Chicago Area Golf News
News, events, and coverage of the Chicagoland golf scene, curated every day
July 2026
This week’s 126th Women’s Western Amateur is not just one of the oldest tournaments in the Chicago area. It is by far the most prestigious women’s event on the 2026 calendar with Maelynn Kim, of Katy, Texas, the defending champion.
The Women’s Western Am, held without interruption since 1901, completes its 36-hole stroke play qualifying Wednesday at River Forest in Elmhurst. Then there’ll be a cut to 32 players for five rounds of match play beginning Thursday and concluding Saturday.
The Women’s Western Am, held without interruption since 1901, completes its 36-hole stroke play qualifying Wednesday at River Forest in Elmhurst. Then there’ll be a cut to 32 players for five rounds of match play beginning Thursday and concluding Saturday.
Chip Shots Golf & Whiskey Bar recently opened at Wing Park Golf Course, offering golfers and the surrounding community new amenities at the public course founded in 1908.
Darien police were called twice in one day last week to Carriage Greens Country Club.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, an officer responded to a report of damaged property. Someone had driven a golf cart through standing water, causing up to $5,000 in damage, police said.
Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, an officer responded to a report of damaged property. Someone had driven a golf cart through standing water, causing up to $5,000 in damage, police said.
June 2026
A 61-year-old man, identified as Jorge Ramirez-Contreras of Rosemont, was found floating in Lake Opeka at Lake Park in Des Plaines on Wednesday evening, leading to a death investigation by local police. Officers responded to the scene just before 8:15 p.m. after witnesses reported the incident; bystanders, including one who entered the water to pull him ashore, and first responders attempted resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Phillips Park Golf Course in Aurora, Illinois, will host the inaugural AJGA Chicago Junior All-Star Championship this June, featuring a competitive field of 96 golfers ages 12 to 15. Designed to give emerging young athletes national-level experience, the tournament will kick off with a qualifier and practice round on June 15. The main championship features 54 holes of stroke play running from June 16 to 18, with the field being narrowed down to the top 60 percent ahead of the final round.
May 2026
For nearly two years starting in August 2023, Naperville police made 46 gun-related arrests in the Topgolf parking lot, often after spotting firearms in plain view, along with cannabis or open alcohol. The incidents abruptly ended after the last arrest in November 2025. Officials credit proactive police patrols, enhanced security at Topgolf, and media attention for the sharp drop in illegal weapons cases at the venue.
The Illinois State Women’s Amateur has undergone major recent changes: the CDGA took over from the Illinois Women’s Golf Association in 2024, switching from match play to a 54-hole stroke play format, adding a U.S. Women’s Amateur exemption and a new Mid-Amateur division for players 25+. The 93rd championship moves to Elgin Country Club this year, with Barrington’s Bridget Butler as defending champion after her impressive win last season.
Elgin’s historic Wing Park Golf Course is opening a new $4.8 million clubhouse in mid- to late-June. The state-of-the-art facility blends modern amenities—including indoor golf simulators, the Chip Shots Golf & Whiskey Bar, and an outdoor food truck—with the site's rich history. Designed as a welcoming community hub, the venue will serve both golfers and the general public.
From May 22 to September 7, The Morton Arboretum is hosting Wonder Woods Mini Golf. This accessible, 9-hole course for ages 4 and up features oversized, tree-themed obstacles that teach tree science. Tickets are required in addition to general admission.
Park Ridge officials are advancing a liquor code amendment to allow the Harp & Fiddle pub to serve beer, wine, and snacks from a new concession stand at the Oakton Sports Complex golf driving range. The pub already safely serves concessions inside the sports center without any police incidents, prompting strong support from the park district. Having passed committee reviews without objection, the proposal now awaits final city council approval ahead of the driving range's anticipated summer opening.
A nearly four-year investigation into more than $780,000 in suspicious refunds at Bensenville's White Pines Golf Club remains ongoing. DuPage County prosecutors are currently reviewing the case for potential felony charges after records revealed that unexplained refunds and massive discounts steadily escalated between 2014 and 2019.
An exploration and description of seven golf clubs of the north shore: Deerfield Golf Club, Glencoe Golf Club, Sunset Valley Golf Club, White Deer Run, Wilmette Golf Club, Willow Hill Golf Course and Winnetka Golf Club.
Loft 19 Golf Club, a new reservation-only indoor golf facility, has been approved to open in a second-floor loft in downtown Palatine. The 2,800-square-foot space will feature three golf simulators and serve beer, wine, and food from local restaurant partners exclusively to its players.
April 2026
A March 10 tornado destroyed roughly 300 trees at the historic Kankakee Elks Country Club, significantly altering the landscape of five holes. Rather than replanting, management is embracing the change, noting that the storm essentially reverted the 100-year-old course back to its original, open "links-style" design. Following a massive volunteer cleanup effort, the course reopened in mid-April and will maintain its traditional scoring as crews continue to repair damaged golf carts and await better spring weather.
