What up. I am driving through Illinois on 74 in a couple weeks and looking for golf recommendations around Champaign, Bloomington or Peoria. Thanks in advance!
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Wait you bought the course at Glendale Lakes?
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Paging @EConroy419
Lived in the area for 10+ years. Without a doubt one of the best courses in central IL.
*Disclaimer, when last I played it was Stone Creek Golf Club and since then was donated to the college and is now the college team’s home course.
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The Den in Normal (Bloomington)
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Atkins in Champaign is solid as @mikezog said. I haven’t personally played but walked it a few times watching U of I tournaments, always seems to be in excellent shape. It’s definitely a “championship”-style course.
Bloomington you’ve got the ISU course, Weibring as the main staple (imo). I played it once in the afternoon after they had a college event so it was tricked up, super tough but enjoyable. The Den is another one in Bloomington, haven’t played it but it hosts the high school state golf tournament, also have heard it’s tough.
Here in Peoria you’ve got the strapped courses. Lick Creek is the crown jewel of those 3. Madison and Newman are much more playable vs the tough test of Lick Creek. Outside of that you’ve got Weaver Ridge, Metamora Fields, and Coyote Creek as another “big 3”. Weaver Ridge used to be a very highly rated course: Top 100 You Can Play, Top 5 Best in State & Public, etc. Fell into bad shape but new owners have re-done and is much better now. Metamora Fields is same ownership, more “links” style, enjoyable.
I haven’t played Coyote Creek but it’s pretty highly regarded and some people say the best of the second 3 I listed. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the courses in Peoria area and let me know when you’re coming through, would be glad to meet up and get out!
(also because it’s on I74 and I never get to brag on it, Turtle Run Golf Club in my hometown Danville. Just across the IL/IN border. Always in excellent shape, some great holes, challenging, hit pretty much every club in the bag.)
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Dope, appreciate all the recs! @twturner and I are coming through on 6/22 and it looks like the U of I course is hosting a tournament that day, so Weaver Ridge is looking like the top choice for our afternoon round.
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Sounds good! My wife is working that day so I would be happy to join if you’d have me.
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We’re ten days out from Juneteenth at PrairieView and the advanced forecast looks very promising. We still have 1.5 spots open with Kerry a maybe for the afternoon round.
Can’t wait to visit my favorite centerline tree and borderline unfair green.
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We are a week out from PrairieView and have a nearly full group with @McDuffin joining!
Some general info for those who haven’t been before. If you want to hit balls, drive all the way down around the left side of the main building down to Prairie Fire (their Top Tracer facility). That building likely won’t be open that early, but the mat and grass range is on the far right-hand side of the building and there’s a ball machine over there. They also have a couple huge chipping and putting practice areas out back.
All the tee times are in my name and are not pre-paid. (Who am I, @midwestgolfbum over here?) $47 first round, $20 replay. This includes a cart so if you’re walking just let them know in pro shop and they’ll adjust. I’m sure carts will be an option for replay if you want.
Here’s the proposed groups. Negotiate amongst yourselves if you want to swap around. @Kerry I’ve still got you as a maybe on the afternoon. I’ll just keep the spot if you can’t stay. There is a chance I may get my friend Dan over there in the afternoon.
| 8:00 AM | Greg | 1:30 PM | Danny | |
| Kerry | Ryan | |||
| Ted | Ted | |||
| Tim McD | Tim McD | |||
| 8:10 AM | Danny | 1:40 PM | Evan | |
| Ryan | Tim Ma | |||
| Evan | Mac | |||
| Tim Ma | Brett | |||
| 8:20 AM | Andrew | 1:50 PM | Vince | |
| Vince | Kerry(?) | |||
| Mac | John G | |||
| Brett | Noah | |||
| 8:30 AM | Scot | 2:00 PM | Scot | |
| John M | John M | |||
| John G | Andrew | |||
| Noah | Todd |
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Can’t wait!!
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I was really confused why I was the only one tagged until I scrolled down further. Absolutely pumped to be joining.
I’m not a smart man.
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Thanks for setting up Andrew!
Is the course walkable? Looks like it.
See you all in a week.
Also Dos Amigos Mexican restaurant after golf may be calling my name.
Also (again) should we do a quota pool? Anyone who wants in throw in $20. Anyone that hits quota splits the pot?
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I’m down to donate. Would it be 36 hole quota?
i like to do one per round so you’re not boned if you (when I…) play bad one round.
This guy is itching for that action.
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Very walkable. Would be in for some quota pool action.
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Absolute master class on how to come up with an idea, devise a plan, gain interest & excitement, and make it happen/execute.
I would kill for my teams at work to execute like this. Want a job in health tech? Lol
… Wouldn’t actually recommend this to anyone I know as it would hurt me to watch my friends age twice as fast
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