In September 2015 plans began circulating for a proposal to combine 2 Chicago south side municipal golf courses into a new PGA Tour caliber golf course designed by Tiger Woods design company TGR Design. The plan is happening in conjunction with the Obama Presedential Library which is planned to also be built in Jackson Park. While there has been some community concern around issues like the loss of the nature preserve adjacent to South Shore Golf Course, and Jackson Park and South Shore are both over 100 year old golf courses designed by Tom Bendelow. As a Chicago golfer living on the north side of the city both courses are one of the close options for any Chicago golfer, a quick trip on Lake Shore Drive.
Jackson Park Golf Course is a short 18 hole golf course that feels like it has a lot of space. It’s a pretty casual place where the first time you go, you are confused because you seem to be driving on a sidewalk to get in and often parking on grass. The course is usually in reasonable shape with generally short holes. I put it in the Local Muni[Insert link to course types page] category. The greens never run fast but they are pretty standard for the price range. Greens fees generally will run you around $30 and you can get it down to $20 if you walk. It really is a great course to just go out for a cheap, sometimes quick round without having to drive out to the suburbs.
South Shore is a 9 hole course with a challenging layout. Sitting just south of Jackson Park it gets a little overshadowed. and is nestled amongst Lake Michigan. A former country club during the 1920’s it has an amazing club house which is now the South Shore Cultural Center. Despite it’s proximity to the lake it doesn’t take the best advantage of the view with only one hole the par 4 5th really feeling like a "seaside" course but some lake views are sprinkled between trees and brush on the lakefront.
The Design Proposal
In June TGR Design released the layout for the proposed course which would feature a much more spacious layout utilizing land that hosted 27 holes of golf for the new 18 and a “family course” The new layout uses the land of both golf courses as well as some of the nature preserve that borders the lakefront. This will allow the new course to feature 4 holes on the lakefront #11-#14 as well as a likely elevated tee box on 15. The 12 green should have a view of downtown which would no doubt be a highlight on television coverage for any PGA tour event.
The prospect of a PGA caliber course and supporting golf course inside the city proper is exciting. The PGA has had an inconsistent presence in Chicagoland after the Western Open became part of the PGA playoffs and renamed the BMW Championship. It was hosted at Cog Hill Golf Course in Lemont, IL on their #4 course Dubsdread[INSERT LINK] but after the course renovation by Rees Jones received poor reviews the tournament was moved around to multiple courses returning to Chicagoland every other year at Conway Farms[INSERT LINK] a private course in the North Chicago Suburbs. A major market like Chicago especially the one with such a vibrant public golf landscape should be a showcase for the PGA and has turned into only an occasional host.
The most interesting aspect of the Jackson Park project is its location for a number of reasons. It’s proximity to Lake Michigan makes it amazing from a landscape perspective but it also in what would be likely the most urban environment for a championship caliber golf course. Currently at Jackson Park CTA Buses go by yards from some tee boxes and I’ve pressed the pedestrian crossing button mid round with my bag on my back at the corner of Marquette dr. and Jeffery ave between # and #. That isn’t an experience I’ve had at any other golf course anywhere. It has a charm that I personally hope the new course embraces.
Issues the plan will need to overcome
The South Shore neighborhood has had over 100 shootings so far in 2017. While I have never felt in danger while playing at Jackson or South Shore it could be a concern for some golfers. Residents have voiced concerns about gentrification and being priced out at community meetings for the course and the library. Residents voiced concerns that The community is looking for assurances that the developments will be a direct benefit to them in the form of pledges to hire locals and ensure that local residents will be able to afford greens fees. At a community discussion on the Jackson Park course project I was able to attend last year, General Superintendent of the Chicago Park District Michael Kelly stated it was his hope they would be able to keep greens fees for Chicago residents under $50. While that could be wishful thinking, that price would be an amazing deal for the type of course that has been described. South Shore is also home to one of the oldest women’s golf league. That league currently has an early morning recurring weekend tee time and what will become of that as South Shore goes away?
The plan at this point is just a plan and the largest barrier is where is the money going to come from. The plan has been estimated at $30 million with 80% coming from private donations according to the Chicago Parks Golf Alliance the group assembled to try to bring the plan to life. There haven’t been any updates on funding levels or start dates since recently and initially Michael Kelly had stated an intention to begin work on the course in 2017. As reality hits and the course and Obama library get drawn out the talk has continued and there is still excitement in the press and throughout the general Chicago golf community. The course could be an amazing addition to Chicago golf if the hurdles can be overcome.
