Naperville golfers out in record numbers; mild winter a boost to Springbrook and Naperbrook

During most winters, the Naperville Park District's golf courses, Naperbrook and Springbrook, may be closed for weeks at a time due to snow cover. This year, they were open nearly every day December through February, and never remained closed for more than five consecutive days.

“I don't ever remember a winter like this,” said Director of Golf Ed Provow. “The day after Christmas, we had 55 players at Naperbrook and celebrated our first hole-in-one at Springbrook on January 6.”

With golf rounds declining nationally, the upswing in winter golf is good news for the Naperville Park District. “In our annual budget we assume that there will be no revenue from course play during the winter months,” said Provow. “We have seen between 20 and 40 golfers out on an average day this winter and 60 to 80 golfers on days when the temps have been near 50 degrees and higher, which started the year on a positive note.”

The mild winter weather also benefitted golf course maintenance, providing relief from ice damage and allowing special projects such as drainage improvements to be completed ahead of schedule.

Looking ahead to the spring season, Springbrook and Naperbrook will remain open, weather permitting, throughout the month of March and beyond, in contrast to most years, when the traditional Opening Day has been scheduled for March 17.

Golfers in the 2012 season can look forward to lower prices at Springbrook and Naperbrook and enhancements to the Brooks Discount Card. Responding to feedback from customer focus groups in 2011, the Naperville Park District golf staff will continue to enhance the value of the District's golf courses for both residents and nonresidents.

Additionally, Springbrook Golf Course recently went through a course re-rating process, in which the Chicago District Golf Association adjusted difficulty ratings for the course. As a result, Springbrook golfers will notice that the new ratings reflect the slight increase in course difficulty as the landscape has matured. Both Springbrook and Naperbrook are rated every ten years, with Naperbrook's re-rating not due for several more years.

Springbrook Golf Course is located at 2220 W. 83rd Street in Naperville. To learn more, visit http://www.springbrookgolfcourse.org or call 630-848-5060.

Naperbrook Golf Course is located at 22204 W. 111th Street in Plainfield. For more information, visit http://www.naperbrookgolfcourse.org or call 630-378-4215.