Park Ridge Country Club-any color would be appreciated...

« **on:** December 13, 2009, 09:16:57 AM »

I bought an outing at Park Ridge Country Club, in Park Ridge, Illinois, the other night at a charity event. Had a few cocktails and it was for a good cause. But when I googled it the following day and realized that it was a Langford design with renovation work done by David Esler I became much more excited about the outing. Both GCA's are on my short list of guys who's courses I really enjoy. Anyone who has played there or has some knowledge of the course's history? I'd be very appreciative of your response...According to the club's site, the original 9 was done by Harold Tweedie, and was then extended to 18 by Tom Bendelow before Langford came in for a major redo. Attached are the pictures of the work done from Esler's site (the mounding looks a bit clunkier than his work at Black Sheep?):

« **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2009, 09:24:48 AM »

Jud, Park Ridge is a fairly nice layout on a rather flattish piece of property. Interesting bunkering and green shaping. You will have a fun day but this is definitely in the second tier of courses in the Chicago area in my opinion. Not a big brawny course that you would have a tournament on but you should find it well manicured. I prefer Skokie, North Shore, Glen View Club, and even Evanston just to mention the clubs nearby. Just my opinion, have fun. Jack

« **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2009, 09:31:22 AM »

Jack,

Thanx. I too really enjoy Skokie, and to a lesser extent North Shore...been meaning to get out to Evanston since the renovation work done there...Langford has obviously done a bunch of work in the midwest, some really good (Lawsonia, Butterfield), others a bit more mundane (Winnetka Golf Club). Keen to see more of his work...and Black Sheep is one of the top handful of courses in the area IMHO....

« **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2009, 09:39:08 AM »

PRCC is short, but fun. Jack's description is pretty much right on. There are a fun group of guys out there and I'm sure you'll have a blast during your outing.

« **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2009, 09:55:41 AM »

It's a fine course, and much better after Esler came in. Now it has a feeling a whole lot like Ravisloe on the south side.

« **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:43:04 AM »

My wife and I only got to the bag drop and we were told the course was closed for the holidays....

« **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:08:17 PM »

Clint,

Classic!

Pat,

That's good color as I think Ravisloe's a lot of fun....

« **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:12:55 PM »

And Clint suckered me up there that day and then expected a gift as well!!

Greg

« **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:24:12 PM »

I think Jack is being kind in describing Park Ridge as a "second tier" club. I've played several times over the years and can't recall a single hole that I would call a "good golf hole." The course is short, uninteresting, tree infested, and boring. I think the course sucks. I hope you didn't pay too much for the "privilege" of playing it.

« **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:25:11 PM »

Quote from: Greg Ohlendorf on December 13, 2009, 12:12:55 PM

And Clint suckered me up there that day and then expected a gift as well!!

Greg

Don't make me post a picture from your wedding. GCA can't handle the hair

« **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2009, 12:48:22 PM »

Paul,

ouch! Does that include playing it after the renovation work? Didn't pay too much and it's more of a networking thing anyway...I find it hard to believe that it sucks...

« **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:00:57 PM »

Quote from: Jud Tigerman on December 13, 2009, 12:08:17 PM

Pat,

That's good color as I think Ravisloe's a lot of fun....

If you like Ravisloe you'll like Park Ridge alot then.

« **Reply #12 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:10:17 PM »

Jud, I doubt you can call anything at Winnetka Langford and the jury is out on how much of Butterfield one will be able to call Langford when it reopens next year. And by the way its Herbert Tweedie.

Here is a link to one of my Chicago aerial series which featured Park Ridge. This will give you a pretty good idea of what was there in the late 1930's post Langford and now post-Esler.

http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,26239.0/

« **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:28:09 PM »

Dan,

Thanx! What a typo! You'd think I'd get the guy's name right since we're related by marriage!

« **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:30:20 PM »

Sounds like Smyers is trying to bring back some of Langford's original intentions at Butterfield...

http://www.cybergolf.com/golf_news/smyers_to_update_butterfield_cc

« **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2009, 04:53:42 PM »

Quote from: Paul OConnor on December 13, 2009, 12:24:12 PM

I think Jack is being kind in describing Park Ridge as a "second tier" club. I've played several times over the years and can't recall a single hole that I would call a "good golf hole." The course is short, uninteresting, tree infested, and boring. I think the course sucks. I hope you didn't pay too much for the "privilege" of playing it.

Paul, As is my nature I am always kind when describing another man's club,but in all seriousness it is in pretty much the same league as OFCC-don't you think?

Jack

« **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2009, 06:32:39 PM »

Jack,
The worst hole on either course at OFCC is twice as good as the best at PRCC.
I was trying to think of five private clubs in Chicagoland whose course is worse than Park Ridge. Couldn't do it. Maybe you can.

« **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2009, 07:14:27 PM »

is it more hemmed in and overgrown than Green Acres? Is it more up and back than Lake Shore? Is it a worse use of the property than Merit Club?

« **Reply #18 on:** December 13, 2009, 07:36:29 PM »

Played PRCC once when i first moved up here and my then girlfriend's father was still a member. Don't remember anything special other than people being uppity. I also don't remember it as poorly as some people on here do... then again I was 23

« **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2009, 07:49:17 PM »

PR is worse than all three. Even though Green Acres has more fountains than holes, and also sucks, PR is worse.

« **Reply #20 on:** December 13, 2009, 07:58:05 PM »

Paul, My list of comparables would be Ridge(Merion MidWest), Idlewild, Crystal Tree, Lake Shore, Lincolnshire CC, and least but not last,White Eagle. This list is what I consider to be the next tier from what one would prefer to play on the private side in Chicago. These are all well maintained- they are what they are architecturally. Jack

« **Reply #21 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:05:40 PM »

Jack,

PRCC is worse than all but Lincolnshire, but I'm not really sure that's completely private. I'll take Idlewild or Ridge everyday day over PR.

Here's a great quote from the PRCC Caddy Facebook page

"Former caddy, James O'Toole, was offered a real job and accepted it. He no longer works at that shit hole PRCC but will return on Saturday the 18th"

« **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:15:20 PM »

Paul, Are you suggesting that Jud overpaid for his day at Park Ridge? Be a sport and take him over to Westmoreland for a round in the afternoon- I shall host you in the grillroom for drinks afterwards. Let me know, Jack

« **Reply #23 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:23:19 PM »

Paul, My comment regarding Ridge CC as the Merion Midwest is that it is squeezed into a very small piece of property and errant teeballs often end up a fairway or 2 over . Holes are simply back and forth. Very sloped greens that make Beverly's look flat. Wouldn't play here every day just couldn't . Jack

« **Reply #24 on:** December 13, 2009, 09:39:12 PM »

Shivas, I always thought Rolling Green was public-kind of the poor mans Jans.

Jack

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