First Design - Chicago Golf Club

The course architect, design theory, and current projects.
bj104
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Joined: May 18th, 2022, 9:48 am

First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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
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BradTheDad
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Joined: April 3rd, 2022, 11:28 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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
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tarheel
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Joined: September 13th, 2022, 4:39 am

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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.
bj104
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Joined: May 18th, 2022, 9:48 am

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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!
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BradTheDad
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Joined: April 3rd, 2022, 11:28 pm
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post by BradTheDad »

Hi Brad,

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

Cheers

Brad
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tarheel
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Joined: September 13th, 2022, 4:39 am

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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 :)
bj104
Weekend Duffer
Posts: 16
Joined: May 18th, 2022, 9:48 am

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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
bj104
Weekend Duffer
Posts: 16
Joined: May 18th, 2022, 9:48 am

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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!
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JReel
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Joined: April 1st, 2022, 7:02 am
Location: FL

Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post by JReel »

This is awesome Brad! Can't wait to play it! The more MacRaynor courses we can have around here the better!!
SteveHorn
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Re: First Design - Chicago Golf Club

Post 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.
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