You`d think the ”World`s Golf Center” would be a city in Florida, or perhaps a community in southern California.
It just doesn`t seem logical that suburbs of the Windy City would be a golfing mecca. Yet Orland Park advertises itself as the ”World`s Golf Center” on its water tower. And as the new host of the Western Open and the site of other golf courses, Lemont should hold the honor, say its officials.
One thing`s for sure-the south suburbs are home to many quality courses, where the point is not just fun, but professional-level play.
The Crystal Tree Golf and Country Club in Orland Park was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the son of one of golf`s most renowned architects and a major success himself. Pete Dye, the architect of several championship courses, and his son P.B. designed the Ruffled Feathers Golf Course in Lemont. Two-time U.S. Open champion Curtis Strange helped design The Odyssey Club in Tinley Park.
And despite the troubles surrounding its developers (see accompanying story), the golf course at Carillon in Romeoville was rated one of the best public courses in the Chicago area by Chicagoland Golf magazine.
All the courses are designed for championship golfers as well as everyday players.
Crystal Tree`s 18-hole private course is 6,589 yards long. As the oldest of the new courses, its grass and greenery are more mature, giving it a very picturesque look. Golf pro Pat Kenny regularly adjusts the tees to provide players with different challenges.
Club members pay a $30,000 initiation fee plus monthly dues. Non-members can play only as guests of members. The 3-year-old course already has been the site of the Illinois Senior Professional Golfers Association championship.
At Ruffled Feathers, they dream no small dreams. Although the course is practically across the street from Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, site of the Western Open golf tourney, director of golf Terry Lowe said he wants it to host major tournaments.
The 18-hole, 7,100-yard-long private course didn`t open until early June, but it has already been named the site of a qualifying event for the 1992 Professional Golfers Association championship. Club members pay an initiation fee of $35,000 plus monthly dues. Members pay $77.50 for guests on weekdays, $87.50 on weekends.
The Odyssey Club course is 18 holes and 7,100 yards long. Golf course director Ed Staffan claims the course, which opened last fall, is as good as country club courses, although it is public. Weekday rounds cost $25; weekend rounds $45. The course is open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk.
The private Broken Arrow course in Lockport was supposed to be open by now, but construction has been delayed due to financing and easement problems. The developers say popular senior circuit golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez will design their course. Plans call for a 215-acre course with 27 holes and an initiation fee of $10,000.
The Carillon golf course reflects its developer`s financial problems, with only 18 holes instead of the expected 27. Envisioned as a private course, it has become public-although club manager Roger Sutton says that is ”a well- kept secret.” Residents in the club pay $750 per year or $1,300 for family memberships. Non-residents pay $26 for a round of golf on weekdays; $36 on weekends.
