New free mini-putt course opens on West Side in effort to make golf more accessible

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A brand new mini-putt and practice facility is opening on Chicago's West Side.

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The facility is free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, the Chicago Park District cut the ribbon at Columbus Park along with Troon Golf.

The nine-hole golf course comes complete with a chipping green, putting area and creative holes.

"Facilities like these ensure neighboring community members have even more access to a game that saw over 215,000 participants at Chicago's Parks in 2024. This is a game that is bigger than Chicago," Chicago Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said.

The course is free to use and aims to make golf more accessible.

"Golf doesn't recognize what you look like, your race, your religion, your gender, your sexual orientation. We are all equal on the golf course. And the opportunity to create spaces for kids, which are the future of our game, is one of the great joys of what I and my staff get to do," Troon Vice President Matt McAtee said.

Troon Golf manages the Chicago Park District's golf facilities. The company funded the $450,000 facility, the city said.

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"I like when you hit the ball you get to see if it gets in the hole or not," mini golfer Forever Sweezer said.

"This is great; this is long overdue. I've been in the 29th Ward for 53 years; this is a beautiful place to live," Austin resident Brian Thurman said.

With an aim to have more positive activities and positive interactions between the community and police officers, some kids Wednesday were getting golf tips and mentoring from CPD, with the "Play Like A Champion" program.

Now, they can add mini golf to their activities.

"It's just a great effort working toward partnership and giving these young people something to do," CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said.

"It's important to help keep the kids off the street, teach them something different than everyday life," said George "Zip" Addison, co-founder of Chicago Road Kings.

Addison founded Chicago Roads Kings Junior Golf Program at Columbus Park, and said 800 kids have gone through their program in the 37 years since they began. They welcome the additional resources.

"It's very refreshing to me; a lot of our kids aren't really afforded the opportunity to be exposed to the game of golf, which is a great game," Chicago Road Kings co-founder Roger Steele Sr. said.

To learn more about the project, click here.