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Greetings –  I am still Chris Charnas, Vice President/Golf at Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of renovations at Canal Shores. The above photo is of the three holes located at the north end of the course–holes 6, 7 and 8 (formerly holes 6 and 7). We think that these holes will be some of the most photographed in the Chicago area when we reopen next summer. We can’t wait to introduce golfers to the new Canal Shores!

This week I want to highlight one of our key partners, The First Tee – Greater Chicago. The photo below is of our 30,000 square foot Putting Lawn which will also be the focus of our youth  golf training area in the coming years. 

30,000 square foot Putting Lawn

First Tee – Greater Chicago is a huge part of the Youth Golf programming that will be coming to Canal Shores once construction is completed. First Tee will be offering their core Life Skills Experience programming at Canal Shores. First Tee – Greater Chicago strives to instill in participants First Tee Nine Core Values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. Young people who become members of First Tee – Greater Chicago enjoy a variety of opportunities to learn life skills that can help them grow as individuals and prepare for the future.

First Tee enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, they create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids carry to everything they do. 

We are excited to partner with The First Tee and to see firsthand their impact on the kids of Evanston and Wilmette. Special thanks to Lea Jesse, Jill Sylvester, Jane Seder and Taylor Lambertsen for working with us to bring the First Tee to Canal Shores. 

Progress Report:

The weather has been unpredictable, to say the least. The endless rains returned this past week which slowed us down and then it  SNOWED. Snow is generally bad for golf and building golf courses. The heat last week was great (yes it was hot before it snowed), the rain not so much, and the snow was completely unhelpful so we didn’t make all the progress we had hoped for. With temperatures dropping into the 30’s and snow on the ground, the grass won’t be growing much more in 2023.

Here’s a recap of the construction progress:

• Holes 1-13: grassing has been completed 
• Hole 14
• o All fairway grading, irrigation and drainage complete
  o Green subgrade shaping complete and approved
  • Yet to complete: Drain green, sand install. Path install. Grassing and hydromulch.
• • Hole 15
  o All shaping and feature construction complete
  o Green and fairway have been seeded and hydromulched and path work completed
  •  Yet to complete: Finish grade, seed and mulch teeing area
• • Hole 16
  o All shaping and feature construction complete
  o Green has sand installed, sod and path work completed
  • Yet to complete: Finish grade, seed and mulch remaining green surrounds
• Hole 17A
  o All shaping and feature construction complete; Principal’s Nose yet to be finish-shaped
  o Green has sand installed; cartpath installation in progress
  •  Yet to complete: Finish grade, seed and mulch remaining green surrounds, fairway and tees
• Hole 17B
  o All shaping and feature construction complete
  o Wetland plants installed
  • Yet to complete: Drain green, sand install; path install; grassing and hydromulch
• Hole 18
• o All shaping and feature construction complete.
  • Yet to complete: Drain green, sand install; path install; grassing and hydromulch

As the holes grow in, we continue to  highlight the great new golf experiences coming to Canal Shores:

HOLE #3 (formerly #4)

PAR 3 105-140 YDS; FAMILY 75 YDS

RUMBLE STRIP

This entirely new green site has been relocated about 90 yards short of the existing green to relieve safety issues with the 9th tee and the homes on the east. With the tees pulled back and right, and

the new green pushed closer to the canal, the 140-yd hole will still have some teeth. The new green site is situated within a series of existing ridges and swales that were formed when storm sewer lines were cut across the property decades ago. These ridges, resembling a rumble strip, will be pulled into the new green to give the putting surface a rippled effect that defines its distinct pinning areas. The area left over between the new green location and 9th tee will be used for ecology purposes, possibly to be reforested or made into bird and butterfly habitat. Green Inspiration: Original

Hole #10

PAR 3 120-195 YDS; FAMILY 106 YDS

DELL

The 10th (on the right side of the photo) is a fun hole in its existing configuration, with a fairway that rises between tee and green to obscure vision of the putting surface, much like the famed Dell template. Changes here will enhance that feature by building up the right side of the fairway just short of the green to further obscure vision up the right, while keeping the left side lower to allow a peak of the green. The green itself is expanded back and left to facilitate this view, but also to provide more sun exposure. The depth perception caused by the partial blindness will require players to trust their yardages, or use the banking slopes front and right to get a bit lucky. Green Inspiration: Restoration and expansion of existing green (original era uncertain)

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. We have currently raised $5.3 Million of our $5.9 Million goal.  If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

Regards,

Chris

*** Photo Credits to Patrick Hughes, Jr. 

*** Writing help from Tim Pretzsch

Greetings –  I am Chris Charnas, Vice President/Golf at Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of renovations at Canal Shores. The above photo is of the 30,000 square foot putting green (at bottom) and hole #1 (at top, just south of the Central St. bridge) The endless rains returned this past week and it slowed us down some. I did learn an important lesson–the Gator can still get stuck in the mud if it rains two inches over just a few days!

