Downers Grove Park District - Tournaments & Events

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• Golf Course

The Downers Grove Golf Course hosts a variety of tournaments and events each year. Traditional tournaments at the Course include the Annual Pine Hollow Open and the Annual Bob Nelson Junior Amateur. The ever popular Ladies Nights continue to be a success offering a socializing, relaxation and golf in a pressure-free atmosphere. Some of the new events and programs in 2009 include the Junior Championship and the Intramural Golf Program. driving range

Golf Course Programs & Events

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golf programs and events, click here.

Upcoming Tournaments and Events

36th Annual Pine Hollow Open
This tournament has been hosted at the Downers Grove Golf Club for 36 years. The all male event features players ages 16 and older. Bruce Swanson, Director of the tournament, always has impressive prizes donated to this event. This year’s tournament will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Tee times start at 11:00am and registrations can be made at the Golf Club. Please contact Bruce at 630-969-2514 with any questions or details regarding the Pine Hollow Open.

The All-American Hickory Open
The All-American Hickory Open will be held for it’s second year on the historic links of the Downers Grove Golf Club on Friday May 18th at 8:00am, and on Saturday May 19th at 10:00am. The Open is for players ages 18 and above. The Downers Grove Golf Club is the original site of the Chicago Golf Club, one of the most prominent country clubs in the United States. On this very site CB MacDonald built the first 9 holes for the Chicago Golf Club in 1892, becoming a launching point for golf in the West. By 1893, MacDonald and his fellow members decided to build an additional 9 holes, thus becoming the first 18-hole golf course in the United States. In 1894, the Chicago Golf Club became a Charter Member of the United States Golf Association. In 1895, however, the Chicago Golf Club parted ways with the current site, and relocated to their current location in Wheaton. Why did they depart these original links? Apparently a semi large portion of their golf course was leased by a landowner to the West of the current course, and for reasons unknown, elected to not renew that lease in 1895. The members of the Chicago Golf Club facing the loss of several holes moved on leaving this course abandoned for the entirety of 1895. In 1896, the course was adopted briefly by the Illinois Golf Club then by the Belmont Golf Club and was cut back to nine holes. Roughly 3,000 yards in length and a bogey score of 41, made it quite a challenge in its day. The course is now owned and operated by the Downers Grove Park District. 7 of the 9 greens are original, as are the majority of bunkers, which will still be in play for the All American Open. The course will be set up for gutta percha golf and will play as she did on opening day in 1892. It is our hope that you come to the All American Open and play this historic treasure the way CN MacDonald intended her to be played. This 36-hole tournament will be hosted at the Downers Grove Golf Club for the next 2 years. All pre 1900 equipment is available (clubs and balls). The fee is $110.

14th Annual Bob Nelson Junior Golf Amateur
This Junior Tournament has been hosted by the Downers Grove Golf Club for the past 14 years. In memory of the late Bob Nelson, this tournament is sponsored and run by the Downers Grove Squires Men’s Golf League. Fees are only $7 and include greens fees, small bucket of range balls, prizes and lunch consisting of a hot dog, chips and a fountain drink. This tournament will take place on Monday June 11, 2012. This tournament is for youth ages 10-16 years old. Tee times start at 12:00pm. For more information please contact the Downers Grove Golf Club at 630-963-1306. Registration deadline is Monday June 4th.

4th Annual Husband/Wife Tournament
This tournament has been growing in popularity, and we are anticipating over 25 couples in 2012. The event is a 9-hole tournament with format to be determined for all married couples. The cost is $45 per team. This year’s tournament will take place on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 3:00pm. For more information, please contact the Downers Grove Golf Club at 630-963-1306.

32nd Annual Firefly Nightlight Golf Open
This nighttime golf tournament is for golfers ages 21 and over. Fees are $200 per foursome and include greens fees, prizes, light sticks and golf balls. The tournament is scheduled for Friday September 7, 2012 beginning at 8:00pm. This event sells out every year so get your foursome together early. For more information, please contact the Downers Grove Golf Club at 630-963-1306.