It has been a few years since I’ve been out to Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge. Since my last visit, the nines flip-flopped, and that’s how the course originally played. During my absence the course has grown into it’s own, and has become a real treat to play.
A Tale of Two Sides
Seven Bridges Golf Club was built in 1991, actually it was carved out of an existing 36 hole facility which became part golf course, part housing development. Located west of State Route 53, and north of Hobson Road, the golf course has two different and distinct flavors. The front nine is a calming parkland style course. Plenty of trees and subtle topography frame almost every hole on the front. Water comes into play on three holes 4-5 and 6. My favorite hole on this side is #7.
What a great hole #7 Tee Box
At 469 yards from the Gold tees, this is an awesome par 4. A slight dogleg right, the giant stands of oaks on the right off the tee force you to play it to it’s true length (unless you can really motor the ball and carry the tops of the oaks…um yes I did!). You will be left to a long iron shot to a three club green. It slopes from back to front and has a ridge to navigate at the back half. It reminds me a lot of hole #6 on Cantigny’s Woodside (which is one of my all-time favorite holes) and it makes you earn your score. Finishing up on the front is an interesting par 5. Measured at 579 yards from the Golds, this is a true risk reward par 5. If you’ve bombed your drive (it’s slightly downhill) you have a chance to go for it in two…but danger lurks. Water is guarding the front portion of the green in the form of the Dupage River Tributary. It’s not too wide, but it sure can make you think about going for it!
The back nine is totally different from the front. The first three holes known as the Bermuda Triangle are challenging, actually it makes sense that they re-routed the nines back to their original design. These holes are guarded by unrelenting water…water and more water. Hole 10 is basically a par 5 surrounded by water…the whole thing…so you better be on target and take your time. Playing at 505 yards, it’s my opinion that you play this hole as a 200 yard par 3 for your first and second shots. Hole #12 is a wicked par 5. The a water retention pond plays along the left side of the hole, and the green is tucked away in a corner. The river crosses the front portion on your approach and the fairway is split off to the left…again it makes you think on every shot. Did I mention that water is the theme on this nine? The most difficult hole on the course is #16 Maelstrom.
Hole #16 called Maelstrom
Playing a tight 441 from the golds, this hole requires a well placed tee shot…there is no bail out…unless you are like me and knock it into the water on the right, then hit your next shot to 12 feet and sink a curling putt for par. The elevated green sits above the water, and is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. The round ends on a demanding par 4. At 447 yards it plays slightly less since it’s downhill, but the water comes back to play on your approach. A well placed second will leave you on a green with some twists and turns.
Overall
After I finished I was reminded why I thought the course was a tough nut to crack. The back side will either surrender some strokes or add them on. I had a strange back nine in that I had 4 penalty strokes yet still shot 39. The front nine is challenging, yet calm, while the back nine is more of a wild ride…always on the edge of your seat nine. And this time around I found it much more enjoyable. Maybe it was because I was playing by myself and finished in 2 ½ hours. Or maybe it was that the course was in superb condition. I was loving the greens. They were fast and true and would hold a shot. The fairways were well watered and not too hard, yet cut short enough that you could spin shorter shots with ease. I was very impressed with the grounds crew, every time I came to where they were working (and believe me you need to have a top notch grounds crew to keep a course like this in pristine shape) they would stop…and let me play without having to listen to mowers or trimmers. That is a sign of a great facility…when you put the guest first only good things will happen.
The Pro Shop is fully stocked with all the necessities. The clubhouse offers a wide array of dining options, and the outside bar (The Dock..go figure) is a great place to cool down with some adult beverages and reflect on the day of golf. Carts come with GPS and you really should ride, the front is walkable, but the back nine would be a haul…especially on a hot day. Plus you get the advantage of seeing the “Pro” tips while using the GPS system.
The Dock outside Bar
If there is one negative…and it only grinds my teeth a little…it has to be the cost. Now Premium golf courses require a premium rate, but I feel that given the current economic conditions, price is king. Weekend Rates of $107 will price most people out of playing. Will you want to add it to your heavy rotation? Maybe, but unless you have a fat wallet, a couple of rounds at Seven Bridges Golf Club will set you back some dough. I think that you should give it a shot for a special occasion or a well deserved treat, and the bring a 4-some during the weekday and get 20% off (about $54 per player with cart which is a very attractive rate). An attentive and well trained staff and a well conditioned course will ease some of the monetary burden…if not the killer drinks at the “Dock”.
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