2033 U.S. Women’s Open Coming to Chicago

The USGA recently announced that the U.S. Women’s Open will be coming to historic Chicago Golf Club in 2033. The last time the tournament was contested in Illinois was in 2000 at Merit Club, which was won by Karrie Webb.

Located in Wheaton, Chicago Golf Club has previously hosted 12 USGA championships, most recently the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2018, which was won by Laura Davies. Chicago Golf Club was founded by renowned course designer, 1895 U.S. Amateur Champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member Charles Blair Macdonald.

CB Macdonald modeled his design of Chicago Golf Club after the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. The original length of Chicago Golf Club was 5,877 yards, but was expanded to 6,032 yards by 1900. The official distance from the black tees is now 6,877 yards.

“The history of the USGA and American golf can’t be told without Chicago Golf Club, and just over 125 years after hosting its first USGA championship, we’re thrilled to announce our return for two additional significant events,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “With the tremendous support of its members and a world-class venue, we’re confident that Chicago Golf Club will deliver memorable moments and an opportunity for golf fans around the world to see one of the country’s finest golf venues.”

Chicago Golf Club – 12th Hole

The U.S. Women’s Open is the oldest of the LPGA Tour’s five major championships, which includes the Chevron Championship, Women’s PGA Championship, Women’s Open Championship and The Evian Championship. The tournament is open to any professional or amateur female golfer with an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4.

In addition to the 2000 U.S. Women’s Open at Merit Club in Libertyville, the event has been contested twice at LaGrange Country Club in southwest suburban LaGrange. Pat Bradley won the 1981 U.S. Women’s Open and Sandra Haynie won the event in 1974, both at LaGrange Country Club.

Minjee Lee of Australia won the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open title with a four-stroke victory at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC. The 2023 US Women’s Open will be contested at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, CA.

Futures Sites of the U.S. Women’s Open

One of the five original members of the USGA, the club has held numerous national championships and shaped the development of golf in the United States, while also hosting nearly every top professional to ever play the game.

“Hosting the best players in the world – men, women, amateur and professional – for USGA events is a point of pride for our club and a significant part of our long history,” said Herb Getz, Chicago Golf Club president. “We very much look forward to building upon that history and continuing our valued partnership with the USGA on an even larger stage well into the future.”

Noted Past and Present Chicago Golf Club Members

Robert S. McCormick – United States Ambassador
Charles Blair Macdonald – the grandfather of American golf
Marshall Field – founder of Marshall Field and Company
Potter Palmer – Chicago businessman, developer
Chick Evans – golf legend
Margaret Abbott – the first American woman to win an Olympic event
Paul Harvey – radio legend
Ben Crenshaw – two-time Masters champion
Roger Cleveland – founder of Cleveland Golf
Chris O’Donnell – actor

In 1921, golf course architect Seth Raynor was hired by Chicago Golf Club to renovate the course. Raynor trained as a civil engineer at Princeton University and was a long-time protégé of CB Macdonald.

Chicago Golf Club is ranked one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the world by GOLF Magazine. There are only about 120 members and the only way to get in is by invitation from a member.