A couple of golfers trying their luck at night golf at Arlington Park in September of 1965.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1965
Today we're looking back at 50 years of golf in the suburbs. There are roughly 64 golf courses in the Northwest suburbs, both private and public. Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Heights is among the oldest private golf clubs in the Chicago area.
According to Golf Advisor, the Northwest suburbs boasts five of the 10 best golf courses in the area: Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein, ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park, Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake, Cantigny Golf in Wheaton and The Glen View Club in Golf, near Glenview. The Glen View Club hosted the first Western Open in 1899 - one of five on that course. For more than 100 years, the Western Open was considered Chicago's professional golf tournament.
In our gallery today, you will see everyday golfers on public courses and also legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino competing in the Western Open during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
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Golfers try to retrieve a ball from the creek at White Pines Country Club in Buffalo Grove in April of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
Some young golfers putt out on one of the greens at White Pines Country Club in Buffalo Grove, April 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
Prospect High School golf team pose for a team picture in May of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
Jack Nicklaus makes his way to the next tee box during the Western Open at Midlothian Country Club in June of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
George Archer looks a little disappointed as he walks off one of the greens with his caddie during the 1969 Western Open at Midlothian Country Club.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
The "Golden Bear" Jack Nicklaus looks fairly pleased as he walks off one of the greens during the 1969 Western Open at Midlothian Country Club.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A golfer blasts out of the sand at the 1969 Western Open at Midlothian Country Club.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A golf pro inspects a new golfer's grip as he conducts a class in Hoffman Estates in July of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
Jaycee Junior golf in Hoffman Estates in July of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A young golfer tees up during Jaycee Junior golf in Hoffman Estates in July of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
Women hit the links in Mount Prospect in July of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A woman tries to coax her ball into the hole at a Mount Prospect course in July of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A woman tees off in Mount Prospect in July of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A group of women pause for a cigarette break in Buffalo Grove in August of 1969.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1969
A couple of golfers make their way down a fairway at Hilldale Golf Club in Hoffman Estates in April of 1974.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
A couple of golfers shoot from a fairway at Hilldale Golf Club in Hoffman Estates in April of 1974.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Lee Trevino shoots from the fairway during the 1974 Western Open at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook. Tom Watson won that year.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Arnold Palmer tees off during the 1974 Western Open at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook. Palmer eventually finished 5th.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
A golfer hits out of the rough during a round of the Western Open at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook in 1974.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Lee Trevino contemplates his next shot during the 1974 Western Open at Butler National Golf Club. Trevino eventually finished 24th.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
A nattily attired golfer watches her tee shot during the Women's U.S. Open Golf tournament in LaGrange.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
A flamboyantly dressed golfer tees off during the Women's U.S. Open Golf tournament in LaGrange.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
A youngster tees off during a Junior Golf Tourney in August of 1974 in Buffalo Grove.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
A youngster blasts out of a sand trap during a Junior Golf Tourney in August of 1974 in Buffalo Grove.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Chick Evans cruises in a golf cart during the 1974 Chick Evans Kids Golf Tourney in Mount Prospect.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Golfers look perplexed as they search for their golf balls during a round of the Illinois Open at Rolling Green in Arlington Heights in August of 1974.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1974
Pro golfer Patty Berg puts on an exhibition at Itasca Country Club in June of 1976.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976
Pro golfer Patty Berg puts on an exhibition at Itasca Country Club in June of 1976.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976
Tom Weiskopf hits an iron during the 1976 Western Open at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976
A golf pro makes a fashion statement while giving a lesson at the Mount Prospect Park District.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976
Missing a putt at the 1976 Western Open at Butler National Golf Club in Oak Brook.
Daily Herald File Photo, 1976