Chicago Area Golf News

August 25, 2025
Arboretum Golf Club neighbors teed off over damage from stray balls

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Steve Zalusky, Daily Herald

Residents living near Buffalo Grove's Arboretum Club golf course are reporting constant property damage from errant golf balls. Homeowners have experienced numerous incidents, including shattered car and house windows, with one resident being narrowly missed by a ball in his own yard.

According to the residents, the golfers responsible often deny their actions, and police are unable to intervene. While the village-owned golf course previously covered repair costs, that practice has been discontinued. The village now places responsibility on the individual golfers, leaving homeowners to bear the financial burden of the damages.

August 18, 2025
‘Joy riding’ tears up Canal Shores golf course

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Joe Coughlin, The Record

Overnight on Friday, August 15th, vandals driving two stolen Northwestern University golf carts caused significant damage to The Evans at Canal Shores, a recently renovated nonprofit golf course in Evanston and Wilmette. The vehicles were used to perform "donuts" on multiple greens and fairways, leaving deep tire tracks that forced the course to close on Saturday. Police are investigating the incident and have recovered the abandoned carts. Course officials described the act as a "gut punch" to a beloved community space and are currently assessing the costly and time-consuming repairs needed, particularly on the 11th and 13th greens.

August 15, 2025
Woodridge Park District announces lease termination for Village Greens Golf Course

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Press release, Woodridge Park District

Effective November 11, 2025, the Woodridge Park District will terminate its lease to operate the Village Greens Golf Course, returning control of the facility to the Village of Woodridge, which owns the property. The Park District's decision is due to financial difficulties, including annual operating losses and the need for an estimated $12 million in future capital investments.

The Village of Woodridge will now conduct a comprehensive review to determine the best path forward for the course. No decision has been made yet on whether the golf course will close or remain open. The Village has committed to a transparent process that will include public input and will work to support the course's staff during the transition.

August 14, 2025
Engine failure leads to small plane emergency landing near Joliet golf course

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Alonzo Small, WGN

No one suffered injuries after the pilot of a small aircraft made an emergency landing Thursday evening near a Joliet golf course. The 21-year-old pilot informed responding officers that the aircraft’s engine began to fail mid-flight, prompting the emergency landing.

August 14, 2025
Food truck approved for Elgin’s new Wing Park Golf Course clubhouse

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Gloria Casas, Courier-News

With construction to begin soon on the new $4.3 million clubhouse at the Wing Park Golf Course, the Elgin City Council signed off Wednesday on a rule change giving food trucks — including one at the clubhouse — conditional use standing.

The council then used the new ordinance to approve a conditional use under which Chip Shots Whiskey and Simulator Bar can operate a food truck to prepare meals for outside and inside consumption. The business also will sell alcoholic beverages.

August 10, 2025
Dean Burmester wins title at LIV Bolingbrook in playoff

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Todd Kelly, Golfweek

The threesome making up the final group at the final day at LIV Golf Chicago were each seeking their first win of 2025. One of them, a rookie, was seeking his first professional win anywhere.

Dean Burmester began the final round with a two-shot lead over a pair of Spaniards, Jon Rahm and Josele Ballester.

"Going to have to brush up on my Spanish,” Burmester quipped after learning who he'd be playing with Sunday.

August 9, 2025
The Last Hurrah for Village Green in Mundelein

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Greg Miles, Chicago Golf Report

With an uncertain up-in-the-air future, plagued with rejected rezoning plans and abandoned redevelopment proposals, Village Green Golf Course has been operated by GolfVisions Management, Inc., since 2008. GolfVisions even headquartered its operations in the Village Green clubhouse, until now.

Calling out to its long time patrons, nostalgic golfers, or just the public in general, Village Green has announced holding its “Farewell Scramble” on Saturday, August 23.

With its last ride, last rodeo, last hurrah quickly approaching in September, Village Green GC will now join Indian Valley and Four Winds as golf facilities brandishing the 60060 zip code that have closed in the past 3 decades.

August 7, 2025
Arbor Lodging Announces Acquisition of Eaglewood Resort

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Staff report, Lodging Magazine

Arbor Lodging Partners announced the acquisition of Eaglewood Resort & Spa, a 295-room full-service resort located in Itasca, Illinois, directly adjacent to the Medinah Country Club (host of the 2026 Presidents Cup).

The resort is four miles from O’Hare International Airport and proximate to downtown Chicago, and it is set on 102 acres. The property offers 39,000 square feet of meeting space, an 18-hole USGA-certified championship golf course, and a range of wellness and leisure amenities, including multiple food and beverage outlets, a full-service spa, and a bowling alley.

August 6, 2025
Small plane makes emergency landing on Highlands of Elgin golf course

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Sara Tenenbaum, CBS Chicago

A small plane made an emergency landing on an Elgin, Illinois golf course Wednesday evening.

Elgin fire officials said the plane was experiencing mechanical issues and made an emergency landing on the Highlands of Elgin golf course.

Officials said the Federal Aviation Administration notified Elgin police about the impending emergency landing at about 8:20 p.m. Officers and emergency responders went to the golf course and found the plane, which they said landed safely.

