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BY: RORY SPEARS, ASSISTANT EDITOR & SR. WRITER
MEDINAH COURSE #2 ON THE FIRST TEE
As reported last summer by BIG 3 Partners, the #2 course at Medinah will undergo a restoration.
The 3.6 million dollar project has been approved by the the board and the membership. What the club will try and do is restore the 1920 look created by architect Tom Bendelow. The golf course will see it’s old infrastructure updated into modern times.
The membership by overwhelming vote, approved the project and is hoping to see the course that opened in 1927 return with some of it’s old charm and feel. The improvements will include, state of the art USGA greens, new tee’s, new bunkers , bentgrass fairways and extensive storm drainage improvements.
Course two will conclude the final restoration of all three of Medinah’s courses. Since work started in 2008 on Course No. 3, the club will have invested $14 million dollars on restoring and improving all three courses. Rees Jones was the architect who oversaw the Course No.3 improvements, with Tom Doak doing the Course No.1 project.
Medinah Course No.2 9th hole.
“Having three courses each with a different character offers our members and their guests three different golf experiences, and that’s what really separates Medinah from other country clubs,” said club president Matt Lydon.
“We have something for everyone,” Lydon said. “If you want to play a course that has hosted multiple major championships and a Ryder Cup you can play No.3. If you want a minimalist-style looking course that’s more of a members course, you can play Course One. And if you’re looking for a family-friendly experience on a classically-designed course, Course Two is a perfect option.”
Curtis Tyrell, Medinah’s Director of Golf Course Operations, will lead the project, with Jones serving as the architectural consultant.
Course has almost been left untouched since it opened 87 years ago, except for normal maintenance. From an architect standpoint, it’s still a Bendelow original. When the course reopens, it will play from 4,800 to 6,400 yards, with some tee options.
“Most people don’t know what a special gem Course NO.2 is, Tyrell said. “When we restore the design elements and upgrade the playing surfaces, it’s going to bring an exciting new dimension to the overall Medinah Golf experience.
The 18th green on the Medinah No.2 Golf Course.
Medinah has been home to Chicago’s most frequent championship venue. Including the 2012 Ryder Cup, three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, and three Western Open’s.
Work on the restoration will begin in fall of 2015. Sta clicked into the Gog Blog for details about the restoration as it starts to move along.
The Gog Blog returns tomorrow.