Darien Golf Course Subsidy Being Paid Back To City: Official

DARIEN, IL – A golf course in Darien is paying back a $366,000 subsidy that a divided City Council granted more than six years ago, according to the city.

Over 10 years, Carriage Greens Country Club is expected to reimburse the city from increased income from virtual golf revenue sharing, as well as sales, amusement, food and beverage, and video gambling taxes.

If Carriage Greens does not bring in an additional $366,000 in money to the city before the end of the decade, it must then pay back the difference, according to its agreement with the city.

Earlier this month, Darien Alderwoman Mary Sullivan responded to an inquiry about the subsidy from Brian Liedtke, president of the Center Cass School District 66's board.

In an email, she told Liedtke that the money is being paid back.

"The payback comes from golf course revenue," said Sullivan, a golfer herself. "Business revenue is proprietary information and not made available to the public."

Brian and Adriana Broderick, the family owners of Carriage Greens, did not return Patch's emailed message for comment earlier this month.

Liedtke's questions were prompted by a recent study of Woodridge's struggling golf course, Village Greens. He noted that Woodridge hired consultants who conducted a survey that showed Carriage Greens ranking last in a few categories but rating high in value and price.

In response, Sullivan said she is a longtime league player at Woodridge's course. She said she was disappointed to see the course's issues.

"(T)he course conditions have deteriorated over the years, and they have struggled with keeping a food service manager/operator," Sullivan said in an email to Liedtke. "I have played there for over 20 years, and in its day, it was a really excellent public course."

By contrast, Sullivan said the Brodericks have reported that open play at Carriage Greens is doing "extremely well."

"They are keeping up with maintenance, and the course is in much better shape this past season than Village Greens, that is my opinion," the alderwoman said.

Liedtke asked Sullivan whether Darien would conduct a study similar to Woodridge's.

"I think it's in Darien's and the community's best interest to review the Village of Woodridge's consultant report on Village Greens and ensure plans and actions are taken to preserve and improve the condition of Carriage Greens," he said to Sullivan.

In an email to Patch, Sullivan noted that Carriage Greens is privately owned, while Village Greens is publicly owned and operated. She asked how such a study would be paid for.

In September 2019, the Darien City Council voted 4-3 for the subsidy, which it cast as an economic development incentive, with Sullivan in favor.

Under the agreement, the money was to be used solely in connection with upgrades to the facilities. The improvements were for, among other things, the front yard fountain, the restaurant patio and the concrete circle driveway.

For 20 years, the city has the right to use Carriage Greens' facilities for non-golf community events. This right is available from Monday through Thursday.

According to the agreement, the country club is an "important contributor to the City from an economic, social, and quality of life standpoint."