Niles’ Tam Golf ranks among the top nine-hole courses, per magazine
As Niles Park District’s Tam Golf Course gears up to open when spring arrives, a golf magazine has recognized the historic Niles course as “one of the best in the nation.”
Readers of NBC’s GolfPass publication rated the nine-hole Tam course number 10 in a list of the 25 best short golf courses. The course placed 13th in the ranking in 2021 and was number 23 in a list of best golf courses in Illinois, according to GolfPass.
Niles Park District Executive Director Tom Elenz said the accolade is “a tribute to the great work of our staff.”
Elenz told Pioneer Press the park district strives to keep the course conditions and feel at “country club” level.
“We’re proud of the work our staff puts in to making it one of the premier golf courses in the area,” he said.
Tam has offerings for seasoned players and those who are new to the game.
“We have a golf school with our own golf pro on staff that will teach beginners,” Elenz said. “We have a very big junior league; that’s one of the things we pride ourselves on.”
The junior players will learn something about the history of Tam along with club handling and teeing off, Elenz added.
“On the first tee we have a plaque of all the winners of the tournaments,” he said. “We have a little golf museum with the history of the course that we try to show off.”
First built in 1925 by George May as an 18-hole course, the course welcomed golf greats like Arnold Palmer and Sam Sneed during the 1960s, Elenz said.
“George May had many tournaments before he sold the property. I believe it was called the world championship of golf tournament that he held every year.”
The prizes for the winners of those tournaments were significant, Elenz added: $25,000 for the winner and a $100,000 purse overall.
The Niles Park District purchased the golf course in 1973 and has operated it since 1974, according to the Chicago Golf Report. First designed in 1925, the course hosted in 1941 what was the first golf tournament broadcast on live television, according to the report.
Elenz said the second half of the course, across Howard Street, ended up getting developed, but that the Park District does its best to recognize its history as an 18 hole course.
The course saw major renovations in 2018, including new tee boxes and better drainage, Elenz said.
And while snow is still blanketing the ground and the Park District is knee-deep in its indoor season, those looking to hit the golfing greens should mark their calendars for April 1.
“If the weather cooperates in March, we are ready to open, but usually it’s a targeted April 1 opening date,” Elenz said.
More information for players looking to book tee times, check course conditions or sign up for instruction is available on the Niles Park District website and the Tam Golf website, Elenz said.
