The Bourne Golf Course, Marseilles, IL

Living in Australia, I have not played this course or been able to get through on the phone, find a website or even an email address! The Club answer machine states that this course is closed?
A friend of mine has given me a brass plaque dated 1874 relating to the Bourne Golf Club Bye-Law 16. Quite attractive but as the course was opened in 1900, the date of April 1st suggests it might be an April Fool! If it is a genuine piece of your course history, I would be happy to post it to you.

In a world of sleek, upscale golf clubs that are perfectly put together, the Bourne Golf Club is the natural beauty that swoops in and steals the show.

If you are looking for precision-cut fairways, a fancy clubhouse and country club amenities, this course is not for you. Now, if you are seeking a rustic golf adventure that is more about the course than the sparkle, you've come to the right place.

The Bourne Golf Club was designed by the owner/manager Richard Wherli who wanted to create a challenging course where he and his friends could play without the pretentiousness of other golf clubs in the Chicago suburbs. The result was a rustic, unique course that embraces the beauty of nature around it rather than force man-made elements that didn't quite fit.

The natural undulation of the terrain brings challenges galore. Tee shots must be accurate or you will find yourself in wooded areas, tall grass or the creek you were admiring five minutes earlier. This is by no means a course for kids or beginners but experienced golfers will enjoy the test.

Nature is everywhere on the course, and I mean literally on the course. Some holes have clusters of trees growing right in the fairway, an added obstacle on your trip to the green. The twisting and turning of fairways and many doglegs create lots of blind shots so your first trip to the Bourne can be pretty daunting.

Cart paths wind over many acres so you will want to get some guidance from the staff before heading out. You won't find many yard markers or tee signs once you are on the course.

There are two sets of tees with the back tees offering the journey the course was designed for. Several of the tees are very elevated allowing for some incredible views.

The well-maintained course is 6,300 yards long with a par of 72. Three of the four par-5s are on the back nine, including the longest hole, No. 18, at 539 yards. One interesting fact - there are no bunkers on the course.

The Bourne Golf Club offers golfers refreshments in the clubhouse as well as a driving range and putting green.

Everyone has thier idea of the course, I normally play the courses around my house due to easy to get to. However, I am excitded every year to play the Bourne. I only play 2-3 times a year and it always a blast. It is like having your personal golf course because you will literally only see maybe 4 other people (not groups) on the course at a time, and you are kind of lucky if you do see them. There is alof of elevation changes if you play from the Gold Tees. Playing from the white tees is kind of like you just wasted your gas and time to drive out there because the white tees take away so much of the greatness the Bourne has to offer. The course it self to me is difficult, I do not hit the straightest drive all the time so bringing extra balls is always wise. The wildlife you might see on the course and the cliffside tee boxes make up for some of the rougher fairways. The greens are usually in great shape, not beat up like most of the courses I normally play at. The price of play on the course is great for what you get. $40.00 for 18 on a Sunday where every place else is around $60 and packed.

You will not be dissapointed in the Bourne, just bring some bug spray.