The Buffalo Grove Golf & Sports Dome at 801 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove, is the best place in Lake County for golfers to work on their golf games this winter. It’s Open 93 hours a week to fit your schedule. Right now there are great deals for extended hitting time, the Five Hour pass only $85, or the season pass just $525.00. For more information call (847)-459-2321 or online at bgparks.org. 1/2 Mile West of Rt. 83.

BY: RORY SPEARS, SR. WRITER & ASSISTANT EDITOR

This begins our winter session of great golf on a cold day. Over the months ahead The Gog Blog will show you some of the finest golf courses around the country. Yes, some of them will be private, but it doesn’t mean you can never play them. There are ways to get on some private courses, if you are persistent and pursue opportunities.

Today’s feature the Atlantic City Country Club was a private club for many years, but has now changed ownership a couple of times and is open to the public. The club goes back to before the turn of the century, the 1900’s that is. The club is considered a William S. Flynn Course, but a few different architects have worked on the course over the years, including most recently Tom Doak in 2000. If you enjoy the old classic courses with some great history to them, you will enjoy ACCC. Play it in between your time in the casino’s in Atlantic City. For Chicagoan’s, United now has 1-Non Stop Flight per day to Atlantic City from O’Hare.

PLAYACGOLF.com. Over 20 courses within 20 minutes of the casino’s and hotels.

Charles Fahy is the General Manager of the Atlantic City Country Club, he was kind enough to give the Gog Blog some thoughts about the club.

FAHY: “It’s an honor to work at such a historic and magnificent club. Atlantic City Country Club is a special place that every golf visiting Atlantic City should experience.”

GOG BLOG : What’s it like bringing a classic style experience to golfers who normally do not get one ?

FAHY: “There’s a lot of touch points or interactions with our staff along your golfing journey. You’re greeted by the valet that takes your clubs, your car and gets you on your way. Once you step in the door you notice the history. The dark wood, the historic pictures on the wall, plaques, trophies and more. Then you walk into our “Tap Room” awarded Top 50 19th holes by Golf Digest. You’re greeted by the hostess who can get you you’re food or beverage. Then once in the locker room, the attendant will escort you to your locker, and explain history and traditions of the club and get you pointed to the pro shop. You’ll need a souvenir with the club’s famed “bell logo” on it. from there head to your cart and the chipping green, where the term “birdie” was coined in 1903. From their go play and then enjoy the same great service after your round.”

GOG BLOG: How about the history on the term Birdie ?

FAHY: “The term was coined right here on our old 12th green, now used as a chipping green. In 1903 a group that included architect A.W. Tillinghast, it was a large group and they had a helping wind. Normally a three shot hole, one player hit two long shots and got home in two. As a result in a story told by Tillinghast to Sports Illustrated 30 years later, either Bill Smith or his brother Ab exclaimed, “That’s a bird.” A so it was agreed that going forth a score cutting par by one shot will be a bird. The green has been kept because of the historic significance.”

GOG BLOG : How about your historic bell logo, and using bells as tee markers ?

FAHY: “Back in the day the bell was rung in front of the clubhouse to let members and guests know the last trolley was leaving for Pleasantville, from there they could catch a train to Philadelphia or Atlantic City. To date we ceremonially ring the bell at the end of each day.”

The bell still rings

Gog Blog: The wind can be a factor here at anytime, how does the course play with it changing so often ?

FAHY: “We have an amazing piece of property overlooking Lakes Bay with the AC skyline in the distance. The breeze off the bay keeps it cool in the summer and adds to playing conditions. We have par 3’s that are a pitching wedge in the morning and 4 punch 4-iron in the afternoon. When the wind is blowing it can be the longest 6,500 yards golfers will ever play.”

The 14th tee box with the bell tee markers.

Gog Blog : Which holes generate the most conversation.

FAHY : “The first hole called “Yea begin” is a unique and great conversation piece as you tee off from the putting green. The 14th hole right named “Salt Marsh” has a tee complex nestled on a peninsula with water on three sides. It’s only 339 from the tips, but a great rsisk/reward hole. Some players try and bite off more than they can chew, but there is a good chance for birdie here. It’s a fun hole with a large fairway and a large green.”

The short par 3, 17th hole has a green half hidden but is fun to play.

The Par 3, 17th hole is short but one of the best short par 3’s you will find. The green is partially hidden, and has some unique undulations in it. Just hitting the green does not mean you will be using the clubs famed phrase of birdie.

The golf season is just a little longer in Atlantic City, than it is here in the Chicago area. The flight is not a long one and the golf course is not far from the hotels, or the airport.

For more information on Atlantic City Country Club see ACountryclub.com or visit PLAYACGOLF.com. To call the club directly the number is (609)-236-4400.