16914 Oak Grove Road in Harvard,
815-648-2550, www.oakgrovegolfcourse.com
18-hole, Public, Par 71, 7,100 yards
Black 75 (142), Blue 73.1 (138),
White 71.1 (133), Yellow 68.7 (127),
Yellow/Ladies 74 (133), Red 71.3 (127)
Pro: Dennis Peoplis
With five tee placements on each hole, this Audubon Certified Signature Sanctuary site offers challenge to a range of players. Ranked 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest, Oak Grove Golf Course offers a picturesque and challenging round of golf from start to finish. Its signature “Anaconda,” the 11th hole, snakes through wetlands and trees to a well-protected cloverleaf-shaped green. The clubhouse and outdoor patio are perfect for relaxing before or after your game and were constructed with materials from the original on-site barn.
Foxford Hills Golf Club
6800 S. Rawson Bridge Road in Cary,
847-639-0400, www.foxfordhillsgolfclub.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 7,023 yards
Men: Black 72.8 (129), Gold 70.9 (125),
Green 68.5 (120), Blue 66.3 (114)
Ladies: Blue 70.9 (122), Silver 68 (115)
Pro: Michael Boquist
Foxford’s first six holes are open, links style and prepare the golfer for the final 12 holes, which are played through mature woodlands, natural wetlands and elevation changes that enhance challenges for each golfer. Foxford also offers a full-service clubhouse, fully stocked pro shop and full-service practice range.
Plum Tree National Golf Club
19511 Lembcke Road in Harvard,
815-943-7474, www.plumtreegolf.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 6,648 yards
Blue 71.8 (126), White 70.6 (123), Red 74.9 (132)
Pro: Shawn Chisamore
One of the most picturesque golf courses in the area, Plum Tree offers players a test of strategy, skill and patience. Other amenities include a full-service pro shop, practice area with all-grass hitting stations and a clubhouse with banquet facilities. Playing lessons, junior lessons, private lessons and clinics are also available.
Crystal Woods Golf Club
5915 S. Rt. 47 in Woodstock,
815-338-3111, www.crystalwoodsgc.com
18-hole, Semi-private, Par 72, 6,450 yards
Blue 70.2 (123), White 69 (120),
Red/Ladies 71.1 (118)
Pros: John and Jay Craig
Crystal Woods’ course is more than 50 years old, so the fairways are lined with mature trees. Players can walk the course of rolling hills because greens and tees are fairly close to one another. The front nine challenges your shot-making ability, while the back nine features a unique balance of three par-threes, -fours and -fives. Their signature hole is the 12th, a 405-yard par four that is played over water to a two-tiered green. It is one of McHenry County’s most difficult holes.
Craig Woods Golf Course
5815 S. Rt. 47 in Woodstock, 815-337-3116,
www.crystalwoodsgc.com/craigwoods.htm
9-hole, Public, Par 34, 2,400 yards
This is a great course for someone who either doesn’t have the time to play 18 holes or is a junior player. The signature island green on the third hole tests shot-making ability, but an adjacent green surrounded by terra firma offers an easier option.
Prairie Isle Golf Club
2216 Rt. 176 in Prairie Grove,
815-356-0202, www.prairieisle.com
18-hole, Private, Par 72, 6,601 yards
72.1 (128), 70.5 (125), 71.5 (121)
Pro: John Babcock
This fair course is a combination of old and new styles, with wetlands and tree-lined holes. There are several tee boxes at each hole to offer different levels of difficulty. The 8th hole is the signature hole, a par three on top of a hill, looking down to a green surrounded by water.
Woodstock Country Club
10310 Country Club Road in Woodstock, 815-338-5355, www.woodstockcc.org
9-hole, Private, Par 70, 5,968 yards
Men’s 70.3 (128), Ladies 73.5 (130)
Pro: Allen D. Brown
Woodstock Country Club claims the best greens in the county. The very subtle, true and quick greens are challenging to the player. Established in 1916, the course is one of the oldest, designed by Tom Bendelow. The course features unique terrain and rolling hills. Small greens put a premium on approach shots and the short game.
943 W. Rawson Bridge Road in Cary,
847-639-0666, www.chaletgolf.com
18-hole, Public, Par 73, 6,877 yards
Men: Black 73.6 (137), 72.3 (134), 69.4 (126)
Ladies: White 75 (134), Gold 69.1 (121)
Pro: Kevin Haracz
Chalet Hills has mature oaks and hardwoods, sculpted fairways, bent grass from tee to green and scenic lakes and ponds. The layout and topography of the course are unique, and the surroundings give the player a feeling of being in a forest. The clubhouse has a country club feeling, great views and offers a tasty menu and indoor and outdoor seating.
