Chicago Highlands

[zonacats23]

Curious as to whether anyone on here will be a member at this new upscale private country club on the west side of Chicago. Or know anyone.

[CPSOX]

I know a member. Why?

[ksavy17]

where is this course??

[B-Man]

[quote name='CPSOX' post='2116485' date='Dec 10 2009, 01:52 PM']I know a member. Why?[/quote]
So he can invite me as I live 5mins away....

[zonacats23]

I've been keeping track of the progess on their website and was simply interested to see if we were gonna be getting reviews from any members. And yes I would love to play it.

[ksavy17]

where not talking about the highlands of elgin are we??

[zonacats23]

no this is CHICAGO HIGHLANDS. Not even open yet. corner of 294 and cermak rd. east side of 294. pretty much right across from butler national. upscale private country club designed by Arthur Hills. Just guessing it will be top 100 golf digest come 2011

[CPSOX]

[quote name='zonacats23' post='2125972' date='Dec 14 2009, 11:24 PM']Just guessing it will be top 100 golf digest come 2011[/quote]

Based on what?

[illinikyle]

[quote name='CPSOX' post='2129570' date='Dec 16 2009, 07:57 PM'][quote name='zonacats23' post='2125972' date='Dec 14 2009, 11:24 PM']Just guessing it will be top 100 golf digest come 2011[/quote]

Based on what?


[/quote]

Yeah...I wouldn't get carried away.

I am looking forward to playing it this summer though.

[CPSOX]

Me too. Interested to see what the view is like from up on the hill that's next to 294.

[zonacats23]

Well like i said, I'm just guessing. But with it being an upscale private club, you know the conditioning will be top notch. They views of the chicago skyline won't hurt its rating. Having Arthur Hills designing will only help it's chances. And I believe hole #4, par 3, is a one of a kind hole. How many upscale private clubs in chicago AREN'T on the top 100 list? Like I said, this is simply my opinion. I've never been to the site. Pictures are all I'm going by. And even if it's not on the list, I desperatly would love to play it. It looks different from everything thing else in chicagoland.

[PreppySlapCut]

[quote name='zonacats23' post='2130629' date='Dec 17 2009, 01:41 PM']Having Arthur Hills designing will only help it's chances.[/quote]
On what planet would that help the course's chances?

[zonacats23]

Wow, i wasn't looking for an argument. This is planet earth. Designers like mr. hills, pete dye, RTJ, mackenzie, and jack all make amazing courses, correct? Thats why people keep/kept asking them to build more. They all have courses in the top 100, so if I were building a course to be top notch, I would think about asking one of them to build it. They know what it takes. I don't see why having arthur hills design it would hurt it's chances. Once again, it was only my opinion. I understand there are alot of no names on the top 100 as well. The toughest course I've ever played, Rich Harvest Farms, was buildt by Jerry Rich and greg martin. So yes, I know the name isn't everything.

[illinikyle]

How many Arthur Hills designs are in the top 100? The architect responsible for the original 9 at your Rochelle Country Club has more.

[zonacats23]

Do I know you Kyle? And yes A.W. does have more. But I hope no one ever shows up to play the front nine at rochelle just because he designed it. They would be very disappointed.

[illinikyle]

[quote name='zonacats23' post='2131552' date='Dec 17 2009, 11:10 PM']Do I know you Kyle? And yes A.W. does have more. But I hope no one ever shows up to play the front nine at rochelle just because he designed it. They would be very disappointed.[/quote]

Nope, but I saw you were from Rochelle. The original nine was done by Perry Maxwell there.

[PreppySlapCut]

[quote name='zonacats23' post='2131014' date='Dec 17 2009, 06:07 PM']Wow, i wasn't looking for an argument. This is planet earth. Designers like mr. hills, pete dye, RTJ, mackenzie, and jack all make amazing courses, correct? Thats why people keep/kept asking them to build more. They all have courses in the top 100, so if I were building a course to be top notch, I would think about asking one of them to build it. They know what it takes. I don't see why having arthur hills design it would hurt it's chances. Once again, it was only my opinion. I understand there are alot of no names on the top 100 as well. The toughest course I've ever played, Rich Harvest Farms, was buildt by Jerry Rich and greg martin. So yes, I know the name isn't everything.[/quote]
Arthur Hills has exactly 0 courses in the top 100. That was my point. He does not make amazing golf courses.

