Chicago Area Golf News

March 3, 2025
Top 25 Public Golf Courses in IL - Golfers' Choice 2025
Jason Scott Deegan, Brooke Taylor, GolfPass

The best public golf courses of Illinois stretch from Chicagoland to the Quad Cities and down to the state's southern border.

GolfPass releases a Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Illinois every year thanks to YOU. We create our annual Golfers' Choice lists by curating the reviews submitted by everyday golfers. We use GolfPass' Ratings Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's subcategory averages.

March 3, 2025
Golfers can once again hit the links at Wrigley Field this spring
Staff report, NBC5 Chicago

Chicago Cubs fans can experience Wrigley Field in a unique way this spring as Upper Deck Golf returns to the Friendly Confines.

According to the Cubs, a nine-hole course will return to Wrigley Field in mid-April, giving golfers a chance to hit shots at a variety of targets around the ballpark.

“We are excited to host Upper Deck Golf at Wrigley Field during golf’s biggest weekend,” said Andy Blackburn of Wrigley Field Events. “We look forward to celebrating with some unique Cubs Golf apparel, fun activations and viewing opportunities.”

March 4, 2025
Winnetka Golf Club earns Green to a Tee Award

• Learn more about Winnetka Golf Club

Staff report, Golf Course Industry

Illinois’ Winnetka Golf Club was recognized with the Green to a Tee Award at the recent KemperSports Leadership Conference banquet, celebrating its commitment to environmental sustainability. In a historic achievement, Winnetka Golf Club became the first facility in the history of KemperSports to complete all four levels of Green to a Tee certification in a single year, including earning Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification.

March 4, 2025
Gun arrests outside Naperville Topgolf resume with three busts in four weeks
Tess Kenny, Naperville Sun

After a few months of quiet, gun-related arrests at the Topgolf in Naperville have started up again, with police apprehending three suspects in the past month on firearm charges in and near the facility’s parking lot.

Arrests occurred Feb.1, Feb. 11 and March 1, which was this past Saturday. Prior to February, the last gun-related arrest outside the 3211 Odyssey Court venue was in late October, according to Naperville police spokeswoman Kelley Munch.

March 11, 2025
Tourist helicopter lands on Jackson Park Golf Course after mechanical problem

• Learn more about Jackson Park Golf Course

Tre Ward, ABC 7 Chicago

A helicopter with a mechanical problem landed on a South Side golf course Monday night, Chicago Fire Department officials said.

CFD said in a post on X just before 6:30 p.m. that the helicopter landed on Jackson Park Golf Course in the 6200-block of South Richards Drive, near the first hole.

People were left shocked at the golf course after watching the helicopter lower from the sky, as the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.

March 18, 2025
Chicago Park District renews Troon golf course management contract
Wire report, Golf Wire

Troon is pleased to announce a 10-year management agreement renewal with the Chicago Park District to manage the City of Chicago’s eight golf facilities. Indigo Sports, a Troon company, will continue to operate and maintain Chicago’s six golf courses, three driving ranges and one miniature golf course, while providing outstanding guest service and innovative golf programs focused on increasing engagement of underrepresented communities.

March 25, 2025
Chicago news helicopter makes emergency landing on golf course

• Learn more about Wing Park Golf Course

Adam Harrington, CBS Chicago

NBC 5 Chicago said a cockpit warning light came on in the station's helicopter, indicating an engine problem. Elgin Fire Chief Rob Cagann said the engine problem specifically involved overheated oil temperature.

The pilot of the Sky 5 chopper made a precautionary landing at the Wing Park golf course.

"They were able to find Wing Park here to be able to put it down safely without any incident," said Cagann.