Phased renovation of Woodside, Lakeside, and Hillside nines to begin in June 2024
Wheaton, IL – Cantigny Golf announced today major renovation plans for its 27-hole golf complex, building upon a 34-year legacy of championship golf surrounded by natural beauty. Construction is set to begin in June 2024 on the Hillside nine, followed by the Woodside and Lakeside nines in succeeding years, with all renovations projected to finish by summer 2027. For the duration of the process, Cantigny Golf will maintain 18 holes open for play. In addition, Youth Links, the 9-hole golf course for junior players, will remain open throughout construction.
Originally designed by Roger Packard, Cantigny Golf opened in 1989 and was named “Best Public Golf Course in America” by Golf Digest. While the facility was updated in 2003, the upcoming renovations mark the first significant upgrade to the property and its infrastructure since opening and will consist of:
- Rebuilding and re-grassing all greens complexes and tee boxes
- Redesigning and renovating bunkers and certain fairways to improve playability
- Replacing irrigation systems for increased sustainability and water conservation
- Developing an expanded putting green that will double as a practice area for players of all ages and levels
- Adding a new halfway house for expanded event capabilities
These enhancements will reinvigorate the course, highlight the beautiful natural setting, and elevate the golf experience for all levels of players for decades to come.
Nationally recognized golf course architect Todd Quitno of Quitno Golf Designs is leading the renovation. With more than two decades of experience, Quitno has been involved in more than 150 renovation projects ranging from small upgrades on a single hole to full 27-hole overhauls. KemperSports, which has managed Cantigny Golf since 2014, will oversee the redevelopment project.
The Cantigny Golf complex sits on the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, long-time editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, which also includes a military museum dedicated to the U.S. Army’s 1stInfantry Division and formal gardens. For 65 years, Cantigny has offered families inspiring and accessible opportunities for recreation and learning. Cantigny Golf continues that tradition with its robust educational offerings, including a vibrant youth program that continues to grow the game of golf and a caddie program that has so far produced 18 Evans Scholars. Each year, Cantigny Golf hosts golf outings in support of numerous local nonprofit organizations.
Cantigny is a part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which funds the continued operation of Cantigny, including Cantigny Golf, for the recreation, instruction and welfare of the people of the of Illinois. The golf course renovation will be funded through a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
“Cantigny Golf has been a premier destination for the public for over three decades,” said Timothy P. Knight, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. “In addition to the 27-hole golf course, Cantigny has one of the region’s finest golf academies and a leading junior golf program. Working with Todd Quitno and KemperSports, we are confident that this renovation will preserve the hallmark features of each layout while enhancing them to better serve our golf community and grow the game for years to come.”
The estimated renovation timeline is as follows:
- June 2024: Phase One construction begins on Hillside nine, halfway house, and putting lawn
- June 2025: Hillside nine reopens; Phase Two construction on Woodside nine begins
- June 2026: Woodside nine reopens; Phase Three construction on Lakeside nine begins
- June 2027: Lakeside nine reopens
“I’m honored to be trusted with a course as respected as Cantigny,” said Quitno. “Cantigny represents some of the finest public access golf in the country, and our team can’t wait to deliver improvements that will elevate this status even more. Our number one challenge is to balance fresh ideas with the distinct character that identifies each nine to invigorate the property and provide some excitement for both returning and new Cantigny players.”
“Cantigny has a sterling reputation that attracts players from all over the country,” said Terry Hanley, KemperSports’ general manager of Cantigny Golf. “Part of what makes Cantigny so special is that each of our nines is unique to the other. We are thrilled to drive the Cantigny Golf experience forward to both preserve that legacy of excellence and improve on its successes.”
Cantigny Golf is consistently named on esteemed lists such as the Best Places You Can Play in Illinois by Golfweek, Best in State by Golf Digest, Golfers’ Choice: Best Golf Courses in Illinois by GolfPass, and Golfers’ Choice: Top 50 U.S. Courses by GolfPass. The property has hosted the Illinois State Amateur Championship, Chicago Open, U.S. Open sectional qualifiers, U.S. Amateur qualifiers, the USGA Public Links Championship, and many other tournaments and qualifying events.
For more information about Cantigny Golf and the planned renovations, visit cantignygolf.com.
About Cantigny Golf
The building of Cantigny Golf began in 1986 and was completed in 1988. Play began in 1989. The course was designed by Roger Packard and constructed by Wadsworth Construction Company. Jacobson Golf Course Design updated the links in 2003. Cantigny Golf’s official dedication took place on June 5, 1989, with a 9-hole exhibition featuring two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North and three top amateurs from Illinois. Cantigny offers 27 challenging holes on beautiful rolling terrain covering nearly 300 acres. The Woodside, Lakeside, and Hillside nines each have distinct identities, adding richness to the golf experience. In its January 1990 issue, Golf Digest would declare Cantigny the “Best New Public Course in America.” Cantigny Youth Linksv, the 9-hole course designed for kids, debuted in 1999. The Cantigny Golf Academy opened in 2008. Since 1993, Cantigny Golf has been a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through Audubon International, demonstrating its commitment to environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, and water and resource management.
About The McCormick Foundation
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation envisions a Chicagoland with educated and informed individuals who are engaged in improving their communities. The Foundation invests in organizations working to build thriving communities where all individuals have the resources and opportunities to succeed without regard to income, race, ethnicity, gender, or ZIP code. Established in 1955 upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, the McCormick Foundation has issued grants of approximately $1.7 billion. The Foundation’s Board also oversees Cantigny, Col. McCormick’s 500-acre estate in Wheaton, Illinois, which encompasses a park, formal gardens, a museum dedicated to the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, and a 27-hole public golf complex. Learn more at mccormickfoundation.org, cantigny.org, fdmuseum.org, and cantignygolf.com.
About KemperSports
KemperSports is a leading sports, entertainment, and hospitality company that delivers operational excellence in property and experience management. Headquartered in Chicago with regional offices throughout the U.S., KemperSports manages more than 140 golf courses, private clubs, sports venues, and destination resorts nationwide. It has more golf properties named among the top 100 U.S. public and resort courses as rated by GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest, and Golfweek than any other management company. For more information about KemperSports, visit www.kempersports.com.
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Media Contacts:
Jake Meister, KemperLesnik
Jake.Meister@kemperlesnik.com | 847.772.0261
Jeff Reiter, Cantigny Golf
jreiter@cantigny.org ǀ 630.260.8218
