new course in Chicago area: Bowes Creek

[PThomas]

dont recall any posts on this course which opened in Elgin last year, so a few impressions from my round today (pictures may follow later if I can figure out how to shrink my picture size  )

this Rick Jacobson layout was supposed to be part of a housing development, but only about 15 of them scattered around at this point, and who knows how many will be added in this market...very quiet out there, lots of birds chirping.......6794 from the tips, then 6412, 5942, 5382, and 4756...several greens have chipping areas around them; i used a putter from a few them..shaping overall pretty well done..3 holes have faiway bunkers in the middle of the fairway, including 17 and 18

course is rounted around and thru wetlands (protected by the Federal Clean Water Act, the signs say ) , but i thought Rick did a pretty good job of this...course is in good condition too...greens have gentle slopes for the most part, but they do have some challenge to them...carts are included and i did take one...about 5-6 holes have some pretty good hikes between them, but one could walk it without killing oneself, i think...course is well bunkered both in the fairway and by the greens, although some of the greens are only bunkered on one side and almost all of them are open in front

the course certainly isnt a Doak 10, but it does have some good holes, and I would play it again

some holes of note: 

3rd -200 yard (these yardages are from the tips) par3, water left and bunkers right

4th cape hole drive  over the water

6 - 530 yard, water on the right side, then a creek which cuts across the fairway, making you think about your 2nd...you can play safely out to the right but that route is toward some bunkers

12-344 yds, requiring the one pretty stout hit over a marsh (it was into the wind for me)

14 - 169, solid par 3 with green bunkered left and front

16 - 205 yds over the marsh

green fee is $79 weekday/$95 weekend, and that is for unlimited range golf and cart, so if you play two rounds that's a pretty good deal

[Chris Flamion]

Paul-

Thanks for the update.  I was thinking of heading out sometime next month to give it a look, but now it looks like I must head out. 

Sadly outside of some golfnow emails this is the first time I have heard it mentioned in public, glad to hear it is promising.

Chris Flamion

[PThomas]

Paul-

Thanks for the update.  I was thinking of heading out sometime next month to give it a look, but now it looks like I must head out. 

Sadly outside of some golfnow emails this is the first time I have heard it mentioned in public, glad to hear it is promising.

Chris Flamion

again, its not a great course Chris but certainly a good number of pretty good holes...perhaps we could set up a GCA day out there if enough people are interested

[PCCraig]

Paul-

The course looks promising from online pictures. Some nice bunkering actually. Perhaps it's best to get out and play the course before the RE market turns around and you're playing in a tunnel.

[Chris Flamion]

Sounds like a post Mashie GCA outing.

[Jim Tang]

Lads -

I played there last fall with my brother.  GCA superstar Jim Colton walked along but didn't play.  He did play one hole with my clubs as a righty.  It looked a lot like his lefty swing with the same results.

Anyway, it was a bitter, cold day to play.  I agree the course is pretty solid, nothing spectacular.  If you can do a day of 36, the all day rate is worth it.  I'm not sure about paying $80 - $95 to play only 18 there.

I liked the bunkering a lot and there was some decent elevation change throughout the course.  The greens offers some nice internal contours.  I've got a couple of pictures stashed away and will post them tomorrow.

[Andrew Buck]

I was able to get out at Bowes Creek for the first time this morning near dawn, and I must say I enjoyed it as much as any public in the area.  I may partially be a sucker for the bunker style, however I thought it was a fun course that provided a lot of interesting choices off the tee (while giving width) and a lot of good pin positions.  Overall, the greens played much smaller than their square footage if the pin was in front or back locations, and I thought it was as walkable as a newer course with a housing development (although they really only surround a few holes at this point) could be.  I think it took 2:20 to walk 18 from the tips, which is only about 5-10 minutes more than my club without any long green to tee gaps (I think there were 3 of about 100 yards at Bowes).

