Shambolee Golf Club - Club History

In May, 1963, the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce held the first meeting to address the consideration of building a golf course at Lake Petersburg.  Various service clubs in the area met several times with the Chamber and circulated petitions to learn if there was enough interest to support a golf club.  As a result of these petitions the Menard Golf Association, a not for profit organization, was formed for the purpose of building a golf club.

Famous architect Charles Madddox Sr., designer of such great courses as Stonehenge, River Forest Country Club, Forest Hills Country Club, and Lake Michigan Golf Club, was hired to build Shambolee.  During the summer and early fall of 1964, a nine hole course was constructed and during the winter of 1964 and spring of 1965, the club house was completed. Late summer of 1964, a contest was held to name the new club and the name of Shambolee Golf Club was chosen from the several entries received by the Golf Board.  (Shambolee is reputed to be the name of one of the last two Indians living in the area.  The name of the other Indian was Shick Shack.  Shambolee lived at a place in the county called Indian Point for many years before moving west.)

THE BACK 9 - FROM DREAMS TO REALITY.*  Practically from Shambolee's beginning, the dream of a second 9 holes was just that, a dream.  Votes were taken in the early 70's, 80', and 90's to construct a back 9.  All failed by narrow margins primarily due to the idea that it should be financed by assessing the current membership.  In the summer of 1993, members began discussing alternative ideas to accomplish the dream. "Let's find a way", replaced "It sounds great, but how?"  The wheels were set in motion.  Committees were formed, meetings were held, and a tentative design was drawn up.  the culmination of all this work was the membership meeting held November 20, 1993.  A vote was taken, with acceptance of the building proposal passing 198 to 3.  The winter of 93-94 saw members and staff come together with a true spirit of dedication and cooperation.  After a wet spring, ground was broken, May 10, 1994, and the next few months saw a beehive of activity on the 70 acres southeast of the clubhouse.  Working tirelessly, a multitude of member volunteers carved out mounds, fairways, greens and ponds.  Every green has a story, as a team of members would adopt a green for construction to USGA standards.  Mother Nature cooperated like she had all summer, with beautiful warm sunny skies.  1995 marked the 30th Anniversary of Shambolee Golf Club with the opening of a new 9 holes.  A big thank you should go to all those who made it possible. The pride felt by those who helped will last at least another 30 years, as Shambolee finds itself a leader among courses in Central Illinois.  Thanks again everyone for making the dream a reality.