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Olympia Fields Country Club is a private golf club located in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The club was founded in 1915 and features two eighteen-hole courses, the North and South courses, which are consistently ranked among the top golf courses in the United States. The North Course, in particular, is known for its challenging design and has hosted several major championships, including the 2003 U.S. Open and the BMW Championship on multiple occasions. The club also boasts the world's largest clubhouse, constructed in 1925, with its distinctive 80-foot clock tower and English Tudor design.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago |
| Year founded | 1915 |
| Number of courses | 2 |
| Course names | North and South |
| Course designer | Willie Park Junior |
| Course type | Parkland Americana |
| Number of holes | 18 each |
| Course length | 7,343 yards |
| Par | 70 |
| Course rating | 76.6 |
| Notable tournaments | 2003 U.S. Open, 2015 U.S. Amateur, 2017 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, 2020 and 2023 BMW Championship |
| Clubhouse style | English Tudor |
| Clubhouse cost | $1.3 million |
| Clubhouse size | 110,000 square feet |
| Locker room size | 10,000 square feet |
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What You'll Learn
Olympia Fields Country Club
The North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club was designed by two-time British Open champion Willie Park Jnr. It features significant elevation changes, a winding creek, and hundreds of native oak trees. Prior to hosting the U.S. Open in 2003, the course was lengthened to provide a more challenging experience for professional golfers. The South Course, on the other hand, came into existence after the club faced financial difficulties during World War II and was forced to sell half of its land. The remaining holes from the original four courses were reconfigured to create the South Course.
The club is famous for its enormous clubhouse, constructed in the style of a half-timbered English Tudor building with an 80-foot-high, four-faced clock tower. Completed in 1925 at a cost of $1.3 million, the clubhouse has become a trademark of the club. In 2005, Olympia Fields Country Club embarked on a $9.5 million renovation project to enhance its practice facilities, upgrade bunkers, and make other improvements. The club offers amenities such as swimming and tennis areas for its members and their guests.
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Location
Olympia Fields Country Club is a private golf club located in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. It is about 25 miles (40 km) south of The Loop, Chicago. The club is accessible via the Metra commuter line, which connects directly to downtown Chicago. The Olympia Fields station is just west of the clubhouse.
The golf club is spread over 1,000 acres and features two eighteen-hole courses, the North and the South. The North Course is considered one of the top three courses in the Chicago area and is ranked among the top 50 courses in the United States. It is tree-lined and landlocked, with interior views across the site due to tree management. The South Course is consistently ranked among the top ten courses in Illinois.
The clubhouse at Olympia Fields Country Club is a half-timbered English Tudor-style building with an 80-foot-high (24 m), four-faced clock tower. Completed in 1925 at a cost of $1.3 million, it is considered a trademark of the club and is possibly the most famous clubhouse in the world. The clubhouse covers 110,000 square feet (2.5 acres) and was once the largest in the world. The men's locker room alone is 10,000 square feet.
The club was founded in 1915, and by 1925 it had four golf courses with plans for a fifth, which were halted by the Great Depression. The club encountered financial difficulties during World War II and was forced to sell half of its land. Today, the club also offers facilities for swimming and tennis for members and their guests.
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History
The Olympia Fields Country Club is a private golf club located in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Founded in 1915, the club features two eighteen-hole courses, the North and South Courses. The North Course, designed by two-time British Open champion Willie Park Jnr, is considered one of the top three courses in the Chicago area and is ranked among the top 50 courses in the United States. The South Course is also highly regarded, consistently ranking in the top ten in Illinois.
The history of the Olympia Fields Country Club dates back over a century. In its early years, the club was the largest private country club in America, boasting four golf courses with plans for a fifth. However, the Great Depression and the onset of World War II led to financial difficulties, forcing the club to sell half of its land. As a result, three golf courses were consolidated into the current South Course, while the renowned No.4 course, now known as the North Course, remained intact.
The North Course has undergone several renovations over the years. In the 1990s, golf architect Mark Mungeam made extensive changes to the course, lengthening the layout and improving the bunkers. The North Course hosted the 2003 U.S. Open, which was won by Jim Furyk, who equalled the record for the lowest 72-hole score in the tournament's history. The course has also been the site of other prestigious events, including the 1961 PGA Championship, the 2015 U.S. Amateur, the 2017 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and the BMW Championship in 2020 and 2023.
