In the early 1900’s a group of Aurora businessmen interested in golf and other outdoor sports leased a parcel of land along the east bank of the Fox River about a mile north of the Aurora city limits. On this property they fashioned a pasture-like golf course and identified themselves as the Aurora Country Club. Though rudimentary in its infancy, the group expanded and interest grew rapidly, and in 1914 they purchased the Minard Farm for $10,500 and chartered the Aurora Country Club. The 150-acre site featured gently rolling countryside and an apple orchard (the trees of which provide fruit for hungry golfers to this day), along with a very substantial stone farmhouse which served as the first of several clubhouses. Renowned architects William Boice Langford and Thomas Bendelow collaborated on the 18-hole layout which played to approximately 6,500 yards from the tips. The very tight tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering, and small, undulating greens have provided Aurora Country Club’s membership a challenging golf course that places the importance on shot selection and strategy over brute strength throughout its 93 years of existence.

In the fall of 2007, a major renovation project was undertaken which included a new state-of-the-art irrigation system, the rebuilding of all tees (including the addition of separate “senior tees” and several back tees that pushed its length from the tips to nearly 7,000 yards), the repositioning and rebuilding of all bunkers, and extensive drainage work. Extremely favorable fall weather allowed for the project to be completed by late November in preparation for its spring, 2008 unveiling. The “new” golf course will take center stage in the summer of 2008 when it hosts the American Junior Golf Association Championship. In 2009, Aurora Country Club will take the international stage when it hosts the Junior Solheim Cup in conjunction with the Solheim Cup at nearby Rich Harvest Links.