Klein Creek: It Only Feels Like a Private Club

The folks who operate Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield like to stress that their course is in the best shape of any in Chicagoland’s western suburbs, that the greens are the best maintained and the layout’s true beauty is in the detail work of the mnicuring of this Dick Nugent masterpiece. Golf Digest’s Places to Play agrees, awarding this course located just 10 minutes off I-355 and only 45 minutes from Downtown Chicago, 4-Stars!

Besides the immaculate landscaping of the 230 acres, you’re likely to notice very early on there’s a whole lot more water to this layout than just Klein Creek, the course’s namesake, with water coming into play on 15 of the 18 holes. On the very first hole, water impacts both the tee ball and the approach shot and water runs down the entire right side of the par-4 second just to confirm the premise. 

Klein Creek Golf Club isn’t terrifically long (only 6,700-yards from the tips with a par of 72), but knowing your own game and where you can place the ball is paramount given all the water throughout the course. With the water and lack of enormous length, there are risk-reward opportunities on just about every hole, with the intermediate tees measuring from 6,300 yards to just under 5,800 yards and the forward tees at about 4,900 yards.

Another great feature at Klein Creek is the variety you’ll get every time you play it. The rolling hills and mounding that create surprising elevation changes throughout the course provide myriad of lies with the smallest fraction of difference in your ball-striking. And those constant and constantly changing breezes that Chicagoland is so famous for will impact every hole differently almost any day you play. To be sure, Klein Creek will test your mind and your will, as much as your club selection!

One way to get a line on how challenging a course is comes from the character of the par-3s. At many courses, they’re handicapped as the four easiest holes on the card, but at Klein Creek, only one of the par-3s is among the four “easiest.” In fact, the signature 17th, with its green elevated within a bunker that completely surrounds it, is one of the most interesting par-3s in Illinois.

The 17th comes right in the middle of a fabulous finish at Klein Creek. The uphill, usually-into-the-wind par-5 16th and the 400-yard-plus 18th, featuring water down much of the right hand side, provide a strong final stretch to your round.

That memorable finish to Klein Creek is complemented by the challenging turn from the front side to the back. The #1 handicapped, dogleg-right 9th hole, with water on both the inside and outside corners of the dogleg, has been named one of the Most Challenging Par-4’s in DuPage County. Adding to the difficulty, it usually plays into the wind! The ninth is followed by the shortest par-4 on the course, the driveable (if the wind is favorable and you really rip it) 300-or-so-yard 10th.

Another memorable twist is the double-green shared by the 3rd and 15th holes. Though really on two different tiers, and a fair distance apart, it’s Klein Creek’s homage to the birthplace of golf, and further evidence of the variety that makes Klein Creek so playable round after round. Every hole was uniquely designed as an individual stage. The greens don’t have an overriding tendency to be large or small, steeply pitched or severely undulating. There aren’t many regular fairway bunkers, but there are natural waste areas with prairie grasses along the fairways. There are, however, many greenside bunkers, which are preferable recovery zones from the watery graves they often protect.

If the course hasn’t already impressed you with its private club quality, the amenities offered at Klein Creek certainly will. From its award-winning pro shop and locker facilities, to the attention to detail and customer service oriented staff, your experience is heightened throughout your visit. Klein Creek even offers the opportunity to lock in permanent tee-times and participates in a flexible tee-sharing program with nearby courses Seven Bridges and Prairie Landing. Klein Creek tries to think of everything for the individual golfer and those involved in organizing outings of any size.

Klein Creek’s seasoned, professional staff runs more than 100 charitable and corporate outings of various sizes seamlessly each year, with everything handled in-house, including the use of their year-round Tented Pavilion, which seats up to 275 for dinner and accommodates up to 400 for cocktail receptions. There’s also a spacious outdoor patio next to the Pavilion and smaller groups might prefer the Creekside Restaurant in the clubhouse, which seats up to 100 for dinner and accommodates up to 150 for cocktail receptions.

That kind of catering flexibility has made Klein Creek extremely popular for weddings, corporate meetings, retirement parties and other special events. But not TOO popular, as Klein Creek prides itself on making those special wedding days truly exclusive and guarantees only one wedding scheduled per day. The Tented Pavilion can be dressed-up for any special occasion to meet your individual needs. Its classic look includes chandeliers and white-draped linens in a year-round, climate-controlled environment with a separate entrance for guests.

The Creekside Restaurant not only caters all the functions at Klein Creek, it has become a favorite lunch and dinner getaway for area residents and visitors with its varied menu, culminating in the weekly Friday Fish Fry that’s become a local legend.

Klein Creek Golf Club certainly has the feel of a private club, but all of its amenities are very much OPEN to the public. For directions, or more information on tee times, annual memberships, outings or other special events, visit their Web site (which also offers great specials) at www.kleincreek.com or call them at (630) 690-0101.