MISTWOOD HONEY SMALL SIZE (L) or IN THE LARGE BOTTLES (R)-CAN BE FOUND AT MCWETHY’S TAVERN at the Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Road in Romeoville-McwethysTavern.com or call (815)-254-7001. Just in time for the holidays.
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Settler’s Hill in Batavia-now open for business.
ON THE HILL!
Settlers Hill is open for business again, and the Greg Martin renovation is over.
But unfortunately not everything is open for business. Because the outstanding looking new practice range looks great.
But, the range was not able to open in early August because range balls that were ordered months ago. Have not yet arrived. So as the old saying goes-wait until next year.
The new Settler’s Hill driving range is in mint condition, as the wait for the new range balls continues.
But the wait until next year, became this year, as the course that closed in October of 2020 reopened in 2022.
With the golf course located on a landfill, there are regulations which must be followed-when working on the cap of dirt that seals the top.
But in-spite of a few restrictions, architect Greg Martin took the moving parts the project had to offer, and moved them around just enough, to produce one of the best public courses in Chicago’s western suburbs. Granted, like any golf course that has just reopened from renovation there are some grow-in spots, firm greens, and soft bunkers. But the course with the views created by Martin, will leave golfers with looks not found in the Chicago area.
The new par-3 sixth hole at Settler’s Hill. 153 yards from the back tees.
The first thing that will look different, will be the first hole.
Because the new first hole, used to be the the second hole. As the routing Martin created, slides the rotation up one hole.
The new first, was the second, the former third hole, is now the second hole. The 18th hole was the former first hole and so-forth. So the routing allows golfers to start their round, next to where the new clubhouse is being built. Which is between the new range and new tee’s for 1 and 10. But the new clubhouse’s opening is TBD. 2023 is not likely, 2024 is a maybe.
The 130 yard par-3 third hole. The new bridge in the fore-front.
So for the meantime, the old barn clubhouse that has some improvements, will remain the clubhouse.
Across the parking lot from the big barn, next to the real old building, is the new four-hole short course. None of the holes are over a 100 yards, and are fun to play. They also make a great warm up before tackling 18 holes on the big course. Junior golfers will have fun playing all four holes.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with Settler’s Hill Operations Manager Dominic Navigato. (recorded prior to the course closing for 2022).
The newly elevated tee shot on the Par 5, 548 yard-16th hole.
The changes on the 18 hole course, include two new par-3 holes. Martin really created something special by taking out the brush to the right of the old tee box on the former seventh hole.
The new par-3 sixth hole plays to a green over the creek surrounded by a wooded area. This is a hole that just fits the landscape. The other new par-3 is the 15th, 160 yards with a deceptive green hidden behind a front bunker.
Martin added some elevation, in fact a lot of elevation on the par-5 16th hole. Moving the tee boxes up top on the hill, creates some adventure as golfers circle around the pond that guards the right side of the fairway.
Settler’s Hill is open and much improved, but not finished. So to learn more see Settlershill.com or call (630)-232-1636.