
Prairie Course
Countryside Golf Club




About this course
Prairie Course at Countryside Golf Club occupies gently rolling terrain in Mundelein, a northern suburb of Chicago in Lake County. Designed by Michael J. Benkusky and opened in the mid-1990s, the course reflects the architect's approach to working within the natural topography of the Illinois landscape. The routing takes advantage of modest elevation changes and incorporates native grasses and wetland areas characteristic of the region's prairie heritage. The layout features a mix of open and tree-lined holes, with water hazards coming into play on several holes. Bunkering is strategic rather than penal, and the greens offer varied contours that reward accurate approach shots. The course measures over 6,800 yards from the back tees, providing a solid test for accomplished players while remaining accessible from forward tees. Countryside Golf Club serves primarily as a daily-fee facility, drawing golfers from the northern Chicago suburbs and southern Wisconsin. The property benefits from its location in an area with a strong golf culture and numerous courses, offering a straightforward round in a parkland setting. The course has undergone periodic maintenance updates to preserve playing conditions and address drainage in lower-lying areas. The Prairie Course represents a typical example of 1990s-era public golf design in the Midwest, emphasizing playability and maintenance efficiency while incorporating regional landscape elements. It provides a neighborhood option for regular play rather than destination golf.
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
- Mundelein, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1927
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Michael J. Benkusky
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,757 yards
- Difficulty
- 75.2/133
- Course Vaults score
- 5.9
Getting there
Countryside Golf Club sits just thirty-five miles northwest of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), accessible via a straightforward drive through the suburban landscape that gradually yields to the quieter, more pastoral terrain of Lake County. Private aviation operators favor Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in nearby Wheeling, a mere fifteen minutes from the club's gates, offering the discretion and convenience that discerning members expect. The final stretch carries you north through rolling Illinois countryside, where the transition from commuter roads to tree-lined club approaches signals arrival at Countryside - a sanctuary of manicured fairways and understated elegance that feels worlds removed from the urban sprawl left behind.

FAQ
Common questions about Prairie at Countryside Golf Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Prairie at Countryside Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 5.9 out of 10 based on 15 logged golfers.
Prairie was designed by Michael J. Benkusky.
Yes. Prairie at Countryside Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Prairie is 72.
Prairie plays 6,757 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Prairie is 133.




