Elk Grove parks to begin golf course renovations

Starting this fall, the Elk Grove Park District will begin work on a more than $2 million renovation project at its Fox Run Golf Links Course.

The park board of commissioners recently approved the $2.26 million renovation project for the 18-hole, par 70, golf course located at 333 Plum Grove Road in Elk Grove Village.

Since Fox Run Golf Links was established as an enterprise fund when it was built, no taxpayer dollars are used to support its operations or capital projects. The renovation instead is being funded through the course’s own fund balance of $2.5 million, district officials said.

The course, which averages 36,000 rounds a year, is in great need of repair, said Tom Klaas, clubhouse manager and 15-year employee at Fox Run Golf Links.

“This course renovation is addressing what our community of golfers have been asking and waiting for the last couple years,” he said. “We are all very excited about the project and I think it will have a tremendous positive impact for our golfers.”

The renovation project involves: replacement of the original, 25-year-old irrigation system; replacement and redesign of all the bunkers; putting green improvements; adding a second chipping green; fixing the drainage problems on holes 2, 5, and 8; changing the design of holes 7 and 11; changing the design of holes 3 and 4 to address issues impacting pace of play; and adding new tee boxes at various holes.

In the first phase of construction, work will be done at holes 1 through 9, except hole 5, starting mid-September and will be completed by spring 2012. The entire 18-hole course will be open for the 2012 season starting in April. Work on the second phase involving holes 11 through 18 and 5 will begin September 2012. A grand reopening of the renovated course will be in spring 2013.

The architect for the course renovation is Martin Design Partnership, LTD. The construction company for the project is Midwest Golf Development, Inc. d/b/a Golf Creations.