Golf Club of Illinois
1575 Edgewood Road in Algonquin,
847-658-4400, www.golfclubofil.com
18-hole, Public, Par 71, 7,041yards
Men: Black 73.9 (132), Blue 71.8 (128),
Burgundy 69.6 (124), White 67.3 (119)
Ladies: Blue 75.2 (131), Burgundy 72.4 (125), White 68.4 (117)
Pro: J. Anderson
The course is a classic links-style course featuring high fescue grasses, treacherous sand bunkers and strategically placed mounds on each hole. The course has earned a reputation for being a stern test for all skill levels. The clubhouse is also available for banquets and weddings.
Crystal Lake Country Club
721 Country Club Road in Crystal Lake,
815-459-1068, www.clcountryclub.com
18-hole, Private, Par 71, 6,738 yards
Blue 73.1 (135), White 71.5 (132),
Gold 69.6 (128), Red 72.4 (126)
Pro: Casey Brozek
The club offers a tree-lined course that puts a premium on driving the ball. Greens, which average 3,600 square feet, require accuracy and are traditional front-to-back sloping with the focus on playability and pin locations. The Prestwick dining room overlooks the 9th green and offers a varied menu. The club also has tennis and swimming pool facilities.
Whisper Creek Golf Club
12840 Dell Webb Blvd. in Huntley,
847-515-7680, www.whispercreekgolf.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 7,103 yards,
Willow/Ladies 71.4 (124), Birch 69.3 (123),
Pine 71.5 (128), Oak 73.7 (133),
Pro: Christopher Strand
Whisper Creek’s fairways and greens wind through groves of mature oak trees and more than 5,000 strategically placed character pine and specimen hardwood trees. All carts are equipped with Global Positioning Systems so golfers can get accurate yardages, record scores and keep track of matches. The system also enables golfers to order food at the turn.
Chapel Hill Golf Club
2500 N. Chapel Hill Road in McHenry,
815-385-3337, www.chapelhillgolf.com
18-hole, Semi-private, Par 70, 6,182 yards
Blue 68.9 (120) White 67.5 (118) Red 70.6 (122)
Pro: Roy Dombeck
Chapel Hill’s course is a traditional, tree-lined course with undulating, true greens. They claim the longest hole in Illinois,
the 17th.
Boone Creek Golf Course
6912 Mason Hill Road in McHenry,
815-455-6902, www.boonecreekgolfacademy.com
27-hole, Public, Par 71, 6,524 yards
18-hole Blue Course: Blue 69.8 (120),
White 67.4 (115), Red 69.1 (114)
9-hole Red Course: Blue 34.1 (117),
White 33 (112), Red 33.3 (110)
Pros: Jim Bunzeli, Mike Haase and Kurt Sroka
This prairie-type course doesn’t have many trees or hills. The former sod farm has two creeks and an all-grass driving range, one of the nicest in the county. The Boone Creek Golf Academy has the largest junior golf program, with 250 participants in the spring and fall.
McHenry Country Club
820 N. John St. in McHenry,
815-385-3435, www.mchenrycountryclub.com
18-hole, Private, Par 71, 6,638 yards
Blue 72 (132), White 71.1 (130), Red 72.9 (128)
Pro: Scott Beaugureau
Natural rolling terrain and elevation changes create a unique golfing experience. The course’s 8th hole, a downhill par three is the signature hole of this course that was built in 1922 with traditional small, fast greens. The family oriented club offers banquets and dining as well.
Redtail Golf Club
7900 Redtail Drive in Lakewood,
815-477-0055, www.redtailgolf.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 6,803 yards
Men: Black 72.8 (130), Gold 71.2 (126),
White 68 (120)
Ladies: White 74.3 (128), Red 71.3 (122)
Pro: Chris Neuhart
This championship course was designed by Roger Packard. The front nine have sweeping elevation changes through wetlands. The back nine are straighter. The 10th and 16th holes are the courses’ signature holes; both play to a double-island green.
Cary Country Club
2400 Grove Lane in Cary,
847-639-3161, www.carycountryclub.com
18-hole, Semi-private, Par 72, 6,140 yards
Blue 69 (119), Red 71.5 (120), White 74.5 (126)
Pro: Bob Keith
One of the oldest courses in McHenry County, the course has small greens and rolling hills. The 14th hole, a par three, is the club’s signature hole. Golfers begin at an elevated tee, continue through a narrow pass and over a small creek in front of the green.
