Most people know of Bunker Hill Farms as one of the most exclusive golf courses in America. That’s if they even know about it in the first place. The truth is, Bunker Hill Farms is really so much more than a golf course.

Following the sale of his ticket business, Mike and Amy Domek bought a parcel of land in northwest Illinois in 2005. On this land, they would establish a private oasis offering a wide range of activities. Access to said oasis, however, was only available to select guests by invitation only. The idea was that this would be an intimate retreat dedicated to luxurious lodging, fine dining, musical entertainment, recreational outdoor activities throughout an extensive network of private trails, and of course, golf. Starting with an initial 150 acres of flat farm land, Bunker Hill Farms has been transformed into a wildly impressive expanse of 450 acres featuring unique views and experiences to create a truly special escape.

In 2015, Bunker Hill Charities was founded to focus on benefiting and improving lives around Northwestern Illinois and neighboring areas. All proceeds from Bunker Hill Farms’ invitation-only events would be spread across carefully selected partner organizations. Fast forward to 2024 and Bunker Hill Farms is now available for the public to book private experiences. The best part about it? When you book an experience at Bunker Hill Farms, you will be the only guests on the property. Whether it’s golf, ATV riding, private dining, fishing, or team building exercises, it’s just you and the property. Even better, 100% of the proceeds from your event go to great charities.

About the Golf Course

As I mentioned earlier, the Bunker Hill Farms property was primarily flat as is common across northwest Illinois farm land. The Domeks quickly went to work transforming the property into a diverse landscape by creating hills and mounds, digging lakes, cutting trails, and bringing in thousands of trees. A portion of this land would perfectly lend itself to one of the most interesting golf courses I’ve ever played.

Construction of Harry Vignocchi’s design began in 2009 with the grand opening occurring in 2011 courtesy of a ceremonial first tee shot from Poison’s Bret Michaels. The first step was to dig out a 70-foot lake which would serve as the primary irrigation source for the entire golf course. (I’m told this lake contains yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass, and trout, by the way.) This lake now sits next to the primary lodge which serves as the “clubhouse” as well as lodging for up to 20 guests, and private dining. The lake and a small attached green also serve as the course’s “driving range” to get loosened up before your time on the course.

With the property’s land being dedicated to so many different activities, Vignocchi looked to creatively deliver 18 holes of championship-caliber golf through efficient use of the land. The end result is a collection of shared tee boxes and fairways making up 18 holes cleverly routed around, over, through, and into just seven different green complexes.

Bunker Hill Farms Golf Course Review

Bunker Hill Farms was by far one of the most unique golf experiences I’ve had. An overhead view of the golf course may leave you scratching your head a little bit. Without any labeling, the aerial map seems to show only six fairways and seven different green complexes. Your eyes do not deceive you. Vignocchi really did a great job creating 18 valid, full golf holes out of what I would consider around 9 holes worth of acreage. The Bunker Hill Farms course is a clever jigsaw puzzle that delivers 18 fun golf holes with stunning visual appeal. Honestly, if it weren’t for being guided through the course, I barely would have noticed how much shared space was utilized.

Speaking of being guided through the course, this is the appropriate time to introduce you to Joey. Joey wears many hats at Bunker Hill Farms, but ultimately serves are your guide both on and off the golf course. Serving as our forecaddie throughout the day, Joey shared great stories about the course itself and demonstrated great passion for the land and the Bunker Hill Farms cause. His guidance through the golf course was critical and truly enhanced the entire experience.

While the course itself is impressive, my biggest takeaway was the ambiance of the golf. I’ve been fortunate to play some pretty exclusive golf courses, but I’ve never experienced isolation like this. As the only guests on the property, there’s no traffic whatsoever, no noise – nothing. This further allows for unique use of the land in the routing as well. The already incredible views on the property became more stunning as they were bathed in hues of gold, orange, and purple at sunset. This level of peace and tranquility on a golf course was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Other Amenities?

While the golf was my highlight, there’s so much more to experience at Bunker Hill Farms. I can’t possibly do it justice, but I will certainly do my best to highlight the other amenities. Our day started with a lunch on the main lodge’s terrace courtesy of executive chef Mario Scordato. All of the ingredients were freshly sourced from a local farmer’s market and the meal was fantastic. Following lunch, Joey led us on a scenic ATV tour through the entire property to see everything that it has to offer. This tour led us through prairies and forests that really demonstrated the diverse landscape of the property. Joey is a true steward of everything that the estate offers and really made the day tons of fun.

Along the ride we made stops at the various facilities that accommodate Bunker Hill Farms’ guests. There’s everything from a skeet shooting lodge to massive sled hills to old grain silos converted to suites. Just outside of the shooting lodge, there’s a field that houses a killer outdoor ice rink in the winter. (Still hoping to get an invitation to a pickup game of hockey sometime…) There are multiple lodging options that are perfect for professional retreats and team building exercises. Or even just a good ole weekend away!

A common theme throughout the property and its facilities is music. From the guitars on the walls to the field where ‘Rockin’ the Hill’ charity concerts are held, music is everywhere. Mike Domek’s passion for music is a clear foundation of Bunker Hill Farms and has made it a true destination for the music industry. Whether it’s performing to raise money for a good cause, or a place to collaborate with other artists, Bunker Hill Farms has done it all.

Final Thoughts – Bunker Hill Farms

Stepping onto Bunker Hill Farms felt like entering a hidden world. Previously steeped in mystery, this 450-acre estate in McHenry County, Illinois is far more than just an exclusive golf course. I was fortunate to be invited to tell its story, and from the moment I arrived, I knew this was a special place. The property is magnificent and provides a beautiful retreat while contributing to great causes.

Forget crowded greens and tee boxes. Bunker Hill Farms is a private golfing playground. Picture having a sprawling, beautifully maintained golf course tucked away in your backyard, just for you and your friends. That’s the magic here. Sig Kolano and his grounds team meticulously craft a memorable golfing experience. No pressure, no crowds – just pure enjoyment. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a novice looking for a thrill, this course will leave you with memories and some great stories. Additionally, the Bunker Hill Farms teams go above and beyond to make sure you truly enjoy every minute of your visit.

But Bunker Hill Farms is about more than just luxury and recreation. It’s also a place where your visit contributes to a greater good. All proceeds from this private resort go towards Bunker Hill Charities, supporting vital causes in Northwestern Illinois. So, by indulging in your getaway, you’re also making a positive impact on the community.