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THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
The Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton Illinois will host the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2036 Walker Cup. Photo by Rory Spears
THE USGA IS COMING BACK TO CHICAGO.
But while it’s a bit down the road, finally a major golf organization has committed to bringing some major golf championships back to the best golf destination in the Midwest, the Chicagoland area.
Because this morning the United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that the historic Chicago Golf Club will be host of the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open, and the 2036 Walker Cup.
The U.S. Women’s Open trophy.
During it’s long and storied history, the Chicago Golf Club has previously hosted 12 USGA championships.
But most recently it hosted the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship in 2018, won by Laura Davies.
“The history of the USGA and American golf can’t be told without Chicago Golf Club, and just over 125 years of hosting it’s first USGA championship, we’re thrilled to announce the return for two additional significant events,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA cheif championships officer. “With the tremendous support of its members and a world-class venue, we’re confident that the Chicago Golf Club will deliver memorable moments and an opportunity for golf fans around the world to see one of the country’s finest golf venues.”
The Chicago Golf Club was founded in 1892. But it was located in west suburban Downers Grove, where the first nine-holes was built. But only some of those holes remain in play today. So in 1893 the nations first 18 hole course opened in it’s current location in Wheaton Illinois.
But some of the clubs great history comes from the fact, that legendary course designer Charles Blair Macdonald was the course architect. Macdonald’s house sits up against the course on the westside of the club. Because the club is one of the five founding clubs of the USGA in 1894, it’s will hold it’s place in history.
Macdonald was the first U.S. Amateur champion in 1895, and was the USGA’s first vice president.
The Walker Cup-photo courtesy of the USGA.
Architect Seth Raynor that took over much of Macdonald’s work in later years, did a redesign of the Chicago Golf Club in 1923. But more recently the club did restoration work to restore original fairway lines and dimensions for all 128 bunkers on the golf course. But this work included 13 bunkers that were reinstalled after the club discovered maps that showed they were part of the original Raynor design.
“Hosting the best players in the world-men, women-amateur and professional-for USGA events is a point of pride for our club and a significant part of our long history,” said Herb Getz, Chicago Golf Club president. “So we very much look forward to building upon that history and continuing our valued partnership with the USGA on an larger stage well into the future.”
***Getz will speak with Golfers on Golf later today.
Chicago Golf Club has hosted USGA championships in three different centuries, the U.S. Open in 1897, 1900 and 1911. The U.S. Amateur was held at the club in 1897, 1905, 1909 and 1912. The U.S Women’s Amateur in 1903, and the Walker Cup in 1928 and in 2005. The U.S. Senior Amateur in 1979 and the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2018.
Team USA 2005 Walker Cup Captain Bob Lewis called the 2005 match “the greatest Walker Cup ever played.” Team USA held off the late charging Great Britain and Ireland team 12 1/2 to 11 1/2. Because the win ended a string of three straight losses in the event for the USA.
U.S. Senior Women’s Open champion Laura Davies called winning the championship the “highlight of my career”. Davies called Chicago Golf Club “a great venue” for the 2033 U.S. Women’s Open. A venue that will crown a worthy champion.”
Golfers on Golf will provide additional details on these events as they become available.