This is a request. More later.Golf season is in full swing. The summer of 2026 has a full schedule of CDGA Sunshine Programs, some of which you probably know about; others, which may be in the background.
Our Chicago Adaptive Open, again contested at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego, has quickly become a premier event in the world of adaptive golf competitions. This year’s Open, played June 13–14, was presented in partnership by the CDGA, CDGA Foundation, and Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. Watching these incredible players hit fantastic shots, often under the most difficult of circumstances, was nothing short of inspiring.
Our Sunshine Through Golf Camps – 75 of them – will be at 38 locations, bringing golf to kids who will have wide grins on their faces for accomplishments ranging from pretty darned good golf to simply making contact and watching their ball fly a few yards. Over the past 25 years, the Foundation’s Sunshine Camp program has brought joy to thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Ten years ago, the CDGA and the CDGA Foundation partnered with Youth on Course. Youth on Course subsidizes golf rounds for its members (6–18 years old) for $5; sometimes less. Thousands of CDGA Youth Members in the Chicago District will play almost 20,000 rounds at dozens of local clubs and courses. Along with offering playing opportunities to youngsters who may not otherwise be able to afford to play, the CDGA Foundation awards several youth scholarships, including the United Veterans Service Swing Club Scholarship and the Folds of Honor Scholarship for the spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.
In 1917, the CDGA began working with the American Red Cross and local hospitals to augment recovery for our WWI veterans. Since its official founding in 1944, the CDGA Foundation has used golf clinics as restorative tools supporting our nation’s vets, and also to offer playing opportunities to active-duty military and their families. Together with RevelationGolf, the CDGA conducts clinics throughout our District at various sites, including Great Lakes Naval Base, Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Cantigny Golf and the Bob Berry Sunshine Course at Midwest Golf House.
Throughout the season, numerous golf events have served as fundraisers. Some of you may have participated in one or more. Thank you, if you have or if you intend to be with us! In May, we completed our 18th Better Through Birdies Par-3 Challenge at Zigfield Troy Golf. June featured our CDGA Foundation Online Auction. This month, our 25th Fore Our Veterans Outing is at Oak Park Country Club. August is highlighted by our 10th On the Tee for Autism Outing at Chicago Highlands Club. In the early fall, we’ll tee it up for youth once again in the 100 Hole Hike at The Evans at Canal Shores. And, don’t forget… come next February, the CDGA Foundation will continue as a major benefactor of the Chicago Golf Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
All of this important work is accomplished through the efforts of the staff at Midwest Golf House, and, significantly, through the volunteer work of the CDGA Board of Directors and CDGA Foundation Trustees. The Foundation is proud to note that over 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to support our programs.
Remember when I said I had a request? I’m asking for your help. All of you have your favorite charities. And all of you have a lot of organizations vying for your charity dollars. Many are great entities doing important work. But as a reader of Chicago District Golfer, you’re especially close to what goes on in the golf world, and perhaps you already know about the healing powers of golf. The CDGA and CDGA Foundation have been helping veterans for over 100 years, and more recently, affording golf therapy to special needs children and kids from disadvantaged families. Please look into your heart and give generously to the Foundation. We’re changing lives through golf every day of the year.
Dwight Erskine is the President of the CDGA Foundation.
