Getting To Know: The Glen Club
An Insightful Interview With Alex Prior, Head Golf Professional
By Brian Weis
Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Alex Prior who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.
Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
The Glen Club, designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio, is a remarkable feat of engineering. For over 70 years, the land was used as a Naval Air Base complete with runways and a total elevation change of three feet. Today, the land has been beautifully transformed into a dynamic terrain with rolling berms, stunning vistas and naturally harmonious transitions.
The routing features dramatic elevation changes - up to 40 feet on certain holes - mature trees and natural areas, meandering lakes and flowing streams. There are 75 acres of prairie grass flowing naturally throughout the layout.
Each of the spectacular par 3's face a different point on the compass. The par 5's are big and bold yet contain ample driving zones and generous bailout regions. The par 4's range from short and sweet to long and tough. Many elements of a superb Fazio design are here and offer a challenge in many forms, from the classic perched greens undercut by bunkers to the awesome peninsula greens menaced by water.
The finishing 18th hole is one of the most picturesque on the course with two water features and strategically placed bunkers that demand accurate tacking from one safe area to the next. Walking off the 18th green will leave a lasting impression of a spectacular test of skill in an environment that offers an array of memorable golf holes.
If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
The Glen Club strives to provide the best golf experience to our guests. GOLF magazine recently ranked us as one of the Top 100 golf courses "you can play" nationally and our Tom Fazio design will both challenge and delight each of your guests, regardless of ability.
When comparing The Glen Club to other venues, please consider these advantages provided by The Glen Club:
* Our convenient location - proximate to O'Hare Airport, the North Shore, west and northwest suburbs and downtown Chicago via major expressways.
* Our exclusive feel on the golf course - We are a semi-private facility and you can expect an exclusive venue for guests, secluded within The Glen development.
* Our challenging, yet friendly golf experience - Our golf course is a classic Fazio: wide fairways, a run-up approach available on second shots and large greens.
What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
Playing within the wide fairways is key as the rough and native fescue is penal.
Stay below the hole as our putting greens consistently measure between 12 and 14 on the stimpmeter.
Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Golf Magazine - No. 4 - Best Courses You Can Play in Illinois - 2013
Golf Magazine - No. 2 - Best Public Course in Illinois - 2012
Golf Magazine - No. 72 - Top 100 Courses You Can Play - 2012
GolfWeek - No. 2 - Best Courses You Can Play in Illinois - 2012
GolfWeek - No. 3 - Best Courses You Can Play in Illinois - 2010
Golf Magazine - No. 72 - Top 100 Courses You Can Play - 2010
GolfWeek - No. 24 Best Tour Courses You Can Play - 2008
GolfWeek - The Best Courses You Can Play 2006-7
Golf Magazine - Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2002, 2004, 2006
Zaget Survey - America's Top 50 Golf Courses 2003-2005
Golf Digest - Best New Upscale Public Course 2002
Golf Magazine - Top 10 New You Can Play 2002
Great Lakes Golf Magazine - Best Course in Illinois 2002
Sports Illustrated - Top 10 New Courses 2001
What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
The signature hole at The Glen Club is #4. It is a great par 3 with a downhill tee shot to an undulating green. You will find yourself hitting a short to mid iron to the green that is surrounded by tall native grass. Due to the elevation change and swirling winds #4 is different and challenging every time. Par is a great score.
What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
Our favorite hole is #11 which is a challenging par 3 with water along the left side of the fairway and green. Measuring 218 yards from the back tees, this shot is all carry with a small area to bail out on the right. This hole will not only test your skill but is also one of the most picturesque holes on the course.
Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
Blackened Shrip Tacos - Jicama Slaw, Pineapple Salsa, Sour Cream and Guacamole
Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
Kris Mikkelsen - 62 scored on July 19, 2002 at the 27th Annual Collegiate Golf Championships / USA vs. Japan
Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,149
Slope: 140
Rating: 74.8
More Information
The Glen Club
2901 West Lake Avenue
Glenview, IL, 60026
847-832-6450
www.theglenclub.com
Revised: 06/18/2014 - Article Viewed 33,117 Times
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About: Brian Weis
Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.
All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.
On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.
Contact Brian Weis:
GolfTrips.com - Publisher and Golf Traveler
262-255-7600