The clubhouse of the Olympia Fields Country Club is a notable landmark. Completed in 1925 at a cost of $1.3 million, the half-timbered English Tudor-style building features an 80-foot-high, four-faced clock tower. The clubhouse, which was once the largest in the world, encompasses 110,000 square feet and includes a 10,000-square-foot men's locker room. The club has undergone various renovation projects over the years, including a $9.5 million project in 2005 to improve practice facilities and make other enhancements.
The Olympia Fields Country Club has played a significant role in the world of golf for decades. Its history includes hosting major championships, renovations to enhance the courses and facilities, and providing a challenging and enjoyable experience for both recreational and professional golfers alike. The club's rich history and renowned courses continue to attract golfers and enthusiasts from around the world.
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Golf courses
Olympia Fields Country Club is a private golf club located in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The club was founded in 1915 and features two eighteen-hole golf courses, the North Course and the South Course. The North Course, designed by Willie Park Jnr, is considered one of the top three courses in the Chicago area and is ranked among the top 50 courses in the United States. It is known for its rolling parkland, variety of holes, and challenging design, requiring precise shot-making. The South Course is also highly regarded, consistently ranked among the top ten courses in Illinois.
The clubhouse at Olympia Fields is renowned for its grandeur and is considered one of the largest clubhouses in the world. Completed in 1925 at a cost of $1.3 million, the English Tudor-style building features an 80-foot-high clock tower. The club has a rich history, hosting various major championships, including the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the BMW Championship. It has also undergone several renovations and improvements over the years to maintain its prestige.
The North Course at Olympia Fields spans 7,343 yards and is a par-70 course. It features tighter playing corridors and smaller, well-protected putting surfaces, demanding accurate shot placement. The course offers a mix of easy and challenging holes, with some steep up-and-downs and a creek influencing play on multiple holes. The 3rd hole is particularly notable, featuring a blind tee shot that descends downhill. The course has undergone alterations over the years, including the addition of new tees and the relocation of bunkers to lengthen the course.
The South Course at Olympia Fields came into existence due to financial difficulties during the Great Depression and World War II, which led to the consolidation of three previous courses into the current South Course. It has undergone renovations and co-hosted the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship with the North Course. The South Course consistently ranks among the top ten courses in Illinois and has hosted notable tournaments, showcasing its quality and prestige.
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Clubhouse
The Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, features two 18-hole golf courses, North and South, just outside downtown Chicago. The club is accessible via two Metra train stops. The North Course is considered one of the top golf courses in the Chicago area and is generally ranked among the top 50 courses in the United States. The South Course is regularly ranked in the top ten in Illinois.
The clubhouse at Olympia Fields Country Club is the largest in the world. It took two years to build and cost $1.3 million in 1925. The clubhouse features an eighty-foot clock tower and English Tudor design. It includes several apartments, multiple ballrooms and event centres, and a vast locker room. The clubhouse is a monument to the extravagant Roaring Twenties and is possibly the most famous clubhouse in the world.
The North Course at Olympia Fields was designed by two-time British Open champion Willie Park Jnr, who also designed Sunningdale Old and Maidstone. It has been described as having "a good variety of holes on rolling parkland, with a handful of steep putting surfaces, and a standout hole in the big par-4 14th, with its second shot over a creek to an elevated green." The course was lengthened and the bunkers improved by Mark Mungeam in the 1990s.
The South Course was originally one of four golf courses at the club, with plans for a fifth that were scuppered by the Great Depression. WWII forced the club to sell half its land, and the remaining three courses were distilled into the North and South courses. The South Course hosted the 1961 PGA Championship, won by Jerry Barber. It co-hosted the 2015 U.S. Amateur with the North Course and was the site of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in 2017.
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Frequently asked questions
Olympia Fields Country Club is located in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
The two golf courses at Olympia Fields are called the North Course and the South Course.
The North Course is considered one of the top three courses in the Chicago area and is generally ranked in the top 50 courses in the United States. It is known for its rolling parkland, steep putting surfaces, and a standout par-4 14th hole.
The Olympia Fields clubhouse is the largest in the country and features an 80-foot-high, four-faced clock tower. It is designed in the English Tudor style and was built in 1925 at a cost of $1.3 million.
