Chicago Area Golf News

December 23, 2024
Malbon Golf’s new West Loop store is a fresh take on golf
Amina Sergazina, Chicago Star

Malbon Golf, a brand celebrated for pushing the boundaries of traditional golf culture, is bringing its unique blend of sport and style to Chicago. The company has officially opened a 1,600-square-foot retail space at 833 W. Randolph St, offering a fresh take on how Chicagoans experience golf both on and off the course.

The design of the new store reflects the brand’s signature style with a gallery-inspired aesthetic. Custom-made fixtures, including golf bag racks, putter holders, and shelving units, create a thoughtfully curated environment. Clothing racks feature swirling bases that echo the brand’s logo, with each piece fabricated off-site for a polished and seamless look.

December 27, 2024
Golf Course Manager KemperSports Seeking New Capital, Sale Discussed
Scott Soshnick, Brendan Coffey, Sportico

KemperSports, the fifth-largest golf course management company in the country, has discussed the possibility of a sale to private equity and is seeking to raise fresh capital, Sportico has learned.

Since its founding in 1978, KemperSports has been owned by Steve Lesnik and the family of co-founder James Kemper Jr., who died in 2002. James Kemper Jr. was well-known in the golf world for his insurance company’s sponsorship of the Kemper Open, a longtime event on both the LPGA and PGA Tours. The KemperSports business had been self-funded until the owners sold equity to three outside investors in 2022. Only one of those investors was publicly disclosed, private equity firm LNC Partners, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence.