Belmont Golf Club celebrates its 130th season

DOWNERS GROVE, IL –The Belmont Golf Club is now open for its 130th season. The historic course was established in 1892 as America’s first 18-hole golf course. Now a 9-hole par 36 course, Belmont Golf Club is owned and operated by the Belmont Park District. Open to the public from sunrise to dusk Sunday through Saturday (weather permitting), the course is located at 2420 Haddow Ave. in Belmont, Illinois.

The Belmont Golf Club holds a significant place in U.S. history. The course was established in 1892 as the original Chicago Golf Club, when Charles Blair Macdonald, who was, according to Golf Journal, “a true and imposing pioneer of golf in America” persuaded thirty of his Chicago Club colleagues to contribute ten dollars each to design and construct a 9-hole golf course. When the inaugural season had ended, Macdonald convinced Chicago Golf Club members to add nine more holes to the course. Therefore, in 1893, the first eighteen-hole golf course in the United States was established on the site. After numerous owners and after being converted back to a 9-hole course, the site was purchased by the Belmont Park District and was renamed the Belmont Golf Club in 1968.

Today, the Belmont Golf Club offers opportunities for golfers of all ages to experience this stunning, well-maintained course. Children ages 3 to 18 can learn the game of golf and improve skills with golf camps all summer long. Private, semi-private and group lessons are led by two certified golf professionals and include parent/child, junior and adult lessons. A Ladies Scramble League and Junior League for children ages 12 to 18 are offered starting in June. Adult couples can compete against other couples in a friendly competition featuring contests, prizes, dinner and an adult beverage at the Couples Scramble from 2 to 7 pm on July 16.

The driving range at the Belmont Golf Club offers a range shelter covering 10 of the 24 hitting stations. The shelter features seating, infrared heaters and ceiling fans that provide a comfortable golf experience even on rainy days. The range also features a large practice putting green, sand trap and chipping area. Renovations were recently completed to the short game area of the driving range to create a new lesson tee. This new lesson tee will provide a truly private learning experience provided by our certified instructors from the PGA, USGTF and PGTCA. A new short game green and bunker will be available behind the lesson tee for use by students and the public.

The newly renovated Clubhouse provides golfers with a comfortable setting to relax, grab a sandwich or snack and enjoy a cold adult beverage. The expanded Pro Shop now offers an extensive line of merchandise from the top manufacturers in the industry. New this summer will be a rotation of local food trucks and vendors on select days.

Last year, Belmont Golf Club welcomed a record-setting 44,717 rounds on the course. Ken McCormick, General Manager at the Belmont Golf Club, is looking forward to another great season in 2022.

“It’s fantastic to see so many new and returning golfers enjoying this truly unique and historic course. As the course celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2022, we encourage golfers to visit over the coming year to see the great improvements we’ve made and to learn about this significant site and its part of golfing history,” said McCormick.

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Summer Camps

RESIDENT REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 9AM ON MARCH 14
NON-RESIDENT REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 9AM ON MARCH 21

Golf Camps at the Belmont Golf Club provide an environment where young golfers of all abilities can play, have fun and improve their golf skills. Check out Smart Smart Golf for ages 3-4, Little Linkers for ages 5-7, Junior Aces for ages 8-14 and High School Prep Camp for ages 12-18.

Start Smart Golf
Parents, let our certified golf professionals show you how to teach your youngster the game of golf with positive reinforcement, FUN activities and exciting equipment! Learn how to develop your child’s motor skills, ball sense and feel for the golf swing using the driving range and practice green. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Make-ups will not be accommodated for missed days.
Age: 3-4 Fee: $50

Little Linkers Golf Camp
Our certified golf professionals and their staff introduce young children to the game of golf by teaching solid fundamentals while emphasizing golf techniques and swing mechanics. Each session meets three days on the driving range and practice green. Golfers should bring their own clubs if they have access to a set; a limited number of loaner clubs are available to be shared. Practice balls, USGA rules book and camp T-shirt are included in the cost of the camp. Make-ups will not be accommodated for missed days.
Age: 5-7 Fee: $60

Junior Aces Golf Camp
Our certified golf professionals help junior golfers develop the confidence, independence and focus needed for the great game of golf. Grouped by age and ability, instruction will include the basics of the golf swing, etiquette, woods, irons and the short game. Camps meet Monday to Friday for 45 minutes. Each weekly session includes an evening of supervised course play on the Friday of that session at 6:30pm. We ask that golfers bring their own clubs if they have access to a set, if not a limited number of loaner clubs are available to be shared. Practice balls, USGA rules book and camp T-shirt are included in the cost of the camp. Make-ups will not be accommodated for missed days.
Age: 8-14 Fee: $110

High School Prep Camp
This high school camp is a six-hour group lesson that takes place over three days and concludes with a nine-hole playing lesson on the fourth day! Our golf professionals touch on every aspect of the game and tailor the class to the needs of every golfer. This is the perfect lead up to the high school season! Golfers should have their own clubs.
Make-ups will not be accommodated for missed days.
Age: 12-18 Fee: $175

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