The Chicago Auto Show annually hosts its “First Look for Charity Gala” on the precipice of the yearly car gathering, featuring a black tie affair for invited guests. This year, the CDGA decided to follow suit, as the inaugural CDGA Town Square Opening Drive presented by Wintrust ushered in the 40th Chicago Golf Show® on Thursday, Feb. 27. While formal attire was not required, the same “sneak peek aspect” applied, with more than 200 special guests taking in all that CDGA Town Square had to offer - from the CDGA Longest Putt Benefitting the CDGA Foundation and The Evans at Canal Shores, to the in-person CDGA Member Golf Shop. The night also featured an open bar, food, golf simulator and fundraising raffle benefiting the CDGA Foundation, including a 2025 Masters package.
The four-hour event also helped launch the Association’s new partnership with Wintrust Bank as the official bank of the CDGA, as the two sides will continue to work side by side on future initiatives that promote golf and change lives. The formal program, emceed by former WGN sports anchor and current CDGA Blue Coat Dan Roan (pictured below), began with the presentation of the first “CDGA Member Spotlight presented by Wintrust” to Peggy Kusinski, radio host on ESPN 1000, for her work with the local “Girls in the Game” non-profit. Chicago Police Department (CPD) superintendent Larry Snelling spoke to attendees regarding future ways that the CPD will look to be involved with golf, such as the Chicago Police Junior Golf Camp and Fun Fair Days, as well as the Chicago Police Junior Scramble League. Chicago Police Department (CPD) superintendent Larry Snelling (pictured at top of page) spoke to the attendees regarding the partnership with the CDGA in establishing the Chicago Police Junior Golf Camp and Fun Fair Days, as well as the Chicago Police Junior Scramble League. Both of these programs will begin this summer. Snelling, a self-proclaimed non-golfer, was presented with a Tour Edge putter to help with his initiation into the game.
Other ventures highlighted during the program included the upcoming 2nd Chicago Adaptive Open presented by Illinois Bone and Joint Institute (IBJI). Due to their support, as well as sponsors Wintrust and Wadsworth Golf, this year’s event purse will double to $30,000. An interview with Dennis Walters, who was unable to join in-person, was shown to discuss the adaptive golf legend’s future stay in the Chicago District this June to help promote the adaptive golf movement. Former U.S. Open champion Andy North also joined CDGATV for an interview to look back on last year’s event and future endeavors with the Association.
The program wrapped up with information on two new scholarships that the CDGA is partnering to offer in 2025. The CDGA | JPGA Walter & Nettie George Speedy Scholarship will be presented through a relationship between the Jackson Park Golf Association and the CDGA to honor one of the early 20th century’s golf pioneers. The second scholarship will be presented in conjunction with the Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation.
