LostArkitekt

So...I take back all those wonderful things I said about Tam O'Shanter. I actually wanted to play a course further away this morning because Tam was closed yesterday due to flooding. The website (tee time booking) said it would be closed until yesterday afternoon. However, I saw that there were tee times available for this morning when I looked yesterday and 3 spots (early) were taken last night when I looked before going to bed.

Instead of getting up early and driving to the other course (I've wanted to play it and figured if Tam was closed I'd have the perfect opportunity), I woke up an hour later and checked the website...no notice of Tam being closed (this was at 6:15, and they open at 6:00). Three times available between 7:12 and 7:28...perfect for me. Checked the site before I took off at 7:30-ish, and no notice about closure and those tee times still available.

I think you see where I'm going with this. I drove up there in lighter rush hour (but still rush hour) traffic, put my shoes on and was about to go pay for the round when two guys came up to me and said, "We're not going to be open until 10:00...for walkers only. Course was flooded." (I was walking anyway.) I mentioned that the website said closed yesterday, but nothing on there last night or this morning about being closed. The guy speaking said, "Even if we were open, we have a ladies league this morning, and you would have a tough time playing."

Don't you think you'd take the times off the website if you have a league playing that morning? Also, since THEY didn't update the website, don't you think they should have given me a credit for a free round for making the trip (had to drive back in rush hour traffic)? Nope...nothing...no mention of anything.

I'm a man of principal, and although I love many things about this course, but I try not to treat places right that don't treat me right, so I'm not sure I'll be playing here anytime in the near future.

This course is tough for a high handicapper, and it was really challenging for a mid-handicapper as well. If you go right or left...forget about it. I will say that we played 3 or 4 hours after a torrential downpour, and the sand traps were like concrete. I used to do greenskeeping on a muni back in Cincinnati (during my youth), and we would have groomed the traps after the rain...it also helps them to dry.

Don't miss left or right on this course as the deep rough is unforgiving...basically, lost ball. Loved the variety of holes. Also...a 220 yard Par 3 from the Men's long tees (not Championship)...crazy!

Tam 0'Shanter isn't my "local muni', but it is close enough. It's a 15 minute drive (which, in Chicago, is nothing), and worth going there over the closer Edgebrook or Billy Caldwell (not a fan).

I guess back in the day this used to be an 18 hole course and hosted the Western Open and the World Golf Championship. FYI, I LOVE this course for what it is...moderately difficult, cheap and pretty. There are hardly any real water hazards (maybe 3 holes), and tall grass hazards only come into play on really 2 main holes (East and West boundaries of the course). So, for high handicappers, it's a great course to get your feet wet and have something that isn't just too easy and boring.

My only negative is that I play early mornings, and they haven't watered early enough for the course not to be soaked almost the entire round. I guess that's why they make waterproof golf shoes!