Chicago Area Golf News

Recent news, events, and coverage of the Chicagoland golf scene, curated every day

Chicago Area Golf News Archive for June, 2023

14 articles found for selected month.

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June 3, 2023
Groundbreaking for Canal Shores 2nd Century
Greg Miles, Chicago Golf Report

After 100+ years, the turf and infrastructure of Canal Shores Golf Course, according to the USGA Green Section and irrigation engineers, is in an “end of life” state. The Canal Shores Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers have worked hard for years to “apply another coat of paint to an old house,” but for this cherished course to survive and still be a vital part of the combined communities, massive renovation was needed.

The Canal Shores board stated “With 100% private funding, we will renovate the course beginning in June with reimagined space for beginning and seasoned golfers, a youth development training center and a Caddie Academy which will create jobs and college scholarship opportunities. Planned reopening is July 2024. We’re excited to partner with these renowned and accomplished organizations to help us build for the future: Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation, The First Tee – Greater Chicago, Quitno Golf Designs, Wadsworth Construction, and KemperSports
June 4, 2023
Canal Shores renovations break ground; Officials plan to reopen course next summer
Joe Coughlin, The Record North Shore

Built in 1919, Canal Shores is a 3,600-yard, par-60 course that straddles Evanston and Wilmette on 82 acres of land owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District land along the waters of the North Shore Channel.

Plans for the course center on turning Hole 1 into a youth golf training headquarters and making the course more playable while maintaining its unique qualities, officials said.

Construction has begun on the site, which officials hope will reopen in July 2024. Quitno Golf Designs and Wadsworth Construction head up the project.
June 5, 2023
Springbrook Golf Course To Debut Renovations With Ribbon Cutting
Lisa Marie Farver, Patch

After nearly a year of renovations that totaled $3.5 million, Springbrook Golf Course is ready to reopen. The golf course will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 14 that includes refreshments, a putting contest and remarks from Naperville officials.

Springbrook has been temporarily closed since crews began renovations to the course in August 2022. The improvements included adding bridges, ponds and paths to the course, replacing tees and bunkers and updating green surrounds.

Construction wrapped in early 2023, but Springbrook stayed closed this spring to give new turf time to grow.
June 6, 2023
You Can Golf On Wrigley Field’s Upper Deck Next Month As Part Of Pop-Up Event
Jake Wittich, Block Club Chicago

Upper Deck Golf, a traveling experience that allows people to play a round inside sports stadiums, is stopping in Wrigley Field July 6-9.

Tickets allow people to play a nine-hole course around the stadium, according to Upper Deck Golf. Players will tee off from the stadium’s upper deck, winding down around the stadium and onto custom greens in the field.
June 12, 2023
Bettinardi is taking high-end putters to the next level
H. Lee Murphy, Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago's metal shops were once a hotbed of golf equipment manufacturing, with local names like Wilson, Ram and Tommy Armour all notable for their craftsmanship. It's an industry that in recent years has almost entirely moved to Asia, with one notable exception: Bettinardi putters.
June 12, 2023
Frank Jemsek to receive ASGCA Donald Ross Award
Staff Report, Golf Course Industry

Frank Jemsek, owner of Lemont, Illinois-based Jemsek Golf, has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of the ASGCA Donald Ross Award. The award, given annually since 1976, is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to the game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture. It will be presented to Jemsek on Oct. 3 at the ASGCA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee at the Donald Ross Banquet.
June 19, 2023
Illinois State Women's Am had thrilling finish -- but its future is in jeopardy
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

Last week the Illinois State Women's Amateur celebrated its 90th anniversary with one of its most interesting tournaments. Two past champions decided the title in sudden death and an up-and-coming star emerged, too. That's the good news.

Now for the bad news. The Women's State Am future is in limbo for 2024.
June 20, 2023
Construction talks for Glencoe Golf Club begins after bond sale referendum passage
Daniel I. Dorfman, Glencoe News

After a majority of voters approved a $15 million bond sale referendum in April for an overhaul of the Glencoe Golf Club, the village has taken some initial steps toward construction.

