Sunset Ridge Country Club – Played May 2023
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 2100 Sunset Ridge Road, Northfield, Illinois
- Year: 1923
- Original Architect: William Diddle
- Additional Work By: Rick Jacobson
- Course Access: Private
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,754 yards, Par 71, 73.0 Rating/135 Slope
- Blue/White: 6,552 yards, Par 71, 72.2 Rating/133 Slope
- White: 6,409 yards, Par 71, 71.4 Rating/131 Slope
- Gold: 6,095 yards, Par 71, 69.9 Rating/127 Slope (Men’s), 75.6 Rating/136 Slope (Women’s)
- Gold/Red: 5,590 yards, Par 72, 67.6 Rating/122 Slope (Men’s), 72.8 Rating/131 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,331 yards, Par 72, 71.4 Rating/128 Slope (Women’s)
Sunset Ridge Country Club might be a bit of a hidden gem in the Chicago golf landscape. The city boasts so much wonderful golf and some courses can stay below the radar. In fact, when I was talking to some playing partners a few days before, they hadn’t even heard of this course.
The club came into being in 1923. The first members were so eager to get started that they began construction the same month they closed on the land purchase. Since then, changes happened as they do over time. Rick Jacobson was brought in for a restoration which included some tree removal and restoring the size of the bunkers to their original dimensions. On the tournament side, the club has hosted the Western Open and Western Amateur.
That’s all I found on the history side of the club. With that, let’s get into the tour.
Hole 1 – 371 yards – Par 4
The round starts with a mid-length par four with bunkers up the left side but most of them can be carried. At the green, you are introduced to what you will see throughout the round. Sloping that is usually subtle and speedy.
Hole 2 – 405 yards – Par 4
The further up the right you can push your drive, the shorter the approach shot will be. Placement on your second shot is important because the green slopes heavily from right to left.
Hole 3 – 414 yards – Par 4
We flip the script from the last hole here and a draw is the preferred shot shape. You must avoid the bunkers on the left corner for an opportunity to attack the pin.
Hole 4 – 383 yards – Par 4
A large bunker dots the left side of this fairway and needs to be avoided at all costs. If you can do that, the green presents itself as a generous target for the approach shot.
Hole 5 – 171 yards – Par 3
Sand is the primary defense of this green. However, don’t underestimate the sloping green once you’re there. Putts must be precise to avoid taking too many.
Hole 6 – 337 yards – Par 4
Tree removal is all the rage in golf course architecture circles right now but I understand their usefulness on this hole. Without them, it would be a defenseless short part four. With them, you have to consider your tee shot and make sure it doesn’t drift too far left or you’ll risk being blocked out.
Hole 7 – 537 yards – Par 5
Take care to hit a good drive on this dogleg left. Poor shots will make for a difficult second shot.
The crossing pond will cause some consternation depending on your length. As you go farther right, the carry increases.
Hole 8 – 154 yards – Par 3
This pretty setting holds a short par three that plays slightly uphill to a green sloping from back to front.
Hole 9 – 429 yards – Par 4
The ninth asks a demanding, if not complex question. It plays long and straight before going downhill a bit on the approach. The clubhouse provides an aiming aid on the tee shot.
A big opening in front of the green provides golfers the option of running up their approach shots.
Hole 10 – 405 yards – Par 4
A wide fairway here makes a full driver the proper play. Just make sure to stay out of the right bunker.
The left bunker here is actually well short of the green and just serves as visual deception.
Hole 11 – 408 yards – Par 4
This hole bends slightly right through the trees. You can really see it in the second photo looking back up the fairway.
Hole 12 – 373 yards – Par 4
Here is another instance of bunkers on each side of the fairway. Depending on how far your drive goes, the green sits slightly blind from the fairway. That makes for a nice bit of trickery on a shorter hole.
Hole 13 – 518 yards – Par 5
With trees up the right side, this hole really calls for a fade. The fairway bunkers provide alignment aids for your tee shot.
If you’ve executed on your drive, the green is open in front and definitely provides a chance to get home in two.
Check out the wave-like quality of the ripples in this green.
Hole 14 – 419 yards – Par 4
I was playing this hole back into the wind which made it much more difficult. Hitting it in the left bunker also didn’t help. You can see the entire hole from the tee as it plays straight all the way to the green.
This green has some significant slope and is bisected by a distinct ridge.
Hole 15 – 171 yards – Par 3
Danger on the left makes this a nervy tee shot, especially when the pin is tucked back left. The smart shot is to the middle of the green but that’s no fun!
Hole 16 – 525 yards – Par 5
This is a rare hole with a double dogleg that moves left before turning back right near the green. At this distance, it will be three shots to reach for most players.
For me, the green wasn’t an option on the second shot, so the sensible layup way just left of the bunker.
The subtle sloping on this green makes you think when you’re putting.
Hole 17 – 144 yards – Par 3
Bunkers dot the landscape along the front of this green. The putting surface is a big target that dips down in its back right section.
Hole 18 – 388 yards – Par 4
This hole meanders left to right as it returns to the clubhouse. Like many others, bunkers populate each side of the fairway.
You won’t want to go any more left than the American flag with rough and bunkers guarding that side.
Here is a look at the flags at Sunset Ridge.
And here are the tee markers.
Sunset Ridge probably flies below the radar in the golf-rich Chicago suburbs. I’d bet they like it that way. The course is understated but solid from start to finish. It was in wonderful shape when I saw it and a nice breeze made for plenty of challenge. If you get an invite here, check it out.