Kemper Lakes

Kemper Lakes is one of three golf course in the Chicago area that has hosted a major championship, fulfilling the vision of founder James Kemper for a long, challenging club to test the best.

Payne Stewart won the PGA Championship during 1989 for his first major victory, and the club hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship soon after, during 1992. Although she never won an LPGA event, Vicki Goetze won her second U.S. Women’s Am at the event and, perhaps more notably, edged out Annika Sorenstam to do so.

The course, designed by Ken Killien and Dick Nugent, makes no bones about its penal nature. Numerous holes are guarded along their entire lengths by lakes; the first two par fives feature more than 1,000 yards of waterfront property, while the closing hole hooks severely around a lake, daring players to take a tiger line.

No. 17, a par three, is almost as intimidating despite its short length. Its slender green stretches nearly 60 yards, with water all along the left, and bunkers on the right. The club was public during its time on the Tour, but became a private club during 2003.