Pottawatomie Golf Club

Pottawatomie Golf Club sits in St. Charles, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago along the Fox River valley. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1963, the course represents the architect's characteristic mid-century approach to championship golf design. Jones, known for strategic bunkering, elevated greens, and demanding length, brought these principles to the relatively flat terrain of the upper Illinois prairie, creating a layout that emphasizes precision and course management over raw distance. The routing works across gently rolling land with mature tree-lined corridors that define individual holes. Jones incorporated water hazards and substantial greenside bunkering to test approach shots, a hallmark of his design philosophy during this period. The greens themselves feature the subtle contours and strategic pin positions typical of his work, rewarding players who understand angles and avoid trouble rather than those who simply overpower the course. The layout requires thoughtful club selection and disciplined shot-making throughout the round. Pottawatomie operates as a private club serving the St. Charles community and surrounding western suburbs. The club maintains a family-oriented membership culture typical of established Midwestern country clubs, with golf as the central amenity complemented by social and dining facilities. The course has hosted regional amateur competitions over the decades, providing a respected test of golf within the Chicago metropolitan area's competitive landscape.