When Golfweek Magazine released its rankings in mid-October for the top 25 public-access short, par 3 or nontraditional golf courses in the U.S. for 2025, The Evans at Canal Shores came in at No. 22.
That puts The Evans in the same company as top-level short courses at Bandon Dunes (Bandon Preserve), Pinehurst (The Cradle), Kohler Blackwolf Run (The Baths) and PGA National (The Staple). The Evans even ranked higher than the Tiger Woods-designed The Hay at Pebble Beach Resorts.
That came as no surprise to Matt Rooney, president of the board for the Evanston/Wilmette Community Golf Association, which runs the course. “This first year exceeded our expectations on several levels,” Rooney said.
After renovating the course in 2024, this year was the first year that all 18 holes were available for play for the entire season.
A lone golfer on the 18th hole at The Evans at Canal Shores course. Credit: Jim Brown
Rooney noted that the renovated course turned out beautifully, and the layout has received rave reviews from local golfers and positive press in national golf publications.
“The goal for the year was to have 21,000 rounds played, and year-to-date we have 24,000 rounds,” he said. “We are on track to record 26,000 rounds before the course closes in December. Additionally, with the high level of play and continued donations, our finances are in great shape.”
The new greens on the course are twice as large as the old greens, and although the course is short, the new greens have delivered an added challenge for golfers. “There have been a few complaints about hole No. 7, a short hole that is putting only, but most golfers think the hole is fun,” said Rooney.
Although the course was vandalized in August, with eight holes damaged and two greens taken out of play, Rooney said it was gratifying to see how quickly it recovered. “It was terrific to see how the grounds crew and the neighbors came together to repair the course and get it up and running again with 18 holes within two days,” he said.
Rooney is delighted with the support of the golf community and from course neighbors. He noted that the Lumberjacks and Lumberjills, a group of volunteers who do landscape work along the course every weekend, have built and maintained trails along both sides of the canal, making the area accessible for birders, hikers and dog walkers. The group also helped repair the August damage.
From left: 2025 Canal Shores caddies Elian, Shayla, Mark, Vanessa, Gabriel, Moscow, Ella, Jolayemi, Christopher, Angelique and Liahbella.
Credit: Charles Cherney
The Canal Shores Caddie Program, sponsored by the Western Golf Association, also had a successful first year. There were 14 caddies who participated in the program in June and July. The goal is to provide a meaningful work experience for young people and offer a pathway for participants to qualify for the Evans Scholarship, a four-year college scholarship at select universities and colleges.
The Western Golf Association is covering the base caddie fee at Canal Shores to encourage golfers to use caddies without worrying about the cost of the experience. Tips for caddies are encouraged. Rooney explained that “the Western Golf Association was pleased with the results of last summer’s Canal Shores caddie program.”
The Evans at Canal Shores also provided a youth golf development program through First Tee over the summer.
Although this program has been in place at Canal Shores for about eight years, this year the number of youth golfers participating in the program exceeded expectations. According to Cade Beckley, Canal Shores’ general manager and head golf pro, more than 100 kids attended the program Monday through Friday each week during the summer.
Even before the Golfweek top 25 ranking, The Evans was receiving positive national media coverage, which is attracting golfers from around the country.
Executive Director Bill Sullivan said the course has attracted local groups and companies that have scheduled outings. “The course is set up well for company outings,” he said. “It is less intimidating, so employees at all levels of an organization feel comfortable.”
Sullivan also noted that “we are building a new bar and grill, that we are temporarily calling ‘The Patio Grill,’ that will offer hot dogs, burgers, pizzas and drinks. We hope to subsidize the grill through a sponsorship with naming rights.”
The Patio Grill is under construction and will open next spring.
The Patio Grill construction at Canal Shores. Credit: Jim Brown
From a financial perspective, Canal Shores is operating on budget. “We are a not-for-profit, and although we had a great year in terms of paid rounds of golf, we still depend on charitable gifts to operate the course,” Rooney said.
The Evans has 120 memberships available for juniors, individual adults and families, and the course will offer senior memberships for Monday through Thursday play in 2026. There’s a waiting list for these memberships.
The course will remain open through December. During the winter, temporary greens and tees will allow golfers to play when weather allows — the forecast for the next few weeks looks good, so get out and enjoy this nationally-recognized golf course before the ground is covered in snow.
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