George Winchell
Legend of the Links – 1995
While serving on the Board of Trustees in the early 1960's, George Winchell became aware of the problem of flooding confronting the Village on the south side of Glen Ellyn. He was also aware of the need for the Village to expand its recreation offerings. He became the driving force behind the development of a municipal golf course in Glen Ellyn.
George Winchell was involved with every aspect of the development of the Village Links. He and a few friends gathered general information about the feasibility of a municipal golf course in the early 1960's. He approached the Village Board of Trustees and was put in charge of a committee to study a "Storm Water Disposal and Recreation Area" in 1962. It appears that this committee eventually became the Recreation Commission around 1966. George served as the Chairman of the Recreation Commission through 1969.
During this time, George seems to have played the role of a volunteer project manager. He sought out professional expertise in engineering, golf course design, construction and maintenance, finance, and land acquisition. He was heavily involved in selling the referendum to build a course and established dialogues with various community groups including the school districts and the Park District. He over saw construction of the course. He hired Ed Posh as the first Golf Professional, and Ted Sokolis as the first Golf Course Superintendent.
Once the course opened in 1967, he played the role of a volunteer General Manager. He prepared early operating budgets, and set up financial controls. He approved disbursements and regularly reported to the Board of Trustees.
The Entrance road into the Village Links is named Winchell Way in his honor.
Mr. Winchell passed away in 1977.