Stone Creek GC to be Managed by KemperSports

The course in Urbana, Ill., owned by The Atkins Group, is home to the University of Illinois golf teams. Opened in 1999, it has hosted several amateur events, including the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships.

The Atkins Group has selected KemperSports to manage Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana, Ill.

Designed by the father-son duo of Dick and Tim Nugent, Stone Creek serves as the home course of the University of Illinois men’s and women’s golf teams, led by renowned Head Men’s Golf Coach Mike Small. The club, which opened in 1999, features a par-72 course with bentgrass fairways and subtle elevation changes. Measuring 7,118 yards from the championship tees, the course was named for the stone-laden creeks that run through the 18-hole layout.

The Stone Creek subdivision, an upscale residential development covering 500 acres, surrounds the course and consists of several neighborhoods and miles of walking, jogging and biking paths along Stone Creek Golf Club.

Under the new arrangement, KemperSports will provide comprehensive management of the premium public facility, which includes an 18-hole golf course, a 30,000-sq. ft. clubhouse with an extensive golf shop and snack bar, a four-acre practice range and teaching center, and a free-standing banquet facility.

Since its opening in 1999, Stone Creek has hosted a number of prestigious amateur events, including the Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships in 2001, Big Ten Women’s Golf Championships and USGA Men’s Amateur Qualifier in 2002, Women’s Western Amateur Championship in 2003, Illinois State Men’s Amateur Championship in 2004 and USGA Men’s Amateur Qualifier in 2005.

“We are very impressed with the KemperSports team and its dedication to providing exceptional customer service at each one of its properties,” said Mike Martin, Director of Residential Development for The Atkins Group. “Customer service is key to building loyal and happy customers in the hospitality industry, and we’re excited to work with KemperSports to refine the guest experience at Stone Creek.”

“As the home course of the University of Illinois golf teams, Stone Creek is well-respected among golfers as one of the top courses in the area,” said Steve Skinner, CEO of KemperSports. “We look forward to working with The Atkins Group to further enhance the golf and dining experience at Stone Creek.”

Tags: Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships Big Ten Women’s Golf Championships Dick Nugent Illinois State Men’s Amateur Championship KemperSports Mike Martin Steve Skinner Stone Creek Golf Club The Atkins Group Tom Nugent University of Illinois USGA Men’s Amateur Qualifier Women’s Western Amateur Championship