Chicago Area Golf News

February 5, 2023
Canal Shores Golf Course slated for $5.9 million revamp

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Manan Bhavnani, Evanston Roundtable

The Canal Shores Golf Course in north Evanston and southeast Wilmette is eyeing a long-awaited revamp, with an estimated price tag of nearly $5.9 million.

But the extensive project also means the property at 1030 Central St. will have to close for almost a year, from Aug. 1 until July 2024, preventing thousands of rounds of golf as well as canceling Northwestern football tailgating and fall bird walks.

The 82-acre, 18-hole course, which opened in 1919, has needed repairs for some time. “We realized that the golf course had some significant problems in terms of being sustainable for the future,” said Matt Rooney, president of the Evanston Wilmette Golf Association board.

February 6, 2023
Niles’ Tam Golf ranks among the top nine-hole courses, per magazine

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Caroline Kubzansky, Niles Herald-Spectator

As Niles Park District’s Tam Golf Course gears up to open when spring arrives, a golf magazine has recognized the historic Niles course as “one of the best in the nation.”

Readers of NBC’s GolfPass publication rated the nine-hole Tam course number 10 in a list of the 25 best short golf courses. The course placed 13th in the ranking in 2021 and was number 23 in a list of best golf courses in Illinois, according to GolfPass.

February 7, 2023
Registration underway for Chicago District Golf Association championships
Dave Oberhelman, Daily Herald

Registration has begun for the eight championships and their associated qualifying tournaments, presented by the Chicago District Golf Association. This year marks the 110th year that the CDGA has conducted amateur golf competitions.

The slate is highlighted by the 92nd Illinois State Amateur Championship July 18-20 at the Bloomington Country Club; and the 103rd CDGA Amateur June 26-29 at Lake Shore Country Club.

February 8, 2023
Trackman Range opens at Cantigny Golf Academy

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Jeff Reiter, Daily Herald

Cantigny Golf's Trackman installation is complete. TrackMan Range is available in all 10 of Cantigny Golf Academy's climate-controlled hitting bays.

Each bay features a 27-inch touch-screen that displays pinpoint results for every shot.

The system tracks eight key data points such as carry distance, total distance, ball speed, and distance from the pin. Instant feedback contributes to a more engaging range experience for players of all skill levels.

February 9, 2023
Tam O’Shanter Receives Top Ratings By NBC GolfPass, Chicago Golf Report

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Tom Robb, Journal & Topics

The Niles Park District’s Tam O’Shanter Golf Course was recently recognized by national and local Chicago golf news outlets, GolfPass, a national NBC golf program, and the Chicago Golf Report as one of the best short golf courses in the country.

GolfPass gave the historic Tam O’Shanter nine-hole course 4.6 stars with an all-time recommendation rating of 98.9% and a 100% recommendation with reviews received within the last 12 months.

The Chicago Golf Report listed Tam O’Shanter as its number-one-ranked nine-hole course in a top 10 listing of Chicago-area courses released last December.

February 14, 2023
Canal Shores Golf Course focuses on reaching young players

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Myrna Petlicki, Wilmette Life

Young people can gain a lot more than an interesting hobby by learning to play golf. That’s why the Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston/Wilmette is focusing on youth development with its multimillion dollar course improvement project.

“We use the game of golf as a tool to teach life skills,” said Lea Jesse, CEO of the nonprofit First Tee-Greater Chicago. “We will teach them values like sportsmanship and judgment and honesty, using the game of golf as a tool.”

Her company will be offering a youth camp for kids ages 7 through high school in the new youth area that is being created at the 103-year-old golf course.

February 15, 2023
Hazel Crest OKs annexation of Calumet Country Club
Mike Nolan, Daily Southtown

The Hazel Crest Village Board voted Tuesday to annex the Calumet Country Club, a move opponents said could end up being destructive to the community and surrounding suburbs.
Proposals for the 130-acre property, northwest of Dixie Highway and 175th Street in unincorporated Cook County, include warehouses and a factory to build manufactured homes components, as well as an indoor water park, hotel, retail space and restaurant.
Hazel Crest residents along with residents of nearby communities said it could create more truck traffic, worsen pollution and lower property values.

February 15, 2023
A Lakeview Mini-Golf Bar Will Offer Boozy Slushies and Nine Holes of Fun
Naomi Waxman, Eater

Big Mini Putt Club, Wicker Park’s mini-golf bar that overcame a pandemic opening and became a neighborhood hit, will soon bring unveil a second outpost in Lakeview. Co-owners Nicholas Jenkins and Austin DeLonge are deep into the build-out process at Big Mini Lakeview and are aiming for a spring debut at 3655 N. Halsted Street.

Housed inside a bow truss building with a soaring 25-foot ceiling, Big Mini Lakeview will, like its predecessor, offer nine holes that Jenkins and DeLonge design and build themselves. There’s a DIY spirit at Big Mini that separates it from the out-of-town mini-golf chains that have descended upon Chicago.

February 16, 2023
Massive Willow Hill Golf Dome is latest addition to Northbrook skyline

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Joe Lewnard, Daily Herald

Willow Hill Dome, just west of the existing outdoor Willow Hill golf club, is 160 by 70 yards long and 65 feet high. The privately owned business' website advertises it as a destination for golf, soccer, baseball, flag football, whiffle ball, kickball and dodgeball.

February 21, 2023
Chicago Golf Show from 2/24 to 2/26
Adrian Holman, NewsBreak

The 39th Annual Chicago Golf Show will be at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from Friday, February 24th to Sunday, February 26th at 5555 N. River Rd in Rosemont, IL. The Chicago Golf Show is the longest-running consumer show in US history.

Tickets for the Golf Show are $7 on Friday and $12 on Saturday and Sunday for adults, $4 for youths between 12-15, and free admission for children 11 and under.

February 22, 2023
Chicago Golf Show – The Complete History
Walter Lis, Chicago Golf Report

In 2021 and 2022, Chicago-area golfers missed out on the Chicago Golf Show, which was unfortunately cancelled due to supply chain and issues related to the pandemic. The entire Chicago golf community looks forward to revisiting one of the great traditions in Chicago golf once again in 2023.

The Chicago Golf Show historically serves as the first indication that winter can’t last forever and spring is near. It’s the combination of this eternal boost of optimism plus a chance to see what’s new in golf that has attracted thousands of hopeful golfers to the Chicago Golf Show since 1984.

February 22, 2023
$15 Million Golf Club Referendum Question Posed To Glencoe Voters

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Jonah Meadows, Patch

Voters will have a say on a proposal to borrow $15 million to fund improvements to the Glencoe Golf Club.

A referendum question on the April 4 ballot asks Glencoe residents whether to approve general obligation bonds to cover the costs of removing two existing buildings, replacing the clubhouse, expanding the parking lot, adding additional outdoor space, stormwater detention and walking and cart paths.

"This is something we have been discussing for a number of years, at this point," Village Manager Phil Kiraly said.

The proposed bond issue is estimated to cost taxpayers up to an additional $140 per $10,000 of property taxes for the next two decades.

February 23, 2023
Chicago Golf Show returns Friday after 2-year hiatus
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

For 37 years the Chicago Golf Show was considered the unofficial start to the Chicago golf season. And then the pandemic hit.

The show was canceled in 2021 and 2022 because of pandemic concerns, but it's back this weekend in full force at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. It'll feature Colt Knost, an on-course TV reporter for CBS, and Paige Spiranac, a prominent social media influencer on golf, sports and fitness.