Following a successful inaugural iteration in 2024 that featured 46 competitors, the field for the 2nd Chicago Adaptive Open presented by Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, June 21-22 at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego, is expected to nearly double in 2025. A maximum of 84 golfers with physical and intellectual disabilities will be competing across 15 Sports Classifications for a total purse of $30,000. Scan the QR code at the end of the story for up-to-date information about the event, a listing of the different Sports Classifications and live coverage once it begins.
Here are some of the confirmed participants as of press time in early May:
Towson, Maryland • Men’s G4 (Arm Impairment – Unassisted)Currently first in the G4 world rankings, Biser tied for third overall at Cog Hill last year. He won his Sports Classification by eight strokes.
Utica, Illinois • Men’s G10 (Seated - With Some Use of Trunk & Lower Body)A former wheelchair basketball player at Illinois, Duffy is the World No. 1 G10 competitor and won his Classification in 2024 by 11 strokes.
Queen Creek, Arizona • Men’s G8 (Neurological & Coordination Impairments)Fultz returns to defend his Overall crown from last year’s Chicago Adaptive Open, as he fired a 1-under 71 in the final round to earn the title.
Angola, Indiana • Men’s G13 (Visual - Vision Less Than 20 Degrees Radius)A Chicago Adaptive Open debutant, Gentile holds the No. 1 ranking in his Sports Classification.
Madeira Beach, Florida • Women’s G8 (Neurological & Coordination Impairment)The 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open Overall Women’s champion, Jackson claimed the same title in the 2024 Chicago Adaptive Open. The former Eastern Illinois golfer narrowly missed out on the Overall crown, finishing one shot behind Fultz.
Grand Blanc, Michigan • Women’s G1 (Leg Impairment Above the Knee)This will mark the first Chicago Adaptive Open appearance for Koch, the top-rated Women’s G1 player in the world.
Nashville, Tennessee • Men’s G8 (Neurological & Coordination Impairments)Martin enters as the top-ranked G8 competitor and will be making his Chicago Adaptive Open debut. He won the inaugural Arizona Adaptive Open in 2024.
Indianapolis, Indiana • Men’s G3 (Impairment in Both Legs)The top-ranked player in his Sports Classification, Mathias tied for third overall in 2024. He won the 2023 Indiana Adaptive Open and finished first in his category at the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open.
Rochester Hills, Michigan • Men’s G9 (Seated - Without Trunk Function)Moceri, the top-ranked player in his category, returns to defend his G9 title earned at Cog Hill.
Huntington Beach, California • Men’s G11 (Visual - No Light Perception)Originally gaining notoriety from his career as a long snapper at USC, Olson returns for his second Chicago Adaptive Open as the world’s top-ranked G11 player.
Jupiter, Florida • Men’s G10 (Seated - With Some Use of Trunk & Lower Body)Considered a pioneer of adaptive golf, Walters is a World Golf Hall of Famer. The 75-year-old shot his age en route to winning his Sports Classification at the 2024 Florida Adaptive Open.
The CDGA received the “Supporter of the Year” award from the Maine-Niles Special Recreation Association in a special banquet on April 23. The Association was recognized for its longstanding Sunshine Through Golf Camp conducted at Golf Center Des Plaines. On hand to receive the award were CDGA Blue Coats Tom Artz (far left), John Hammond (middle right) and Tom Gehr (far right), and CDGA Director of Adaptive & Therapeutic Recreation Programs Kayla Fahrenbach (middle left).