the course has an abundance of on-site water, stored in several ponds and they come into play on eight holes along with a creek.
Then there's the recent planting of approximately four acres of native grasses in broad swaths scattered amongst the holes.
"This course sets up for positional play," Sloat said. "You're definitely penalized if you're in the rough. And you need to keep out of that tall grass at all costs."
Sloat's advice should be heeded, as there are indeed a number of holes that play relatively easy from the proper position in the fairway, but turn real ugly real fast if you stray into the hay.
A perfect example of this is the 384-yard seventh, which presents players with a tough tee shot to a fairway that turns 90 degrees to the right halfway to the green. A dense patch of that high cotton looms on the left and fairway bunkers and a smattering of young trees populate the inside of the dogleg.
Two more examples of the primacy of position are the 393-yard ninth and the 325-yard 12th.
On the ninth, the marker at the back tees indicates it's 260 yards to the water, but in reality, it is only about 240 yards to the end of the fairway. On the outwardly modest 12th, where a creek bisects the fairway some 230 yards from the tee, depending on the player, the firmness of the fairway, and the wind, a guy could choose to hit anything from a driver to a 6-iron.
The two showpiece holes at Meadowview are the 454-yard, par-4 14th and the 180-yard 17th.
On the 14th (the "Teepee Hole" named after the odd little pumphouse), a pond begins at 253 yards from the back tees and runs all the way up to the green, guarding the entire left side of the hole. The fairway and green both slope toward the water, feeding even slightly errant shots toward doom. The green on the 14th also has the most movement of any of the greens here, which are otherwise basically flat.
The 17th is very pretty indeed. So much so that even players who don't play it well name it as their favorite hole. Young Dillon Reel, who plays in Meadowview's Wednesday night junior league, likes the 17th best, despite its difficulty.
"I always hit it in the water there," Reel said.
Getting wet here is not hard to do, though, as the tee shot must carry a wide pond that hugs the entire left side of the green. On the right of the smallish putting surface is a shaggy bunker, making for a very tough mid- to long-iron shot.
The verdict
Dillon's dad, Terry, remarked that "Every year, they keep improving (the course)." And he's right.
Wayne Caniff, the new superintendent puts in 12- to 16-hour days seven days a week tweaking the irrigation system and bringing Meadowview up to its full potential. His crew even hand-mows the greens on most days — a rarity at budget-friendly daily-fee courses like this — keeping them at a respectable 9.5 on the Stimpmeter.
All that hard work is paying off.
"The course is in the best shape ever," Sloat said.
The bunkering is especially noteworthy; the entire layout is dotted with deep, irregularly shaped, furry-lipped traps that test golfers' precision from the tee and on approaches.
Owners John Ward and Jeff Bolding, who is also the head pro, are committed to making Meadowview a draw for golfers of all ages, as well as for outings. Sloat runs several junior programs and clinics and the Café on the Green grillroom (complete with a full bar) is an ideal place for pre- and post-outing camaraderie.
Despite a lack of flash, Meadowview is a worthwhile stop in the rota for central Illinois golfers. With greens fees at the very walkable track ranging from just $22-24 ($14 extra for a cart), Meadowview offers solid golf at an affordable price.
Stay and play
In Mattoon, you can find several chain hotels. Camping sites are available at nearby Lake Shelbyville.
Eagle Creek Golf Resort (eaglecreekresort.com) is only 13 miles away in Findlay and has its own 18-hole course as well.
Dining out
The best steakhouse in Mattoon by all accounts is the Alamo Steakhouse and Saloon (217-234-7337).
And for a bit of burger and corporate history, you can try Burger King (217-234-8122) — the original one. This burger shop was opened in 1954, before the chain, and trademarked the name in Illinois. It lost a lawsuit against the chain in federal court, but the chain is prohibited from building one of their grease-buckets within 20 miles of Mattoon.
Mattoon is also home of the last Lender's Bagels plant, the largest producer of frozen bagels in the country. (Guess what's for breakfast?)
If You Go
Meadoview Golf Course
6489 Meadowview Lane
Mattoon, IL 61938
Phone: (217) 258-7888
Web site: meadowviewgolf.com
February 2, 2007
Kiel Christianson has lived, worked, traveled and golfed extensively on three continents. As senior writer and equipment editor for WorldGolf.com, he has reviewed courses, resorts, and golf academies from California to Ireland. Read his golf blog here.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management.
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.
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