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PHOTOS & REVIEW
Park Hills Golf Course (east "Rawleigh") (Freeport, IL)
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Duffy's Review
Let me start by saying, it’s an 8 hour drive for me to travel to Freeport IL. I am planning on making the trip to play Park Hills Golf Courses every year, as long as the course conditions are maintained. I was told that I needed to visit this course by a ranger, at a course I was playing in Iowa. Just goes to show that a good reputation is more powerful than advertising.
What a wonderful place for a golfer to spend a day! The people working here are one of the courses greatest assets. I can’t remember the last time I was treated better by people who didn’t know me from Adam. The snack bar was bubbling with people, ages 11 to 85, swapping stories of the highs and lows of their golf game. I had to laugh at a conversation I overheard while we were having lunch. We had placed our order, sat down, and the lady behind us began placing her order. When she finished she asked “Aren’t you going to give me a number?” because I was given one, I imagine. “No” came the smiling response “you’re Betty, that’s your number.” The next voice from behind the counter said, “Brian, your orders ready.” This type of friendly courtesy was what I experienced the entire day.
Between the 9th and 10th tees I had the opportunity to talk with the course superintendent. He was driving a maintenance cart, filled with the tools of the trade. He told me, when he was hired 21 years ago, the course was in poor condition with very few trees. And I’m telling you, this is not the case anymore. Almost every fairway on the east course is tree lined and the course is manicured to perfection. He also told me about the rigorous mowing schedule. Great job to you and your crew! Your efforts are truly appreciated by those of us playing.
I realize I keep going on about the people here, and I will get to the course in just a sec, but I think the patrons are worth mentioning too. Many times the course conditions can be ruined by its’ patrons, no matter how much effort the employees put into it. Ball marks on the greens, divots not replaced, slow play all have an effect on the experience of the golfers to follow. Very few ball marks were not repaired and the divots in the fairways were minimal. Considering all the foursomes playing ahead of us, the pace of play was very acceptable. When we were playing the west course, in the afternoon, 2 retired gentlemen caught up with us. I’m not certain of his exact words but one of the gentlemen commented on his views of Park Hill. “Aren’t we lucky here in Freeport? We have a fantastic facility, with 2 golf courses that we can play for a very reasonable price.” He went on to mention, as I have, how nice the staff and course conditions are. Yes, people of Freeport (golfers anyway), you are very fortunate.
“Enough already! We get the point! What about the course!!?”
#1 is a 326 yard, par 4, dog-leg left, uphill all the way. A quick tip: don’t drive your ball 270 yards and
to the left, it’s a really tough up and down from inside the trees. This was only the beginning of a fun
round of golf. I also enjoyed the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, pick a hole.
The 150 yard par 3, 9th, is a great looking hole. My guess is about a 30-40 foot drop from tee to green.
The pond in front of the green, with water flowing skyward from the fountain, is both beautiful and
intimidating. My approach shot on the 8th had gone way right and that memory lingered in my mind as
I was ready to tee-off here. Not wanting to kill anyone waiting on the 10th tee, I decided on a knock
down nine iron. If you haven’t guessed already, I over compensated. Landing about 5 feet from the OB
on the left, I made a poor chip and 2 putts. But no one was killed or injured.
The 18th hole is the shortest par 4 on the course. Playing at 321 yards this hole is worth mentioning not
because of the way I played it, but because of the way I didn’t. This hole is all down hill, straight away,
and the pin placement was front-center. The rub to this hole is the small bit of water running in front of
the green. I used a 5-wood and a sand wedge to reach this green, very safe, and walked off with par.
I’m still upset with myself. Why didn’t I at least try to drive this green! I’m sure I could have made it. If
nothing else, one bounce over the creek and on. Simple!! “No guts, No glory”.
I’ve taken up so much of your time already, and thank you for your patience, but I want to comment on
the 12th hole before I leave. Playing 556 yards, this is a really well planned par 5. The view from the tee
box tells you right away this is not an easy hole. You can see from your elevated position that the fairway
sweeps left then right. Reasonable deduction tells you that the green has to be out there somewhere but
its’ exact position is yet unknown. A very good drive will allow you to cut the corner of the first turn. OK
Samson, you’ve put that driver to good use, now what? You have 240 – 260 to get home and you still
can’t see the green because of the trees in your direct line of sight, about 150 yards away. Do you lay
up to the next turn? Don’t over shoot and land in one of the bunkers on the left. I won’t tell you what I
decided. If you have read any of my other reviews you can guess for yourself. Trees are 95% air, right?
I’ll end it there. If you want to know a little more about Park Hills’ amenities, read the review of the
west (Koch) course. Or better yet, go there! Make a tee time. I was very lucky to be able to play without
one, even on a Wednesday. A great course at a great price, and you might have a little trouble getting on?
Who would have thought?
For more information on Park Hills Golf Club check out the links below
Play often, Play fair and above all, HAVE FUN!.
I love this game!
Duffy
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This site is presented "AS IS" There is no guarantee of its accuracy. The opinions of the reviews are not necessarily the views or opinions of Will Golf For Food. For the most accurate information on a particular Golf facility please contact that facility.
