THE NEW RANGE at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook, is now an award winning facility, complete with Trackman and top level instructors. (M) Teaching professional Michael Wenzel (L) and Heritage Oaks Director of Golf Greg Baron (R) show off the two recent awards presented by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA). Heritage Oaks is on Dundee Road in Northbrook call (847)-291-2351 or HeritageOaksGC.com.

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect- Linkedin/Instagram/Facebook

THE SECRET WAS KEPT…

But maybe that was the hard part after all, when the Northbrook Park District senior staff learned that the parks executive director Molly Hamer (pron:Hay-mer) had won the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Professional of the Year Award. They had to keep it a secret.

So Hamer’s staff knew, her husband and family knew-but she didn’t know. So as a result people were lying to her about things-so the secret was well kept. But that was until the award was presented.

Which was at the IAPD/IPRA New Heights Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago. The award, which is a major one in the Illinois Parks and Recreation industry. Is one award that given Hamer’s long track record in the industry, was well deserved. Just ask the people that know her the best.

But the award is presented to an individual with more than eight years of full-time service.

With those years come the need to have made major contributions to the park, recreation and conservation profession. Plus a leader who has made the effort to go above and beyond the call of duty.

“IPRA is thrilled to see Molly recognized by her peers with this award. Because she exemplifies the leadership and dedication to her community that Park, Recreation and Conservation professionals can look to for inspiration.”-Barbara Arango, CAE, IPGA Executive Director.

Hamer started at the Schaumburg Park District for 11 years, and ended her time there as Superintendent of Recreation. But following her time in Schaumburg, Hamer was Executive Director of the Geneseo Park District from 2007-2016.

In her years at Geneseo, the park district approved it’s first Master Plan, and became an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency. The park system received awards for financial reporting. Among the capital projects undertaken, was the $6.3 million dollar outdoor pool renovation that finished on time and on budget. The project was funded in part by a $2.4 million dollar PARC grant, and community capital campaign that raised $2.25 million.

But then while serving on the IPRA Board of Directors from 2014-2016. Hamer was named the recipient of the Joseph Brannon Practitioner Award from the University of Illinois.

Hamer joined the Northbrook Park District in September of 2016, as Executive Director. As part of her role with the NBPD, Hamer oversees 543 acres of open space, 36 holes of golf, 13 facilities, 24 parcels of land, 7.7 miles of walking trails, plus 18 playgrounds and athletic courts and fields. While Hamer is involved with various Northbrook area organizations, she has lead the park district through the Covid-19 pandemic era. During that time was the planned renovation of Sportsman Golf and Country Club. That evolved into the new era of the renamed and rebranded Heritage Oaks Golf Club project.

So while Heritage Oaks is now fully reopened to the public, what is complete is really Phase 1 of the project.

Because what still needs to be done, is the finishing of a full set of cart paths. A bunker renovation project, and some tree removal work.

But what Hamer and the Northbrook Park Board needs to do next, is find the next golf architect for Northbrook PD golf properties, with the retirement of Rick Jacobson. Jacobson has stepped back from taking on any more work from NBPD as he ends his long career in golf design.

Hamer admits that the new architect has not been selected yet. But one is likely to be named in the next few months.

That person will help decide a 10-year master plan for Heritage Oaks. Then the 9-hole Anetsberger golf course.

Some of the above named parts of the renovation that were done during the recent work, was to keep the project on budget. Hamer led the board through the tough decision process on what cuts were made to originally proposed plan of over $14 million dollars. So to avoid reaching out to the taxpayers wallets, the project was trimmed down to $12.5 million dollars.

But since the Northbrook community made it clear to the park board, that golf was important. Work started and will continue over the next few years, to various parts of Heritage Oaks and Anetsberger.

But while Heritage Oaks is a big project, it has not been the only major capital project that park district has taken on in recent years.

Which is amazing considering the restrictions the NBPD has worked though, especially with the Covid-19 restrictions and supply chain issues.

But what’s good news for the golfers who enjoy NBPD golf, is that Hamer confirmed to Golfers on Golf that the improvements will continue to happen to the Northbrook Park District Golf operation.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR the full interview with Northbrook Park District Executive Director Molly Hamer.

The Heritage Oaks renovation and rebranding, was one of the three biggest golf renovation projects in the Chicago area. In the last decade, only Mistwood Golf Club and the Preserve at Oak Meadows. Have undertaken projects the size and cost of Heritage Oaks.

Late last year, the Northbrook Park District and Heritage Oaks received notice it received it’s certification as a Audubon Certified property.

This year the golf staff worked with the board and Hamer on several improvements to Heritage Oaks.

The golf carts received all new GPS screens for yardage and more. The driving range got a new picker cart, to help retrieve golf balls more efficiently.

During the years ahead, Hamer and board will continue to improve the golf product offered by the park district. With Hamer leading the way, Heritage Oaks, will continue to be one the of the area’s top public golf facilities.