Tee box draws a crowd for reopening of Winnetka Golf Club after 19 months of work

It was a long time coming for these tee times, but Winnetka Golf Club is open once again.

The golf club welcomed its first players and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, unveiling the newly renovated course and giving guests a sneak peek at the 18-hole course, which opened to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The facility, owned by the Winnetka Park District and managed by KemperSports, closed for renovations in November 2022 as a part of Winnetka’s Stormwater Project. As reported by The Record, the course was overhauled with the land also being used to combat ongoing water retention issues in west Winnetka.

Winnetka Park District Executive Director Shannon Nazzal and Park District Board President Christina Codo welcomed the audience to the ceremony.

“The energy here today is a reflection of the passion and commitment that this driven project from the very start,” Nazzal said.

Nazzal joined the park district mid project in December 2023. 

“Our goal has always been to create a course that not only challenges and delights golfers, but also enhances the natural beauty and serves the environmental and strategic infrastructure we need in our community,” she said.

Village President Chris Rintz also took to the stage to celebrate the hard work that went into both the Stormwater Project and the course overhaul. He acknowledged the cooperation of local school districts New Trier Township High School and Winnetka Public Schools.

Former Park Commissioner Mickey Archambault and former Village Councilmember Andy Cripe shared Rintz’s celebration, and another common theme in their speeches was “Lake Warren James.”

Upon looking out at the course from the clubhouse, a sprawling pond adds to the already manicured landscaping. The pond was an idea introduced by Winnetka Park Commissioner Warren James. The water feature doubles as water storage while avoiding the use and expenses of underground retention.

“Everyone is talking about Lake Warren James,” Cripe said. “… Going underground for storage is extremely expensive, like millions of extra dollars expensive. Warren’s plan not only made it possible to have a new water feature, it opened up dollars that would have been spent putting water underground, which then funded a golf course.”

The last speaker was KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. The Winnetka Park District tabbed KemperSports to oversee the project in 2022. Since then, the two have worked together on the project, which includes a new logo for the club that highlights its founding in 1917.

Following the ceremony, several guests were looking forward to getting out on the track. Among them was former Park Board Commissioner Richard Pierce. As commissioner, he helped get the Stormwater Project started and is a frequent visitor to the course.

“I was without a course for a number of years but I’m delighted to be back and I can’t wait to get out there,” Pierce said. 

Stuart Cutler, president of the Winnetka Men’s Club echoed Pierce’s sentiment. Cutler and the Men’s Club also got their hands dirty during the renovation process, helping to remove invasive buckthorn from the course.

The experience only made Culter more excited to take on the course, especially the 18th hole, which he called “probably the best closing hole.” 

Resident Colette Wetzel also shared her excitement.

“We are so excited,” she said. “They have done a marvelous job. It’s going to be challenging, but not too challenging for everyone to play.”

The reach of the over 100-year-old club goes beyond Winnetka. Glencoe resident Kevin Buckman is a loyal supporter of the course and had his clubs in hand as soon as the ceremony ended.

“I’ve been playing out here for 15 years and so I was excited to see all the changes that they made,” Buckman said. “It is great for this area to have another really nice public golf course that people can get out on.”

Tee times for the 18-hole course can be booked on the club’s website. Those eager to get a look at the course, can visit the club’s YouTube to find drone footage of the course and several holes.

“This course is more than just golf; it’s a place where memories can be made, friendships can be deepened and our community will come together to enjoy the green in a setting that is truly spectacular,” Nazzal said.

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