The Winnetka (Ill.) Park District Board of Commissioners chose the Chicago-based golf, sports, entertainment and hospitality company to manage the golf club and oversee an extensive renovation to the club’s public nine-hole and 18-hole courses. The course renovation project, which already is underway, is being designed by Libertyville-based golf course architect Rick Jacobson. Renovations include releveling and resurfacing greens, tees and fairways, remodeling fairways and select greenside bunkers, and overall improved drainage at both courses to better handle heavy storm events.

The Winnetka (Ill.) Park District Board of Commissioners has selected KemperSports to manage Winnetka Golf Club and oversee an extensive renovation to the club’s public nine-hole and 18-hole courses.

KemperSports is a leading golf, sports, entertainment and hospitality company based in Chicago.

The course renovation project, which already is underway, is being designed by Libertyville-based golf course architect Rick Jacobson. Renovations include releveling and resurfacing greens, tees and fairways, remodeling fairways and select greenside bunkers and overall improved drainage at both courses to better handle heavy storm events.

Construction to Winnetka’s nine-hole, par-3 course began in August, while renovations to its 6,500-yard, 18-hole course recently got underway after the course closed to the public Nov. 1. While both courses will be closed next year and set to reopen in summer 2024, Winnetka’s clubhouse, driving range and player development programming will remain open and available throughout the entire project.

Once course work is complete, KemperSports officials say they will provide an enhanced golfer and guest experience at Winnetka GC by delivering first-class customer service, premier food and beverage offerings and inclusive player development programming. In addition, Winnetka will join the company’s Frequent Fairways Chicagoland program, which provides local players with rewards for playing KemperSports public courses in and around the city.

“The Winnetka Golf Club has been a special part of the Winnetka community for more than a century, and we are proud to help Rick Jacobsen lead the restoration of such a prized local asset right here in our backyard,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “The golf course has great bones, and this renovation will take it to the next level.”

A Winnetka Park District Commissioner concurred with Skinner.

“We are extremely excited to partner with KemperSports to help the Park District successfully complete this extensive renovation and ensure a bright future at Winnetka Golf Club for the benefit of village residents and visitors,” said Winnetka Park District Commissioner Mickey Archambault.

A park district official praised the talent and leadership being provided by KemperSports.

“As an industry leader based here in Chicago, KemperSports brings a unique combination of proven national experience paired with unrivaled local understanding and focus supported by success stories of community facilities just like Winnetka, especially across the Chicagoland area,” said Park District Executive Director John Peterson. “We look forward to working with its first-class team to make Winnetka GC the thriving community asset we know it can be, and welcoming golfers of all ages and skill levels during and after the renovation.”

Winnetka marks the 12th facility in the greater Chicago area under KemperSports’ oversight, joining other facilities such as Deerpath Golf Course (Lake Forest), Canal Shores (Evanston), Harborside International (Chicago) and The Glen Club (Glenview).