Vernon Hills proceeds with plans for new short game facilities at municipal golf course
Indoor golf in the suburbs may be a daydream now but big improvements are in the works at Vernon Hills’ nine-hole municipal course.
Village officials recently chose the design for a new short game practice area planned to be built this summer at what is known as “The Muni,” south and east of Route 45 and Evergreen Drive, across the street from the village hall.
The project, which has a preliminary budget of about $379,000, calls for a 16,000-square-foot putting green and collared chipping area based on the facility at Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest. As planned, officials say the new practice area would be a significant upgrade and community asset that could increase revenue.
Creating a larger short game and putting green concept surfaced as the preferred option during strategic planning for the course and facilities, operated for the village by Kemper Sports Management.
Kemper, at the village’s request, obtained concept proposals and in November the village board approved a contract with Quitno Golf Designs Inc. of Park Ridge to prepare designs, construction documents and other work associated with the project.
“We're trying to attract and retain golfers with any remodel or any renovation that we do,” Vince Juarez, Kemper's vice president of operations said at the time. “We really look at these projects as long-term investments in the courses and communities we serve.”
Juarez said the demands of golf have changed substantially in recent years and improvements like the proposed short game facility in Vernon Hills are an opportunity to increase revenues by attracting corporate events and outings and enhance junior programming.
Quitno last week presented two similar options, one with a sand trap and one without. The board opted for the design without a sand trap, as that would require more space and present potential issues with errant shots.
“It would give a bit of variety of practice options from both a chipping and putting standpoint,” said CEO Todd Quitno.
The existing putting area at The Muni is about 7,000 square feet and does not have a designated area to chip. The new putting/chipping area would be more than twice the size of what’s there now and would have different undulations and contours. It would require shortening the first hole by about 60 yards.
“Quite honestly, I think something like this is going to definitely attract more golfers,” said village Trustee Craig Takaoka.
Quitno is creating requests for proposals to be released Feb. 12 and opened March 1. Pending official approval by the village board, construction would start this summer to open in the 2025 season.