Raymond Hearn to begin Midlothian renovation next month

Midlothian Country Club near Chicago, Illinois, has appointed Raymond Hearn to oversee a renovation of its Herbert Tweedie-designed golf course.

Hearn started work on a master plan in 2015, with construction drawings finished earlier this year. The project, which will break ground next month, includes significant bunker work, new tees, fairway adjustments and new green runoff areas.

“The history of this club is incredible,” said Hearn. “Herbert Tweedie did an outstanding job with the course routing in 1898. Many of the original holes are still intact. The research took a long time to complete as it should on a course this old. Legends such as Walter Hagen, Chick Evans, Francis Ouimet, John McDermott, Tom Vardon all graced these hallowed grounds. In 1914 Walter Hagen won the US Open while Donald Ross consulted with the club on course improvements prior to that.”

Hearn will be working closely with Leibold Construction, the club’s general manager Tom Ahern and golf course superintendent Cory Von Tungein on the project. President Matt Barry, past president and club historian Mark Wheeler and various board and committee members have helped to get the project started.

“As with all my work, it is all about restoring and creating great angles and options,” said Hearn. “Shot value, strategy and playability are always at the top of my list. The project’s duration will be fall of 2021 through the spring of 2022. The before and after images of each hole in our planning has been very well received. In 2020, we completed a test run of some sample bunker shapes and forms on the second hole and the membership loved what they saw.”

“Ray has a great eye for classical restoration and renovation detail at historic clubs,” said Wheeler. “He respects our great history. We enjoy working with him.”

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