A golf course in Galesburg is marking its 100th season this year.
Bunker Links Municipal Golf Course opens for its centennial season on Friday, March 1. “We are thrilled to open Bunker Links for the first day of the centennial season and hope that the forecasted terrific weather will equate to a very busy start to the season,” said Bryan Luedtke, Golf Professional at Bunker Links Municipal Golf Course. “It’s not very often that weather allows for play to begin on March 1st, so we are very thankful for this stroke of luck as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bunker Links.”
The golf course’s history starts in 1919 when a group of Galesburg golf enthusiasts presented a petition with 199 signatures asking for the construction of a municipal golf course. Development of a municipal golf course took five years, with construction starting in the summer of 1923, and finishing in early April 1924.
The original nine-hole course was laid out on a 23 acre area on the northern edge of Lincoln Park. The purchase price for the land for the initial 9-holes was $8,970. That same land would cost $161,783 today. The course became so popular that the city decided to buy an additional 16-acre tract and enlarge the course to 18-holes. The expansion was completed on April 27, 1929.
A week after the golf course was completed, the City Council decided to name it in honor of its architect, Dwight Carpenter “Bunk” Bunker. Bunk is considered the father of Galesburg golf and was the custodian of the park system for over 13 years, after being appointed as the director of the park system in 1923.
The City of Galesburg owns and operates Bunker Links, which is open to the public. The course has rolling terrain and water coming into play on eight of the 18 holes. The practice facility features a driving range and a large putting green. Click here for a course fly-over video, rates and season pass information.
In 2021, Bunker Links was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Underrated Municipal Golf Courses in America by Golf Magazine, which complimented the great playing condition of the course and first class experiences provided by staff.
“Staff have been working diligently to ensure the centennial year at Bunker Links Municipal Golf Course is a great experience and hope to have the course full throughout the season to showcase why so many area golfers enjoy golfing at Bunker Links,” said Luedtke. “Anyone not already familiar with the course is encouraged to come out to see why the course has been so well loved over the last 100 years.”
Bunker Links is hosting several special events to mark its centennial. A four-person centennial super-ball tournament will be held on Thursday, June 6. A live band will perform after the tournament. New range mats, centennial bag tags for all season pass holders and a “centennial cup” season-long points race will help golfers celebrate.
Bunker Links Municipal Golf Course is located at 3535 Lincoln Drive in Galesburg and is open annually from March 1 – December 15th, weather permitting. The course is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – dusk and golfers can reserve a tee time by calling (309) 344-1818.
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