Golf in the State of Illinois
"Land of Lincoln", the official Illinois state slogan, honors the nation's 16th President and appears on state license plates. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is situated in the capital city of Springfield. People in Chicago, the state's largest metropolitan center, have been golfing for a long time - the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton being the oldest 18-hole golf course in North America. With 191 other courses, over 65% of them public, the Windy City has no shortage of venue choices. Peoria's 25 courses, 19 in Rockford, 14 in Springfield and 11 in Bloomington, add many more to the mix. All in all, the state contains an impressive 632 courses, adding the distinction of golfing hub to the usual transportation hub moniker.
Notable courses include the Tom Fazio designed upscale The Glen Club, Glenview, home to the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame; Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Lemont, with four top public courses including the Rees Jones redesigned Dubsdread #4; Stonewall Orchard Golf Club, Grayslake, in a natural setting of wetlands, rolling hills and mature trees; the recently renovated The Preserve at Oak Meadows, Addison, close to O'Hare airport, boasting good value green fees; Mistwood Golf Club, Romeoville, a Scottish inspired course, and Harborside International's Port Course which has a huge bunker in the shape of an anchor on the 15th hole.
Bill Mehlhorn, born in 1898 in Elgin, who wore a cowboy hat while on the course and had 19 PGA wins, is among several pro golfers hailing from Illinois. Brandon Moore, born in Tacoma, Washington, is now Head Golf Professional at Medinah Country Club in Medinah and Andy Mickelson, from Lockport, is Director of Golf at Mistwood Golf Club, Romeoville.