One of Aurora’s favorite golf courses is hitting refresh, just in time for its 30th anniversary.
Orchard Valley Golf Course is under new management and exciting changes are underway.
New manager Ben Nachtwey and Troon LLC, one of the world’s largest golf course management firms, are bringing in a new team of golf professionals, superintendents and food service workers, and that’s just the start.
“We’re committed to the overall service element at Orchard Valley as well as reinvigorating the restaurant,” Nachtwey says. “We want Orchard Valley to be considered a worthwhile destination for golf enthusiasts and the community.”
Along those lines, the park district’s new director of golf, Justin Wyeth, is launching the Fox Valley Golf Academy to engage children from age 6 to 14. The progressive, instruction-based programs run through the summer and culminate in an August mini-camp.
Meanwhile, the Orchards Restaurant is getting an upgrade with a new, full-service menu and a refreshed main dining room, along with a reimagined all-day menu for the bar and patio. Orchards Restaurant is open for dinner service with a menu that includes entrees such as seafood risotto and herb-crusted chicken.
Because Orchard Valley is now a member of the Troon family of golf courses, players are eligible to participate in the free Troon Reward program. Accrued points earn benefits at more than 150 Troon properties worldwide, including top courses around the Chicago area and destination courses in Arizona, Florida and beyond.
Plans are also in the works to refresh the course’s 6,800-yard, par-72 championship layout, which has earned 4.5 stars from Golf Digest. And there’s plenty more to come.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of making sure our members and guests can enjoy themselves any way possible,” says head golf pro Joe Fritz.
Orchard Valley Golf Course is located at 2411 W. Illinois Ave. in Aurora. Call (630) 907-0500 or visit orchardvalleygolf.com to book a tee time.