[David Hillman]

Interesting project, no doubt. There's nothing special about the land, at all, and they'll have no small amount of competition.

It's bordered on three sides by existing munis, Fresh Meadows, Meadowlark, and Oak Brook ( across the expressway ). Only the latter isn't a pancake-flat dog track, but it's just a nice muni. Within 5 miles are at least six other six-figure clubs ( and my house! In case anyone needs to fill a foursome )

[ksavy17]

[quote name='PreppySlapCut' post='2132205' date='Dec 18 2009, 11:56 AM'][quote name='zonacats23' post='2131014' date='Dec 17 2009, 06:07 PM']Wow, i wasn't looking for an argument. This is planet earth. Designers like mr. hills, pete dye, RTJ, mackenzie, and jack all make amazing courses, correct? Thats why people keep/kept asking them to build more. They all have courses in the top 100, so if I were building a course to be top notch, I would think about asking one of them to build it. They know what it takes. I don't see why having arthur hills design it would hurt it's chances. Once again, it was only my opinion. I understand there are alot of no names on the top 100 as well. The toughest course I've ever played, Rich Harvest Farms, was buildt by Jerry Rich and greg martin. So yes, I know the name isn't everything.[/quote]
Arthur Hills has exactly 0 courses in the top 100. That was my point. He does not make amazing golf courses.
[/quote]
just because the designer does not have a top 100 course doesnt mean it is amazing. Its everyones own opinion whether a course is amazing or not. Arthur Hills does have plenty of nice tracks on his record

[brian91]

it's starting to look like this place is going to fail. from what I have heard they are already in financial trouble. there are too many prestigous private clubs around for this place to take off. it's an attempt to get the butler members families. i am looking forward to playing it though, and do wish it the best of luck.

[nodrog]

I played the course today and while I doubt it will be a top 100 course, I thought it was a great layout. It is a links style course and is similar in many ways to Harborside. The back 9 has a very different feel than the front. For example, there is water on the back but not on the front. We played it from the gold tees which play about 7,000 yards. The 9th hole from the gold is about 310 yards way uphill to a very small, domed green which I thought was ridiculous until I birdied it (my only birdie of the day). The clubhouse has not been built yet but it looks like it will be a great, family oriented country club and worth playing if you get the opportunity.

[birdieboy52]

[quote name='zonacats23' date='06 December 2009 - 09:44 PM' timestamp='1260153849' post='2108371']
Curious as to whether anyone on here will be a member at this new upscale private country club on the west side of Chicago. Or know anyone.
[/quote]


For $125,00 you can get in now

They started at the wrong time, just before the economy bubble burst. I've heard they're having some financial issues with a small membership but it's nonequity so hopefully the members won't be requested to throw down some more money to keep the doors open.

The photos on their website don't give me a warm an fuzzy feeling like the photos on Golf Club Atlas does of other courses. For the type of money they charge, I hope the photos are not indicative of the real thing.

[54today]

[size="2"]My name is John Baxter and I'm one of the three partners at Chicago Highlands. A friend told me about this site and about some of the comments about Chicago Highlands. I'm writing this to clear up some misconceptions. I believe that Chicago Highlands offers the best value in our market, which I define as a 5 to 10 mile radius around the club. The membership is currently $125,000 which is 100% refundable in 30 years and 85% refundable in the interim. Most area clubs offer little or no refund of the initiation fee when a member resigns. That is a huge point of differentiation. For example, one highly regarded club is $89,000 to join but no refund when a member resigns. Additionally, we are a for-profit club, not a non-profit club owned and managed by the members. The big difference here is that at member owned clubs, the members are assessable, responsible, for operating annual losses and capital assessments. Members at Chicago Highlands are not.

Our membership documents have always stated that we will not start construction on the main clubhouse until we have 250 members. We decided in the beginning, even before the recession, to take this conservative approach. We have not taken out a bank loan to finance the construction of the club. As a result, we have an operating golf course on 270 acres in an incredible location and a great swimming pool complex without bank debt.