Marengo Ridge Golf & Country Club
9508 Harmony Hill Road in Marengo,
815-923-2332, http://marengoridgegolfclub.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 6,629 yards
Blue 72.5 (129), White 70.9 (125), Gold 68.2 (119), Red 71.5 (125)
Pro: Jim Robinson
The course’s front nine present water hazards, bunkers, environmental areas and large undulating greens, while the back nine feature a more traditional style course with mature woodlands, rolling hills and doglegs.
Blackstone Golf Club
9700 St. Andrews Drive in Marengo,
815-923-1800, www.blackstonegc.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 6,727 yards
Bronze 68.8 (120), Silver 67.7 (125),
Gold 70 (131), Black/Gold 71.7 (136),
Black 72.8 (139)
Pro: Pat Honan
This new 18-hole course has nine holes that stretch through dense forests of oak and hickory, and wetlands come into play on 13 holes. With bent grass fairways, tees and greens, the views are beautiful and the course demanding. The 9th hole is the most difficult, with a kidney-shaped green that has two levels.
Pinecrest Golf & Country Club
112200 Algonquin Road in Huntley,
847-669-3111, www.pinecrestgc.com
18-hole, Public, Par 72, 6,604 yards
Men: Blue 71.5 (123), White 68.8 (118),
Red 63.2 (90), Ladies: Blue 77.1 (130),
White 74.2 (125), Red 68.7 (114)
Pro: Dennis Lillibridge
Pinecrest’s course is located on 130 acres, features 18 championship holes and has five lakes and 63 sand bunkers along with many maturing trees to challenge all levels of players. Pinecrest also has an all-grass practice range and three target greens, practice sand and chipping green and practice putting green. PGA golf pros are also available for instruction.
Bull Valley Golf Club
1311 Club Road in Woodstock,
815-337-4460, www.bullvalleygolfclub.com
18-hole, Private, Par 72, 7,325 yards
Tip of the Horn 77.2 (151), Grey 75.6 (145), White 73.7 (141), Green/Ladies 77.7 (145), Greenhorn 72 (133)
Pro: Mike Picciano
Bull Valley’s unique topography makes for a rolling terrain in the namesake golf course. There is a marsh, forest and prairie all in one course. The 13th hole is their signature hole. It is a par three and 220 yards from the back tee. Players hit over a pond and onto a forested green. The course is one of the most visually impressive in the county. Players feel like they are the only one on the course.
Turnberry Country Club
9600 Turnberry Trail in Lakewood,
815-455-0501, www.turnberrycc.com
Blue 73.1 (137), White 71.4 (133), Red 74.0 (132)
18-Hole, Private, Par 72, 6,900 yards
Pro: Jami Brighty
Designed by famed course architect, E. Lawrence Packard, Turnberry opened in 1972. This course features challenges for golfers at all levels, with mature trees, water on 10 holes, elevation changes and plenty of bunkers protecting extraordinarily well-maintained greens. The panoramic view from the elevated 11th tee is spectacular and the challenge of making par at the 220-yard 3rd and 544-yard 17th holes are among the many delights of playing Turnberry. Turnberry has played host to several USGA, CDGA and PGA events. In addition to challenging golf, Turnberry offers swimming and tennis facilities, first-class dining and spacious banquet facilities.
Fox Hills Resort: A Destination for Golf and More
About three hours away from McHenry County in scenic Northeast Wisconsin, Fox Hills Resort (250 W. Church St. in Mishicot, Wis.) boasts 45 holes on two courses and is definitely worth the trip for those seeking a good game this summer.
The National features 18 holes on 7,010 yards and combines the best of Scottish links courses, with vast sandy areas, sculpted mounds and double greens with 16 acres of water hazards.
The 27-hole Fox Creek is the original course at Fox Hills and features 9,265 yards. The villa-lined fairways, with mature weeping willows surround the Resort. Winds from Lake Michigan — which is about 6 miles east of the facility — make both courses quite a challenge.
One unique thing about Fox Hills Resort’s golfing opportunities is its unlimited golf packages. Midweek and weekend golf packages are also available.
Golf aside, the resort is open year round and features 336 lodging rooms and suites, The Oasis Spa, The Willowview Restaurant, Benchwarmers Sports Bar and The 19th Hole Bar & Grill. With four swimming pools (two indoor, two outdoor), mini golf, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts — and a well-equipped fitness center — Fox Hills Resort is great for couples, friends and family. Plus, there is banquet and event space for small and large meetings, conferences and weddings for up to 500 guests.
>> For more, call 800-950-7615 or visit www.foxhillsresort.com.
