MAPLE MEADOWS part of Dupage Golf is up and running for the 2016 golf season, while Oak Meadows is closed for renovation, don’t forget Green Meadows as well. For golf specials and more see DuPagegolf.com. Coming up soon is the Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood on July 18-19-20. It’s not too late ladies to sign up and play, if your handicap is low enough, sign up now. Visit Mistwoodgc.com for details.         ______________________________________________________________________

Are you getting the shaft. If not try the Fujikura Speeder shaft, it makes a difference. THE GOG BLOG BY RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

Come on out, we’re open. Yes the Arlington Lakes Golf Club in Arlington Hts. is open for play.

The Course Awakens is the new theme and it should be. Architect mike Benkusky has brought new life to Arlington Lakes, and the golfers who have played the course are enjoying it.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club is a 90 acre property built on top of what was once an Army Nike Missle base. Some of the old silo’s are still underneath the fairways and greens.

This was the first major work done to the 36 year old golf course. The project brought some major changes to the golf course. Including the reducing of the total number of sand bunkers from 106 to 37. The nine’s were fliped, and some re-routing was done on the new front nine, so that golfers with less time to play, could still get out on the golf course.

When there is a need for speed, play Arlington Lakes Golf Club’s, short loops. Media members were on the clock on the recent media Photo by Len Ziehm.

It’s getting dark, it’s going to rain or you need some fun or practice on the way into or home from work. Is the new junior or senior golfer only ready for a few holes, well the new short-loops at ALGC might be just right for you or them.

After holes 1-3, the routing now brings the golfer back to the parking lot. You can head out after 3 holes if you need to hit the road. Need more, okay play six holes. Behind the sixth green is the clubhouse, head in for some of your favorite beverages or grab a bite to eat. The new clubhouse improvements will be discussed later. If you play the full front nine, it’s convienant to hit the parking lot or the “Duffers Den” lounge upstairs in the clubhouse.

(L-R) Superintendent Al Bevers, Architect Mike Benkusky, and Arlington Lakes GM Tim Govern on media day.

The option golfers now have at Arlington Lakes are rounds of 3-6-9 or 18 holes. The new back nine does not have a quick return to the clubhouse, but a possible routing to do so is being studied.

In addition to the course changes is a bigger and brand new putting green, that sits directly between the first and tenth tee boxes. Roll your putts and walk a few steps to the first tee.

Benkusky had to rebuild 9 greens on the golf course, so that unfair slopes could be taken out and the staff could find spots for more pin placements. The course yardage has been reduced to just under 5,500 yards, but now includes a set of junior tees. The course might not be long, but should be more fun for the average golfer. The are now some driveable par 4’s and par fives that better golfers might be able to get home in two shots, to have an eagle putt.

The clubhouse received over $400,000 worth of improvements.

The clubhouse received it’s shae of improvements as well. The pro shop has been redone with a new look and new merchandise.

The tables and chairs are new both on the lower level and upstairs in the bar and grill area. The banquet room looks refreshed and is a great place for outing banquets or other special events.

The restrooms for both men and women have been refurnished, and so were the cart paths so the course is playable with carts after heavy rains. For golfers that enjoy using all of Arlington Heights golf courses, including the Nickol Knoll Par 3 course there is good news.

Once Arlington Lakes is back up and running at full speed, the park district is expected to explore options for improvements for Nickol Knoll. There is no time-table currently set for that to happen however.

For more information on Arlington Lakes, where you can never say it takes too long to play, please visit Ahpd.org/algc or call (847)-577-3030.