- Golf Course Architecture: A new era for Canal Shores
- First Tee – Greater Chicago YouTube: Professional Golfer Luke Donald shares his connection to Canal Shores Golf Course
- Skratch: 100-YEAR-OLD Golf Course Renovation | Canal Shores Part 2
- Evanston RoundTable – With work finished at Canal Shores, now it’s time to watch the grass grow
- Sports Illustrated – Bill Murray’s Childhood Golf Course Is Coming Back to Life
- American Dream TV – Interview Optima and Canal Shores
- The Daily Northwestern: Growing grass, growing golf: Canal Shores rebuilds, hopes to become center for next generation
- Chicago Tribune: Groundbreaking at Canal Shores Golf Course Begins New Era
- Plugged In Golf – Podcast Episode 190 – The New Model for Golf Courses
- Chicago Golf Report: Groundbreaking for Canal Shores 2nd Century
- Evanston RoundTable: Canal Shores renovations break ground; officials plan to reopen golf course next summer
- Evanstonian: Canal Shores tees off on renovations
- The Bag Drop podcast featuring Todd Quitno: Design For All
- Evanston Now: Golf couse to undergo nearly $6M renovation
- Evanston RoundTable: The secret to saving Canal Shores? Teaching kids to caddy
- Skratch: Century-Old Chicago Golf Course Kept Alive by Lumberjacks | Canal Shores
- Len Ziehm’s Daily Herald Column
- Pioneer Press / Chicago Tribune: Canal Shores focuses on reaching young players
- Chicago District Golfer: Local Golf Organizations Unite to Revitalize Canal Shores
- Pluggedin Golf: Canal Shores and KemperSports Announce Major Golf Course Improvements with Emphasis on Youth Golf and Caddying
- Evanston RoundTable: Canal Shores Golf Course slated for $5.9 million revamp
- The Record North Shore: Canal Shores’ $5.9 million renovation to focus on youth facility, caddie academy
- Golf Business Monitor: How Can Canal Shores Golf Course Be Saved?
- Club Resort Business: Canal Shores, KemperSports Place Heavy Emphasis on Youth Golf and Caddying
- Golf Course Industry: Gayjering the support to restore
Canal Shores and KemperSports Announce Major Golf Course Improvements with
Emphasis on Youth Golf and Caddying
EVANSTON, Ill., February 6, 2023 – Canal Shores will undergo a bold restoration plan to preserve and enhance the 103-year old golf course located in Evanston and Wilmette, Ill. The cornerstone of the robust, privately funded project is an emphasis on youth golf, and includes a renovation to the holes in front of Canal Shores’ clubhouse that will serve as a new youth golf facility, as well as the creation of a caddie academy. The initiative is being led by Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association (EWGCA), Canal Shores Golf Course, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, and KemperSports.
Affectionately known as Evanston’s local “gem,” Canal Shores’ plans focus on the crucial pillars of youth development, golf, ecology and community, with the goal of setting the property up for a second century of success. Canal Shores has raised more than $4 million of its $5.9 million goal for what is being called the “Canal Shores 2nd Century” campaign.
“We brought in KemperSports because its team shared our vision for Canal Shores – that it could continue to serve not only as a community golf haven, but an example of forward-thinking programming that will provide educational and employment opportunities for underserved youth in this community,” said EWGCA President Matt Rooney. “We couldn’t be more excited to get to work making that vision a reality and creating exciting opportunities for local youth with our new partners.”
The project, which is set to begin in June 2023, will be conducted in phases with some holes remaining open for play until Aug. 1, and the popular “Out of Space” concert series taking place July 27-30 as scheduled. The youth golf improvements, creation of the caddie academy program and course renovations are expected to be complete by summer 2024.
“Canal Shores is truly a one-of-a-kind golf course that has served its local community for more than 100 years, and we want to ensure its future is even more purposeful and impactful,” said KemperSports Executive Vice President Josh Lesnik. “With support from the Western Golf Association, First Tee – Greater Chicago, Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation, Chicago District Golf Association and individual donors, we will be able to improve and enhance the golf course in order to create opportunities for local youth.”
The Western Golf Association (WGA), which administers the Chick Evans Scholarship Fund, is the lead donor on the restoration project. The WGA focuses on the future generations of players while creating life-changing scholarship and youth caddie opportunities on the golf course. A caddie academy program will engage with area golf clubs to ensure caddie employment opportunities are plentiful for graduates of the program while providing a pathway to the prestigious Evans Scholarship.
“Our mission is to send deserving caddies to college on full scholarships, and we want to make Canal Shores a training ground for kids in these communities with the most need to become future caddies and Evans Scholars,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “The Chick Evans Scholarship was started by Chick right around the corner at Northwestern University, which was the first of our 22 partner universities nationwide. We can’t think of a better place to create a training ground for a diverse community of future Scholars and future leaders.”
