KEMPER LAKES GOLF CLUB (847-320-3450)
Chicago Golf Course Review - 6/13/04
Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Long Grove just north of Chicago is a Dick Nugent design that boasts some of
Chicagoland's best golfing features. This property has a long history of hosting world class events, such as: the
1989 PGA Championship, the 92nd USGA Women's Amateur Championship, 4 Grand Slams of Golf, 6 Senior PGA Tour events, and the 25th US Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. When the course opened in
1986, it was honored by Golf Digest as "The best New Public Course in America", and also was ranked # 27 in
the top 100 Public Courses in America. The facilities on property include a beautiful clubhouse that will be
renovated soon. There is a dining area and spacious special events room, plus a full service pro shop. The
locker rooms are wonderfully appointed and provide numerous showers plus complimentary toiletries. Kemper Lakes is on a path to go totally private, so PLAY IT NOW while you can!
On our visit in mid-June, the course was in absolutely spectacular condition from tee to green - truly
representative of what professional golfers expect from a golf course worthy of PGA play. Little extras like
weather protector covers and the Pro Link GPS are standard on all carts, and stacks of balls are waiting on the
grass range - complimentary for green fee paying guests. This GPS is the best currently available, and provides
not only hole diagrams and measurements to the pin, but also tips on how to best play each hole. In addition,
each tee box provides a yardage block, and 100,150 & 200 markers are also visible on the fairways. Sprinkler heads on the fairways also provide yardages measured to the center of the green.
The groundskeepers do a wonderful job with the landscaping, which includes plentiful flower beds and
shrubbery that add to the layout's aesthetic beauty. The manicured fairways usually provide ample landing
areas, and are often accentuated by natural water hazards. Those that don't are generally lined with mature
willows, hardwoods and pines which often dictate the shot shapes on the many doglegs prevalent here. The
putting surfaces are some of the best we have ever experienced - true rolling and extremely quick, with only mild
undulations and ridges. The trick is to land on them - and to avoid the huge and intricately designed bunker complexes that are often found on both sides of the greens.
From 7217 yards with a 143 slope the championship tees present a formidable challenge.The blue tees play
long at 6680 yards and are sloped at 139, and the white tees are all an average golfer can handle at 6265 with
a 133 slope. The forward tees measure 5638 and are recommended for high handicappers - as they play to a 126 slope for men and 132 for women.
Hole number one doglegs to the right with a bunker on that side of the fairway near the 150 area. The approach
is uphill to a green flanked by huge sand traps on each side. The second bends in the opposite direction and
presents long hitters with an opportunity to cut some distance by hitting to the 100 yard area over the left edge
of the trees. Otherwise, the safe play is to the right center, leaving an approach to a well bunkered green
complex, with a water hazard long. The par three 3rd plays over another hazard to a two-tiered putting complex
with lots of room greenside. These 3 opening holes are the 15th, 13th and 17th handicaps, presenting an
opportunity to get off to a quick start. Number four bends left to right along the water line, with sections of fairway
forming peninsula landing areas. Long hitters can cut to the section between the 225 and 170 yard area, which
creates an opportunity to reach in two. Played as a three shot hole, with a lay up near the 150 - 100 yard area,
golfers can also yield some birdies. Five also doglegs right and is best played just to the left of the tree line.
Knowledge of pin placement is important on the par three 6th, as the putting surface is long and narrow. Seven
turns to the left and invites a tee shot placed between the fairway bunkers. Water comes into play on the left
about 250 yards from the green, with the narrow fairway sloping towards the hazard. The recommended landing
spot on the second shot of this 3-shot par five is to the 120 area just right of the sand traps. The approach looks
intimidating, but be aware that the area just before the wood retaining wall is actually sand, not water. A picture
from behind is the lead photo in this review. There are water hazards past the tree line on the left and also short
right of the fairway on the par four 8th. There is more room right of center than it appears from the landscaped
tee area. The closing hole on the front doglegs left and plays to a long, narrow green situated between two formidable bunkers. At 448 yards from the tips, this is the course's #1 handicap.
The back side begins with another par four that bends right to left with a huge fairway trap on the right and more
greenside. Eleven is one of the tightest driving holes at Kemper Lakes - a tree lined par five that is best
approach with 3 shots. The 50 yard area, before the water hazard that fronts the putting complex, is a safe
place for a lay up. Number 12 is also tight, with trees squeezing the fairway on the approach. The tee shot must
be near center to have an open look at the green. On thirteen golfers landing short of the putting surface will
have an easy bump and run chip. The hole is well bunkered, but there is bail out room short right. A tee shot
aimed over the right edge of the huge fairway bunker will find an advantageous landing area on the dogleg left
par four 14th. Fifteen features a rolling, expansive fairway bordered by bunkers on each side. The second shot
must breach the 150 area right of center for a clear shot at the green nestled in past the trees on the left. Water
is in play all along the right side on 16, and it juts out into the fairway about 110 yards away. The approach must
carry the hazard or bail out to the area left of the green. This is the toughest hole on the back side. The par three
17th is a beautiful and challenging par three to a green defined by a wood retaining wall - all carry here. The
18th bananas to the left around a lake with the bunkers deep of the fairway providing a good target. The further
left you are off the tee, the less water you will have top carry on the approach. There is some room short of the green complex.
Kemper Lakes is upscale all the way. The $99 weekday and $135 weekend rates (including carts and range
balls) in 2004 reflect a high quality golf experience, and one that has been enjoyed by professional golfers on all
three tours - and of course, by the twoguyswhogolf. The conditioning, aesthetics, facilities, course design,
service - are all excellent. As we mentioned earlier, this course will eventually go private, as early as the
summer of 2005. This may be the last full year of public play. Highly recommended! For more info on the
course, facilities and membership information, visit our page for Kemper Lakes, with a link to their website, by clicking here.
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