‘Lots of loyal golfers’: Village Green golf course in Mundelein closing after more than 60 years

Since opening in 1962, Village Green has become more than a neighborhood golf course.

The 18-hole layout shaped from a nursery on the southeast corner of Midlothian and Winchester roads is home to longtime leagues and has scores of regulars, many who have been returning for decades.

On Sunday, patrons will take their final hacks as the course closes for good. Mundelein High School District 120 agreed to buy the property in 2004 and completed the purchase a few years later, will be investing about $9 million to build athletic fields on the site.

GolfVisions Management Inc. has operated the course since 2007. Tim Miles Jr., executive vice president and COO, expects about 200 rounds to be played during the public finale Sunday. A few spots may be open in the afternoon for those unaware of what will be happening with the property.

“Lots of loyal and repeat golfers. Over the last 18 years we have all grown together,” he said.

Over the years, social and recreational players, avid players looking to hone their games, beginners, junior, seniors and families have all found a place at Village Green.

“We have a lot of golfers coming in just to see the facility, to play a final round of golf, share their stories and reminisce,” Miles added.

Earlier this week, those have included longtime friends and patrons Doug Merkan of Mundelein, Ralph Boldt of Northfield and Andre LaPlante of Antioch, who met for a final round.

As they have for years, the trio came for the comradery and at $25 with a senior rate of $25 with car, the cost is hard to beat. The buddies, like many others, will be searching for an alternate that will be tough to find elsewhere in Lake County.

“For the price, I don't think there's anything that compares,” Merkan said.

“Price is No. 1,” added LaPlante. “There are nicer courses but for the money they (GolfVisions) did a helluva job.”

Known for being player-friendly (short) and affordable, the course also has been a meeting place for local organizations and a go-to for annual outings and events.

According to GolfVisions, it was built and opened in 1962 by Ray Didier, who was responsible for much of the original construction at Medinah Country Club.

Didier's dad was a groundskeeper at Tam O'Shanter Country Club in Niles and together they built several courses in the Chicago area.

As time passed at Village Green, the conditions and facilities declined and by 2008 a grand reopening was announced. Although it will never be confused with Medinah or other high-end clubs, GolfVisions renovated the original clubhouse and is credited with giving the course a welcome reboot.

“We took great pride in providing a great golfing experience at an affordable price,” Miles said. “We will greatly miss our loyal customers who have become family over the years.”

Longtime staff and members of the Miles family will play Monday as a final goodbye before District 120's on site work begins in earnest.

The plan is for eight tennis courts, a softball field, a baseball field and one multi-purpose field for soccer and lacrosse. Using part of the property for a driving range or nine-holes was evaluated but won’t work, school officials say.

Installing fields is a significant grading project, but don’t expect a fleet of bulldozers on site immediately.

Much of the initial work will focus on environmental aspects such as identifying the tree species and conditions, and engineering involving wetlands and drainage over the entire site.

Village Green work is part of a $199.5 million multiyear Mundelein High School facilities improvement plan.