Three nines, three years

Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, Illinois, announced major renovation plans for its 27-hole golf complex. Construction at the 34-year-old facility is set to begin in June 2024 on the Hillside nine, followed by the Woodside and Lakeside nines in succeeding years, with all renovations projected to finish by summer 2027. For the duration of the process, Cantigny Golf will maintain 18 holes open for play. In addition, Youth Links, the 9-hole golf course for junior players, will remain open throughout construction.

While the facility was updated in 2003, the upcoming renovations mark the first significant upgrade to the property and its infrastructure since the Roger Packard design opened and will consist of:

• Rebuilding and re-grassing all greens complexes and tee boxes
• Redesigning and renovating bunkers and certain fairways to improve playability
• Replacing irrigation systems for increased sustainability and water conservation
• Developing an expanded putting green that will double as a practice area for players of all ages and levels
• Adding a new halfway house for expanded event capabilities

Todd Quitno of Quitno Golf Designs is leading the renovation. With more than two decades of experience, Quitno has been involved in more than 150 renovation projects ranging from small upgrades on a single hole to full 27-hole overhauls. KemperSports, which has managed Cantigny Golf since 2014, will oversee the redevelopment project. Steve Kuretsky is Cantingy's director of agronomy.

The Cantigny Golf complex sits on the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, which also includes a military museum dedicated to the U.S. Army’s 1^st Infantry Division and formal gardens. For 65 years, Cantigny has offered families inspiring and accessible opportunities for recreation and learning. Cantigny Golf continues that tradition with its robust educational offerings, including youth golf and caddie programs. Each year, Cantigny Golf hosts golf outings in support of numerous local nonprofit organizations.

Cantigny is a part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, which funds the continued operation of Cantigny, including Cantigny Golf, for the recreation, instruction and welfare of the people of the of Illinois. The golf course renovation will be funded through a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

“Cantigny Golf has been a premier destination for the public for over three decades,” said Timothy P. Knight, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. “In addition to the 27-hole golf course, Cantigny has one of the region’s finest golf academies and a leading junior golf program. Working with Todd Quitno and KemperSports, we are confident that this renovation will preserve the hallmark features of each layout while enhancing them to better serve our golf community and grow the game for years to come.”

The estimated renovation timeline is as follows:

• June 2024: Phase One construction begins on Hillside nine, halfway house, and putting lawn
• June 2025: Hillside nine reopens; Phase Two construction on Woodside nine begins
• June 2026: Woodside nine reopens; Phase Three construction on Lakeside nine begins
• June 2027: Lakeside nine reopens
  

“I’m honored to be trusted with a course as respected as Cantigny,” Quitno said. “Cantigny represents some of the finest public access golf in the country, and our team can’t wait to deliver improvements that will elevate this status even more. Our number one challenge is to balance fresh ideas with the distinct character that identifies each nine to invigorate the property and provide some excitement for both returning and new Cantigny players.”

“Cantigny has a sterling reputation that attracts players from all over the country,” said Terry Hanley, KemperSports’ general manager of Cantigny Golf. “Part of what makes Cantigny so special is that each of our nines is unique to the other. We are thrilled to drive the Cantigny Golf experience forward to both preserve that legacy of excellence and improve on its successes.”