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Our Story

In 1988, Jerry Rich began to develop Rich Harvest Farms on what would eventually become his 1,820 acre property in Sugar Grove, IL and Big Rock, IL out of a love of golf and golf course design. What started out as three holes eventually blossomed into an 18-hole ultra-private golf course, built and perfected over a period of 10 years. When it officially opened in 1999, Rich Harvest Farms was rated the 5th Best New Private Golf Course by Golf Digest. Three years later, Golf Digest placed the course on “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”

Since its opening, Rich Harvest Farms has become a premiere destination for golfers from all over the world, attracting a series of prestigious amateur and professional tournaments, including the 2009 Solheim Cup®. The facility is also home to the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois and the Northern Illinois University Huskies Men’s & Women’s Golf Teams.

“There are a few things at Rich Harvest Farms that will never go away,” Jerry Rich, Owner and President of Rich Harvest Farms said. “We will continue to host golf events and bring golf into more children’s lives through our Foundation. That’s what’s most important.”

Accolades

  • One of Rolex’s “World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses”
  • Consistently ranked on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses”
  • Consistently ranked on Golf Digest‘s “Best Golf Course In State” – Top 10
  • 1999 Golf Digest‘s “5th Best New Private Course in the United States”
  • 2012 Golf Digest‘s “America’s 75 Toughest Golf Courses”
  • Golf Digest Index Top 50 Locker Rooms
  • Golf Digest Index Top 50 Golf Retreats
  • Golf Digest Index Top 10 Caddies
  • Golf Digest Index Top 10 Service
  • Golf Digest Index Top 10 Accommodations
  • Golf Digest Index Top 10 Meals
  • Golf Digest Index Top 10 Wines & Spirits
  • Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Home of the Huskies

Rich Harvest Farms is proud to be the home golf course of the Northern Illinois University’s men’s and women’s golf teams. The partnership traces its roots back 50 years, to when Jerry graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1961. In addition to the spectacular 18-hole golf course at Rich Harvest Farms, the Huskies are able to benefit from the indoor practice facility on-site, giving them the ability to work on their game year-round. Besides the golf teams, the Rich family are honored to play a role in many educational programs put on by the university as well.

History of Events

Since becoming the home golf course of Northern Illinois University, Rich Harvest Farms has hosted many great tournaments in conjunction with the university.

Community Support

Rich Harvest Farms and Northern Illinois University have a relationship that goes beyond hosting events and utilizing the facilities. Both the men’s and women’s players and coaches make sure to give their assistance to the Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois at various elementary school clinics and mentoring events held on and off the property.