Black Sheep Golf Club is a 27-hole private golf club located in the Chicago western suburb of Sugar Grove, IL. Construction of Black Sheep began in 2000 and the club and course opened for play in 2002.
The club sits on a 285-acre parcel of former farmland and is surrounded by existing farmlands. The clubhouse, centered in the middle of the property, sits perched atop the highest elevation on the site and provides 360-degree views of the golf course. Over 150 acres of the property was restored to its natural prairie consisting of a variety of prairie grasses, plants and flowers.
Black Sheep was designed in keeping with such classic inland links courses as Shinnecock Hills, Prairie Dunes and Sand Hills.
The Club
The concept for Black Sheep was developed by a small group of golfers in the fall of 1999. The intention was to build an exceptional golf course for players of all abilities to enjoy in an unpretentious casual atmosphere of comradery amongst friends and fellow members centered around the traditions of the game of golf.
The club has 27 holes of championship links golf, an intimate clubhouse with a great room, well appointed locker room, large veranda, bar and a famous bartender.
Every year Black Sheep has been open our membership has grown, the golf course has matured, and members and guests continue to enjoy the club as it was intended.
Strategic design incorporating the breadth and size of the property has produced 27 championship links style golf holes intertwined among acres of rolling native grass prairie; various water and wetland features; and over 300 waste, fairway, approach and greenside bunkers.
Unusually large fairways give players of varying degrees of ability several risk/reward options off the tee. The more risk a player takes with his tee shot in the direction of primary hazards (prairie, water, fescue grass, bunkers) the greater reward for the second shot providing a better angle, better visibility or a shorter approach to a green.
The green complexes vary in size and style offer a variety of pin placements among subtle and not so subtle undulations. Greenside bunkers play a substantial role in player approach shot strategy throughout the course.
The gently rolling terrain provides continuous elevation changes hole to hole throughout the golf course. The layout for each of the nines is a mixture of memorable par 3’s, interesting (and occasionally daunting) par 4’s, and challenging and distinctive par 5’s.
A unique and truly links style golf course feature prevalent at Black Sheep: WIND. The notorious Chicago winds sweep across the landscape constantly but not consistently. The routing of each nine was designed with the prevailing winds in mind but the unpredictability of the wind coupled with no protection from trees or surrounding development nearly guarantees playing a different course each day.
In addition to the three nines –each of which is a par 36 measuring 3,300 to 3,800 yards – there is also a world class practice facility. The practice facility includes a full range with a set of tees on each end; a unique and exceptional short game area; and an unusually large 2-acre practice putting green.
The practice facility was renovated in the fall/winter of 2019/2020 improving the short game area and incorporating a putting course into the large putting green complex.
Strategic design incorporating the breadth and size of the property has produced 27 championship links style golf holes intertwined among acres of rolling native grass prairie; various water and wetland features; and over 300 waste, fairway, approach and greenside bunkers.
Unusually large fairways give players of varying degrees of ability several risk/reward options off the tee. The more risk a player takes with his tee shot in the direction of primary hazards (prairie, water, fescue grass, bunkers) the greater reward for the second shot providing a better angle, better visibility or a shorter approach to a green.
The green complexes vary in size and style offer a variety of pin placements among subtle and not so subtle undulations. Greenside bunkers play a substantial role in player approach shot strategy throughout the course.
The gently rolling terrain provides continuous elevation changes hole to hole throughout the golf course. The layout for each of the nines is a mixture of memorable par 3’s, interesting (and occasionally daunting) par 4’s, and challenging and distinctive par 5’s.
A unique and truly links style golf course feature prevalent at Black Sheep: WIND. The notorious Chicago winds sweep across the landscape constantly but not consistently. The routing of each nine was designed with the prevailing winds in mind but the unpredictability of the wind coupled with no protection from trees or surrounding development nearly guarantees playing a different course each day.
In addition to the three nines –each of which is a par 36 measuring 3,300 to 3,800 yards – there is also a world class practice facility. The practice facility includes a full range with a set of tees on each end; a unique and exceptional short game area; and an unusually large 2-acre practice putting green.
The practice facility was renovated in the fall/winter of 2019/2020 improving the short game area and incorporating a putting course into the large putting green complex.