Unfortunately for me, the course was pretty wet with the rain the last few nights, but there was a slight twinge of brown that suggest it could be very fun when firm.  I think the strategic location of fairway bunkers would really make me think more off the tee if there was 20+ yards of roll.  I'd have to say I'd prefer to play here than #4, Prairie Landings or Cantigny.  I haven't played Thunderhawk in so long, it would be unfair to compare ... but overall I'm struggling to think of a Chicago area public I'd prefer.  Maybe Ravisloe if it's still maintained well (haven't played since it converted public).  

[Sven Nilsen]

Andrew:

Have you played Highlands of Elgin or Shepherd's Crook?

Sven

[John McCarthy]

I'm heading out there next Friday for an all day extravaganza.  I have not been there before.  I very much enjoy her sister course, Highlands of Elgin.  My public favorites are Highlands, Shepherd's Crook and Ravisloe.  I can't decide which I like best.  Highlands is a stouter test, Ravisloe is homey and comfortable and Crook is just plain fun.  I played Thunderhawk a month or two ago and it left a bad taste in my mouth.  The native areas were everywhere, it was a wet mess, too many carries (and I played awful which may color my image).  

[Andrew Buck]

Andrew:

Have you played Highlands of Elgin or Shepherd's Crook?

Sven

I have only played the first new 9 at Highlands of Elgin, but I hope to get out this summer to see the expanded 18.  While I lived in Chicago for about a decade, I'm currently way in the sticks, but I work in the suburbs about once a week, so I'm really only likely to play if I can get on the first tee time of the day to walk, which seems easier at Bowes than Highlands.  I liked Bowes better than the first 9 built at Highlands, but it's my understanding the newer 9 is very good.

I have not played Shepherd, but have heard good things.  Generally if I'm playing a dawn round in the suburbs, it's Village Links of Glen Ellyn or Hilldale, due to location and start time.  I will certainly try to replace that with Bowes (or Highlands) in the future, as it was easier to get to than I thought, not too out of the way from my office, and far superior to both.

[Jud_T]

I liked Bowes better than the first 9 built at Highlands

?!

[Andrew Buck]

I liked Bowes better than the first 9 built at Highlands

?!

I played the Highlands several times when it was still 9 holes of Spartan Meadows combined with the first 9 holes built there.  From memory, I do seem to remember liking Highlands quite a bit, and particularly the par 5's, but overall didn't feel there was as much strategy off the tee, and therefore I believe I like Bowes Creek more than the 9 I have played at Highlands (I'm sure the numbers of holes have all changed now.)  I may amend that view if I get back to Highlands, as it's probably been 7 - 8 years now.

[Matthew Sander]

I liked Bowes better than the first 9 built at Highlands

?!

I played the Highlands several times when it was still 9 holes of Spartan Meadows combined with the first 9 holes built there.  From memory, I do seem to remember liking Highlands quite a bit, and particularly the par 5's, but overall didn't feel there was as much strategy off the tee, and therefore I believe I like Bowes Creek more than the 9 I have played at Highlands (I'm sure the numbers of holes have all changed now.)  I may amend that view if I get back to Highlands, as it's probably been 7 - 8 years now.

Hi Andrew,

When you get a chance, check out The Highlands as it  is now presented. Interestingly, I think that options and strategy off the tee are a strong point of the course. Not so much on the first two holes, but the third hole begins a very good stretch.

[Andrew Buck]

Hi Andrew,

When you get a chance, check out The Highlands as it  is now presented. Interestingly, I think that options and strategy off the tee are a strong point of the course. Not so much on the first two holes, but the third hole begins a very good stretch.

Matt,

Was able to walk a chilly 9 holes before work this morning at Highlands as the frost stayed away.  For early morning in late April, it still was in a reasonably firm condition, which was great.  Not sure I can fully compare Highlands to Bowes Creek based on 9 holes in 40 degrees and wind, but the greens had some good character, and the use of the "quarry" was interesting. 

All in All, Elgin is very fortunate to have two municipal courses of that quality, and the "membership" at both is a great deal, especially if you can be flexible in time to tee off.