Playing the Medinah CC Course Two Restoration
The restoration of Medinah CC's Course Two is both pristine and jaw-dropping. We had the chance to play this amazingly fun, yet challenging course reboot.
Medinah Country Club in Illinois is a name recognized by golf fans around the globe. A past host of multiple major championships and the 2012 Ryder Cup, Medinah is easily one of the best golf properties in the country. Their recently restored Course Two features architectural upgrades that not only bring the course into this century, but its six (!) sets of tees makes it one of the most versatile courses in America. My friend Matt Saternus from PluggedInGolf.com invited me to play the course with him recently, and I was blown away.
Course Two Restoration
As Matt writes in his preview piece on Plugged In Golf, Medinah's Course Two was designed by Tom Bendelow in 1927 and remained untouched since that year. A combination of time and infamous Midwestern weather would take its toll over the years, however, leaving Course Two in dire need of cosmetic and architectural upgrades. Sunken greens, poor drainage capability and other factors prompted action to be taken.
Medinah's membership voted overwhelmingly in favor of a true restoration, and in 2015 approved a $3 million project to be headed by world-renowned architect Rees Jones. Using aerial photos from the late 1930's, drainage and routing maps and additional archival documents Jones was able to restore the greens to their original specifications.
Reshaping the land was only part of the restoration. Over 600 overgrown trees were also removed from the course, allowing more accessibility for golfers of all skill levels without compromising the shape of each hole's layout.
Family-Friendly Tee System
Course Two also features a unique family-friendly tee system in addition to its overall restoration. Similar to the Longleaf Tee System we've discussed in the past, the Golf For Life concept provides multiple tee marker options on every hole. Headed by Medinah's Director of Golf, Marty DeAngelo, the program allows Course Two to be played anywhere from 4600 yards to just over 6400 from the back tees.
This level of hole-to-hole versatility almost makes Course Two seem like the "Swiss Army knife" of courses, allowing players to experience completely different layouts from one day to the next depending on tee option. It is a concept that all courses would be smart to embrace, thus giving all golfers a fair shot at shooting their best score every round.
Condition and Playability
Our round took place during a cool, somewhat windy 65-degree weekday just before 9am. To say the course was in pristine condition would be underselling it. As a guy who doesn't get the chance to play pro-caliber or private courses all too often anymore, the pureness and lush parkland layout that greeted me on the first tee was jaw-dropping.
Bendelow's layout is simple, yet challenging, and doesn't hide too much from the tee. Everything is in front of you, which allows the player to form a strategy without any guess work. This allowed us to not only play faster, but with a level of comfort that we'd at least seen golf holes like this before, more or less.
What neither of us have seen that often, of course, were the incredible greens and approach areas. Jones's restoration brought the natural contours and undulations of the greens back to life, both of which adding a level of difficulty to every hole that was both fair and fun.
Course Two's bunkering was also fair, although deceivingly punitive in some instances. I'm a huge fan of greenside bunkers that creep well onto the putting surface as opposed to stopping by the fringe. This look makes the green appear smaller from afar, yet provides comfort and confidence when chipping from the apron. Believe it or not, you actually have room to play multiple shots!
On that latter point, I was extremely impressed with the number of short game shot options Jones provides to the player. I could have putted or chipped from just off the green on any hole, which again speaks to the course's overall playability for any skill level. I prefer courses that allow me to make that choice as opposed to the other way around.
As far as the putting surfaces themselves, no word other than "perfect" could adequately describe their condition. Never before have I played on greens of their caliber, and their speeds were quick without being too fast. I honestly cannot remember a single time my ball didn't roll true on any putt, which contributed to a positive putting round overall.
Final Thoughts
The restoration of Medinah CC's Course Two has to be declared nothing less than a massive success. While the allure of playing on a piece of property like Medinah certainly gives me bias -- coupled with the fact that I simply don't get to play these courses EVER -- this was one of my favorite golf experiences ever.
If ever given the opportunity, I'd love to try more of the tee box options during a second round. The Golf For Life system -- as well as the Longleaf Tee System -- is 100 percent a way to grow this game, and Medinah should receive even more praise for embracing it for their membership.
(Many, many thanks to Matt from Plugged In Golf for the invite. I'll repay it somehow!)
Chicago's Best Golf Courses
(The following is a guest post from 9 & Dine Women's Golf.)