At the U.S. Open local qualifier at Stonewall Orchard, 16-year-old amateur Lester Low pulled off an upset by taking medalist honors with a 7-under-par 65. The Evanston high schooler outpaced seasoned pro Andy Svoboda, a five-time U.S. Open veteran, by two strokes. Both Low and Svoboda, along with amateur Ben Patel, are among the four players advancing to the final 36-hole qualifying stage for a chance to compete at Shinnecock Hills in June.
The U.S. Open has begun its massive qualifying process, drawing over 10,000 entrants worldwide to compete for a spot in the 156-player field at Shinnecock Hills this June. Players will battle through local qualifiers—including three in Illinois—and final qualifiers, with only 51 golfers currently exempt from the rigorous elimination rounds.
Bank of America and Youth on Course are bringing back the **"Golf with Us"** program to offer Chicago youth (ages 6–18) free memberships for $5 golf rounds. Following a successful first year that reached over 3,600 kids, the initiative continues to break down financial barriers to the sport, further supported by an upcoming August clinic and a $500,000 donation from Rory McIlroy.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, West Chicago's family-owned St. Andrews Golf & Country Club has survived major historical challenges ranging from the Great Depression to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through five generations of continuous family operation, it has remained dedicated to the vision of former owner Joe Jemsek: providing everyday golfers with the high-quality amenities and experience of a private club.
DuPage County is undertaking a comprehensive, $6 million renovation of the Maple Meadows golf course and clubhouse, expected to be fully ready for play by the summer of 2027. The project features a completely redesigned course layout, a new halfway house, and significant energy-efficient clubhouse upgrades. These facility improvements, which include a solar-equipped outdoor pavilion, a relocated bar, and expanded event spaces, are designed to encourage longer visits, boost food and beverage revenue, and prioritize three-season use.
This September, the Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club is transforming into a premier corporate networking hub. Businesses are rapidly purchasing luxury hospitality suites to use as mobile boardrooms for entertaining clients and closing deals. With many top tier packages already sold out and massive global viewership expected, the tournament offers companies a unique opportunity to seamlessly blend world class golf with high stakes relationship building.
Bank of America has announced the 2026 return of its "Golf with Us" program in Chicago, partnering with Youth on Course to offer free, one-year memberships to local youth ages 6 to 18. The initiative makes the sport more accessible by allowing kids to play rounds of golf for $5 or less, and it includes a free skills clinic with celebrity instructors on August 17.
Four young golfers from the Chicagoland area have successfully navigated a rigorous, nationwide qualifying process to compete in the 2026 National Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at Augusta National. Joining an elite field of just 80 finalists, Patricia Kittivat, Vihaan Patel, Lucy Wiertel, and Carter Bird are heading to the historic course with a shared focus on hard work, friendship, and enjoying the prestigious experience.
March 2026
Glencoe Public Safety is investigating after unknown individuals fired gunshots into the air at the Glencoe Golf Club on the night of March 24 and immediately fled. Officers responded to a delayed 911 call but did not confirm the incident until staff found shell casings the following day. Authorities state there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the golf club remains open as the investigation continues.
A profile of Bettinardi Golf, a Chicago-based family brand that has carved out a niche in a cut-throat industry dominated by billion-dollar companies. The segment focuses on their partnership with pro golfer Matt Fitzpatrick, detailing how the company's meticulous manufacturing allowed him to switch to their putter just in time to win the 2022 US Open.
West Meadows Ice Arena is transforming into a year-round, multiuse recreational space by introducing "The Bays", two state-of-the-art TrackMan golf simulators. Replacing a former hockey shooting gallery, the new high-tech bays will allow golfers of all skill levels to practice on hundreds of world-famous courses, play entertainment-focused games, and relax in a newly renovated lounge area.
The 2026 Brooks Tournament Series for amateur golfers will kick off Saturday, April 18, with the Partner Best-Ball Challenge at Naperbrook Golf Course, the Naperville Park District announced.
February 2026
The Chicago Golf Show is back in Rosemont with interactive sessions with special guests and great deals on golf equipment. Feb. 27th – March 1st at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a rare century of continuous operation under family stewardship. Opened in 1926, it has endured major historical challenges while evolving into a vibrant, welcoming public golf destination with two championship 18-hole courses, a major practice facility, and a longstanding reputation as a generational home for Chicagoland golfers.
PGA Tour Superstore, a major golf retailer, is opening a 30,000-square-foot location at 1072 Willow Road in Northbrook's Willow Festival Shopping Center. The new store will offer custom club fittings, same-day services, on-site repairs, eight Trackman simulators, an indoor putting green, and a wide selection of golf gear, apparel, and footwear for all skill levels. It's designed as an immersive destination for North Shore and Chicago-area golfers, with a grand opening planned for fall.
