Old Willow Club was founded in 1959 by Winnetka families who were looking for a safe, special summer location where they could unwind with their families and friends. Since then, generations of families from around the North Shore have spent their summers poolside and on the courts.
Members enjoy a 25-yard, 6-lane swimming pool, outdoor tennis on nine Har-Tru surface courts including league play at various levels, and full use of our outdoor grills for bring-your-own dinners and parties on the patio. Sweat it out on the courts, take a dip in the pool, orrelax on the deck and watch the sun set.
Kids who like to compete can join the swim, dive or water polo teams, or get involved in our junior tennis program that includes classes and competitions. Younger kids enjoy the kiddie pool, playground, and of course, the snack bar.
Becoming a Member
The Old Willow Club is a private, member-owned and member-run club. Membership is initiated on a sponsorship basis. We welcome new members as space permits. The bulk of membership activity occurs in the first quarter of each year.
Initial fees involved in joining Old Willow Club are:
- A one-time Application Fee of $250 (non-refundable)
- A one-time New Member Equity Fee of $2,000 (refundable upon completed resignation)
- A one-time Initiation Fee of $4,000 (non-refundable)
Annual Membership Fees
Upon an opening of a membership position, prospective members will be notified and will have 14 days to submit the completed paperwork and fees. If the paperwork and fees are not received by the club, the membership position will be offered to the next applicant on the list.
$2,600 Annual Membership Fee (paid by all regular members each year in four installments — January, February, March and April), the Senior Membership Fee is $1250.
$150 Annual Snack Bar Minimum
Application and Sponsorship Information
We strongly encourage interested families to get on our wait list. The application process requires sponsorship by three current members. If you are interested in joining but do not have three sponsors, our membership chair may be able to help.
All forms need to be filled out consistently, with the same person listed as the “applicant” on all of the forms. For example, if the applicants are a married couple, one of them should be designated as “applicant” and the other as “spouse” consistently on all forms.
Initiating Sponsors are responsible for taking applicants on a tour of the club, and for ensuring that applicants understand that we are a member-run club and that they will be called on to volunteer, and possibly to serve on the board at some point.
Additional membership information is available in the Club’s Rules and Procedures.
For other membership-related inquiries, please contact our Membership Chair.
Membership Application Form (to be filled out by applicant)
Sponsorship Form (to be filled out by each sponsor)
Club Hours
The Club and swimming pool are open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM, weather permitting, during the regular season which runs from June 9th weekend through Labor Day weekend. For a detailed pool schedule please go to the Pool section.
The snack bar is open weekdays from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and weekends from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM beginning the second week of June through the end of July.
General Club Rules
- Club hours are daily 9:00 AM until 8:30 PM, weather permitting, during the regular season which shall be established by the Board of Directors annually.
- Children, 10 years of age and under, may not be left unattended by a member except during designated swim team practice times, swim lessons or tennis lessons. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult, other than staff members, between scheduled activities.Any minor guest under the age of 12 must be accompanied by the adult host member who must sign a waiver of liability for that minor guest.
- The Club is not responsible for any personal property of members or their guests.
- Adult locker rooms are reserved for use by members and guests 16 years of age and over. Any Cell Phone usage in bathrooms/locker rooms is prohibited.
- No pets are permitted.
- After signing up for a Club event, a member must cancel 48 hours in advance or be liable for the charges.
- Members and their guests are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will be considerate of others and of the Club facility at all Club events.
- All members must “sign in” upon entering the Club. When entering the club, members also must sign in all guests. Guests must sign a waiver, unless they are minors, in which case the member must sign a waiver for their guests who are minors.
- Members shall be responsible for any Club property that is broken, damaged, or removed by them or their guests, and their accounts shall be billed accordingly.
- Late payments of membership dues are subject to a $25 monthly penalty.
Additional club rules are outlined in Rules and Procedures and include protocol and guidelines for the following:
- Swimming Pool
- Tennis
- Guests
- Parties
- Membership
Additional rules and information are available in the Old Willow Club By-Laws.
Board of Directors
- Bryan Foley President
- Vic Mokarry Vice President
- Tom Berman Treasurer
- Emily Wyner Communications Chair
- Mark Baby Membership Chair
- Scott Baby Membership Chair
- Mike Endre Buildings & Grounds Chair
- Colleen Wilkins Social Chair
- Joe Whitney Tennis Chair
Club Staff
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Matt Wendt, Club Manager and Swim Coach
Matt started as Head Swim Coach at Old Willow in 2010. He swam and played water polo at Oak Park-River Forest High School and played collegiate water polo at USC. Matt has over 20 years of experience working with kids and coaching swimming and water polo. In addition to Old Willow, Matt currently coaches Girls Water Polo at New Trier High School, Age Group Swim Team at the Michigan Shores Club, and Age Group Water Polo at New Trier Aquatics Club.
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Ania Kazakevich, Head Tennis Pro
Ania is from Minsk, Belarus. She has played tennis since age six and achieved a ranking as high as 300 in the WTA. She graduated from Northwood University and College of Belarus Olympic Reserve with degrees in Business Administration and Professional Tennis Instruction. Ania has more than 10 years of Head Pro experience managing junior tennis and tennis academics, staff development, and private lessons.
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Mame O'Grady, Assistant Manager, Swim Coach
Mame has been with Old Willow for five years in her role as Swim Coach and Head Lifeguard. She swam for New Trier High School for four years and currently attends the University of Iowa. She will be assisting member-hosts with party planning and logistics. Mame is available for morning Swim Lessons.
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Charlie Ryan, Assistant Manager, Head Water Polo Coach, Swim Coach
Charlie has been a part of Old Willow for most of his life, and has worked at the Club since 2014 as a swim coach, head lifeguard, and as head water polo coach for the past two summers. He swam and played water polo in high school and currently attends the University of Illinois. He has taught and coached youth swimming and polo for the past 6 years, including at the high school level. Charlie is available for weekend Swim Lessons.
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Lindsay Lauter, Food Service Director
Northshore native and local chef Lindsay Lauter has been cooking in Chicago and the northshore for more than 17 years. A graduate of Kendall College, she has experience as a private chef, and was the executive chef at Deluxe. Currently, she caters events with Jordan's, runs three successful lunch programs at schools in Northfield and Northbrook, and is in her third year at Tennaqua.
Street Address
Old Willow Club is located at 2750 Old Willow Road, Glenview, Illinois 60025. Please do not use this address for mailing purposes, as the Club does not receive postal mail at this address.
Mailing Address
General correspondence including vendor invoicing mail to:
Old Willow Club
PO Box 8102
Northfield, Illinois 60093
Membership Dues and Application Fees
Mail to:
First American Bank
PO Box 92170
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60009-2170
Contact by Phone
The Club’s Main Phone is 847-729-8010. However, this number is only used during months of operation, June, July and August. For phone contact during the off-season, please contact our club manager at the number below.
Matt Wendt, Club Manager
manager@oldwillow.org
773-960-3365 cell
Other Club Contacts
Financial/billing statements inquiries:
Tom Berman, Treasurer
owctreas@gmail.com
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