Greetings from a long (long) time lurker from the western suburbs of Chicago. I grew up in the DC area and my first time on a golf course was in 1963 at the 9-holer on the grounds of the Naval Ordinance Lab in Hillendale. After that I graduated to Sligo Creek and Rock Creek. My brother and our friends would take the bus, clubs and all to Rock Creek. I still remember climbing "cardiac hill" on #13.
Chicago became my home in 1985. For about 6 years in the early 2000s I was a member at Aurora Country Club, a nice sporty course originally designed by Bendalow that has had some work done on it, most recently by Greg Martin. Currently, I play the usual suspects in the western burbs.
While enjoying this site and learning immensely about GCA, I really never felt the need to take the plunge to register, because, quite frankly, I didn't know that I could add anything substantive to the conversation. The recent thread on the Country Club of York changed that. I was married there 27 years ago. My wife's parents are long time members, as were their parents, too. My father in law is a past president of the club as are two of my wife's uncles. It is a truly special place and an absolutely beautiful golf course.
Anyway, I am happy to be an actual participant here, and hopefully won't make too many stupid remarks.