Bow Lake Golf Course

About the club

Bow Lake Golf Course is a fun, family-owned and operated 9-Hole public golf course located in Barry, Illinois. Bow Lake was designed and built by Bill Bainter and the late Terry Oitker with the first tee-off coming in May of 1993. The course is a par 35 that is very unique and filled with character including an island green. Bow Lake is both fun and challenging for all skill levels. After 10 great seasons the course was sold in late 2002, but was reacquired by the original families after 6½ years in May of 2009. This time around, Bill partnered with his two sons Nathan and Coy and also with his son-in-law and Terry’s son Eric Oitker. The foursome has been working to restore Bow Lake to its original mystique. Since the founding families have taken back over they have reseeded all greens, constructed a brand new putting green, self-poured 3½ holes and counting of new concrete cart paths, built a new shelter house for outside special events, turned the clubhouse into a true clubhouse with a sports bar feel with 4 big screens TV’s and beer on tap, added on-line tee time bookings, Bow Lake mobile app, and constructed a sand volleyball court. Bow Lake hosts unique golf events like specialty tournaments, Couple’s Nights, and benefit tournaments as well as non-golf events like outdoor concerts and a sand volleyball league.