Which of these courses would you play?

[Phil McDade]

For the Illinois (and others!) GCA set:

I walked into my local wine store, and a nationally prominent winery is running one of those "buy some wine; get a round of golf on us" promos. I'm tempted, as one of the courses is the new Nicklaus Bull in Sheboygan in my Cheeseland homestate, which I have yet to play and have heard some good things about.

But, the others are the following:

Bonnie Brook, Waukegan; George Dunn National, Oak Forest; The Links at Carillon, Plainfield; Village Links, Glen Ellyn; Whisper Creek, Huntley.

Thoughts? Any must-plays -- or more importantly, must-avoids -- among the lot of them? I'm a typical GCA snob -- older is better, enjoy the old classics, appreciative of new designers with a flair for traditionalism or bold designs. The more candid the critique, the better.

[Tom Huckaby]

This is a no-brainer.  Bob Huntley's course simply must be played.  Get there immediately!

TH

ps - of course this is a total smart-ass response, I know zero about any of those courses, but I do find it cool there's a course named for our gracious Monterey friend.  

[PThomas]

For the Illinois (and others!) GCA set:
PHIL - SEE CAPS BELOW
I walked into my local wine store, and a nationally prominent winery is running one of those "buy some wine; get a round of golf on us" promos. I'm tempted, as one of the courses is the new Nicklaus Bull in Sheboygan in my Cheeseland homestate, which I have yet to play and have heard some good things about.
THE BULL IS PROBABLY YOUR BEST CHOICE

But, the others are the following:

Bonnie Brook, Waukegan;

NEVERPLAYED

 George Dunn National, Oak Forest
OK, MODERN -TYPE THOUGH, A CHEAP KEMPER LAKES...USED TO/STILL DOES ? SUFFER FROM PRETTY BAD MAINTENANCE
; The Links at Carillon, Plainfield;
YOUR LAST CHOICE
 Village Links, Glen Ellyn
USED TO BE A PRETTY GOOD COURSE...RENOVATED A YEAR OR SO AGO THOUGH AND I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE SINCE THEN


; Whisper Creek, Huntley.

PLAYED ONCE, ITS' OK

GO PLAY THE BULL! (AND IGNORE THE SMART - ASS FROM CALIFORNIA

Thoughts? Any must-plays -- or more importantly, must-avoids -- among the lot of them? I'm a typical GCA snob -- older is better, enjoy the old classics, appreciative of new designers with a flair for traditionalism or bold designs. The more candid the critique, the better.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

To fill in the information above...you may like Bonnie Brook as it is an older course circa 1920's.  I ran a couple of tournaments there last summer, but did not play it.

I also agree that the Bull is likely your best choice and The Links of Carillon is the one that you should stay away from.

[cary lichtenstein]

Play:

Bull Run
Cog Hill #4

[Dan Moore]

Bonnie Brook is a James Foulis design from the 20's.  That's the one I'd try since I've never played it.  Dunne has some good holes but tends to be overbooked since it is a very good value.  

[Phil McDade]

Thanks for the replies and thoughts!

Dan -- I was going through some of the GCA interviews after I posted this and ran across the reference to the Foulis design work at Bonnie Brook. I'm intrigued by it, and may give it a try.