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The Gog Blog, Chicago’s No.1 Golf News Source by Rory Spears. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy, at Olympia Fields on the South Course.

As Chicago area park district courses like Glenview and Mt. Prospect came back on line from renovations, courses like Arlington Lakes and Oak Meadows went off line for renovations.

This winter it’s Arlington Lakes in Arlington Heights, that has had it’s renovation work completed, and now keeps it’s fingers cross as winter moves through in the months ahead. A mild winter and a kind spring could have golfers back out on Arlington Lakes, maybe a little sooner than they were in Glenview and Mt. Prospect.

When Arlington Lakes reopens around July 1st of 2016, it will have a new look. Several things will jump out at golfers who know the course right on the first tee, that’s because the first tee, is no longer the first tee. The clubhouse will look different too (more on that later).

The par 4, first hole at Arlington Lakes, formerly known as the tenth hole.

The nines have been flipped to allow the front nine to play in 3-hole, 6-hole and 9-hole loops. There is a new hole and that’s the short par 3, 8th hole that is guarded by a pond on the right side.

Golfers should enjoy the fact they are much less likely to be in a bunker. Architect Mike Benkusky who drew up the plans for the new Arlington Lakes, took out some of the bunkers. In fact over 60 bunkers are no longer part of Arlington Lakes, and golfers are much more likely not to be on the beach, but hitting from the grass. (106 bunkers are now about 40).

The par 4, 13th hole still has bunkers and Northwest Community Hospital in the background on some approach shots.

Benkusky not only improved the sand quality in the bunkers, but the drainage as well. The fewer amount of bunkers should improve pace of play Benkusky believes.

Teeing area’s have been rebuilt and leveled, and junior golfers will find a new set of tees at about 2,700 yards so they learn the game from a distance that will keep it fun until they get a little bigger.

Cart paths now run through the entire golf course, so carts will now be allowed out even after excessive rains.

The par 3, 14th hole still requires a short shot over the water.

The greens have been reshaped on holes 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, and 18. The putting green has been moved and has been rebuilt. It now is double the size of the old practice green.

While many renovations today remove trees for several reasons, one of them being the opportunity to add length to golf course. Arlington Lakes will lose a couple of yards because of work being done around the clubhouse area.

The new 18th green, formerly #9.

The Arlington Heights Park District board of directors has just approved to spend around $400,000 dollars for clubhouse improvements.

Tim Govern the director of golf operations for the AHPD, says the top priorities are the bathroom and locker room area’s. Giving the pro shop and restaurant area’s some separation. Then creating an outdoor bar and grill area, so diners can watch golf while enjoying the food and beverages Arlington Lakes has to offer.

In addition to the course renovations, the concept of 3-hole and 6-hole loops in the new routing have caught the eye of the United States Golf Association (USGA). As a result Benkusky and Govern will be guest speakers next January at the USGA forum on pace of play.

Click here to hear the interview with architect Mike Benkusky on the renovation of the Arlington Lakes Golf Club, and what he did on the old 9th hole (now 18), the place that many golfers thought was the biggest issue with the golf course.

For more information on the Arlington Lakes Golf Course renovation, please visit AHPD.org or call (847)-577-3000. The Arlington Heights Park District also operates the Sunset Meadows driving range and learning center, and the Nickol Knoll 9-hole par 3 golf course on the north side of Arlington Heights.