We are nearing completion of the renovation! I thought you would enjoy this drone flyover from south to north of the entire course which showcases all the work in progress and completed to date. Holes Holes #2-#12 all have been grassed and are being grown in by our maintenance staff with support from our management company, KemperSports. Under the leadership of Josh Lesnik and Vince Juarez, Kemper has provided us with essential  guidance throughout this entire process. We are very grateful to have them as part of our team. And, of course, our construction partner Wadsworth Golf Construction Company and golf architect Quitno Golf Designs.

Before I recap all the construction progress and highlight the golf experiences coming to Canal Shores (holes #12 and #13 are featured in this edition), below is a photo of the last stages of greens construction. #15 is on the right, fully sanded and ready for some seed. #16 is on the left, drainage and irrigation is in place, waiting for the sand.

Here’s a recap of the construction progress:

We are nearing the end of the growing window for 2023.

• All tree work has been completed
• All drainage dissipators have been installed
• Practice Putting Green: grassing completed this week
• Hole 11: being grown-in
• Hole 12: being grown-in
• Hole 13: seeding finished this week
• Holes 14,15,16:: shaping completed, grassing to be completed next week
• Hole 17: shaping completed on 17a and 17b and the newly established wetlands. Grassing to be completed next week.
• Hole 18: preliminary shaping completed. Final shaping to be done next week.

As we near the end of construction, we are turning our attention to Summer 2024 when we reopen Canal Shores to the public. The new greens and irrigation system are only a part of what will be new  at Canal Shores going forward. Over the coming months we will preview what else is planned at Canal Shores as we look forward to our 2nd Century of providing affordable, fun golf to the local community.

As the holes grow in, we’ll be highlighting the great new golf experiences coming to Canal Shores:

Hole #12, a par 4 220-275 yards.

HOLLOWS

The 12th derives its name from grassy hollows and mounded spoils that adorn the landing area and are remnants from the original Bendelow design. Cutting the corner of this dog-leg right and avoiding the hollows will result in a short pitch to a green site that has been recaptured to its original edges and equipped with an expanded front section. A false slope will catch any short approaches, funneling them back off the green. For the less bold, plenty of area exists along the outside of the dog-leg to lay up or bail out off the tee, but leaves an approach angle requiring a carry over the steep-sided hollow at the front left of the green. Green inspiration: recapture and expansion of 1920s Bendelow green.

Hole #13 , a par 3 105-145 yards.

EDEN

The 13th has by far the smallest greenon the golf course. The original green surface here was restored in 2021 after shade, drought and excessive traffic had taken its toll. Measuring at only 1800 square feet, hitting the green will require precision but those who are successful should have a great look at birdie. To add a bit of challenge, the rebuilt green surrounds are designed with a subtle nod to the famed Eden template, with the left flanking Hill hollow, the front Strath hollow, the Canal swale behind the green and the Shores hollow shortand right. Green inspiration: recapture of 1920s Bendelow green.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. We have currently raised $5.3 Million of our $5.9 Million goal.  If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

Regards,

Chris

*** Photo Credits to Patrick Hughes, Jr. His help on this project has been immeasurable.

*** Additional Thanks and Credit to Tim Pretzsch – who makes sure these missives makes sense and have correct grammar

Canal Shores Construction Update

Volume 6

October 6, 2023

Greetings –  I am Chris Charnas, Vice President/Golf at Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of renovations at Canal Shores. After what seemed like endless rains, the weather broke last weekend and Wadsworth kicked things back into high gear. The rain is good for growing grass, but bad for moving dirt. So it’s kind of a Catch-22 at this point.

Holes 2-11 all have been grassed and are being grown in by Brad and Andrew and the Canal Shores maintenance staff. This week we started cutting the grass on the northern holes (6,7,8). Grass will continue to grow as long as the ground temperature is 55 degrees and above (which might not be much longer based on the current forecast!).

Before I recap all the construction progress and highlight the golf experiences coming to Canal Shores (holes #9 and #4 are featured in this edition), I thought you’d enjoy watching two videos which really illustrate the great things happening here (thanks to your support!):

• Our 2nd Century Is Just Getting Started showcases the construction in progress across the course and nicely highlights some holes coming together
• Short video of Hole #11, a Biarritz template, with sightlines through the tunnel to #12.

