THE PRESERVE at OAK MEADOWS Clubhouse in moving along towards it’s spring of 2021 Opening Date. Currently all three DuPage Golf Courses are closed. But Maple Meadows COULD reopen weather permitting. But for those of you golf gift shopping there is a great news, the DuPage Golf Gift Card is back. More details DupageGolf.com _____________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy, and Facebook or LinkedIn. on the new first tee box at Sportsman’s Country Club.
FOR THE NORTHBROOK PARK DISTRICT, it’s finally their turn.
In recent years golf courses all-around Northbrook have seen renovation work done.
But in 2020, it was finally time for the Northbrook Park District to make upgrades to Sportsman’s Country Club on Dundee Road. The club a fixture in Northbrook since 1931, was ready for both a golf course and clubhouse renovation.
Sportsman’s Director of Golf, Greg Baron, recently told Golfers on Golf, that golf course construction has wrapped up, and that the golf course should reopen in late July 2020, or early August. That is, if spring weather cooperates, and this coming winter isn’t too harsh.
The front of the new clubhouse, that workers are trying to enclose before winter arrives, so that work can continue during the winter months.
The Sportsman’s renovation comes in two parts. First on the tee is the golf course, but right alongside is a brand new clubhouse, that should be a fixture for golf in Northbrook-12 months a year.
First up on the golf course. The key is really the newly rebuilt greens. They will roll-better and drain better all year round. Golfers should be able to putt the greens better than ever before.
The fairways have been re-grassed and a small amount of yardage was added. While most of former tee boxes remain in place, there are a couple of changes.
The most notable difference is the opening par 5 first hole, on the championship 18.
With the relocation of the clubhouse, golf course superintendent Mark Kosbab says,” it gave architect Rick Jacobson some room to lengthen our par 5 first hole. The first hole was a little short for a par 5, bigger hitters would hit the green in two shots more often than not. But that will change with the addition of 70-75 yards in length to the hole.”
Superintendent Mark Kosbab stands on the new first hole tee box.
The course will now have a new set of front tee’s for juniors, seniors, ladies and beginners. That will make the course more playable and enjoyable for those players.
Sportsman’s practice area’s have been greatly improved says Baron.
Those improvements are noticeable as soon as you drive into the club. The driving range complete with sidewalk to drive your golf carts to the range from the clubhouse, includes cart parking right behind the range hitting area. Golfers will get their range balls from the new range shack on the corner of the range. On the backside of the range is the new golf academy and instruction area. This area is located down near the maintenance facility, and will give both students and instructors a more private area to work on their games, or for the Sportsman’s professional staff to give instruction.
The view from the golf academy and lesson area on the backside of the range.
The range field itself, will be set up with multiple target greens, and or green complexes to help golfers work on their distance and accuracy.
A new putting green greatly increases the overall green size, from about 3,000 square feet to 10,000 square feet.
The new putting green is in between the bar area of the clubhouse, and the new first tee box on the championship 18 course.
The new 10,000 square foot putting green.
On the far side (west side) of the new first tee, is a chipping green and practice bunker.
So you can tune up your short game right before bombing your first drive down the first fairway.
But what will standout before you even reach the pro shop, is the new clubhouse. Complete with a pro shop and bar/restaurant area, that sits by large glass windows so you can watch play out on the golf course. The new clubhouse will have simulators, that will allow golfers to play courses from around the country, and get in some swings during the winter months.
Enjoy beverages and dining, while watching golf from through the back windows of the new clubhouse.
The hope is that golfers or even non-golfers will come by and enjoy the clubhouse, all year round.
During the winter the staff professionals will continue to teach indoors in the clubhouse.
If you need club fitting, or suggestions on new equipment. The Sportsman’s professionals will be there to help.
Hopefully Mother nature will help with a soft winter, and great spring growing season. So the fairways that are growing in now, will look great by next summer.
CLICK HERE to hear the full interview with Sportsman’s Director of Golf Greg Baron.
Golfers on Golf will have updates on Sportsman’s renovation and progress next spring. For more information feel free to visit Sportsmansgolf.com Sportsman’s is part of the Northbrook Illinois Park District.