Pic of the Day: Huge Group at Village Greens

Submit your pictures of Woodridge scenes to be considered for our Pic of the Day! This week's snapshot comes from "Brandon."

It's the first time we're doing this new feature, Pic of the Day, so unfortunately we have to work out a few kinks, including that our first photo was not submitted with a caption. But we think it'd a group of people enjoying an outing at Village Greens, sometime when the weather was warmer and less rainy than it has been the last couple of days. Thanks to "Brandon" for submitting! Will you be next? Submitter: "Brandon" Caption: (None.) Hey, Woodridge shutterbugs! Want to have one of your snapshots featured as a Woodridge Pic of the Day? Submit them here!

• Photos (1)

2012 in Review: Village Greens Future Worried Residents

Woodridge residents voiced opposition to any change to Village Greens from an 18-hole golf course,

Don't take away our golf course! That was the rally cry of Woodridge residents in 2012. And although the Village Board ultimately decided against a possible proposal to study potential land uses for the 18-hole Village Greens, residents showed this year the true function of local government.  About 30 local groups packed Village Hall ready to oppose the land use study, but they didn't need to do anything. The village administrator told audience members that the village had met with members of the Woodridge Park District this week and had come up with another proposal: 1) The Woodridge Park District and golf staff would prepare a five-year financial plan. The plan would reflect the capital and operational needs to maintain the Village …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Village Staff Recommending Study of Village Greens Golf Course

Woodridge Village Staff would like a study to determine improvement needs to be included in the village's five-year capital financial plan. Public hearings to be scheduled.

After 30 years, the Village Greens golf course is in need of several improvements including a new irrigation system and maintenance facility. With these and other improvements representing a multi-million dollar financial investment, the village staff is recommending a process to evaluate potential financial investment and land use options prior to including golf course improvements in the upcoming five year capital financial plan that is part of the Village’s budget.  “The staff is recommending this step as a means to be prudent,” said Village Administrator Kathleen Rush.  “We want to ensure that, prior to making a significant investment in the golf course, the Village Board has sufficient data and an opportunity to weigh options and …

• Photos (2)

Village Greens Sees 2 Hole-in-One's in 1 Day

Two golfers hit a hole-in-one Thursday at the Woodridge golf course.

Village Greens of Woodridge witnessed a rare feat Thursday -- two holes-in-one. Tom Miklasz of Naperville and Eddie Valencia of Cicero both scored a hole-n-one within minutes of each other, according to Village Greens. On the 117-yard 13th hole, Valencia used his Pitching Wedge and a top-flite ball to record his first ever ace, which was witnessed by his brother and two other playing companions. Miklasz, who already had two hole-n-ones to his credit, made his third on the 164-yard 4th hole using an eight-iron and a Bridgestone golf ball. Witnesses were Bob Zavala and Aaron Rigney. All golfers have an option to participate in the CHARITEE Challenge at Village Greens. For only $3, golfers can win $1,000 for a hole-n-one, a $20 gift card for …

• Photos (1)

Coyotes Sighted in Woodridge

The Woodridge Park District has received reports of coyote sightings throughout the summer, the most recent of which was near Mending Wall Park.

Coyotes have been sighted around Woodridge.  The most recent sighting was near Mending Wall Park, according to executive director Mike Adams. The park district receives various sightings at parks and Village Greens Golf Course throughout the year.  Coyotes tend to shy away from humans, the park district posted on its site, but have been known to attack unattended small pets.  Here are some tips to keep safe from the Forest Preserve of DuPage County: • Keep pet food and watering dishes inside, especially at night. • Do not allow spillage to accumulate around bird feeders. • Keep grills and barbecues clean: even small food scraps may attract animals. • Keep garbage cans indoors. • Keep dogs and cats leashed and stay with our pets outside, …

• Photos (1)

SEASPAR Raises $9,000 in Golf Classic

About 80 golfers participated in the group's 8th annual golf classic at Village Greens Golf Course.

SEASPAR hosted its 9th Annual Summer Golf Classic on Friday, July 22 at the Village Greens Golf Course in Woodridge. Close to 80 golfers played a round of golf for a great cause, raising over $9,000 to enhance programming opportunities for individuals with special needs. Twenty hole sponsors and five cart sponsors supported the event, and 25 raffle packages were donated. An awards ceremony, buffet dinner, and raffle followed the tournament. SEASPAR provides year-round recreation services for individuals with disabilities and is an extension of the park districts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lisle, Westmont, and Woodridge, and the villages of Brookfield, Indian Head Park and Western Springs. For …

• Photos (2)

Business Spotlight: Village Greens Golf Course

Learn why Village Greens would rather be a fun course and why kids are golfing for free.

Owned by the village of Woodridge and operated by the Woodridge Park District, Village Greens Golf Course has been a staple of the community for the past 50 years. We spoke to General Manager and Head Professional Brandon Evans this week, who said the course will continue to offer affordable golf in a fun atmosphere for 50 more years. Patch: What sets Village Greens apart from other golf courses? Evans: We have hundreds of people who play at least once a week during the season, whether in a league, permanent tee time or simply with a gathering of friends. Nobody ever gets bored with the course.  We don’t promote ourselves as a ‘championship’ golf course, and we’ll never host a PGA Tour event. But it’s a fun course to play, and people enjoy…

• Photos (1)

Construction to Widen 75th Street Set for 2012

The project to widen and resurface the road will begin in early 2012 and is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

This one’s going to be a doozy. Construction to widen and resurface 75th Street will begin in early 2012, according to the DuPage County Highway Department. The project will affect 75th Street from Woodward Avenue in Woodridge to Lyman Avenue in Darien. Lyman Avenue is the road that separates the complex that houses Walmart and T.G.I. Friday’s from the strip that houses Caribou Coffee, Jet Pizza and Smashburger. Construction will go a little further than both Woodward Avenue and Lymen Avenue, said Kent Kuper, principal civil engineer for DuPage County. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, but it’s safe to say it won’t be pretty in the meantime. At times, traffic will be funneled down to one lane in each direction…

• Photos (1)

Frugal Family: Free Round of Golf, Free Bowling, $1 Beers

We found some great deals this week to help make the most of your summer!

La Notte Due, Darien Deal: The #1 lunch buffet in the southwest suburbs is offered everyday for $8.95. Village Greens Golf, Woodridge Deal: Join the Birthday Club on the Village Greens' website to receive a free round of golf on your birthday Nick's Tavern, Lemont Deal: Daily drink specials include $1 PBR bottles on Tuesdays, $2.75 well drinks on Wednesday and $2 Miller and Coors bottles on Thursdays Brunswick Zone, Woodridge Deal: Register online to receive the Student Ball Pass, which gives students 18 and under one free bowling game every day in August Good through: August 31 KinderCare, Lemont Deal: Tuition assistance is available for military families.

• Photos (1)

Going Green

Village Greens Reduces Ethanol Fuel Usage 24%

The 24 percent decrease occurred over three years.

Village Greens Golf Course has reduced its ethanol fuel usage 24 percent in three years, Brandon Evans announced at Tuesday's park district meeting.  Evans is the golf course manager at Village Greens. Village Greens is owned by the village and maintained by the park district.  The course used 7,279 gallons of fuel in 2008; 6,869 in 2009 and 5,520 in 2010.  Village Greens also reduced its diesel fuel usage 9 percent over that period, from 2,669 gallons in 2008 to 2,428.  Evans said completing a three-year fuel analysis was a goal in 2011. In 2008, the course began working toward Audubon certification and established goals to become more environmentally-friendly. Evans said staff saw the potential to reduce fuel use. To cut down, staff was …

• Photos (1)