Chicago Area Golf News

June 6, 2025
Glencoe GC to add $18 million clubhouse with bird-safe glass, geothermal

• Learn more about Glencoe Golf Club

Daniel Dorfman, Chicago Tribune

Construction has commenced on a new $18 million clubhouse at the Glencoe Golf Club, replacing a structure from the 1920s. Funded primarily by a $15 million bond sale referendum approved by Glencoe voters in 2023, the 10,000-square-foot facility will feature a year-round restaurant, sports bar, event space, and multi-sport simulators, with a total capacity of 290 people. The project, celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 19, aims to be highly sustainable with features like geothermal HVAC and bird-safe glass. While the golf course itself will not be renovated, an additional $3 million is being raised by a private non-profit for amenities such as a croquet court, community gardens, and a monarch butterfly sanctuary. Despite some community opposition regarding the project's scale and cost, officials anticipate the new clubhouse will become a significant, year-round community resource for Glencoe and Cook County, with a projected opening in June 2026.

June 6, 2025
New practice facility and putt putt course coming to Columbus Park GC

• Learn more about Columbus Park Golf Course

Chicago Park District, Facebook

The Chicago Park District, in partnership with Troon, has commenced construction on a new, free artificial turf short game practice area and a 9-hole mini-putt course at the Columbus Park Golf Course. This initiative aims to provide more free golfing opportunities for youth on Chicago's West Side, supplementing existing programs that have already served over 3,200 young people. The new facility, funded by Troon, is designed to make golf more accessible to both beginners and experienced players. The project, which was announced at a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Chicago Park District Superintendent Ramirez Rosa, Alderman Taliaferro, and Troon Vice-President Mc Intee, is expected to be completed and open to the public in late summer 2025.

June 7, 2025
Chicago police, park district host 'Play Like a Champion' youth golf program

• Learn more about South Shore Golf Course

Lissette Nuñez, ABC 7 Chicago

The Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Park District jointly hosted a youth golf event called "Play Like a Champion" at the South Shore Golf Course on Saturday. The program was designed not only to teach children the fundamentals of golf, with activities like a golf version of tic-tac-toe, but also to build positive relationships between the youth and police officers. Organizers, including CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling, highlighted the importance of exposing children to new experiences and fostering community connections. The event also marked the unveiling of a new public training facility at the golf course, which features advanced amenities like real sand bunkers and a multi-level putting green to serve the community.

June 9, 2025
Caddie school opens at Canal Shores

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Jeff Hirsh, Evanston Now

A new Caddie Academy at the renovated Canal Shores Golf Course, now named The Evans at Canal Shores, is training teenagers like 15-year-old Danny Hesburgh to be golf caddies. This program, supported by the Western Golf Association, not only teaches essential on-course skills but also offers a pathway to the prestigious Evans Scholarship for college, which was established by famed golfer and former caddie Chick Evans. The academy aims to instill life skills and provide opportunities for youth, including those from underserved communities, to gain experience in golf and potentially earn a college education, following in the footsteps of Evans himself.

June 10, 2025
Arlington Heights’ Ghim snags one of the final US Open qualifying spots

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Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

PGA Tour player Doug Ghim, from Arlington Heights, has been added to the field of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont. After initially failing to secure a spot through a seven-player playoff in the Dallas final qualifier, Ghim was one of the last seven players elevated to the 156-man field following withdrawals and the finalization of qualification procedures. A former University of Texas standout and the 2018 Ben Hogan Award winner, the 29-year-old has earned $7.6 million on tour but is still seeking his first victory. This will mark his second appearance in the U.S. Open, having missed the cut in his 2018 debut.

June 10, 2025
First Tee – Greater Chicago drives change by making golf accessible

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Staff report, Fox 32 Chicago

Anyone who plays golf will tell you that you can learn so many great things besides a great swing. But lessons can get pricey and leave people from underserved communities under-represented in the end. First Tee – Greater Chicago is doing something about that. And Brandon White, Vice President of Programming and Operations for First Tee – Greater Chicago, is here to talk about how they're empowering youth with life skills, character development, and mentorship.

June 10, 2025
Big Ten Network Sponsors Free Admission to 2025 NV5 Invitational

• Learn more about The Glen Club

Tony Marchese, On Tap Sports

The Big Ten Network partners with the Western Golf Association to provide complimentary admission to the Korn Ferry Tour event at The Glen Club, giving Chicago-area fans free access to watch golf's rising stars compete July 24-27.

June 17, 2025
Darien Residents 'Panicked' With Golf Course Plan: Officials

• Learn more about Carriage Greens Country Club

David Giuliani, Patch

The owners of the Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien are moving forward with plans to install a six-foot, chain-link fence along the third hole to combat ongoing vandalism and trespassing, having already received a permit from the city. This decision has been met with distress from neighboring residents who have pleaded with city officials for a less obtrusive, "corral-style" fence and even offered to contribute financially. Despite their pleas, the club's owners, citing the necessity of protecting their property from further damage, are proceeding with the installation of 1,000 linear feet of the chain-link fence, with the potential for future additions if vandalism continues.

June 19, 2025
Dog caddies coming to Chicagoland golf course

• Learn more about White Pines Golf Club

Eli Ong, WGN News

Next weekend, White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville is partnering with Fireball Whisky for a special event where Golden Retrievers will act as "caddies." On Friday, June 27, these dogs will find special cinnamon-scented golf balls that go off-course. Golfers can book tee times for this unique experience starting June 20. For those unable to attend, the scented golf balls will be available for purchase online.

June 23, 2025
LIV RangeGoats GC launches youth partnership with Cantigny Youth Links

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Staff report, LIV Golf

Bubba Watson's RangeGoats GC has partnered with Cantigny Youth Links, a youth-focused golf club near Chicago, to mentor young golfers. This collaboration includes personalized videos, custom gear, and letters from the professional team to encourage the children. The partnership will conclude with a "GOATS vs Kids Golf Day" on August 4, 2025, where 45 junior golfers will have the chance to play with Watson and his teammates, an event aimed at inspiring the next generation of players both on and off the course.

June 24, 2025
CDGA wraps up big couple of weeks with amateur championship at Briarwood
Len Ziehm, Daily Herald

Last week, the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) held two major tournaments, with Bridget Butler winning the Illinois State Women's Amateur and Ford Martin winning the Chicago Adaptive Open. This week, the CDGA is hosting its premier event, the 105th CDGA Amateur at Briarwood in Deerfield. After a 36-hole stroke play qualifier on Monday reduced the field to 16, two rounds of match play on Tuesday left just four semifinalists to compete on Wednesday. The tournament will conclude with a 36-hole championship match on Thursday.

June 30, 2025
Canteen Up And Running At Riverbend Golf Club

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Lisa Marie Farver, Patch

Following the sudden closure of its second restaurant, Bella Notte, at the Riverbend Golf Club, the Lisle Park District staff was commended by its board for the swift transformation and reopening of the space as the "Canteen." Instead of seeking a new full-service restaurant, the district opted for a scaled-down approach, offering golfers and rental groups a limited menu of alcoholic and soft drinks, quick snacks like hot dogs and pizza, and additional options like salads and wraps through a partnership with Sammy's Pub & Grill.