
Orchard Valley Course
Orchard Valley Golf Course


About this course
Orchard Valley Golf Course sits in Aurora, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, and was designed by Ken Kavanaugh, a regional architect active in the Midwest during the latter decades of the twentieth century. The course occupies rolling terrain characteristic of the Fox River Valley area, where natural elevation changes and mature tree corridors shape the playing corridors. The property reflects the agricultural heritage common to this part of Illinois, with remnants of orchard plantings giving the course its name and contributing to the parkland character of the layout. The routing takes advantage of the site's topography, presenting golfers with a mix of uphill and downhill approaches and several holes where elevation shifts influence club selection and strategy. Water features appear on multiple holes, typical of courses built in this region during the period, and the design incorporates both open and tree-lined fairways. Bunkers are positioned to challenge approach shots and frame greens, which vary in size and contour to test short-game skills. Orchard Valley operates as a public facility and serves a broad range of golfers from the western Chicago suburbs. The course provides a straightforward test of golf without excessive length or severe hazards, making it accessible to recreational players while still offering enough variety and challenge to engage more experienced golfers. The setting remains relatively quiet despite the suburban location, with views across the rolling landscape that define this part of the Fox River corridor.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in IL
Quick facts
- Location
- Aurora, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1993
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Ken Kavanaugh
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,745 yards
- Difficulty
- 72.8/134
- Course Vaults score
- 6.7
Getting there
Most visitors to Orchard Valley Golf Course arrive through Chicago O'Hare International (ORD), roughly forty miles to the northeast, though Chicago Midway (MDW) offers a comparable alternative depending on routing. The westbound drive from either hub traces the outer arc of Chicagoland's suburban sprawl before easing into the Fox River Valley, where the landscape opens into rolling farmland and wooded corridors. Aurora itself straddles the river with quiet, Midwestern charm, and Orchard Valley sits tucked along its northern edge - a municipal gem where the transition from interstate to tree-lined parkway feels like stepping back from the city's hum into something altogether more pastoral.

FAQ
Common questions about Orchard Valley
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Orchard Valley has a Course Vaults score of 6.7 out of 10 based on 25 logged golfers.
Orchard Valley was designed by Ken Kavanaugh.
Yes. Orchard Valley is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Orchard Valley is 72.
Orchard Valley plays 6,745 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Orchard Valley is 134.





