3 Years Later, Bensenville Golf Inquiry Continues

BENSENVILLE, IL – Bensenville police say they are still looking into questionable refunds of nearly $800,000 at the White Pines Golf Club. The inquiry started three years ago.

This week, Patch filed a public records request for the police report, but the village declined to release it. It said it has not finalized the report and that the case is still under investigation.

The village noted that the Freedom of Information Act allows it to withhold records that may obstruct an ongoing investigation.

The golf club, which includes two 18-hole courses, is a few blocks north of the Elmhurst city limit.

Through a public records request in October 2022, Patch received documents about the investigation from the Bensenville Park District, which owns the club.

The golf club makes money renting space for weddings and other private events.

The records indicate that the golf club issued $783,259 in refunds over six years. The annual amounts steadily increased from $39,251 in 2014 to $284,192 in 2019.

In some cases, no explanations were given for the refunds. As an example, in 2016, a tournament outing involved a $4,774 refund, with no reason provided, according to the investigation.

Throughout much of 2018 and 2019, the research indicates "heavy" and "massive" food and liquor discounts.

Patch detailed the issue in a 2022 story.