Course of the Week: Knollwood Club

By Golfdom Staff| July 22, 2019 0 Comments

Founded in 1924, Knollwood Club looks new as ever.

The club proudly states that it is “a family club of classic, traditional values.” The course itself is located on 175 rolling acres in Lake Forest, Ill.

The 18-hole, par-72 course holds high expectations from its members and guests and the grounds crew at Knollwood makes sure to give them the best product they can each day. It is one of the premier country clubs in the Chicago market.

Photo: Knollwood Club

A lot of hard work goes into making sure the course stays in top shape. Superintendent Drew Barnett has a 22-member crew that tends to the turf’s needs and sees to the agronomic demands of the club. Barnett’s crew is a diverse one that includes Hispanics, retirees and high school students. According to Barnett, half of his crew has been with the club for more than 10 years, and he even has some members that are going on 20- or 30-plus years.

Photo: Knollwood Club

The course, designed by H.S. Colt and C.H. Alison, has been chosen several times as a championship-level course for USGA and PGA events. Knollwood previously hosted the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 1982, the PGA International Cup in 1986 and the Western Amateur Championship in 2016.