2026 GOLFING
Northwestern Illinois and Eastern Iowa
Golfcarts of own
When a couple saw a need for a local business that could cater to customers looking for sales and service for their leisure rides, the wheels started turning — right into a new shop in Lanark where people can stop in and Enjoy the rides
BY CODY CUTTER SAUK VALLEY MEDIA
Nino Novakovic (left), who owns
PHOTO: ALEX T.
ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
hen a golf cart breaks down, needs new batteries or is ready for an upgrade, finding reliable service nearby hasn’t always been easy around northwest Illinois.
Now, a new Lanark shop is giving owners a place to turn for repairs, upgrades and custom work close to home.
Enjoy Life Golf Carts and Service opened in September 2025 and sells, repairs and customizes golf carts of all makes and models. Among its services: restorations, lithium battery conversions, parts and accessories and pickup service. It also can custom build carts tailored to a variety of customer preferences — style, performance or just everyday use around the neighborhood. Husband-and-wife owners Nino Novakovic and Jill Luning also own The Crooked Roof bar and grill next door, but at the shop, Novakovic handles the repair work and Luning takes care of the business affairs.
Much of the work at the shop centers on transforming carts into something both personalized and practical, for use both on and off the golf course. Demand has grown for both performance upgrades and visual customization, with customers increasingly looking to make their carts stand out.
Customization often includes accessories and add-ons that reflect the owner’s personality.
“Almost like a car … or motorcycle is a reflection of your style, golf carts are a reflection of your style,” Luning said. “People can make them fun and bling them out however they want to.”
ENJOY cont’d to page 7
Whether you’re looking for something simple or a little souped up, Nino Novakovic and Jill Luning at Enjoy Life Golf Carts can put you in the driver’s seat.
As far as current trends, the couple said people want their carts a little higher off the ground, and they’re also becoming more interested in upgrading wheels, rims and tires.
Carts can also be extended to add more seating — a process called “stretching” that involves cutting the cart in the middle and welding and bolting frame additions to attach the two halves.
Mechanical upgrades are also common, including a growing shift toward lithium battery conversions. The shop carries lithium options such as Eco Battery and Lithium Rhino. Lithium batteries offer longer lifespans, lighter weight and extended driving range compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, making them an increasingly popular upgrade for frequent users.
“For the owner, it’s 100 percent maintenance free,” Novakovic said. “All you have to do is plug it in, and that’s it. You leave it in there, and it’s like a triple-charge, when it’s fully charged, it stays charged. It’s not like the old chargers with the lead battery, where when it was full you had to unplug it otherwise you’re overcharging and cook it up. When it’s charged, it shuts off. When the battery voltage drops, it automatically turns it back on.”
The business handles a wide range of repairs, from routine maintenance to complete restorations, with an emphasis on safety and transparency. Whether it’s a small fix like a faulty gauge or a larger mechanical issue, both gas and electric carts of any make or model can be serviced, and carts can either be dropped off or pick-ups can be arranged.
Novakovic often will shoot video of any serious problem with a cart when he sees it, and sends them to customers to help explain what’s wrong.
“Our biggest concern is safety,” he said. “With all of our carts, if it’s just a basic tune-up, I’ll go through the whole cart. I’ll check the wheels, check the wheel alignment and adjust everything. Adjust brakes, replace bearings if we have to. We’ll do videos and pictures as we’re working on them and show the customer what we found. We’re documenting everything that we’re doing. That way there’s no question. You want to be up front when them.”
For both Novakovic and Luning, the business also represents a way to connect one of their passions with their work.
Though they aren’t golfers themselves, they enjoy getting out in the open air on a set of wheels — but two instead of four. The couple loves riding motorcycles
“I can get on my motorcycle and forget about everything in the world,” Novakovic said. “I’m out there having the wind in my face having a good time. On a golf cart, you can cruise around the neighborhood or be out golfing, and you’re enjoying life. You’re doing what you want to do to make you happy.”
Enjoy life: It’s a mindset that helped shape both the name and the
“Our biggest concern is safety. ... I’ll go through the whole cart ... We’re documenting everything that we’re doing. That way there’s no question. You want to be up front when them.”
Nino Novakovic Enjoy Life Golf Carts and Service
mission of the business, Luning said, as they looked to bring something new to the area while building on familiar relationships.
