Arlington Lakes to close in June for $2.4 million renovation

Arlington Lakes Golf Club will close its course in June for a $2.4 million renovation, the 18-hole facility's first major upgrade since it opened in 1979.

The Arlington Heights Park District board last week approved moving forward with the renovations, which are expected to take a little over a year, said John Robinson, superintendent of recreation.

"It's in dire need of a renovation," Robinson said.

The work will reduce the number of sand traps on the course from 106 to about 50, he said, and create continuous paths for motorized carts, allowing golfers to use them even after rain makes the grass soggy.

A patio area will be added to the back of the clubhouse with an outdoor bar and grill that will serve more than the current snack shop, Robinson said.

Nine holes will be completely torn up and restructured, including a few that will be rotated or have a new layout when the course reopens, he said. All 18 holes will be regrassed.

The entire course will be flipped, with the back nine holes becoming the front nine and vice versa. That will accommodate golfers who want to play a shorter 3-hole or 6-hole round and still finish close to the clubhouse, Robinson said. Fees for those shorter rounds will be prorated.

Several of the upgrades are aimed at making the course, which brings in about $1.2 million in revenue each year, more family-friendly, officials said.

The practice putting green will be moved from the back to the front of the building, and all 18 holes will have "junior" tee boxes about halfway up the fairway to make them easier for children.

"There's a lot of older golfers out there, but we want to get kids involved where they will hopefully enjoy it and be interested in playing because of the shorter distances," Robinson said.

The last day the course will be open is June 7, with the projected reopening date set for July 1, 2016. Most of the construction is expected to be done this summer, but the remaining months are needed to allow grass to regrow over the 90-acre course, Robinson said.

The $2.4 million cost estimate is dependent on bids. The project is being funded out of the park district's capital projects fund, Robinson said. Some of the work, such as tree removal, will be done in house by park district employees.

The club's banquet hall will remain open for parties and events year round during the construction. Nickol Knoll, a 9-hole course also maintained by the Arlington Heights Park District, also will remain open.

When the Arlington Lakes reopens next year it will provide golfers with an upgraded experience on a familiar course, that will still be par 68, Robinson said.

"Everyone is super excited about this project," he said.