IOS #5 @ Aurora, IL--09/15&16/07

[OvEr HaNd AsSaSiN]

How is everyone doing i went to aurora for the first time today. It appers to be drying up well i only had problems with two holes i believe they were 17 and 18.  The course is nice, a bit easy from the shorts though.  I will definitly be there though both days. 

[Fox Metro Discer]

I went out there today after our club meeting and as above, 17 and 18 are wet, but playable. Holes 3 and 4 are no longer under water, but muddy. With some decent weather, they should be fine. I am not so sure about the fairway for 17 though. It took unntil June for the hole to originally dry out from the wet spring, so I would imagine it will take a while for this bout to do the same. Our VP has contacted the head of the Rec Dept at the Park District and asked to get the water pumped out b4 the tourney, but have yet to get a response. Will update as I get more info.

[Bruce Brakel]

I once played a tournament at Riverbends where 75% of the course was ankle deep water.  They had a special rule: you could play the water out of bounds or casual, whatever worked for you. 

I once took a hike in the Smokey Mountains, four miles, uphill the entire way, ankle deep water the entire way, 18 kinds of rain.

Water is pretty benign stuff.  You can have a lot of fun even if there is a little water here and there. 

[tflo101]

Does anyone know what the different categories are?  I know there is recreational and amaetur, but is there any definite difference between them or should I just enter the one that I think my skill level is at?

[Dan Michler]

Actually there is 3 divisons.

1. Recreational  (players with ratings under 875)
2. Intermediate   (ratings under 915)
3. Advanced

Since you are new to the tournament scene, you should play the Recreational division and not worry about what division you belong in.  There is nothing wrong with any new player deciding to play in Rec.  See how you feel after that and at the next event you can decide if you want to move up a division.

[pickax]

Just to note as well. The Recreational And Intermediate Divisions (the two lower amateur divisions) play on Sunday. The advanced Amateur and Pro divisions play on Saturday.

[Fox Metro Discer]

I agree completely, Bruce, but the problem we are running into is the loss of the grass in that area, it is becoming a bog and we would like to actually like to keep it grass if possible, with maybe next year keeping a defined area as a water hazard, not both fairways.

[can't putt]

Course condition, 9/6 (before the rain):

- Lots of mosquitos.
- 3 & 4 are a little soft, but gentle footsteps do no damage and your shoes do not get muddy.
- 7A is still under water, but the water is receding nicely.  Possibly playable by next weekend, but not as far out on the peninsula.
- 17 & 18 fairways are a muddy mess and still have some standing water.  Heavy traffic would really damage these areas IMO.
- All other holes are just fine.
- 6 along the creek is marked for JULIE to inspect.  New fence going in?

[pickax]

Thanks for the report, Bug spray is going to be even more necessary than it was at Crystal Lake.

[damonshort]

Course condition, 9/6 (before the rain):

...anybody go out there today (Friday)?

[Fox Metro Discer]

Conditions have really not changed much, there is still ankle deep water on most of the fairway for 17 and the beginning of 18's fairway. The rest of the course is pretty good, with the fairways for 3 and 4 a little muddy, but very playable. Right now the worst problem is the smell from the anaerobic mud of the creekbed being deposited all over the course.

[CEValkyrie]

The course is in good shape. With another week of good weather 17 & 18 might be playable but i'm not planning on it. 17 still has quite a bit of standing water on it.

Here is the course plan.

Play holes 1 thru 13. There will be no temp hole 7A.

All the alternate holes are now marked as of today.

After hole 13 there will be a par 4 that plays from the path near #14 short tee straight west across the open area with the basket near the road. On & over the road will be OB. That hole will be 13A. It's 610 ft.

13B will be similar to last year. The basket will be in the same place. The tee will be slightly shorter and is farther to the east near the trees. The open hyzer route is blocked. The fence & road is OB. It's 325ft.

13C will be quite a bit different this year. The tee is farther east this year. The basket is placed between the cluster of pine tees. It's a straighter shot with several obstacles in the fairway. It's 285ft. Those pine trees are big time catchers!!!

13D will be exactly the same as last year.

You wil then play holes 14 thru 16.

Hole #17 will have a temp tee pad in the grass playing to the basket of #18. This hole is 295ft.

2 Rounds of 21.

[Jon Brakel]

That sounds great Brett. Thanks a lot for figuring out the course routing!

[CEValkyrie]

That sounds great Brett. Thanks a lot for figuring out the course routing!

I was hoping you you didn't make the score cards  .

[pickax]

Here is my best attempt at a Google Course Map for IOS#5
Note The Google Satellite images are old and missing many of the tress for the alternates.
The tees/lines marked in red are not in play for 2007. 13A is out of order in the list.
Google Map

[CEValkyrie]

Mike,

   Thanks for the update. 13A basket is north 2 more trees. Everything else looks good!!

Thanks.

[tree]

That sounds great Brett. Thanks a lot for figuring out the course routing!

I was hoping you you didn't make the score cards  .

I don't think scorecards are done yet.

[stpitner]

Some stuff has come up, and I unfortunately might not be able to make it out on Sunday.  I'm considering doing something insane and going to play TO-Advanced on Saturday lol.  My goal would just be to just try not to be in last - and not because someone DNF's!

[Bruce Brakel]

Occasionally getting your ass totally kicked is good for your character.  I know.  Especially today.  My character is feeling really good right now.   

[pickax]

13a on the google map has been moved the requested 2 holes north.