Presidents Cup: Ogilvy's Medinah Redesign Ready
The biennial team competition features a remodelled No. 3 course by OCM, with International team captain Geoff Ogilvy having a hand in the design ahead of this week's event.
Medinah Hosts Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup, a biennial team competition, is set to commence this week at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, USA. The event marks a significant return to the historic venue, which last hosted a major team event in 2012. This year’s competition takes place on Medinah’s No. 3 course, which has undergone an extensive restoration project.
The redesign efforts aim to refresh the layout while honouring its original architectural intent. The changes are expected to present new strategic challenges for both the United States and International teams as they compete for the coveted trophy.
Extensive Course Restoration by OCM
The comprehensive restoration of Medinah Country Club’s No. 3 course was carried out by OCM, an architectural firm that included Geoff Ogilvy, the current International team captain. Originally designed by Tom Bendelow and completed in 1932, the course had seen its character altered over decades of hosting major tournaments.
OCM’s work involved removing poorly positioned trees and reinstating Bendelow’s bold bunkering as a cohesive element across the property. The redesign has also introduced a split rail fence to mark out-of-bounds areas on holes 5–7, and created five new holes, including the notable Cape 16th, enhancing the strategic variety of the layout.
Strategic Play and Key Players
The remodelled Medinah No. 3 is anticipated to offer compelling match-play viewing, featuring shots over Lake Kadijah on the 12th hole and out-of-bounds fencing along the left side of holes 1–3 for this week's play.
US Team Captain Brandt Snedeker reportedly suggested specific rough conditions, introducing a 5-foot-wide collar of 1.5-inch intermediate rough and raising the main rough to 4 inches, which may lead to heavy lies and difficult approach shots from wayward drives.
Key players to watch include American talents Jackson Koivun and Scottie Scheffler, alongside International team stalwarts Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim, both of whom have previously distinguished themselves in this format.
Implications for Asian Golfers and Course Design
The Presidents Cup provides a significant platform for Asian golf, particularly through the performances of International team members like Si Woo Kim and Tom Kim. Their participation and potential success in this high-profile event can inspire a new generation of players across Asia and elevate the visibility of golf in the region.
Furthermore, the extensive restoration work at Medinah, guided by a designer who is also a team captain, offers valuable insights for golf course developers and architects in Asia.
The strategic enhancements and preservation of original design intent could influence future course renovation projects, demonstrating how historical layouts can be modernised for elite competition while retaining their unique character.
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