16 local GCAers made our way out to The Highlands of Elgin yesterday for a round on a beautiful fall day. The Highlands is a Keith Foster* design (*correction, 8 of the holes were done by Foster w/ his design associate Art Schaupeter. Schaupeter should be credited with the most recent 10 holes) where 10 holes have been added to Foster's original 8 to create the current layout. Obviously, all of the opinions here are mine so I'd love to hear some of the others chime in if they'd like. The course is a positive addition to the local public offerings and is a departure from the typical Chicagoland parkland environment. Several of the new holes were routed around an old quarry site which made for some strong visuals and risk reward opportunities. The course played quite firm and fast (especially the new holes which have only been open since mid summer), which made the ground game available in many circumstances.
There are currently some knockout photo threads on the board (Fishers Island, Sagebrush, NGLA, Yale...), so don't expect this to rival those in any way. However, many on this site comment that we need more affordable, quality public golf. The Highlands of Elgin is a muni and $43 to walk all season, so this is a prime example of what can be offered. Mr. Foster (*see previous correction) has two such courses in the area, Shepherd's Crook being the other (I've not played there yet, but it gets very high praise from local GCAers), and both are munis.
We played the combo tees black/gold for a yardage of 6786. The black tees stretch out to 7000, gold - 6365, silver - 5625, and white - 4901. Remember, many of the holes only opened this summer, so most of the ground under repair and turf issues you may see relate to grow in. Here are some photos...
Hole 2 (Par 5 522)From the landing zone. The bunker complex fronting the green is set back a little creating some visual illusion. You can lay up short of these bunkers or lay up more aggressively left or right which will give you a better line of sight for your wedge.
A closer look at the front bunker
Room between the bunker and the green.
A view from behind the hole
Hole 3 (Par 4 383)Several of the guys thought this was the best hole on the course and I agree with them. This view from the tee gives you an idea of the massive width of the playing corridor and the related options. Lay up short of the bunkers, hit a little more club left of the bunkers, blow it over the bunkers with driver, or take an aggressive line directly at the green. The drive directly at the green must carry 250 to cover the wetland and you must also avoid more wetland on the right.
This is what you have left when laying up short of the bunkers...
This is the view when you drive over the bunkers. This option leaves you a delicate pitch over the front left bunker to the green which isn't very receptive from this angle.
...or take a more aggressive line right of the bunkers leaving an open approach.
Hole 4 (Par 3 155)This par three requires a mid or short iron to a wide green that has quite a bit of movement. The back left portion of the green (where this pin is positioned) runs away from the tee, making it difficult to stop shots short of the hole. Also there is a significant false front on the front left side of the green.
A view from behind the green
Hole 5 (Par 4 436)Another in a sequence of really good holes. This tee shot again presents angles and options. The aggressive line is just left of the smokestacks in the distance. You can lay up short of the cross bunkers or drive to the right leaving a mid to long iron.
The view from short of the cross bunkers
If you successfully take the aggressive line you are rewarded with this straight forward approach
A view from behind
Hole 6 (Par 5 535) This par 5 is uphill all the way. A tee shot over the corner will put you in position to possibly have a go in two, or you can play your tee shot out to the right and play as a three shot hole. Visually this is one of the more unappealing tee shots, but the interest of the hole comes later.
A first time player won't realize it, but laying up to the left hand side will leave you this...
...while a lay up down the right hand side will leave this view.
Once over the cross bunker this is what awaits...
A large green with an equally large swale running through the middle.
Hole 7 (Par 3 203)This downhill par three can play as long as 254 yards. The Green is large, and in front the contours allow you to land the ball short and run it all the way to a back pin.
One of the long views from the 7th tee
Unfortunately, I didn't get any shots of the 8th hole. It is one of the quarry holes and requies a risk/reward tee shot which makes you decide how much quarry to carry.
Hole 10 (Par 4 395)Downhill tee shot to a fairway protected by bunkers left and hazard right. A well struck driver may run through the fairway into the hazard, so a lay up is probably the safe play.
From the approach area. The hazard moves across the fairway diagonally and shouldn't interfere with your approach...
However, if you are in one of the left hand bunkers the hazard may give you second thoughts about playing to the green.
Hole 11 (Par 4 429)
From the tee this par 4 asks you how much quarry you want to attempt to carry.
By hugging the left side and flirting with the quarry you are rewarded with an open shot to the green, but playing a safer tee shot will leave a longer approach over the fronting bunkers.
Hole 12 (Par 5 530)This tee is perched upon one of the highest points on the course. The drive is downhill to a fairway protected by bunkers right and long left.
A drive that finds trouble or is well back will leave the player a decision whether or not to cross the hazard with the lay up.
From here, the green is reachable in two...
Hole 13 (Par 4 310)This is a reachable short par 4. A shot carrying the last bunker on the left can roll up onto or just short of the green. However, there are endless options for a lay up tee shot.
From the fairway after laying up down the left side.
Hole 15 (Par 3 166)Par three with a green surrounded on 3 sides by water.
View of green from #2 tee
Hole 18 (Par 4 414)
A strong uphill finishing hole. The fairway is one of the widest on the course.
Uphill approach
