Jackson Park Golf Course

The Chicago City Golf Championship trophy.

A view of the first hole at Jackson Park Golf Course.

Near the first tee, there's a brick in the ground with the following inscription: "The improvement of this site was financed in part through a grant from the National Park Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, under the provisions of the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Act of 1978 (Title X, Public Law 95-625)"

A massive mural in the back of the pro shop.

Photo of Cecil A. Partee in the pro shop

“Cecil A. Partee, an Eminent Statesman and Masterful Golfer. An avid golfer, Senator Cecil A. Partee learned to play golf as a young man in Arkansas. His love of the sport grew into a passion lasting more than 40 years. He honed his skills, golfing on hundreds of premier courses worldwide. However, Jackson Park, his home golf links, remained his favorite. He was responsible for making Jackson Park a first class golf course, and was one of the founders of the Jackson Park Golf Association.”

Bob Kimbrough, two time Chicago City Golf Champion and winner of 15 additional golf championships. Set course record of 59 at Jackson Park.

Statue of the Republic

Inscription: The Republic, Jackson Park. Gilded bronze sculpture by Daniel Chester French. Base by Henry Bacon. Originally dedicated, 1918. To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This permanent reproduction by the artist marks the site of the World's Fair Administration Building. Restored, 1992. Chicago Park District. B. F. Ferguson Fund, Art Institute of Chicago. Rededicated by Mayor Richard M. Daley. To initiate a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Chicago World's Fair.

Chicago City Amateur Championship Trophy

Cecil Partee with Michael Jordan

Cecil Partee with Muhammad Ali

Jackson Park Golf Course and the Cecil A. Partee Golf Clubhouse History was made on May 11, 1899, when the first public golf course west of the Allegheny Mountains opened in Chicago's Jackson Park. The South Park Commissioners constructed the original nine-hole course in the area that later became the golf driving range. The sport met with such immediate success that the 18-hole course was created in 1900. The project included the construction of a brick golf clubhouse building. From 1998-1999, the Chicago Park District rehabilitated the historic old clubhouse in honor of the late Cecil A. Partee. The project was accomplished through a public/private partnership. Cecil A. Partee (1921-1994), an avid golfer, patron of the Jackson Park Golf Course, and one of the founders of the Jackson Park Golfer's Association, was one of Illinois' most significant political figures. Born in Blytheville, Arkansas, Mr. Partee came to Chicago in 1944 to study law at Northwestern University. Having completed his law degree in 1946, he became a Democratic precinct captain, and was soon appointed Assistant State's Attorney. In 1956, Mr. Partee won a seat in the State House of Representatives and in the State Senate in 1966. In 1975, he was elected President of the Illinois Senate, the first African-American in the 180-year history of the state to hold that position. After an unsuccessful bid for the Attorney General of Illinois, he was appointed Commissioner of Human Services in 1977 and was elected City Treasurer in 1979. In 1989, he was named Cook County's State's Attorney, an office never before held by an African-American. In golf and in life, Mr. Partee successfully navigated many arduous courses. He welcomed each new challenge with hard work, discipline, patience and unremitting integrity, while always maintaining a sense of humor. He left a formidable legacy of public service. According to the Honorable Emil Jones, Jr., Illinois Senate Democratic Leader, Cecil Part