Medinah Country Club
Medinah Country Club is a private country club in Medinah, Illinois, with nearly 600 members and containing three golf courses, Lake Kadijah, swimming facilities, a golf learning center, golf shop, gun club, racket center and a mosque-evoking Byzantine-style, Moroccan domed clubhouse topped with minarets and classic Moorish architectural aspects. Medinah is famously known for its Course 3, now at , which has hosted five major championships: three U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, 1990) and two PGA Championships (1999, 2006), as well as the Ryder Cup in 2012. Medinah will host the 2026 President’s Cup Early history . The club was founded in 1924 by the Medinah Shriners (named after an Arabian city) and by the late 1920s had approximately 1,500 golfing and social members. The first golf course was opened in September 1925, followed by Course 2 in 1926, and finally Course 3 in 1928. During the construction of the courses, Richard G. Schmid, a Shriner and charter member of the club, had designed the clubhouse itself The Great Depression brought severe financial hardship and many members left. The club responded by waiving initiation fees, lowering dues, holding fundraising events, and (significantly) hosting professional golf tournaments. Eventually , non-Shriners were allowed to apply for membership. World War II exacerbated the club's financial woes and membership fell far below capacity. Course 2 was closed and members helped with upkeep on the two remaining courses. During the post war era Medinah entered a period of gradual recovery and membership growth. The Duke of York once visited the club and remarked, "I've never seen such a place, it is quite strange, yet attractive." Golf. Course 3. Medinah has three golf courses in a 54-hole complex. Many noted golf professionals have played Course 3, beginning with "Lighthorse" Harry  Cooper at the Medinah Open in 1930. Other noted players include Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Cary Middlecoff, Billy Casper, Gary Player, Hale Irwin and Tiger Woods. Tommy Armour, winner of multiple major championships and the namesake of a well-known golfing equipment brand, was Medinah's head pro for many years. Course 3 hosted the Western Open three times in 1939, 1962, and 1966; it was one of the largest non-major tournaments on the early tour. Medinah's courses were originally designed by Tom Bendelow. In the 1930 Medinah Open, Lighthorse Harry played the course with a 63 (the  lowest score ever shot on the course) in the second round. The junior course record of 68 is jointly held by Russell Katz and Kenny Wittenberg. Medinah's board approved a redesign of the course, subject to the availability of funds and the return of adjacent land to the club by Medinah's four founders. The major redesign was followed by several more changes. Roger Packard's 1986 redesign in preparation for the U.S. Open brought substantial changes and was followed by Rees Jones' work in preparation for the 2006 PGA Championship, which extended Course 3 to , at the time , the longest golf course in major championship history. Furthermore, Medinah Country Club is noted for the three waterfront par three holes in numbers 2, 13, and 17. Medinah's Course 3 hosted the BMW Championship on August 15–18, 2019! during which the course record was tied or set four different times. In round 1, both Justin Thomas and Jason Kokrak shot 65, tying the course record previously set by Skip Kendall, Mike Weir and Tiger Woods. On Friday, Hideki Matsuyama broke the record by two shots, shooting a bogey-free 63. In the third round on Saturday, after starting with  five consecutive birdies, Thomas shot an 11-under 61, including two eagles, breaking the course record again by two shots. Tiger Woods. Woods' appearances at Medinah have enhanced the club's international reputation. His first win at the course was the 1999 PGA Championship, his second major and first PGA Championship (and also the first PGA Championship hosted at No. 3), which brought him much media attention. In a contest of highly touted young talent, the then-23-year-old Woods held off a challenge from then-19-year-old Sergio García even after the Spaniard hit a shot on the 16th  hole from the base of a tree that seemed to have at least earned him a playoff despite trailing Woods by five shots at one point during the round, but Woods maintained his focus before a raucous crowd and preserved a one-stroke win. In 2006, Woods won by five strokes and became the first to win the PGA Championship twice on the same course. In recognition of this achievement, Woods was made a member of the club. Major tournaments hosted. All held on Course 3: 2012 Ryder Cup. Medinah hosted the Ryder Cup in 2012, its first time in  the state of Illinois, and the first U.S. venue outside the eastern time zone since 1971. The full tournament took place between September 25–30 (including pre-match competitions, press conferences and media activities), with the main competition taking place from September 28–30 on Course 3. Amenities. The club offers various amenities to its members apart from the three golf courses. As they are a part of the club, each of these are exclusive to club members, However, throughout the year, the club holds various events where guests can be invited by members to experience the club's amenities. Member Dining  areas. The clubhouse features six different member dining areas featuring food from Executive Chef Michael Ponzio. These include: Golf Shop. The Golf Shop is a 3000 sq. ft. building separate from the main clubhouse. The shop included golf apparel, accessories, and equipment. Driving Range and Practice Greens. The driving range includes seven target greens as well as a short game area. The club also has two practice putting greens, one located in the front of the clubhouse, and one in the backyard. Pool and Cabana Bar. Located to the southeast side of the clubhouse, the pool features two diving boards , five competitive swim lanes, as well as a deck for seating. Near the poolside is the Cabana bar and a snack bar. Golf Learning Center. The golf learning center has three virtual practice bays, a fitness bay, and custom club fitting. The center first opened in the winter of 2017 and is available for members to practice off of the course. Racket Center. The racket center has a total of eight tennis courts, four of which are platform courts. The building also features indoor seating arrangements and a firepit. Membership. Medinah Country Club offers 5 categories of membership, all of  which are by invitation only. Regular Membership. Includes full clubhouse access and unlimited access to all three golf courses. Social Membership. Includes full clubhouse access and invitations to use the golf courses four times a year. Offered in three age groups: Over 40, 30–39, and under 30. Associate Membership. Includes full clubhouse access and unlimited access to all three golf courses. Offered in four age groups: 21–25, 26–29, 30–34, 35–39. National Membership. Includes full clubhouse access and full access to the golf courses twelve times a year. To be eligible for this membership category, one's place of residence must  be one hundred twenty five miles or more from the club. International Membership. Includes full clubhouse access and full access to the golf courses twelve times a year. To be eligible for this membership category, one's place of residence must be outside of the United States.