Itasca Country Club

Itasca Country Club sits in the northwest Chicago suburb of Itasca, Illinois, occupying land that reflects the gently rolling terrain characteristic of the region. The course was designed by James Foulis Jr., son of the 1896 U.S. Open champion James Foulis, who worked as a golf architect primarily in the Midwest during the early-to-mid twentieth century. The Foulis family's connection to Chicago-area golf runs deep—the elder Foulis served as the longtime professional at Chicago Golf Club—and the younger Foulis carried forward that legacy through his design work at clubs throughout Illinois and neighboring states. The layout takes advantage of natural contours and mature tree growth that frames many holes, creating a parkland character common to courses built during this era in suburban Chicago. The routing moves through wooded corridors and more open stretches, with strategic bunkering and greens that reward thoughtful approach play. Water features come into play on select holes, adding variety to the shot-making demands. Itasca Country Club functions as a private facility serving its membership, maintaining the traditions of a mid-century suburban club while adapting to modern expectations. The course provides a straightforward test of golf that emphasizes accuracy and course management over sheer length, reflecting design principles from an earlier generation of American golf architecture. For those familiar with Foulis's work or interested in the evolution of Chicago-area courses, Itasca represents a period piece that has endured through careful stewardship.