The Bendelow Revival
After nearly a century, Medinah No. 2 received a respectful facelift, restoring Tom Bendelow’s vision while introducing modern shaping and shot values. It’s now a model of Golden Age charm paired with 21st-century conditioning.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Medinah Country Club (Course No. 2)
Bloomingdale, Illinois
Established
1926
Architect
Tom Bendelow (original), Rees Jones & Roger Rulewich (2016 restoration)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,246 – 6,412 yds
The verdict
A Restored Golden Age Companion
Medinah No. 2 is a revitalized Bendelow course designed as the friendly, playable sidekick to its championship sibling. It offers Golden Age nostalgia, strong par-3s, and family-friendly play—but the pilgrimage at Medinah is for No. 3.
Course DNA
Difficulty
72
Scenery65
Conditioning80
Shot Variety70
Walkability68
Green Complexity66
Wow Factor63
Design Quality71
At a glance
Quick facts
Restoration Year
2016-17 by Rees Jones & Roger Rulewich
Club's 'Family-Friendly' Course
Yes, among Medinah’s three routing options
Total Tees
Seven sets for all levels
Signature Back-Nine Stretch
Holes 16–18 showcase strategy and length
Best State Ranking
#34 in Illinois (Golf Digest 2023)
Original Golden Age Designer
Tom Bendelow
Different from No. 3
Laid-back play, no PGA majors
Restoration Focus
Classic look, playability, modern relevance
The design
The architecture
Course No. 2 at Medinah is a true Golden Age parkland routed by Tom Bendelow and revived by Rees Jones and Roger Rulewich. Its layout prioritizes walkability, varied lengths, and a balance between playable fun and moments that grab your full attention. The 2016 restoration brought back classic angles, subtly canted greens, and authentic bunker shapes while providing firm, modern turf. Expect recurring challenges in your club selection on the short par-4s and a back nine that tests your patience and course management—as intended nearly a century ago.
Tom Bendelow designed some of the Midwest’s most storied parkland courses—Medinah No. 2’s roots are his vision, now authentically revived for the modern member.
Defining features
- Gentle, walkable parkland terrain
- Classic Golden Age hole shapes and bunkering
- Notable variety of par-3 lengths and angles
- Strong risk-reward par-5s, especially on back nine
- Restored, subtly contoured greens
- Tree removal for openness and improved strategy
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 6
Long Iron Challenge
PAR
3
YARDAGE
207
A bruising 207-yard par-3 demanding a laser-straight long iron or hybrid over classic parkland turf. The restored green is both receptive and treacherous—miss short, and you're grinding for par from a tight approach.
Play it smart
Favor center-green; going for the pin brings bunkers and a tough up-and-down.
Where it bites
Miss long or wide and you’ll scramble from a difficult recovery zone that rarely yields par.
Course management
Shots to think about
Short par-4 tee box
Club down and shape a placement shot—distance doesn't guarantee a look here.
Long par-3 into wind
Favor a committed, smooth swing and aim center-green; chasing pins brings trouble.
Par-5 layup decision
Resist greed—select a yardage you trust and keep the ball in play for a scoring wedge.
Approach shot to restored green
Respect slopes and safe zones; lower your sights and avoid missing wide.
Tough driving hole
Accept a longer approach in exchange for finding fairway—avoid tree lines at all cost.
Second shot on No. 16
Consider a safe layup rather than risking fairway bunkers that can kill your par chance.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Pristine private-club conditioning, smooth greens, consistent texture throughout.
Pace
Member pace—efficient but never rushed; expect 4:10–4:25 for full rounds.
Vibe
Traditional, family-friendly, less intense than championship tracks but still prestigious.
Dress code
Standard country club attire—collared shirts, no denim, soft spikes preferred.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring Your Full Bag
With seven tee boxes and a range of distances, pack for long irons, wedge play, and tactical choices.
02
Focus on Placement Golf
Course No. 2 is more about finesse than brawn; hone your positional tee shots before you arrive.
03
Read the Greens Early
Subtle slopes and Golden Age contours reward careful study; pay attention in your practice putts.
04
Check Weather for Wind
The par-3s especially play longer and tougher if conditions get breezy.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1926
Course No. 2 opens, designed by Tom Bendelow
- 1990
Used for first rounds of U.S. Open (along with No. 1); championship hosted on No. 3
- 2016
Major restoration breaks ground under Rees Jones and Roger Rulewich
- 2017
Restored course reopens with updated greens, bunkers, and original strategy
- 2023
Reaffirmed in Golf Digest’s top 40 in Illinois (#34)
Stories & legends
What makes it special
The Hidden Test
While No. 3 commands the spotlight, No. 2 quietly tests members with a challenging back-nine and sneakily strong par-3s. It’s the locals’ pick for a less punishing—yet demanding—walk in Medinah’s shadow.
A Family Affair
Known as Medinah’s 'family-friendly' 18, Course No. 2 is where competitive juniors, relaxed foursomes, and new golfers cross paths—all against a classic parkland backdrop. The spirit here leans more welcoming than cutthroat.
Double Duty at the U.S. Open
In 1990, Course No. 2 got a taste of championship action, hosting part of the first two rounds of the U.S. Open alongside No. 1. When the cut fell, though, all eyes returned to No. 3, leaving No. 2 part of Medinah lore.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Restoration revealed lost Golden Age features and original Bendelow intent.
2
More than 40 acres of trees were removed in the restoration to improve strategy and turf health.
3
Course No. 2 sports seven tee sets—making it one of the most versatile layouts at Medinah.
4
Medinah is one of just two clubs to have hosted the U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, and BMW—though that fame belongs to No. 3.
5
Course No. 2 played a supporting role, not the final stage, in Medinah’s U.S. Open history.
Build the trip
If you’re making a suburban Chicago golf pilgrimage
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Cog Hill No. 4 Dubsdread
Public
Historic U.S. Open qualifier, tough public tee
Cantigny Golf
Public
Superb 27-hole public track, high-end conditions
The Glen Club
Public
Tour-quality public, strong architecture
Olympia Fields Country Club
Private
Major pedigree, storied tradition
Ravisloe Country Club
Public
Classic architecture, affordable access
Schaumburg/Itasca/Rosemont corridor for the best combo of hotels and quick course access
Course DNA
If You Like Course No. 2
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Glen Oak Country Club
Glen Ellyn, IllinoisConditioning
Why it matches: Glen Oak Country Club is a natural next stop after Medinah Country Club (Course No. 2): it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Strong DNA Match7.2
Fargo Country Club
Fargo, North DakotaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Fargo Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to Medinah Country Club (Course No. 2).
Strong DNA Match7.5
Pelham Country Club
Pelham Manor, New YorkWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Pelham Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Medinah Country Club (Course No. 2).
The architect's other work
More from Tom Bendelow
Medinah Country Club No. 1
Medinah, ILSister course at Medinah; Golden Age pedigree
Olympia Fields Country Club
Olympia Fields, ILClassic layout, major championship locale
Old Warson Country Club
St. Louis, MOMidwest parkland gem
Waveland Golf Course
Des Moines, IAHistoric municipal – one of the oldest in the U.S.
Cog Hill No. 1 (original)
Lemont, ILInfluential Chicagoland layout
Community Sentiment
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