Northbrook Park District unveils its $13 million renovation of golf course
A who's-who of local dignitaries and officials turned out for the reopening celebration of the Northbrook Park District's Heritage Oaks Golf Club.
Closed since September 2019, the approximately $13.3 million reconstruction effort of the former Sportsman's Country Club, 3535 Dundee Road, included major renovations to its practice range, Classic 18 and Legacy 9 golf courses.
A newly constructed 10,000 square-foot clubhouse, accessed by a reconfigured parking lot, houses the club's golf shop, offices, an indoor Simulator Room and the Acorn Grill & Terrace, a year-round restaurant with space for private parties and events. An outdoor terrace looks out onto the 18th green.
As the park district's director of Golf Operations, Greg Baron, had said when the project began early in 2020, the rebranded Heritage Oaks was ready for play by late summer. Tee times were available starting earlier this week.
Addressing those in attendance at the opening last week, Mary Ann Chambers, president of the Northbrook Park District board of commissioners, said the course started in 1929 as the privately owned Sky Harbor Golf Club. Two years later it became Sportsman's Country Club, and remained privately owned until Aug. 11, 1978.
Through the efforts of two community groups, voters approved the park district's purchase of the course, she said. An additional land purchase provided space for the Legacy 9 course, formerly the East 9.
"We embrace the 90-year history of golf on this land, along with the ecology and the mature growth of its naturalized areas, while at the same time look forward to the future of golf by offering a variety of technological options to improve your game and enhance the golf experience," Chambers said.
Some 120 people attended the ribbon cutting, led by Golf Operations committee chair Michael Ziering, with speakers including Chambers and Molly Hamer, the park district's executive director.
Chambers and Lisa Chalem, board of commissioners vice president, unveiled a plaque commemorating the event.
Notables included Northbrook Village President Kathryn Ciesla and her predecessor, Sandy Frum; state Sen. Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Democrat, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, a Northbrook Democrat, Northbrook Fire Chief Andy Carlson; Northbrook Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Bob Caldwell; Northbrook Public Library Director Kate Hall; and the executive directors from the Winnetka, Wilmette and Highland Park park districts.
Also: Ed Dalton, director of Parks and Properties for the Northbrook Park District and Marketing and Communications Director Joan Scovic; former park district executive directors Ed Harvey and Rick Hanetho; project consultants including those from the RATIO Design team; and golf course designer Rick Jacobson.
"This renovated, transformed facility is truly our heritage," Chambers said.