Conway Farms Golf Club, Lake Forest, Illinois, Usa

One more masterpiece among Chicago jewels.

A project that dates back in 1956 when three local families, the Stewarts, the Harts and the Smiths, purchased a farm situated near old Conway Road in Lake Forest, and the vision of an high-end, private, walking only, fast play golf course located on the property.

A dream that became true in the late 1980's when one of the club founder's, Gus Hart, hired architect Tom Fazio to design one of today's top ranked golf courses in the U.S.A, a course he wanted to be created around the traditions of Scottish links golf, with Shinnecock Hills as a model.

In 1991 Conway Farms opened to its members, a par 71 7,216 yds long from the back tees featuring fairways lined with fescue and heather as well as fairly small greens.

The layout is pleasant and enjoyable with several scenic holes.

Despite its location and the nearby interstate I-94, the feeling is like playing a golf course located miles away from the urban world.

The course is a walking only golf course, proud of its caddie program, dedicated to the protection and preservation of the game.

And thanks to the presence of a competent caddie, like the one who assisted me, the experience is even more engaging.

As Conway Farms Creed states, founders and others who participated in the initial development 

of Conway Farms Golf Club were guided by the goal of sustaining golf’s oldest and finest traditions to insure that Conway Farms continues to be a unique and special place. 

Fast play, no tee times, camaraderie, fellowship and sportsmanship, walking the course and supporting amateur golf are among the core values at the base of the golfing experience and philosophy of 

Conway Farms Golf Club and its members.

Conway Farms, ranked 8th on the 2013-14 Golf Digest' Best courses in Illinois, hosted in 2013 the BMW Championship won by Zach Johnson. It was one of the top attended Pga Tour tournaments of the year, attracting more than 130,000 spectators. During the second day of the event  Jim Furyk shot the incredible course record of 59 (-12), the sixth 59 in PGA Tour history, thanks to 11 birdies, 1 eagle and 1 bogey.

Recently the Pga Tour announced that the Fed-Ex playoff tournament BMW Championship will come back to Conway Farms in 2015, from Sept. 14th to Sept. 20th.

In the meantime, in view of the upcoming event, the 23 year-old course will close for several months, from August 2014 to next spring, undergoing a complete renovation of the greens and of the existing practice facility.

A new Conway Farms will expect the best players on Earth next year.

http://www.conwayfarmsgolfclub.org/

Conway Farms Clubhouse

Recognition to the founding Members

Practice Facility

A magnificent painting of the 18th hole

#1 Hole 360 Yds Par 4 (from the tees)

#1 Hole 493 Yds Par 4

#2 Hole 196 Yds Par 3

#3 Hole 402 Yds Par 4

#3 Hole 402 Yds Par 4

#3 Hole 402 Yds Par 4

#5 Hole 469 Yds Par 4

#5 Hole 469 Yds Par 4

#6 Hole 217 Yds Par 3

#7 Hole 352 Yds Par 4

#7 Hole 352 Yds Par 4

#8 Hole 600 Yds Par 5

#8 Hole 600 Yds Par 5

#8 Hole 600 Yds Par 5

#10 Hole 458 Yds Par 4

#11 Hole 162 Yds Par 3

#12 Hole 419 Yds Par 4

#13 Hole 463 Yds Par 4

#14 Hole 585 Yds Par 5

#15 Hole 334 Yds Par 4

#15 Hole 334 Yds Par 4

#16 Hole 465 Yds Par 4

#17 Hole 207 Yds Par 3

#18 Hole 570 Yds Par 5

#18 Hole 570 Yds Par 5