WINNETKA, IL — Village trustees rejected a request from the operator of the Winnetka Golf Club to allow alcohol service starting at 7 a.m. while approving other amendments to its liquor license.

The Winnetka Village Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to extend the hours of alcohol service from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., rather than ending at 7:30 p.m.

“I think 7 a.m. is kind of ridiculous, quite honestly,” Trustee Bob Dearborn said. “I understand the late-night banquet thing or whatever, but personally I’d just stick to 9 a.m.”

The new regulations also allow for beverage cart services, allowing patrons to purchase drinks from the links.

“Well, given that this is the hotbed of the origins of the [Woman’s] Christian Temperance Union,” Trustee Tina Dalman said. “I would say I’m in support of all the other requested changes except for opening up the sales before 9 a.m.”

Police Chief Brian O’Connell said he did not foresee a law enforcement problem with permitting early morning drinking.

“I would agree that I don’t think that we’re going to be getting the problem at 7 a.m.,” O’Connell said. “I’m a golfer myself, so I know the Bloody Mary discussion, but I respect the conversation you’re having.”

The Winnetka Golf Club is set to reopen next month after two years of construction during the installation of a new stormwater retention system aimed at reducing flooding in the village.

Management company KemperSports took over operations of the course in January 2023 and will continue to operate it under a contract with the Winnetka Park District that extends until 2027. That agreement also includes handling food and beverage services at the course.

KemperSports Vice President of Operations Vince Juarez said alcohol service times vary from town to town, with some as early as 6 a.m. and some waiting until 10 a.m. to allow it.

“We can certainly work with our clients to reduce services, reduce hours, to do anything they want to do,” Juarez said. “We want to be good partners and good neighbors.”

Juarez said he had checked out alcohol rules at other golf courses in Deerfield, Northbrook, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Wilmette, which he said allow alcohol from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Winnetka last year became the 12th facility in the greater Chicago area managed by Northbrook-based KemperSports, which also runs Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest, The Evans (formerly Canal Shores) in Evanston, Harborside International in Chicago and The Glen Club in Glenview.

Booking for tee times at the reopened course begins July 30 and a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 12. The century-old golf club has undergone upgrades including a continuous golf cart path, raised fairways and updated bunkers.