Source: Chicago Daily Herald
Golfers now have a wider range of choices at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park.
The course, co-owned by the village of Villa Park and Elmhurst Park District, has just opened its new driving range, capping off $3.2 million in enhancements to its 45-acre course. It also features a newly remodeled and expanded clubhouse on Van Buren Street.
"It's wonderful. It's beautiful," said Robert Niemann, Villa Park's acting village manager and Sugar Creek Golf Course board member. "Come out and play ... and spend money."
The range, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset, is located on roughly 5 acres that used to house the Villa Grove School. The building was rendered expendable last year when the consortium of school districts, which owned it, disbanded.
Sugar Creek, which surrounded the wooded lot on three sides, bought the property at a cost of $1.2 million, and proceeded with plans for 25 bays with targets at a cost of roughly $500,000.
The overall project is being funded by a loan that's being repaid by revenues generated by the course and the driving range.
The new amenity coincided with improvements to the 9-hole golf course, its practice greens and clubhouse that began last October.
The $1.5 million in renovations included a larger pro shop, more office space and locker rooms, kitchen upgrades, a second larger bar and dining area, as well as more parking.
The lounge area features the bar, seating for 60 people, several televisions and a view of the course. The full-service kitchen provides for lunch and dinner daily, plus breakfast Saturdays and Sundays. The clubhouse also is available for private parties for up to 100 guests.
The 28-year-old course also has been enhanced with new tee boxes, cart paths and sand traps, new landscaping and a few altered holes.