The last ranking of GOLF e Top 100 courses in the world it features many familiar names, from Augusta National and Pine Valley to Cypress Point and Pebble Beach. But in between these icons are lesser-known sketches with compelling designs and rich stories of their own. In this ongoing series, we will introduce you to them.
The same rule that governs books and their covers applies to golf courses and their score cards. You cannot judge one by the other.
Shoreacres illustrates the point.
This attractive layout on Chicago’s North Side measures just over 6,300 yards, making it the shortest of the top 100 golf courses in the world. (Yes, some holes at Shoreacres can be extended for competition, but we’re going by the daily play setup and the distance printed on the card.)
His story, however, is more than a tapestry tale.
Shoreacres is the work of Seth Raynorthe engineer-turned-architect who learned the trade from the father of American architecture, CB Macdonald. Like his mentor, Raynor incorporated templates into his designs, archetypal features that he adapted to fit each page. If you’ve played a Raynor course—which can be a challenge, since most are private—you’ve probably heard the terms: Biarritz, Already and Eden. Shoreacres has it all, in an intimate location near Lake Michigan.
Shoreacres starts well, with a par-5 board and a pair of short par-4s. Bank as many birds as you can. The front nine is relatively flat, but the ground rises more dramatically as you make the turn, with a particularly thrilling stretch from holes 11-15 playing over and around valleys. From start to finish, the layout’s main defense comes on and around its green. At some point during an outing here, you’re bound to hear the phrase, “You’ve been Raynored,” which can happen in all sorts of ways. An approach shot, for example, challenged by a front fake or pulled from a greenside shoulder. A putt that breaks in a messy way. A ball that slides past the cup… and down into a bunker.
Classical courses filled with templates are often described as “museums” of architecture. In fact, they are more like interactive exhibits. In this regard, Shoreacres requires your full commitment, without asking you to play the power game. Strategy and shot-making are priorities here.
All the more impressive is that Raynor did this without having access to what many consider to be the property’s best land. The clubhouse occupies that acreage and a bluff overlooking the lake. It’s an idyllic place to soak up the views while capturing the highlights of the day. Self-praise is fair game in golf. Just do your friends a favor and keep those stories like the golf course: short.
