Happenings

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Illinois

Over $1 million worth of upgrades was completed last year at the Eaglewood Golf Course at the Eaglewood Resort & Spa (630.773.1400; www.eagelwoodresort.com) in Itasca, about 25 miles west of Chicago. At the same time, the Benchmark Hospitality-operated resort added Fairway Fireplace, a restaurant patio adjacent to the 18th hole.

Indiana

The French Lick Resort Casino (812.936.5827; www.frenchlick.com) in French Lick recently reopened its Tom Bendelow-designed golf course, which underwent a renovation and was reduced from 18 holes to nine. The resort also unveiled a new golf practice facility and a sports center, which includes a 10-station indoor driving range and indoor putting green. The resort’s 18-hole Donald Ross Course reopened last year after a $4.6 million restoration project and work is now under way on the 18-hole Pete Dye Course, slated to reopen in fall 2008. The golf course renovations are part of a $362 million restoration project at the resort, which also includes two historic hotels, two full-service spas and a casino.

Iowa

The Riverside Casino and Golf Resort (319.648.1234; www.riversidecasinoandresort.com) recently opened an 18-hole, Rees Jones-designed golf course along with a pro shop practice facility and clubhouse. The 200-room resort, which made its debut last fall in Riverside, also offers a riverboat casino, spa, restaurants, and an events center.

Michigan

The Double JJ Ranch & Golf Resort (231.894; www.doublejj.com) in Rothbury has added a wing of guest rooms called Thoroughbred Suites, which offers 54 units overlooking the Thoroughbred Golf Course offering fireplaces, full kitchens, plasma TVs, and wireless Internet access. The resort also has a new indoor waterpark.
A property-wide renovation has been completed at the 236-room Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest (734.487.2000; www.marriott.com) in Ypsilanti, which included the refurbishment of all guest rooms and the addition of a fitness center with views of Eagle Crest Golf Course and Ford Lake.

Minnesota

The Black Bear Casino Resort (218.878.7400; www.blackbearcasinohotel.com) near Duluth has a $120 million expansion under way that includes a 250-room tower addition to its 158-room hotel. The resort, which offers an 18-hole championship golf course, also plans to open a new events center in fall 2008.

Wisconsin

The first phase of a $200 million renovation and expansion has been completed at the Chula Vista Resort & Conference Center (608.254.8366; www.chulavistaresort.com) in Wisconsin Dells, including the redesign of its 18-hole Cold Water Canyon Golf Course. The project also included the addition of two large ballrooms, an indoor waterpark, an upscale steakhouse, and 221 condos. A 250,000-square-foot Expo Center, designed to handle large meetings, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in late 2008.
The Kalahari Resort & Convention Center (609.254.5466; www.kalahariresort.com) in Wisconsin Dells acquired the Trappers Turn golf course last year. The 27-hole golf course is located about five miles from the resort.
The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort (608.253.9729; www.wildernessresort.com) in Wisconsin Dells is opening a new 18-hole championship golf course this fall. The resort also recently added new breakout rooms at the Glacier Canyon Banquet and Conference Center, giving the facility a total of 14,000 square feet of space.
Over 10,000 square feet of meeting space has been added to the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa (262.248.8811; www.grandgeneva.com) in Lake Geneva. The new space includes a 5,585-square-foot ballroom, two breakout rooms, four executive conference rooms seating 16 people in each, a prefunction area accommodating up to 300 people, and an outdoor patio available for meals or break functions. The 355-room property features two 18-hole championship 18-hole golf courses.