Last, but not least, here is an aerial view of Hole #1 with the new 30,000 square foot putting green on the left side! This is going to be fantastic!

Here’s a recap of the construction progress:

• All tree work has been completed
• All drainage dissipators have been installed
• Practice Putting Green: final shaping is finished. The green should be drained by the end of the week and ready for sod and sand and seeding early next week. We have also worked with Space to develop appropriate infrastructure to handle future Out of Space Concerts (returning Summer 2025).
• Hole 11:  finished this week, and grow- in has commenced.
• Hole 12: final shaping is ongoing. Should be ready for sod and sand and seeding this week.
• Hole 13: final shaping is ongoing.  Should be ready for sod and sand and seeding next week.
• Hole 14: hole has been rototilled. Preliminary rough shaping has started.
• Hole 15: final shaping is ongoing for fairway and green; will be grassed after Hole 13.
• Holes 16: rough shaping has commenced for tee and green on both sides of this cross-canal hole.
• Hole 17: hole has been rototilled. Behind the 17th tee is a path used by neighbors to get to the Metra. We are working to reestablish that path in the safest way possible for golfers and neighbors.
• Hole 18: hole will be rototilled this week. 18 will be the last hole to be completed.

We are planning to be done with all course construction in mid-November. By that time, unless something crazy happens, the ground won’t be warm enough to grow grass. We still plan to drop the seed on these holes. This is called dormant seeding. The seed is put down and will be ready to germinate as soon as the ground warms up in the spring of 2024.

In the interim, KemperSports is beginning to plan for Summer 2024. We won’t have 18 holes ready to go immediately, but we may be able to offer a shorter routing at some point. Details to follow.

As the holes grow in, we’ll be highlighting the great new golf experiences coming to Canal Shores:

Hole #9 (old #8), a par 3 90-130 yards.

UPPER SHELF

The 9th is another shorty, but one that has plenty of bite. Major shade issues currently impact the health of the teeing area, so selective clearing and moving of the tee to the right will create a better growing environment. The green itself remains in place, with the corners of the original pad recaptured to their square footprint. At the midway point of the restored green, a sharp transition down leads to a new front pinning area, creating two distinct shelves. The right side of the green will be guarded by a deep, steep-faced grass hollow, demanding accuracy to score well here.

New Hole #4 (old #9), a par 3 105-155 yards (looking west from the tee toward the green).

CROSSING

The new 4th is the first of the two holes that play across the canal. With the moving of the 3rd green (existing 4th hole), the tees here are expanded back to provide much more space and some additional yardage. The hole plays across the canal at a diagonal, and the green has been positioned to match this angle. The original Bendelow green pad will be recaptured along the back and side edges, and then expanded to the front. The key feature on this hole is a new ridgeline that parallels the canal, starting short of the green and extending into the putting surface. Those landing short of this ridge will

funnel down towards the canal, ending up four to five feet below the green and requiring a tough recovery pitch. Choose the right carry over the ridge and most will find a birdie putt or a much easier chip from the bailout area right. From the forward teeing area across the canal, the approach is much more straight-forward with the ridge still in play, but more along the left flank.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

We also have Special Limited Edition Murray Brothers T-shirts available For Sale. 

Regards,

Chris

*** Photo Credits  to the Original Lumberjack Patrick Hughes, Jr.

Greetings –  I am Chris Charnas, Vice President/Golf at Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of renovations at Canal Shores. The weather has been good with nice hot spells and some rain to help us grow in the grass on the holes where we have seed in the ground.

Holes 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 all have been grassed and are being grown in by Brad Helms and the Canal Shores maintenance staff. Grass will continue to grow as long as the ground temp is 55 degrees and above. Warm days and occasional rain are our friends. Here’s an aerial view of #3, #4 across the canal (previously #9), and #10 (right to left, counterclockwise).

We are done with golf course construction in Wilmette and are working hard on the Evanston holes:

• Practice Putting Green: mass earthmoving is complete and final shaping is ongoing. Drainage dissipator is in. The #1  green was redone last year and should be ready to go when the rest of the course is playable. We are hoping that the First Tee and The Golf Practice will be able to use it next spring for youth instruction, even before the rest of the course is ready for golfers. This space is going to be spectacular!
• Hole 11 and 12: mass earthmoving, final detailing and pre-work  being completed. Holes should be grassed by the end of next week. We are on pace to have all construction done north of Central by the end of September.
• Hole 13: mass earthmoving and final shaping is ongoing; drainage dissipator is in.
• Holes 14-18: tree removal completed. All holes have been rototilled. There are three dissipators on the east side of the canal on these holes and one dissipator on the west side.

