When deciding whether or not to become a member of a golf club – or which club to join – lots of questions cross a golfer’s mind. Particularly, what’s in it for them.

 McHenry Country Club (820 N. John St.), one of the oldest and most well renowned club in the county founded in 1922, has a lot in store for its members and golf is just the beginning.

 “First, we’re family oriented and unpretentious,” Club House Manager Michael Purich said, which means the club is a comfortable and inviting place for its members.

 “Our beautiful course winds 6,600 yards through a park-like setting of streams, ponds, rolling fairways and mature trees,” he adds.

 In addition to golf, “we offer dining, entertainment and events at an affordable price,” he said.

McHenry Country Club’s one-of-a-kind, convenient location on the Fox River offers great panoramic views and a unique setting for weddings and special events.

“Our location offers a great backdrop in a mature setting with a wide variety of trees – it’s just beautiful,” Purich said. “Plus, it’s easily accessible from a wide range of locations in McHenry and Lake counties.”

The Greens

From a golfer’s perspective, a private club’s limited membership assures members the ability to play anytime, eliminating the aggravation of slow play. It also offers coordinated events for men, women, couples and juniors.

“McHenry Country Club course features first-rate course conditions and lightning-fast greens,” Head Golf Professional Scott Beaugureau said. “Our state-of-the-art learning center enables golfers the ability to refine all aspects of their game. Our practice facility is the best of any club in the area. We have an excellent PGA staff with great teaching skills.”

TaylorMade Connection

McHenry Country Club has a noteworthy tie to TaylorMade Golf Co. Inc. that many don’t know about. Gary Adams, a former McHenry Country Club member, developed and introduced the first metal wood to the marketplace and went on to establish TaylorMade Golf in McHenry in 1979. The first metal woods were tested at McHenry Country Club where his father Vale was the golf professional.

Even though the company relocated to California in the early 1980s, the people at TaylorMade never forgot their roots in McHenry. “After Gary passed away in 2000, TaylorMade donated funds to build a stone bridge on McHenry's eighth hole commemorating him and his achievements,” Beaugureau said. “This bridge honors Gary’s memory.”

McHenry Country Club’s clubhouse features the Gary Adams Wall of Fame displaying many of the original clubs that TaylorMade developed. The wall offers a great historic timeline of the evolution of the modern day metal wood. Watch a video of the Gary Adams TaylorMade story at www.mchenrycountryclub.com.

Summer Events

The 30th Anniversary of TaylorMade was celebrated last year at McHenry Country Club with the inaugural Gary Adams Memorial Tournament presented by TaylorMade Golf.

This event was attended by several executives of TaylorMade. The second annual tourney will be played on July 23, 2010 (call the pro shop for more information at 815-385-3435).

In addition to the TaylorMade tournament, numerous men's, women’s and couples tournaments are scheduled at McHenry Country Club this summer.

“The annual Member-Guest Invitational and Club Championship are the highlights of the event schedule,” Beaugureau said. “The McHenry Women’s Invitational takes place in early August and has players from all over the country competing.”