Cog Hill G & CC

By Neville Leck Last updated: 14th September 2011

This week's Fedex Cup stop for the BMW Championship, Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, its records show was "the manifestation of the dream of Joe Jemsek and a testament to his vision".

Often referred to as the patriarch of Chicago golf, Joe Jemsek (1913-2002) was universally praised for raising the standard of public golf throughout the USA, this largely due to his ambitious quest to bring private club conditions and amenities to the public golfer long before it was in vogue.

Jemsek proved that providing first rate golf, clubhouse service, food and beverage for the public golfer could be profitable and thereby was able to bring many investors into the game to fuel this concept

Nestled in the Des Plaines River Valley, some 30 miles from Chicago, Cog Hill has been luring avid golfers since 1927 and today Jemsek's family are carrying on the tradition.

They continue to provide world-class golf to the public golfer on the club's four courses including world-class 'Dubsdread' where the BMW Championship, the 3rd leg of the new four-leg FedEx Cup play-off series, has been staged for the past few years

Apart from offering golf to players of every level on its four courses, the club also offers an award winning, state-of-the-art learning and fitment centre, an outstanding driving range and practice facility, wining, dining and banqueting facilities and an excellent pro shop that can boast of being "your one stop for all things golf".

Over the years, Cog Hill has hosted a string of key events, these being:

- BMW Championship In 2007 (It will also host the event in 2009 and 2011)

- Cialis Western Open From 1990 To 2006

- US Amateur Championship In 1997

- US Men's Public Links Championship In 10989

- US Women's Public Links Championship In 1987

- US Men's Public Links Championship In 1970

THE COURSES

With its interesting layouts and well-conditioned courses Cog Hill has been testing players of all levels for more than 70 years.

Course Nos 1 and 3 tend to be gently rolling, wooded and with mostly elevated greens. They range from being very tight to fairly open. There are also a blend of lengths requiring a good range of shot making ability.

They have enough sand, trees and water to test the accomplished player, but not to punish the beginner.

Course No 2, Ravines is of championship calibre as is Dubsdread, which is numbered 4.

Three new holes, a par 3, par 4 and par 5, were constructed for the 1997 US Amateur Championship and when substituted for the usual par 3, 4 and 5, are known as the 'tournament setting'.

They also permit a hole to be rotated in and out for construction or repair.

Ravines is otherwise every bit a championship course with tree lined-fairways, ravines, water, sand and testing greens.

Dubsdread, however, is the club's gem and has been ranked in the top 100 US clubs since it opened in 1964, its fame emanating not only from its demands on shot making, but for its vast displays of natural beauty and accommodation of large number of spectators at key events like the BMW Championship.

Tight landing areas combined with large, heavily bunkered undulating greens make the course a test for the best.

TOUR OF THE COURSE

To go to Cog Hill's official website and take a hole-by-hole tour of the Dubsdread course click here

GREEN FFES:

Weekdays(Aug 22-Oct 25, 2010

Courses 1 and 3:

18 holes: $37
After 2:30pm $19.50
After 5:30pm $12

Course 2 - (Ravines)

18 holes $57
After 2:30pm $30.50

Course 4 - Dubsdread

18 holes: $155
*Includes complimentary warm-up basket of range balls, Laser Link distance finder & golf cart $155*

Weekends (Aug 22-Oct 25, 2010)

Courses 1 and 3:

18 holes: $45
After 2:30pm $19.50
After 5:30pm $12

Course 2 - (Ravines)

18 holes $57
After 2:30pm $32.50
After 4pm R30.50

Course 4 - Dubsdread

18 holes: $155
*Includes complimentary warm-up basket of range balls, Laser Link distance finder & golf cart $155*

RENTAL FEES

Golf cars $16
Premier Golf Sets (Callaway or Ping) *includes complimentary golf pouch, six Callaway logo balls, tees - $50*
Basic golf Set (Vulcan, Assorted Clubs) - $20
Golf Shoes (Footjoy) - $5
Locker with towel - $3

WHERE TO WATCH THE BMW:

- Between the fourth fairway and fifth tee, where spectators can watch both holes.

- The 18th green, which is almost totally surrounded by spectator areas.

- Behind the 15th green. A spectator mound was built to accommodate 1,500 fans. There's a stairway to the top. From here, a fan can see all of the 15th hole and the 16th fairway as far as the dogleg.

- The spectator mound behind 14th green, most commonly called Pork Chop Hill provides views of holes 12 to 14 and also the 17th tee. This location is also in close proximity to both food and beverage facilities and to washrooms.

OTHER AMMENITIES

- DRIVING RANGE AND LEARNING CENTRE: The Golf Range Association of America Magazine has ranked Cog Hill's Learning Center as one of the 'Top 100 Ranges in America'.

The award was presented to Jemsek Golf Vice President Katherine Jemsek and Range Manager Patrick Sexton at this year's PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL.

Whether you are merely warming-up for a round or undergoing some serious practice, Cog Hill's practice area should provide you with your every need, offering as it does, a combination of natural grass hitting areas, target greens, Callaway range balls, and a well groomed short game area for chipping and putting.

- FITTING CENTRE: Cog Hill was awarded the 2003 and 2005 Regional Club Fitters of the Year by the Ping Golf Company. It provides Custom Fitting Centers for companies such as: Callaway, Ping, Titleist, Taylor Made, Mizuno, Hogan, and Tour Edge.

A typical fitting lasts about 30 minutes and an appointment is necessary. Turnaround time is usually 3-5 working days. Club fitting is a valuable process that is a must when purchasing new equipment. Cog Hill has implemented a $25 fitting fee that will be reimbursed if your clubs are purchase at Cog Hill.

- INSTRUCTORS: Chicagoland Golf Magazine has consistently rated the Cog Hill Learning Center as offering 'One of the Finest Teaching Staffs' in the Chicagoland area.

The private lesson area includes an 8,000 sq. ft. putting green, an approach green with numerous bunker options and a green dedicated to chipping.

Summer lessons are offered on bent grass and blue grass turf surfaces and Winter lessons under covered hitting areas that include of heated hitting bays.

WINING, DINING AND BANQUETS: Cog Hill has a large "old world" clubhouse with three dining rooms, each able to stand alone or be opened up to form one large room with a total seating capacity of 280 for banquets, weddings etc.

The Main Dining Room has a 30 foot ceiling with massive wood beams, leaded glass windows, and a working stone fire place.

All of the dining rooms offer dramatic views of the golf course and the flower gardens. The adjacent patio is available for Wedding Receptions and other outdoor events.

- ON-COURSE REFRESHMENT STANDS - Food and/or beverage tickets are available here at Cog Hill or a charge for food and beverage can be opened as you see fit.

- LOCKER AND SHOWER FACILITIES - these facilities come with your golfing package

- AMPLE GOLF CART FLEET

- PAVILION TENT - has seating for 600

- WI-FI 'HOT' ZONES in all clubhouses

- SCORING FACILITY: Cog Hill offers computerized scoring at a nominal charge for all golf days. Our scorer, stationed at the golf shop, will take scores, compute handicaps, and publish results.

LOCATION

Cog Hill Golf and Country Club

12294 Archer Avenue

Lemont, IL 60439-6711

Phone: (866) COG-HILL x 321

Email: coghill@coghillgolf.com

Neville Leck