CDGA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
For Everyone Who Plays the Game
Staring Down the Future The CDGA and Sunshine Through Golf Foundation continuously strive to remain on the leading edge of golf’s ever-changing industry
The Sunshine Through Golf Foundation strengthened its veterans programming in 2015
2015 Annual Report >> PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: DAVID HAVERICK Just one year ago we celebrated the CDGA’s first 100 years with a year of remembrance and special events, culminating with a gala celebration at the Palmer House in Chicago. Now, as we bring the 2015 golf season to a close, we look ahead to 2016, our next century and what we as an association of golfers can do to support the game of golf. To our 16 new CDGA Directors, I say welcome as we look forward to their commitment and volunteerism for our Association and Foundation activities. We now have 118 Directors, Governors, and Officers, representing nearly 400 golf clubs throughout the Chicago District. Our members will have several new playing opportunities in 2016 with the introduction of the CDGA Four Ball and Senior Four Ball championships as well as the CDGA Net Series. These new events are a direct result of listening and responding to our players requests and should be popular with both our competitive and recreational golfers. Looking ahead, as an Association, we expect to see more alignment with the USGA as we continue to deliver superior services in course rating, tournament administration, handicap computations, agronomy, as well as a robust member benefits program to enhance the game for our many golfing customers and stakeholders. Our Foundation serves people with special needs and supports wounded veterans through our partnership with
RevelationGolf. Under Mike Grandinetti’s stewardship, we took a deeper dive into our Foundation’s operations, marketing, programming, and fundraising. We are thankful to Mike for his thoughtful leadership in this endeavor, and to CDGA Past President Matt Pekarek and CDGA Director Mike Bruni for their many hours planning and leading us through some very productive discussions. I offer my congratulations to Mike as he becomes the CDGA’s 53rd president. Going forward, you will see more alignment with Foundation and Association communications and activities. We also are planning a rebranding of the Foundation and its many programs we offer, including our Sunshine Camps, our Three-Hole Sunshine Course, and our Foundation charitable giving. Sheldon Solow is beginning his term as Foundation President and we offer our support to him as he provides the same dedication to his new role as he has as co-chair of our successful Foundation Outing. We look forward to the 2016 golf season with determination and dedication. We hope you can join us as we continue our journey in supporting golf in the Chicago District, and as we continue our charitable giving to people with special needs and wounded veterans through the game of golf here in the Midwest.
>> TABLE OF CONTENTS
David R. Haverick CDGA President
President’s Message ..............................................................................................................1 2015 Board of Directors ........................................................................................................2 Membership and Competitions .....................................................................................3-5 By the Numbers: CDGA Membership ...........................................................................3 Infographic: 2015 Score Posting ..................................................................................4 2016 Championship Schedule .......................................................................................5 Communications/Corporate Partnerships ................................................................6-7 2015 Corporate and Marketing Partners ...................................................................6 CDGA Communication Vehicles .....................................................................................7 Turfgrass Program/Course Rating ....................................................................................8 Sunshine Through Golf Foundation .......................................................................... 9-10 2016 Board of Trustees and Long Range Planning Committee..........................9 Sunshine Club ...................................................................................................................10 2016 Nominating Committee Report ............................................................................11 Association Information ....................................................................................................12
Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
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• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
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2015 Board of Directors OFFICERS
PRESIDENT David Haverick The Club at Strawberry Creek
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE Steven S. Birky Danville CC
TREASURER C. Daniel Cochran Biltmore CC
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Michael J. Grandinetti Calumet CC
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE Gary B. Koch At Large
GENERAL COUNSEL John A. Childers Elgin CC
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Sheldon Solow Briarwood CC
SECRETARY Mike Nass Cantigny Golf
EX-OFFICIO Keith Frankland Village Greens of Woodridge
GOVERNORS Thomas R. Artz...............................................................................................................Sportsman’s CC William R. Buecking............................................................................................................. Biltmore CC Edward T. Clissold......................................................................................................Westmoreland CC Robert J. Cunningham....................................................................................................Indian Hill Club Jeffrey D. Echt....................................................................................................................Lake Shore CC Kevin Gratkowski................................................................................................................... Lost Dunes Michael Griem.......................................................................................................................... Exmoor CC J. Loren Hall........................................................................................................................ Blackstone GC Jack Kieckhefer.................................................................................................Mauh-Nah-Tee-See CC James B. Madison ......................................................................................................................... Illini CC
Dennis A. Reed............................................................................................................................ Pekin CC Michael J. Scheer................................................................................................................Oak Brook GC Don Schwarz........................................................................................................................Prestwick CC Phillip Shanabarger............................................................................................ The Den at Fox Creek Gerald Skoning...................................................................................................................Cog Hill G&CC Richard J. Skrodzki..............................................................................................................La Grange CC Rebecca A. Smith..................................................................................................................Oak Park CC A. Glenn Stith.................................................................................................................... Arrowhead GC Mike Sullivan.................................................................................................................. Bloomington CC
DIRECTORS David Allard................................................................................................................. Olympia Fields CC Louise Allard...................................................................................................................................At Large Tom Allison................................................................................................................................ Beverly CC Philip Angelini.........................................................................................................Edgewood Valley CC Robert Bach........................................................................................................................Mt. Hawley CC Randall Becker......................................................................................................................Winnetka GC Pryce Boeye.................................................................................................................TPC at Deere Run Mike Bruni.................................................................................................................... Olympia Fields CC Michael Camino..........................................................................................................Conway Farms GC Ralph Chapman.............................................................................................................................At Large Frank Charhut........................................................................................................................Wilmette GC Steven L. Cherveny........................................................................................................ Foxford Hills GC Mike Clark..........................................................................................................................Eagle Brook CC William Clevenger...................................................................................................................... Scovill GC Henry Close................................................................................................................................ Aldeen GC David Crockett...............................................................................................................................At Large Robert L. Cunningham........................................................................................................ Turnberry CC Timothy