long grove, ILLINOiS
Program for Bunker Improvements (Woods Course) - 2020
Bunker Renovation (Woods Course) - Completed in Fall of 2022
DESCRIPTION
Twin Orchard Country Club has a unique history, beginning with its original founding in 1924 as "Chicago Golf Club". Before opening its doors, the name was changed, however, in recognition of two, large fruit orchards located on the Bensonville, IL property. Of note, the golf course on that original property was laid out by the legendary tandem of William Langford and Theodore Moreau... with its fairways now covered by airport runways.
In 1950, the club would close and sell its property to make way for the expanding O'Hare International Airport. At that same time, new properties were considered, including the present-day site in Long Grove, IL, then known as Skycrest Country Club (a.k.a. Kildeer Country Club). The acquisition of Skycrest was completed, along with the move, in 1951. Along with the property, Twin Orchard also tindered a contract to retain Skycrest's head golf professional, none other than Hall of Famer, Babe Didrickson Zaharias.
Both courses (Red & White, now Water & Woods) on the Twin Orchard (aka Skycrest/Kildeer) site were originally arranged by C.D. Wagstaff in 1928. Adjustments have been made to both courses through the years including Ken Killian and Dick Nugent on the Red Course (date N/A), and more recently some works by David Esler. The White Course has received treatments by Larry Packard (1966), among others.
Twin Orchard has claim to a bit of history connected to professional golf as well being one of the four original venues for the Weathervane (tournament) Series. A cumulative score determined the champion, played at Pebble Beach, Twin Orchard, Cleveland and New York. The Weathervane would grow into what is now the LPGA Tour. The first event at Twin Orchard was won by Babe Zaharias in 1950, defeating Louise Suggs in a playoff.
PEDIGREE
Babe Dedrickson Zaharias - original head golf professional in early 1950's