Note: Course Reviews are in no particular order, but mainly reflect the courses I am playing with my 11-year old son and resident junior golfer.
Although I have been aware of the Fon du Lac golf course for many years, I only recently visited for the first time with my son. As typically occurs, when I suggested we pop over to East Peoria and try Fon du Lac, he groused and grumbled, sure he would not like it. Before we had finished the 6th hole, he began begging to go around again.
Fon du Lac was completed in 1963, and sits just off Springfield Road at the top of the hill (just up the street from the location of the annual Festival of Lights display).
The course features 9 par 3’s, ranging in length from just 60 yards to 220 yards. Many holes feature tee shots to a lower or higher elevation green. We were there on Sunday afternoon, 4/24, after heavy rains fell that morning. Consequently, some of the fairways and greens were fairly soaked, but not unplayable. The tee boxes and fairways were in good shape, as were the generous and simple greens.
Many of the holes contain bunkers around the greens, but they are mostly unplayable, currently. This may be due to the difficult spring season presented so far this season, making bunker maintenance particularly challenging. Whatever the case, you need not feel guilty for taking a free no-closer-to-the-hole drop if your ball lands in a bunker.
Given the range of hole distances, I think my son ended up using most of the clubs in his bag, and thoroughly enjoyed himself. I limited my play to irons-only, and ended up using all but a couple from my bag.
The course is pretty open, making it hard to either lose your ball, or find yourself in jail, with no shot to the green. Perfect for new golfers, young or old.
Golf carts and pull carts are available, but call ahead if either are wanted, as supply is limited and a reservation is advised. The cost is a real winner — even as non-residents, we were able to play the course (walking, no pull cart rental) for under $15 for both of us. Snacks and drinks are available, as are tees, balls, gloves, etc. The staff that helped us in the clubhouse were really friendly, as well.
We have agreed to play Fon du Lac again within the next month to see how it plays when not soaked by recent rains. Even a bit waterlogged, though, we found the course fun and challenging and really enjoyed our visit.