About Cog Hill Golf and Country Club

Watch our five part Golf Talk interview with Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek by using the links below.

Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part One

Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part Two

Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk Interview, Part Three

Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part Four

Frank Jemsek, Golf Talk interview, Part Five

Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, tucked away in the Chicago southwestern suburb of Lemont, Illinois is truly the crown jewel of Illinois golf, and one of the finest golf course facilities in the Midwest. First opened in 1927, Cog Hill has been wowing golfers ever since. Now owned by the Jemsek family, whose patriarch Joe Jemsek is widely considered the father of championship level public golf, Cog Hill Golf and Country Club gives golfers of all skill levels four courses to test themselves on.

Along with the four great 18 hole courses, Cog Hill includes a driving range and complete learning facility for both sharpening your game or golf lessons. The historic, beautiful clubhouse plays host to numerous weddings and banquets.

When considering Cog Hill, there is much to tell. Let's start with a breakdown of each of the courses.

Cog Hill Golf and Country Club Course #1 was designed by architect David McIntosh back in 1927. The course will challenge you, but not bring you to your knees. Gentle rolling wooded terrain defines the course along with elevated and sloping greens. Far from an "easy" course, #1 will require a variety of clubs and the ability to make some challenging shots. A challenge for the more advanced golfer, Course #1 will not cause the beginner to suffer too much frustration. Course #1 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club has been rated 4 stars by Golf Digest magazine as well as being selected as a "Best Places To Play" by the same magazine. Course #1 can be played from any of 4 sets of tee boxes.

We have the par 4, number 3 hole, a dogleg with a pond in front of the green, the par 5 dogleg of hole number 6 and the par 3, hole number 8 on the Look Around Golf Golf Course Directory and Virtual Golf Course Tour. To view the Cog Hill Course #1 virtual golf course tour click on the Course #1 photo above.

Watch a video of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek talk about both Course #1 and Course #3.

Now we move onto the real hidden gem of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Course #2, also called The Ravines. Originally designed back in 1929 by golf course architect David McIntosh and original co-owner Bert Coghill, The Ravines is a championship level course in its own right. The course was renovated by renowned golf course architects Joe Lee and Rocky Roquemore in preparation for the 1997 U.S. Amateur. The course features plenty of water, bunkers, ravines (of course!) and some very challenging greens.

The Ravines course is the recipient of many awards and accolades including 4 stars from Golf Digest magazine, rated as one of America's 100 best courses for $100 or less by Golf Digest Course and Travel Magazine and Hole #4, featured on our virtual golf course tour, was selected as the Favorite Short Par 3 by PGA Professionals Guide to Travel. Along with its more famous sibling, Dubsdread, Course #4, The Ravines was ranked as one of the ten best two-course combinations in the entire world by Links Magazine. The Ravines course plays from 3 sets of tees.

We're showing the highly ranked par 3, hole #4 along with the challenge of the par 5, hole #9 and the par 4, hole #10 on the Look Around Golf Golf Course Directory and Virtual Golf Course Tour. To see The Ravines virtual golf course tour, click on the Ravines course photo above.

Watch a video of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek talk about The Ravines and find out why it's his personal favorite among the four Cog Hill Golf courses

Onto Course #3, designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee in 1963. Very similar in character, playability and challenge as Course #1, Course #3 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club is laid out in the same style of terrain. Listed among Golf Digest's Best Places to Play, Course #3 is a worthy opponent and perfect for when you need a quicker, faster paced game.

We have the par 3, hole #4 featuring a good deal of water in front of the green, the par 4, hole #13 and the par 3, hole number 16 with a water obstacle running along the right side on the Look Around Golf Golf Course Directory and Virtual Golf Course Tour, To view the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club Course #3 virtual golf course tour, click on the Course #3 photo above.

Watch a video of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek talk about playing both Course #3 and Course #1.

Now let's visit the most famous course at Cog Hill Golf, Course #4, the aptly named "Dubsdread", home of the BMW Championship. What can one truly say about Dubsdread, that hasn't already been said? Probably not a lot, but we'll touch on some of the highlights.

The course was opened in 1964, the product of the skills of golf course architects Dick Wilson and Joe Lee and the vision for a public, championship level course of Joe Jemsek. With tight and unforgiving landing areas, serious bunkering, especially since the large scale makeover by Reese Jones prior to the 2009 BMW Championship, Dubsdread is a true championship level test for even the most skilled golfers. The course record of 62 was shot by none other than Tiger Woods on day 3 of the ,2009 BMW Championship. I don't think it will be broken anytime soon.

Dubsdread has been the host of several championship level events over the years including the BMW Championship, The Western Open and several UDGA Championships including the 97th U.S. Amateur in 1997. The length of the course is 7,554 yards.

The rankings and tributes to Dubsdread are far too many to list here but one we'll talk about is Hole #16 being selected to the 500 Best Golf Holes by Golf Magazine. The description on this challenging hole is as follows: Par 4, 459 yard dogleg left. from the elevated tee box you'll want to go at it with less than a driver so as set up the proper approach shot to the green. If you miss the green, on either the left or right sides, you'll be seriously challenged to save par.

Watch a video of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club owner, Frank Jemsek talk about playing Dubsdread,

You can see the par 3, #6 hole, the par 4, #8 hole and the par 3, #14 hole on the the Look Around Golf Golf Course Directory and Virtual Golf Course Tour. To view the Dubsdread, Course #4 virtual golf course tour, click on the Dubsdread course photo above.

To see a complete 18 hole virtual golf course tour of Dubsdread, shot just before the 2009 BMW Championship, click here