Ingersoll Golf Course History
18 Holes | 6,228 Yards | Par 71
Opened: 1922
Ingersoll Golf Course opened September 2, 1922, becoming the Rockford Park District’s second public course.
In 1919, the district purchased land at West State Street and Daisyfield Road and the Ingersoll family donated $50,000 for the old Plin Smith estate to be converted into a recreational park in honor of their son, Lt. Clayton C. Ingersoll, who died in 1918 when his plane crashed during an Army Air Corps training exercise in France.
However, in 1921, a severe drought killed much of the newly-planted grass at Ingersoll, spurring the development of a state-of-the-art watering system that could water all 18 greens on the golf course.
With the grass restored, Ingersoll Golf Course officially opened to the public with a patriotic ceremony honoring the memory of Lt. Ingersoll.
The golf course was designed by Thomas Bendelow, who designed the country’s first public course located in New York City. Bendelow also designed the famous #3 course at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.
In 1924, a striking brick clubhouse was added to Ingersoll Golf Course, thanks to a $5,000 donation from Winthrop Ingersoll.
In the late 1990’s an effort to bring the Tiger Woods Foundation to Rockford began. The goal of the Tiger Woods Foundation is to introduce golf to children who historically have not had the opportunity to play, such as racial minorities and low-income children. In 2001, Rockford was selected to host a clinic at Ingersoll Golf Course.
In 2004, Ingersoll Learning Links was added to Ingersoll Golf Course to encourage everyone to try the game of golf. The four-hole course is designed for children and their families, as well as beginner golfers.
Ingersoll Golf Course is an 18-hole course, covering 6,228 yards. It’s known for its narrow, tree-lined fairways, and gently undulating terrain. It includes sand bunkers, but does not have any water hazards.