Sportsman's "Classic 18" par-70 Championship Course has always had the elegant styling of one of golfing's greatest architects, Donald Ross. That's because it was designed by Edward Dearie Jr., construction crew chief for Ross who became an outstanding architect in his own right. Clearly, Dearie had paid attention to his master's triumphs.

Recently, the Jacobson Golf Course Design firm of Libertyville renovated our memorable 18 holes and enhanced the elements that made it a great course in the first place. Get ready to play a more strategic and exciting round of golf.

As you play our refurbished course, you'll find the biggest change is that every bunker on the course has been changed. Some bunkers have been eliminated; some were moved to more strategic locations.

“The problem was that as golf club technology advanced, some of the bunkers that were meant to increase the difficulty of the course for highly skilled golfers were actually catching the balls of higher handicap players. Now they will challenge the better golfer,” said Doug Myslinski, head designer for Jacobson.

Some bunkers were simply rebuilt with modern construction techniques for drainage and erosion control. New sod was placed around the bunkers to enhance the classic design of the course.

A few tee boxes were enlarged and/or leveled. Some greens were regraded and every green was replanted with a new variety of bentgrass. The entire fairway on No. 7 was raised to improve drainage.

“There's no question now that the course more truly reflects the Ross style of design because of this restoration,” said Myslinski.

Here's a description of our course hole-by-hole with some
information on what the new bunkers are all about:

Starting on No. 1, you will find a traditional blueprint, a relatively open downhill par-5 that can be a birdie opportunity. Standing on the tee, you will find a generous fairway that is framed nicely by fairway bunkers right and left with plenty of room between them. Hit a strong opening drive, followed by a couple more clean shots, and you'll be on your way to that opening birdie.

On the 2nd, water down the left side directs traffic toward a moderately penal fairway bunker, clearly the lesser of the two evils. Navigate between those, and you're left with an approach to a narrow green that falls away off the back. Two good shots, two putts and you're still on pace.

The 3rd is a wonderful uphill par-3 that challenges your faith. At only 165 yards from the back tees, the shot is not all that demanding, but bunkers left, right and in front of the green challenge your depth perception. Trust the yardage and swing away. If you're in doubt, take one more club as the prevailing wind is in your face, although you might not feel it at the tee.

Holes 4 through 7 are the birdie stretch. You can play a bit looser on these four and be rewarded. But don't let the easy appearance fool you. In typical Ross fashion, if you lose all sense you'll be punished. The 6th hole, a downhill par-3 of 150 yards yields the most aces at Sportsman's – take dead aim and be sure to buy a few drinks after the round.

The hardest par on the course is on the 8th. Playing between 170 and 200 yards, over water, this par-3 will give you a true test. Big mouthed, hungry bunkers sit front right and along the left side of the green. Don't let the large collection area fool you – it's no picnic back there. Fade a nice fairway wood that rides the prevailing wind into the green and you'll pick up a skin for sure. Bear down on the green, as its gently sloping ridge will fool even the keenest green reader.

The 9th hole, a 450-yard par-4, begins with a downwind drive to a raised fairway. The longest hitters will reap the rewards here as a drive of 250 yards can carry over to the top of the plateau and leave a much shorter approach. For the rest of us, the 9th leaves a long uphill approach to large, receptive green that is guarded by menacing bunkers right and left. Regardless of your score, take your ball out of the hole, and stroll proudly to the 10th tee ready to start your next challenge on the back nine. Be sure to look back down the 9th and enjoy the view (if you made a 9, say your peace and move on).

The back 9 at Sportsman's has some of the finest holes on the North Shore. Holes 11 through 14 aren't the toughest holes on the course, but perhaps the most enjoyable due to their beauty and overall playability. The 11th is a 400-yard par-4 that begins with a downhill tee shot that must fall safely outside of three deceptive fairway bunkers. If you find yourself in one of those bunkers, you've got your work cut out for you as the steeply uphill approach plays into the prevailing crosswind, and a shot that is even slightly off course will die well before reaching the two-tiered green. Be cautious about attacking a pin placement on the back tier as the green falls away long, and leaves you with a tough up and down.

