
Onwentsia Course
Onwentsia Club


About this course
Onwentsia, nestled in the affluent North Shore of Lake Forest, is a bastion of understated Midwestern golf. Carved from gently rolling parkland, the original H.C. Fownes design from the late 19th century has been subtly updated over the years, never losing its classic character. Its subtle, yet distinct shaping is what sets it apart. The routing favors strategic play over raw power, rewarding thoughtful approaches to its modestly sized, undulating greens. While lacking the dramatic elevation changes or penal bunkering of more celebrated courses, Onwentsia demands careful club selection and precise execution, particularly with approach shots. It's a course where experience and local knowledge provide a distinct advantage. Onwentsia has quietly hosted significant amateur events, including the U.S. Amateur, drawing top talent to its challenging layout. More than that, it's a haven for its membership and their golf lore. While not often found in discussions of the nation's elite courses, Onwentsia remains a treasured institution for its members, a place where tradition and camaraderie are valued above all else. Itβs also renowned for its understated elegance and commitment to the enduring spirit of the game.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in IL
Quick facts
- Location
- Lake Forest, IL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1896
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- James Foulis
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 6,423 yards
- Difficulty
- 70.9/125
- Course Vaults score
- 8.3
Getting there
Onwentsia Club sits in the affluent North Shore suburbs of Chicago, accessible most directly via Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or the closer Midway International Airport (MDW), each roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the club grounds depending on traffic patterns. For those arriving by private aircraft, Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in Wheeling offers a seamless alternative just 20 minutes north, with the added discretion favored by members of this caliber. The drive north from the city unfolds through the manicured residential landscape of the North Shore, where tree-lined avenues and glimpses of Lake Michigan gradually give way to the gated entrance of Onwentsia Club itself - a transition that feels less like travel and more like crossing into a world unto itself. Once through the gates, the club's storied grounds reveal themselves with the quiet confidence of an institution that has anchored this corner of Illinois society for over a century.

FAQ
Common questions about Onwentsia
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Onwentsia has a Course Vaults score of 8.3 out of 10 based on 25 logged golfers.
Onwentsia was designed by James Foulis.
Onwentsia is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Onwentsia is 71.
Onwentsia plays 6,423 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Onwentsia is 125.



