Why Calumet Country Club​ Is Chicago's Best Kept Golf Secret

Calumet Country Club is a semi-private golf and country club located in Homewood, Illinois, offering limited public access to an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Donald Ross. Founded in 1901, the full service club hosts weddings, events and meetings within its 30,000-square-foot clubhouse. Their course is considered Chicago's "best kept golf secret," boasting some of the top course conditions in the greater Chicago area.

Read on to learn more about the successful golf club, their latest endeavors and upcoming events this season:

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

Calumet Country Club: [We] started overseeing operations March 1, 2019, but Calumet has been a staple in the Chicago golf scene since 1901.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger, what would you say?

Calumet Country Club: "Provide a great experience"— to both members and public alike. Our success is measured by our guests’ experience.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

Calumet Country Club: Our biggest challenge is also the largest opportunity for us — a changing industry.

"With the industry changing, we need to give more people the opportunity to experience such a historic course," says Elliot Lewis, managing partner of Prevision Golf. "Golf has been changing for years. Clubs that adjust, think outside of the box, provide a memorable experience each and every time someone steps on property, can be successful. People don’t often have the opportunity to experience a course like Calumet. We are excited to give them the opportunity."

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?

Calumet Country Club: For the first time in 118 years, Calumet Country Club in Homewood is opening its doors to non-members. Since taking over operations in March of this year, Prevision Golf is focused on delivering an exceptional experience to members and public alike. After speaking with managing partner of Prevision, Elliot Lewis, it is easy to see their vision for the upcoming season for Calumet Country Club:

“Golf has struggled for many reasons over the past decade, we have to take different steps to make the club viable, breathe life back into the club. Giving the public the unique opportunity to experience an exceptional course like Calumet is just one of those steps.”

“It is difficult for member-owned clubs to make tough decisions when a club is in trouble financially. We try and work a bit more outside the box; provide a great experience first and foremost for our members and guests, find ways to generate more interest in their club and facilities. In Calumet’s case, one option was to allow limited public play. We are excited to generate new interest in the club, give people the opportunity to play some of the best greens in greater Chicago and a historic layout that few have had the opportunity to experience. Calumet is truly one of the best kept Chicago golf secrets."

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

Calumet Country Club: Our new business angle — opening to the public for the first time.

Considering the fact that Calumet is one of the only public accessible Donald Ross-designed championship golf courses in greater Chicago, has course conditions that rival some of the best in the area, and offers a limited window of opportunity for the public to play, Calumet Country Club needs to be at the top of your list for your next round.

Calumet will also be opening its doors to the surrounding towns and local businesses as a new lunch, happy hour and dinner spot. With a great chef, new menu and exceptional service, Calumet is looking forward to providing the area with a new dining venue that has only been accessible to the club’s members for years.

Because of our focus and means of finding the best use for a club, years of experience in the industry and a focus on providing exceptional experience, we are dedicated in finding ways to make the property financially stable and profitable. We are vested in the financial health of the property.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?

Calumet Country Club: Here are some upcoming events this season:

• CDGA – Super Senior, September 5
• CDGA – Senior 4-ball, September 23-26
• Illinois Open qualifier – June 24
• First Annual Donald Ross Amateur – June 22-23

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Calumet Country Club: Visit our website or follow us on Facebook. We are located at 2136 175th St, Homewood, IL 60430. Give us a call at 708-799-2230.

About Calumet Country Club:

Calumet Country Club was founded in 1901 as a private golf and country club originally for downtown Chicago residents. Situated on the south side of Chicago in the city of Homewood, IL, the club’s focal point is the 18-hole championship course designed by renowned 20th century architect Donald Ross. A staple in the Chicago golf scene for years, Calumet Country Club has a long history of championship golf dating back to the 1924 Western Open as well as the 1945 Chicago Victory Open. The 1945 Victory Open will forever be remembered as one of the Eleven Straight Tournament victories that Byron Nelson achieved that year.

Originally designed as a private club for residents of Chicago, Calumet offers a unique opportunity being easily accessible by rail from downtown Chicago, as well as direct access via car from virtually anywhere in the city, being located directly off of I-80 just east of I-294.

Considered to have some of the best course conditions in the Chicago area, along with one of the top layouts, Calumet is a club for golfers who truly love golf. With a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse with multiple meeting and event spaces, it remains a great venue for weddings, events, meetings, tournaments and corporate outings.

This Patch article is sponsored by Calumet Country Club.