In recent weeks, several village committees have discussed aspects of the golf club project including architecture, construction and financing. Officials are preparing for a 10,000 square foot building featuring a conference room and bar/restaurant open throughout the year along with some outdoor attractions and a new parking lot.
June 22, 2023
Chicago’s New Golf Bar, Big Mini, Opens in Lakeview
Naomi Waxman, Eater Chicago

It’s summer in Chicago and golf bars, or miniature golf bars, keep popping up around town. The latest is Big Mini Lakeview, a sprawling new follow-up to Wicker Park’s Big Mini Putt Club, with a dozen draft beers, a nine-hole course, and a charming DIY style that sets the sister spots apart from a crowded field of corporate golf simulator chains.

The sequel opens Thursday, June 22 at 3655 N. Halsted Street.
June 24, 2023
Can golf courses be sustainable? Some in the suburbs are trying by conserving water and more
Jenny Whidden, Daily Herald

While golf courses are often seen as harmful for the environment because they require a lot of water and chemicals and lack biodiversity, many local courses are on a greener path.

In Wheaton, Arrowhead Golf Course has houses for bats, bluebirds and ducks. In Hoffman Estates, the course at Bridges of Poplar Creek has a milkweed garden from which staff members harvest seeds each year. Both courses have upped their amounts of natural "no mow" areas and built buffers of native plants around their waterways.
June 25, 2023
North Shore Country Club To Host The 121st Western Amateur
Greg Miles, Chicago Golf Report

The Western Amateur is renowned for being the toughest test in amateur golf. It has been a prestigious national championship since its founding in 1899. Many of golf’s greatest players have etched their names on the George R. Thorne Trophy, but many more were unable to conquer the grueling format.

The field features 156 invited players from across the world. An 18-hole practice round will be played on Monday, July 31. The first round of stroke play will be contested on Tuesday, August 1, followed by the second round of stroke play on Wednesday, August 2.

North Shore Country Club is in Glenview, and was founded in 1900.
June 27, 2023
Glencoe Golf Club instructor given new life, kidney by former student
Daniel I. Dorfman, Glencoe News

Friends often ask friends for a favor such as borrowing money, lending a clothing item or providing a reference for a job application.

Not often do those favors involve donating a kidney. Yet such was the case with Bill Sakas and David Andrew.

Sakas, a longtime instructor at the Glencoe Golf Club, has tutored many students including Andrew.

“Everybody that plays golf wants to be with Bill,” Andrew said.

A friendship was formed, which turned out to be life saving for Sakas when he was diagnosed with Amyloidosis, a disease that can lead to kidney failure.
June 27, 2023
Wheeling ‘Golf ball drop’ fundraiser raises funds for food pantries and soup kitchens
Brian L. Cox, Northbrook Star

The Hunger Resource Network, which provides food for the needy, is holding a fundraiser titled “Driving the Need to Feed” at the Chevy Chase golf course in Wheeling on August 23, said Ky Smith development director with HRN. She said HRN is selling 2,000 numbered golf balls which will be hoisted above a green on the course and then dropped from a high elevation. The three balls that land closest to the cup will be winners.
June 29, 2023
NV5 Invitational is returning to Glenview
Iridian Fierro, WGN Radio

Bob Sirott is joined by Chris Montagano, Tournament Director of the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank. The two discuss past champions and what attendees can expect this year with the tour returning, July 25-30, 2023. For the first time, all four rounds of the championship will be live-streamed by Barstool Sports and the Fore Play Podcast. Tickets are on sale now – only $20 – and kids under 16 are free.


Full Archive of Chicago Golf News

2024 March (5 articles)
2024 February (9 articles)
2024 January (1 article)
2023 December (5 articles)
2023 November (7 articles)
2023 October (8 articles)
2023 September (8 articles)
2023 August (28 articles)
2023 July (21 articles)
2023 June (14 articles)
2023 May (15 articles)
2023 April (14 articles)
2023 March (10 articles)
2023 February (13 articles)
2023 January (8 articles)
2022 December (6 articles)
2022 November (20 articles)
2022 October (19 articles)
2022 September (23 articles)
2022 August (49 articles)
2022 July (36 articles)
2022 June (8 articles)
2022 May (6 articles)
2022 April (2 articles)
2022 March (1 article)
2022 January (3 articles)
2021 August (1 article)
2021 July (2 articles)
2021 April (1 article)
2020 June (2 articles)
2016 August (1 article)
2014 June (1 article)
2003 November (1 article)