Golf’s popularity means that both private and public facilities have cash on hand and many are investing in course improvements. The following is a list of the courses that are undergoing improvements (that we know of). If your course has approved a renovation, please send information to magazine@cdga.org.
Members at Olympia Fields Country Club (OFCC) recently voted overwhelmingly to restore their classic Willie Park Jr.- designed North Course. Golf course architect Andrew Green, who has renovated such courses as East Lake, Scioto and Oak Hill, will be charged with modernizing the infrastructure of the 1923 masterpiece and bringing the course back to the spirit of Park’s original. Specifically, the par-3 sixth hole, which was relocated for the 2003 U.S. Open, will be moved back to Park’s original site – closer to the creek – and shortened by 15 yards, while the green will be more challenging, requiring more accuracy off the tee. OFCC continues to make itself a premier option for major tournaments and PGA Tour events.
Glen View Club, which dates back to 1897, will undergo a major makeover by golf course architect Tyler Rae (Beverly, Evanston, Mountain Lake, Detroit Golf Club). Rae’s job is to bring the course back to the way it was when William Flynn did his major redesign in 1922. Flynn designed Shinnecock Hills and Cherry Hills. Nine greens will be relocated, tees will be made more “elastic,” and the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River will be brought more into play. Located in the almost invisible village of Golf, Glen View Club’s original H.J. Tweedie/Richard Leslie design was changed shortly after the introduction of the new and livelier Haskell ball, which gave golfers more distance. Tom Bendelow, Harry Colt and Donald Ross were there before Flynn.
Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette is scheduled to re-open in July following Bruce Hepner’s renovation of the 1918 William Watson original. The goal was to restore the original Midwest character of the course and make it more member friendly. New bunkers, additional teeing areas and a new irrigation system have been added. The substantial project will also include a new 10,000-square-foot practice green and chipping area.
Big Foot Country Club in Fontana, Wisconsin, near Lake Geneva, expects to reopen in June following a major renovation to its original 1924 Tom Bendelow design by Dave Zinkland, a former associate of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. In addition to some tree removal, new grasses and renovated tees and greens, the highlight of the project was the rerouting/reversal of holes 12-14, with the second shot on No. 14 now playing with spectacular views of Lake Geneva.
Rich Harvest Farms will close Aug. 1 for the installation of new drainage, re-grassing of fairways and renovation of every green. The Sugar Grove private course is shooting to reopen next June. Labar Construction is handling the project.
Maple Meadows Golf Course in west suburban Addison will be undergoing a major renovation by local golf course architect Greg Martin. The project by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will include the addition of wider fairways, along with big greens with run-on and run-off areas. Golfers will enjoy a less penal course when it reopens in 2027. Martin renovated The Preserve at Oak Meadows, the other major Forest Preserve course.
Meanwhile, Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora (pictured) is targeting June for re-opening following Martin’s comprehensive renovation of the 31-year-old Ken Kavanaugh original. Improvements include renovation of bunkers and greens, updated and expanded teeing areas, and reconstruction of walls and bridges.
Hinsdale Golf Club, a private club in Clarendon Hills dating from 1898, is currently undergoing an extensive renovation at the direction of St. Charles-based golf course architect David Esler (designer of the renowned Black Sheep Golf Club in Sugar Grove). Esler is restoring the course to the “Golden Age” vision of David Foulis, a member of the famed Scottish Foulis family that was closely tied to Old Tom Morris. David Foulis was Hinsdale’s head golf professional and greenskeeper from 1920-1940 during which time he modified and improved the course. Esler’s aim is to restore the character of the original course, upgrade its infrastructure and highlight such features as the Horseshoe seventh hole and double greens. It will re-open in 2027. Meanwhile, Esler has been hired to make improvements and upgrades at the Cook County Forest Preserve District’s George Dunne National in Oak Forest, which is operated by Troon.
Park Ridge-based golf course architect Todd Quitno will begin construction on the Woodside nine at the 27-hole Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, as the facility’s Lakeside nine re-opens following its renovation last year. The Hillside nine was upgraded two years ago. Cantigny will have 18 holes open all year. Quitno’s renovation of Merit Club in Libertyville has been completed and the course is expected to reopen in May. Quitno has designed a short game area for the Chicago Park District’s Jackson Park Golf Course on the South Side, with construction starting in April. —Barry Cronin