Bowes Creek Country Club opens to public Friday
Bowes knows golf.
And beauty.
And hospitality, friendliness and everything else that goes into a pleasant golfing experience for the public duffer. You'll think you're at a private club, but you're not.
City-owned Bowes Creek Country Club, part of a housing development on the western fringe of Elgin, opens its course to the public Friday for weekend play only through the end of the season.
"Although the golf course is located in real estate community, it is a public course that will serve golfers of dramatically different levels of skill and experience," said course architect Rick Jacobson, a Glenview native.
"Our goal is to make the game fun and enjoyable while making it interesting and challenging."
The course, on Bowes Road, two miles west of Randall Road, has been on the drawing board for more than a decade.
"Eleven years ago, when I first stepped foot on this property, I noticed the combination of flat terrain, rolling hills, prairie and wetlands," Jacobson said. "I wanted to incorporate it all. Bowes Creek is the style of golf course the land dictates - natural rather than a pure manufactured look."
Mike Lehman, the City of Elgin's director of golf and the manager and head professional at Bowes Creek, thinks players will like what they see when they visit.
"This is a tremendous atmosphere," said Lehman, a 1984 St. Edward graduate who played golf at the University of Illinois with PGA Tour pro Steve Stricker.
"We're taking a private club experience to the public golfer. This course will be one of the best in the region."
It's off to a good start with 18 holes, none of which are gimmes. Asked what the signature hole is and Lehman says, "All of them."
No. 8 is a monster par-5 playing up to 591 yards with a small green. A good rip off the tee can set you up for an accessible approach if you don't bail out right. If you do, you likely will be hitting your next shot from a deep bunker. Most of the bunkers at Bowes Creek are quite deep. And there are many. All are rimmed with tall grass, giving the illusion of bushy eyebrows.
"What we've used to define the continuity of the course is the fescue around the bunkers," Jacobson said.
"But we use a risk-reward strategy. The closer you are to a hazard, the better the angle you'll have to the hole."
The course can play up to 6,900 yards from the pro tees and as short as 4,756 yards from the forward tees, according to the score card.
A good command of your tee shot could be the key to scoring well. Most tee shot views aren't overly imposing, and many second shots are also just as important since the rough is thick, the prairie is near and the bunkers plentiful.
What's also plentiful are the gorgeous views from all directions, not solely from the tee box. The defining bunkers, perimeter trees and vast wetlands help add to the beauty.
"Every time you open a new course, there's a sense of gratification when you see the holes take shape and eventually watch the golfers out there enjoying the course," said Jacobson, who is recognized nationally for his design work.
"It took a lot of patience and perseverance to see (Bowes Creek) through but it was definitely worth it."
Bowes Creek at a glance
What: A golf course community by Toll Brothers, a luxury homebuilder. It's owned by the city of Elgin.
Where: On the south side of Bowes Road, two miles west of Randall Road, on the western border of Elgin.
The homes: Eleven decorated models in four collections. Children attend Elgin Area School District U-46 or Central Unit District 301.
The course: A par-72, 6,900-yard course open to the public starting Friday.
Course amenities: Pro shop, driving range, men's and women's locker rooms (residents have a private clubhouse), dining room and Porter's Pub, a restaurant and bar.
Rates: Membership fees vary and many include unlimited golf; Member for a Day rates for residents vary from $35 for Late Night Rate up to $80. Nonresident rates slightly higher.
More info: For the golf course, (847) 214-5880; for the homes, (847) 468-1852 or go to bowescreekcountryclub.com.