DOWNERS GROVE, IL—In celebration of its 131st season, the Downers Grove Golf Club has been renamed the Belmont Golf Club to honor the history of this legendary course. Owned and operated by the Downers Grove Park District, the Belmont Golf Club is located at 2420 Haddow Ave. in Downers Grove, IL. The course officially opened for the season on Thursday, March 16, and tee times are available (weather permitting) online at the course’s new website at belmontgolfclub.org.
In 1892, Charles Blair Macdonald, the grandfather of American golf, designed the first nine holes west of the Allegheny Mountains in Downers Grove, Illinois, at Belmont Road. At this original site of the Chicago Golf Club, Macdonald designed nine more holes for the course in 1893, making it the first 18-hole course in the United States. By 1895, Chicago Golf Club members decided to build a new 18-hole golf course near Wheaton, Illinois, and abandoned the Belmont location.
In 1899, Herbert J. Tweedie and a group of friends formed the Belmont Golf Club on the site. As a founding member of the Belmont Golf Club, his first major accomplishment was to keep several of the original holes of Chicago Golf Club in play after their move to Wheaton.
The location of the 18 holes in Downers Grove are most famously known throughout golf history as Belmont Golf Club, one of the original courses of the western golf association founded in 1899. The current layout of the course features 6 holes that have had very minor changes to them dating back to the late 1800s. These holes are referred to as the “Original Six” and includes holes number 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9.
Over the last two years, the Belmont Golf Club has completed exciting improvements to the site to enhance the visitor experience. On the course, bunkers on holes 4 and 8 were reconstructed. A moveable canopy was installed on the lesson tee to create a more comfortable private lesson experience. Interior clubhouse renovations included the expansion of the Pro Shop plus new furniture, flooring and countertops in the dining area. Outside the clubhouse, an expanded outdoor patio with stamped concrete and new furniture was completed last fall. To provide more shade and a unique entertainment space, a large pergola will be installed over the outdoor patio in the months ahead.
Ken McCormick, General Manager of the Belmont Golf Club, encourages golfers to visit over the coming year to play the historic course and see the exciting changes for themselves.
“We hope golfers will join us for our Belmont Golf Club Celebration this spring to dedicate the new name and kick off another great golf season,” said McCormick.
In celebration of the renaming of the course, a tournament and celebration will be held on Saturday, May 20. The event will include a team tournament followed by a dinner celebration to highlight the history of the course and the improvements the Park District has made over the years.
During the tournament, teams of four will compete against each other in a scramble format event with contests and prizes included. A shot gun start will begin at 2:30 pm. After the dinner, golfers can stay and enjoy a game of bags with your friends or just hang around and enjoy a beverage or two. The $50 fee per person includes greens fees, carts, prizes and dinner. To register your team for the tournament or to attend the renaming dinner celebration for $15, call the Clubhouse at 630.963.1306.
Beginning in 2023, the Belmont Golf Club will be renamed the BELMONT GOLF CLUB. We are rebranding the golf course to its historic name, which will honor the history of this legendary course.
The acorn-shaped shield of the logo is reflective of the Belmont Trophy dating back to 1919, which is on display in the Clubhouse.
Inspiration for the letter “B” in Belmont was drawn from the Golfers’ Green Book. Circa 1901, this book contained the complete details of golf clubs in the Chicago region and highlighted the significant features and history of the Belmont Golf Club including the course’s score card, Clubhouse photo and links map.
History of the Belmont Golf Club
In 1892, Charles Blair Macdonald, the grandfather of American golf, designed the first nine holes west of the Allegheny Mountains in Belmont, Illinois, at Belmont Road. At this original site of the Chicago Golf Club, Macdonald designed nine more holes for the course in 1893, making it the first 18-hole course in the United States. By 1895, Chicago Golf Club members decided to build a new 18-hole golf course near Wheaton, Illinois, and abandoned the Belmont location.
