Chicago Area Golf News

December 1, 2025
Zinkand puts finishing touches on reversible layout short course on Chicago's lakefront
John Reitman, TurfNet

Zinkand Golf Design, led by architect Dave Zinkand, has completed a new short course and practice facility at Chicago’s historic Saddle and Cycle Club, which is expected to open next summer. To maximize the limited urban footprint near Lake Michigan, Zinkand implemented a creative reversible routing that features eight par-three holes played in opposing directions as four-hole loops. The extensive renovation involved demolishing existing features to construct four new greens, a 30,000-square-foot putting course, and CapillaryFlow-lined bunkers, marking Zinkand's second major Chicago-area project this year following his work at Old Elm Club.

December 4, 2025
Woodridge Golf Course's Fate Unclear, Struggles Seen As 'Perplexing'

• Learn more about Village Greens of Woodridge

David Giuliani, Patch

The future of the Village Greens of Woodridge is under review after a consultant termed its financial struggles "perplexing" given the high local demand for golf. While selling the property could yield over $50 million, the report recommends the village hire a third-party manager to overhaul operations -- specifically citing poor marketing, flawed rate structures, and damaging year-round play as key failures --projecting that proper management could make the course profitable despite needing millions in capital improvements.

December 8, 2025
Mundelein golf course teed up for sports complex

• Learn more about Village Green Golf Course

Charles Selle, News-Sun

The 18-hole Village Green golf course has officially closed to undergo a $4.2 million transformation into a sports complex for Mundelein High School. Demolition began in September to make way for new tennis courts and athletic fields, replacing the course originally opened in 1962. This conversion is part of a larger $149.5 million district facility improvement plan that also includes significant renovations and classroom additions to the high school itself.

December 18, 2025
New partnership presents plan to save Calumet Country Club for golfing

• Learn more about Calumet Country Club

Eric Crump, Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle

Efforts to preserve Calumet Country Club are underway from both the CDGA and the Donald Ross Society.

December 19, 2025
Village of Woodridge Selects KemperSports to Manage Village Greens

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Walter Lis, Chicago Golf Report

The Village of Woodridge has secured the immediate future of Village Greens by approving a two-year management agreement with KemperSports. Following the Park District’s departure in late 2025, this deal ensures the course remains open under professional oversight while the Village conducts a broader community study to determine the property's long-term "highest and best use."

December 20, 2025
Ravisloe staffer seeks memories of historic golf course for anniversary

• Learn more about Ravisloe Country Club

Staff report, Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle

In preparation for Ravisloe Golf Club’s 125th anniversary in 2026, staff member Jim McGrath is soliciting community photos and memories to help document the history of the Donald Ross-designed course. Founded as a private club in 1901 and opened to the public in 2008, the historic venue invites anyone with stories or artifacts to contact McGrath.

December 26, 2025
Proposed Zigfield Troy Golf Course development plan tees off group of Woodridge residents

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Cathy Janek, Shaw Local

Woodridge residents have organized to oppose a proposed redevelopment of the Zigfield Troy Golf Course that would convert the 35-acre site into commercial lots and 220 townhomes. While the plan by Kensington Development Partners retains the existing miniature golf course, neighbors argue the high-density project requires excessive rezoning and will result in traffic congestion, school overcrowding, and a loss of green space. In response, the opposition group has launched a GoFundMe campaign to hire legal counsel to challenge the current proposal and advocate for lower-density alternatives.

December 29, 2025
Carriage Greens' Course Subsidy Being Paid Back To City: Official

• Learn more about Carriage Greens Country Club

David Giuliani, Patch

Carriage Greens Country Club is currently repaying a $366,000 subsidy granted by the City of Darien in 2019, utilizing increased tax revenues from sales and gambling to cover the debt over a ten-year period. City officials confirmed the arrangement after a local school board president inquired about the subsidy following a report that ranked the course poorly in certain categories. Despite the scrutiny, officials note the private club is performing well and must directly pay any difference if tax revenues fail to cover the full amount by the deadline.