The 12th is a 430-yard par-4 that plays with a helping wind. Let the shaft out on the drive, avoiding the fairway bunkers flanking both sides, and you'll be left with a shorter approach from where you can attack this interesting and fun green. A large knob rests comfortably in the center of the putting surface, and challenges not only the approach shot, but any chip from around the green itself. Use your imagination on the chip shot, or this green will sneak up and cost you a shot or two.

If you are a gorilla, then you'll be challenged by the dogleg 360 yard par-4 13th. Drivable under the right circumstances, the green complex will test even the most magical of short games. For the gorillas, potential heartbreak. For the rest of us, two swings and a putt at a potential birdie.

The 14th, a 165-yard par-3, has perhaps the most enjoyable putting surface. It is a Biarritz-style green, a three-sectioned green that gently falls in the center third to a lower elevation, and then gradually rises back up to that same elevation in the back third. The front and back areas are difficult to reach, as most balls will tend to run into and stay in the lower center portion. If the pin is up or back, use caution as the return shot from over the green is exciting. If, however, the pin is in the middle, have a confident go at the tee shot, you've got plenty of room for error on both sides of the pin. A classic hole that never gets old.

The closing stretch at Sportsman's is a true delight. The 15th, a 400-yard par-4 plays as a dogleg left to right, however the fairway slopes in the opposite direction of right to left. A fairway bunker right will catch those brave enough to try to cut the corner. The left side of the green gently nudges in towards the center, which will offset the ball flight from the hanging lie in the fairway. The 15th is a test to your mind and body, and a par here is treasured.

A fun, short par 4 awaits you at the 16th. Only 295 yards from the back tees, this hole requires more brains than brawn. If you're a big hitter, you'll have to figure in the penalty of finding the water left and short of this green or the OB right. If you're a strategist, pick your targets and swing away. The green is relatively flat, and should you avoid the bunkers on the right and along the left side, you should have a reasonable putt at birdie.

The 17th is a wonderful, tempting, and sometimes torturous 540-yard par-5 that plays with a prevailing wind. Avoiding the water on the left is only half the battle, as the fairway slopes left to right towards more water down the right side with fairway bunkers on each side to keep you honest. Position your ball in the fairway and immediately begin contemplating your next move. A rather ominous pond greets your next shot selection, and stretches across the fairway in the precise spot you would have otherwise played the hole.

Lay up short or have a go? Will the massive willow tree catch my ball? Assuming you've made the right decision (granted, it may take a few balls), do what you can to avoid the large bunkers short and right, as falling into the sand in one of them will leave you with the toughest shot in golf – a long bunker shot. This is the No. 2 handicap hole, so remember that you've probably got an extra shot to spend figuring the 17th out. If it takes more than that, double all wagers and bear down for the 18th.

Back to the high ground. The 18th is a wonderful 426-yard par-4 that plays to a predominately left to right wind. Again, much like the 9th, the tee shot is played uphill, and must avoid the aptly named “Sombrero” bunker down the left side and a right side bunker will test the long knockers. But you are not done yet! A devilish new bunker smack dab in the middle of the fairway short of the green will leave you wondering what to do. Don't be fooled there is much more room up there than it looks like! Two clean shots, two putts and you've brought the 18th to her knees. Hit the lounge and reminisce over your round with a few beverages.

And, in case that wasn't enough, Sportsman's East Nine is commonly considered the best 9-hole course on the North Shore. Home to a litany of avid and enthusiastic golfers of all ages, it's the place for a shorter, quicker golf fix. With its rolling greens and modern style bunkering, the East 9 is a great getaway on a summer afternoon, and the place to stretch your legs with a game of golf.