Construction is underway at The Half Mile, a new short-course on the historic Terra Cotta property in Prairie Grove, Illinois.

Located on a former sod farm adjacent to The Golf Academy at Terra Cotta, the project is centered around a 10-hole short course and a 35,000-square-foot Himalayas-style putting course. From the outset, the goal has been to create something more flexible than a traditional short course.

The former agricultural landscape is now being transformed into a network of plateaus, ridges, and dry creek corridors that form the framework of the golf course. General contractor DWS Construction, under the leadership of Kirk Speith, is building a new landscape effort using GPS-guided equipment, after which Artisan Golf Design will pass through the property shaping greens and the key features.

While The Half Mile draws inspiration from destinations such as Pinehurst’s Cradle and the communal traditions of Scottish golf, it is equally influenced by the bold scale and draped forms associated with the classic C.B. Macdonald and Seth Raynor courses of the Chicago region. Large greens which can accommodate dual-flag setups and multiple angles of play create variety despite the course’s modest length.

A central pavilion and the Himalayas putting course will serve as the heart of the property, allowing golfers to move easily between golf and social spaces throughout their time on-property. The intention is to create a place where people explore, and engage with the landscape beyond the structure of a conventional round.

Irrigation installation will be carried out by Leibold Irrigation based on a design by Ian Williams of Green Irrigation Solutions. Robert Lively will oversee grow-in, with an emphasis on establishing firm, resilient playing conditions.

Preview play is anticipated in summer 2027.