Springhill Golf Course

Origins

Springhill belongs to Aurora's municipal golf system rather than a private club network. Independent course directories consistently date the course to 1972 and credit its design to Dick Phelps. The surviving sources checked do not provide a precise opening day, details of the original development process or a documented statement from Phelps about the commission, so those elements cannot be established reliably.

What is clear is that Springhill was built as a shorter-format 18-hole course and has remained distinct from Aurora's regulation-length municipal layouts.

Design Philosophy

The defining characteristic of the layout is its executive scale. The City of Aurora describes Springhill as having ten par 3s, six par 4s and two par 5s, producing a men's par of 64. The current scorecard stretches from 3,504 yards at the Gold markers to 4,949 yards at the White markers.

Rather than relying on championship length, the layout creates variety through a large number of short holes mixed with several longer par 4s and two par 5s. The official scorecard identifies lakes on holes 1, 4, 5, 8 and 14 as red penalty areas. The city also emphasizes the open character of the surrounding land and the course's suitability for walking and comparatively quick rounds.

Development

No major redesign or named renovation could be verified from the City of Aurora material or the independent sources checked. Some older golf databases publish a 5,001-yard maximum length and different overall rating figures, while the city's current scorecard, dated 2022, gives 4,949 yards from the White tees and publishes a complete modern set of ratings and slopes. The current official scorecard has therefore been treated as authoritative for the present layout.

Today

Springhill remains one of five courses operated by the City of Aurora Golf Division and is open to the public. The city's current facilities information identifies an on-site pro shop, snack shop and driving range, with PGA professional instruction available. Four physical tee colours are rated for both men and women.

Aurora uses dynamic pricing for green fees; its 2026 published schedule gives maximum rates for nine- and 18-hole walking rounds, with separate adult, military, older-adult and junior categories. The course also supports local leagues and instructional programs, reinforcing its role as a shorter public option within Aurora's municipal golf system.