Lick Creek Golf Course

Lick Creek Golf Course sits in Pekin, Illinois, a small city along the Illinois River southwest of Peoria in the heart of central Illinois. Designed by Larry Packard and opened in the mid-1990s, the course represents a period when many municipalities and regional developers sought to add affordable public golf options to serve growing demand. Packard, who designed numerous courses across the Midwest during his career, typically worked with the existing terrain to create playable layouts that balance challenge with accessibility for a range of skill levels. The course occupies rolling terrain characteristic of the Illinois River valley region, where gentle elevation changes and mature tree corridors shape the playing corridors. Lick Creek's routing likely takes advantage of natural land movement and existing vegetation to define holes and create variety in shot requirements. Water features, whether natural creek beds or constructed ponds, often appear on Packard designs in this part of Illinois, adding both strategic interest and visual definition to key holes. As a public facility serving the Pekin and greater Peoria area, Lick Creek functions as a community course where local leagues, casual rounds, and weekend golfers make up the regular play. The course provides a straightforward test of golf without the severe hazards or extreme length that might intimidate recreational players, while still offering enough strategic interest to reward thoughtful course management. Its role in the local golf landscape centers on accessibility and steady playability rather than championship pedigree or national recognition.