Downers Grove Golf Course Tees Up New Resident Discount

Not only is spring just around the corner, but this year it will return with less hassle for Downers Grove residents who want to tee off at the park district's golf course. The Park Board on Thursday eliminated the resident discount card and implemented an across-the-board resident discount.

Through last year, residents could purchase a card for $10 that entitled them to a discounted rate, which varied depending upon the age of the player and the day or time of the round. Residents who did not purchase the card were not eligible for the discount.

Golf Course Manager Kevin Morey proposed eliminating the card and implementing a $1.50 resident discount, which requires residents to simply show a driver's license. This change not only will decrease staff workload but also be easier for residents, and will ideally reduce lines at the golf course cash register.

“It gets really, really busy at that golf course counter,” said Park District Administrator Dan Cermak.

Morey and staff were responding to recent resident surveys and to the amount of time staff had to spend explaining the card to golfers.

“I think there will be a positive response from the golfers.” said Commissioner Janet Barr.

“I am so happy,” added commissioner Cathy Mahoney. “I no longer have to explain to people why that card exists.”

Other changes to the rate structure include a 7 percent increase for season pass rates. Even with the changes, fees would continue to be competitive compared to other local nine-hole courses, Morey said. Commissioners wondered if the park district could charge more for nonresidents to play during premium weekend times, but Morey said that staff is trying to keep nonresident fees under $20 per round.

Factoring in the new resident discount, Morey projects that the course will end the year with net earnings of about $210,000.

Contrary to a national trend of golfers staying away from courses during the recession, 46,000 rounds were played at the Downers Grove course  in 2010, a 4 percent jump, Morey said. The golf course saw increases in the junior and parent-child golf camp.

“We hit the million dollar mark in October,” Morey said.

Rounds at the course started to dip in 2007, but staff has “focused on putting money back into the course,” he said. Upcoming projects include renovations on the first, third and seventh tees, drainage repairs. clubhouse landscaping and the addition of a television on the patio.

The course has a storied past. In 1892 golf legend Charles Blair MacDonald convinced 30 colleagues to contribute to the construction of a nine-hole course on the site of a farm owned by A. Haddow Smith, according to the park district's web site. Nine more holes were added a year later, making the course the site of the first 18-hole course in the United States. The park district purchased the course in 1968 and re-established it as a nine-hole course. The golf course is completely self-funded and uses no tax dollars for operation.