The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is a non-profit association of member clubs and individual golfers in Illinois and parts of Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. With more than 80,000 member golfers at nearly 400 member clubs, the CDGA is one of the largest and oldest golf associations in the United States. Founded on March 18, 1914, the CDGA was established to promote amateur golf in the Midwest.
CDGA services and benefits are extended principally to Association member clubs and individual golfers at these facilities. These golfers are served through the CDGA in its interpretation of the Rules of Golf, processing of applications for reinstatement to amateur status, handicapping, the tournament program, course measuring and rating as well as the CDGA’s various educational services.
The Sunshine Through Golf Foundation, charitable arm of the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA), prides itself with the mission of bringing joy to people with special needs through golf. The Foundation’s Sunshine Through Golf camp program is the largest grassroots golf program for individuals with special needs in the United States.
Making golf a better game – the Mission of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America since its inception in 1916. The PGA of America originated in New York when a group of men representing golf professionals and prominent amateurs met at a luncheon on January 17, 1916. These gentlemen discussed forming a national organization which would promote interest in the game of golf and help elevate the vocation of golf professionals. Today, there are over 24,000 PGA professionals and apprentices – making the PGA the world’s largest working sports organization.
The PGA of America is divided up into 41 geographical areas. Each of these Sections conduct playing opportunities for PGA members, apprentices, and amateur golfers as well as support for the local golf professionals. The Illinois Section PGA is comprised of over 800 PGA members and apprentices working at over 325 facilities.
The Illinois PGA Foundation relies upon the philanthropic support of individuals, businesses and golf industry partners who share in its commitment and vision of helping the community through the game of golf. The Illinois PGA Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.
The Foundation is proudly supported by 100% of the Illinois PGA membership making the Illinois Section one of the most community-minded PGA Sections in the country.
The WGA is a driving force in the game, a respected charitable cause for thousands of supporters, and a distinguished leader in the nation’s golf community.
The WGA champions education through golf in sponsoring the Evans Scholars Program. Established by famed amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans, Jr., it provides full housing and tuition scholarships to deserving caddies across the country. Currently, more than 850 caddies are attending college on scholarship; there are more than 9,000 Evans Alumni across the country. Most Scholars attend one of the 14 universities where the Foundation owns and operates a Scholarship House.
The Evans Program is funded by contributions from more than 100,000 golfers across the country, as well as Evans Alumni and proceeds from the BMW Championship.
The Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, (MAGCS) founded in 1926 by a small group of Chicago area “Greenkeepers”, has progressed over time to include a membership of eight hundred individuals, representing close to three hundred golf courses in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
The Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois is dedicated to bringing the sport of golf into the lives of children and providing them with opportunities for personal growth and career enhancement.
The Kids Golf Foundation is a statewide junior golf association that offers and supports several golf programs and events designed to introduce children between the ages of 5 and 17 to the sport of golf, its fundamentals, rules, history, etiquette, life lessons, and more. The Foundation is one of the largest junior golf organizations in the state.
The First Tee is a youth development initiative of the World Golf Foundation and is supported by the leading organizations in golf including the Masters Tournament, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and United States Golf Association. There are nearly 200 chapters of The First Tee located throughout the country and in five international locations. The Greater Chicago Chapter is based out of Chicago, IL.
The Chicago Women’s District Golf Association (CWDGA) has long been an allied golf association of the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA). The CWDGA was organized in 1930 under the sponsorship and guidance of the Women’s Western Golf Association. Its purpose is the advancement of the best interests of women’s golf at its member clubs located in the Chicago area. Together the CDGA and CWDGA provide a Handicap Index to the CDWGA membership.
Founded in 1901, under the sponsorship of the Western Golf Association, the Women’s Western Golf Association has been conducting National Championships for 112 Years.
The Women’s Western Golf Association is one of the oldest and most revered organizations in the United States. 80 dedicated Directors from across the country volunteer their time and talent to running the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. There are no paid Directors on the Board.
Founded in 1933, the IWGA is an all-volunteer organization devoted to advancing golf opportunities for the women and girls of Illinois by conducting state championship tournaments and through fundraising to support charitable contributions to individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of amateur golf.