Bensenville Golf Theft Case Lingers 4 Years Later

BENSENVILLE, IL – An investigation into nearly $800,000 in questionable refunds at White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville has yet to be completed almost four years later.

Last week, Patch filed a public records request for the police report, but the village declined to release it. It said it has not finalized the report and that the case is still under investigation.

Asked about the status, Village Manager Daniel Schulze, who was police chief when the inquiry started, said the village needs DuPage County prosecutors to approve charges because the case exceeds the felony threshold.

"The investigators have been working with the State's Attorney’s office while they review it for possible charges," Schulze said in an email to Patch.

The golf club, which includes two 18-hole courses, is a few blocks north of the Elmhurst city limit.

Through a public records request in October 2022, Patch received documents about the investigation from the Bensenville Park District, which owns the club.

The golf club makes money renting space for weddings and other private events.

The records indicate that the golf club issued $783,259 in refunds over six years. The annual amounts steadily increased from $39,251 in 2014 to $284,192 in 2019.

In some cases, no explanations were given for the refunds. As an example, in 2016, a tournament outing involved a $4,774 refund, with no reason provided, according to the investigation.

Throughout much of 2018 and 2019, the research indicates "heavy" and "massive" food and liquor discounts.

Patch detailed the issue in a 2022 story.