Suburban Stadiums: Lake Park Golf Course

LAKE PARK GOLF COURSE

Facility and History: Lake Park Golf Course is one of many components that make up Lake Park in Des Plaines. The Park District purchased the property in 1959, an event that its website heralds as the most important addition to the agency's holdings. The land was acquired for a steal: a mere dollar was paid to S.J. Groves Construction Co.

Lake Park opened in 1961, but local golfers would have to wait another two years before the course opened in May 1963.

The Park District built one of the largest man-made lakes in the area and named Lake Opeka after the agency's former board attorney, Frank Opeka.

Since opening almost 50 years ago, the layout of Lake Park Golf Course has remained relatively the same. It features 18 par-3 holes that stretch more than 1,500 yards from the back tees.

"It’s in great condition and with the great weather, there have been a lot of people playing the course,” said Tom Hejnowski, assistant golf supervisor for the Des Plaines Park District. “The greens look beautiful.”

Programs and Events: The hole locations on each green are changed every other day at Lake Park Golf Course.

With the addition of the Golf Center in the early 2000s, the Park District moved a lot of the golf lessons and programs to the newer facility that features some of the latest golf technology.

“The lessons they pretty much want to go with GolfTEC and not interfere with their service,” said Frank Marlovits, an employee at the golf course.

But the Park District still runs a number of leagues at Lake Park, including senior's and women’s leagues.

“We have a lot of high schoolers that come here and play the course; a lot of teens come here and practice,” Hejnowski said. “The holes are very short and they work on their short game.”

The shorter course allows golfers of varying skill levels to try their hand at reaching the fairways. Hejnowski says the course gets a range of golfers from young children to senior citizens every day.

Lake Park Golf Course requires no reservations and tee times are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

One of the golf course’s most unique events is the annual Chili Open. Last year, 34 golfers played six holes in January, resulting in Tony Prokes and Tom Heffernan Jr. tying for first place.

Rates: One of the most appealing parts of the golf facility is its relative inexpensiveness. Residents of Des Plaines can play for $10 or less during the summer while weekday rates for children or seniors are as low as $7.50.

Rates at many courses across Chicagoland are often two or three times as expensive. Nonresident adults are charged $13.50 on the weekend and $12.50 during the weekdays--still a pretty reasonable rate for 18 holes of golf.