Stonebridge Country Club

Stonebridge is a Chicago-area country club developed by Tom Fazio, already known to be a tough cookie, with the intention of hosting professional golf tournaments (it would host the Ameritech Senior Open and LPGA Kellogg-Keebler Classic in turn). Those who choose to tee it up from the full yardage of this championship course may be asking for punishment, whether from water or tree-lined fairways.

No. 10 is a take on the tree-lined concept: Although only 315 yards from the back tees, players will be taking a big risk if they pull out the big stick (and intentionally so, on Fazio’s part). The closer is a classic eye-catcher from the designer, a par five with a pond and a creek all along the right side.

If you thought the course was tough prior to the 2020 renovation completed by Fazio, you may be in for a surprise. It has now been extended to 7,200 yards for the 2021 season. Fazio threw you a bone, however, implementing a new “Himalayas-style” putting course, so you can make sure at least one club is ready for the challenge ahead.