Crystal Downs Country Club

MacKenzie and Maxwell's course on a sand ridge between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake, short by modern standards but full of angled fairways and wild greens.

A rough nine-hole course came first in 1927 on land named for its resemblance to English chalk downs. Alister MacKenzie, traveling back across the country after Cypress Point, was persuaded to look at the site, and he and Perry Maxwell turned it into 18 holes. Maxwell supervised construction and returned each summer, living beside what is now the 8th fairway, until the back nine was finished in 1933.

The course occupies a ridge about 100 feet above the two lakes, and the wind off Lake Michigan is constant. At 6,518 yards it relies on staggered, tilted fairways and greens with severe contour, such as the kidney-shaped 7th, rather than length. Tom Doak, a member, has handled restoration work in recent years. Remote location and limited facilities have kept major events away; the 1991 U.S. Senior Amateur is its only notable championship. Its standing comes almost entirely from the quality of the design.

Holes to know

7

Par 4 · 335 yd

A short par 4 known for its kidney-shaped green.

8

Par 5 · 550 yd

The longest hole on the front nine, beside the farmhouse where Perry Maxwell lived during construction.

11

Par 3 · 196 yd

A par 3 whose severe green was rebuilt by Tom Doak and Brian Schneider in 2019.

Championships

• U.S. Senior Amateur 1991

Design history

• 2017: Renaissance Golf Design expanded the 2nd green after restoring the 13th green and 14th tee
• 2019: Tom Doak and Brian Schneider rebuilt the 11th green