We are assembling a great staff. Our first hire was Michael Heustis as our golf course superintendent, Michael was the assistant at Chicago Golf Club. Michael and his crew know how to grow in and maintain a world class golf course. Our head pro is Jeff Perdew, Jeff was the first assistant for three years at Medinah CC. Last year is was voted the assistant of the year in the Illinois PGA section. Michael and Jeff have both put together great teams.

We have members from 21 towns, the average age of the dads is 45 with an average of 2.4 kids. My guess is that our membership is 15 years younger than other clubs in the area. Our club is gender neutral. There is no restriction on when women can tee off. Our course has six sets of tees with total yardage ranging from over 7,400 down to 5,100. Every level of golfer can enjoy our course. We are the only club I know of that does not charge for golf lessons and use of the range. Our free junior golf program starts on June 17th, we have over ninety kids enrolled.

The top two factors when people decide on which club to join are proximity to their home and the quality of the practice facility. Chicago Highlands has a 450 yard double sided range, two practice putting greens, a short game area with two greens, and three practice holes. There is nothing like it.

Our club is on 270 acres, which is approximately double the acreage of a typical course in Chicago. Our ninth green is approximately 95 feet above the surrounding area offering incredible views. Until you've been on the course you can't imagine what we have. I've walked 14 rounds since we opened on May 15th. It is incredible, there is nothing like it in Chicago. While most clubs are losing members and lowering their price, Chicago Highlands continues to sign up new members. If you want to see it, please contact me at the club.


[/size]

[birdieboy52]

[quote name='54today' date='16 June 2010 - 08:20 AM' timestamp='1276694430' post='2512817']
[size="2"]My name is John Baxter and I'm one of the three partners at Chicago Highlands. A friend told me about this site and about some of the comments about Chicago Highlands. I'm writing this to clear up some misconceptions. I believe that Chicago Highlands offers the best value in our market, which I define as a 5 to 10 mile radius around the club. The membership is currently $125,000 which is 100% refundable in 30 years and 85% refundable in the interim. Most area clubs offer little or no refund of the initiation fee when a member resigns. That is a huge point of differentiation. For example, one highly regarded club is $89,000 to join but no refund when a member resigns. Additionally, we are a for-profit club, not a non-profit club owned and managed by the members. The big difference here is that at member owned clubs, the members are assessable, responsible, for operating annual losses and capital assessments. Members at Chicago Highlands are not.

Our membership documents have always stated that we will not start construction on the main clubhouse until we have 250 members. We decided in the beginning, even before the recession, to take this conservative approach. We have not taken out a bank loan to finance the construction of the club. As a result, we have an operating golf course on 270 acres in an incredible location and a great swimming pool complex without bank debt.

We are assembling a great staff. Our first hire was Michael Heustis as our golf course superintendent, Michael was the assistant at Chicago Golf Club. Michael and his crew know how to grow in and maintain a world class golf course. Our head pro is Jeff Perdew, Jeff was the first assistant for three years at Medinah CC. Last year is was voted the assistant of the year in the Illinois PGA section. Michael and Jeff have both put together great teams.

We have members from 21 towns, the average age of the dads is 45 with an average of 2.4 kids. My guess is that our membership is 15 years younger than other clubs in the area. Our club is gender neutral. There is no restriction on when women can tee off. Our course has six sets of tees with total yardage ranging from over 7,400 down to 5,100. Every level of golfer can enjoy our course. We are the only club I know of that does not charge for golf lessons and use of the range. Our free junior golf program starts on June 17th, we have over ninety kids enrolled.

The top two factors when people decide on which club to join are proximity to their home and the quality of the practice facility. Chicago Highlands has a 450 yard double sided range, two practice putting greens, a short game area with two greens, and three practice holes. There is nothing like it.

Our club is on 270 acres, which is approximately double the acreage of a typical course in Chicago. Our ninth green is approximately 95 feet above the surrounding area offering incredible views. Until you've been on the course you can't imagine what we have. I've walked 14 rounds since we opened on May 15th. It is incredible, there is nothing like it in Chicago. While most clubs are losing members and lowering their price, Chicago Highlands continues to sign up new members. If you want to see it, please contact me at the club.


