Aldeen was ranked the best municipal course in Illinois by Golf Digest in 2009 and rated 4-1/2 stars by 2008 Golf Digest Magazine's Places to Play guidebook. GOLF Magazine calls it one of the Thrifty Fifty (top 50 courses in the country under $50). Aldeen is ranked #23. The Aldeen Golf Club has set a new standard for upscale public golf in northern Illinois. Thanks to the generosity of Norris and Margaret Aldeen, any golfer can experience this quality championship facility with country club amenities at an affordable rate.

"All area golfers should consider themselves extremely fortunate
for the opportunity to play a course of the quality, caliber
and affordability of Aldeen Golf Club. I know I do."

Mike Robinson, Director of Marketing/Communications
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center

http://www.aldeengolfclub.com/

Built in 1922 and designed by Thomas M. Bendelow, this old Rockford favorite was named for Lt. Clayton Ingersoll, who lost his life in an air crash in France during World War I. Located on Rockford’s far west side, it was selected by Tiger Woods as the host facility for the Tiger Woods Foundation’s thrilling two-day golf clinics for kids in 2001 and 2004. Like Rockton’s Macktown, what Ingersoll lacks in length it more than makes up for in tightly tree lined fairways and postage-stamp greens.

Ingersoll is a classic example of early 1900s parklands golf architecture. The lovely clubhouse features a shaded practice range out back and, in 2004, the Rockford Park District added the Ingersoll Learning Links, a four-hole, par three course with a practice range, greens and bunkers just for children.

Par 71, 6,107 yards from the back tees, rating: 68.9, slope: 111.

Call 815-987-8834.

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Located in an historic 338-acre forest preserve on the beautiful Rock River, Atwood Homestead is a big hitter’s delight. Its designer, Charles Maddox had plenty of land to work with and he used natural areas. At an intimidating 7,470 yards from the tips, Atwood plays long, but it allows a few mistakes from the tee on most holes. Atwood Homestead Golf Course, along with the length comes large, undulating greens some featuring subtle breaks, but most fairly easy to read. The cozy stone clubhouse was once the Atwood family homestead and features a great little cafe. Par 72, 7,470 yards, slope: 74.3, rating: 120.

Designed by Charles Maddox and opened in 1971.

Call 815-623-2411.

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Opened in 1966 as a private club, the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District purchased The Ledges and re-opened it as a public daily fee course in 1978. Designer E. Lawrence Packard had a beautiful, hilly and wooded piece of land to work with, complete with dramatic limestone formations, a winding creek and ponds - and he truly made the most of it. The Ledges 72.5 rating and 129 slope is well-deserved. If you’re not hitting the ball straight, you might want to bring an extra sleeve. There’s plenty of trouble on this fine, heavily bunkered layout with water in play on ten out of 18 holes.

Be aware of just how close out of bounds is to that inviting elevated green on par 5 number 2, for instance. It’ll sneak up on you! Par 72, 6,740 yards from the back tees, slope: 72.5, rating:129.

Call 815-389-0979.

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Sporting a classic 1930’s era design, Macktown is short but tricky - fair but capable of adding big numbers to your scorecard in the blink of an eye. Try to drive the drivable short, downhill par 4 #11 and you might well make birdie - but you might just as easily end up with a double bogie 6. Elevation changes, doglegs and small greens combined with tree-lined fairways make accuracy off the tee and into the greens imperative at Macktown.

Macktown Golf Course is located on the outskirts of Rockton, Macktown is a small, but well-loved and well-cared-for gem. After your round, don’t miss the Dairy Haus, a local ice cream shop in downtown Rockton, just across the Rock River. It boasts the best malts and home made ice cream for miles!

Par 71, 5,770 yards from the back tees, slope: 67.1, rating: 109. Designed by Alex Welch and opened in 1931. Call 815-624-7410.

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