Cantigny is the former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick. McCormick was the long time editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune and played a major role in American journalism during the first half of the 20th century. He built the Tribune company from a single newspaper into a major media organization of newspapers, radio, television and newsprint operations.
McCormick inherited the land known as Red Oaks Farm from his mother, a member of the Medill family. McCormick renamed the estate Cantigny (Can-tee’-nee) in recognition of the small French village which was the site of the first American victory during World War I where McCormick served with the First Infantry Division (the Big Red One).
In his will, McCormick instructed that his estate be used for philanthropic purposes and that his home and lands be used as a source of recreation and education for the people of Illinois. The McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens.”
Cantigny is an integral part of that commitment and is comprised of a variety of facilities, programs and activities. Among those are:
Robert R. McCormick Museum
The First Division Museum
Cantigny Park
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
The construction of Cantigny Golf began in 1986 and was completed in 1988. The golf course opened for play in the spring of 1989. The course was designed by Roger Packard and the construction was completed by the Wadsworth Construction Company. In 2003, the course was updated by Jacobson Golf Course Design.
1989 Best New Public Course in America, Golf Digest 1990 Top 25 Public Courses in America, Golf Digest 1992 Environmental Steward Award
1993 Environmental Steward Award 1995 Best 100 Golf Shops in America, Golf Operations 1996 Top 75 Courses You Can Play in America, Golf Digest 1996 Top 100 You Can Play in America, Golf Magazine 1997 Best 100 Golf Shops in America, Golf Operations
1998 Best 100 Golf Shops in America, Golf Operations 2000 Top 50 Courses You Can Play in America, Golf Magazine 1994-2007 4 1/2 Star Award, Golf Digest 2002 Top 100 Golf Courses You Can Play for Under $100, Travel and Leisure Golf
1996 Illinois State Amateur Championship 1998 Illinois PGA Club Professional Championship 2002 Illinois State Amateur Championship 2006 Western Junior Amateur Championship 2007 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship 2008 Illinois State Amateur Championship
2003—Lou Solarte, Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year 2004—Mike Jones, Illinois PGA Junior Golf Leader 2006—Rich Dukelow, Illinois PGA Assistant Player of the Year 2006—Mike Jones, Illinois PGA President’s Plaque 2010—Connie DeMattia, Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year 2011—Rich Dukelow, IPGA Player of the Year