[/size]
[/quote]


Thanks for the information. How many full golf members ( a family =1 membership) do you currently have.

[Hifade]

[quote name='54today' date='16 June 2010 - 09:20 AM' timestamp='1276694430' post='2512817']
[size="2"]My name is John Baxter and I'm one of the three partners at Chicago Highlands. A friend told me about this site and about some of the comments about Chicago Highlands. I'm writing this to clear up some misconceptions. I believe that Chicago Highlands offers the best value in our market, which I define as a 5 to 10 mile radius around the club. The membership is currently $125,000 which is 100% refundable in 30 years and 85% refundable in the interim. Most area clubs offer little or no refund of the initiation fee when a member resigns. That is a huge point of differentiation. For example, one highly regarded club is $89,000 to join but no refund when a member resigns. Additionally, we are a for-profit club, not a non-profit club owned and managed by the members. The big difference here is that at member owned clubs, the members are assessable, responsible, for operating annual losses and capital assessments. Members at Chicago Highlands are not.

Our membership documents have always stated that we will not start construction on the main clubhouse until we have 250 members. We decided in the beginning, even before the recession, to take this conservative approach. We have not taken out a bank loan to finance the construction of the club. As a result, we have an operating golf course on 270 acres in an incredible location and a great swimming pool complex without bank debt.

We are assembling a great staff. Our first hire was Michael Heustis as our golf course superintendent, Michael was the assistant at Chicago Golf Club. Michael and his crew know how to grow in and maintain a world class golf course. Our head pro is Jeff Perdew, Jeff was the first assistant for three years at Medinah CC. Last year is was voted the assistant of the year in the Illinois PGA section. Michael and Jeff have both put together great teams.

We have members from 21 towns, the average age of the dads is 45 with an average of 2.4 kids. My guess is that our membership is 15 years younger than other clubs in the area. Our club is gender neutral. There is no restriction on when women can tee off. Our course has six sets of tees with total yardage ranging from over 7,400 down to 5,100. Every level of golfer can enjoy our course. We are the only club I know of that does not charge for golf lessons and use of the range. Our free junior golf program starts on June 17th, we have over ninety kids enrolled.

The top two factors when people decide on which club to join are proximity to their home and the quality of the practice facility. Chicago Highlands has a 450 yard double sided range, two practice putting greens, a short game area with two greens, and three practice holes. There is nothing like it.

Our club is on 270 acres, which is approximately double the acreage of a typical course in Chicago. Our ninth green is approximately 95 feet above the surrounding area offering incredible views. Until you've been on the course you can't imagine what we have. I've walked 14 rounds since we opened on May 15th. It is incredible, there is nothing like it in Chicago. While most clubs are losing members and lowering their price, Chicago Highlands continues to sign up new members. If you want to see it, please contact me at the club.
[/size][/quote]


John,

First, let me say thank you for your post. We appreciate getting the "scoop straight from the horses mouth." It's easy for rumors to run rampant in these internet crazy times. I can tell everyone that having lived in the area my whole life, the anticipation of Chicago Highlands has been almost unprecedented. It's been a while since a project of this size has graced our area. The original impression was that CH was trying to attract members from "cross town" rival Butterfield CC due to it's complete closing for renovation. Whatever the individual's perception, CH has emerged as a upscale, private family facility with top notch offerings and an attempt at unrivaled service. I, for one, applaud the commitment of the partners to forge forward in these trying economic times. Good luck with your fantastic club and thanks again for your input here at GolfWrx.

