tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post5107083061180736136..comments2024-03-18T18:03:15.023-07:00Comments on Playing the Top 100 Golf Courses in The World: Chicago Golf ClubTop 100 Golferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16730165824981497579noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-9588218403731239782018-04-08T11:51:25.037-07:002018-04-08T11:51:25.037-07:00Can’t believe I came across this! Talk about a “fl...Can’t believe I came across this! Talk about a “flood” of memories! I had the good fortune to caddy there from ‘62-‘66. Every caddy was given a number and I started at #111, working my way up to #2.<br />Monday was “caddy day” and we could play the course for free, softball games, etc. I could go on and on! The caddyshack was special, and John Belishi kept everything loose when he caddied with us! Great place to learn the game of golf!Jerry Crabtreenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-87116558571257224612017-01-07T16:19:10.885-08:002017-01-07T16:19:10.885-08:00I played the course many times in the 50's and...I played the course many times in the 50's and 60's with my dad. I fondly remember the swale on the first hole where I learned to play a downhill lie. Alex Stupple was the pro who taught me the game and a wonderful gentleman was he.The ladies in the family were relegated to the tennis courts and pool which was kept at a discouraging temperature. Number four was my favorite where a well hit and slight hook off the tee would be rewarded and every other long shot penalized with tall trees near left, a very long bordering trap left past the trees, a small trap dead straight and gorse right until one reached the ancient oaks out 190 yards or so. Then a "pope's nose" bunker dead straight where a three wood might land on your second forcing an angled shot to the front sloping green stopping dead any high shot landing front and of course a horse-shoe trap wrapping the rear of the elevated green. And number seven where a very well hit three off the tee could make par and if a little off line or long was in one of the most challenging traps I've ever played. Dad died in '66 while I was off to school. We gave up the membership when I moved to California. Now '72 I dream of playing it once more to refresh some of my best and ancient memories.<br />paul@cascadehousing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-67832363632578903202016-06-27T16:57:57.242-07:002016-06-27T16:57:57.242-07:00I have played Chicago Golf twice. Each time there...I have played Chicago Golf twice. Each time there was only one other foursome on the course and although I was a guest, I knew the members of the other foursome. At that time the locker room was very plain with old metal lockers. I also though it quaint that the grill room had a box of matches on each table.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-88602846469922390692015-08-27T16:01:02.461-07:002015-08-27T16:01:02.461-07:00Another former caddy here. I caddied in the late 8...Another former caddy here. I caddied in the late 80's when Tim S. was the club pro. I was only in Jr High in those days and was just learning how to play the game. In my second year, I worked in the pro shop, cleaning clubs and picking balls off the driving range. To this day, when I'm playing a round with a younger player, I recall Tim S's mantra, "Thank you ..., you are a gentleman and a scholar." <br /><br />As a caddy, you learn the distances and the roll of the green very well. However, since most of the members who played regularly back then were a wee bit older, I didn't get to see the course played much from a low-handicapper's perspective. I too would love to return some day and play the old course. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-6019532792894502732015-03-10T14:17:07.547-07:002015-03-10T14:17:07.547-07:00Ex caddy from the late 40's. I was trained by ...Ex caddy from the late 40's. I was trained by Col. Kane to Caddy. What a great memory I have of the experience and playing on the course on "Caddy Day".<br /><br />Thanks for the memory CGC !<br /><br />Charlie StuartAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-53455627985129697092015-02-13T08:21:43.088-08:002015-02-13T08:21:43.088-08:00Not sure how Bobby Jones can have competitive cour...Not sure how Bobby Jones can have competitive course record being all Walker Cup rounds played are in match play format.<br />Course records should be attributed only to scores posted in competitive medal rounds. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-87726619290586199072014-01-03T13:44:18.584-08:002014-01-03T13:44:18.584-08:00Speaking of great courses if u ever get the chance...Speaking of great courses if u ever get the chance to play Blacksheep golf club it is one the best links courses there are! it is a joy to play there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-53792738962336257552012-09-12T05:40:29.180-07:002012-09-12T05:40:29.180-07:00I was fortunate to play CGC probably 20-25 times a...I was fortunate to play CGC probably 20-25 times as a relative was a member. First time I played I thought it was kind of boring. As I played it more the more I appreciated it. The golf course changes with the winds. I understand the big tree on the left side is gone on #11. A mistake! Love #2. I actually drove #5 once. Great memories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-80717390378471349172012-07-22T22:02:41.038-07:002012-07-22T22:02:41.038-07:00Michael,
