Hunter Country Club has been the home of The Cragin home for all but four years of the tournament when the course was undergoing some transformation and ownership changes.  It was The Leech who found this place and we took many harrowing trips from Chicago to the course.  The Leech had a Buick Wildcat, a big ass car in which Bear's big ass could fit comfortably riding shot gun.  The Leech had no qualms about his life, or ours, as he would reach speeds of over 100 mph on long winding roads of the northern Illinois countryside.  With the exception of four years, all the Cragins have been held at Hunter.  We really don't know why we keep coming back here, but we do.  We think it's because it's one of the few places that can feed 25-30 people and put up with our goofiness.

The restaurant is closed.  The bridges are in need of repair.  Each year brings some slight change that adds to the charm.  Usually the ball rolls forever on the dried fairways.  The putts run slow but true.  The greens are small.  The rough is low.

In a way, it reminds us of the past.  Like us, it shows age.  As long as they keep having us, we'll keep coming back.  Sometimes, you can go home again.

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