BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Bolingbrook officials were celebrating after the Saudi-backed LIV Golf announced that it will hold its Individual Championship at the Bolingbrook Golf Club this September.
Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta isn’t too familiar with golf’s biggest names, which was apparent on Tuesday as she stumbled over the names of stars Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. She knows big opportunities when she sees them, though, and LIV’s decision to come to a public course for the first time was one of them.
“This star-studded event will elevate not only the venue but showcase Bolingbrook on an international level,” the mayor said.
Alexander-Basta said LIV first approached the village of Bolingbrook sometime this winter. The contracts, though, weren’t signed until earlier this week, which leaves Bolingbrook Golf Club Director David Thompson with much to do — and a four-and-a-half month window in which to do it.
“There needs to be structures placed on the golf course, the fan village that they want developed, the multiple bleacher areas that are going to go up, so yeah, there’s a lot of work in front of us, but we’re confident,” he said.
Fortunately, Thompson said they won’t need to do anything to the course itself, except to let the grass grow.
Alexander-Basta said she expects as many 50,000 fans over the three-day weekend, which presents a challenge for a golf club that only sees that kind of attendance for Fourth of July fireworks.
She said village officials are working on a comprehensive plan to ease concerns of those living near the course, which located near South Weber Road and Interstate 55. LIV has also promised hefty donations to area nonprofits as part of its financial package.
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