Mistwood Golf Club Undergoes Renovations

Mistwood Golf Club is undergoing a major renovation. The project involves substantial changes to the Ray Hearn-designed golf course, a new learning center, and plans for a future clubhouse. The renovations have begun and the course in the Chicago area is slated to reopen in May 2012.

Mistwood's owner, local Chicago businessman Jim McWethy, made the decision to completely revamp the facility, which was not an easy one in these trying economic times. McWethy opted to renovate what was already a well-respected course, add the new learning center and begin plans for a new clubhouse in order to create a destination for golfers in Chicago and the Midwest.

"A big part of this renovation is due to my love of the game," McWethy said. "By expanding, we are running counter to the rest of the golf world.''

McWethy closed the course August 22 to allow Hearn to begin the work. His plans call for the 5,000-square-foot learning center to be built later this fall and to be ready when the course reopens in May.

The remodeling of Mistwood is being done in three phases. The first phase is the course construction, which includes lengthening it to over 7,000 yards and improving every hole. The second phase is the learning center. The original clubhouse and cart barn will be torn down as soon as the learning center is completed. It will feature indoor and outdoor hitting stations, a practice putting green, a computer analyzer and golf simulators. Initially it will also serve as Mistwood's clubhouse until the new clubhouse is constructed.

The third phase is the new 32,000-square-foot clubhouse, which McWethy hopes to start sometime in 2012.

"At first we thought we would do everything at once, but then realized it would make more sense to do it in phases to avoid any construction problems along the way,'' said McWethy. "Deciding when to start the clubhouse is difficult. We would like to break ground by fall 2012, but we have to get the course changes and learning center out of the way first."

Mistwood's original course opened in 1998. Hearn feels the remodel is a good idea. "As time goes on, the technology monster, with golf clubs and golf balls going further, every course should be analyzed and tweaked every 10 years or so, and Mistwood was no exception,'' said Hearn, who is credited with five other Illinois projects, including Flossmoor Country Club.

His renovation of historic Flossmoor was cited as the 2009 Renovation-of-the-Year by Golf Magazine.

The Holland, Mich.-based architect has also designed courses in Michigan, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Idaho, Oklahoma and Kentucky. His design career has also expanded internationally in Russia, France, Croatia, Vietnam, Egypt, South Korea, Mexico, India and the Bahamas.

When Mistwood opens in 2012 players will see a difference. "Recalibrating a golf course for shot values is where a golf course architect earns their money," said Hearn. "Strategic improvements for all levels of golfers is the name of the game. I really enjoy improving my courses over time in terms of shot value, strategy, beauty and playability, which I believe we have now accomplished here at Mistwood Golf Club."

One of the most noticeable "strategic improvements" will be at the par-5 third. The green has been relocated to create space for the new clubhouse, and the creek previously in front of the green is now behind and it has been expanded into a pond. In addition, Lannon stone walls were added to No. 3 and behind the par-3 ninth to provide stunning visuals.

Also included in the changes was the addition of Waupaca "steep face" sand in the bunkers; the light tan-colored sand is among the most expensive in the industry. Complimenting the new bunker sand are sod-wall bunkers throughout the layout.

Many of Mistwood's lakes have also been expanded to make water more of a factor, and yardage was increased from 6,727 to 7,020 yards from the new set of back tees.

Mistwood is home of one of Chicago's top tournaments, the Phil Kosin Illinois Women's Open. Director of golf Dan Phillips believes the players in that event will be excited by the new alterations.

"The top ladies in the state will now get to experience one of top courses in Illinois - one that's more challenging and fun to play,'' said Phillips. "It will have the same flavor as the old Mistwood, but it will be more exciting with improved shot values."

When the projects are completed McWethy is looking forward to having one of the best public courses in the Chicago area. "If you believe you have an exceptional product, market it well, and take great care of your customers, I do believe that, even in this market, you can be successful,'' he said.

"I am very excited about the project and believe when we are done we will have one of the top golf experiences in the Chicago area."

For more information about Mistwood, visit www.mistwoodgolf.net.

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