
Starboard Course
Harborside International Golf Center
Public: #1990
Public: #1764
Public: #71

About this course
Starboard, at Harborside International, stands as a monument to Chicago's unwavering spirit, built atop a former industrial site, a landscape once synonymous with steel mills rather than sweeping fairways. Designed in the Modern era, the course is a testament to environmental reclamation, transforming discarded land into a links-style layout defined by fescue grasses, undulating terrain, and the ever-present Lake Calumet breezes that demand strategic shot-making. It's a course where the flatlands of the Midwest meet the unpredictable nature of coastal golf, favoring players who can control their ball flight in the wind. Architects Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest carved Starboard from the unpromising terrain with a vision for playability and challenge. The open layout offers generous landing areas, but penal bunkers and subtly contoured greens await those who stray offline. While it hasn't hosted major championships, Starboard has served as a reliable host for regional and state-level competitions, providing a stern test for aspiring professionals and accomplished amateurs alike. Located on the cityβs South Side, Starboard has been a reliable municipal golf course for Chicagoans since its opening in 1995. The course offers a balance between challenge and playability, with many locals who have played it for decades. For anyone looking to get in 18 holes without breaking the bank, Harborside International is one of the premier public courses in the Windy City.
Quick facts
- Location
- Chicago, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1996
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Dick Nugent
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 7,104 yards
- Difficulty
- 74.5/134
- Course Vaults score
- 6.6
Getting there
Harborside International Golf Center is most readily accessed via Chicago's two major commercial hubs - O'Hare International (ORD), roughly 25 miles northwest, or Midway International (MDW), approximately 15 miles west - with drive times of 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic patterns and the Lake Shore routing. For those arriving by private aircraft, Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) in the northwest suburbs offers a considerably more discreet alternative, positioning you just 20 minutes from the facility. The final approach to Harborside unfolds along the industrial-meets-waterfront character of the South Side, where the landscape transitions from Chicago's urban grid into the quieter precincts near the Calumet River, delivering you to a golf destination that commands views of the water and the city's distant skyline.

FAQ
Common questions about Starboard at Harborside International Golf Center
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Starboard at Harborside International Golf Center has a Course Vaults score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 132 logged golfers.
Starboard was designed by Dick Nugent.
Yes. Starboard at Harborside International Golf Center is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Starboard is 72.
Starboard plays 7,104 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Starboard is 134.




