Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora, Illinois Fox Valley Park District
Orchard Valley Golf Course in Aurora, Illinois

Fast facts about Orchard Valley Golf Course:

  • Built in 1993, Orchard Valley Golf Course will be closed on Nov. 4, 2024 through the 2025 season, with an anticipated reopen date of Summer 2026.

  • The $8.8 million renovation project was approved by the FVPD's BOC at its September meeting, and will be paid for through bond proceeds and the District's existing capital development fund.

  • With a 5-year agreement with Troon, LLC and the launch of Fox Valley Golf Academy — both in 2023 — FVPD officials have a desire to tee up OV for the community's next generation. Course improvements and modernization is the next step.

Since booming onto the Chicagoland golf scene more than three decades ago — through the 2023 and 2024 seasons in which a combined 80,000 rounds have been played — Orchard Valley Golf Course has long been a popular destination in the western suburbs.

Built and owned by the Fox Valley Park District in 1993, time has exposed some deficiencies to the 31-year-old course, and with the desire to tee up Orchard Valley for the community’s next generation, District officials announced the golf course will be closed beginning Nov. 4, 2024, through the 2025 season, with an anticipated reopen date in Summer 2026.

The District’s Board of Commissioners at its September meeting approved an $8.8 million renovation to modernize OV’s infrastructure. FVPD Executive Director Jen Paprocki mailed letters to Orchard Valley season passholders and residents of the Orchard Valley subdivision, informing both groups of the upcoming renovation schedule. Additionally, Paprocki and FVPD Director of Operations Jerad Campbell are set to present the new plans and answer any questions at Orchard Valley’s homeowners association meeting on Oct. 17. Another presentation is planned before the Fairway Homes of Orchard Valley HOA in November.

“Closing the entire course for a year was a difficult decision; however, the benefits outweighed a multi-year approach, which would’ve partially closed the course for two-plus years,” Paprocki says. “This renovation allows us to continue to build on the momentum of our Fox Valley Golf Academy program for youth, while enhancing Orchard Valley’s overall golfer experience with minimal delay.”

Paprocki noted that although construction is set to begin in November, Orchards Restaurant, the clubhouse/pro shop, and practice range will be open through Dec. 31, 2024.

Recent newspaper accounts included plans to rebuild Orchard Valley’s six on-course bridges. Bridge replacement, along with renovations to the clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant, will be action items presented to the Board before the end of the calendar year.

Multiple improvements planned

Since OVGC opened in 1993, time has exposed deficiencies along its 6,800-yard championship layout and although the course has been well-maintained, infrastructure repair and renovation is needed, says Greg Martin, of Sugar Grove-based Martin Design Golf which FVPD engaged to identify and prioritize capital repair projects.

“There are many parts to the golf course that are aging out, and it’s time to address those … in some cases it’s overdue,” Martin says. “I always say that if the patient is opened up, take care of as many things as you possibly can. We don’t want to have to come back and do it again.

“Respecting the ownership and respecting the golfers, doing it once is going to be better for them rather than multiple years of disruption.”

Here’s a snapshot of the planned improvements, which will be paid for through bond proceeds and the District’s existing capital development fund:

  • Renovated, realigned, relocated and reconstructed bunkers
  • New irrigation system
  • New retaining walls on holes No. 2 and 17
  • Refreshed and some expanded greens
  • Expanded and resurfaced tee boxes
  • Re-grassing tees/fairways/greens with newer, more disease-resistant seed varieties
  • Realignment and reconstruction of select cart paths
  • Added fairway (partial wetland fill-in) on hole No. 13

Those even slightly familiar with OV likely are aware of No. 13 – a 440-yard sniper of a par-4 with out-of-bounds right and left, and expansive wetlands in front and to the right of the green. No. 13 has been OV’s No. 1 handicap hole since day one.

“When a golfer steps off of Orchard Valley, there’s going to be talk about 13,” says Martin. “When you walk away with a par there, you’ve done something – and bogey is acceptable.”

Teeing it up for the future

The FVPD in January 2023 entered a five-year golf facility management agreement with Troon, LLC – the world’s largest golf course management and hospitality company. In June 2023, the District launched Fox Valley Golf Academy programming at Orchard Valley. The Academy provides opportunities for players ages 6 through 14 to embark on a “golf journey” with progressive instruction at every stop along the way.

In addition to the infrastructure renovations, some of which are designed to speed up pace of play, the upcoming work is intended to improve the course and its aesthetics.

“What we’re attempting to do,” says Martin, “is modernize the golf course from infrastructure and strategy standpoints, while remaining respectful of the original design.”