THE MISTWOOD CLUBHOUSE (L) AND THE WHITE PINES GOLF CLUBHOUSE (R) ______________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG-by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and on Facebook and LinkedIn. Golfers on Golf Radio returns tomorrow morning on Am 820 WCPT-hear from pro Andrew Godfrey
Welcome to White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville.
WHITE PINES GOLF COURSES in Bensenville, and operated by the Bensenville Park District are ready to get back on track.
There have been rumors about the future of the golf course in recent years, even one about the Bensenville park district selling off part of the golf course. Well what is true, is that the park district has reached out to one of the best run golf operations in the Chicago area for help. That would be Mistwood Golf in Romeoville. White Pines has plenty of potential, hopefully with the right guidance that potential can be realized.
Andrew Godfrey is the new head golf professional at White Pines Golf Club.
Andrew Godfrey who still actually works for Mistwood Golf, is the new head golf professional at White Pines.
Godfrey is excited about the chance to big things at the facility and it’s 36 holes of golf.
One of the questions that Godfrey is getting as he settles in, is about a return of the White Pines Golf Dome that was started there 30 years ago by Mike Munro. A few years back Munro sold the dome through Links Capital Advisors and Chris Charnas to the Kemper Sports Management Group. But when the domes old shell reached the end of it’s life a year ago, it was not replaced and there was no dome at White Pines this past winter.
What has been noticed is that Godfrey comes over with Mistwood Golf, that operates arguably the area’s best golf dome located in Bolingbrook-the Mistwood Golf Dome. When asked about another dome for White Pines, Godfrey doesn’t rule it out. But all he can say right now is that it won’t happen in this coming winter when Covid-19 is still expected to be an issue.
CLICK HERE to hear the interview with new White Pines golf professional Andrew Godfrey.
Both Godfrey and Mistwood General Manager Dan Bradley admit there are still details of an agreement to be worked out with the Bensenville Park District. But the fact the Mistwood Golf Team is already on property, shows the first drive was already hit right down the center of the fairway.
The land the White Pines Golf Dome once sat on, is still vacant.
The plan is for Mistwood Golf to run the golf and food and beverage operation at White Pines.
For now the Bensenville Park District will still oversee events like weddings when they can happen there.
Godfrey says the current challenge is keeping both golf courses running and in good condition, because the amount of play has been very high. According to Godfrey there have been some days that nearly 550 rounds have been played in a single day. Godfrey is working on giving current golfers a place to enjoy some food and beverage, with 37’s the clubs bar and grill closed due to Covid-19.
Mistwood Golf in Romeoville had major renovations done over this past decade under owner Jim McWethy who recently passed away. McWethy’s commitment to excellence is well known by those who have been to Mistwood, or the Mistwood Golf Dome. The three phase renovation of the Mistwood Golf Club left the club as one of the best golf facilities in the Chicagoland area.
The first phase of renovation at Mistwood, was bringing back Holland Michigan based golf architect Ray Hearn, the courses original designer to redo the golf course. Could Hearn be finding his way to Bensenville in the future. To early too tell, but there is no argument that some renovation work should be done on both golf courses.
For now golfer are enjoying White Pines in it’s current form, but there is excitement from those who play there about what lies ahead.