Chicago Golf Around the Web
Recent news, events, and coverage of the Chicagoland golf scene from local and regional publishers, curated by GolfScout
Updated July 13, 2026
2026
Chip Shots Golf & Whiskey Bar recently opened at Wing Park Golf Course, offering golfers and the surrounding community new amenities at the public course founded in 1908.
Darien police were called twice in one day last week to Carriage Greens Country Club.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, an officer responded to a report of damaged property. Someone had driven a golf cart through standing water, causing up to $5,000 in damage, police said.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, an officer responded to a report of damaged property. Someone had driven a golf cart through standing water, causing up to $5,000 in damage, police said.
A 61-year-old man, identified as Jorge Ramirez-Contreras of Rosemont, was found floating in Lake Opeka at Lake Park in Des Plaines on Wednesday evening, leading to a death investigation by local police. Officers responded to the scene just before 8:15 p.m. after witnesses reported the incident; bystanders, including one who entered the water to pull him ashore, and first responders attempted resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Phillips Park Golf Course in Aurora, Illinois, will host the inaugural AJGA Chicago Junior All-Star Championship this June, featuring a competitive field of 96 golfers ages 12 to 15. Designed to give emerging young athletes national-level experience, the tournament will kick off with a qualifier and practice round on June 15. The main championship features 54 holes of stroke play running from June 16 to 18, with the field being narrowed down to the top 60 percent ahead of the final round.
For nearly two years starting in August 2023, Naperville police made 46 gun-related arrests in the Topgolf parking lot, often after spotting firearms in plain view, along with cannabis or open alcohol. The incidents abruptly ended after the last arrest in November 2025. Officials credit proactive police patrols, enhanced security at Topgolf, and media attention for the sharp drop in illegal weapons cases at the venue.
The Illinois State Women’s Amateur has undergone major recent changes: the CDGA took over from the Illinois Women’s Golf Association in 2024, switching from match play to a 54-hole stroke play format, adding a U.S. Women’s Amateur exemption and a new Mid-Amateur division for players 25+. The 93rd championship moves to Elgin Country Club this year, with Barrington’s Bridget Butler as defending champion after her impressive win last season.
Elgin’s historic Wing Park Golf Course is opening a new $4.8 million clubhouse in mid- to late-June. The state-of-the-art facility blends modern amenities—including indoor golf simulators, the Chip Shots Golf & Whiskey Bar, and an outdoor food truck—with the site's rich history. Designed as a welcoming community hub, the venue will serve both golfers and the general public.
From May 22 to September 7, The Morton Arboretum is hosting Wonder Woods Mini Golf. This accessible, 9-hole course for ages 4 and up features oversized, tree-themed obstacles that teach tree science. Tickets are required in addition to general admission.
Park Ridge officials are advancing a liquor code amendment to allow the Harp & Fiddle pub to serve beer, wine, and snacks from a new concession stand at the Oakton Sports Complex golf driving range. The pub already safely serves concessions inside the sports center without any police incidents, prompting strong support from the park district. Having passed committee reviews without objection, the proposal now awaits final city council approval ahead of the driving range's anticipated summer opening.
A nearly four-year investigation into more than $780,000 in suspicious refunds at Bensenville's White Pines Golf Club remains ongoing. DuPage County prosecutors are currently reviewing the case for potential felony charges after records revealed that unexplained refunds and massive discounts steadily escalated between 2014 and 2019.
An exploration and description of seven golf clubs of the north shore: Deerfield Golf Club, Glencoe Golf Club, Sunset Valley Golf Club, White Deer Run, Wilmette Golf Club, Willow Hill Golf Course and Winnetka Golf Club.
Loft 19 Golf Club, a new reservation-only indoor golf facility, has been approved to open in a second-floor loft in downtown Palatine. The 2,800-square-foot space will feature three golf simulators and serve beer, wine, and food from local restaurant partners exclusively to its players.
