Lake Shore Country Club

Lake Shore Country Club sits along the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan in Glencoe, a North Shore suburb north of Chicago. The course was designed by Tom Bendelow, the Scottish-born architect who shaped hundreds of American courses in the early twentieth century while working for A.G. Spalding and later in private practice. Bendelow's prolific output ranged from basic layouts to more ambitious designs, and Lake Shore represents his work during an era when golf was establishing itself in affluent Chicago suburbs. The property occupies elevated terrain with views of the lake, and the routing takes advantage of the natural topography characteristic of the North Shore's wooded ravines and rolling ground. Bendelow's design philosophy typically emphasized playability for the membership while incorporating strategic elements where the land allowed. The course has likely seen modifications over the decades, as most clubs of this vintage have updated bunkering, greens, and infrastructure to meet contemporary expectations and maintenance practices. Lake Shore Country Club has served its membership for over a century as a traditional private club in one of Chicago's established communities. The club reflects the social and recreational patterns of North Shore country clubs, where golf is part of a broader family-oriented club experience. The course remains a fixture in the Glencoe landscape, maintaining its role as a neighborhood club for generations of members drawn from the surrounding area.