(Holland, Michigan)—One of the Chicago area’s best-loved private country clubs is about to get a makeover. Raymond Hearn Golf Course Designs of Holland, Michigan, has been commissioned to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the renovation of the renowned Flossmoor Country Club, located in Flossmoor, Illinois.
"We couldn’t be more thrilled to be entrusted with such a great project," said Ray Hearn. "We see Flossmoor as one of the premier country clubs in the Great Lakes region. Simply put, Flossmoor is an outstanding course with a strong routing and a tremendous history and tradition."
Originally designed in 1899 by Herbert Tweedie, Flossmoor has played host to a dizzying collection of significant events, including the PGA Championship, Western Open, Western Amateur (men’s and women’s) and the U.S. Amateur. Many of golf’s brightest stars have competed there, including Bobby Jones (whose 66 was the course record at Flossmoor until 1984), Willie Hunter, Francis Ouimet and Charles "Chick" Evans.
"As a former caddie and a graduate of the Evans Scholar Program it is humbling to be involved with a club that has such a legacy with the Evans program," said Hearn, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. "The history of this club begins with Chick Evans (who founded the program) winning his first major amateur title in 1909 at the Western Amateur held at Flossmoor. The membership’s commitment to its caddie program and to Evans Scholars has been constant for nearly a century. As someone who has benefited directly from that spirit of generosity, I can’t wait to try to return the favor."
Hearn also believes that this project will help Flossmoor reclaim its rightful position as one of the region’s best and most classic designs. "The goal of our master planning work at Flossmoor will be to restore the features of this venue and bring back the course’s great shot-value and strategic nuance that have been diminished a bit during the last few decades." Hearn notes his company will work closely with club membership and staff on the renovation, including course committee chairman Mark Egge and Flossmoor superintendent Robert Lively.
Contact:
Tom Cleary
All About Golf
(616)954-2760
E-mail: tjcleary@aol.com
Terry Moore
All About Golf
(616) 247-1931
E-mail: tmoore@usxchange.net
