Chicago Area Golf News

May 4, 2025
Vernon Hills Golf Course Unveils Its New Putting Green

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Greg Miles, Chicago Golf Report

On April 29, Vernon Hills golf course celebrated the grand opening of its new 16,100-square-foot practice putting green and short game facility, a dramatic upgrade from the previous 550-square-foot oval green. Designed by golf architect Todd Quitno and constructed over 11 months beginning in June 2024, the new facility stretches 65 yards with multiple chipping areas and features disease-resistant 007XL bentgrass. Village officials and KemperSports representatives emphasized the facility's role in building the game of golf, with the putting green featuring nine holes numbered 10-18 and dubbed "The Back 9 at the Muni Vernon Hills Golf Course," available for free public use with scorecards provided for tracking progress on the nine-hole routing.

May 6, 2025
Darien Country Club Neighbors Warned

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David Giuliani, Patch

Carriage Greens Country Club has suffered its fourth incident of vandalism this year, prompting the owner to warn that he may seek a permit to erect a fence.

"It’s astounding to me how our golf course neighbors seem to have selective vision when it comes to issues regarding my business, Carriage Greens Country Club," owner Brian Broderick said in a statement to Patch on Tuesday morning. "The homeowners association, for example, focuses on minor details, like a fence that needs painting or complaints about snow plows in the parking lot, while turning a blind eye to far more pressing matters – such as groups of kids causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage to the golf course in their backyard."

May 13, 2025
Golfer in ICU after being hit by vehicle on Billy Caldwell Golf Course

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Staff report, ABC 7 Chicago

A 70-year-old golfer is recovering after being hit by a car that drove onto the Billy Caldwell Golf Course, officials said.

The incident happened on Monday at about 5:30 p.m. in the Forest Glen neighborhood.

Forest Preserves of Cook County police said a person drove onto the course and started to drive erratically.

The driver allegedly struck a 70-year-old male golfer on the 5th hole, police said.

May 20, 2025
More 'Troubling' Damage At Darien Golf Course

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David Giuliani, Patch

Darien officials on Monday reported more damage and problems at the Carriage Greens Country Club.

Earlier this month, the golf course's owners told Patch that neighbors have turned a "blind eye" to those trespassing on and damaging the property.

They warned that they may have to erect a fence to solve the problem. That is something that neighbors apparently do not want.

May 21, 2025
Summer program helping young kids afford to play golf
Staff report, ABC 7 Chicago

The game of golf is challenging physically and mentally, but it can be a game-changer socially. Now it is more affordable, than ever, for young people.

There's a program this summer that gets young people on dozens of different Chicago area golf courses for $5 a round.

May 27, 2025
Illinois Golf Hall of Fame selects latest class of honorees

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Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

The Illinois Golf Hall of Fame has selected its 21st induction class of six members, headlined by two former PGA Tour players: Bob Zender, who won three Illinois State Amateurs and All-American honors at Purdue before winning the 1971 PGA Tour qualifying tournament and playing professionally for a decade, and David Ogrin, a Waukegan native who won the 1996 Texas Open by beating Tiger Woods and recorded 32 top-10 PGA Tour finishes. The October 17 ceremony at The Glen Club will also honor course superintendent Dee Dinelli, KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner, racial integration pioneer Horace McDougal, and course designer Joe Roseman. In other news, Northwestern's women won the NCAA championship by beating top-ranked Stanford 3-2 in the final match, Illinois men finished 18th with Max Herendeen advancing individually to 27th place, both Illinois teams made major recruiting signings, and Illinois alum Nick Hardy posted his best PGA Tour finish this season with a tie for 11th at the Charles Sch

May 29, 2025
McHenry Country Club sold for $2M to local businessman
Janelle Walker, Shaw Local

The McHenry Golf Club, formerly the McHenry Country Club, recently secured a liquor license from the McHenry City Council. This approval, passed 6-0, allows the club to continue serving alcohol for golfers and events, especially important as the course currently lacks a restaurant operator. The club, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2022, was sold on January 30th for $1.98 million to McHenry Golf Club Properties LLC, owned by Edward Hinz. The new license was sought by Hinz after Addison's Steakhouse, which was slated to open a second location at the club and had been granted its own liquor license in February, failed to open.

May 30, 2025
DuPage forest preserve plans major transformation of Maple Meadows

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Katlyn Smith, Daily Herald

The DuPage County Forest Preserve board is set to vote on a nearly $14.9 million contract with Wadsworth Golf Construction to undertake a significant renovation of the Maple Meadows Golf Course in Wood Dale. This project aims to completely overhaul the course layout, install a new irrigation system, and reconstruct cart paths and the parking lot. The improvements are driven by the deterioration of existing infrastructure and a desire to enhance the property's ecological value, increase wetlands, improve stormwater management, and modernize the overall experience for golfers.

This initiative reflects an evolving perspective within the Forest Preserve, where golf facilities are now viewed as "golf preserves" that integrate ecological benefits with recreational use. The renovation will also address practical concerns such as reducing maintenance costs, improving pace of play, and making the course more walkable, ultimately aiming to keep green fees affordable. The project, slated to be