Raymond Hearn to lead master plan at Aurora Country Club’s 1914 course

Aurora Country Club, a Chicago-area club founded in 1914, has selected golf course architect Raymond Hearn to develop a master plan for a renovation and “sympathetic restoration” of its course.

Sympathetic restoration, as described by Hearn, refers to preserving the design spirit of early architects while updating for modern play and sustainability. “It’s a careful balance between honoring the past and adapting to the present,” he said.

The course was originally laid out by Tom Bendelow in 1914, expanded to 18 holes in 1915—potentially with input from William Langford — and later refined in 1935 when A.W. Tillinghast was consulted. This lineage places Aurora among the region’s Golden Age designs, a group increasingly receiving restoration attention across the country.

Hearn’s recent work at courses such as Crestmont Country Club (Donald Ross, 1921) in New Jersey and Flossmoor Country Club (Hebert Tweedie, 1899) in Illinois has demonstrated his approach to restoring historic strategy while improving playability for varied skill levels.

Aurora leaders emphasized that the process will be member-driven. Curtis Malm, PGA head professional, and John Gurke, CGCS superintendent for 35 years, will play key roles alongside the master planning committee. Gurke said Hearn’s respect for Golden Age design made him a natural fit.

Master planning is increasingly common as private clubs seek to protect architectural heritage while modernizing. According to the American Society of Golf Course Architects, nearly 70 percent of its members reported restoration-related projects in the past five years. Aurora’s effort reflects this broader industry trend.

“This is about ensuring our course continues to be among the finest for generations,” said committee chair Tom Cross.

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