Golf can be a challenging game for anyone, including 9-year-old Eden Watkins. The South Side golfer has found a way to turn that frustration into enjoyment.
“You might hit a shot that makes you go ‘Errrrrr’,” she said with a smile. “It might mess up your swing, but for me, [golf] is very relaxing.”
That fresh outlook on the game was on full display on Aug. 4 at Columbus Park Golf Course on the city’s west side. Watkins was one of a multitude of youngsters from across the city of Chicago and beyond to participate in the final ‘Play Like a Champion’ event of the 2026 season. Debuted in 2025 and put on through a collaboration between the CDGA, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department, Troon Golf, First Tee - Greater Chicago, Kids Golf Foundation, United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA) and others, these events are designed to engage at-risk youth and foster positive relationships with Chicago Police Officers. The 2026 schedule featured two days at Columbus Park Golf Course (June and August) and a July gathering at Marquette Park Golf Course.
Watkins’ mother, Khallilah, is grateful for the events and the alliance of some of Chicago’s golf entities, as they help to provide further opportunities for Eden to not only practice the game, but also to meet other golfers.
“It is so important for exposure,” she said. “It’s so important for kids to meet other kids who may not be from their socioeconomic background. Golf continues to give all three of our girls exposure that I could not imagine from any other sport.”
The three-hour events consist of various golf stations, including chipping and putting, SNAG (Starting New at Golf) equipment, games and inflatable bounce houses. CPD officers are on-site to foster relationships and help the youngsters across each station. Chief Angel Novalez remarked on the importance of these instances in generating goodwill within the community.
“Having the opportunity to engage with young people outside of traditional law enforcement, it allows you to get to know those kids,” said Novalez. “And then when you encounter them out on the street, they’ve already started building that relationship.”
“I felt like I was acknowledged,” said Eden Watkins of her time spent with CPD officers.
The ‘Play Like a Champion’ Events are a portion of the larger CDGA Sunshine Programs, which work to expand access to the game and ensure it evolves for future generations. While exposure to golf is important, the ability to visit a golf course and all that comes with it might prove even more worthwhile.
“We realized early on that this is an opportunity for a lot of kids to actually see green grass,” said Mike Gilligan, the CDGA’s senior managing director of business development. “I was blown away at our very first one when kids were actually taking their shoes and socks off - they wouldn’t believe it was actually real grass.”
To learn more about the impact of these events and hear from other key figures who play a role in their administration, watch the video below: