History

St. Mary of the Lake Seminary began in 1921 on land donated by the Edward Hines Lumber Company, and the first class was ordained in 1927. The original course was nine holes on 80 acres laid out by Cardinal Mundelein and went to 18 holes in 1929 because the Cardinal's doctor told him he had to walk. He took up golf and played wearing his black topcoat and black fedora. The town was originally called Area, but was changed to Mundelein in 1924 to honor the Cardinal. The total area of the seminary and course is about 1,000 acres, with the golf course consisting of 220 acres. Joseph W. McCarthy, who worked for Daniel Burnham, was the architect for the original 14 buildings.

The 18-hole course was designed by William Flynn of Toomey and Flynn of Philadelphia. Flynn also did the Mill Road Farm Course and the Glen View Club. Joe and Frank Jemsek leased it from the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1985 and had Joe Lee, Rocky Roquemore and Joe T. Jemsek remodel it. Several million dollars later it opened to the public as Pine Meadow Golf Club, and in 1986 was named the Best New Public Course by Golf Magazine and has since been recognized with various awards. They are as follows:

  • 1986 - America's Best New Public Golf Course by Golf Digest
  • 1988, 1990 - One of America's Top 25 Public Courses
  • 1996 - Ranked 27th among America's Top 75 Upscale Courses
  • 1999 - Selected 11th Best Course among Illinois top 25 Golf Courses, Public or Private
  • 2002 - 5 Star Rating by Chicagoland Golf
  • 2003/20004 - Voted 28th Best Public Golf Course in the Country by Golf Digest
  • 2004 - Rated "Extraordinary" as one of the Nation's Top Golf Facilities as voted by Players in "America's Top Golf      Courses" by ESPN and Zagat Survey.
  • 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 - Top 10 Public Courses in Illinois
  • 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 - Top 25 Courses in Illinois
  • 2008 Illinois PGA Public Merchandising Facility of the Year
  • 2010 PGA of America Public Merchandising Faciliy of the Year
  • 2011 Top 100 Club Fitting Facilities in America by Golf Digest
  • 2012 Golf Range Association of America -  Top 50 Ranges (Public Facility)
  • 2013 Golf Range Association of America -  Top 50 Ranges (Public Facility)
  • 2014 Golf Range Association of America -  Top 50 Ranges (Public Facility)