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First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: August 29th, 2023, 12:55 pm
by bj104
Hi everyone,

My name is Brad and I have been playing GBC for many years, but haven't been too active as far as posting in the forums, up until this point. I have marveled at the amazing courses put out over the years, always having tremendous respect for the time and effort that goes into building every course. I never really got the itch to try out designing for myself, given there are literally thousands of courses to choose from already (which is also why GBC is my favorite golf game). Well, for some reason I decided to fire up the designer a few weeks ago just to play around with it, and I have to say, it is very addicting and I feel like I have missed out not getting into it sooner.

My favorite course architects are Seth Raynor and CB McDonald, though I am also a big fan of Tillinghast and Ross, and also more contemporary names like Hanse, Doak, Coore/Crenshaw. I figured that I would give Chicago Golf Club a shot as my first course, as it is such a quintessential Raynor/McDonald course and seemed doable for a first design, albeit maybe a bit ambitious. I really appreciate the help provided on this forum so far, and look forward to completing this and more courses to come! Thinking about North Berwick as my next course, but time will tell. Anyways, here is an early look at Chicago Golf Club:

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1st green

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View from left side of 2nd fairway

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My favorite hole, the Biarritz 3rd

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The Leven 5th

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Double Plateau 6th

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Redan 7th

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View from 9th green back toward fairway, with 10 green on the left

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: August 29th, 2023, 5:48 pm
by BradTheDad
Hi Brad,

always good to welcome another designer on-board. The GBC designer is quite simple to use and there are many designers who can help you with any issues you come across. Looks like your first design is coming along nicely. Real courses are always difficult, so make sure you take your time and do it justice.

Cheers

Brad

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: August 29th, 2023, 6:46 pm
by tarheel
Congratulations on getting started! I have never tried to design, but I know there are and were many who enjoyed the design process more than playing! I look forward to seeing your work.

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: August 30th, 2023, 4:34 am
by bj104
Thanks Brad and tarheel, I’m working on finishing up the back nine soon, followed by lots of play testing to make sure I have the course playing and looking as accurate as possible. More to come!

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: August 30th, 2023, 5:25 pm
by BradTheDad
Hi Brad,

just as an aside, Tarheel's real name is also Brad.

Cheers

Brad

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: August 30th, 2023, 7:57 pm
by tarheel
BradTheDad wrote: August 30th, 2023, 5:25 pm Hi Brad,

just as an aside, Tarheel's real name is also Brad.

Cheers

Brad
Brad’s of three! Now that you don’t see every day :)

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: September 1st, 2023, 10:51 am
by bj104
tarheel wrote: August 30th, 2023, 7:57 pm
BradTheDad wrote: August 30th, 2023, 5:25 pm Hi Brad,

just as an aside, Tarheel's real name is also Brad.

Cheers

Brad
Brad’s of three! Now that you don’t see every day :)
Ha! That is awesome, always good to run into other Brads :D

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: June 19th, 2024, 4:13 pm
by bj104
Hi guys, I finally got around to finishing up Chicago GC and just uploaded it. Overall I feel good about the end product, and hope that it's an enjoyable course for everyone to play- but I would love to hear any feedback to improve on future designs. I have a few more projects in the works that I am very excited about, so stay tuned for more info about those soon. Thanks all!

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: June 20th, 2024, 11:11 am
by JReel
This is awesome Brad! Can't wait to play it! The more MacRaynor courses we can have around here the better!!

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Posted: June 21st, 2024, 8:43 am
by SteveHorn
bj104
I'm very impressed by your posted pictures of your rendition of Chicago G.C. Very well done by a first timer.