The course, which is located 20 minutes south of Joliet on Interstate 55, was designed and built by owner George Kappos.

Kappos is a hands-on owner, and can be seen roaming the course throughout the day looking for ways to improve his fine facility. You may even see him running a bulldozer every now and then. Cinder Ridge is a par 72 6,889 yard 18 hole course that has a 130 slope from the black tees and a 72.9 course rating.

It is built on the remnants of one of the largest strip mines in history. The landscape has been rejuvenated and with heavily wooded areas and marshlands, one would think they were playing in Michigan, Myrtle Beach and Florida all in one day.

But you do not have to travel to those golfing destinations to feel like you have been there, just down I-55 a little bit.

Cinder Ridge is a course I have grown to love.

Kappos did a remarkable job designing this course on his own with no experience in doing it! He layed out the holes himself and he knew where to put his signature hole.

Kappos started designing the course from his signature par 3 16th hole.

Kappos knew he had a great piece of land and the southeast corner of the property was a great spot for a signature hole. #16 is short, but demands an accurate shot. There is water in front and water to the left of the green down a huge ravine. You hit from the other side of the ravine and also have to contend with trees in back and to the right of the green.

#17 is the #2 handicap hole on the course and #18 is a short par five that is a hole that makes you want to keep coming back. It is not a difficult finishing hole, and that is what Kappos wanted. He wanted players to finish up good, so they would want to come back again.

#18 is by no means an easy hole, with water running across the fairway 100 yards from the green and along the left side, but after the first 17 holes, you will welcome a short par five.

Kappos feels his course is a unique course and that the price is right.

Cinder Ridge is a complete golf facility with a practice range located just to the right of the first tee.

While Kappos did a great job designing and building Cinder Ridge, he was blessed with a great piece of land that is full of fossils, petrified wood, cinders, red shale and coal.

Kappos did not want to start bringing in equipment and changing everything. He tried to keep the topoghraphy the way it looked before it was a golf course.

Kappos has made some adjustments since 1995, including removing the coal from the bunkers and he has tried to open the course up a little bit because, according to Kappos, it was tight in some spots.

Cinder Ridge is easily accessed from I-55. Take I-55 south from Joliet to the Lorenzo Road exit, then cross over Lorenzo and turn immediately left onto the frontage road south approximately three miles to a stop sign where you will see the course entrance to your left.

For tee times at Cinder Ridge you can call (815)476-4000.