From today's www.dailysouthtown.com

Here are excerpts from today's article by Tim Cronin
on Rees Jones' ideas for Cog Hill's Dubsdread course. A US Open in the works?

"Rees Jones recently visited Cog Hill's Dubsdread course for an in-depth survey.

Bulldozers may soon follow.

Cog Hill president Frank Jemsek said he expects to commission Jones, one of the most highly regarded golf-course architects, to renovate the Lemont course, built by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee in 1964 and home of the Western Open since 1991.

"We're fairly well sold on him," Jemsek said, speaking for his family. "I think that everybody likes him and is impressed with him."

Jones is expected to forward a contract to Jemsek soon. With the financial terms would be a comprehensive plan for a renovation.

"They would draw up a master plan and we would then come in with our comments," Jemsek said.

Jones' day-long examination of the course included suggestions on where to reposition greens, bunkers and tees, though the routing itself — which runs across hillsides on the bluffs above the Des Plaines Valley — will not be tampered with. Instead, it will be brought up to date.

"He wants to challenge the best players in the world, but doesn't want to beat up the average player," Jemsek said. "I was impressed with him."

Among the suggestions was to move the third green, now at the end of a dogleg left, to the right, making the green smaller and allowing for the adjacent fourth hole, currently a straightaway par 4, to be bent into a dogleg with a much more difficult tee shot."

anyone know how Rees got to be THE Open doctor?  was it simply based on his work at The Country Club for the 88 Open:  "He did a good job there, so let's just keep using him"?!?

hmmmmm, there's talk of moving the Western around, which would make Cog available for an Open, and now Rees enters the picture....what timing, huh?!?!?

If they do this to perhaps get an Open, do you really think they will widen the corridors in an effort to "please" the USGA?

 a good point about 10, Ace...Tiger nearly drove the green this year, I think...no room to back up the tee there either, as 1 fairway is right behind it

I don't recall any driveable par 4s at an Open....

#7 at Olympic is and was driveable.

How are they going to distinguish it from Medinah #3 when he's done?  Sorry...easy cheap shot.

Dick Wilson is spinning in his grave (albeit on a wobbly axis) -- his hated rival's son recasting one of his proudest designs.

This might be somewhat off topic, however, the article specifically says Rees is, "one of the most highly regarded golf-course architects."  Is this actually true?  And if it is, in what circles are we talking about?  I don't have nearly the problem with him that many here do, and have only played one course (Torrey Pines) that he's redone, but from that experience, he is markedly repetitive.

I've also played Cog Hill and would simply hope and pray that he doesn't alter some of the better holes too much.  I thought the stretch of 12 through 16 were incredible.

The problem lies in Jemsek's perceived need to alter the course, not with the architect he chose to carry out his wishes.

Problem? What problem?

Joe