Calumet Country Club Closes Its Doors: Developer Abandons Plans for Commercial Revamp Amid Safety Concerns
The Calumet Country Club in Hazel Crest, Illinois, is set to close its doors permanently after years of failed attempts to transform the historic golf course into a commercial hub. Developer Walt Brown Jr., CEO of Diversified Partners, announced that he has ordered the removal of all golf-related features, including landscaping, holes, and structures like the clubhouse, citing weather as the primary reason for his decision.
Brown's move comes after years of trying to redevelop the property, which was purchased by him in 2020 for $3.3 million. Initially, he aimed to create an industrial park, but proposals were met with resistance from local residents who opposed truck traffic, noise, and pollution associated with a warehouse hub. Despite attempts to revise his plans, Brown's efforts have been largely unsuccessful.
The closure of the golf course is seen as a strategic move by Brown, who has also let over $860,000 in delinquent property taxes accumulate since 2023. His decision to close the course serves as an important safety measure, according to Brown, aiming to avoid vagrancy and prevent security risks that could impact the surrounding community.
Local residents have expressed skepticism about the closure, with some questioning whether it's a bluff. Liz Varmecky, co-founder of the Greenspace group, believes that the village officials have asked tough questions about the redevelopment plans in the past, which may be contributing to the uncertainty around Brown's intentions.
In a statement, Dante Sawyer, village manager in Hazel Crest, said that the town will solicit outside proposals for a marketing study of the property. The study could be completed by early next year and might provide insights into the potential value of the site. When asked about security concerns raised by Brown, Sawyer emphasized that the village is not aware of any unique or specific public safety challenges related to the golf course.
The Calumet Country Club has a rich history dating back to 1901 and was designed by Donald Ross, one of the most renowned architects in golf history. While the grounds have shown signs of decay over time, many still appreciate the course's classic design, which speaks to an era when craftsmanship and creativity defined course design.
As for the future of the property, it remains unclear whether a commercial developer will eventually acquire the land or if it will be repurposed in another way. For now, the Calumet Country Club's closure marks the end of a chapter in its long history as a popular golf destination in Chicago's south suburbs.
The Calumet Country Club in Hazel Crest, Illinois, is set to close its doors permanently after years of failed attempts to transform the historic golf course into a commercial hub. Developer Walt Brown Jr., CEO of Diversified Partners, announced that he has ordered the removal of all golf-related features, including landscaping, holes, and structures like the clubhouse, citing weather as the primary reason for his decision.
Brown's move comes after years of trying to redevelop the property, which was purchased by him in 2020 for $3.3 million. Initially, he aimed to create an industrial park, but proposals were met with resistance from local residents who opposed truck traffic, noise, and pollution associated with a warehouse hub. Despite attempts to revise his plans, Brown's efforts have been largely unsuccessful.
The closure of the golf course is seen as a strategic move by Brown, who has also let over $860,000 in delinquent property taxes accumulate since 2023. His decision to close the course serves as an important safety measure, according to Brown, aiming to avoid vagrancy and prevent security risks that could impact the surrounding community.
Local residents have expressed skepticism about the closure, with some questioning whether it's a bluff. Liz Varmecky, co-founder of the Greenspace group, believes that the village officials have asked tough questions about the redevelopment plans in the past, which may be contributing to the uncertainty around Brown's intentions.
In a statement, Dante Sawyer, village manager in Hazel Crest, said that the town will solicit outside proposals for a marketing study of the property. The study could be completed by early next year and might provide insights into the potential value of the site. When asked about security concerns raised by Brown, Sawyer emphasized that the village is not aware of any unique or specific public safety challenges related to the golf course.
The Calumet Country Club has a rich history dating back to 1901 and was designed by Donald Ross, one of the most renowned architects in golf history. While the grounds have shown signs of decay over time, many still appreciate the course's classic design, which speaks to an era when craftsmanship and creativity defined course design.
As for the future of the property, it remains unclear whether a commercial developer will eventually acquire the land or if it will be repurposed in another way. For now, the Calumet Country Club's closure marks the end of a chapter in its long history as a popular golf destination in Chicago's south suburbs.
just think about all the layout changes 
that could happen on this abandoned property... could be super interesting to see how someone redesigns it into something entirely new, or maybe even does a thoughtful revitalization of the historic design 
... but honestly who knows what's gonna happen now? 
! I mean, it's been around since 1901, and Donald Ross designed it - that's some serious golf history! 
And now it's all being torn down because of safety concerns? That's just crazy 
. Can't we just find another way to revamp the place instead of demolishing it? I guess the developer thinks weather is a big enough issue, but like, what about the community? What about the history? 
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. anyway, can't say I blame anyone for wanting to get out from under all that debt 
. This whole thing reeks of a backdoor deal. Mark my words, we'll see some big players swoop in and flip this place for a profit in no time 
I do hope that somehow, someway, the village will find a way to preserve some of its charm and character, though. Maybe repurpose it in a way that still honors its history? That would be amazing! 
BUT I DO THINK IT'S COOL THAT THE VILLAGE IS LOOKING INTO GETTING OUTSIDE PROPOSALS FOR A MARKETING STUDY TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY OTHER WAY TO DEVELOP THE PROPERTY WITHOUT RUINING THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. 
. It's crazy that developer Brown is just giving up on his plans and closing it down without even trying to find someone else to take over 
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. Either way, it's gonna be interesting to see what happens next - will someone else come along and try to revamp the property, or will it just sit idle for years? 
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i hope that someday someone comes along and sees its potential for something new and exciting, but for now it's just a big ol' golf course with nothin' on it 
. Can't we just talk about something other than the same old stuff? I mean, who cares about some old country club closing down? The real issue here is that our community is stuck in a loop of outdated discussions. We're still debating the same topics like the Calumet Country Club saga. Can't we move on to something more interesting? Like the new developments in sustainable energy or tech advancements? 
I swear, it's always the same old golf course drama around here...
1901 is crazy! i guess we can't blame the dev for trying tho, but it's not like they should just leave everything as is 
the thing that gets me is that people are still debating if this is a real deal or just some bluff 
village officials seem pretty chill about it though 
i guess only time will tell what happens next with the property 
. I don't get why the developer just gave up on the whole industrial park thing... didn't they think about how many students in our school might want to have a place like that nearby? 
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. The thought of a warehouse hub ruining the whole vibe is just depressing 
