Public Play · Southwest Suburbs
Cinder Ridge Golf CourseWilmington
An owner-designed public course over ravines and old coal-mining ground in Wilmington, Illinois.
Par
72
Yardage
6,661
Rating · Slope
72.8 · 136
Holes
18
Green Fee
$53–$85
The Course
About Cinder Ridge Golf Course
Built across 350 acres of ravines, flat ground and coal refuse left by mining, Cinder Ridge is a public 18-hole course in Wilmington designed by its owner, George Kappos. Holes are routed so each keeps its privacy, with water, trees and ravines in play. Tee times can be booked online or through the pro shop, and the dress code of collared shirts and walking shorts is strictly enforced.
History
Cinder Ridge Golf Course — History
Cinder Ridge opened in 1995 on land mined for coal decades earlier; the club says the mining created the ravines and refuse the course now winds through, and the name comes from a ridge of cinders still visible. Owner George Kappos designed the layout. Remains of the old coal-processing tipple stand by the 10th hole, and a pictorial history hangs at the clubhouse entrance.
Design
Cinder Ridge Golf Course — Design
The club calls it tough off the tee and easier on the fairways and greens. Tee boxes are larger than average, giving varied positions and playing angles, and the par 3s have big tees to spread wear. More than 50 bunkers guard medium-to-large greens of roughly 5,000 to 8,000 square feet, most of them fairly flat, so the challenge sits in the drive and the approach rather than the putting.
What Sets It Apart
Why Play Cinder Ridge Golf Course
A course built on former coal-mining land, where ravines, water and a ridge of cinders left by the mines shape the holes, designed by the man who still owns it.
The Round
The Journey at Cinder Ridge Golf Course
I.
The Opening
Bunkers hide 20 yards short of a sloping green on the 402-yard 1st. Favor the left-center on the 529-yard 2nd, the No. 3 handicap. The 412-yard 3rd has a shallow green that resists long irons, and the 196-yard 4th is tree-lined with a hidden bunker front left. On the 364-yard 5th an iron off the tee avoids trees at the dogleg, with water on both sides of the green. At the 182-yard 6th, short is fine and long risks out of bounds.
II.
The Middle
The club suggests a 230-yard club off the tee at the 404-yard 7th. The 593-yard 8th, the No. 1 handicap, wants the right side off the tee and two solid shots before the pin comes into view; add a club for the approach. Don't cut the corner at the 350-yard 9th. Water runs down the left of the 418-yard 10th with waste area right, the 553-yard 11th asks for a drive left of a grove at the turn, and the 384-yard 12th allows a miss only left.
III.
The Finish
Club selection rules the 155-yard 13th. The 380-yard 14th has a bigger landing area than it looks, but a miss right of the green costs. A 210-yard drive ahead of the white stake sets up the 306-yard 15th. The 160-yard 16th, nicknamed Out of Africa, is the signature hole, with a drop area behind the green. Out of bounds right and water left squeeze the 390-yard 17th, and the 483-yard 18th is a closing chance at birdie or eagle.
How to Play It
Cinder Ridge Golf Course — Playing Strategy
Beginner / High Handicap
From the Black tees it is 6,661 yards, rated 72.8 with a 136 slope, so step up a set. Keep the ball short of trouble on the 6th, play the 8th as a three-shot hole where bogey is fine, and on the 12th and 14th miss on the left side of the green.
Intermediate / Mid Handicap
The club's own notes push position over power: a 230-yard club on the 7th, about 210 off the tee on the 15th, a long iron on the 5th. Follow them, then attack greens that are medium to large and mostly flat. On the 11th, start the drive left of the grove at the turn, since a hook or a slice finds the hazard.
Advanced / Low Handicap
The par 5s decide the score: the 483-yard 18th is a real eagle chance if the drive avoids out of bounds right and water left, and the 2nd and 11th reward a well-placed drive. The 593-yard 8th is the outlier, where the club calls 5 a great score. With greens mostly flat, the tee shot is where Cinder Ridge pushes back.
Signature Holes
Cinder Ridge Golf Course — Signature Holes
The Card
Cinder Ridge Golf Course Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 402 | 529 | 412 | 196 | 364 | 182 | 404 | 593 | 350 | 3,432 | 418 | 553 | 384 | 155 | 380 | 306 | 160 | 390 | 483 | 3,229 | 6,661 |
| Handicap | 9 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 15 | — | 12 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 6 | — | — |
Good to Know
Cinder Ridge Golf Course — questions answered
- How do I book a tee time at Cinder Ridge Golf Course?
- Cinder Ridge Golf Course takes tee-time bookings directly on its own website. Golf in CHI links the course's booking page on this listing.
- How much does it cost to play Cinder Ridge Golf Course?
- Green fees at Cinder Ridge Golf Course are typically $53 to $85, varying by season, day of week and time. 18 holes with cart: $53 midweek to $85 weekend mornings; walking from $40.
- Who designed Cinder Ridge Golf Course?
- Cinder Ridge Golf Course was designed by George Kappos and opened in 1995.
- What is the par and yardage at Cinder Ridge Golf Course?
- Cinder Ridge Golf Course plays to a par of 72 over 6,661 yards from the championship tees, with a course rating of 72.8 and a slope of 136.
- Is Cinder Ridge Golf Course public or private?
- Cinder Ridge Golf Course is open to public play. Tee times can be reserved in advance.
- Where is Cinder Ridge Golf Course located?
- Cinder Ridge Golf Course is located at 24801 Lakepoint Dr., Wilmington, IL 60481, in the Southwest Suburbs area of Chicagoland.
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How to Play It
Book a Tee Time at Cinder Ridge Golf Course.
Cinder Ridge Golf Course takes its tee sheet directly — book your round on the club's own site.
Golf in CHI is an independent guide — we don’t sell tee times or mark them up. We map the exact way on.
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