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Tucked away off IL-394 in Beecher, Cardinal Creek is not the best-groomed course in the world. It is not the most beautiful layout around. The greens are a bit on the small side and a little shaggy at times. You have to "bump" the ball in the fairways to get consistently good lies. It is, however, the absolutely, positively, BEST VALUE in the Chicagoland area. For only $60 samolians, you and three of your buddies can get out and play a fun, old-fashioned round of golf on a course reminiscent of the places I played as a kid. The Centerstage crew has played there on several occassions, emergency rounds after work, and has never had a problem getting on or getting around. The pace of play is great! We have played 27 after 3 p.m. (summer hours) and had some daylight for the drive back to the city. The North Course has three of everything: three Par 5's, three Par 4's and three Par 3's. No. 4, a 533-yard 5-par that plays straight north up a long rise, reminded us a bit of a Scottish links hole, a huge expanse of fairway and rough without the pot bunkers. The Center Course features three back-to-back Par 5's. The 5th (at 525) requires two well-placed shots to set up a short iron to an elevated green, making it our favorite hole on that nine. The 9th is a good mid-length (162 yds.) Par 3 over a pond. At 440 yards, #4 on the South Course (which probably has the best layout) is the longest 4-par on any of the courses. That side finishes with another lengthy (550 yards) Par 5. No. 7 is the prettiest and longest of the Par 3's. At 184 yards through a narrow chute of trees from an elevated tee and over water, it is a good hole anywhere. For an extra 7 bucks, you can play the third nine. Or rehash the good time over a frosty beverage on the patio or in the bar.
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