Illinois Golf Courses

The latest information on golf courses in Illinois, focusing on those in the Chicagoland area.

India’s 61 in U.S. Open qualifying precedes Malm’s bid for a three-peat

Len Ziehm on GolfBy Len Ziehm

Deerfield product Vince India has been struggling as a rookie on the PGA's satellite Web.com Tour this year, but he didn't struggle on Monday in a local qualifier for the U.S. Open.

The former University of Iowa golfer shot a 10-under-par 61 to earn medalist honors in a local qualifier at Waterlefe, in Sarasota, FL. India played there because it was close to his new residence in Lakewood Ranch, FL. India moved there after obtaining playing privileges at the Concession Club, the site of the annual Big Ten Match Play Championship.

Concession is also the home course for former PGA champion Paul Azinger and Tony Jacklin, the former U.S. and British Open champion. The name of the course was inspired by Jacklin, in honor of a memorable Ryder Cup moment when Jack Nicklaus conceded him a short putt that led to the competition between the U.S. and Europe ending in a tie in 1969. Last month Concession hosted a new team event, the Concession Cup, which pitted amateur teams from the U.S. and Europe against each other. (more…)

Ravisloe Country Club Hosts Golf Leagues

Ravilsoe Country Club was ranked 6th in courses you can play in the State of Illinois for 2014 in GolfWeek Magazine. Come experience the difference now with leagues for men, women and couples. Men's Club: A weekly league which runs from the week of April 30 thru Sept. 28, 2014. League players have from Wednesday - Sunday each week to post an 18 hole score. This format should fit everyone’s busy schedule. There is a different format each week and League Members can play in as many or as few as their schedule permits. Entry for the year and Prize Pool is $40. (more…)

Springtime = Discounts At Top Area Courses

By Jim Zuccarelli April is one of my favorite times of the year to golf, as the lengthy Chicago winters always have me anxious to dust off the clubs, and I love taking advantage of the spring discounts offered by many of the top courses, a great way to play some of the best the area has to offer at an excellent price.  With a few notable exceptions (ThunderHawk 4/23 and Mistwood 4/25), most every course in the Windy City area has opened for play, but the historically severe winter of 2014 has taken its toll on the turf and several facilities have extended the spring rates to the end of the month and into early May to account for the conditions. (more…)

Buy now and save big on golf this season!

Encircling Chicagoland into southwest Michigan, with destination sites in Florida, the GolfVisions Golf Trail features courses that deliver exceptional quality, variety and value. The 2014 GolfVisions Player's Pass is your best value to put part or all of the Trail on your itinerary.
Benefits include:
  • 8 rounds (greens fee AND cart) at 8 great Chicagoland golf courses (seven 18-hole, one 9-hole).
  • 7 greens fees at 7 great Chicagoland courses (five 18-hole, two 9-hole).
  • 1 Player’s Choice greens fee; select from 12 courses, 10 in Chicagoland, 2 in Florida.
  • Destination Bonus! 2 rounds and 1 greens fee in central Florida.
  • GolfVisions' special Player's Pass preferred rate at EVERY facility, EVERY time you play.
  • 'Private Club Member for a Day' purchase opportunity for member and up to 3 guests at Lake Barrington Shores GC.
  • Two 25% discounts on dining. (more…)

New Twilight Rate Available at Dubsdread in 2014

By Jim Zuccarelli 6th Hole Cog HillCog Hill Golf & Country Club, the 72 hole public golf facility in southwest suburban Lemont, recently unveiled their greens fee schedule for  the 2014 season, and new for this year is a twilight rate on the #4 course, the iconic Dubsdread.  Beginning at 4 pm each day, a round can be played for $100 (including cart and range access), a 35% discount from the normal rate of $155. "It was my daughter's idea" stated owner Frank Jemsek, referring to Cog Hill President Katherine, "and we wanted to give golfers who might not be able to afford the regular rate an opportunity to experience the #4 course." In the height of the summer (mid-June to mid-July), the first few twilight times have a good chance of completing the round, so as many as 500 additional golfers can play 18 holes on a course that has held 20 PGA tour events and have some extra dollars left for a drink afterwards. (more…)

KemperSports ready to take charge at Cantigny

By Len Ziehm February is again show-time for Chicago golfers. The third annual Tinley Park Golf Expo begins a three-day run on Friday (FEB 7) at the Tinley Park Convention Center and the 31st Chicago Golf Show takes over the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on Feb. 21 for a similar three-day run. Cantigny Golf Wheaton, IL In the meantime, though, there has been a lot going on within the Chicago golf scene even during these extraordinary winter months. Most notable is a management change at Cantigny, the well-regarded 27-hole facility in Wheaton. Northbrook-based KemperSports will take on management duties in mid-February, leading in to Cantigny 25th anniversary season. Cantigny becomes the 16th Chicago golf facility under the management of KemperSports. (more…)

Downstate Illinois’ Rock River is steeped in history

By Len Ziehm ROCK FALLS, IL. --  I'll admit it.  I'm a sucker for golf history. That explains why it seemed a good idea to stop by what had been Rock River Country Club en route to the PGA Tour's John  Deere Classic in Silvis, about 40 miles further west. Rock River Celebrating 100 YearsOfficially known now as Rock River Golf  & Pool, the facility is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013. Several clubs in the Chicago suburbs have long past  year No. 100.  The Downers Grove golf course was America's first 18-hole course when it opened in 1892.  It was reduced to a nine-holer long ago and is now owned by the Downers Grove Park District. (more…)

Encompass Championship – A New Annual Pro Tournament Event for Chicago

Friday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23 Encompass Championship 2013 PlayersThe Celebrity/Tour Player Pro-Ams kicked off on Friday & Saturday of the Encompass Championship – part of the Champions Tour that debuted this year in Chicago’s North Shore area at the famed North Shore Country Club in Glenview, IL.  A field of 81 players competed for the $1,800,000 purse with the winner taking home $270,000.  During the week of June 17-23, we along with thousands of Chicago golf fans came out to cheer on some of the most recognized names in golf, including World Golf Hall of Fame members Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer and Nick Price.  In addition, Ryder Cup co-captain Jeff Sluman and Chip Beck, who both live in the Chicago area, also were there and competed in the tournament along with Freddy Couples, John Cook, Fred Funk, Jay Haas, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin, Steve Elkington, Kenny Perry and fan favorite Rocco Mediate. (more…)

Encompass Championship Approaches

North Shore Country Club Glenview, Illinois June 17-23, 2013 Encompass Championship North Shore Country Club GlenviewThe new Encompass Championship brings legends of golf and top celebrities to an exciting Pro-Am format new to the Chicagoland area.  The event will take place at the North Shore Country Club in Glenview, where a prestigious course designed by the renowned architect Harry Colt awaits some of the best players in the game. The major championship winners already scheduled to attend this event include: Mark Calcavecchia, Ben Crenshaw, Steve Elkington, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Mark O’Meara, Larry Mize, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Jeff Sluman, Craig Stadler, Hal Sutton, Bob Tway, and Fuzzy Zoeller. (more…)