I am the one who left the note about Ch...Michael, <br /><br />I am the one who left the note about Chester Horton. Please email me at gengirl76@gmail.com. <br /><br />Thanks, <br /><br />JenGenGirl76https://www.blogger.com/profile/11779117983246936691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-11862731967780021252012-07-13T18:08:29.139-07:002012-07-13T18:08:29.139-07:00Although I am not a golfer, I enjoyed your blog ve...Although I am not a golfer, I enjoyed your blog very much. My Dad was a member at Chicago Golf from the early 60's until about 10 years ago. Lots of great memories. It was definitely a men's club - the pool was very basic. The Men's Grill is located downstairs, right next to the men's locker room with no door - so ladies didn't DARE go down there! I remember turning cartwheels on the lawn next to the putting green. No one reprimanded me but my parents received a letter asking them to restrain their children. I loved driving the golf carts around, but women were allowed to play on a limited schedule. We used to go over & clear off the ponds in the winter to ice skate. I was married there in the 70's (as we're 3 otero members of my family. Their typical drink was a triple shot so people were tipsy quite fast! The staff was lovely. I live in New York state now and stop by now & then. The columns are still a bit crumbly and the best way to describe the clubhouse is "shabby chic." I grew up there and it will always be "home" to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-91828374454998896402012-05-07T15:02:23.978-07:002012-05-07T15:02:23.978-07:00Wow, you guys aren't kidding. To this day my f...Wow, you guys aren't kidding. To this day my favorite course ever. I caddied there from 98 until 06, and was one of the lucky caddies to caddy in the 2005 Walker Cup hosted by Chicago Golf. The history and exclusivity of Chicago Golf Club make it truly special. I used to play it every Monday during summers in high school and college, and would do ANYTHING to get back on the course. But it sure isn't easy. You have to know someone there well, and the membership is definitely very small, and very exclusive.Snyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259119475371452858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-38314734042645194172011-09-06T16:51:38.183-07:002011-09-06T16:51:38.183-07:00I lived in Wheaton from 1955 to 1963 graduating fr...I lived in Wheaton from 1955 to 1963 graduating from Wheaton Community High School. We would ride our bikes out CGC and caddy. You carried doubles for $7.50. You usually got a Coke at the halfway house from the member and you might get a dollar tip. On a Sunday, if your caddy number was low enough, you might get out twice and go home with $20.<br /><br />The Caddy Shack was a wild place. The son (Jim) of the Pro in those days (Alex), would get up on the roof and throw frozen Zagnut bars down at us just for a laugh. His other son, whom I believe was named Bud, was an Asst. Pro. On Mondays we would get to play the great course. Bud would take us up to the first tee and hit golf balls down the fairway out of our mouths.<br /><br />We never got to enter the Club House although my close friend John worked as a busboy there. Years later I attended the Walker Cup there, met a member and he invited my brother and I to return as former caddies and play the great course once again.<br /><br />We received a nice letter from the President welcoming us back. And after a great 18 holes on clear warm October afternoon we had lunch in the Club House and got to tour the club's memorabilia.<br /><br />One of the greatest days of my life! I will always remember my days there and the wonderful times we had.Larry Knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-47687332031311034762011-08-01T20:11:57.691-07:002011-08-01T20:11:57.691-07:00what memories reading the blogs brought me- I cadd...what memories reading the blogs brought me- I caddied for a few summers aprox 69-71- great experience, used to ride my 5speed stingray in the dark to arrive by light and try to carry twice,I think I got 5$ a round-loved caddie day on monday- for misbehaving caddies, punishment of cleaning "augies john" with a toothbrush brings back vivid memories,never realized how exclusive membership was! would love to visit again<br />Lou Fritz, So Ca.lou fritzhttp://www.thefritzteam.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-56302134709832426212011-06-26T11:44:38.227-07:002011-06-26T11:44:38.227-07:00contrary to a previous post on this site...the ori...contrary to a previous post on this site...the original course located in Downers Grove had a second 9 holes added making it the first 18 hole club in the U.S. the 2nd nine was abandoned returning to dairy pasture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-51787920264514176182011-06-13T09:46:39.181-07:002011-06-13T09:46:39.181-07:00Great review. I was lucky enough to be invited to ...Great review. I was lucky enough to be invited to play in the Member-guest tournament this past weekend. It was quite a thrill. Is the course great? ABSOLUTELY! What really impressed me were the members and the Staff at Chicago Golf Club. It is the most down to earth membership that I have ever encountered. Other clubs around the country can learn a great deal from this club. This is a TRUE golf club and I hope to get invited back some day. My favorite holes? #12 Punchbowl and #7 Redan. The Redan is huge. The pics do not do it justice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-54181474010088182092011-03-26T03:05:51.779-07:002011-03-26T03:05:51.779-07:00I would be most grateful if Anonymous would contac...I would be most grateful if Anonymous would contact me re Chester Horton, whom I'm writing about. Among other writings, I'm the author of Golf Through The Ages, 600 Years of Golfing Art, and Golf: The True History, published in six parts in Golf International Magazine.