(Photo by Eric Ginnard/The Joliet Herald-News)

The property had existed as the private Joliet Country Club for 114 years before its name was changed and it was opened to the public in 2019. It has been owned by the ROC real estate investment and development group since 2016. There have been reports that the property could be redeveloped for warehouses, although it is not currently zoned for that purpose and some City Council members have voiced opposition to the idea.

The Joliet Golf Club, which had been the Joliet Country Club for 114 years until last year, announced on February 4^th that it is closing, The Joliet Herald-News reported.

“The golf course, the restaurant, clubhouse and pro shop will be closed effective immediately,” said a statement issued by attorney David Silverman on behalf of the owners, The Herald-News reported.

The club had operated as the Joliet Country Club from 1905 until last year, when it was opened to public use as Joliet Golf Club, The Herald-News reported. It has been owned by the ROC real estate investment and development group since 2016.

“The course is experiencing the same effects as other courses nationally including the declining demand for golf, escalating operating costs and essential capital improvements required to compete with surrounding courses,” the statement said.

Kemper Sports Management, which was hired to manage the Joliet Golf Club, will work with staff to relocate scheduled events to a new venue, the statement added.

“All events, membership, gift cards and other deposits will be returned in full via mail,” it said.

The statement did not address future plans for the club property, The Herald-News reported, but according to sources, ROC intends to approach the city of Joliet for industrial zoning so the club property can be redeveloped for warehouses.

Reports of the club’s closing and potential redevelopment for warehouses had first surfaced the previous week, The Herald-News reported, but Silverman’s statement was the first comment from its ownership. On the same day that statement was issued the future of the golf course became a topic of discussion at a Joliet City Council meeting, when two council members said they would oppose any attempt to redevelop the property for warehouses, The Herald-News reported.

At the city council meeting, interim City Manager Steve Jones said ROC has approached city staff concerning the property, but he said no application for rezoning has been made. The property is not zoned for warehouses, The Herald-News reported.

Councilwoman Jan Quillman said she would oppose rezoning for warehouse development. “I want to go on record,” Quillman said. “I don’t want see any warehouses there. It’s too beautiful.”

Councilwoman Bettye Gavin said she, too, would oppose warehouse development at the site, The Herald-News reported.