The golf cart business also helps them connect with more customers in a community they’ve already been a part of during the past dozen years at their neighboring restaurant
“Some people don’t know that we own The Crooked Roof next door as well, so once they understand that it’s next door, they know it’s someone in the community offering something new to try to help the community,” Luning said. “We’re helping out people who we’ve taken care of at the restaurant. You can sense a confidence level of saying, ‘Oh, I know you.’”
ENJOY cont’d to page 11
cont’d from page 10
The idea to start the business only came after concern about a parking area next door that restaurant customers often used. F/S owned the lot and nearby buildings, and allowed Crooked Roof customers park there, but when F/S was looking to sell the property, Novakovic and Luning were worried a a new owner might not continue that arrangement. So Novakovic and Luning bought the property, not knowing immediately what to do with it — but then they started thinking. “I’ve always worked on motorcycles, engines, trucks and cars, so I thought I could open a golf cart shop,” Novakovic said. “There are a bunch of motorcycle shops around in this area, and I was like, ‘There’s no one around here who does golf carts.’”
The need in the local market, Novakovic’s mechanical skills, and the couple’s familiarity in the community seemed like a perfect fit. People could get the service they needed from someone they knew, and they wouldn’t have to make a long trip to get it.
“The general area needing that service was an opportunity to have him enjoy working with mechanical stuff,” Luning said. “He’s incredibly good at all of it. He can figure out any problem when it comes to mechanics.”
As far as new carts are concerned, the place carries MadJax carts, manufactured by Nivel, which has been making golf cart parts for nearly 60 years, but only entered the full vehicle market during the coronavirus pandemic a few years ago.
ENJOY cont’d to page 16
“He’s incredibly good at all of it,” says Luning of her husband’s mechanical skills. Their shop handles a wide range of repairs, from routine maintenance to complete restorations.
“He can figure out any problem.”
ENJOY
ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
“Almost like a car ... golf carts are a reflection of your style,” Luning said. “People can make them fun and bling them out however they want to,” and Enjoy Life Golf Carts can help, with bling that includes lights, tires and rims, audio systems with sound bars, carts with steering wheels that have integrated controls, and more. PHOTOS: ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SAUKVALLEY.COM
ENJOY cont’d from page 11
MadJax’s X Series carts, launched in 2022, emphasize upgraded technology and comfort, while the newer Ascent model — introduced during the PGA Show convention in January — builds on that with a more fully loaded, automotive-style design that comes standard with high-end features and integrated systems.
Novakovic and Luning attended the PGA Show to gauge what brands they wanted to carry, and to learn more about the golf cart business — and even golf itself. The decision to carry Nivel’s MadJaxes followed research and conversations with industry professionals there, and they came away impressed with the company’s near-exclusivity of dealing with golf carts.Warranty coverage was also a factor in selecting the brand.
“They offer a 3-year bumper-to-bumper parts and labor warranty for their carts,” Luning said. “Other brands will do parts for a couple of years, but they don’t include the labor. So if something breaks, like a manufacturer defect on your cart, you have to take it in and pay someone to fix it. That didn’t seem right because it wasn’t your fault that it was broken. I really thought that said something about the company, that they are going to take care of the problem, and not just part of the problem.”
With awareness of the business growing and warmer months just around the corner, the couple expects business to continue growing, especially as more people consider golf carts for neighborhood use. In Lanark, for example, golf carts are street legal on city roads (but not on state highways that go through town). The city requires a local registration fee of $25 for use in town, Novakovic said, and it has to have signals, headlights, seat belts and a windshield. A growing number of towns have also adopted similar ordinances in the past decade.
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ALEX T. PASCHAL/APASCHAL@SHAWMEDIA.COM
Enjoy Life Golf Carts and Service is located at 110 E. Carroll St. in Lanark. Find it on Facebook and YouTube, or call 815-5510123 to arrange for service, a visit or for more information.
“People are still learning that we’re here,” Luning said. “As we start getting into spring and summer, we’ll anticipate some more activity once people start to know us. I think more people need to know what’s out there for the convenience of having it more local.”
Customer reactions remain a rewarding part of the work for Novakovic, particularly after custom projects are completed.
“After a day or two when I’m done with them, I’ll call them and make sure they’re liking everything,” Novakovic said. “I like when I get to do custom work, and when the customers come to pick them up, when they’re like, ‘Oh my God, it looks amazing!” n Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.
(under 35) $544*
* Price includes 1st time member 30% discount
Emerald Hill Golf Course features 18 holes, a self-service driving range, three practice greens and a practice chipping area. The course offers bentgrass greens with Kentucky bluegrass tees, fairways and rough. Book tee times online at emeraldhillgolf.com and "like" us on Facebook to stay up-to-date with everything at the course!