The FLOCK
Black Sheep was built with one simple focus – GOLF. No homes. No condos. No hotel. No swimming pools. No tennis courts. The concept of the club from course style to membership to the ideal atmosphere was design by golfers for golfers and embodies golf in its purest state, the way it was when the game was founded in Scotland hundreds of years ago. A place to enjoy the game and the comradery of friends and fellow members in an unpretentious casual atmosphere. Black Sheep members come from all walks of life and all different backgrounds, but all come together as one brotherhood for the love of the game.
The members (The Flock) are the integral part of the continued growth and success the club has achieved. They are the backbone that carry on the furtherance of the traditions of the “gentlemen’s game” for future generations.
Black Sheep has a limited membership and tee times are not required.
The FLOCK
Black Sheep was built with one simple focus – GOLF. No homes. No condos. No hotel. No swimming pools. No tennis courts. The concept of the club from course style to membership to the ideal atmosphere was design by golfers for golfers and embodies golf in its purest state, the way it was when the game was founded in Scotland hundreds of years ago. A place to enjoy the game and the comradery of friends and fellow members in an unpretentious casual atmosphere. Black Sheep members come from all walks of life and all different backgrounds, but all come together as one brotherhood for the love of the game.
The members (The Flock) are the integral part of the continued growth and success the club has achieved. They are the backbone that carry on the furtherance of the traditions of the “gentlemen’s game” for future generations.
Black Sheep has a limited membership and tee times are not required.
Why Black Sheep Golf Club
WHAT MAKES BLACK SHEEP DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CLUBS?
- Membership is limited to 250 single memberships with 27 holes. Most clubs have 275 members plus spouses, seniors, juniors, and have 18 holes
- The dues structure is the lowest of any private golf or country club in the Chicagoland area.
- There are no Range Fees, Bag Storage Fees, Locker Fees and NO food or minimum spending requirements.
- The lowest guest and cart fees of any private golf or country club in the Chicagoland area.
- Black Sheep is a walking friendly course designed with short distances from green to tee.
- We have a caddie program and strongly encourage members and guests to use caddies.
- Black Sheep is open 7 days a week. No Monday Outings!
- We encourage sons to play and have relaxed privileges for kids of all ages and young adults.
- There are no restrictions on guest tee off times. Most clubs restrict guest play to certain days and times.
- A member may have up to 7 guests at any time. A member may have up to 12 guests with approval of the club manager.
- A member may sponsor up to four (4) unaccompanied guests at reasonable rates with approval by the club manager.
- The amenities include an intimate Clubhouse with a well-appointed Locker Room, Large Veranda, Great Room/Bar and our world-famous bartender Jesse.
- Black Sheep offers an unpretentious casual atmosphere. Dress slacks, shirts, sport coats, etc., are not required in the clubhouse at any time. Jeans are always acceptable.
- Membership approval process is not a long drawn out process of approvals like most private golf and country clubs.
Membership Information Request:
Black Sheep represents golf in its purest state, a place where a golfer can play with a prompt pace and enjoy the camaraderie of friends and fellow members in an unpretentious and casual atmosphere.
Please complete the form below to receive information regarding membership, or call Jeff Luetkehans, General Manager at: 630.879.2000.
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Membership Information Request:
Black Sheep represents golf in its purest state, a place where a golfer can play with a prompt pace and enjoy the camaraderie of friends and fellow members in an unpretentious and casual atmosphere.
Please complete the form below and we will follow up with you, or call Jeff Luetkehans, General Manager at: 630.879.2000.
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Want Additional Membership Info?
General Manager: Jeff Luetkehans
Head Golf Professional: Terry Lowe
Golf Operations Manager: Bill Sailor
Outside Service / Caddie Manager: Andy Rhoads
Golf Course Superintendent: Dave Biery
Club President: Vincent A. Solano
For all membership inquires:
please contact Jeff Luetkehans at 630.879.2000
or jeff@blacksheepgolfclub.com
For all Caddy inquires:
please call Andy Rhoads at 630.879.2000
or by email at andy@blacksheepgolfclub.com
2S610 Seavey Rd, Sugar Grove, IL 60554
staff@blacksheepgolfclub.com
Clubhouse: 630.879.2000
Grounds: 630.207.2074