There has been some recent discussion about Black Sheep so I thought I would post some pictures. Black Sheep is located in Sugar Grove, Illinois, roughly 50 miles west of downtown Chicago. David Esler is the designer. He is local to the area. I took these pictures last fall on an overcast day. The club allows the prairie grass to grow to head height and it turns to an brownish orange color late in the year. In the spring they'll burn the prairie down and then let it grow all summer long without cutting it.
Behind the green at the downhill par 4 1st.
The par 4 9th plays uphill, back toward the clubhouse, which rests behind the green. The clubhouse sits on the highest point of land, with the course playing down below.
The downhill par 4 10th, which shares a tee box with the 1st.
The par 4 12th, usually playing into the wind. The green is elevated and the first 10 feet of the putting surface has a false front.
The par 4 15th, playing back toward the clubhouse.
The bunkers right of the landing area at the 15th
The downhill par 3 16th, which has one of the few water hazards on the course; a pond short and right.
Black Sheep has 27 holes, with each nine being equally good. Here we have the downhill par 4 19th.
The par 3 25th, measuring 130 yards, is the shortest hole on the course. The green is elevated and surrounded by bunkers. The hole is located at the bottom of a bowl, which makes judging wind conditions difficult.