The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its interest in continuing operation of the Stone Creek Golf Club on Friday, March 6. This explorative move would involve the Atkins Group, the current owners of the Urbana golf course, with the option of donating the course and related property currently being considered. 

The Atkins Group has operated Stone Creek since 2000 and closed the approximately 190-acre course in January. Stone Creek has served as the home course for both Illinois men’s and women’s golf leading up to 2020. 

If the Atkins Group chooses, Stone Creek would be the Atkins family’s third major gift to Fighting Illini Athletics; the family provided the lead gift for the Atkins Tennis Center in 1991, were original lessors of the Founders’ Suites in Memorial Stadium in 2008 and recently pledged $3 million in 2018 to help complete the Susan and Clint Atkins Baseball Training Center.

Both the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Atkins Group are currently in discussion with the City of Urbana and homeowners near the golf course and look to reach a resolution in the coming weeks.

@rachelspenc

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