Black Sheep (1st & 2nd) - Illinois - USA

8th Illinois - Best in Area
Black Sheep Golf Club,
2 S 610 Seavey Road,
Sugar Grove,
Illinois (IL) 60554,
USA

  • +1 (630) 879 2000

  • Jeff Luetkehans

  • David Elser

  • Kevin Healy

Illinois Best In State Golf Courses

A few keen golfers, who wanted their own private male-only members club with an unpretentious and casual atmosphere, set up Black Sheep Golf Club in 1999. They enlisted a former Ohio State golfer called David Esler to fashion 27 holes that would rival the best inland links courses in the US.

140 acres of native prairie grasses and wild flowers were planted throughout the former 285-acre farmstead on which the 27 holes were routed. The aim was to restore the land to mirror the pre-settlement landscape of Native Americans and the result is rather impressive.

Highlights on holes 1-18 include the short par four 5th (which is played across water to a very small target) and the 191-yard 16th (where the green sits behind an expanse of wetlands, water and sand). Totally unlike any of the parkland courses found close to Chicago, Black Sheep is a welcome modern addition to the golfing landscape of the Midwest.

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Reviews for Black Sheep (1st & 2nd)

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Description: A few keen golfers, who wanted their own private male-only members club with an unpretentious and casual atmosphere, set up Black Sheep Golf Club in 1999. Rating: 6 out of 6 Reviews: 2

If I could be a member anywhere in Illinois, make me a member here! 27 holes give you a heathland/links vibe yet you look out over a sea of corn making for a pleasantly jarring experience.

The best of the property is along the north side as it dips down from the clubhouse on the outgoing 9 and then travels along and around creeks and ponds.

David Esler is a very underrated architect and this is one of his gems and one of the best in Illinois for sure!

6 / 6
Black Sheep (1st & 2nd)
September 05, 2017


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Fabulous layout. Very strategic design, great green complexes, relaxed understated atmosphere, firm and fast conditions. Everything a men's club should be. I only wish there were more courses like it in the greater Chicago area. The course is devoid of trees so watch out when the wind blows here, as it did the day we played all 27 holes. Take notice, this course puts local course designer David Esler on the map.
6 / 6
Black Sheep (1st & 2nd)
May 16, 2009


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