<br /><br />I have extensive notes on Chester and his brothers from another member of the family.<br /><br />Many thanks,<br /><br />MichaelSeafoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18013689768444713713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-11276680806805599632011-02-09T19:39:05.062-08:002011-02-09T19:39:05.062-08:00CGC is world class and like the other comments an ...CGC is world class and like the other comments an honor to play it. It's my favorite in the states along with the Sand Hill in Mullen NE. What a course and what tradition! JasonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-74804192274204397012010-11-01T08:40:08.086-07:002010-11-01T08:40:08.086-07:00The official course record still belongs to Bobby ...The official course record still belongs to Bobby Jones, although in an informal round this summer, a member of the Stanford Golf team shot 63 as well. In addition, the original golf course, now a public course in Downers Grove, was only nine holes. The site of the current course is the earliest 18 hole course in the US, modified by Seth Raynor in 1923.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-66887978289589154492010-07-31T18:33:52.947-07:002010-07-31T18:33:52.947-07:00I had the pleasure of playing Chicago Golf Club to...I had the pleasure of playing Chicago Golf Club today (7/31/2010) with the club's premier player. He shot 68 today and holds the course record at Chicago Golf Club of 63 (which he shot twice in 1998). It was such a privilege and honor to walk these hallowed and historic fairways and pace the exceptional greens, let alone with such a fine player. I am completely undeserving but forever grateful for this experience.gowestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-62971365070202003352010-06-13T20:25:15.432-07:002010-06-13T20:25:15.432-07:00First off the course record is 63 and second 100-1...First off the course record is 63 and second 100-105 members!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-25786137337516439292010-02-11T15:26:41.658-08:002010-02-11T15:26:41.658-08:00Ex-caddy that got to play there as well. Amazing!
...Ex-caddy that got to play there as well. Amazing!<br /><br />I also highly recommend playing the publicly owned Downers Grove Golf Club, the original site of Chicago Golf Club (a few miles east of the current site in Wheaton). It's a nine hole course and costs $18. But it was built in 1892! How many times do you get to play a course that was built then? It was the first golf course west of the Allegheny mountain range. <br /><br />It has a lot of cool elevation changes, and a lot of blind shots as well, something one doesn't see nearly as often in golf today.<br /><br />It's a municipal course, so the pace of play is often very slow, and you're not going there for the course conditioning. Just enjoy playing at one of the oldest courses in the country.<br /><br />http://www.dgparks.org/Golf/course-information-rates.htm#Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18295530362331118735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-44976103049439194342010-02-09T11:24:52.427-08:002010-02-09T11:24:52.427-08:00My great-grandfather and possibly great-great-gran...My great-grandfather and possibly great-great-grandfather worked at this club around 1900. My great grandfather actually played in the U.S. Open at this location in 1900. Two of his brothers also played golf around Chicago at this time. My great-grandfather was Chester Horton.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-72802293195795004232009-09-29T08:46:21.307-07:002009-09-29T08:46:21.307-07:00It is great to read these reviews considering i am...It is great to read these reviews considering i am lucky enough to play this course today. 5th most exclusive in the world, under 200 member, but i have the honor to play with the General Manager.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-39208377000740006412009-09-08T17:21:02.604-07:002009-09-08T17:21:02.604-07:00Thanks for your comments. Sorry, but Her Majesty i...Thanks for your comments. Sorry, but Her Majesty isn't granting her patronage to any more traveling golfers :)Top 100 Golferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16730165824981497579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20412896.post-2323913353089171602009-09-08T13:20:03.422-07:002009-09-08T13:20:03.422-07:00Actually, all that you encountered at Chicago Golf...Actually, all that you encountered at Chicago Golf Club -- false fronts, large greens, horseshoe bunkers, and yes, "square" greens <br />-- are typical of Seth Raynor courses. And you will see this when you get to Camargo in Cincinnati, as it boasts four or five square greens. Incidentally, Donald Ross occasionally built square greens, but rather than have them squared up to the fairways, they are on the bias: think "diamond pattern" when viewed from the fairway. <br /><br />I belong to Scioto CC in Columbus, a 1916 Ross design actually shaped by the man himself, and prefer the traditional style of golf course. Modernising has changed the look and play of Scioto over the years -- greens elevated, bunkers added and deepened, greens hard and lightning fast -- but Ross' routing survives. He built a challenging 18-hole course on but 105 acres, yet there are no parallel fairways, and you rarely are aware of golfers on nearby holes.<br /><br />How do I get your job, by the way??Davidnoreply@blogger.com