Peter N. Jans Community Golf Course, Evanston

OK! I have been playing Canal Shores since 1977 and have never seen it in worse shape then when my son and I played it yesterday. I no longer live in Evanston but always come back and play the course at least once or twice ever year. I brought my son to play cause I wanted to show him the cool little course I grew up playing on and how tough a course it is - gotta hit it straight! Well, how embarrassed was I, someone might want to mow every now and then. The tee boxes were ridiculous and the rough was unmentionable. I mean you could lose your ball just in the length of the grass on just about every hole. The weeds and tall grass on every hole were way out of control. In the past at least the whole course was cut to a decent length and looked like a golf course and not a wheat field. The greens were all brown and cracked pretty much as always on the course. We had a good time for the money as it is always a great bargain, but for all the people I see playing the course you would think they could at least keep it up a little better - MOW THE DAMN THING!!!! You did in the past. See you next year. Won't be coming back this year.

Situated along the majestic banks of the Northshore Canal is Peter N. Jans Golf Course A.K.A Canal Shores by native Evanstonians like me. The course is by far the tightest golf course I have ever seen, and I have worked in the golfing industry for over 20 years. I believe it was home to the first Evanston Golf Club which is now four miles away in Skokie. The 18 hole par 60 winds it's way through Evanston and Wilmette along and over the canal. If you grew up on this course you probally can hit the ball straight as an arrow as any shot 10 yards right or left of the center of the fairway found itself in the water or a neighbors yard. Terry Govern has done a great job rehabbing the place and a little known fact is that PGA tour pro Tim Herron won his first pro tournament here in the 90's. The greens are all postage stamp sized and were easy to read because they really don't break much. Aim at the heart and hit it firm. There are several risk-reward par 4's. If you can hit a 3 wood or driver straight you can drive the green. Slap it right or left and you are staring a bogey or double in the face. I played on the ETHS high School team back in the late 80's early 90's and Jans was our home course. It was a real advantage because other schools were not used to the almost links style golf one was forced to play. Tight lies were prevelent so a lot of bump and runs. Rounds take around three hours(they really should take than 2 1/2) and it's fun to play . I live in L.A but when I'm home i'll try to get an early round in before a afternoon tee time someplace else. It is a great warm-up. Whats up Marty and Butch! Goz

First of all, the cozyness of. Its in my town. Secondly we call it the Temple Shores - an enchanting name; and to play on it is challanging and yet does not take up all day. I learnt my golf game on this course 25 yrs ago so it has lots of memories on it for me. And I always run into people I know around my home town. I see fathers and mothers and sons and daughters playing at all times of the day, Its truely a community course. i could write much more about it. One day I will. By the way Terry et all have done a great job at improving it. Signed, Hass Adamji, and proud to do so.

Major improvements with current management. Considering the open access, the disrespect it gets from dog walkers, cross country runners, high school drunks, etc. It is greatly improved over the rubber mat days. Recently, greens have been shrinking and traps need better sand and mantainence. Pins should be moved more often. OB is always a challenge. Tees should be set back to furthest distance more often. It is a completely different course from the back. Judy is the best employee behind the counter. How about another Pro tournament? Dobbie, are you still there?

This is easily the worst golf course I've ever played on. I had to play it all the time when I was younger, I won't say why, but it was required for a certain activity I was participating in. The course is very, very poorly kept, which is the primary problem. Also, the service is very unpleasant. One thing you can't say is that this is an EASY course, though. There is out of bounds on almost every hole, so anytime you hook or slice just a bit, you've lost two strokes. That can be challenging but also very frustrating.