A Duel for the Ages
In the 1928 U.S. Open, Johnny Farrell edged out Bobby Jones in a remarkable 36-hole playoff—an epic showdown that still echoes in the club’s corridors. The competition cemented Olympia Fields as a stage for the game’s legends.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Olympia Fields Country Club - North
Olympia Fields, Illinois
Hidden GemExceptional golf hiding below the radar.
Established
1923
Architect
Willie Park Jr.; Cornish, Silva & Mungeam (1997); Mark Mungeam (2003, 2015)
Access
Private
Par
Par 70
Length
5,408 – 7,353 yds
The verdict
A Crown Jewel of Midwest Golf
Olympia Fields North is national-bucket-list golf: a proud, classical test with fierce championship pedigree and boundless shotmaking demands. Walk the same fairways as major champions and see why the best in the world keep returning.
Course DNA
Difficulty
95
Scenery76
Conditioning92
Shot Variety87
Walkability70
Green Complexity89
Wow Factor86
Design Quality90
Don't miss
Sneak a peek from the iconic clock tower terrace—it's one of the game's great views over a U.S. Open site.
At a glance
Quick facts
Major Championships Hosted
U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Senior Open
Recent Tour Event
2023 BMW Championship
Planned Major Restoration
Andrew Green, 2026–2028
Noted Par 3s
Multiple par 3s over 200 yards
Practice Facilities
Extensive championship range and short-game
Longest Hole
No. 1, 626-yard par 5
Championship Pedigree
Multiple U.S. Opens, PGA Championships
The design
The architecture
Olympia Fields North endures as a quintessential parkland major venue, blending Willie Park Jr.’s Golden Age design principles with regular championship updates and meticulous restoration. Its routing weaves through rolling, tree-framed terrain, with demanding par 4s, dramatic par 3s, and doglegs that reward both courage and discipline. The course’s signature is its relentless strategic ask—not just length, but the need to find the right side of fairways, shape approaches, and handle bold, nuanced greens restored to their former character. Recent renovations reinforce Park’s intent, and with a new Andrew Green restoration on the horizon, the course remains at the heart of American major-championship tradition.
One of Willie Park Jr.’s most enduring U.S. championship designs, with careful stewardship and selective modern enhancements.
Defining features
- Classic strategic doglegs
- Restored Willie Park Jr. bunkering
- Severe, well-defended par 3s
- Demanding uphill/downhill approaches
- Elevated, canted greens with run-offs
- Tournament-scale sightlines and corridors
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
Dogleg Challenge Among Giants
PAR
4
YARDAGE
461
This stout par four sweeps left through stately trees, demanding a precise drive to open up a long but fair approach to a deeply-defended green. Holes like this make early birdies rare and set the tone for the serious strategic work awaiting at Olympia Fields.
Play it smart
Position your drive to the right side for a clear angle and avoid the seductive corner that tempts a careless draw.
Where it bites
Pushes punished by overhanging oaks, and short-siding leads to a brutal up-and-down from deep bunkers.
Course management
Shots to think about
Par-5 1st, opening tee shot
Favor control and position—keep it in play and aim left center to set up a manageable second.
Approach to the 3rd green
Take enough club to cover the front but don’t chase pins tucked behind bunkers.
Tee shot on the 8th
Trust your yardage, use a fairway wood if needed, and play for the heart of the green; don’t chase a back flag.
Second shot on the 15th (par 5)
A disciplined layup is smarter than a risky chase; leave your favorite wedge for approach.
Approach to the 18th green
Protect against a miss right, where deep bunkering makes for a miserable finale; favor the left-center of the green.
Reading fast greens with subtle movement
Don’t over-read minor undulations; speed control must come first on these classic surfaces.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Fast, firm, and major-ready; expect pristine fairways and demanding green speeds.
Pace
Unhurried, purposeful pace set by a private-club membership—serious golf, not a vacation sprint.
Vibe
Gravitas and tradition anchor the experience, with a championship air from bag drop to final green.
Dress code
Traditional private-club attire: collared shirt, tailored golf pants or shorts, no denim or athletic wear.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring trusted long irons or hybrids
Multiple long par 3s and demanding approaches require confidence in longer clubs.
02
Arrive early for the range
The club’s extensive practice facilities echo the championship feel—soak them in and get sharp.
03
Brush up on course history
A little lore about Hagen, Jones, and Furyk will deepen your experience on these storied fairways.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1923
North Course opens, designed by Willie Park Jr.
- 1925
Hosts PGA Championship (Walter Hagen wins)
- 1928
Hosts U.S. Open (Johnny Farrell defeats Bobby Jones)
- 1961
Hosts PGA Championship (Jerry Barber wins in playoff)
- 1997
Hosts U.S. Senior Open
- 2003
Hosts U.S. Open (Jim Furyk wins)
- 2023
Hosts BMW Championship
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Relentless Opener
Stepping onto the 626-yard first, players face a par-5 beast right out of the gate—often among the longest in championship golf—and the tone it sets is unmistakably stern. There’s no gentle warm-up here, only immediate respect demanded.
A Tradition of Preparation
For the 1961 PGA Championship, the club’s staff alone readied the course for the world’s best—no outside architect consulted—showing a unique pride and hands-on tradition in championship stewardship.
Survive the Eighth
The 247-yard par-3 eighth is a fearsome challenge: a brute even for the pros, and a true separator in any tournament round at the North. Expect nerves and an honest scorecard test every time you stand on its tee.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Club's iconic clock tower is a local landmark seen from miles away.
2
Jim Furyk set a then-record score at the 2003 U.S. Open here.
3
Olympia Fields at one time boasted four 18-hole courses—now only the North and South remain.
4
The North Course is one of just a handful to host both men’s and women’s major championships.
Build the trip
If you’re building a Chicago golf pilgrimage
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Cog Hill Golf & Country Club - Dubsdread
Public
Ultimate public test, classic routing, storied tournament history.
Ravisloe Country Club
Public
Golden Age feel, strong architecture, typically excellent value.
Mistwood Golf Club
Public
Modern, pristine, and strategic—a standout daily-fee in the region.
The Glen Club
Public
Upscale daily-fee option, top-tier course and conditioning.
Medinah Country Club No. 3
Private
Top-tier championship host; legendary Ryder Cup venue.
Homewood or Olympia Fields for proximity, or downtown Chicago for a city-and-golf blend.
Course DNA
If You Like Olympia Fields Country Club - North
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.9
TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)
Ponte Vedra Beach, FloridaDifficulty
Why it matches: What links these two? Brings a comparable level of challenge — a familiar feeling, expressed in TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)'s own setting.
Strong DNA Match8.6
Omni PGA Frisco — Fields Ranch East
Frisco, TexasDifficulty
Why it matches: If Olympia Fields Country Club - North is your kind of course, Omni PGA Frisco — Fields Ranch East is worth a look because it brings a comparable level of challenge.
Strong DNA Match7.9
Wolf Creek Golf Club
Olathe, KansasDifficulty
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Wolf Creek Golf Club asks for the same disciplined decision-making, making it a compelling counterpart to Olympia Fields Country Club - North.
The architect's other work
More from Willie Park Jr.
Maidstone Club
East Hampton, NYShoreline mastery with heather and wind.
Community Sentiment
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