Renovated Arlington Lakes Golf Club ready to 'reawaken'

In the sequel, good attempts to triumph over evil.

Good golf is fun golf. Good golf turns evil when it rears its Darth Vader head, bringing the helpless high-handicapper to his knees with an invisible death grip.

Arlington Lakes Golf Club hopes to avoid the latter, and its staff is confident that the municipal course's faithful clientele will give two thumbs-up to the course's grand reopening.

“The Course Awakens” debuts on Friday. The free event starts at 9:30 a.m. and includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, clinics for kids and adults and chipping/putting contests.

“The Course Awakens” theme is a play on “Stars Wars: The Force Awakens,” a marketing concept that gets a good-natured laugh from Tim Govern, Arlington Lakes' golf operations manager.

The Arlington Heights 18-hole course shut down a year ago to undergo an extensive renovation. Arlington Lakes' staff and course architect Michael Benkusky hope the changes, which also include improvements to the clubhouse and bar, will “reawaken” the 36-year-old facility, which once served as a Nike Missile Base. It's the first renovation since it opened to the public in 1979.

It remains a par-68 layout (only 5,432 yards).

“I like that the course is finally going to be what it should be. Which is a great, community, municipal golf course,” Govern said. “The crazy bunkers that we had before were just too darn difficult for the clientele. The (tee boxes) were getting out of shape a little bit, too rounded here and there. And the green complexes were not matching (what's fair) for the clientele that we're trying to get here.”

Gone is more sand that can be found on Luke Skywalker's home planet of Tatooine, as the sand bunkers were reduced from 106 to 37. A newer variety of bent grass was grown on the greens. Nine new greens were constructed.

Also new is the opportunity for golfers to play just 3 or 6 holes. With the front and back nines being flipped, Nos. 3, 6 and 9 holes lead back to the clubhouse.

“The 3- and 6-hole thing is a newer concept,” Govern said. “We're really excited about that.”

“Where most courses have been making changes to attract better golfers, the park district is making changes to attract the novice, senior, junior and beginner golfer,” Benkusky said. “This is something that is much needed in the sport today.”

Govern acknowledges Arlington Lakes won't be the “most prestigious” facility golfers will visit, but that doesn't mean they can't have a first-class experience.

“We want to make golf fun again,” Govern said. “It's turned so many people off. We want to say, ‘Hey, come on out and play and have fun. If you want to play only three holes, play three.' ”

And don't forget to stick around afterward, whether you've played 3, 6, 9 or 18 holes. The new ambience should be appealing too.

“I used to call the bar upstairs the Reagle Beagle — from the ‘Three's Company' days,” Govern joked. “(Now), it's a nice welcoming atmosphere.”

Rates range from $35 for 18 holes for nonresidents during the week ($30 for residents) to the 3-hole rate of $5 for juniors and seniors during the week.

“Very affordable, right?” Govern said of the $5 price. “Less than going to a movie.”

• For more information on Arlington Lakes Golf Club, visit: ahpd.org/algc