The Chicago area is fertile ground for golf enthusiasts, with beautiful, world-class golf courses which inspire locals and draw visitors from all over the world. No matter what type of course one enjoys, from major championship venues to off-the-beaten-path gems, one can find what they are looking for without traveling far from Chicago. Really, it seems one can't shank a tee-shot in Chicago without their ball landing on another great course next door. So, without further ado, here is a list of some of the best-known, highly rated golf courses near Chicago, along with an extra hidden gem thrown in for good measure.
Medinah
Founded in 1924 and one of the most storied clubs in the United States, Medinah is private, but getting in is worth the effort. The most famous 18 at the 54 hole club is known simply as Course 3, a track on which one can walk in the footsteps of legends like Gary Player, Byron Nelson, and Tiger Woods. Medinah hosted the 2012 Ryder Cup, along with two PGA Championships and 3 US Opens. With three separate courses designed by Tom Bendelow, ranging in length from 6,210 to 7,657 yards, Medinah has something to offer for every type of player. The perfectly manicured fairways at Medinah are bordered by a thick, lush treeline, making each hole feel almost like a world of its own.
Cog Hill
Like Medinah, Cog Hill is a course frequently populated by the very best players in the world. As part of the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoff, Cog Hill hosted the BMW Championship in 2007, and from 2009-2011. Unlike Medinah, Cog Hill is open to the public, so one doesn't need a special connection to step onto the tee box. The club is home to four courses, including the crowned jewel, a championship course called Dubsdread.
Each 18 hole track offers a little something different – Course 1 an intricate, 1920s era design weaving through wooded terrain, Ravines a championship-style layout with plentiful water hazards and bunkers, and Course 3 a mix of challenging terrain and long distance. Dubsdread, opened in 1964, is the demanding layout which many are familiar with from the PGA Tour. The best part about Cog Hill? Greens fees for Course 1, Ravines, and Course 3 range from $53 to $73, cart included. Even Dubsdread, with all its history, doesn't break the bank, coming in at $155.
The Glen Club
The Glen Club, designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Fazio, is another Chicago area public course with a rich history. The rates are higher than at Cog Hill, starting at $90 during the “off months,” but The Glen Club offers quite an experience for the price. The course, playing 6,062 yards from the front tees and 7,160 from the back, features rolling terrain and links-style features, with tall fescue grass lining some fairways. In addition to world-class golf, The Glen Club offers luxurious lodging, fine dining, and a spacious, beautiful clubhouse.
Robert A. Black Golf Course
For a taste of something completely different, one can seek out this little hidden gem. The layout is nine holes, with immaculate greens, well-groomed fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and a challenging layout for golfers of all skill levels. It may not have the cachet or fancy amenities of the world-renowned courses above, but this nine hole, par 33 layout is perfect for an afternoon outing with friends. As a part of the Chicago Park District Golf system, it is also very easy for golfers in the city to reach.
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Melinda Bailey is an avid golfer and Blog Manager of 9 & Dine Women’s Golf Apparel blog. You can connect with Melinda via Twitter @9Dine.
Ryder Cup 2012: Medinah Country Club Photos
Ryder Cup 2012: Hospital Encourages Fans to "Move on the Course"
Readers probably remember that while I am a golf blogger by night, I also work in healthcare during the day. Walking and cardiovascular exercise is something I take very seriously, so when the Hospital for Special Surgery informed me of their newest campaign aligned with the Ryder Cup, I had to write a quick post. As the official hospital of The PGA of America, HSS is encouraging spectators to get moving by giving away pedometers as part of the “Let’s Move on Course!” initiative starting next week. A total of 25,000 pedometers will be given away with a limited supply distributed each day at Medinah Country Club on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, fans that scan their ticket at the “Let’s Move on Course!” booth or create a “walking” account and track their steps at HSS.edu/golf can enter to win an autographed pin flag by Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III.
Fans can pick up a free pedometer at the “Let’s Move on Course!” booth at the main entrance of Medinah Country Club and track their steps during the event, or at the Get Golf Ready Family Fun Zone held Sept. 23 (Sunday) at Meadowdale Park in Dundee Township, Ill.
While golf may appear to be a leisurely pursuit and not a means of exercise, health and fitness experts advocate that taking 10,000 steps a day – the equivalent of walking 18 holes – improves overall fitness and helps with weight control. The game has numerous other mental and physical health benefits, including:
· Cardio: Golf exercises your heart, and walking the course can burn up to 300 calories an hour.
· Muscles: Carrying your clubs builds muscle mass and increases muscle tone in your arms and shoulders.
