Chicago Area Golf News

April 2, 2024
Glencoe Golf Club renovation facing expected cost increases

• Learn more about Glencoe Golf Club

Daniel Dorfman, Chicago Tribune

Planning continues for a new era at the Glencoe Golf Club as cost projections are moving higher.

Village officials are now estimating the renovation and update of the Glencoe Golf Club – highlighted by construction of a 10,000 square foot clubhouse/pro shop – will cost between $17 million to $18 million once construction is completed.

In April 2023, voters approved a bond sale referendum allowing the village to borrow up to $15 million for the project set to replace the existing aging clubhouse.

But now that amount of money may not cover the scope of the envisioned enhancements for the Golf Club that besides the new clubhouse will also include a year round restaurant, an event space and other recreational opportunities.

April 6, 2024
LIV Tour will return to Chicago after all — but at a new site
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

The Chicago area will have a major professional golf tournament this year after all. The LIV Golf League is returning, but not at Rich Harvest Farms.

Jerry Rich, owner of the Sugar Grove private club that hosted LIV events in 2022 and 2023, invited the fledgling Saudi-based circuit to return this year but later decided it’d be best to give his club members a year’s break from the distraction that hosting a big pro tournament usually requires from a host club.

April 11, 2024
Robotic range equipment coming to Countryside, ThunderHawk golf courses in Lake County

• Learn more about Countryside Golf Club

Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald

The Lake County Forest Preserve District is going robotic to mow grass and pick up balls on driving ranges at its Countryside and ThunderHawk golf courses.

With record usage in recent years at both courses, using electric-powered robots will allow the grounds and clubhouse staff to spend more time in other areas, said Alex Eichman, director of golf.

“Each location will have two machines,” he said. “We'll work over the next few weeks to set up a plan and do some testing.”

April 12, 2024
Aurora panel recommends higher Phillips Park golf fees

• Learn more about Phillips Park Golf Course

Steve Lord, Beacon-News

An Aurora City Council committee on Thursday recommended an increase in fees to play golf at Phillips Park on the city’s East Side.

Aldermen on the Finance Committee unanimously recommended the increase. The full City Council still needs to vote on the proposed hike in fees.

Jeff Schmidt, Golf Operations manager, said the fees at the Phillips Park Golf Course were last adjusted in 2022. He said the proposed increase would absorb some of the increasing golf industry costs, but also keep the public course competitive with similar golf courses. It also allows for continued investment in the course and its amenities, officials said.

April 24, 2024
Illinois PGA tournament season to feature team play

• Learn more about Schaumburg Golf Club

Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

The Illinois PGA informally opened its tournament season this week, but it won’t be long until the section’s newest feature in the schedule kicks in.

Team play will make its debut on May 13 at the first stroke play event at Schaumburg Golf Club.

This is real team play, not best ball or foursome competitions. With nine six-player teams and a seven-tournament schedule, it more closely resembles what the LIV Golf League started doing three years ago at its tournaments.

April 25, 2024
LIV Golf Expected To Tee Off This Fall In Bolingbrook

• Learn more about Bolingbrook Golf Club

Staff report, WJOL 1340

Some of the world’s best golfers will be in Bolingbrook this fall. The Village of Bolingbrook is finalizing details with LIV Golf to host a tournament at Bolingbrook Golf Club The Club features an Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest designed golf course and a 76,000 square foot clubhouse.

The event which is LIV’s individual championship tournament will feature 26 of the world’s top 100 golfers including, John Rahm ranked #4, Tyrell Hatton #17 and Brooks Koepka at #36.

April 26, 2024
What we do — and don’t — know about the gun-related arrests at Naperville’s Topgolf
Tess Kenny, Naperville Sun

For months now, gun-related arrests in the parking lot of Topgolf in Naperville have mounted, each the result of a similar chain of events.

Police, typically on a foot patrol, spot a firearm — in plain view, authorities say — inside a vehicle parked outside the 3211 Odyssey Court business. Officers set up surveillance, wait for the owner to return and, if that firearm is illegally possessed, make an arrest.

The familiar bust has happened again and again. But what is known about the arrests beyond their frequency?

April 29, 2024
Dispute at Carriage Greens continues; restaurant lost liquor license

• Learn more about Carriage Greens Country Club

David Giuliani, Patch

You can still hit the links at Darien's Carriage Greens Country Club.

But don't expect to get a beer or another alcoholic beverage at the Sandtrap Grill: The country club's restaurant has no liquor license.

In a text message to Patch on Monday, club owner Brian Broderick said Carriage Greens F and B, which runs the restaurant, is "squatting" in the eatery's space, but no activity is taking place.

All references to Sandtrap have been wiped away from the club's website.

April 30, 2024
Bolingbrook GC is official: LIV Golf announces Chicago venue for individual finale

• Learn more about Bolingbrook Golf Club

Joel Beall, Golf Digest

On Tuesday Bolingbrook Golf Club was named host of LIV’s 13th event of the 2024 season. When the Saudi-backed circuit released its schedule last fall, Chicago was earmarked to receive an event, but was without a home course. Bolingbrook previously hosted a 2021 Forme Tour, the PGA Tour affiliated minor-league formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide competition for non-Canadian PGA Tour Canada members.

Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove had hosted a LIV event the past two years in the Chicagoland area.