Onwentsia Club

Onwentsia Club is an 18-hole golf course in the central United States, located in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago.

Onwentsia Club

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Club information
Coordinates	42.243°N 87.843°W / 42.243; -87.843
Location	Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S.
Elevation	700 feet (215 m)
Established	1895; 130 years ago (1895)
Type	Private
Total holes	18
Events hosted	1906 U.S. Open
Website	onwentsiaclub.org
Designed by	Charles B. Macdonald Herbert J. Tweedie redesign by Tom Doak
Par	71
Length	6,645 yards (6,076 m)
Course rating	72.8
Slope rating	134 [1]

Course history

In Lake County, the par-71 course is 6,645 yards (6,076 m) from the back tees; it has a course rating of 72.8 with a slope rating of 134,^[1] on Chicago (bent) grass. Charles B. Macdonald designed the first nine holes in 1895; the second nine was designed in 1898 by Herbert J. Tweedie, James Foulis and Robert Foulis.^[2] The course was subsequently redesigned by Tom Doak.

In 1906, the club secured the services of the great Willie Anderson who had been pro at The Apawamis Club. Anderson remains the only golfer to win 3 consecutive US Opens.

1906 U.S. Open

Onwentsia Club hosted the U.S. Open 119 years ago in 1906, won by Alex Smith.^[3]

Tom Doak redesign

The club has panoramic views of the property at almost all points, and the Doak redesign keeps the integrity of some holes intact. The fescue and multi-tiered putting surfaces compensate for length on this gem. The name "Onwentsia” meant a meeting place - in the country - of sporting braves and squaws.