Square Links Reports Strong Season; Tech Upgrades Boost Security

Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | Nov. 20, 2025

Article Summary: Square Links Golf Course recorded a solid season with 22,000 rounds played, despite a dip from the previous year’s record. Concurrently, the district’s IT department completed significant security and hardware upgrades.

Golf and Technology Key Points:

• Rounds Played: Square Links saw 22,000 rounds of golf in 2025, a slight decrease from the record 23,000 in 2024.

• Top Ranking: Athletic Supervisor Dan Coughlin noted Square Links is ranked as the 6th best 9-hole course in the United States.

• IT Security: The district installed new firewalls and advanced email security software using AI to detect spam.

• Phone System: A new phone system was installed across the district, featuring an app and a “rain button.”

Despite a warm and wet July, Square Links Golf Course finished the 2025 season with strong numbers, according to a report presented to the Frankfort Square Park District Board on Wednesday, November 20, 2025.

Athletic Supervisor Dan Coughlin reported that 22,000 rounds were played in 2025. While this fell short of the record-breaking 23,000 rounds in 2024, Coughlin stated the course met expectations. He noted that the driving range saw a 4 percent increase, with staff picking up over 1 million golf balls throughout the season.

Looking ahead to 2026, Coughlin suggested that the closing of White Mountain Golf Park in Mokena after the 2025 season may result in increased use of the Square Links driving range.

On the technology front, Superintendent of Office Administration and Technology Nicolette Stock detailed a year of security hardening. The district removed networking hardware from Mary Drew and installed new firewalls at “The Square” facility.

Stock reported that the district entered a three-year agreement for a new phone system, installing 35 new office phones and five golf phones. The system includes new features such as a “rain button” and direct transfers between the golf course and the office. Additionally, 20 staff cell phones were upgraded, and the district implemented advanced email security software that uses AI to filter spam.