KemperSports Courses Sweep National Golf Foundation Honors — Chicagoland Well Represented

KemperSports continues to prove why it’s one of the most respected names in golf course management — and this year, Chicagoland courses played a meaningful role in that success.

KemperSports announced that 20 of its golf courses earned 2026 GolfersVoice Customer Satisfaction Awards from the National Golf Foundation (NGF), an industry benchmark based entirely on verified golfer feedback.

In total, KemperSports properties captured 36 of the 48 awards handed out nationally — including top overall finishes in every major category.

Why These Awards Matter

The GolfersVoice platform evaluates public golf facilities based on real customer survey data and compares results against similarly priced peer courses. Awards are issued across four key areas that matter most to everyday golfers:

• Loyalty / Net Promoter Score
• Course Conditions
• Food & Beverage
• Staff & Customer Service

Each category is split into Premium and Standard/Value segments to ensure fair comparisons.

As KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner put it: “Their commitment to unmatched customer service and memorable guest experiences make them the best in the industry.”

Chicagoland Courses Earn National Recognition

Several Illinois-area courses familiar to CGR readers were among the national honorees — reinforcing that Chicagoland golf stacks up extremely well on a national stage:

• Boughton Ridge Golf Course
  • Top Standard/Value Courses – Loyalty (4th)
  • Top Standard/Value Courses – Food & Beverage (3rd)
• Deerpath Golf Course
  • Top Standard/Value Courses – Food & Beverage (5th)

These recognitions align with what local golfers already know: strong conditioning, friendly service, and consistent value are hallmarks of well-managed Chicagoland public golf.

Boughton Ridge

National Standouts Across the KemperSports Portfolio

While the Chicago area showed well, KemperSports also dominated nationally:

• The Jewel Golf Club (MN) and Skyway Golf Course at Lincoln Park West (NJ) each won awards in all four categories
• Sand Creek Station (KS) and Skyway earned first place finishes in multiple categories
• KemperSports claimed No. 1 overall placements in every award category

The results further solidify KemperSports’ reputation as the industry leader in golfer satisfaction and operational excellence.

The Big Picture

With headquarters in Chicago and more than 210 managed properties nationwide, KemperSports continues to set the standard for how public golf should operate — blending playability, hospitality, and value at scale. For Chicagoland golfers, it’s another reminder that some of the best-run public golf experiences in the country are right in our backyard.

Beyond the individual awards, KemperSports’ continued success reflects a long-term philosophy centered on golfer-first experiences. Rather than chasing trends or quick fixes, the company has built its reputation on disciplined course conditioning standards, well-trained staff, and thoughtful food-and-beverage programs that enhance — rather than distract from — the golf experience. That consistency is exactly what shows up in GolfersVoice data year after year.

KemperSports’ influence is especially notable here locally. With deep roots in the Chicago area and a portfolio that includes both daily-fee and destination-style public facilities, the company has helped raise expectations for what public golf can and should be. From pace of play to clubhouse hospitality, KemperSports-managed courses tend to feel polished without feeling pretentious — a balance that resonates strongly with Midwest golfers who value quality, fairness, and authenticity.

Key Chicagoland Courses Managed by KemperSports:

• Cantigny Golf (Wheaton): A 27-hole championship course.
• Harborside International Golf Center (Chicago): Features the Port and Starboard courses.
• The Glen Club (Glenview): A premier daily-fee course.
• Canal Shores Golf Course (Evanston): A 18-hole course along the canal.
• Winnetka Golf Club (Winnetka): 18-hole course and 9-hole par-3.
• McHenry Golf Club (McHenry): Private 18-hole club.
• Royal Melbourne Country Club (Long Grove): Private club.
• Hawthorne Woods Country Club (Hawthorne Woods): Private club.
• Deerpath Golf Course (Lake Forest): Municipal course.
• Village Greens of Woodridge (Woodridge): Public course.
• Vernon Hills Golf Course (Vernon Hills): Municipal course.