Cantigny Park & Golf offers golf, haven of natural beauty
An interview with Chris Pieters, director of food & beverage at Cantigny Park & Golf.
Q: Tell us about Cantigny Park.
A: Cantigny Park offers a one of a kind experience to visitors of all ages, backgrounds and interests. With meticulously manicured gardens, a world class museum, historic Robert R. McCormick Mansion, and our 27-hole championship golf course Cantigny can do it all. Entrusted to the McCormick Foundation, the Cantigny Estate has been in active use for over 100 years, and is now in the midst of what could certainly be considered one of its most exciting season of life. Project New Leaf is an extraordinary undertaking that will keep it alive and active for the next generation of visitors.
Q: What's unique about the venue?
A: What makes Cantigny special is its ability to host events unique to every visitor. Whether you are looking for a serene garden wedding for 20 of your closest friends and family, or hosting 250 guests, Cantigny can be your destination.
We seek to help our guests enjoy elegant events, hosted in a haven of natural beauty. Our dedicated staff of hospitality professionals will cater to your every need, ensuring you can be a guest at your own event.
Q: How do you cater to corporate meetings and events?
A: Cantigny Golf is the ideal location to host your next corporate or charity golf outing. Boasting 27 of the best holes of golf in the Chicago area, your every need will be attended to by our dedicated golf outing team. We also offer exciting alternatives to golf for your guests looking for something a little different.
Other event enhancements included guided tours of the First Division Museum and the Robert R. McCormick Mansion, to ecological tours hosted by our director of agronomy.
Q: What are people in the industry talking about?
A: People in this industry are talking a lot about value and how to provide one of a kind events to clients. Cantigny is answering this call by customizing every event for our guests, and always finding a way to say "Yes."
Outdoor weddings and events are very popular right now as well. In 2018 Cantigny will debut the Woodside Pavilion. This is a 250 person event space in a beautiful and spacious semi-permanent tent at Cantigny Golf. It offers an opportunity to connect your event to nature, while enjoying the impeccable service and hospitality for which Cantigny is known.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: From the day I started my first job as a paperboy, I knew that I had a deep passion for service and hospitality. Since then, I have been privileged to learn from some of the most inspirational and successful leaders in the hospitality industry.
Over the course of my career I have grown a passion to share hospitality with others and cherish the opportunity to be a part of so many milestone events.
Q: Tell us one interesting fact about the venue that most people may not know?
A: Cantigny Golf boasts one of the most successful and vibrant Golf Caddie programs in the state. With 13 Evans Scholar recipient caddies to date, Cantigny is the place to be if you want an exceptional golf experience that is also helping to develop local youth.
Cantigny Park & Golf
27W270 Mack Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
Owner: Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Number of employees: 500+
When business opened: 1955
Web address: www.cantigny.org
Twitter: @CantignyPark @CantignyGolf