Welcome to Sportsmans

2018-2022: New Places to Play – Sportsman’s Country Club

The following information provides an update regarding the Northbrook Park District’s 2018-2022: New Places to Play initiative.

Project Overview at Sportsman’s Country Club
The project will include significant improvements at Sportsman’s including:

• Clubhouse with golf shop and dining experience,
• Classic 18 and East 9 courses,
• Driving range,
• Re-branding.

Background
In 2018, the Northbrook Park District launched 2018-2022: New Places to Play — a capital improvement initiative that will include improvements to the golf courses, practice facilities and clubhouse at Sportsman’s Country Club. This project, in addition to the new Activity Center at Techny Prairie Park and Fields, was selected in response to community feedback regarding our programming and facilities.  The Northbrook Park District Board of Commissioners have allocated $12.5 million for this project.

Overview of Project
Over the past year, the Board of Commissioners and the Golf Project Team have gained valuable insight which called for further exploration of this important community project. We are dedicated to our goal of enhancing the overall golf experience at Sportsman’s and to becoming a desired destination for the entire community. In that spirit, the Northbrook Park District has re-engaged Rick Jacobson, President, Jacobson Golf Course Design Inc., of Libertyville, IL, for improvements at both golf courses and the range at Sportsman’s Country Club.  Rick worked with the Park District in 2004 on the Anetsberger Golf Course remodel and was the course architect for the 2005 renovations at Sportsman’s Country Club.

“We are extremely excited and tremendously proud to continue our relationship with the Northbrook Park District team on a project that will enhance the Sportsman’s Country Club golf experience for residents and guests”, said Jacobson.

Scope of Work
Key aspects that Jacobson will be addressing include:

• Classic 18 Greens
• East 9 Irrigation
• Range and Practice Area improvements
• Improved space for the Northbrook Golf Academy
• Drainage improvements
• Re-branding

In addition, the project will create phased opportunities for improvements in future years including forward tees, bunkers and recommended tree plan.

The District has hired RATIO Architects, Chicago, IL, to design a new clubhouse at the course.  The clubhouse will be open year-round and be a gathering space for golfers and non-golfers alike.  Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc., Vernon Hills, IL, will be overseeing the civil engineering services for this project.

Project Schedule and Course Closing
Sportsman’s Country Club will remain open until the end of the 2019 golf season. Demolition will begin at the conclusion of this season.  Sportsman’s will be closed for the entire 2020 season.  In the summer of 2021, the course will re-open with an incredible new clubhouse, course and range improvements, and a new name!

“Recognizing the legacy and history of Sportsman’s, our team is thrilled to begin work on the course at the end of this season with the delivery of significant enhancements when we re-open Summer 2021,” said Molly Hamer, Executive Director of the Northbrook Park District.

Reciprocity Agreement for 2020 and 2021
Northbrook Park District has arranged a reciprocity agreement with the Park District of Highland Park for all Northbrook Park District residents.  Our Northbrook Resident players will receive resident rates at Highland Park’s Sunset Valley golf course throughout Sportsman’s closure.

Director of Golf, Greg Baron, shared that “our neighboring communities have shown a willingness to support our residents during our anticipated renovation closure.  We helped out Highland Park during the renovation of Sunset Valley and they have committed to doing the same.  We are optimistic in securing additional agreements with other nearby municipalities.”

Open House
Later this year, the Park District will hold an Open House at Sportsman’s Country Club to share schematic designs and site plans.