TIM MORGAN PRO SHOP MANAGER
Tim is a lifelong resident of Sterling, other than seven years spent serving in the US Army. Following his return to Sterling, he worked for the Sterling Police Department for 27 years, retiring in 2020 as the Chief of Police. Tim has played golf at Emerald Hill for the past 31 years and has been the Pro Shop Manager for the past 2 years. Tim makes your golfing experience at Emerald Hill as pleasurable as possible.
Junior Golf Events
Junior Golf Clinic
Jun. 2-4 & 9-11 (register by May 29) • $35
Ages 7-9*: 4:30-5:30p • Ages 10-12*: 5:45-6:45p
*Age as of June 1, 2026
GARRETT E. RAMOS MEMORIAL
Junior Golf Tournament
Jun. 15 (register by Jun. 5) • Times TBD • $15
Ages 9-11: 4 Holes • Ages 12-13: 9 Holes • Ages 14-18: 18 Holes
Maximum 40 participants per age group
Junior Warrior Golf Camp
Jul. 6-8 (register by Jul. 2) • $40 (includes range balls & camp shirt)
3rd-5th Grade: 4:30-5:30p • 6th-8th Grade: 5:45-6:45p
Limited to the first 25 students per age group
Tournaments
Emerald Hill Qualifier
Senior: May 2 & 3 (register by Apr. 30)
Open: Jun. 27 & 28 (register by Jun. 25)
Emerald Hill Club Championship
Jul. 25 & 26 (register by Jul. 23)
3-Person Preferred Ball
Oct. 3 (register by Oct. 1)
For more information visit emeraldhillgolf.com or call 815-622-6204
Facilities
Dillon Home Museum
1005 E. 3rd St. | 815.622.6202
Duis Center 211 E. 23rd St. | 815.622.6200
Emerald Hill Golf Course 16802 Prairieville Rd. | 815.622.6204
Frasor Administrative Office 1913 3rd Ave. | 815.622.6200
Westwood Fitness & Sports Center 1900 Westwood Dr. | 815.622.6201
Parks
Douglas Park 2100 Chestnut Ave.
Eberley Park 2699 W. LeFevre Rd.
Gartner Park 2121 W. LeFevre Rd.
Harry Kidd Field 1219 W. 7th St.
Hoover Park 3807 Woodlawn Rd.
Kilgour Park 400 W. 15th St.
Lawrence Park Avenue G Island
Martin’s Landing & Sinnissippi Dam Broadway Ave. & 2nd St.
Oppold Marina 523 Stouffer Rd.
Propheter Park 506 E. 6th St.
Redfield Park 14th Ave. & 2nd St.
Scheid Park 1102 Woodburn Ave.
Sinnissippi Park Sinnissippi Rd.
Thomas Park & Dogwood Acres Dog Park 2301 12th Ave.
Dillon Home
Tour Times
We-Th: 10:00a, 11:00a, 1:00p, 2:00p or by appointment only from 3:00-5:00p
2nd Weekend of Each Month (Sa & Su): 10:00a, 11:00a, 1:00p, 2:00p or by appointment only from 3:00-5:00p
Oppold Marina
Oppold Marina Boat slips are available to rent for the season. Call Stephanie at 815-622-6200.
Duis Center
The Duis Center serves as home to our swimming and gymnastics programs. The facility also features group/ party rental space.
Westwood Fitness & Sports Center
Westwood Fitness and Sports Center is the Sauk Valley’s largest sports and fitness facility. The facility features over 40,000 square feet of fitness equipment.
815-569-2427 | beavercreekgolfcourse.com |
253 Clubhouse Drive, Cherry Valley
815-332-9002 | newburgvillage.net |
Swanhills Golf Course 2600 Gustafson Road, Belvidere
815-547-3232 | swanhillsgolf.com |
815-544-1935 | golfthepointe.com |
BUREAU
815-879-6531 | chapelhill-princeton.com |
BUREAU COUNTY (cont’d)
Hidden Lake Golf Club
12985 645 East St., Sheffield
815-454-2660 |
Mendota Golf Club
35666 U.S. Route 34 W., Mendota
815-538-7241, mendotagolfclub.com |
Spring Creek Golf Course
286 Spring Creek Drive, Spring Valley
815-894-2137 springcreek-golfcourse.com |
Wyaton Hills Golf Course
17879 1500 North Ave., Princeton
815-872-2641 |
CARROLL COUNTY
Lake Carroll Golf Course
2911 Ironwood Blvd., Lanark
815-493-2808 | golflakecarroll.com |
Palisades Golf Course
18280 state Route 84, Savanna
815-273-2141 |
Sandburr Run Golf Course and Resort
5020 state Route 84, Thomson
815-902-6016 | sandburrgolfresort.com
DEKALB COUNTY
Buena Vista Golf Course 131 Buena Vista Drive, DeKalb
815-758-4812 | golfdekalb.com |
Edgebrook Golf Club 2100 Suydam Road, Sandwich
815-786-3058 | edgebrookgolfclub.com |
Indian Oaks Country Club 603 E. Preserve Road, Shabbona
815-824-2282 | indianoaks.net |
Kishwaukee Country Club 1901 Sycamore Road, DeKalb
815-758-6848 | kishwaukeecc.org |
JO DAVIESS COUNTY (cont’d)
Lacoma Golf Club
8080 Timmerman Drive, East Dubuque 18 71*
815-747-3874 | lacomagolf.com |
* 2 with 9 holes par 35, or 70 when combined into 18 holes. Family course is par 27
Woodbine Bend Golf Course
3500 E. Center Road, Stockton
815-858-3939 | woodbinebend.com|
LASALLE COUNTY
Anderson Fields Golf Course
1901 N. Bloomington St., Streator
815-672-3702 | www.ci.streator.il.us* |
(*under Your Government, City Departments links)
Dayton Ridge Golf Club
3076 E. 18th Road, Ottawa
815-434-0145 |
Earlville Country Club
400 Oak St., Earlville 815-246-9329|
Pine Hills Golf Club
1665 N. 2501 Road, Ottawa
815-434-3985
ottawapinehillsgolfclub.com |
Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Course
658 E. U.S. Highway 6, LaSalle
815-223-7273 | senicagolf.com|
Senica’s Deer Park Golf Club
100 Deer Park Lane, Oglesby
815-667-4239 | deerparkgc.com |
The Eastwood
2000 Eastwood Ave., Streator 9 36
815-673-5553 | theeastwoodstr.com |
The Lakes Country Club
2550 N. 32nd Road, Marseilles
815-795-5107 | thelakescc.net |
CART FEES - 2026
DEKALB COUNTY (cont’d)
River Heights Golf Course
1020 Sharon Drive, DeKalb
815-758-1550 | golfdekalb.com |
Sycamore Golf Club
940 E. State St., Sycamore
815-895-3884 | playgolfsycamore.com |
HENRY COUNTY
Baker Park Golf Course
1095 Cambridge Road, Kewanee
309-852-2872
kewaneeparkdistrict.org |
Country View Golf Course
8284 N. 2300 Ave., Geneseo
309-441-5272
countryviewgolfcourse.net |
Geneseo Country Club
22393 Grange Road, Geneseo
309-944-3666 | geneseocountryclub.com |
Midland Golf Club
3536 Midland Road, Kewanee
309-852-4508 | midlandgolfclub.com |
Sugar Maple Golf Club
19283 E. 1600 St., Geneseo
309-944-5418 | sugarmaplegolfclub.com |
JO DAVIESS COUNTY
Apple Canyon Lake Golf Course
14A200 E. Apple Canyon Road, Apple River 9 36
815-492-2477 | applecanyonlake.org |
Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa
444 E. Eagle Ridge Drive, Galena
815-777-5000 & 800-892-2269 eagleridge.com |
Galena Golf Club
11557 U.S. West Highway 20, Galena
815-777-3599 | galenagolfclub.org |
CONT’D to page 27
LEE COUNTY
Miller Golf Complex
1010 Washington Ave., Dixon
815-284-3306 dixonparkdistrict.com |
Shady Oaks Country Club
577 U.S. Highway 52, Sublette
815-849-5424 | shadyoakscc.com |
Timber Creek Golf Course
729 Timber Creek Road, Dixon
815-475-5605 | timbercreek-dixon.com |
MERCER COUNTY
Fyre Lake Golf Club
1057 Fairway Lane, Sherrard
309-749-9044 | fyrelakegolfshop.com |
Oak View Country Club 1601 SW Third Ave., Aledo
