River Oaks Golf Course

The name “River Oaks” isn’t just decorative, it’s literal. The Little Calumet River wraps around three sides of this south suburban course in Calumet City. Combine that with five ponds, bringing water into play on 14 of its 18 holes, and you’ve got a layout that requires attention and restraint off the tee. River Oaks was designed by prolific Chicagoland architect Dick Nugent and opened in 1973 as a privately owned but public golf course. In 1982, it was donated to the Cook County Forest Preserve, valued at $6.8 million, becoming the county’s 10th golf course. It exists as part of the River Oaks West planned residential community, with an emphasis on public accessibility.

River Oaks is short by modern standards at just 5,651 yards from the tips. But don’t expect to breeze through with ease. With a rating of 69.3 and a slope of 119, its difficulty is in line with other Forest Preserve courses like Indian Boundary and Chick Evans, plus Lake County Forest Preserves own Brae Loch. The course has 58 bunkers, small greens that demand precision, and a flat, walkable layout. There are three par 5s and five par 3s on this par-70 design. The fairways run largely parallel, with scattered Oak trees throughout, and the generous 10-minute tee time spacing helps the pace of play. Though expect the weekends to be on the slower side anyway.

Conditions can be hit-or-miss here, especially after rain. With the river in close proximity, flooding and drainage issues are real concerns, and the fairways often show it. The bunkers tend to be punishing, and not always in great shape, but that’s part of the tradeoff at this price point. You didn’t expect perfection anyway. The Forest Preserve’s mission is clear: keep golf affordable and available for Cook County residents. In that sense, River Oaks delivers.

Off the course, the facilities are somewhat modest. There’s a single putting green and a small pro shop with the basics. The brick clubhouse features some tables and sells snacks and hot dogs, but it’s not a full restaurant. Still, the essentials are covered for a casual day out.

In recent years, the Forest Preserve has openly considered other uses for River Oaks, citing costly maintenance and infrastructure needs, plus modest usage. A 2018 consultant report estimated the course would need $3.3 million in capital investment for course improvements and new drainage and irrigation systems. Ideas like nature trails, fishing areas, and picnic groves have been floated. But community feedback has largely supported keeping the golf course intact. As of 2025, there’s no final word on the future. For now, River Oaks remains a uniquely public golf option, winding with the river and holding its ground.