First Tee – Greater Chicago also supports the project and will run their programming at a newly reimagined practice and teaching facility on the course between Central Street and Lincoln Street. First Tee provides a fun, safe and welcoming place for local kids and teens ages seven to 18 of all backgrounds to learn the game along with important life lessons.
“KemperSports is a longtime partner that shares our commitment to creating experiences that build character and empower our city’s youth,” said First Tee – Greater Chicago CEO Lea Jesse. “We’re proud to support a new facility dedicated to youth golf that will not only increase access to important life skills and education, but also afford local kids an array of opportunities that were previously unavailable to them.”
In addition, the EWGCA has hired golf course architect Todd Quitno to oversee the restoration project. Wadsworth Golf Construction Company has been contracted to complete the renovations.
For more information about Canal Shores and details of this important project, visit https://www.canalshores.org/ or follow along on social media using #PreservingtheGem. Those interested in making a contribution are encouraged to visit canalshores.org/donate.
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About Canal Shores
Canal Shores Golf Course, 1030 Central St., Evanston, Ill., is managed by the Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that has promoted the combined use of the land for the community since 1919. The 18-hole, par-60 public golf course winds through Evanston and Wilmette along the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District canal from the Baha’i Temple on the north to Green Bay Road on the south. For information and to reserve tee times, visit www.canalshores.org or call 847-475-9173.
Join the Canal Shores social media conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About KemperSports
KemperSports is a leading sports, entertainment and hospitality company that delivers operational excellence in property and experience management. Headquartered in Chicago with regional offices throughout the U.S., KemperSports manages more than 140 golf courses, private clubs, sports venues, and destination resorts nationwide. It has more golf properties named among the top 100 U.S. public and resort courses as rated by GOLF Magazine, Golf Digest and Golfweek than any other management company. For more information about KemperSports, visit www.kempersports.com.
Join the KemperSports social media conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Taryn Parker, KemperLesnik
tparker@kemperlesnik.com | 847-380-0375
Ellen DePodesta, Canal Shores
edepodesta@gmail.com | 312-550-2454
Check out all the latest news and social media coverage on Canal Shores in February and March 2022!
- Chicago Tribune: KemperSports takes over management of Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston from an area association, looking to rehab the ‘valuable asset’
- A Good Walk Spoiled: Every City Needs a Golf Course Like This – Canal Shores (Evanston, IL)
- KemperSports President Josh Lesnik sat down with Big Ten Conference Senior Vice President, People & Culture Officer and Evanston resident/golfer Omar Brown to talk about the exciting future at Canal Shores for the next installment of Evanston RoundTable’s “People You Should Know” series. Video coming soon!
It’s always an exciting time of year as spring approaches! In March, daylight hours become longer, the sun becomes brighter & warmer, and the turf, trees and other plants slowly begin to emerge from winter dormancy.
The team continues to prepare for the upcoming season. Crew Foreman Andrew Mack and Grounds Staff Member Kevin Nelson are working together to get our golf cart fleet up and running.
The team is also closely monitoring course conditions including frost depth and soil temperatures. Once the weather breaks and we’re able to get out on the course, we’ll begin cleaning up debris that’s accumulated over the winter months concentrating first and foremost on preparing playing areas for opening the course.
At this time, we haven’t determined an exact date for opening the golf course. As reported in last month’s blog, we’re hopeful for a quick warm-up so we can give the seed that we’ve put down all over the course (most importantly on the greens) the opportunity to germinate and to begin healing in areas that were damaged by drought, lack of functional irrigation and overall wear and tear on the golf course where the number of rounds increased significantly over the past two seasons.
Thankfully, also as reported last month, we have plans in place to improve our irrigation on the course as well as plans to implement and execute new cultural practices to promote better overall course conditioning and overall playability of the golf course.
We realize it will take some time and patience for these areas to begin healing, but giving the seedlings time to establish is imperative as we strive to improve course conditions from what we experienced last season.
Through its proprietary Green to a Tee program, KemperSports is committed to managing each of its facilities in as environmentally sound a manner as possible, paying particular attention to golf course maintenance practices, habitat management, water conservation, energy use, recycling and other environmentally responsible practices.
Canal Shores achieved Green to a Tee Level I certification in early 2022. Highlights of Canal Shores’ certification include:
- Creation of no mow areas throughout the course
- Facility recycling program
- Use of wetting agents to reduce water dependency
- Conversion to green cleaning products
- Practice for reducing heat or cooling expense at night
- Education of golfers in IPM and cultural practices
- Use of slow release fertilizers
- Soft spike requirement
In 2021, Canal Shores continued to be the community-based gem that served as a destination for golfers, nature enthusiasts, concertgoers, joggers, birders, and persons simply enjoying the great outdoors. Through the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers, we provided a safe and socially distanced environment for everyone who visited our open green space. In our 102nd year, we furthered our work on the four pillars of our strategic plan: golf, youth development, ecology, and community.
