Northmoor Country Club History
In August 1918, while playing golf at Evanston Golf Club, Nathan Klee - a resident of Highland Park - learned that the Evanston Club was going to close its nine-hole course at the end of the year. Klee immediately met with a small group of friends who also were ardent golfers and proposed that they obtain an option to lease the nine-hole course and its clubhouse in order to determine if the group could form a country club. A 60-day option was obtained for a period of two years, and on November 22, 1918 - shortly after the end of World War I - Northmoor Country Club was born.
During the first year it became apparent to the board of directors that the Evanston facility would not meet the current and future needs of Northmoor members. A committee was formed to locate property to build a golf course somewhere between Evanston and Fort Sheridan. On September 5, 1919, the board was authorized to purchase or lease property which was located in Ravinia, Illinois, near Green Bay Road at its intersection with a dirt road known as Edgewood.
Donald Ross had been hired as the golf course architect and reported to the board that in his opinion, "This property could be made into one of the finest golf courses in the country,” Ross said. Work on the new course began in the early winter of 1920. It was necessary to cut down more than 1,000 trees in order to clear the fairways on the first and second holes (the first and ninth hole of the current red nine).
It was not until June 18, 1929, that the members - at a special meeting - authorized the board of directors to proceed with the replacement of the temporary buildings with a permanent clubhouse at a cost "not to exceed" $400,000.
In 1967 it was proposed by many members that since there was an 18-hole golf course in existence north of Clavey Road, it was prudent to sell the property south of Clavey Road. Clavey Road was repaved but never widened and, accordingly, holes 4 and 5 were added to the existing holes on the south side of Clavey Road, which created our 27-hole golf course.
Northmoor Country Club Facilities / Amenities
Building on its traditions since 1918, Northmoor features 27 holes of golf, with its original 18 holes designed by legendary golf course designer Donald Ross, and the most recent renovation by highly respected course architect Tyler J. Rae. There is also a recently renovated indoor golf simulator facility for the golfer to keep their games sharp during the winter months.
The Club also has a Junior Olympic sized pool, with lap and general swimming, a family-friendly shallow swimming area, an outdoor hot tub, and dozens of lounge chairs perfect for relaxing in the sun. Northmoor offers a wide range of dining and entertaining options, with a reputation for great food, indoor and outdoor dining, and menu options spanning from casual to fine dining. Northmoor regularly hosts special events of all sizes, from intimate private dinners to larger events including golf tournaments and weddings
The racquets program is active year-round and their amenities include a total of 9 tennis courts composed of Har-Tru, 4 pickleball courts, and 4 platform tennis courts. The beautifully appointed pro shop, pristine grounds, locker rooms, a tournament staging area and efficient viewing opportunities create a welcoming environment. There is a strong tennis and platform tennis program, with Pickleball on the rise.
