The restoration of Medina (#3) makes the rolling property magnificent, spacious once again

GOLF recently published its latest rankings of Top 100 Courses in USA (2024-2525)a list that includes 11 arrivals. Some of them you may recognize. Others you may not. Here, in the spotlight for newcomers, we’ll introduce you to these 100 best beginner gems.

Newcomers Spotlight: Medina (#3) / Rank: 74th

Location: Medina, Ill.
Business: Private
YEAR: 1928/2024
Architect: Tom Bendelow/Ogilvy, Cocking & Mead

What you need to know about Medina (#3)

One of America’s most popular golf courses returns to our Top 100 rankings after an eight-year absence. The driving force was an in-house restoration by the Australian design firm of Ogilvy Cocking and Mead. Originally completed in 1932, No. 3 was arguably Tom Bendelow’s boldest and best design, but playing host to major events took a toll as the narrow, heavily treed course strayed too far from its roots. of its Golden Age. The OCM removed the poorly positioned trees and returned to Bendelow’s daring bunkering as a unifying theme. The spin property is once again stunning and spacious, and lined with large holes throughout. The use of a split rail fence (which marks out of bounds) on holes 5-7 provides excellent strategic tension, and holes 15 and 16 (the 16th tee is one of five new holes created by OCM) are a good shot a – two. .

What our reviewers say

“Medina has benefited greatly from a clean-up. The OCM renovation offers a configurable championship venue to provide an enjoyable member-guest experience. The player must still play excellent golf to score. It was profoundly much better than the previous iteration with a hint of Australian ethos. Had played before with not much intention to return. This time, the whole group left with a sense of anticipation to play again – sooner rather than later.

“Medinah had a well-earned reputation as a long, hard championship venue and OCM transformed it from boring to thoughtful, interesting and downright weird. The six brand new holes at the end of the course bring the kind of exciting finish that a championship deserves with plenty of flexibility in how the holes can be laid out. The redesigned fairway has a much better flow to it and the greens are interesting while not being so heavy that you have to worry about them at championship green speeds. These changes should make Medinah the #3 Midwest anchor the USGA is looking for.”

“The Medina renovation is revolutionary and has transformed a difficult but disconnected course into a more aesthetically pleasing course that sits more naturally on the grounds (actually one of the best in Chicago). The course is full of strategy and variety with appropriately graded bunkers. More than anything she now exudes a little charm – something I never thought of in Medinah #3.”