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Don't let the front nine at Hilldale lull you to sleep or the back nine will give you a rude awakening. Meandering through park-like land among Hoffman Estates neighborhoods, the front seems almost benign; but the finishing nine at this Robert Trent Jones, Sr., design offers a good challenge for golfers looking to test their skill. The Centerstage Golf rating team played the course in early May, 2002, and found the course in lush condtion. Wet early spring weather had the rough thick and gnarly, adding to the difficulty of the course. The fairways and traps were in great shape; and the greens were excellent: large, sloping, fast and true (though not yet running at a mid-season stimp of about 10). Half the holes bring water into play, and No. 13 (at 187 yards) stands out as the most intimidating of the par 3s, with water in the right front, and four traps behind the diagonally placed green. The 17th, a 421-yard par 4, requiring a long second shot over water, is perhaps the toughest of the 4-Pars. The second, a Par 5, requires a well-placed drive, a pinpoint second between two lakes, and an accurate approach to have a chance for birdie. At 6,434 yards and par 71, this is a solid and challenging design. The resort style clubhouse features a most unusual benefit for dining apres golf: the Nippon Kan Sushi Bar. This sushi bar is touted by true aficionados as the best in the Chicago suburbs. Hilldale Golf Club is featured during May, 2002, on Fox Sports Net's Golf Scene with Steve Kashul. Air times are at Noon on May 17 and 4:30 p.m. on May 26. Contact Cheryl Todd, Pro Shop Manager, for information about outings and special services offered by the club.
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