Gleneagles Country Club Now Closed

August 11, 2022

The property on which Gleneagles Country Club sits was recently sold to home developer Pulte Group, who plans to build upscale homes on the 232 acres. The golf course and all 36 holes closed on July 30, 2022.

Built in 1924 and designed by Illinois PGA Hall of Famer Charles Maddox, Gleneagles Country Club had a long and illustrious history, despite being less widely known today than a couple of other golf courses in the vicinity. Cog Hill Golf and Country Club as well as Pete Dye’s Ruffled Feathers Country Club may garner many of the local accolades, but Gleneagles’ rich tradition can’t be denied.

Originally known as Twin Eagles and home to the 1958 and 1959 Chicago Open, Gleneagles was one of a handful of Chicago golf courses to host a PGA Tournament. Both events were won by World Golf Hall of Fame member Ken Venturi and featured other PGA Tour legends such as Julius Boros, Gary Player, Fred Haas, Gene Littler and Sam Snead.

The facility boasted two 18-hole championship courses that featured tree-lined fairways, deeply-sculpted bunkers, rolling terrain and imposing water hazards. The Red/Lakes course played just over 6,000 yards with a slope of 116, while the White/Woodlands golf course was about 300 yards longer and features a slope of 124 from the tips.

With 36 holes, Gleneagles was one of the more popular facilities in the Chicago area for hosting golf outings. Golf event managers appreciate the combination of playability and conditioning that allows golfers of all skill levels the chance to enjoy a round of golf in a beautiful environment. Both courses featured wide fairways and soft greens that were receptive to approach shots.

The 17th hole on the Red/Lakes course was a unique and memorable test for all golfers. With out of bounds on the left, the 461-yard par four required a long, straight tee shot of up to 290 yards. The longer, the better, because a significant water hazard was waiting for your approach to the 17th green, which was sloped from back to front and featured a menacing bunker left of the green. You couldn’t afford to be cautious on this challenging hole, or you would be forced to miss right of the green and be faced with a difficult up and down.

Gleneagles was located 4 miles west of LaGrange Road, a virtual nine-iron from both Cog Hill and Ruffled Feathers. The facility was a popular attraction for many local golf outings and events throughout the golf season.