Darien Golf Course Gets Mixed Ratings In Study

DARIEN, IL – A recent survey of area golf courses reveals that Darien's Carriage Greens Country Club ranks high in value but last in key categories.

The study was done by consultants that Woodridge hired to help officials figure out what to do with the town's struggling Village Greens of Woodridge course.

For its survey, the consultants from JJ Keegan surveyed 1,820 people, who responded to 32 questions.

The consultants asked the respondents about 13 area public golf courses – those that require no membership and allow general admission.

To find the respondents, the consultants sent an email invitation to more than 36,000 people registered in the Village Greens databases. They were also sought through two village newsletters in the fall.

The courses were in Darien, Woodridge, Naperville, Lockport, Lemont, Oswego, Plainfield, Crest Hill and Bensenville.

Of the courses, Carriage Greens ranked third in value and second in best price. It finished fourth for best food and beverages.

But it was last in best course layout, best-conditioned course and best merchandise, according to the study.

As for whether respondents would recommend Carriage Greens, it finished last.

It was 11th out of 13 in best customer service and best practice facilities.

Carriage Greens' family owners, Brian and Adriana Broderick, did not respond to an emailed message for comment earlier this month.

In their 112-page report, the consultants said they have conducted more than 300 municipal golfer surveys over the past decade.

"The public golfers’ observations consistently aligned with our professional thoughts regarding the experience created by a golf course," the consultants said. "Despite the moniker of being a 'municipal golfer,' these individuals have incomes consistent with golfers nationally."

As for Woodridge's Village Greens, it rated first in value, price and customer service. It was second in best course layout and best merchandise, third in best food and beverage, fourth in best practice facilities and ninth in best-conditioned course.

But as far as recommending Village Greens to others, respondents ranked the course eighth.

"In conducting over 300 golf surveys of municipal courses in which the database of the golf course was the primary source, this is the first time we have seen the golfers rank the course they play most frequently eighth," the consultants said. "Most often, golfers rank the course they play most often first or second."