Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort in Makanda, Illinois
Before the birth of the Southern Illinois Golf Trail two years ago, there was only one stay-and-play destination in far-south Illinois: Stone Creek Golf Club & Resort in Makanda. And before this 6,796-yard golf course opened six years ago, well, good luck finding any place to stay and play anywhere south of Rend Lake State Park, over an hour to the north.
The relative lack of quality destination golf in southern Illinois is odd, considering that Illinois is a very long state north to south, and while the snows howl off Lake Michigan and blanket Chicago, downstaters are often hitting the links in light sweaters.
"We really do have year-round golf down here many years," says Stone Creek Head Professional Adam Shasteen.
Stone Creek #1
A view of the first hole at Stone Creek Golf Club.
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Stone Creek #2
A view of the second hole at Stone Creek Golf Club.
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Stone Creek Golf Club #3
A view of the third hole at Stone Creek Golf Club.
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Stone Creek #4 - Tee
The tee shot at the 432-yard fourth hole at Stone Creek is intimidating.
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Stone Creek #4 - Behind the green
The green on the fourth hole at Stone Creek is hard to hit, but it sure is pretty.
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Stone Creek #4 - Approach
The appraoch at the fourth hole is not as easy as it may look.
Kiel Christianson/GolfPublisher.com
Stone Creek #5 - Green
The 5th green at Stone Creek is tucked behind a steep wall and deep creek bed.
Kiel Christianson/GolfPublisher.com
Stone Creek #5 - Tee
The tee shot at Stone Creek's fifth hole is borderline unfair.
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Stone Creek #6
A view of the sixth hole at Stone Creek Golf Club.
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Stone Creek #7
A view of the seventh hole at Stone Creek Golf Club.
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Stone Creek #8
A view of the eighth hole at Stone Creek Golf Club.
Kiel Christianson/GolfPublisher.com
Stone Creek #9
Stone Creek's 419-yard ninth hole is almost as good a closer as the 495-yard 18th.
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Stone Creek #11
The 406-yard 11th hole at Stone Creek is possibly the lovliest par 4 in southern Illinois.
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Stone Creek #11 - Green
The green at Stone Creek's 11th hole drops off into the Shawnee National Forest.
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Stone Creek #11 - Vista
The vista on the 11th green is the best on any $35 course in the Midwest.
Kiel Christianson/GolfPublisher.com
