Chicago Park District Golf Courses in Line for $5.5 Million Makeover

The Chicago Park District Golf Courses will undergo $5.5 million worth of improvements under a new 15-year contract with Billy Casper Golf Management. The contract was approved by district board Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Currently, the Chicago Park District, which is the largest park district in the United States, includes six courses, two miniature golf courses, three driving ranges and three new learning centers. The renovation project will concentrate on better maintenance practices in addition to rebuilding some bunkers and tee boxes, with the overall aim of making these municipal facilities popular destinations for traveling golfers and city residents. The goal of Casper Golf is to increase use by up to ten percent. In 2007, there were 140.000 rounds of golf played on park district courses. 

Jackson Park is considered by pride of the Chicago Park District, and is the only 18-hole championship course among the group. Designed by Tom Bendelow, Jackson Park is a true test of golf with par 5's reaching 560 yards and par 3's extending more than 200 yards.

The Sydney R. Marovitz layout offers a beautiful lakefront setting and ranks among the most challenging of the Chicago Park District courses with its tight greens, numerous bunkers and championship length. The course measures 3,240 yards, plays to a par of 36 and is situated along Lake Michigan.

South Shore golf course is the best kept secret in the Chicago metropolitan area. A former private club, this 2,720-yard par-33 course offers beautiful panoramic views of Lake Michigan along with tree-lined fairways and small greens.

Designed by renowned architect Dick Nugent, the Robert A. Black course is the newest among the Chicago Park District courses. Although short in distance (2,339 yards), is a great choice and challenge for all skill levels and is ideal for group outings and golf leagues.

Columbus Park, a links-style course that measures 2,753 yards, is a popular choice for golfers on the West Side of the Chicago.

With water in play on seven of the nine holes, the 3,187-yard Marquette Park course is widely considered the most challenging in the Chicago Park District System.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Virginia-based Casper Golf will be paid an annual fee of $875,000 to manage the courses, and will collect five percent of the courses' gross revenues when they exceed $2.5 million. In 2007, the golf courses brought in $3.43 million, according to the district.

Previously, Northbrook-based KemperSports had managed the courses since their privatization in 1993.

The Chicago golf courses are open all year long, from dawn to dusk weather permitting. Tee times can be made in person or by calling the 24-hour tee time reservation system at (312) 245-0909. For more information on the courses of the Chicago Park District, visit www.cdpgolf.com.

The Chicago Park District manages over 220 facilities throughout the city - which includes more than 7300 acres of parkland, 552 parks, 33 beaches, nine museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons and ten bird and wildlife gardens.

Bill Casper Golf manages 98 facilities nationwide, with courses located in 23 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Costa Rica.