Cardo

[hogans71]

[quote name='Hifade' date='06 July 2010 - 10:36 AM' timestamp='1278430574' post='2557400']
[quote name='54today' date='16 June 2010 - 09:20 AM' timestamp='1276694430' post='2512817']
[size="2"]My name is John Baxter and I'm one of the three partners at Chicago Highlands. A friend told me about this site and about some of the comments about Chicago Highlands. I'm writing this to clear up some misconceptions. I believe that Chicago Highlands offers the best value in our market, which I define as a 5 to 10 mile radius around the club. The membership is currently $125,000 which is 100% refundable in 30 years and 85% refundable in the interim. Most area clubs offer little or no refund of the initiation fee when a member resigns. That is a huge point of differentiation. For example, one highly regarded club is $89,000 to join but no refund when a member resigns. Additionally, we are a for-profit club, not a non-profit club owned and managed by the members. The big difference here is that at member owned clubs, the members are assessable, responsible, for operating annual losses and capital assessments. Members at Chicago Highlands are not.

Our membership documents have always stated that we will not start construction on the main clubhouse until we have 250 members. We decided in the beginning, even before the recession, to take this conservative approach. We have not taken out a bank loan to finance the construction of the club. As a result, we have an operating golf course on 270 acres in an incredible location and a great swimming pool complex without bank debt.

We are assembling a great staff. Our first hire was Michael Heustis as our golf course superintendent, Michael was the assistant at Chicago Golf Club. Michael and his crew know how to grow in and maintain a world class golf course. Our head pro is Jeff Perdew, Jeff was the first assistant for three years at Medinah CC. Last year is was voted the assistant of the year in the Illinois PGA section. Michael and Jeff have both put together great teams.

We have members from 21 towns, the average age of the dads is 45 with an average of 2.4 kids. My guess is that our membership is 15 years younger than other clubs in the area. Our club is gender neutral. There is no restriction on when women can tee off. Our course has six sets of tees with total yardage ranging from over 7,400 down to 5,100. Every level of golfer can enjoy our course. We are the only club I know of that does not charge for golf lessons and use of the range. Our free junior golf program starts on June 17th, we have over ninety kids enrolled.

The top two factors when people decide on which club to join are proximity to their home and the quality of the practice facility. Chicago Highlands has a 450 yard double sided range, two practice putting greens, a short game area with two greens, and three practice holes. There is nothing like it.

Our club is on 270 acres, which is approximately double the acreage of a typical course in Chicago. Our ninth green is approximately 95 feet above the surrounding area offering incredible views. Until you've been on the course you can't imagine what we have. I've walked 14 rounds since we opened on May 15th. It is incredible, there is nothing like it in Chicago. While most clubs are losing members and lowering their price, Chicago Highlands continues to sign up new members. If you want to see it, please contact me at the club.
[/size][/quote]


John,

First, let me say thank you for your post. We appreciate getting the "scoop straight from the horses mouth." It's easy for rumors to run rampant in these internet crazy times. I can tell everyone that having lived in the area my whole life, the anticipation of Chicago Highlands has been almost unprecedented. It's been a while since a project of this size has graced our area. The original impression was that CH was trying to attract members from "cross town" rival Butterfield CC due to it's complete closing for renovation. Whatever the individual's perception, CH has emerged as a upscale, private family facility with top notch offerings and an attempt at unrivaled service. I, for one, applaud the commitment of the partners to forge forward in these trying economic times. Good luck with your fantastic club and thanks again for your input here at GolfWrx.

Cardo



[/quote]

I too appreciate the "inside scoop" as it were and wish you the best of success. I recently had dinner with a member of CH- looking forward to playing out there when he gets around to it. I am certainly interested as to how this plays out- I find it amazing how little I've heard from friends at various clubs in the area- including my place, BCC, La Grange, Edgewood Valley. It seems like its been 60 years since a new club opened up in the area! Of course thats not to say there's no chatter- but as golf crazy as many of these guys are- strange...

As I said- good luck! Can't wait to play!

On a side note- have played Butterfield a few times since its renovation. Very impressed....

[THEWOOD]

Bump for more/new information.

Anyone played this track? Anyone a member?

How is membership?

[HighSpeedScene]

Have played many times, but not a member. Its fun - I like it a lot. And conditions have always been incredible.

My one beef is hole 11. They should just start over with that one. From the tips, I just bail right, lay up, and try to wedge it close for par. Bad hole.

[asommers14]

Ill be in Chicago this fall is there anyone here that could possibly give me a contact to possibly play here?