The entire course south of Lincoln Street has been shut down for pedestrian traffic due to the amount of construction activity.  We are working to create walking corridors for neighbors inconvenienced by the construction and hope to be able to open walking paths in two weeks for the balance of the project.

As the holes grow in, we’ll be highlighting the great new golf experiences coming to Canal Shores.

Here’s Hole #6, a par 3 135-170 yard punchbowl.

The 6th is the lead-in to a three hole routing change at the north end of the property, where the existing 6th and 7th holes will now play as 6, 7 and 8, but in a clockwise fashion. The impetus for this change is multifold: to improve safety with the adjacent houses, to replace the 1st hole which is now the youth training area, and to better celebrate the incredible Baha’i Temple. Now playing south to north, the green has been incorporated into the existing central mound. The new complex is a double punchbowl separated about one third off the way into the green by a strong ridgeline. The front, right bowl is the smaller of the two and partially blind from the tees, while the larger back bowl is more generous and more visible. Both are surrounded by kicker slopes that will funnel shots inward, or deflect mishits outward and require some deft recovery skills.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

We also have Special Limited Edition Murray Brothers T-shirts available For Sale. 

Regards,

Chris

*** Photo Credit to Evanston’s Own Patrick Hughes, Jr.

Greetings –  I am Chris Charnas, Vice President/Golf at Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of renovation at Canal Shores. The golf course is now closed until the grass is ready for play in 2024. We are making steady progress from the north end to the south. At this point all the holes have active work going on with grow-in commencing on the north three holes. Click here to view this video of the north end holes to see the dramatic progress!

Current progress report:

• 5, 6, and 7: these three holes are completed and we have started grow – in. Grass has germinated this week.
• 4 and 8: these holes have been drained and have sand on them. Sodded and seeded this week.
• 3 has been drained and has sand on it. Sod and seed will be put on early next week.
• 9 and 10: final shaping done. Greens ready for draining and sand next week, should be grassed next week as well.
• 2 and 11: rough grading completed. Dissipators going into the canal have been completed.
• 12: rough grading in progress. Dissipator going into the canal has been completed.
• 1: tree clearing has finished and the hole has been rototilled.  Work is commencing on the 30,000 square foot putting green.
• 13-18: tree clearing is in progress. Rototilling will start next week

Grassing will be complete on all of the holes north of Central Street by September 30!

Hole #11 Par 3 135 – 175 yards. 

Tunnel

The mid-length 11th is Canal Shores version of the famed Biarritz template found at local Shoreacres and Chicago Golf Club, and most other McDonald/Raynor/Banks creations. Except for the Bahai Temple #6 putting hole, this is the largest green on the golf course, characterized by two plateaued areas front and back with steeply banked side slopes. A central swale bisects the green at an angle perpendicular to the

line of play. This swale has been positioned directly on an axis with the adjacent tunnel that takes golfers under the El tracks to hole #12. It will be interesting to see how it will be played during the Reverse Jans!

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

Regards,

Chris

*** Photo and Video credit to Illustrious Patrick Hughes

Greetings –  This is Chris Charnas, Vice President/Golf at Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of renovation at Canal Shores. Despite some crazy heat and rain, we keep pushing forward with construction at the 104 year old Gem. Our Superintendent, Brad Helms, will soon start growing in the grass. We do ask everyone to please stay off the grass as it is growing in.  Currently, there are five  holes open for play: 14,15, 16, 17 and 18. Effective Monday, August 28th, the remaining holes will be closed, so book your  tee time this weekend to get in one last round at the “gem in your backyard”!

Current progress report:

• 5, 6, and 7: all drainage is in and greens now have sand on them. Irrigation is going in this week as well. Sod around greens should be installed next week which will make the greens really pop. 
• 4: finish grading is done, greens have been drained, sand going onto the green 
• 8: grading is finished and is being drained 
• 3, 9, 10: final shaping almost done. Holes will be ready for topsoil and draining next week
• 3: Dissipator is in
• 2, 11: grass has been rototilled, rough grading in process. Dissipators going into the canal have been completed. 
• 12: rototilling has begun
• 1: tree clearing has begun

The putting hole – Naming rights are still available. The picture does not begin to show the undulation. 

Holes 5, 6 and 7. The Redan, The Punchbowl and The Putting Hole  

Rendering of the north end holes

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. 

Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

Also – we are looking for a couple of people to help with the grow-in this fall. If you know of anyone that loves being outside please send them our way.

