Six years ago, the CDGA and CDGA Foundation did not offer any scholarships. Today, the CDGA Foundation Scholarship & Grant Program consists of six different initiatives and is expected to disburse more than $70,000 to deserving college students in 2025. The program, along with CDGA Youth Membership, serves as a cornerstone of Youth CDGA Sunshine Programs.
Scan the QR code for more information on all of the below offerings, including how to apply for the scholarships. All CDGA-administered scholarship and grant applications are due June 1, 2025.
CDGA | UVS Swing Club Veteran Scholarship
The CDGA | UVS Swing Club Veteran Scholarship, formerly under the administration of the Chicago Area Golf Swing Club, is awarded to disabled veterans or dependents of deceased or disabled veterans living or hospitalized in the Chicago District.
The CDGA | UVS Swing Club Veteran Scholarship dates back to 1963, when the Chicago Area Unit of the United Veterans Services (UVS) Golf Swing Club began awarding scholarships to disabled veterans and/or the dependents of deceased or disabled veterans as part of its Scholarship Foundation. The Swing Club has aided a large number of students in their pursuit of higher education.
The Swing Club agreed to pass the scholarship program over to the CDGA Foundation in late 2018. The CDGA Foundation plans on continuing the Swing Club's admirable work in the years to come.
CDGA | Folds of Honor Scholarship
In 2023, the CDGA partnered with the Folds of Honor Foundation, an organization that provides life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled US service members and first responders, carrying on a longstanding tradition of utilizing golf to enhance the lives of our nation's heroes.
Folds of Honor has awarded approximately 44,000 educational scholarships since its founding in 2007, but increasing demand in recent years led to an unmet need in the Chicago District. The CDGA and CDGA Foundation began to help close this gap by funding five Folds of Honor scholarships, a contribution totaling $25,000, allowing more dependents of veterans and first responders to experience life-changing education.
CDGA | IWGA Julia Dodds Scholarship
For nine decades, Illinois Women’s Golf Association (IWGA) played a pivotal role in supporting women’s golf through a variety of competitive and philanthropic outlets. In 2024, the IWGA partnered with the CDGA to carry on their legacy of making an impact in the community through the administration of the Julia Dodds Scholarship and mini-grant program.
The Julia Dodds Junior Girls Scholarship Award was established in 1992 in honor of Mrs. Julia Dodds who was the first 50-year member of the IWGA.
Today, the award is to assist girls who are pursuing an undergraduate college degree and who enjoy playing golf. The Dodds Award criteria for selection include Character, Scholarship, Leadership and Sportsmanship. The winner(s) will receive a $5,000 award, which will be directed to their college choice to assist in their educational expenses.
CDGA | IWGA Grant Program
Any Illinois public or private higher education institution (2- or 4-year colleges) may submit applications for consideration in this Grant Program, which supports local women’s college golf programs. Grants ranging from $500 to $2000 are annually made available through a competitive application process.
CDGA | JPGA Walter & Nettie George Speedy Scholarship
This new scholarship was established in 2025 through a partnership between the CDGA and the Jackson Park Golf Association to honor Walter and Nettie George Speedy and their early 20th century legacy as golf pioneers. The Speedys are an inspiration not only to their family, but to the innumerable African American golfers that benefited from their advocacy, especially at Jackson Park. Walter Speedy was a top Black golfer in Chicago and won the first national tournament for Black players in 1915. His wife, Nettie George Speedy, was a pioneering Black female golfer and a journalist for the Chicago Defender, where she advocated for the sport’s growth, especially among Black women.
CDGA | Brent Wadsworth Scholarship
The newest offering of this program is the CDGA | Brent Wadsworth Scholarship. This will be awarded to deserving high school students residing in the Chicago District, with priority given to those in the Owegoland area. This scholarship is intended for individuals who are involved with golf, such as serving as caddies, working at local courses or volunteering with junior golf programs. Brent and his family are longtime supporters of the game of golf and the CDGA, making this new initiative a natural fit.