For more than 30 years, Orchard Valley Golf Course has been a favorite destination for golfers across the region. Now, after more than a year of renovations to the 160-acre property and its amenities, the Fox Valley Park District is welcoming the community back with something new to discover.

While golfers will enjoy an upgraded championship course on Aurora’s far west side, Orchard Valley's transformation extends well beyond the fairways. With a completely redesigned clubhouse, restaurant, bar and patio, Orchard Valley is introducing The Orchard Social — a warm, welcoming gathering space designed for everyone, whether they're teeing off or simply stopping by for dinner, drinks or a night out with the group. "That vision was at the heart of the renovation," says FVPD Executive Director Jen Paprocki. "We want to make sure that Orchard Valley feels welcoming to everybody."

The renovation was an opportunity to help more people see Orchard Valley through a new lens—not just as a place to play golf, but as a destination to gather, dine and spend time with family and friends. The centerpiece of that effort is The Orchard Social, a reimagined restaurant and bar featuring floor-to-ceiling glass “curtain walls,” panoramic course views, see-through fireplaces, expanded indoor and outdoor seating, private event spaces and a refreshed menu. “The result is a destination unlike anything else in the Aurora area,” Paprocki says.

The golf course also received a significant investment. Following the 2024 season, the Park District closed the course to modernize aging infrastructure while enhancing playability, sustainability and aesthetics. Improvements include a new irrigation system, reconstructed bunkers, expanded greens and tee boxes, rebuilt bridges and retaining walls, resurfaced cart paths and new, disease-resistant turf.

FVPD partners with Troon Golf, the world's largest golf course management and hospitality company, to oversee Orchard Valley operations. General Manager Ben Nachtwey joined in 2022 knowing a comprehensive reset was on the horizon. "I've never been through a renovation and course closure, so it was exciting to learn and be in the day-to-day mix," he says. "It was amazing to see the transformation from what it was to what it is now."

Watching a well-maintained course be torn apart wasn't always easy, he admits. "It was tough to watch it get dug up, but we knew that the end result was going to be something much more sustainable and much more functional from irrigation and maintenance standpoints," Nachtwey says. "Aesthetically, it's extraordinarily pleasing. The new bunkering, bridges and retaining walls — we had nothing but experts on all of those facets, and they did a phenomenal job."

Inside the clubhouse, guests will notice a darker, earth-toned design that draws inspiration from the natural surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames sweeping views of the 18th hole, while fireplaces and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces create an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and comfortable. "We tried to pull a color palette that blends nicely with the natural landscape with some eye-popping features like the bar tiles and fireplaces," Paprocki says.

The 194-seat venue includes multiple indoor and outdoor dining areas, private event spaces, a full-service bar, an expanded patio with a fireplace, 17 televisions and an integrated sound system. "This is a place where we want the golfer and non-golfer to come in and be part of the new vibe," Nachtwey says. "It's going to be comfort, casual, quality -- whatever you're looking for, we can meet you there."

Executive Chef Gail Huesmann, who has helped open 11 restaurants, describes The Orchard Social as "upscale casual with a sport element thrown in." Menus range from smash burgers and comfort food favorites to elevated dinner selections, complemented by signature cocktails, classics and rotating microbrews. "I want the menus to appeal to as many people as possible," Huesmann says. "We'll have cocktails and cuisine that are not common in the Aurora area."

Food and Beverage Manager Russ Hillard says the finished product exceeded expectations. "The final product, in my opinion, is better than the renderings," Hillard says. "It's brought a level of excitement I haven't seen in this line of work." Even before opening, the venue has booked birthday parties, baby showers, book clubs and other private events, reinforcing the Park District's vision of Orchard Valley as a year-round gathering place.

For Nachtwey, that's the true measure of the renovation's success. "It was a great collaboration of everybody's talents," he says. "The result, in my opinion, is nothing less than spectacular." Whether visitors come to play 18 holes, enjoy dinner overlooking the sunset, watch the big game with friends or celebrate life's milestones, Orchard Valley now offers a destination that extends well beyond golf. Says Paprocki: "It's going to be an experience — a place people are going to want to come back to because of how it looks, feels and the way they're treated."