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Chicago Area Golf News
News, events, and coverage of the Chicagoland golf scene, curated every day
February 2026
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.