Farewell to the King

Arnold Palmer’s Legacy Lives On In His Midwest Course Designs

The King at his last signature design, Royal Golf Club in Minnesota.

He was a man so much larger than life, a man full of class and charisma, a gifted athlete, a successful businessman, a deeply devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He won 62 PGA Tour events and seven Major titles, and playing at the dawn of the television age, the charismatic, down-to-earth superstar helped create soaring popularity in the game he loved.

Indeed, there is little doubt golf is what it is today because of Arnold Palmer, the man we called The King. Though we sadly said farewell last fall, when he died at the age of 87, Palmer’s enormous legacy in golf lives on. For those of us in the Great Lakes region, his legacy literally lives on in the dozens of incredible course designs in the places we call home. Here’s a brief look at some of his best in the Midwest:

* denotes private course.

WISCONSIN

The Bog

SAUKVILLE

www.golfthebog.com

 

Geneva National Golf Club

LAKE GENEVA

www.genevanationalresort.com

 

MICHIGAN

Coyote Preserve Golf Club

FENTON
www.coyotepreserve.com

 

Northville Hills Golf Club

NORTHVILLE

www.northvillehillsgolfclub.com

 

Ravines Golf Club

SAUGATUCK

www.ravinesgolfclub.com

 

The Legend at Shanty Creek Resort

BELLAIRE

www.shantycreek.com

 

Manitou Passage Golf Club

CEDAR

www.manitoupassagegolfclub.com

 

MINNESOTA

Deacon’s Lodge Golf Course at Breezy Pointe Resort

BRAINERD

www.breezypointresort.com

 

Royal Golf Club

LAKE ELMO

www.royalgolfclubmn.com

 

ILLINOIS

The Den at Fox Creek Golf Club

BLOOMINGTON

www.cityblm.org

 

Spencer T. Olin Community Golf Course

ALTON

www.spencertolingolf.com

 

Hawthorn Woods Country Club*

LAKE ZURICH

www.hwccgolf.com

 

White Eagle Golf Club*

NAPERVILLE

www.whiteeaglegc.com