Martin Design has been appointed to renovate the golf course at Sportsman’s Country Club in Northbrook, Illinois.

Six of the 13 design teams that submitted proposals for the project were interviewed and Northbrook Park District has selected the team of Martin Design and clubhouse architects Daniel Wohlfiel Design to proceed with the work.

Greg Martin, principal of Martin Design, said: “The uniqueness of this project lies in its potential for comprehensive benefit to so many. Improvements will require careful and thoughtful balance of operational demand, maintenance requirements, golfer and non-golfer expectations and needs, dining expectations, practice, play and golf learning environments.”

Sportsman’s opened in the 1931 and now has 27 holes: the 18-hole Classic course and nine-hole East course. Originally privately owned but open to the public, the Northbrook Park District purchased the club in 1978 to protect the land from development and return it to the community.

The courses have seen various renovations, additions and improvements. “Many of these have been positive,” said Martin. “However, the Park District staff and board have determined it is time to initiate facility improvements to freshen this facility and accommodate wider recreational offerings and improve user experience at Sportsman’s. This project has the possibility to benefit golfing constituents, young or old, new or seasoned, as well as non-golfers.”

Martin, whose recent renovation work at nearby The Preserve at Oak Meadows received widespread acclaim for its wider environmental and community benefits, highlighted making the golf more appealing to all types of players and expanding environmental improvements among the preliminary goals of the Sportsman’s project.

While not yet finalised, the work is likely to include rebuilding greens to USGA specifications, improving bunker aesthetics, implementing a new teeing system and improvements to the drainage infrastructure.

The District has allocated $12.5 million and intends to issue bonds to partially fund this project along with District reserves. Work is expected to begin in summer 2019 and be completed by Fall 2020.