On January 20, 1975 the Elmhurst Park District and the Village of Villa Park entered into an operating agreement to purchase land and design/construct an executive 9-hole golf, par 31 course for joint use by both governmental agencies and their constituents and named the Sugar Creek Golf Course. A seven-member administrative board was created to operate and maintain the course and present recommendations for golf course administration, maintenance and capital improvements to the Elmhurst Park District and Village of Villa Park.
The course was opened to the public on July 2, 1976.
Master Plan for Clubhouse and Course
In July 2002, a master plan was developed and implemented to include demolition of the former residence, adding an addition to the clubhouse with a meeting space separate from course users, a lounge with full-service bar, a kitchen, new restrooms and an ADA compliant entrance. Course renovations included plans for added safety, more challenging play, and reduction of slow play. An intergovernmental agreement was signed in September 2002 outlining the financing for these improvements. The clubhouse addition/renovation was completed in April 2004.
Course Renovations
Course renovations were completed in the fall of 2003. Work consisted of lengthening hole #6 (now #8) making it a par four, moving the #5 green thus making the hole a dogleg right and speeding up play by changing the course circulation pattern and reducing the number of par 3's at the end of the round. Also included in the renovation were improving irrigation, drainage, tee boxes and cart paths on the entire course.
On September 25th, 2021, Sugar Creek was notified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that funding for the restoration project would be approved in the form of a grant equal to about 50% of the estimated total project amount. Additional separate funding in the amount of $60,000 became available from the DuPage County as part of their storm water management plan. This required an Intergovernmental Agreement between DuPage County, Village of Villa Park and the Elmhurst Park District.
The initial total project was estimated at around $1.225 million funded at just over 50% from grants and the other 50% divided three ways between Sugar Creek Golf Course, The Village of Villa Park and the Elmhurst Park District.
This highly anticipated and most crucial project will ensure long-range sustainability of Sugar Creek for our communities both upstream and downstream! Also securing the long-range lively hood of the golf course!
Land Acquisition Adjacent to Sugar Creek Golf Course
In August of 2003, the Board of Park Commissioners and the Village of Villa Park were presented with an opportunity to purchase 5.5 acres of land next to the golf course for $1.2 million. The Sugar Creek Golf Course Board agreed that this property would enhance the golf course and there was room to build a 20+-station driving range on the property. To finance this sale and develop the property, the Village of Villa Park agreed to sell debt certificates in the amount of $1.6 million. Sugar Creek Golf Course offers group and individual golf lessons as well as hosting and extensive summer youth camp to 400 participants annually.