Olympia Fields Country Club

Olympia Fields Country Club on Chicago’s South Side has two courses, the descriptively named North and South. The North Course has hosted two US Opens; Johnny Farrell won the first in 1928, and Jim Furyk won the second 75 years later.

In 2007, the South Course was renovated by Steve Smyers, whose work on the course was ranked No. 2 in Golf Digest’s 2010 list of Best New Renovations.

The South Course is remarkable for it’s dramatic elevation changes (especially rare for Midwestern topography) and its strategic use of Butterfield Creek, which winds its way through 11 of 18 holes. The standout hole comes early in a round with the 439-yard, par 4 3rd, where the tee shot to the tight fairway is obscured, and leads to a tricky approach to a diminutive raised green.

Most golfers are happy just keep to their handicaps, and to bask in the glory of a course that has hosted so many great players: Walter Hagen won the PGA Championship here in 1925, as did Jerry Barber in 1961.