The Naperville Park Board has approved buying two Toro autonomous mowers for $76,757 to use at Naperbrook and Springbrook golf courses. The battery-powered, quiet, zero-emission machines will mainly maintain driving ranges, allowing mowing without closing areas or picking up golf balls, while cutting labor, fuel costs, and emissions.
LIV Golf begins its fifth season in Saudi Arabia with significant changes, most notably the removal of Chicago from its 14-tournament schedule after a four-year run. The circuit is also evolving its format to 72-hole events with expanded 57-player fields and, for the first time, limited World Ranking Points.
While the tour loses mainstays like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed to the PGA Tour, it adds new talent like Illini alum Thomas Detry. Although LIV has exited Illinois, Chicago golf fans can look forward to the Chicago Golf Show in late February and the PGA Tour’s Presidents Cup at Medinah this September.
While the tour loses mainstays like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed to the PGA Tour, it adds new talent like Illini alum Thomas Detry. Although LIV has exited Illinois, Chicago golf fans can look forward to the Chicago Golf Show in late February and the PGA Tour’s Presidents Cup at Medinah this September.
Northwestern University recently honored Horace Morgan McDougal as the first Black intercollegiate golfer in history. A Chicago native and Purple Heart veteran, McDougal broke the color barrier in 1923, decades before Tiger Woods.
Though his achievements were buried for nearly a century, his family and Northwestern officials are now sharing his legacy to inspire a new generation. Following his 2025 induction into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, his story serves as a call to increase diversity in a sport where Black athletes still represent less than 2% of collegiate players.
Though his achievements were buried for nearly a century, his family and Northwestern officials are now sharing his legacy to inspire a new generation. Following his 2025 induction into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame, his story serves as a call to increase diversity in a sport where Black athletes still represent less than 2% of collegiate players.
January 2026
Megalodome Golf plans a climate-controlled indoor golf complex in Oswego, featuring four domes, a 9-hole executive course and full driving range. The proposed site is designed to recreate the look and feel of Scottsdale, Arizona. The project is still in the financing phase, with a target opening of fall 2027.
J. Andrew Langan, a Winnetka resident and seasoned litigation counsel at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, has been named Chairman of the Western Golf Association (WGA) and the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) for the 2026–2027 term.
A WGA Director since 2016, Langan succeeds Steve Colnitis at a critical juncture as the organization scales its youth caddie programs and scholarship opportunities. His leadership will focus on executing a strategic growth plan leading up to the Evans Scholars Foundation’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
A WGA Director since 2016, Langan succeeds Steve Colnitis at a critical juncture as the organization scales its youth caddie programs and scholarship opportunities. His leadership will focus on executing a strategic growth plan leading up to the Evans Scholars Foundation’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
Representatives from the Southland Development Authority announced a five-month market study to determine the "highest and best use" for the controversial Calumet Country Club property in Hazel Crest.
While the property owner, Walt Brown, Jr., seeks to redevelop the former golf course for industrial use, residents at the meeting voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over home values and environmental impact. Village officials maintain the study will objectively assess the site's feasibility, though some community leaders argued this analysis is overdue for a dispute that has persisted for years.
While the property owner, Walt Brown, Jr., seeks to redevelop the former golf course for industrial use, residents at the meeting voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over home values and environmental impact. Village officials maintain the study will objectively assess the site's feasibility, though some community leaders argued this analysis is overdue for a dispute that has persisted for years.
41,031 rounds were played in 2025 compared to 40,237 played in 2024.
Despite the biting January cold, golfers braved frigid temperatures and frozen hazards at the annual Des Plaines Chili Open this Saturday. Held at the Des Plaines Golf Center, the popular winter event offered a festive atmosphere featuring family fun, contests, raffles, and prizes.
The Chicago District Golf Association and the Donald Ross Society have partnered to acquire and preserve the historic Calumet Country Club as a public golf destination. However, they face opposition from property owner W&E Ventures, which intends to demolish the course for industrial redevelopment, citing financial unsustainability. The site's future now hinges on the Village of Hazel Crest, which controls the necessary zoning and demolition approvals amidst community resistance to industrial expansion.
After decades of serving the Woodridge community, the 9-hole par-3 course at Zigfield Troy has permanently closed. However, the facility’s driving range remains fully operational and open to the public, continuing to offer practice facilities independent of the shuttered course.
St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago is kicking off its 100th anniversary celebration this Sunday with the annual Polar Bear Open. Operated by the Jemsek-Hinckley family since 1926, Illinois’ oldest continuously family-owned course will mark its centennial with monthly events and prizes throughout 2026, honoring a rich history that includes hosting U.S. Open qualifiers and golf legends like Patty Berg.