Southland Golf: West Side Story in The Heights

Many say the Chicago Heights Park District West Course golf facility rates as one of the best bargains for the buck in the South Suburbs.

Located at 1112 Scott Avenue (Ashland Ave. & Country Club Road), the course is considered by some as one with country club amenities at park district prices. The reason: The West Course was, in fact, a private country club at one time not all that long ago.

The club legally was incorporated by S.S. Porter on April 8, 1912. Porter then became the country club's first president.

The land that the facility stands on once belonged to J.B. Schilling. And the course, itself, was designed by M. Collis and originally had just five holes.

But, by 1913, the nine-hole course was completed. The first clubhouse opened in 1912 and there have been several renovations since.

In the late 1990s, the membership of the club began to dwindle and eventually it was purchased by the Chicago Heights Park District. In a region filled with golf courses, you might not find a higher quality course to play at such a low price.

"This used to be a private course," golf course superintendent John Stanfa said. "The course is still in great shape. For the amount you pay to go out and play, there are not too many courses around that compare to what we have to offer."

The narrow course features tree-lined fairways, and the trees can alter your shots. Also, the course sits on a hilly terrain and has smallish greens.

There are several water hazards and many sand bunkers. The course also offers a putting green and a chipping area for practice sessions.

The fee during the week is $14, plus an additional $7 for cart use for non-residents, and $12, plus an additional $7 for cart use for residents, and $9, plus an additional $7 for cart use for anybody 60 years of age or older.

On the weekends, the cost is $16, plus an additional $7 for cart use for non-residents, and $14, plus an additional $7 for cart use for residents.

The West Course also offers golfers the chance to play an additional nine holes for $10 at any time. And park district officials have come up with a "2 for $20 deal" on Friday, enabling two golfers to go out at a cost of $20.

The course plays to 3,074 yards from the back tees and has been popular since it was bought and added to the park district arsenal. The district's East Course is located at 315 Glenwood Road.

COMING THURSDAY: Log on at 6 a.m. on Thursday and watch the video of John Mitchell demonstrating how an average golfer plays the par-4 seventh hole at Chicago Heights Park District's West Course facility.