Golf Course of the Year --
Illinois Golf Course Owners Association, 2001

Golf Course of the Year You'll be sorry you're suddenly playing the last hole on the final signature hole, but wow, what an unforgettable view! This is a classic, nearly 50-year-old Robert Bruce Harris design--one of the first that began his great reputation. From the first, where you must zing one over the bunker on the right to that last, memorable 18^th, you may be hard pressed to concentrate, since you'll already be planning your next Village Greens round. Leave yourself a short pitch to this 362-yard first hole to an elevated green. It's a pretty sight with a stand of gorgeous trees right. You're almost in the country here, close to nature as well as metro Chicagoland. Who would've guessed there was such a place to play your favorite game so nearby three freeways, affording you value, scenic vistas and playability in one great course.

Aggressive players have a great chance at birdie on several holes, like the 2^nd. An ample landing area on the right side of the fairway to a relatively flat putting surface gives you that chance. The same goes for three other par 4's 8, 9 and 16, though precision is necessary on each, they are the last of the easier chances. No matter what handicap you play to, you'll find the sweeping views, stands of trees and beautiful contrasts everywhere you walk so compelling that you'll immediately make it one of you favorite arenas.

The third hole is regarded as the most difficult on the course. This (number-1 handicap) hole requires a long, straight tee shot, giving you a chance to hit the green in two. But the last 150 yards slope uphill, so use one to two clubs longer to reach this tricky green. Back downhill really down, too for the 4^th a daunting par three where club selection is everything. Water and sand guard both sides of this fun hole. On the fifth, play a slight draw off the tee to take advantage of the right to left slope of the fairway. Sand and water to the left collect poorly hit tee shots. Large trees will block tee shots to the right of the fairway. You'll need another crackin' drive to reach the corner of the dogleg-right par 5, number six. Fly right and you're flirting with OB. A steep bunker hides the front of this tiny green requiring a lofted approach to hold it.

Hit a long iron to reach the right-to-left-sloping number 7 green. Guarded by three bunkers, this par 3 plays 200 yards. The gentle dogleg right number 8 offers a large tee shot landing area to the left of the fairway bunker. Long putts will fall on the flat putting surface giving you that elating birdie chance. Absolutely avoid the OB on the left and hit the pin side of number 9's undulating green and you've set up your birdie chance once again.

Another shorter hole starting the back nine, but stay away from OB left and water right, as well as mounds and sand left of the green. Number 11 is a slight dogleg left par 5, sloping downhill the final 100 yards. Hit your approach left and below the pin. Beware of trouble getting up and down from the tough bunker right. Favor the left side of number 12's fairway for best angle to this dogleg right and bunker left in front of a sloping green. A short par 3, 13's green appears to undulate, but putts don't break as much as you'd expect.

The long, par 4, 14^th, sports water right and OB left with a ridged green back to front (number 2 handicap hole), nearly 400 yards. Tee shot between bunker left and water right at 15. A large flat green belies the bunker trouble short and left still a toughy. A water hazard left, hidden from the tee, collects balls hit over the bunker on the left side of 16's fairway.

Then there's that large bushy thing, an imposing tree--on the right front of the severely sloping green from back to front. The final par 3, 17^th, will test your nerves: A middle iron must avoid the 2 bunkers in front of the green and the water beyond. Then, alas, you're at that majestic 18th. Two ways to play it: either leave your tee shot out to the right to avoid the water left, or play aggressively toward the left side of the fairway for a chance to reach this green in two. Good luck, as it plays a hefty 536 yards from the tips, but a reachable 499 when you cut the dogleg with two good shots. 

Blue yardage: 6638 (71.7/125); White: 6290 (70.1/118); Red 5426 (70.5/118)