Getting To Know: The Preserve at Oak Meadows

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Ed Stevenson who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property
The Preserve at Oak Meadows is a championship quality 18-hole golf course, situated withing a stunning 288-acre property owned by the DuPage Forest Preserve District. The par 72 layout features 5 sets of tees, providing the flexibility to be both challenging and fun for highly skilled golfers, beginners, and everyone in between. It was recently re-designed by renowned golf course architect Greg Martin, who brought his passionate environmental commitment to the property along with his design expertise.

The Preserve is a descendent of the old Elmhurst Country Club, where the legendary Ben Hogan won the 1941 Chicago Open over the likes of Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, and Craig Wood among other top players of the era. Defined by its striking oak and hickory woodlands, the parkland-style course was renamed Oak Meadows in 1985. Notwithstanding its distinguished history, today's Preserve is essentially a new course featuring modern bentgrass tees, green, and fairways - along with white tour sand bunkers and a world class practice facility.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
The Preserve at Oak Meadows has joined the ranks of "must play" public courses for visitors to the Chicago area. Located in the suburb of Addison, The Preserve is less than 10 miles from O'Hare International Airport and easily accessed from major expressways. In addition to world class golf, the expansive 288 acre property connects golfers to nature. A round at The Preserve is like a tour of a norther Illinois landscape featuring woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and a beautiful river corridor.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
The fairways and greens at The Preserve are generous, and architect Greg Martin provides the golfer with choices. The layout is full opportunities to make decisions. Bold choices will result in both risk and reward, but the golfer who takes a more conservative approach will always find room to play. Check the green shapes and pin locations carefully - golfers who plan ahead to set up an angle to the pin will find plenty of opportunities for birdies. Also, choose your tees wisely... at over 7000 yards, the back tees are a true test of golf and the forced carries on some holes will challenge shorter hitters.

Any recent changes to the golf course? Or any upcoming changes?
In 2017, The Preserve at Oak Meadows reopened from a massive 2-year improvement project. The "Oak Meadows Project" was a major environmental renovation to improve stormwater management, restore river water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and also create a new world-class 18 hole golf course. This transformation took 27 flood prone, 1920's era golf holes, and produced a 288 acre environmental haven the Forest Preserve District of DuPage now calls a "golf preserve." The Preserve at Oak Meadows proves that conservation and recreation can thrive together, and is a model for integrated open land use.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
The Preserve at Oak Meadows received the 2017 "Force of Nature Award" from Chicago Wilderness. This award "recognizes people and organizations whose environmental conservation, restoration, advocacy, and/or educational activities extend above and beyond the ordinary and are inspirational examples for others."

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
Hole 16 at The Preserve is the most photographed because it showcases a stunning backdrop of oak trees, a revitalized river corridor, dazzling white sand bunkers, and a rolling fairway surrounded by native prairie - all tied together in one exciting par 4.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
The par 3 hole 8 is one of my favorites. Despite being the shortest hole on the course, it offers a wide variety of challenges and pin placements. Don't let the length of the hole catch you off guard! Watch the hole location carefully and plan your club selection to leave yourself with an uphill put.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
The 19th hole at The Preserve features a variety of local craft beers to compliment post round stories! While visiting The Preserve, be sure to check out the drawings and plans for the new clubhouse. Groundbreaking is planned for 2019, and the new building will feature an indoor/outdoor bar with extended patio views of the 10th tee and 18th green.

Who Holds Course Record and What Was Their Score?
Ben Hogan carded a 66 in route to winning the 1941 Chicago Open at this property - a course record which stood for decades! Now that the course has reopened with a new layout, the new course record for The Preserve is up for grabs. Come and take your shot at history!

Back Tee Stats
Par: 72
Yardage: 7015
Slope: 142
Rating: 74.1

More Information
The Preserve at Oak Meadows
900 N. Wood Dale Rd.
Addison, IL, 60191
630-595-0071
DuPageGolf.com