Chicago Area Golf News

October 4, 2023
Northbrook-Based Swag Golf Raises $10 Million In Growth Funding
Wire report, Business Wire

Swag Golf, the leading premium, limited-edition golf accessory, equipment and apparel company, today announced it has closed a $10 million growth round led by Verance Capital, a prominent New York-based growth investment firm focused on sports and entertainment. Additional participants in the financing included leaders across the sports ecosystem, such as the San Francisco 49ers’ affiliated fund Aurum Partners, three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, two-time NBA All-Star Zach LaVine, Founder of Heights, LLC, Alex Cohen, Howard Lindzon, and former CEO of Libra Solutions Greg Zeeman among others.

October 8, 2023
Growing grass, growing golf: Canal Shores rebuilds, hopes to become center for next generation

• Learn more about Canal Shores Golf Course

Cole Reynolds, Daily Northwestern

Canal Shores is now midway through a nearly $6 million renovation, providing a facelift to the once-dreary course.

And, local kids are bringing major donors to what otherwise might just be another municipal course.

October 10, 2023
Why DuPage forest preserve district wants to upgrade Maple Meadows Golf Course

• Learn more about Maple Meadows Golf Course

Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald

Two years after opening a new clubhouse at The Preserve at Oak Meadows, DuPage County forest preserve officials are developing plans for a multimillion-dollar renovation of its sister course in Wood Dale.

Originally known as Brookwood Country Club, Maple Meadows Golf Club has been managed by the forest preserve district since 1998. It's an affordable option, but Maple Meadows has tiny greens, a lot of bunkers -- 78 in fact -- and pace of play issues.

October 16, 2023
Golfweek's Best 2023 public-access courses
Jason Lusk, Golfweek

Thanks to Golfweek’s Best annual rankings of top public-access courses in each state, we can break out the highest-ranked layouts in the Chicago area. For the purpose of this exercise, we limited driving time to about 90 minutes. from downtown Chicago. (We used Google Maps for its drive times, keying in downtown Chicago on a mid-afternoon – take all drive times around Chicago with a grain of salt, of course.)

October 17, 2023
Oak Brook to test waters on using outside operation to handle golf club’s food and beverage service

• Learn more about Oak Brook Golf Club

Chuck Fieldman, The Doings

The Oak Brook Village Board has decided to test the waters for possibly bringing in a private sector business to take over operation of food and beverage management for the Oak Brook Golf Club, Bath & Tennis Club and Poolside Cafe.

The board is seeking proposals from interested parties, which must make submissions by Nov. 2. If an agreement is reached for 2024, the village reserves the right to award an annual lease agreement extension for the years 2025-2028, not to exceed four years.

October 24, 2023
How to weigh in on proposed renovation of Maple Meadows golf course

• Learn more about Maple Meadows Golf Course

Staff report, Daily Herald

DuPage County Forest Preserve officials will host an open house at the Maple Meadows golf course in Wood Dale on Wednesday to gather feedback on a proposed multimillion-dollar renovation of the property.

The open house will feature golf course architect Greg Martin, who transformed 27 holes across the street into the 18-hole Preserve at Oak Meadows.

October 31, 2023
'Vibrant' group to be inducted into Illinois Golf Hall of Fame
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

The Illinois Golf Hall of Fame will induct its 20th class on Nov. 10, and selection committee chairman Tim Cronin says "it couldn't be more diverse or vibrant."

Heading the six-member class are two longtime club professionals, Tim O'Neal and Bruce Patterson, and Randy Kane, who served as the first Chicago District Golf Association turf grass director from 1985-2006.

October 31, 2023
Clubhouse renovation designs at Glencoe Golf Club in the works

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Daniel I. Dorfman, Glencoe News

A village committee has recommended a Prairie Style exterior design for the new clubhouse at the Glencoe Golf Club.

On Oct. 23, the village’s ad hoc Design Review Committee unanimously endorsed one of three Prairie Style exterior designs for the Golf Club’s new approximate 10,000 square foot clubhouse and pro shop. That recommendation now goes to the Village Board for final approval.

After a series of meetings where different types of design were considered, FGM Architects, the firm retained by the village, presented three separate Prairie Style exterior designs options as finalists. The committee selected a proposal that provides a strong western view by combining modern floor to ceiling glass with traditional prairie window patterns, according to FGM.