Olympia Fields Country Club - North

Olympia Fields Country Club was founded in 1915 and at its peak was one of the largest country clubs in the world, spanning over 700 acres with four 18-hole courses. The North Course -- originally designated as Course No. 4 -- was designed in 1923 by Willie Park Jr., a two-time Open Champion (1887 and 1889) from Musselburgh, Scotland. Park called his creation the equal of any course he had ever seen.

The North Course has hosted an extraordinary roster of major championships: two U.S. Opens (1928 and 2003), two PGA Championships (1925 and 1961), the U.S. Senior Open (1997), the U.S. Amateur (2015), the KPMG Women's PGA Championship (2017), and multiple BMW Championships (2020 and 2023).

Over the decades, the club scaled back from four courses to two (North and South), but the North Course has remained a premier championship venue. Its naturally rolling terrain, mature tree canopy, and demanding par of 70 continue to test the world's best players.

Olympia Fields North is a classic Midwest parkland championship course that rewards precision and patience. At 7,366 yards with a par of just 70, the course carries a rating of 76.6 and slope of 150 from the back tees, making it one of the most demanding layouts in the Chicago area.

The course is routed over naturally rolling terrain south of Chicago, providing subtle elevation changes that add complexity to club selection. Conditioning is always championship-caliber, with firm, fast greens that reward precise iron play.

With a par of 70 and only two par 5s, Olympia Fields North does not give away many birdie opportunities. Patience and course management are essential. Focus on hitting fairways -- the tree-lined corridors punish errant tee shots.

The greens are well-defended and feature subtle movement. Approach shots that find the correct portion of the green leave manageable putts, while missing to the wrong side often results in a challenging up-and-down.