Bob O'Link Golf Club
Highland Park, IL•Private
Awards
Panelists Score
Bob O'Link Golf Club
1120 Crofton Ave N
Highland Park, IL 60035-3999
United States
Overview
Bob O’Link was originally designed by Donald Ross in 1916 on a tight 125-acre site. In 1923, the club acquired an extra 36 acres and hired C.H. Allison to redesign a layout that opened in 1925. The course long suffered issues with drainage as it was located on the floodplain of the Skokie River. In 2014 when all 18 greens were damaged in a cold winter, some up to 80 percent turf loss, the club hired Jim Urbina, who co-designed Old Macdonald with Tom Doak and had recently renovated both Pasatiempo and Yeamans Hall. Urbina removed 700 trees and transplanted 40, improved drainage and irrigation, and replaced the Poa grass with bent. What remains is a golf course more in line with Allison’s original intent and more strategic and enjoyable than ever before.
About
Golf Digest Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 Greatest / Best In State Scores
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Very solid course across the board. Nice variety of shots required with options provided to maximize opportunities to access difficult pins. Tremendous conditioning and just a joy to play."
Read More2025
Review
“Very solid course across the board. Nice variety of shots required with options provided to maximize opportunities to access difficult pins. Tremendous conditioning and just a joy to play."
Read More2025
Review
“A great place to spend an afternoon. Not overly challenging for the better player but the greens are some of the best you will ever putt. Fast and true bent."
Read More2023
Review
“Great course recently restored/renovated by a team under Jim Urbina's leadership. Wonderful green complexes, impeccably maintained. Firm, fast, and lots of fun! A day on the course followed by an afternoon on their back patio is a golfer's dream."
Read More2021
Review
“Another great club in Chicagoland and one worth playing. Try the transfusion as it will rival other clubs as being the best."
Read More2019
