Medinah Country Club (No.3)

Medinah No. 3, completed in 1928 by Tom Bendelow in the Chicago suburb of Medinah, Illinois, has hosted five major championships and underwent a transformative renovation by Australian firm OCM Golf that reopened in July 2024, marking a revolutionary shift from narrow corridors to expansive fairways and strategic bunkering.

Why Play Medinah No. 3?

Experience one of American golf's most storied championship venues, now reimagined with broader strategic options and enhanced visual appeal across 260 hectares (640 acres) of rolling terrain. The 2024 OCM Golf renovation addresses decades of incremental toughening whilst preparing the layout for the 2026 Presidents Cup.

History of Medinah No. 3

The Medinah Shriners founded Medinah Country Club in 1924, creating a 54-hole complex on former farmland 37 kilometres (23 miles) west of downtown Chicago. Course No. 3 opened in 1928, originally designed for the club's female members, but was immediately reimagined after Harry Cooper's 63 in the 1930 Medinah Open prompted Harry Collis to toughen the layout through the 1930s.

The layout hosted its first U.S. Open in 1949, won by Lou Graham after an 18-hole playoff. Cary Middlecoff claimed the 1975 U.S. Open, whilst Hale Irwin triumphed in 1990 following Roger Packard's 1986 redesign that brought substantial alterations to the routing and green complexes.

Tiger Woods secured his fifth major here during the 1999 PGA Championship, holding off a teenage Sergio Garcia. The layout was extended to 6,914 metres (7,561 yards) by Rees Jones for the 2006 PGA Championship, at the time the longest golf course in major championship history, where Woods claimed his 12th major title with a commanding five-stroke victory.

The 2012 Ryder Cup produced the "Miracle at Medinah" when Europe erased a 10-6 deficit to win 14.5-13.5, matching the largest singles comeback in Ryder Cup history. Justin Thomas's 61 during the 2019 BMW Championship exposed the layout's vulnerability to modern distance, prompting the club to commission OCM Golf (Geoff Ogilvy, Michael Cocking, and Ashley Mead) for a comprehensive reimagining completed between autumn 2022 and mid-2024.

Course Layout & Playing Experience

The OCM Golf transformation focused on restoring scale to Bendelow's original vision, removing hundreds of trees to improve sightlines and create interconnected playing corridors. The renovation increased green sizes substantially, expanded bunker complexes to evoke Golden Age proportions, and widened fairways from pinched landing areas to strategic playing zones measuring 40-50 metres across.

Six holes on the closing stretch were completely redesigned, most dramatically the 16th through 18th. The par-4 16th now plays diagonally across Lake Kadijah, whilst the 17th transformed from a relocated par-3 into an angled one-shotter playing parallel to the water. The 18th returned to its original corridor after decades of routing modifications.

The layout now measures 7,002 metres (7,657 yards) from the championship tees across par-72, though multiple tee positions allow configurations from 5,600 metres upward. Lake Kadijah features prominently on the inward nine, creating strategic decisions on approach shots and tee selections.

Notable Architectural Features

The renovation prioritised ground-game options and varied recovery shots over the penal rough lines that dominated from the 1980s through 2019. Bendelow's original landforms - sweeping ridges ideal for tee shots and green sites - were revealed through selective clearing and lowered bunker floors that tie features more naturally into existing grades.

Three par-3s play across or alongside Lake Kadijah, though the 2024 work varied angles and green orientations to reduce repetitive shotmaking. Green complexes average 400 square metres, featuring internal contours and expanded pin positions that reward precision whilst accommodating recovery play.

Fairway bunkering shifted from fairway-centre placement to classical strategic positioning inside dogleg corners and short of optimal driving distances. The wavy, expansive bunker edges reference 1920s design aesthetics whilst the Better Billy Bunker sand liner system ensures consistent playing conditions.

