January 05, 2015 – Medinah Country Club has approved a $3.6 million project to restore the club’s Course No. 2 to its original character while upgrading its infrastructure to 21st-century standards.
The project is set to begin next fall, with the goal of re-opening in June 2017. It will include the construction of state-of-the-art greens, along with new tees and bunkers, the installation of bentgrass fairways and extensive improvements to its storm drainage system.
Designed by prominent Scottish course architect Tom Bendelow – who created all three courses at Medinah – No. 2 opened in 1927 and has remained virtually untouched. After the restoration, it will play from 4,800 to 6,400 yards and will include a variety of tee options to make it more family friendly.
MORE COURSES: Today’s players want firm fairways and fast greens
“Most people don’t know what a special gem Course No. 2 is,” said Curtis Tyrrell, Medinah’s director of golf course operations. “When we restore the design elements and upgrade the playing surfaces, it’s going to bring an exciting new dimension to the overall Medinah golf experience.”
Tyrrell will spearhead the restoration, while course architect Rees Jones will serve as a consultant. Jones, of course, led the renovation of Medinah’s Course No. 3 ahead of the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Medinah is the Chicago area’s most frequent major championship venue. Along with the 2012 Ryder Cup, Course No. 3 has hosted three U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, and 1990), two PGA Championships (1999 and 2006) and three Western Opens (1946, 1962, and 1966).
With the restoration of Course No. 2, Medinah will have invested more than $14 million since 2008 to upgrade its three courses. Course No. 1 reopened last summer after a renovation by Tom Doak.
Original: http://www.pga.com/golf-courses/golf-buzz/medinah-embark-36-million-renovation-course-no-2