Read more from Karl Leinberger, President of the Canal Shores Board of Trustees, in the Canal Shores Year-End Report 2021.
Check out all the latest news and social media coverage on Canal Shores in January 2022!
- The Fire Pit Collection: Canal Shores Teams Up With Kemper Sports
- Evanston RoundTable: KemperSports selected to manage Canal Shores Golf Course
- Golf Course Industry: KemperSports selected to manage 100-year-old community-based Chicagoland course
- The First Call: KemperSports selected to manage Canal Shores Golf Course
- Illinois Patch: KemperSports To Take Over Canal Shores Golf Course Management
- Chicago District Golf Association Monday Scorecard: KemperSports to Manage Canal Shores
- The Record North Shores: Canal Shores picks outside firm to manage, ‘enhance’ century-old community golf course
KemperSports Selected to Manage Canal Shores Golf Course
Management company commits to enhancing the experience while creating opportunities for local youth
KemperSports announced today that it has been selected by the Evanston Wilmette Golf Association (EWGCA), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, to manage Canal Shores Golf Course in Evanston, Ill.
Canal Shores has been an integral part of its local community for more than 100 years and offers a unique golf experience for players of all ages and skill levels. As part of the partnership, KemperSports will look to elevate every facet of the golf operation, improve playability and create new and dynamic pathways for local kids to experience and benefit from the game of golf.
“We are extremely excited to partner with KemperSports and work with its first-class management team,” said Karl Leinberger, president of the Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association. “KemperSports brings proven and unrivaled management expertise combined with an appreciation and understanding of the charm of Canal Shores. With a shared commitment to the course’s core pillars of golf, youth development, ecology and community, we couldn’t have chosen a better partner to shepherd a brighter future for Canal Shores.”
Canal Shores opened in 1919 and was designed by prolific golf course architect Tom Bendelow. The 3,600-yard, par-60 layout has undeniable charm and just enough challenge. Dubbed “the gem in your backyard,” the course winds through urban and suburban neighborhoods along the North Shore branch of the Chicago River. Golfers play through a 100-year-old oak forest alongside Chicago’s “L” and Metra train tracks, traverse several road crossings and are treated to beautiful views of the Bahá’í House of Worship, which creates a golf experience unlike any other.
“Canal Shores is a 100-year-old community gem that offers a one-of-a-kind golf experience and plays an important role in making the game accessible to a wide range of junior golfers,” said Josh Lesnik, president of KemperSports. “If you love unique golf experiences and are visiting Chicago, Canal Shores is a must-play, especially as we improve the golf experience while preserving its undeniable charm. We could not be more excited to help ensure that this memorable and purpose-driven golf course thrives for the next 100 years.”
As part of its efforts to enhance operations and the overall golf experience at Canal Shores, KemperSports plans to improve course conditions, create a more comfortable social experience for both pre- and post-rounds and assist in implementing an Ecological Master Plan, which began in 2017 and has already resulted in improvements that have earned the course an award from the Friends Of The Chicago River. Canal Shores has also received certification by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat and accreditation as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf.
KemperSports and the Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association are committed to a shared vision that brings opportunities to local youth through golf. Canal Shores offers free, weeklong summer camps to underserved youth throughout its communities. The program focuses on introducing the game of golf and its accompanying health and social benefits to underserved players from Evanston who are new to the game and/or want continued quality instruction.
Canal Shores will remain affordable and accessible for local golfers and residents and continue to operate as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, thanks to a strong community of volunteers. For more information about Canal Shores, visit, www.canalshores.org.
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About Canal Shores
Canal Shores Golf Course, 1030 Central St., Evanston, Ill., is managed by the Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association, a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that has promoted the combined use of the land for the community since 1919. The 18-hole, par-60 public golf course winds through Evanston and Wilmette along the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District canal from the Baha’i Temple on the north to Green Bay Road on the south. For information and to reserve tee times, visit www.canalshores.org or call 847-475-9173.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses, private clubs, municipal courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF magazine; Streamsong Resort; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Chambers Bay, host of the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit www.kempersports.com.
Join the KemperSports social media conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Josh Lesnik, KemperSports
jlesnik@kempersports.com | 847-417-1964
Megan Godfrey, KemperSports
mgodfrey@kempersports.com | 312-888-2119
Ellen DePodesta, Canal Shores
edepodesta@gmail.com | 312-550-2454