August 6, 2025
Former Illini Michael Feagles claims Illinois Open championship at Kemper Lakes
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

Mike Small, the University of Illinois men’s golf coach who has won 14 Illinois PGA titles, was bidding for a record-tying fifth Illinois Open crown on Friday. He had an uncharacteristically bad day at Kemper Lakes in Kildeer and didn’t get it, but the day wasn’t a complete downer.

In July one of Small’s former Illini players, Brian Campbell, won the John Deere Classic – Illinois’ only annual PGA Tour event. Then, on Wednesday, another Small pupil – Michael Feagles – captured the 76th Illinois Open, the state’s biggest event for Illinois golfers.

August 5, 2025
New mini putt golf course, practice facility opening in Chicago's Columbus Park

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Izzy Stroobandt, NBC Chicago

A new miniature golf course and short game practice facility is opening in Chicago’s Columbus Park.

City officials will celebrate the park's completion at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Columbus Park, located at 5701 West Jackson Boulevard, the park district recently announced.

The new 9-hole artificial turf mini putt course and practice facility features both chipping and putting greens, and creative design that is fun and engaging for golfers of all ages and skill levels, the Park District said in a release.

August 4, 2025
LIV Golf returns to Bolingbrook Golf Club in 2025: Everything you need to know

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Erik Doyle, Fox 32 Chicago

In 2025, the LIV Golf tournament returns to Bolingbrook Golf Club for a three-day event featuring top players like Jon Rahm and a Saturday concert by Good Charlotte. The event includes a family-friendly Fan Village, with tickets starting at $35 and free parking provided.

July 31, 2025
3 Years Later, Bensenville Golf Inquiry Continues

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David Giuliani, Patch

For three years, Bensenville police have been investigating nearly $800,000 in questionable refunds issued at the White Pines Golf Club between 2014 and 2019. Citing the ongoing investigation, the village has declined to release the police report. The refunds, which steadily increased annually, sometimes lacked explanations and were accompanied by "massive" food and liquor discounts.

July 30, 2025
Chicago Green Fees Rise in 2025, Driven by Premium Course Hikes and New Cart Tax
Staff report, GolfScout

A GolfScout analysis of over 200 Chicago-area golf courses reveals significant price shifts in 2025. While the average green fee saw a modest 6% increase, this figure masks dramatic swings at individual courses, ranging from a 14.3% decrease to a 37.5% increase.

Courses with poor conditions, like Calumet Country Club and Ruffled Feathers, slashed prices to attract golfers. Conversely, facilities that underwent major renovations, such as Canal Shores and Winnetka Golf Club, introduced substantial price hikes. Bolingbrook Golf Club implemented the largest increase after hosting a LIV Golf tournament. A new 8.5% state tax on cart rentals also contributed to pricing complexity across the region. The data suggests a market in transition, where courses must justify their prices with quality, while premium courses with strong reputations maintained stable pricing.

July 27, 2025
Johnny Keefer wins NV5 Invitational for second victory of season

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Staff report, PGA Tour

Johnny Keefer is heading to the PGA TOUR. The Korn Ferry Tour rookie earned "TOURBound status" with his victory at the NV5 Invitational and rises to No. 1 on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List.

July 26, 2025
Preview: 2025 Western Amateur Championship at Skokie Country Club
Kyle Rector, AmateurGolf.com

For the first time, the 2025 Western Amateur will stream live on ESPN+ on August 1-2 from Skokie Country Club. Known as the "toughest test in amateur golf," the historic event features the world's best amateurs competing in a grueling format of stroke play followed by a "Sweet 16" match play bracket. Past champions include legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, cementing its reputation as a proving ground for future stars.

July 25, 2025
Johnny Keefer, Jeffrey Kang, Cooper Dossey share lead at NV5 Invitational

• Learn more about The Glen Club

Staff Report, PGA Tour

ohnny Keefer, Jeffrey Kang, Cooper Dossey share lead at NV5 Invitational

July 22, 2025
NV5 Invitational Championship returning to Glenview

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Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

The NV5 Invitational, a Korn Ferry Tour event that serves as a pathway to the PGA Tour, returns this week to The Glen Club in Glenview. Its most notable alumnus is the 2019 champion, Scottie Scheffler, who is now the world's No. 1 ranked golfer and recently won the British Open for his fourth major title. The tournament showcases a high level of competition from players aspiring to join the PGA Tour, with play beginning Thursday morning.

July 17, 2025
Less rallies to pass Hamm and win Illinois State Amateur golf championship
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

In a dramatic turn of events at the 94th Illinois State Amateur, Connor Hamm, who started the final day with a commanding 7-stroke lead after a morning round of 63, collapsed in the afternoon with a 75. Capitalizing on Hamm's misfortunes, former professional Jordan Less secured the title with a birdie-birdie finish, winning by a single stroke. Less, who recently regained his amateur status, shot a final-round 68 to finish at 16-under-par.

July 15, 2025
It’s golf tournament time in the Chicago area, starting with Illinois State Amateur

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Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

The Chicago golf season is in full swing with several major tournaments occurring in rapid succession, including the Illinois State Amateur, the Illinois Women’s Open, the NV5 Invitational, and the Western Amateur. Notably, last year's State Amateur champion, Pierce Grieve, is not defending his title, instead focusing on qualifying for the U.S. Amateur and a potential professional debut.