CHICAGO – Troon, the leader in providing golf and club-related leisure and hospitality services, is pleased to announce a 10-year management agreement renewal with Forest Preserves of Cook County to manage the Illinois county’s 11 golf facilities.
Indigo Sports, a Troon company, has managed the Forest Preserve Golf facilities since 2003 and has since improved service levels, playing conditions and overall financial performance, making the courses staples of the greater Chicago community.
From championship layouts to beginner friendly golf courses, driving ranges and mini golf, Forest Preserve Golf facilities are located throughout the Chicagoland area and include Billy Caldwell Golf Course, Burnham Woods Golf Course, Chick Evans Golf Course, Edgebrook Golf Course, George W. Dunne National, Harry Semrow Driving Range, Highland Woods Golf Course, Indian Boundary Golf Course, Joe Louis Golf Course, Meadowlark, and River Oaks Golf Course.
“The golf facilities within the Forest Preserves of Cook County provide distinctive, affordable, and accessible experiences, offering golfers a truly one-of-a-kind setting amidst the beauty of nature,” said Tracy Bishop, Director of Permits, Rentals and Concessions.
The new management agreement is through December 2034 and has a 10-year renewal period. As part of the agreement, Troon will support various capital improvements with ongoing capital contributions from golf revenue throughout the life of the agreement.
Indigo Sports will continue to drive junior golf development, community programs and golf instruction at each facility. Furthering Forest Preserves’ mission of sustainability and preserving public open space, Indigo Sports will continue to lead on-site sustainability initiatives and to help each golf course become a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses.
“We are very excited to continue our long-standing relationship with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The contract renewal demonstrates a shared commitment to providing affordable and accessible golf to the Chicagoland area,” said Troon Senior Vice President Phillip Martin. “The capital investments throughout the golf courses will further enhance the golf experience. We are also focused on implementing sustainable initiatives at the locations, along with innovative golf programming,” added Martin who is based in Troon’s Chicago office where the office supports 31 facilities in Illinois.
The Forest Preserves of Cook County management agreement follows the recent announcement that Troon and the Chicago Park District have also agreed to a 10-year management extension.
With more than 150 municipal courses, Troon is the largest operator of municipal golf facilities in the U.S., with relationships structured as management agreements, lease agreements or a combination of both depending on the needs of the municipality. The company also provides consulting services to municipal golf courses on operations, marketing, agronomy, customer service, community engagement, capital projects and more.
For more information on Forest Preserve Golf, visit www.forestpreservegolf.com.