As Fall begins to settle in here in the Midwest will be devoting our course of the day posts to Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan golf courses before moving to more sunny climes in November. Here’s a great course that many Chicago area golfers really don’t know about, Midlane Golf Resort and Suites.

Located in Wadsworth, Illinois (north of Chicago on I-94), Midlane Golf Resort and Suites is home to one of Chicagoland’s finest 18-hole golf courses. Midlane, with its four sets of tees offers a challenge to both the serious beginner and the most accomplished golfer and is ranked as one of the Top 20 area courses by Chicagoland Golf Magazine.

The course lays out at 6,848 yards from it’s gold championship tees and is defined by water, water and then more water. Midlane has a rating of 73.4 and a slope of 138 from the back tees. From the forward red tees, the course doesn’t let up much, measuring 5,021 yards, with a rating of 70.1 and a slope of 125.

Architect Bob Lohmann created the back 9 and renovated and updated the original Robert Bruce Harris front nine. The course is a gorgeous, well-manicured treat with bluegrass fairways and bent grass tees. One of the unique features of Midlane Golf Resort is the 17th hole, which is a replica of Augusta National’s classic and legendary par three 12th hole.

Practice facilities include a driving range with target greens and bunkers. There is also a putting green and a short game area to practice your chipping and bunker shots and give yourself a chance to warm up to the challenge ahead.

The course has hosted several tournaments and events including the Illinois Open and Illinois PGA Match Play Championship.

Midlane Golf Resort is truly that, a first class golf getaway and full service resort with an excellent staff and fully stocked Pro Shop.

For the Midlane Golf Resort and Suites virtual golf course tour we start with the toughest hole on the course. The par 5, 546 yard (423 from the forward red tees) Hole # 4 with a handicap of 1. With bunkers on the right of the fairway and water all the way to the green, this hole places a true premium on accuracy.

Next up is the par 3, 198 yard (107 from the red tees) Hole #17 with a handicap of 16. This is the replica of Augusta’s 12th and as such, demands you carry your shot over the water that guards the front and right of the green.

Finally, we finish with Hole #18, a great, double dog leg finish to a day of challenging golf and another hole where water plays a big part in your play. The par 5, 540 yards (419 yards from the forward red tees) Hole #18 has a handicap of 6.

See the Midlane Golf Resort Virtual Golf Course Tour!