For the urban resident, the drive can be refreshing, a respite from the frenetic pace that is constant in many of our lives. As you journey on, ever closer to Springfield, you may start to wonder if the glaciers of the last ice age stopped their southward drift somewhere around Joliet. You can see for miles in every direction because no hills, mounds--not even trees--appear to restrict your view.

      An unlikely setting for a golf getaway, no doubt. But tucked away amongst the prairies of our state capital is a unique layout worth the drive.

      When you follow Piper Glen Drive en route to Piper Glen Golf Club, host-designate of the 2003 Illinois State Amateur and host this June to the Illinois District’s Optimist International Junior Golf Championship, you may experience little more than a tinge of disappointment; the surroundings are typical of the residential/golf course development so commonplace during the latter decades of the 20th century. Don’t let the line of newly built homes fool you, though, because this is not the same scenario that has tarnished others of the Midwest’s excellent tracks.

      Piper Glen Golf Club is indeed nestled amidst housing, but the difference here is that the majority of the 200 residences are situated well off the actual course and will only come into play if you really spray one. Be assured that playing the round with your insurance agent and lawyer won’t be neccessary.

      The real surprise, however, arrives once you hit the course--especially in light of the scenery you’ve experienced during your three-hour drive.

      Piper Glen sits on almost 400 acres of rolling, wooded countryside that for many years was disguised as pasture land. The course was built and designed by Bob Lohmann, whose resume as an architect includes The Merit Club in Libertyville, host of the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open. Even though the landscape required some subtle changes in deference to the course layout, Piper Glen’s 18 holes cut though a piece of property that is like no other in Springfield.

      “When I saw the land, I knew this was an ideal spot,” says Piper Glen owner John Klemm.

      “It really gave me some interesting ideas because it was such a natural setting for a golf course with the trees and hills. Most of Springfield is pretty flat, so we were fortunate to find such a good site.”

      The site was so good that when Klemm and Lohmann broke ground in March of 1994, it took only six months to complete the project. About a year-and-a-half later, on June 6, 1996, Piper Glen was opened for business.

      “There were really two keys in being able to open so quickly,” Klemm reflects. “One was that Bob (Lohmann) was really easy to work with. He was always open to different thoughts and ideas and we were really on the same page. The second factor was the spring of that year gave us some great weather. It was just a terrific growing season.”

      In addition to its unpredictable terrain, Piper Glen also features Polecat Creek snaking up, down and around many of the fairways and greens, as well as two natural ponds, all components that render the course as challenging as it is scenic.

      Four sets of tees are available; course length ranges from 6,985 yards from the gold tees to 5,138 yards from the red. The fairways are tight but fair, while the biggest challenges may arise on the greens, where tiered putting surfaces and undulations are the norm. Swirling winds that whip through trees add yet another element.

      Piper Glen has its own version of “Amen Corner” in holes no. 8 through no. 12. Among these five critical holes, you will encounter what are arguably the layout’s two signature holes--the 172-yard no. 8 and the short (493-yard) but dangerous par-5 no. 9. Polecat Creek makes itself most visible here, closing out the front nine, and ratchets the intimidation factor. The course record is 68, set by Dave Ryan of Taylorville in 1998. It’s the only time in Piper Glen’s short history that someone has broken 70, and that’s okay with John Klemm.

      “I wanted this course to be challenging, but I especially wanted it to be challenging for the good players,” remarks Klemm. “Of course, you want to make it playable and fair, but as the owner I’ve wanted to see how the best play it. So far I think the course has had the edge.”

      If driving to Springfield for a round is less than palatable, especially when the Chicago area boasts so many quality courses, it’s compelling to consider that Piper Glen is open almost 10 months out the year.

      “Most of our off-peak play comes from the St. Louis area, but we also get a decent amount of people down from Wisconsin,” observes head pro Erik Anderson, who grew up in Arlington Heights and has worked as an assistant at St. Charles and Shoreacres Country Club. “We really haven’t made an impression with Chicagoans yet, but I think this course is a great experience and worth checking out.”

      If you are still on the fence about making Piper Glen a future golf destination, keep in mind that several hotels are available within 10 miles of the course and even at its busiest time during summer’s dog days, Piper Glen is only $45 with a cart. The course has many different personalities; it is entirely conceivable to play on consecutive days and have a completely different experience on each occasion.