Makray Memorial Golf Club
About
Makray Memorial Golf Club (formerly known as Thunderbird Country Club) is a public course that has been open since 1962. To commemorate 40 years of great golf, the course was remodeled and revamped in 2002. The renovations improved its playability and also made it more challenging. The championship-caliber layout features strategically placed bunkers, including some Scottish-style sod-faced ones, and tricky water hazards on several holes. The hilly terrain offers both challenging elevation changes and scenic views. The golf course finishes with a long par 5 that plays across a canyon of berms to a narrow fairway. Further accuracy is needed to reach the well guarded green surrounded by high berms, a pot bunker to the left, and a deep, steep bunker to the right. In addition to the course, Makray Memorial G.C. boasts an extensive practice facility with 1 1/2 acres of grass teeing ground, two putting greens, and a short-game area.
Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 71 | 6903 yards | 74.5 | 139 |
Gold | 71 | 6573 yards | 73.0 | 135 |
Silver | 71 | 6215 yards | 71.4 | 131 |
Silver (W) | 71 | 6215 yards | 71.1 | 140 |
Green | 71 | 5716 yards | 69.1 | 126 |
Green (W) | 71 | 5716 yards | 74.3 | 134 |
Bronze | 71 | 5168 yards | 66.7 | 120 |
Bronze (W) | 71 | 5168 yards | 71.3 | 128 |
Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black M: 74.5/139 | 436 | 425 | 342 | 175 | 452 | 556 | 201 | 302 | 430 | 3319 | 468 | 471 | 314 | 189 | 355 | 562 | 426 | 244 | 555 | 3584 | 6903 |
Gold M: 73.0/135 | 418 | 407 | 347 | 155 | 433 | 540 | 190 | 298 | 414 | 3202 | 431 | 450 | 304 | 173 | 337 | 552 | 389 | 215 | 520 | 3371 | 6573 |
Silver M: 71.4/131 W: 77.1/140 | 387 | 395 | 333 | 135 | 411 | 524 | 178 | 274 | 388 | 3025 | 408 | 429 | 294 | 158 | 322 | 533 | 351 | 197 | 498 | 3190 | 6215 |
Green M: 69.1/126 W: 74.3/134 | 383 | 355 | 298 | 130 | 366 | 439 | 148 | 254 | 385 | 2758 | 376 | 366 | 288 | 140 | 318 | 480 | 347 | 145 | 495 | 2955 | 5713 |
Bronze W: 70.9/127 | 280 | 350 | 274 | 128 | 362 | 438 | 112 | 249 | 297 | 2490 | 312 | 365 | 284 | 101 | 258 | 439 | 322 | 141 | 392 | 2614 | 5104 |
Handicap | 13 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 10 | |||
Par | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 71 |
Handicap (W) | 15 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 12 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, GrillAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Illinois (2016 #22)
Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by schoi4u on 05/24/2023
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Photo submitted by u6722019 on 06/03/2021
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Photo submitted by u314159922990 on 09/09/2020
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Photo submitted by u314159922990 on 09/09/2020
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#2 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#4 Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#5 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#9 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#11 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#18 Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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Photo submitted by Fred1977382 on 07/06/2014
Abhorrent Staff and Subpar Golf
Our foursome went out there today expecting a challenging, well kept course and nice amenities. We were severely disappointed. We were greeted by the most disrespectful, sour pro shop staff. Not sure if the gentleman behind the register was hungover or angry but there was zero courtesy when checking in. I purchased two sleeves of balls and he threw them at the counter. Bad start.
The greens and placement need to be redone. Understand Makray wants a challenging experience for golfers, but the greens were horrible. Bunch of sand, divots and pin placements were ridiculous, certainly not PGA approved.
Lastly, it generally seems like the club is trying to attract a bunch of boomer, country club rejects with zero manners. Group behind us had zero etiquette and kept hitting balls into our group, despite our foursome playing at standard pace.
Will never be back.
really enjoyed playing , nice layout , better than good conditions
Overall a decent spot
The course conditions were good. The fairways were cut well, but the soil was a bit on the hard side, though not as bad as some that I've played. The greens were super fast and well kept, which I liked, but also made it challenging for someone who's not used to it. Overall the experience was okay, but the pace of place was definitely on the slower side, which sort of threw off my rhythm.
Ice Rink Greens
Greens were so hard/fast/full of sand it made the course less enjoyable to play.
Great Course
Pricier course, but definitely “get what you pay for”. Course is in great shape, greens are quick, course is challenging, pace of play was good. Overall good experience.
If I had to ding one thing about this place, it’s that the halfway house kind of sucks from a golf perspective, it’s real nice but when your golfing and want a couple beers and hot dogs to go… you really don’t have the time to sit and wait for them to help you or make them. Nothing is quick there.
A fluke
I honestly skipped more holes than I actually played--no fooling. The pace of play was a nightmare. It seemed as if every slow-placed foursome showed up this day, and their etiquette only added to the delays. Having said this, I believe this was a fluke. My previous rounds here were incredible memories. My stepdaughter had her wedding and dress rehearsal dinner here and it they were wonderful experience. I will always come back to Makray; I love the course and the staff is amazing.
Tough, fun course
The main talking point of the course is the tabletop fast greens. Fastest I have played for a public course, almost unfair if the pins are in sketchy spots. I still enjoy it though, worth playing especially if you get a deal time.
Fun course, good condition, AWFUL pace of play
One of the most challenge greens I’ve played. Fun course and makes you think. However the pace of play was so bad I might never come back. At least two rangers patrolling and still unacceptable pace of play. 5 hour round got a two-some.
Remembering fast greens
Great venue. Get ready these greens we’re probably as fast now as in late summer. A real reminder of how and why not to always go for the flag.
Not for average golfers
Makray is a very challenging course. The course is kept up nicely but mid to high handicappers will struggle. The rough was thick and lush. The greens were very fast, maybe 11 or 12 on the stimpmeter. Not a good combo if you want to keep pace of play moving. I could see the group in front of us struggling, especially on and around campus he greens. This really slowed down our round. It took over 4 1/2 hours to play. That said, this is a nice course and would play it again.