Objections still solid against Mt. Prospect golf course work

The resurfacing of a 4-year-old plan to renovate the course at the Mount Prospect Golf Club has one village resident mounting a grassroots campaign to stop the work before it begins.

Since learning that the plans were back on the table, Linda Johnston has mobilized neighbors and handed out fliers in an attempt to prevent the project from getting off the ground.

“The changes they want to make to the golf course are not necessary,” Johnston said. “It wins awards for the way it is now.”

Park district CEO Walter Cook said the old master plan for significant renovation came up when the park district board began a project to replace irrigation pipes, a move Johnston supports. A special board meeting to discuss future projects at the golf course was held April 24, at which the plan's architect, Greg Martin of Martin Design, presented the board with a variety of options.

The natural inclination, Cook said, was to look into more comprehensive improvements for a golf course that hasn't seen any in a long time, particularly if the district was going to commit more than $1 million to construction at the site anyway.

Still, there's no timetable for a vote on the project's future — though one could develop quickly — and Cook could not say if a more expansive proposal was likely to succeed even if it came to that.

“Is something going to happen this summer?” he asked. “I wish I had that crystal ball.”

Approval of the entirety of the master plan, which carries a price tag of $5 million, is not on the table right now, Cook added.

Johnston has vowed to bring vocal opposition to park board meetings — including one Wednesday night, when golf course renovations are not on the agenda.

In addition to the irrigation and drainage improvements, the full renovation master plan includes the regrading of several fairways and the reconstruction of bunkers, greens and tee boxes.

The work also would include the reduction of practice areas in order to help remedy problems caused by heavy rains.