Public

The Champ Course

Joe Louis Golf Club

Riverdale, IL, USA
louisjackson32
jackderks42
Colinarmi
JNgolf24
Mr Ross
+10
18 holesPar 726,742 yds71.4/124

About this course

The Champ at Joe Louis Golf Club is a Dick Nugent design located in Riverdale, a south suburb of Chicago. The course is part of a municipal facility named for the legendary heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, reflecting the area's historical connection to the fighter. Nugent, a respected Chicago-area architect who worked extensively on public courses throughout the Midwest during the latter decades of the twentieth century, created a layout that serves the surrounding communities with accessible championship-length golf. The routing takes advantage of the relatively flat terrain typical of the Chicago region, with Nugent employing strategic bunkering and water features to define holes and create interest on what is naturally modest topography. The design emphasizes playability for a range of skill levels while maintaining enough length and challenge to host competitive events. Tree-lined fairways and open approaches characterize much of the layout, with several holes incorporating ponds or creeks that require careful course management. As a public facility, Joe Louis Golf Club serves as an important recreational resource for the south suburbs, offering affordable golf in an area with a rich African American heritage. The course has hosted various regional amateur tournaments and qualifiers over the years, contributing to competitive golf opportunities in the Chicago metropolitan area. The club operates within the broader context of Chicago's municipal and daily-fee golf scene, where Nugent's work appears at several other accessible facilities throughout the region.

Quick facts

Location
Riverdale, IL, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1918
Holes
18
Designer
Dick Nugent
Par
72
Length
6,742 yards
Difficulty
71.4/124
Course Vaults score
5.9

Getting there

Joe Louis Golf Club sits just south of Chicago's sprawl in Riverdale, accessible most directly via Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), a mere twenty minutes away by car, or O'Hare International (ORD) for those with broader connection options. The drive from either airport traces a straightforward path through the industrial and residential fabric of the South Side before settling into the quieter, tree-lined streets of this South Suburbs enclave. Private aviation traffic typically routes through nearby regional facilities, though the club's proximity to the city makes commercial arrival equally practical for the discerning traveler. The final miles unfold with a distinctly Midwestern character - the urban edge gradually softening into the manicured grounds and understated elegance of Joe Louis Golf Club, a sanctuary bearing the name of boxing's greatest champion.

FAQ

Common questions about The Champ at Joe Louis Golf Club

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

The Champ at Joe Louis Golf Club has a Course Vaults score of 5.9 out of 10 based on 15 logged golfers.

The Champ was designed by Dick Nugent.

Yes. The Champ at Joe Louis Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at The Champ is 72.

The Champ plays 6,742 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at The Champ is 124.

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