A March 10 tornado destroyed roughly 300 trees at the historic Kankakee Elks Country Club, significantly altering the landscape of five holes. Rather than replanting, management is embracing the change, noting that the storm essentially reverted the 100-year-old course back to its original, open "links-style" design. Following a massive volunteer cleanup effort, the course reopened in mid-April and will maintain its traditional scoring as crews continue to repair damaged golf carts and await better spring weather.
At the U.S. Open local qualifier at Stonewall Orchard, 16-year-old amateur Lester Low pulled off an upset by taking medalist honors with a 7-under-par 65. The Evanston high schooler outpaced seasoned pro Andy Svoboda, a five-time U.S. Open veteran, by two strokes. Both Low and Svoboda, along with amateur Ben Patel, are among the four players advancing to the final 36-hole qualifying stage for a chance to compete at Shinnecock Hills in June.
The U.S. Open has begun its massive qualifying process, drawing over 10,000 entrants worldwide to compete for a spot in the 156-player field at Shinnecock Hills this June. Players will battle through local qualifiers—including three in Illinois—and final qualifiers, with only 51 golfers currently exempt from the rigorous elimination rounds.
Bank of America and Youth on Course are bringing back the **"Golf with Us"** program to offer Chicago youth (ages 6–18) free memberships for $5 golf rounds. Following a successful first year that reached over 3,600 kids, the initiative continues to break down financial barriers to the sport, further supported by an upcoming August clinic and a $500,000 donation from Rory McIlroy.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, West Chicago's family-owned St. Andrews Golf & Country Club has survived major historical challenges ranging from the Great Depression to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through five generations of continuous family operation, it has remained dedicated to the vision of former owner Joe Jemsek: providing everyday golfers with the high-quality amenities and experience of a private club.
This September, the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club is transforming into a premier corporate networking hub. Businesses are rapidly purchasing luxury hospitality suites to use as mobile boardrooms for entertaining clients and closing deals. With many top tier packages already sold out and massive global viewership expected, the tournament offers companies a unique opportunity to seamlessly blend world class golf with high stakes relationship building.
DuPage County is undertaking a comprehensive, $6 million renovation of the Maple Meadows golf course and clubhouse, expected to be fully ready for play by the summer of 2027. The project features a completely redesigned course layout, a new halfway house, and significant energy-efficient clubhouse upgrades. These facility improvements, which include a solar-equipped outdoor pavilion, a relocated bar, and expanded event spaces, are designed to encourage longer visits, boost food and beverage revenue, and prioritize three-season use.
Bank of America has announced the 2026 return of its "Golf with Us" program in Chicago, partnering with Youth on Course to offer free, one-year memberships to local youth ages 6 to 18. The initiative makes the sport more accessible by allowing kids to play rounds of golf for $5 or less, and it includes a free skills clinic with celebrity instructors on August 17.
Four young golfers from the Chicagoland area have successfully navigated a rigorous, nationwide qualifying process to compete in the 2026 National Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at Augusta National. Joining an elite field of just 80 finalists, Patricia Kittivat, Vihaan Patel, Lucy Wiertel, and Carter Bird are heading to the historic course with a shared focus on hard work, friendship, and enjoying the prestigious experience.
Glencoe Public Safety is investigating after unknown individuals fired gunshots into the air at the Glencoe Golf Club on the night of March 24 and immediately fled. Officers responded to a delayed 911 call but did not confirm the incident until staff found shell casings the following day. Authorities state there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the golf club remains open as the investigation continues.
A profile of Bettinardi Golf, a Chicago-based family brand that has carved out a niche in a cut-throat industry dominated by billion-dollar companies. The segment focuses on their partnership with pro golfer Matt Fitzpatrick, detailing how the company's meticulous manufacturing allowed him to switch to their putter just in time to win the 2022 US Open.
West Meadows Ice Arena is transforming into a year-round, multiuse recreational space by introducing "The Bays", two state-of-the-art TrackMan golf simulators. Replacing a former hockey shooting gallery, the new high-tech bays will allow golfers of all skill levels to practice on hundreds of world-famous courses, play entertainment-focused games, and relax in a newly renovated lounge area.