In 1899, Herbert J. Tweedie and a group of friends formed the Belmont Golf Club on the site. As a founding member of the Belmont Golf Club, his first major accomplishment was to keep several of the original holes of Chicago Golf Club in play after their move to Wheaton.
The location of the 18 holes in Belmont are most famously known throughout golf history as Belmont Golf Club, one of the original courses of the western golf association founded in 1899. The current layout of the course features 6 holes that have had very minor changes to them dating back to the late 1800s. These holes are referred to as the “Original Six” and includes holes number 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 9.
Check our calendar of events for upcoming pop-up food vendors!
The Outpost Mexican Eatery
May 11 & 25 from 5-7:30pm
Wednesday Fiesta Night at the Golf Course! Food will be available from the Outpost Mexican Eatery.
Margarita Specials: Modela and Dos Equis are available.
Go Doggy Run
May 6, 20, 21, 27 & 28
Fridays 4-7pm & Saturdays 11-3pm
Chicago style all-beef franks with all the toppings, burgers, sandwiches, tacos. Menu varies.
Requests can be made for additional items to be served for upcoming dates by golfers.
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.
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
Registration for the golf clinics is in the Clubhouse or you can call the Clubhouse at 630-963-1306. The class includes $49 of teaching aids to take home with you.
Location: Belmont GC Main putting green
2420 Haddow Ave., Belmont, IL 60515
630-963-1306
Cost: $89
Eyeline Golf One-Day Clinics 14 and Up
| Wednesday, 5/26 | 5:00-6:00pm and 6:15-7:15pm | |
| Sunday, 6/13 | 11:30am-12:30pm and 12:45-1:45pm | |
| Monday, 6/21 | 6:00-7:00pm and 7:15-8:15pm | |
| Saturday, 7/17 |
|
Jr. Eyeline Golf One-Day Clinics Ages 10-16
| Tuesday, 6/15 | 12:00-1:00 and 1:15-2:15pm |
| Friday, 7/16 | 12:00-1:00pm and 1:15-2:15pm |
Golfers can now download the new Belmont Golf Club mobile app for an enhanced experience on the course!
The new app features:
- GPS Yardage Finder
- Loyalty Program Perks & Discounts
- Link to TeeSnap Tee Time Booking
- Interactive Scorecard
- Pace of Play Live Tracking
- Live Leaderboards
- Push Notifications with Course Updates
- Golf News and Events
- Clubhouse Menu
Become a Golf App Advertiser!
Share your company’s message with golfers on the course.
SUPERSPEED GOLF TRAINING
GAIN SPEED – GAIN DISTANCE
Certified Golf Professional Jim Festle brings SuperSpeed Golf training to Belmont Golf Club.
The SuperSpeed Golf Training System is the fastest way to increase your club head speed. Over 700 top touring professionals currently use the golf training system and the results speak for themselves.
The system with proper instruction will help you increase the speed and power of your swing by 5% to 8% in as little as 5 weeks of regular practice.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Five training sessions (30 minutes per session) for ages 14+
- Four training sessions (30 minutes per session) for ages 10-16
- Your own set of speed sticks to keep ($200 value)
- Use of radars and individual feedback from Jim Festle
AGES 14+
| Class Dates | Level | Cost | Day | Time |
| May 26, June 2, 9 16 & 23
Rain Date 6/30 |
1 | $399 | Wed | 7:45-8:15 pm
|
| May 26, June 2, 9 16 & 23
Rain Date 6/30 |
1 | $399 | Wed | 8:30-9:00 pm |
| July 14, 21, 28 August 4 and 11 Rain date 8/18 | 2 | $199 | Wed | 8:15-8:45 pm |
AGES 10-16
| Junior Class Dates | Level | Cost | Day | Time |
| June 2, 9, 16, and 23 Rain date 6/30 | 1 | $349 | Wed | 4:00-4:30 pm |
| June 2, 9, 16, and 23 Rain date 6/30 | 1 | $349 | Wed | 4:45-5:15 pm |
| July 1, 8, 15 and 22 Rain date 7/29 | 2 | $159 | Thurs | 12:00-12:30 |
| July 1, 8, 15 and 22 Rain date 7/29 | 2 | $159 | Thurs | 5:00-5:30 pm |
HOW TO REGISTER
- Sign up for the class by calling 630.963.1306 or stop by the Clubhouse weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
- When registering for the class, please let us know if you’d like Men’s, Women’s, Senior or Junior speed sticks. Please go to superspeedgolf.com for more information on the best fitting sticks for you.
