Hickory Point at Hickory Point Golf Course

Hickory Point Golf Course sits in Forsyth, a small community in central Illinois just east of Decatur. Designed by Larry Packard and opened in the mid-1970s, the course serves as a public facility operated by the Macon County Conservation District. Packard, who designed numerous courses across the Midwest during this era, typically worked with the existing terrain to create playable layouts that balanced challenge with accessibility for a broad range of golfers.

The course occupies rolling terrain characteristic of central Illinois, with mature tree-lined fairways and several holes routed around or near water features. The layout incorporates the natural topography, presenting elevation changes that are modest but meaningful in an otherwise relatively flat region. Hickory trees and other native hardwoods frame many holes, defining corridors and adding strategic interest to shot placement.

As a county conservation district property, Hickory Point functions as both a golf facility and part of a larger recreational complex that includes trails and natural areas. The course attracts local and regional play, serving as an accessible option for central Illinois golfers. Its design reflects the practical, straightforward approach common to many public courses built during the 1970s, emphasizing playability while incorporating enough variety in hole design to maintain interest across eighteen holes.