CRETE. An excellent design and unique variety of holes await golfers at this wonderful course. From fairways varying in width to scattered water hazards and bunkers, each hole is distinctively different. Creative shot making will prove to be a plus at the challenging Balmoral Woods.

WHEATON. With two distinctly different nines, this course's beauty and its surroundings are out of this world. Exquisite landscaping sets the scene for a course that features a significant amount of water. Wide fairways on one nine and narrow, tree-lined fairways on the other make adapting to different layouts a must. The course has a unique history and even features a bunker in the shape of Dick Tracy.

LEMONT. Folks playing the tips will be challenged by narrow landing areas with little room for error, but this course is also a fair test for higher handicappers playing from up tees. Large multi-tiered greens are protected by numerous bunkers, and accurate approach shots will be rewarded. Nestled among mature oaks, the course is the annual host of the PGA Tour's Motorola Western Open.

SOUTH SIDE. Dick Nugent's masterful vision and design transformed an old landfill into this championship, links-style course. Absent of mature trees and other native foliage, the "man-made" terrain features elevation changes, wispy rough, mounds, and deep bunkers. Poorly played approach shots can result in long putts on the large greens.

CHANNAHON. This lengthy course can play longer because of its rolling hills. Mounded fairways and up-hill approaches make for some blind shots during the round. Fairways are guarded by a combination of trees, mounds, and marsh, so the straighter the shot the better. The terrain also comes into play on well-mounded greens.