Merit Club

Merit Club in Libertyville, Illinois, opened in 1990 as a private daily-fee facility designed by Bob Lohmann, a Chicago-area architect known for his work on courses throughout the Midwest. The property occupies rolling terrain in the northern suburbs of Chicago, approximately forty miles from the city center, and features a layout that takes advantage of the natural topography and mature tree corridors characteristic of the region. Lohmann routed the course to incorporate elevation changes and strategic bunkering that reward thoughtful course management over pure distance. The design emphasizes variety in hole length and direction, with several risk-reward opportunities where players can choose aggressive lines or safer routes depending on skill level and conditions. Water features come into play on multiple holes, and the green complexes feature subtle contours that require careful attention on approach shots. The course layout flows through wooded areas and open meadows, creating distinct playing corridors and visual separation between holes. Merit Club operates as a semi-private facility, offering memberships while also accommodating daily-fee play, a model that was relatively uncommon in the Chicago suburbs when it opened. The club maintains a reputation for conditioning and accessibility, serving golfers from the northern Chicago metropolitan area. The course has hosted regional amateur events and qualifiers over the years, reflecting its standing among northern Illinois golf venues.