Makray Memorial Golf Club
About
Makray Memorial Golf Club (formerly known as Thunderbird Country Club) is a public course that has been open since 1962. To commemorate 40 years of great golf, the course was remodeled and revamped in 2002. The renovations improved its playability and also made it more challenging. The championship-caliber layout features strategically placed bunkers, including some Scottish-style sod-faced ones, and tricky water hazards on several holes. The hilly terrain offers both challenging elevation changes and scenic views. The golf course finishes with a long par 5 that plays across a canyon of berms to a narrow fairway. Further accuracy is needed to reach the well guarded green surrounded by high berms, a pot bunker to the left, and a deep, steep bunker to the right. In addition to the course, Makray Memorial G.C. boasts an extensive practice facility with 1 1/2 acres of grass teeing ground, two putting greens, and a short-game area.
Course Details
Rentals & Services
Practice & Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Available Facilities
Golfer Photos
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Photo submitted by u445449310 on 06/02/2025
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Photo submitted by schoi4u on 05/24/2023
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Photo submitted by u6722019 on 06/03/2021
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Photo submitted by u314159922990 on 09/09/2020
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Photo submitted by u314159922990 on 09/09/2020
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#2 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#4 Par 3 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#5 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#9 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#11 Par 4 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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#18 Par 5 Photo submitted by BryanTweed16 on 07/15/2015
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Photo submitted by Fred1977382 on 07/06/2014
Golfer Reviews
Best public course greens in IL.
Easily my favorite track I’ve this year. Best greens I’ve played all year, including private clubs. White sand is pure. Great course layout. Clubhouse has a private club feel.
Fastest Greens Around
Makray greens are always a challenge, but they seemed exceptionally fast on my most recent round. In addition to the speed there is a lot of back to front slope, so you want to stay below the pin on your approaches. The greens and the whole course was in great shape in spite of the shortage of rain. Pace was unusually slow because of a "full house" on a Friday afternoon.
Fun course to play.
Fun course, good condition, AWFUL pace of play
One of the most challenge greens I’ve played. Fun course and makes you think. However the pace of play was so bad I might never come back. At least two rangers patrolling and still unacceptable pace of play. 5 hour round got a two-some.
Difficult
Makray is serious test
Almost all the greens slope back to front and if you are above the hole good luck
Greens were receptive but very fast
Nice range
Course is difficult and you need to play the correct tees
Group in front of us were playing one up and figured out by the 5th hole they needed to move up
One thing they need to fix is the practice putting green
It is awful and has been that way since opening
On the right side you can drop a ball and it will roll 20 feet
If you want to test every part of your game Makray is the place
Top Notch facility
This Golf Course never disappoints always in Tip Top shape greens are lightning, staff is right on top of things. Water on every few holes in coolers is one of the nicest touches I've seen in the course in this area. For the money you cannot beat this course private course amenities at a public price highly recommended
Greens Unplayable
Greenskeeper should be fired. Greens are unplayable
Too fast for the amount of undulation.
Stay away from this place unless you like to be tortured?
Nice Course, but
One draw back - I asked for a handicap flag and they said they don’t have one (or cart override). Not too happy about that as there is a lot of walking from the path over hills to the green.
Monday at Makray
Overall I enjoyed playing Makray. It was a first playing there in some time, and I was paired up with a nice 3 some of friends. It was a clear but pretty breezy day. The course was in good shape, and the pace of play was great. The greens were very recently sanded and extremely fast, along with many undulations. It made for a challenging round, though I sure didn't help matters with my play. The sand was nice and thin, but not all in consistent shape.
Bring your touch
Course was in great shape and the greens were diabolical. The GK set pins in crazy spots and greens must have been running 12-13 on stimp as puts above hole could run out 10-20 ft. When playing Makray, the greens are the courses main defense, love the challenge on the greens
Greens are a JOKE!
Only thing missing on the greens is the Clown’s mouth. Greens were unplayable. Too undulated and too fast. Save your money, unless you are trying to get your handicap up.
Barrington gem
Good track layout with a little of everything. Very playable but get loose and you will pay for it! Fire in those greens so hit the practice green before play and adjust! Don’t miss high on hole locations or 3 putts loom in your future !