Regards,

Chris

*** Picture credit to the one and only Patrick Hughes 

Chris Charnas
Principal
Links Capital Advisors
3223 Lake Ave
Suite 15C
Wilmette, IL 60091
312-543-7192

www.linkscapitaladvisors.com

Happy Friday! I am Chris Charnas, Vice President of Canal Shores, and this is your regular update on the progress of construction of the Canal Shores Golf Course. Things are moving quickly at Canal Shores. Under the expert supervision of Doug Myslinski, Matt Lohmann and Mario Salas from Wadsworth Golf Construction Company, we’re making great progress on the renovation of the 104 year old “gem in your backyard.” We continue to move from the north end across the Canal from the Bahai Temple south towards Central Street. Currently the course has eight holes open for play: 1, 2, 13, 14,15, 16, 17 and 18. Despite the reduced number of holes, golfers continue to come out!

We anticipate closing  holes 1 and 2 next week and the remaining holes the week of August 21st. Wadsworth is estimating that the final seeding will be done around Halloween, which means we should be open for play by late summer 2024. That date is tbd and is entirely based on Chicago weather. The later we get a hard freeze the better. The sooner the ground warms up in the spring to grow the grass the sooner we can open up and start play. 

Current progress report:

• Holes 5, 6, and 7: final shaping is underway. Fairways, tees and roughs are covered in topsoil. Waiting on sand for the greens. Special thanks to Chicagoland Turf who donated the pre-plant fertilizer, seed and grow-in nutrients for the putting greens. Irrigation should be in place next week. We are installing a brand new irrigation system with new controllers and a state of the art satellite control system. This will help keep the golf course in great condition going forward. 
• Hole 4: preliminary shaping completed and detailed work under way. Drainage going in and dissipator, connection to the canal completed.
• Hole 8: Existing turf has been rototilled, trees and brush have been removed. Drainage dissipator in place.
• Holes 9 and 10: both have been rototilled, tree removal  and brushing finished. Drainage dissipators are in. Working on expanding 9 teeing area and determining longterm plan for the Canal Shores Snack Shack. 
• Holes 3, 11 and 12: rototilling is starting, dissipators are going in and tree removal is in progress. 

We believe the three new holes on the north end will be among the most photographed golf holes in the area. Here is a dramatic “before and after” view of the north end construction:

Before renovation

Renovation in progress

Rendering of the north end holes

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. 

Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

Regards,

Chris Charnas

Welcome to the first bimonthly Canal Shores Construction Update! For those of you I haven’t met yet, my name Chris Charnas and I am Vice President of Golf and Board Trustee at Canal Shores. I am helping oversee the renovation of the golf course this summer along with our Golf Course Architect, Todd Quitno, and Construction Partner, Wadsworth Golf Construction Company. We are extremely fortunate to have the expertise of these partners as we embark on the renovation of our 104 year old course, the “Gem in Your Backyard”.

The goal of this bimonthly newsletter is to update you on the progress of the renovation. Our project began in late 2020 when we developed a 2nd Century Master Plan to revitalize Canal Shores while maintaining its quirky charm and neighborhood feel. On July 12, 2023 we received permits from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) and the Village of Wilmette to start construction. Wadsworth quickly began work and had equipment onsite July 14. Construction has started at the north end of the course near the Bahai Temple and will move north to south. We will close holes as we move south, and although currently only 11 holes  are open, the course is busy and it’s gratifying to see our golfers supporting Canal Shores!

Here’s what we have already accomplished:

• Cleared trees and underbrush along the banks of the canal facing the Bahai Temple
• Rototilled all the grass on old holes 6 and 7
• Started with earthmoving by removing the berm between old holes 6 and 7
• Begun installation of a large drainage structure adjacent to the canal near water level, which will diffuse the energy of the water being drained off the course
• Begun to lay in drainage inlets and pipes over what will be the new holes 5, 6 and 7
• Moved south and started rototilling new holes 3, 8, 9 and 10
• Started clearing trees and underbrush along the banks of new holes 3 ,8, 9 and 1

When the course reopens in Summer 2024, we believe the three new  holes on the north end (5, 6 and 7) will be among the most photographed golf holes in the area. With three really cool greens including a one of a kind 75 yard putting hole and unmatched views of the Bahai Temple and even Lake Michigan, the north triangle is going to be a must play for golfers from all over Chicago and beyond! Here’s a rendering of what it will look like.

Please let me know if you have any questions on the project or would like a tour. If you prefer to be unsubscribed from this newsletter, please let me know. 

Finally, a huge thank you to all that have donated to the Canal Shores 2nd Century project. If you have not yet donated and are interested, you can email me to set up a meeting or you can access our donation site here.

Regards,

Chris Charnas

• 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