Championship History

Western Open 1939 Byron Nelson
Western Open 1962 Jackie Cupit
Western Open 1966 Billy Casper
U.S. Open 1949 Cary Middlecoff
U.S. Open 1975 Lou Graham
U.S. Senior Open 1988 Gary Player
U.S. Open 1990 Hale Irwin
PGA Championship 1999 Tiger Woods
PGA Championship 2006 Tiger Woods
Ryder Cup 2012 Europe
BMW Championship 2019 Justin Thomas
Presidents Cup 2026 TBD

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Travel & Planning

Regional Golf Context

Within 30km (19 miles): Chicago boasts exceptional golf density, though most championship-calibre private venues, including Chicago Golf Club, Butler National, and Shoreacres, require member introduction. The Glen Club in Glenview sits 27 kilometres (17 miles) northeast, approximately 35 minutes via I-290 and I-90, offering a semi-private Tom Fazio design on a former naval air station.

30-60km (19-37 miles): Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, 43 kilometres (27 miles) southwest via I-290 and I-55, presents four 18-hole layouts, including Dubsdread, the Rees Jones-redesigned former Western Open and BMW Championship venue. Driving time is approximately 45 minutes, depending on Chicago traffic.

Base accommodation in downtown Chicago provides access to the city's cultural attractions alongside golf. Multi-day itineraries typically combine Medinah with Cog Hill's Dubsdread and accessible daily-fee options, including Harborside International's two Dick Nugent links-style layouts near Lake Michigan.

Practical Planning

Medinah Country Club maintains a private status with approximately 600 member families. Access requires member introduction or participation in organised golf tours during limited availability periods. The club's three courses - with Course No. 1 redesigned by Tom Doak in 2014 - support substantial member play alongside championship hosting duties.

The 2026 Presidents Cup, scheduled for September, will showcase the renovated layout to international audiences. Advanced planning is essential for any access opportunities, with typical lead times extending six months or longer for organised groups.

Transport Information ✈️

Chicago O'Hare International Airport: 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast, approximately 20-25 minutes driving via I-90 East to I-290 West. Major car rental facilities are located on-site with direct motorway access. O'Hare serves as United Airlines' primary hub with extensive domestic and international connections.

Chicago Midway International Airport: 53 kilometres (33 miles) southeast for additional routing options, approximately 45 minutes via I-55 North.

Public Transport: Metra Milwaukee District West Line operates hourly service from Chicago Union Station to Medinah Station, a 46-minute journey. The station sits within walking distance of the club entrance, though most visitors prefer rental vehicles for flexibility in exploring the region.

Ground Transport: Primary access via I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) to Medinah Road exit. The club occupies substantial acreage in DuPage County, bordered by the villages of Roselle, Itasca, and Bloomingdale.

Seasonal Timing

Spring (April-May): Course reopens following winter dormancy, typically mid-April depending on weather patterns. Early-season conditions feature firm fairways and moderate rough growth. Advance booking is essential as member play increases.

Summer (June-August): Peak growing season produces lush conditions, though Chicago's humidity can be substantial. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible, particularly July through August.

Autumn (September-October): Optimal playing period with moderate temperatures, reduced humidity, and spectacular foliage transformation across mature hardwoods. The 2026 Presidents Cup, scheduled for late September, will highlight the layout during the prime seasonal window.

Winter (November-March): Course closes typically mid-November through March, allowing turf recovery and maintenance preparation. Chicago winters feature substantial snowfall and freezing temperatures unsuitable for play.

Medinah No. 3: The Verdict

The OCM Golf renovation successfully addressed decades of incremental narrowing that culminated in Justin Thomas's 25-under performance during the 2019 BMW Championship.

By restoring Golden Age scale - expansive bunkers, generous greens, strategic width - whilst maintaining championship credentials, the 2024 transformation positions this storied venue for another century of championship hosting.

The 2026 Presidents Cup will determine whether the layout achieves its dual mandate: challenging the world's best professionals whilst remaining enjoyable for accomplished members.