· Sunshine: Playing in the sunshine gives the body Vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones and overall health.
· Fresh Air: Golf with a cart provides fresh air for improved circulation and can burn more than 800 calories per round.
· Sleep: Exercise wears off excess energy, which helps you fall asleep faster and sleep through the night.
· Social: Golf is meant to be played with family and friends and can keep your mind at ease with enjoyable social opportunities.
For more information on Play Golf America and “Let’s Move on Course!” consumers can visit PlayGolfAmerica.com and HSS.edu/golf.
Ryder Cup 2012: 'Tartan Art On The Avenue' Hits Chicago's Magnificant Mile
OAK BROOK, Ill. – One of the great avenues of the world, Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, is now home to the “Tartan Art on the Avenue” public art exhibit, featuring 50 uniquely decorated giant golf balls located along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and throughout the Chicagoland area.The exhibit is part of Magnificent Moments, an officially sanctioned charitable fundraising campaign of the upcoming 39th Ryder Cup, which will be played Sept. 25-30 at historic Medinah (Ill.) Country Club. The campaign is raising money for two local charities – Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and The Illinois PGA Foundation – by hosting a series of “Magnificent Moments” in Chicago. “We are very excited to roll out this wonderful exhibit in celebration of the Ryder Cup matches,” said Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. “The Magnificent Moments team has worked very hard to develop this unique collection of golf balls to raise awareness and important funds for the ongoing works of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and the Illinois PGA Foundation.”
The “Tartan Art on the Avenue” exhibit will be on display from September 13 to October 10, and features five-foot golf balls designed exclusively for many Chicago businesses and organizations, along with golf balls with sponsorship from around the world. Additionally, there are several celebrity golf balls, including designs representing most of Chicago’s professional sports teams, and golf balls signed by Chicago notables including actress Jenny McCarthy, American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III and European Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal will also have golf balls on display at Medinah Country Club during the Ryder Cup.
American icon and Official Ryder Cup artist LeRoy Neiman was the honorary Chairman of “Tartan Art on the Avenue” until his death in June. His last brilliantly-colored work of art is one of the golf ball masterpieces and will be on display at Medinah Country Club during the Ryder Cup. This one-of-a-kind golf ball, as well as several of the celebrity golf balls, will be auctioned off at the conclusion of the Ryder Cup. Auction information will be available on the official Website for the Ryder Cup: www.rydercup.com.
2012 Ryder Cup Illinois License Plates
GLENVIEW, Ill. (March 27, 2012) – The Illinois PGA Foundation in conjunction with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office is releasing a limited-run special event license plate to celebrate the 39th Ryder Cup taking place Sept. 25-30, 2012, at historic Medinah (Ill.) Country Club near Chicago. The Ryder Cup is the most prestigious competition in professional golf and one of the most beloved sporting events in the world.
The commemorative Ryder Cup plate will be valid for Illinois drivers from August 2-September 30, 2012. Out-of-state golf enthusiasts may order a plate as a souvenir, which will be shipped following the conclusion of the event. Proceeds from sales of the plate will benefit the Illinois PGA Foundation’s youth golf initiatives.
“The Illinois PGA Foundation is very excited to be able to offer a 2012 Ryder Cup special event license plate with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office,” said Trey VanDyke, Illinois PGA Foundation President. “The plate provides a great way for Illinois golf fans to display their Ryder Cup spirit and is also a unique collector’s item for Ryder Cup fans everywhere. Most importantly, sales of the plate will help fund the Illinois PGA Foundation’s charitable work and programs, with a strong focus on helping young people who are interested in the great game of golf.”
Fans should visit www.ipga.com to view the 2012 Ryder Cup plate design and to download the application for purchase. The plate is available for $80, with a reduced price of $40 being offered to Illinois drivers who own a vehicle currently registered with the Support Youth Golf License Plate. The plate will be offered for FREE to Illinois residents who purchase their permanent Support Youth Golf license plate in conjunction with this offer.
The Illinois PGA Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Illinois Section PGA, one of the 41 geographical regions that comprise the PGA of America. It focuses on promoting the goodwill and growth of the game in Illinois with an emphasis on activities that benefit youth. Foundation initiatives include GolfWorks Illinois, an internship program providing employment and educational opportunities for young people through the Illinois golf industry, a youth-based scholarship and grants programs and support of The First Tee program.
Order your plates today and support youth golf in Illinois by visiting www.ipga.com.
