Green Acres Country Club Being Restored

Restoration efforts are continuing at Green Acres Country Club in Northbrook, Ill. The original course was designed by A.W. Tillinghast in 1922 as the Illinois Country Club. In 1943, it became known as Green Acres Country Club.

The initial phase of the renovation project by The Roger Rulewich Group,, scheduled for completion at the end of October, includes rebuilding the fourth, eighth, and 15th greens and most of the tees. The plan is revert to Tillinghast’s original rectangular tee designs, other than a couple of tees adjacent to ponds which will remain free-form in configuration. Dirt needed for the rebuilt greens and tees is being provided by enlarging existing ponds.

Green Acres is a private golf club with 200 members. The 18-hole, par-72 course is a traditional, well-manicured layout measuring 6,714 from the tips, where it merits a 128 slope. Degrees of difficulty are created by narrow tree-lined fairways over generally flat terrain, a number of well-placed bunkers, and several water hazards.

The purchase of three acres enabled the club to put a new face on more than the course itself. Rulewich’s master plan calls for redoing and expanding the existing practice area and adding a short-game area with two greens, bunkers and fairway area. All the greens will be re-seeded with A1 Bent grass. When completed, the course at Green Acres will play a little longer thanks to the revised tees.

A new cabana and pool facility were built in 2005. A total renovation of the clubhouse, circa 1924, has also begun. The existing building is being gutted and will be completely redone. The new clubhouse will feature updated locker rooms as well as indoor and outdoor dining areas. The club was closed mid-August to allow for the work to take place. The anticipated reopening is June 2007.

Dave Radaj, Green Acres’ superintendent and general manager, said of the projects: “Our objective is to create an enjoyable golf experience for all our members and their guests. This project enables a variety of playing levels to maximize the enjoyment of their visit and round of golf. It is also important to improve the aesthetics of the course and clubhouse as well. The work being done addresses all our needs and will accomplish these goals.”