INSIDE or OUTSIDE the dining is fine at the General Clubhouse at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena. So come see the new additions to the General Clubhouse and the Highlands Restaurant, the new location of the General Store. Because on the former location the new 15,000 square foot spa, opens on July 13th. Visit EagleRidge.com
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
WELCOME TO THE HOME OF FIGHTING ILLINI GOLF-The Atkins Course at the University of Illinois-now open.
Illini Men’s golf coach Mike Small in the new “team room” for members of the men’s and women’s Illini golf teams.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
Because after 15 some months, the Atkins Course at The University of Illinois (formerly Stone Creek) is ready to welcome back golfers.
The Atkins Course renovated by Architect Drew Rogers, who spent plenty of time walking the layout with Illini golf coaches Mike Small and Renee Sloan has added yardage, and moved around the bunkers.
The new Atkins Golf Course has seen it’s yardage increase from 7,118 to 7,538, on the back “Orange Tee’s”. With the Blue Tee’s playing 6,759, the front “Red Tee’s” play 4,958.
The green complex from the 1st fairway.
With increased yardage, the golf teams at Illinois can now hit the best drives they have, and not be able to take advantage of a short golf course.
Illinois Men’s Coach Mike Small is wasting no time getting the course tested by many of the top players from both the Big Ten and the MAC Conferences.
Two weeks before the Big Ten Conference Championships is the Ohio State Keppler Invitational. This year as in past years, the Ohio State event was a two-day event. But with the NCAA limiting the amount of days Division 1 teams can play, the extra day was a concern for some programs including Illinois.
Additionally, the extra week layoff before the conference championship was also a concern to Small and other coaches. So with a new course to test out, what do you do. You schedule your own two-day event, which the Illini will host in 2023 the week before the Big Ten Championship.
Audio PlayerCLICK HERE to hear the full interview with Illinois head men’s golf coach Mike Small.
So far the field has 7 Big Ten Schools and two schools from the MAC Conference, other schools are expected to join the field.
The Wall of Fame in the remodeled clubhouse.
Improvements to the golf course from the restoration include.
Full bunker renovation to Better Billy bunkers and pro angle sand, with the bunkers being repositioned.
Cored top 3-4 inches and regrassed 18 regulation greens and the main practice putting green.
Built a new practice green near the pro shop.
Created new additional tee boxes to add over 400 yards to the golf course, but with front tee’s also added. Fairway lines were accentuate certain features around the golf course. Improved lakes and bridges, with enhanced irrigation installed. The teeing area on the practice range was reseeded.
Holes 1 & 10 are now outside the pro shop, with pro shop staff able to view 6 holes from the pro shop. Built a new team room for the Men’s and Women’s Illini golf teams. Opened the Homegrown farm to table restaurant.
The homegrown restaurant bar area.
The donation from the Atkins family was $5 million to renovate the golf course, pro shop and build the Illini players lounge.
But part of the donation was land that surrounded the golf course, available for home sites.
Overall land value was $15 million dollars.
Audio PlayerCLICK HERE to hear the full interview with University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman.
Top prices for 18 holes and a golf cart are under $100.00. This year’s Illini Golf Classic is September 18-19 at the Olympia Fields Country Club. So save the date Illinois fans and Illini Alums.
Troon Golf Management operates the Atkins Golf Club, Jim Buyze is the club manager. So to learn more visit Atkinsgolfclub.com or call (217)-481-8150.