A U.S. Open Crown
In 1914, Midlothian’s rolling fairways became the stage for Walter Hagen’s first U.S. Open triumph—a win that launched a legendary career and forever tied the club to American championship lore.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Midlothian Country Club
Midlothian, Illinois
Established
1898
Architect
Herbert J. Tweedie (1898), Raymond Hearn (2021–2022 renovation), Ken Killian/Richard P. Nugent/Bob Lohmann (2003 update)
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
5,211 – 6,928 yds
The verdict
A Historic Chicago-Area Gem
Midlothian Country Club is a classic, championship-tested private course brimming with architectural heritage. The recent restoration revives its Golden Age aesthetic and strategic challenge, cementing its place as a must-play for serious students of golf history in Illinois.
Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery70
Conditioning75
Shot Variety82
Walkability85
Green Complexity80
Wow Factor79
Design Quality81
Don't miss
Ask about the Pater-Filius Tournament—the nation’s oldest continuous father-son golf competition, a unique tradition at Midlothian.
At a glance
Quick facts
Major Championship Venue
1914 U.S. Open won by Walter Hagen
Year Built
1898
Restoration Architect
Raymond Hearn (2021–2022)
Longest Hole
7th – 559 yards
Historic Events
Western Open (1901, 1969, 1973), Western Amateur
Signature Bunkers
More than 80 rebuilt in 2022
Matchplay Traditions
Nation’s longest-running father-son tournament
Course Style
Classic parkland with restored Golden Age features
The design
The architecture
Midlothian Country Club melds the vision of turn-of-the-century architect Herbert J. Tweedie with modern restoration mastery. The routing flows effortlessly across subtly rolling, parkland landforms, emphasizing classic angles and shot values. Raymond Hearn’s 2022 renovation reintroduced distinctive bunker forms, extended greens, and restored fairways to their original widths, reinvigorating Tweedie’s architectural DNA. The result is a golf course that rewards thoughtful play, offers fresh strategic puzzles, and exudes a palpable sense of history at every turn.
Architect Herbert J. Tweedie established the club’s foundation, while Raymond Hearn’s recent efforts meticulously recreated the course’s timeless strategic weave.
Defining features
- Over 80 rebuilt bunkers with restored early-1900s geometry
- Expanded, nuanced green complexes with subtle runoffs
- Mature tree-lined corridors and natural land movement
- Widened fairways and restored landing zones
- Classic parkland routing emphasizing positioning and angles
- Golden Age design reborn through modern restoration
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Long Iron Gauntlet
PAR
3
YARDAGE
223
This mid-front nine par 3 is a stern examination from 223 yards, where long iron or hybrid precision is non-negotiable. The expanded green and rugged bunkering create both an intimidating look and a tough recovery for any bailout.
Play it smart
Choose enough club to reach the heart of the green, but beware fronting bunkers which gobble up short approaches.
Where it bites
Miss short or left, and you'll face a deep bunker shot with little green to work with—making par a serious achievement.
Course management
Shots to think about
Uphill approach with front-left pin
Favor the safe side of the green—front pins often tempt but can lead to difficult sand saves.
Long par 3 tee shot
Club up and don’t force a perfect shot; aim for the fat part and take your two-putt.
Fairway bunker looming on drive
Play to your reliable yardage; being in the fairway is more important than 20 extra yards on many holes.
Second shot on short par 5
If hazards threaten, lay back smartly for your favorite wedge angle.
Tight front-nine dogleg
Don’t cut too much—play for position and respect the classic shaping.
Greenside chip from shaved runoff
Use a low runner if possible; the new surrounds can be slick and grabby.
Windy day on exposed holes
Stay disciplined off the tee; play for angles and keep the ball down to minimize mistakes.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Expect well-conditioned greens and fairways, with fully restored bunkers shaping sightlines and strategy.
Pace
As a private club, pace of play is generally smooth and member-friendly, though unverified.
Vibe
Historic, tradition-rich atmosphere with strong ties to Chicago golf lore.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Brush Up on Classic Bunker Play
The course’s 80+ restored bunkers will test your sand game and positional discipline all day.
02
Walk If You Can
The gently rolling layout and close green-to-tee connections make it a rewarding walk, bringing the course’s Golden Age routes to life.
03
Study Wind Patterns
Long par 3s and open corridors on the parkland land make basic wind-management a must.
04
Read Up on Hagen’s Triumph
A sense of history permeates every step—knowing the story of the 1914 U.S. Open only deepens the experience.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1898
Midlothian Country Club founded; Herbert J. Tweedie lays out the original course.
- 1901
Hosts both the Western Open and Western Amateur.
- 1914
Hosts the U.S. Open, won by Walter Hagen.
- 1969
Hosts the Western Open for a second time.
- 2003
Modern update by Ken Killian, Richard P. Nugent, and Bob Lohmann.
- 2023
Hosts the Western Junior.
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Restoration Resurgence
The 2022 restoration by Raymond Hearn uncovered the heart of Tweedie’s original design, rebuilding more than 80 bunkers and restoring classic lines for a more authentic Golden Age experience.
Family Traditions Run Deep
The club’s Pater-Filius and Benedict Cup match-play events are more than traditions—they are the nation’s oldest father-son and husband-wife tournaments, fostering generational memories.
Home to Champions
Over more than a century, the club has welcomed icons from Hagen and Sarazen to Evans and Jones, each leaving their footprints on these fairways.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Site of Walter Hagen’s first U.S. Open win in 1914.
2
Home to the nation’s oldest father-son and husband-wife golf tournaments.
3
More than 80 bunkers restored in the 2022 Raymond Hearn renovation.
4
Hosted both the Western Open and Western Amateur multiple times.
5
Many of golf’s early legends—including Bobby Jones and Chick Evans—competed here.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Chicago-area golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Cog Hill Country Club No. 4 (Dubsdread)
Public
Famed championship public track with PGA Tour pedigree
Ravisloe Country Club
Public
Donal Ross-era classic now open to public play
Olympia Fields Country Club
Private
Host to majors and top amateur events; historic and challenging
The Glen Club
Public
Prestige resort setting with strong Fazio architecture
Harborside International Golf Center
Public
Wind-exposed layouts just minutes from downtown
Downtown Chicago or the southwestern suburbs for the best access to both private and public classic courses.
Course DNA
If You Like Midlothian Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.6
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Hempstead, New YorkWhy it matches: Hempstead Golf & Country Club is a natural next stop after Midlothian Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.0
Erie Golf Club
Erie, PennsylvaniaWalkability
Why it matches: Erie Golf Club is a natural next stop after Midlothian Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.6
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course
Garden City, KansasWhy it matches: Buffalo Dunes Golf Course is a natural next stop after Midlothian Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
The architect's other work
More from Herbert J. Tweedie
La Grange Country Club
La Grange, ILHistoric course designed by Tweedie
Community Sentiment
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