Libertyville, Illinois
The Merit Club is a pristine, championship-level private course blending prairie openness with an exacting modern layout. While its low-key profile flies under the national radar, its U.S. Women's Open pedigree and continually strong Illinois rankings make it a regional destination. Expect superb conditioning, natural scenery, and a demanding but rewarding test.
Keep an eye out for the surprising diversity of wildflowers preserved throughout the native prairie roughs—especially vivid in late spring.
The Merit Club fuses prairie openness with parkland strategy, using subtle land movement and wide corridors to create a modern test that rewards precise ball-striking and disciplined thinking. Bob Lohmann leveraged the former farm’s rolling spaces, drafting holes that shift directions and challenge players with varying wind and strategic tee-shot options. The 2026 renovation by Todd Quitno and Nathan Crace reimagined bunkering, green surrounds, and playing corridors, sharpening the championship edge while emphasizing recoverability and natural beauty.
Bob Lohmann championed a 'let the land lead' philosophy, emphasizing natural movement and the prairie setting; the 2026 Quitno renovation sharpened strategy and restored openness.
A daunting long iron or hybrid over a broad prairie stretch to a generous but fiendishly contoured green. Wind is nearly always a factor from the elevated back tee, and the putting surface offers no easy recoveries.
Favor the right side, using the contours to feed shots toward safer pin positions—don't challenge left-side pins unless carrying the full distance.
Penal native rough lurks short and left, while deep bunkering makes saves unpredictable.
Superb conditioning with championship-standard fairways, rough, and greens year-round.
Generally steady private club pace, though can exceed 5 hours during member events.
Exclusive, low-key sophistication—more focus on pure golf than showy amenities.
Traditional private club attire: collared shirts, tailored shorts or pants, no denim.
Prairie holes expose you to frequent gusts that can add or subtract a full club—bring a reliable flighted shot.
The par 3s demand precise long-iron or hybrid play, so dial in your distances before coming.
Private-club-standard golf clothing is required—no exceptions for guests.
Bert and Sandy Getz acquire Stonehenge Farm
Discussions begin for a golf club project
Hosts the U.S. Women's Open
Hosts the UL International Crown international team event
Major renovation completed by Todd Quitno & Nathan Crace
The Merit Club's property isn't just golf land—it's protected under a rare perpetual conservation easement, ensuring the rolling prairie and mature trees will never be developed. Golf here is played against a backdrop of open country few suburban Chicagoland courses can match.
In 2000, The Merit Club hosted the U.S. Women’s Open, where Karrie Webb overcame high winds and a stacked field for her second major. The club’s subtle but punishing setup made headlines, cementing its place in modern championship lore.
The club owes its existence to the Getz family’s vision, transforming their private farm into one of the region’s most respected golf venues. The farm’s open landscape shaped a routing that rewards both strategy and creativity.
The Merit Club’s name honors its founding principle—admission strictly by merit, not social standing.
The land is under a rare perpetual conservation easement protecting native prairie for future generations.
The club’s 2000 U.S. Women’s Open win by Karrie Webb was her second major title.
Its major 2026 renovation introduced boldly reshaped bunkers and more expansive short-grass surrounds.
The course was designed and renovated in close consultation with the Getz family, guardians of the land.
A top public alternative nearby with natural wetlands and a strong modern test.
Major championship venue and regionally famous parkland challenge.
Excellent daily-fee option with championship pedigree and accessible tee times.
Dynamic, nationally recognized championship course for a public play day.
Libertyville or Vernon Hills for easy access to Merit Club and the area’s best courses.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: The Virginian Golf Club is a natural next stop after The Merit Club: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Sand Ridge Golf Club's own setting.
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Old Chatham Golf Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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