Illinois Governor’s Program Awards Rock Island Golf Course Huge Grant

Whether you're an avid golfer or only go golfing to drink with your buddies or partner, it's a fun game to play on a beautiful summer day. To make your experience more enjoyable, a popular golf course in Illinois just got a lot of money to redo its clubhouse.

This 95-year-old building needs replaced and a grant program setup by Illinois' Governor is going to help make that possible after giving the City of Rock Island $901,800.

Illinois Governor's Grant Program Is A Huge Help In Rock Island

The City of Rock Island has been awarded grant funding from the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (or PARC) grant program, which is part of Governor Pritzker's bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) administers the program, and plans are underway to replace the 95-year-old clubhouse at Saukie Golf Course.

The current clubhouse, having exceeded its useful life, is in a state of deterioration. The new clubhouse will be a significant upgrade, catering to the needs of golfers and other users while preserving the historical significance of the golf course. The planned facilities include meeting space, seating areas, offices, a kitchen, dining area, two golf simulators, and outdoor seating facing the course.

The goal is to create a more welcoming and fully accessible starting and ending point for golfers, as well as to provide year-round space for various activities with indoor hitting bays and simulators.

"You can learn a lot about a community by the way they invest in publicly accessible recreation for residents," said State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island. "The state is kicking in close to $1 million to upgrade the clubhouse at Saukie, which is a significant investment for the revitalization efforts in Rock Island."

"The tourism dollars that will come to Rock Island as a result of much-needed improvements to the Saukie Golf Course are going to make a world of difference for the local economy," said State Rep. Gregg Johnson, D-East Moline. "Building a stronger future for our community starts with steady economic growth, and I am pleased to be able to secure the money for Rock Island to achieve that."

“This is exciting news for us. After completing the new clubhouse at Highland, it has become clear how much Saukie golfers and neighbors will enjoy an upgrade as well,” said Todd Winter, assistant parks and recreation director. “This grant will cover about 90% of the costs so there’s still fundraising to be done to cover the last $100,000. Our goal is to begin construction in 2024 and have a new clubhouse completed by the spring of 2025.

“We look forward to working with our community partner agencies, golfers and our neighborhoods to make Saukie a community icon, hub and destination for the future.”

Saukie Golf Course, with its executive style and historic charm, is a significant asset to central Rock Island. Built in 1927, the course features majestic oak trees, rolling terrain with ravines, doglegs, small greens, tough par threes, and is a beloved spot for Quad-City residents.

The upcoming improvements aim to enhance the overall experience for golfers and the community, contributing to the area's economic growth and recreational offerings.