- Questions? Email Ken McCormick, Golf Manager, at kmcormick@dgparks.orgor contact Jim Festle, Golf Pro, at jfestle24@gmail.com or text 630.596.6021.
Foursomes and Carts Starting May 29. Make your Tee Time Now!
We are extremely pleased to announce the following golf guidelines have been approved by the DCEO and will go into effect beginning Friday, May 29:
- Foursomes
- 10-minute tee time intervals
- Golf carts are permitted for individual use or family groups (same household)
- Driving ranges, practice ranges, chipping greens, and putting greens are permitted with capacity restrictions
- Outdoor golf lessons will be available for individuals and groups of 10 or less, including the golf instructor(s)
- Pro Shop will reopen and comply with the retail guidelines
- Beverage carts will be available on the course
- Food and beverage service will be available for takeaway to be enjoyed on the patio or on the course (indoor dining is closed)
- Restrooms in the Clubhouse will be open
PHASE 3 MODIFICATIONS
As we move into phase 3 of the state ordinance we want to assure you that the health and safety of our guests and staff is our top priority. We take pride in our clean and safe facilities. We are proactively taking steps to ensure the health and safety of everyone that sets foot on our property.
Current actions include:
- Following CDC recommendations and guidelines DGGC will be requiring all guests and staff to wear a face mask when entering the clubhouse. Masks do not need to be worn on the golf course during the round.
- Routine cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection of all locations, especially commonly touched surfaces, will be done frequently throughout the day.
- Hand sanitizer use will be encouraged and readily available to all customers.
- Modifications to bathroom stalls to minimize contact have been done.
- Plastic sneeze guards have been installed to create a barrier between the guest and staff during checkout.
- All golf carts and pull carts will be thoroughly sanitized after each use. Disinfectant will be applied to all contact areas of carts.
- Instructors will be required to wear a mask anytime they come within six feet of a student.
- Foursomes with 10 minute tee time intervals to create spacing between tee times and diminish backups on the course.
- Gas carts available with single riders – members of the same household will be allowed to ride together.
- Driving range capacity has been diminished to create additional spacing between guests.
- Indoor seating has been removed from the clubhouse with additional outdoor seating being added spaced out for social distancing.
We ask that players follow these guidelines when on the course:
- Leave the pin in the cup. A small device has been attached to the bottom of the flag stick to assist in the removal of your golf ball from the hole. You will be able to use your putter to extract the ball eliminating contact.
- Please rake any bunkers with your feet or club. To minimize contact, rakes will not be in the bunkers. Feel free to place your ball in the bunker for a good lie, or take a free drop outside of the bunker.
- When your round has concluded, please return any golf or pull carts to their designated area to be cleaned. Please throw away any trash left in the cart – this includes scorecard, pencil, tees, etc. Thank you!
- Remember social distancing practices and stand six feet away from your playing partners at all times. So, no more handshakes at the 18th green. No high-fives or even fist bumps after a great shot or a birdie. Maybe a bow, salute or a thumbs-up instead.
Please click to view all the details from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Belmont Golf Club
2420 Haddow Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: (630) 963-1306
Open hours are dependent on weather. Check tee times to see if the course is open.
Clubhouse hours will vary, please call clubhouse before arrival. You can leave a message for staff at 630.963.1306 or email at kmccormick@dgparks.org
Closed: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
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