Three for Fore!: Trio of Canal Shores fences to block errant golf balls get blessing of Wilmette commission

Officials from one of the North Shore’s signature golf courses are teeing up the finishing touches on its extensive renovation project.

Zoning commissioners also offered a unanimous recommendation of a request from Canal Shores golf course to construct three fences, which representatives of the course say are necessary for “safe operation” in Wilmette.

Matthew Rooney, president of the Canal Shores board of trustees, told commissioners that the fences will protect people and property from errant golf shots.

The three fences are all chain-link fences and two of the three are 6 feet in height while one is 10 feet high.

According to Rooney, the 6-foot high ones which will run 80 feet long on the north side of the street at 204 Linden Ave. and the 10-foot high one are required due to changes in the design of the golf course.

Another fence, a proposed 6-foot one that will run 125 feet on the north side of the street at 180 Maple Ave., is a replacement for an existing fence that also serves the same function of protecting people and property on Maple from golf shots on the ninth hole, Rooney said.

Officials from the course also said the replacement fence is also an improvement on the course’s safety because it is a one-inch mesh fence, meaning golf balls cannot penetrate it like they can with the existing fence.

The fence along the north side of Linden is aimed at protecting golf carts and people who will be entering the course near the area north of Linden, according to a letter from Rooney submitted to the board. He also said it will protect people and property on Linden from shots on the eighth hole.

The 10-foot high fence is needed, according to Rooney, to protect course patrons who are using the half-way house that is placed next to the fourth hole tee box.

Rooney told commissioners that Canal Shores worked with the project’s architect as well as the construction company to determine what needed to be done for optimal safety, adding that the proposed locations are based on recommendations made to course officials.

Rooney also said that the course would have to face the question of not using three holes if it was not granted approval for the fencing. Rooney called that “not economically feasible” or “not having (the course) be as safe as we believe it should be.”

As previously reported by The Record, Canal Shores underwent a nearly $6 million project focusing on updating course infrastructure and establishing youth golf facilities and opportunities.

Rooney told commissioners that the course is hoping to reopen around Aug. 1 of this year.

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