You’re driving down West Lake Avenue, and if you aren’t looking for it, you might just miss the entrance. But once you turn in, the vibe shifts. The Glen Club at 2901 West Lake Avenue in Glenview, IL, isn't your typical suburban hangout. It’s built on the bones of the old Naval Air Station Glenview, which is kinda wild when you think about it. Where fighter jets used to take off, people are now trying—and often failing—to save par on some of the most undulated greens in the Midwest.
It’s prestigious. It’s expensive. Yet, somehow, it doesn’t feel like those stuffy, wood-paneled country clubs where you feel like you’re breaking a rule just by breathing.
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The Tom Fazio Factor at West Lake Avenue
Most people who book a tee time here do it for one reason: Tom Fazio. He’s the architect. In the golf world, that’s like saying your house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. When Fazio showed up to the flat, concrete remains of the airbase, he basically had a blank canvas. He moved an ungodly amount of dirt. We’re talking over two million cubic yards of earth.
The result?
A landscape that looks like it belongs in the rolling hills of Kentucky or maybe even a piece of North Carolina, but definitely not the flat prairies of Illinois. The elevation changes are the real deal. On the 4th hole, you're looking down a dramatic drop that makes you second-guess every club in your bag. It’s a par 3 that ruins scorecards.
Honestly, the "West Lake Avenue" address is almost a misnomer because once you’re on the back nine, the road noise disappears. You’re in a bowl of fescue and water hazards. It’s quiet.
Not Your Grandpa’s Private Club
Here is the thing about The Glen Club that trips people up: it’s daily-fee. Sort of.
It operates as a "corporate" or "semi-private" facility. You can stay at the hotel on-site—which has about 21 rooms—and get access, or you can pay the premium rate to play. It isn't cheap. You’re looking at significant green fees that often rival the top-tier courses in Vegas or Scottsdale. But for that price, you get the locker room treatment, the bag drop service, and a practice facility that makes you feel like a pro even if you're hitting shanks.
The clubhouse is a massive, 40,000-square-foot beast. It houses the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. If you have any interest in the history of the game, you've gotta walk through those exhibits. You'll see names like Chick Evans and Charles "Old Tom" Macdonald. It’s a nice reminder that Chicago is arguably the historical epicenter of American golf.
Living the Glenview Lifestyle
If you live in Glenview, The Glen Club is basically the North Star of the "The Glen" redevelopment project. When the Navy base closed in the 90s, the town had a choice: let it rot or turn it into a masterpiece. They chose the latter. Surrounding the course, you have high-end residential pockets, the Kohl Children’s Museum nearby, and a whole retail district.
But the club remains the crown jewel.
The food at the Grill is actually good. I’m not talking "good for a golf course." I mean genuinely solid. Their outdoor patio overlooks the 18th green, and on a Friday night in July, it’s the place to be. You'll see wedding parties taking photos by the bridge while golfers are coming in finishing their rounds. It’s a weirdly perfect mix of high-stakes sports and suburban social life.
The Logistics: What to Know Before You Go
- The Address: 2901 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60026.
- The Pace: It’s a tough walk. Most people take carts, and honestly, with those hills, you probably should too.
- The Wind: Because the course is so open and sits on a former airfield, the wind rips through there. It can turn a 150-yard shot into a 180-yard nightmare in seconds.
- Events: They do a ton of weddings. If you're planning a Saturday visit just to see the Hall of Fame, check the calendar. The place gets swamped with bridal parties.
Why it Actually Matters
We see "luxury" labels thrown around a lot in the North Shore. Everything is a "luxury" something. But The Glen Club earned it by transforming a literal slab of military concrete into a Top 100 course you can actually play. It’s a testament to what happens when a community refuses to settle for another strip mall.
Whether you're there to chase a personal best on the links or you're just attending a corporate retreat in one of their ballrooms, the scale of the place hits you. It feels big. It feels important.
Making the Most of a Visit
If you’re heading to West Lake Avenue for the first time, don't just rush to the first tee. Show up an hour early. Hit the grass range. Most suburban courses force you to hit off mats; The Glen Club keeps their turf pristine.
After your round, or if you're just stopping by, grab a seat on the terrace. Order the burger—it’s a local favorite for a reason—and just watch the shadows stretch across the 18th fairway. It’s one of the best views in Cook County, hands down.
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For those looking to stay, the overnight "Stay and Play" packages are the secret way to feel like a member without the five-figure initiation fee. You get the run of the place, breakfast, and usually a better shot at the prime morning tee times that locals scramble for online.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Check the current seasonal rates on their official portal, as they fluctuate wildly between May and October. If you’re a Glenview resident, look into the specific resident discounts—they aren't always advertised front-and-center, but they exist. If you aren't a golfer, book a table at the Grill for sunset; it's the easiest way to experience the Fazio landscape without ever swinging a club.