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No. 4 Silver - 'Devil's Elbow'
The most demanding tee shot in golf. The tee shot requires an absolute perfect shot to a small landing area. Welch Creek, oaks and hickory frame the dogleg left. Entrance to the green from the right will pick up the greens right to left movement.
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About Rich Harvest Farms
Jerry Rich shrugs off the fact that he is one of only a few people to have ever actually inquired about membership at Augusta National. Had he joined, his significant energies and do-it-yourself resolve might not have been applied to creating a tough and beautiful track in northern Illinois that, in a handy turn of names, has been the invocation of farmers in the Prairie State for hundreds of years.
Jerry and Betty Rich's dream began to intersect when a small bit of the farm they had built by amassing adjacent farms into a 1,820-acre showcase of nature and agriculture gave way to one golf hole and a practice area. Then three holes, then six. inspired by Augusta and the encouragement of friends Bob Murphy and Sam Snead, Rich completed 18 holes in 1997. After interviewing five architects he discovered he could draw the plans himself - and did, in typical fashion. He even hired a construction company that had never before done a golf course. While he was influenced by Augusta, he also took inspiration from Dick Wilson's Pine Tree in Florida. Within five years Rich Harvest Links was ranked 5th Best New Private Course in the U.S., beating out designs from Nicklaus, Dye and Wieskopf, and a Top 100 pick. In the "condition" category, it was ranked 2nd Best New Course in the country.
For many that would be enough. For Jerry Rich, it was just the start. In 1998, with his life-long friend Don Springer, he established the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois that by 2004 had introduced over 150,000 Illinois children to the game. Of all of his accomplishments, he hopes the Foundation will be his legacy. Rich Harvest has been the site for the foundation's fundraisers, including the Bob Murphy Pro-Am and Chrysler All-Star-Shoot-Out.
The course, like everything Jerry Rich undertakes, is a testament to his drive, tastes, sense of fun and devotion to the game. Each hole has been thoughtfully named. Number 3, "Snead's Crotch", is a 362-yard par 4 with a 90-degree dogleg and the beckon to "walk with a legend, tee shot 230 with a draw". "Devil's Elbow", No.13, warns of the "most demanding tee shot in golf", In another gesture to Augusta, the par-3 14th is "Amen Holy Stone" and offers a caution to "check the wind" when hitting over a brontosaurus shaped pond. Caddies even wear the white jump suits and green hats so distinctive to the Masters. There are 18 pins but 45 potential holes. Wilson was a proponent of large greens, sand bunkers and clever doglegs, all found on the 4th , which on the card is a 200-yard par 3 but can also be played as a 278-yard par 4, requiring a gamma ray tee shot through the trees. There are 105 bunkers to contend with, along with wetlands and natural waste areas, giving the layout its dichotomous character.
A picture perfect farm, an award winning course, a successful and growing foundation for kids. Goals met? Not yet. Jerry's next step was to attract the Solheim Cup, and wouldn't you know, he did. Rich Harvest plays host in 2009.
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