309-582-7916 | oakviewcountryclub.com |
OGLE COUNTY
Fairways Golf Course
533 S. Seventh St., Rochelle
815-562-6666 | fairwaysgolfcourse.com |
Lost Nation Golf Course
6931 S. Lost Nation Road, Dixon* *Dixon mailing address; course located in Ogle County 18 71
815-652-4212 | lostnationgolf.com |
Prairie View Golf Club
6734 N. German Church Road, Byron
815-234-4653 | prairieviewgolf.com |
Silver Ridge Golf Course
3069 N. Hill Road, Oregon
815-734-4440 | silverridgegolf.com |
Sunset Golf Course
216 Sunset Hill, Mount Morris
815-734-4839 | sunsetgolfmm.com |
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
Byron Hills Golf Course
23316 94th Ave. N., Port Byron
309-523-2664 | byronhills.com |
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY (cont’d)
Golfmohr Golf Club
16724 Hubbard Road, East Moline
309-496-2434 | golfmohr.com |
Highland Springs Golf Course
9500 35th St. W., Rock Island
309-732-7277
rigov.org/295/Highland-Springs-Course |
Saukie Golf Course
3101 38th St., Rock Island
309-732-2278
rigov.org/294/Saukie-Golf-Course |
Indian Bluff Golf Course
6200 78th Ave., Milan
309-799-3868 | indianbluffgolfcourse.com |
Oakwood Country Club
1067 U.S. Highway 6, Coal Valley
309-799-3153 | oakwoodgolf.org |
Pinnacle Country Club 11928 Knoxville
309-787-5446 | pinnaclecountryclub.com |
Short Hills Country Club
2500 11th St., East Moline 309-755-0618 | shorthillscc.com |
TPC Deere Run
3100 Heather Knoll, Silvis
309-796-6000 | tpc.com/deererun |
STEPHENSON COUNTY
The Ville Golf
2001 W. St. James Road, Orangeville 9 36
815-789-4042 |
Coach’s Golf & Grill
621 W. Lena St., Lena 9 35
815-369-2222 |
The Freeport Club
1614 S. Park Blvd., Freeport
815-232-1165 | freeportclub.com |
STEPHENSON COUNTY (cont’d)
Park Hills Golf Course
3240 W. Stephenson St., Freeport
815-235-3611 | parkhillsgolfcourse.com |
Wolf Hollow Golf Club
6546 N. Shippee Road, Lena
815-369-5513 | wolfhollowgolf.net |
WHITESIDE COUNTY
Deer Valley Golf Club
3298 Hoover Road, Deer Grove
815-438-4653 | dvforegolf.com |
Emerald Hill Golf Course
16802 Prairieville Road, Sterling
815-622-6204 | emeraldhillgolf.com |
Fulton Country Club
20727 Cattail Road, Fulton
815-589-2440 | fultonccgolf.com |
Lake Erie Country Club 900 Lakeside Drive, Erie
309-659-2250 |
Prophet Hills Country Club
4319 Bishop Road, Prophetstown
815-537-5226 | prophethills.com |
Rock River GAP — CLOSED FOR 2026 SEASON
3901 Dixon Ave., Rock Falls
815-625-2322 | rrgap.com |
WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Aldeen Golf Club
1902 Reid Farm Road, Rockford
815-282-4653 | aldeengolfclub.com |
Atwood Homestead Golf Course
8990 Old River Road, Rockford
815-623-2411 | playthepreserves.com/atwood |
Forest Hills Country Club
5135 Forest Hills Road, Rockford
815-877-5733 | fhcc1921.com |
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2026 PASS FEES
2026 DAILY RATES
Spring Shoulder Season:
Opening Day-May 21
Fall Shoulder Season: Sep-Close
18 holes w/half-cart .......... $30
9 holes w/half-cart .......... $25
18 holes walking .............. $25
9 holes walking ................ $22
Junior 9/18 holes walking $22
Summer Season Weekdays:
May 20-Sep. 3
18 holes w/half-cart ..........$33
9 holes w/half-cart .......... $28
18 holes walking ............. $28
9 holes walking ............... $23
Junior 9/18 holes walking $22
Summer Season Weekends:
May 29-Aug. 28
18 holes w/half-cart ......... $35
9 holes w/half-cart .......... $30
18 holes walking ............. $32
9 holes walking ................ $27
Junior 9/18 holes walking $22
Holiday Weekends:
May 22-25; Jul. 3-5; Sep. 5-7
18 holes w/half-cart ......... $40
9 holes w/half-cart .......... $35
18 holes walking .............. $37
9 holes walking ................$33
Junior 9/18 holes walking $25
Visit emeraldhillgolf.com to book tee times.
