Hoffman park district golf course now fully open

When rains poured down in the past, many golfers ruled out playing the Hoffman Estates Park District's golf course, fearful about flooding issues.

“And I didn't blame them,” Park District Executive Director Dean Bostrom said.

That motivated the park district to renovate the 18-hole course, newly renamed Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club. The course shut down in mid-August when work began. Spring brought a partial reopening, as nine holes have been available for play.

But on Friday that changes, as the full 18 holes will be available for the first time. The park district is hosting a grand reopening event to celebrate. Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod and 44th District State Rep. Fred Crespo are expected to attend.

Bostrom finds the changes to the course to make play more challenging as the most interesting addition. However, the flood problems were the No. 1 concern. Park officials gathered on Thursday and took a look at the weather forecast. It appears the rains forecast for Friday will give the course a good test.

On Sunday, despite the rain, the golf course was open for play with rain draining beautifully, Bostrom said. The drainage improvements should give the park district an edge when competing for golfers with other golf courses in other communities. Flooding has plagued the golf course since it opened 35 years ago, Bostrom said.

“When rains came, we were written off by golfers,” Bostrom said. “Now, we're at the other end of the continuum.”

The project came in under budget and workers completed it early, Bostrom added. The park district spent more than $6 million on work, as eight bridges and fairways were moved above the floodplain. The clubhouse has also been renovated. Bostrom said the colder than normal spring didn't help the new sod take root, but other than that, the project as gone smoothly. A bond issue will pay for the construction.

While Friday's 144 slots for golfers are filled up, Bostrom invites golfers to try out the new course later this summer. Go to poplarcreekcc.com for details.