Like much of the great land that encompasses NW Indiana, the former Lake Hills Golf Course will be entering the minds of residents as just a memory. So much land in the St. John area is being converted into massive subdivisions and high-priced homes for new residents escaping Chicago and the Illinois suburbs. Vast acres of sweet-smelling corn have already been replaced by treeless lots, concrete, and blacktop pavement. More fields will be next in line to fall victim to the blade of a bulldozer. Wetlands have been converted into styrofoam, sinking roads and parking lots of movie theaters and home improvement supergiants. Commercialization and overpopulation will take over this area completely. New roads will desperately need to be constructed to battle the surge of citizens. Traffic will increase, pollution will grow thicker, taxes will jump, and people will be more frustrated than ever with the fact that it will take thirty minutes to travel to the grocery store, even if it is just one mile away.

The former Lake Hills Golf Course has been sold, and has ceased operation of all golf patronage. Auctions were held on November 17th, 2003, selling property items to local bidders. Many workers lost their jobs, and now the most beautiful golf course in St. John (in my opinion) will be lost forever.

I decided to capture the scenery found in the former Lake Hills Golf Course in photographs before it is uprooted and transformed into something that no one wants, a housing development. Seeing nature's landscape transformed into homes, whether they are expensive or not, brings a tear to anyone's eye. I can only imagine what the large plot of land will look like when it is fully developed. Perhaps the developers will do a good job at preserving the beauty of the natural surroundings. Only time will tell. Until then, enjoy these wonderful pictures that capture the beauty of this fine plot of land. After spending two days walking the regions of the course, I am now satisfied that I have photographed everything that I wish to photograph. When the land is developed into housing, I will have these pictures to remember the place by. Hopefully, it will help you remember also.

Sincerely,
Tony

Written November 21st, 2003