Illinois is a state that has very strong golf ties featuring legendary courses such as Chicago Golf Club, Medinah, and Shoreacres among many others. It’s also home to the historic Western Golf Association, which has run the BMW Championship (formerly Western Open) for over 100 years and has played a heavy role in the world of caddying.
For a long time, the BMW was being played on several courses in Illinois and around the country before settling on Butler National for a period of time and then eventually switching to Cog Hill, a famed public course and video game course for years (Cog was a staple of sorts for a while in the Tiger Woods games). Now, the tournament is back to its rotational roots and one iconic course that’s back in the fold is Olympia Fields.
From a pure fame standpoint, Olympia is one of the more recognizable courses in the sport, along with Medinah. This course has hosted four majors: two US Opens and two PGA Championships. It has also hosted the US Amateur, Women’s PGA Championship, and the US Senior Open. Of course we saw Jim Furyk win his only major at Olympia back in 2003 when he grabbed the US Open title. Olympia Fields is held in such high regards that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, two years before Furyk’s win.
And so now this course is featured in EA Sports PGA Tour thanks to it being host to the BMW Championship for the second time in four years. As with any great historical golf course, there are many fun holes to choose from and the routing is interesting. A par-5 starting hole, a three-hole stretch where two of the three are par-3s (try saying that fast a few times), etc. But out of the hole layout, which three holes are the best? Let’s tee things off.
Hole 12
This fairly short par-4 is a fun one in EA Sports PGA Tour. One reason why it’s so fun is that you have options off the tee, depending on what your power rating is. You can decide if you want to carry the little stream of water and reach the other portion of the fairway, or you can just go with a wood or iron off the tee and land it short of the water.
The temptation to carry the water off the tee is what makes this hole exciting. And then, by the way, when it’s time to reach the green, you got a few bunkers lined up to guard it and challenge your shot. It’s really a solid hole that takes place at a stellar back nine at Olympia Fields.
Hole 15
This beautiful par-5 is lined with trees and is just waiting for you to sink an eagle. Although it’s a hole you can reach in two, you’ll need to watch out for the army of bunkers that are scattered around it. You have two off the tee to the left, one on the right that’s further down, and then you have four bunkers that surround the green. They are very aware of your attempts of infiltrating the green and scoring an eagle. Yes, the sand is listening.
The fact that there’s a good chance of reaching the green in two, mixed with the challenge of avoiding four greenside bunkers, is what makes this a hole a blast at Olympia. And don’t worry, you don’t need a real high power rating to reach the dance floor in two. You still need some, but you don’t have to be maxed out or anything like that. Even if you aren’t a power-focused player, there’s a fun birdie opportunity waiting for you on this sweet dogleg par-5.
Hole 16
This might be the most breathtaking hole on the golf course and it’s personally my favorite. The par-3 16th at Olympia Fields is a doozie as you start off on a slightly elevated tee box, which is already fun. And then you have to carry the omnipresent creek that is seen all around the course. On top of this, you have two bunkers hanging out towards the front of the green. Before teeing off, feel free to take in the lovely view with all of the trees and greenery in front you. You deserve it after a long round to this point.
In EA Sports PGA Tour, the key here is to club down off the tee. Usually one club down will do it, depending on the pin location. But this hole’s beauty, and where it stands as one of the final three holes, makes this one truly dramatic. It’s definitely a fine way to start a final three-hole stretch of a great golf course.
Honorable – Hole 18
The final hole at any golf course usually shines and it’s no different at Olympia Fields. This wonderful closer has water to the right as you go down the fairway and several bunkers protecting the green. It’s definitely a fun and intriguing way to finish off your round.
