Golf Course Photo, Gambit Golf Club, CLOSED 2015, Vienna, 62995
Gambit Golf Club, CLOSED 2015
Played on September 2009
1550 Route 146 E, Vienna, Illinois, 62995
1 Ranking
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Golfer Bob
Vienna
2009-09-30

$21 (cart included), played on Monday, September 2009 at 6am

Played here 9-21-09 while visiting a friend in the area. Excellent golf course by any measure. Well designed, taking full advantage of the terrain variation: no two holes look remotely alike.

I played the Gold tees, 6102 yards, 69.0/120, which seemed very fair. A fair amount of water, well integrated into the design. Design is by Richard Osborne, who I had never heard of before, but he did a really great job here. Too many good holes to mention them all, but I will cite #15, a 482 yard par 5; water down the entire right side and a sizable bunker on the right, paralleling the water, from about 150 to 225 off the tee. The hole finishes with a little dogleg to the right. The risk/reward: a good drive will put you into the tempting position of crossing the water to the green, which seems reachable...but that green is awfully close to the water, with a very steep bank...come up even a few yards short, and the bounce is backwards...think it over! (I admit it, I wussed out and played safe into the fairway and wedged into the green on my third shot...but I was really tempted!) Conditions were excellent, and the medium sized greens putted moderately fast and true: several of the greens have significant contour, but are not unfair, as we see on some courses.

Price was only $25 for seniors, including cart, which is excellent. Course is NOT walkable for most of us, especially seniors; just too much up and down. A big plus: NO houses anywhere on the course. Pro shop is small, but well stocked, there is a snack bar with friendly staff, and a very nice "learning center," which includes an indoor putting green and three driving stations (into nets), and a video simulator. Pretty good set up. There is also a steakhouse in the same building, which has a good reputation locally. Unfortunately, it is closed on Mondays, so we did not get to check it out.

I liked this course, and would play it regularly if I lived anywhere near. Call before you go there, as they do a lot of outings and leagues. Well worth the visit!

Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Not Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Best course in the area, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing
 
Condition of Course, Layout, Price, Ambiance, No Houses on Course, Pace of Play, Staff
None worth mentioning
Layout/ Challenge
Fairway conditions
Greens conditions
Course ambiance
Pace to play
Overall rating
Value
Rank ID # : 008381