Daw....................................................................................................................... Flossmoor CC Robert Dewey........................................................................................................................ CC of Peoria Michael J. Dickman.................................................................................................................Calumet CC Anthony Dobush............................................................................................................ Randal Oaks GC John Drennan........................................................................................................................Ivanhoe Club Keith Dunkelbarger........................................................................................................ Sunset Hills GC Martin Durkin......................................................................................................................Butterfield CC John Dushney..................................................................................................................Bowes Creek CC Bill Fates........................................................................................................................................ Itasca CC William Finn............................................................................................................................Riverside GC Buzz Frank................................................................................................................................... Skokie CC Dennis Freund...................................................................................................................Blackstone GC Jim Fruin...............................................................................................................................Crestwicke CC Thomas Gehr.................................................................................................................. Sportsman’s CC Ronald Gray.................................................................................................................... Twin Orchard CC Bill Green............................................................................................................................Lake Carroll GC Gregory Grygiel.......................................................................................................... Heritage Bluffs GC Howard Haberkorn...........................................................................................................Terrace Hill GC John L. Hammond, II............................................................................................................ Evanston GC Robert Hinton.............................................................................................................. Panther Creek CC Bill Inglese..................................................................................................................................Exmoor CC Jack Ingold.............................................................................................................................Lake Bluff GC Preston Irwin..................................................................................................................Schaumburg GC George Jameson............................................................................................................... Glen View Club Deborah Johnson......................................................................................................Harborside Int’l GC Will Kadel........................................................................................................................ Sunset Ridge CC
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Chicago District Golf Association •
Betty Kaufmann..............................................................................................................Knollwood Club Peter Keffer................................................................................................................................ Aldeen GC Karl Keller......................................................................................................................Kankakee Elks GC Tom Kierna........................................................................................................................ Crystal Lake CC Donald Kohlbacher......................................................................................................Sandy Hollow GC Laurence J. LaBoda..................................................................................................... Kemper Lakes GC Frank LaFranco................................................................................................................Knollwood Club Josh Lesnik........................................................................................................................... The Glen Club John Lyons......................................................................................................................................At Large R. Scott Malmgren................................................................................................................ Glen Oak CC Bob Malpasuto..................................................................................................................... Kankakee CC David Matasar..........................................................................................................................Idlewild CC John Mattson...........................................................................................................................Big Foot CC Hugh R. McCombs................................................................................................................ Oak Park CC Jack Miller.......................................................................................................................... White Eagle GC Michael Millhouse.......................................................................................................... River Forest CC Thomas E. Mott..................................................................................................................... Rockford CC Edward Mulcahy................................................................................................................ Midlothian CC H. Steven Nichols..............................................................................................................Champaign CC Kevin O’Connor.......................................................................................................... Heritage Bluffs GC Ronnie Oakes..................................................................................................................Bartlett Hills GC John Paladino.....................................................................................................................Forest Hills CC Arthur W. Peters................................................................................................................. Ruth Lake CC John Reid.................................................................................................................................Deerfield GC James Rolfe........................................................................................................................Northmoor GC Michael Rooney......................................................................................................... Butler National GC James F. Rudwall..................................................................................................................Ivanhoe Club Joe Salierno......................................................................................................................Bowes Creek CC Martin Salzman................................................................................................................. Lake Shore CC Lawrence Schweik.........................................................................................................Bartlett Hills GC Lorraine Scodro.................................................................................................................. Midlothian CC Howard Sharfman............................................................................................................ Bryn Mawr CC James Siemers.............................................................................................................Steeple Chase GC Laura Spring........................................................................................................................ St. Charles CC Robert Stracks................................................................................................................... Northmoor CC John Sylwestrak..................................................................................................................Wynstone GC James Troy................................................................................................................... Crystal Tree G&CC Kenneth Urbaszewski.........................................................................................................Deerfield GC Debbie VanSistine........................................................................................... Mauh-Nah-Tee-See CC Ben Waldie........................................................................................................................... St. Charles CC Joe Williamson................................................................................................................... Briar Ridge CC James E. Winslow................................................................................................................Inverness GC
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
Membership and Competitions While paid CDGA memberships declined 0.9% in 2015 to 78,932 members, the Association’s membership stayed ahead of the national trend for state and regional golf associations in 2015. Club membership declined 1% to 395 member clubs, due to the loss of several clubs without real estate that did not have adequate membership numbers. In spite of having slightly fewer members, the season was a fruitful one for CDGA members, with an increase of rounds posted in the District during the season of 1.7% over 2014.
capacity in 2015 was lower, as the Better Ball of Pairs Series was restructured to create a greater championship feel.
The Association conducted three Rules of Golf seminars for the general golfing public, with more than 100 people attending the sessions. The CDGA also put on five private rules workshops for member clubs and regional associations with more than 200 members attending those.
In state championships, Kelly won a three-hole playoff over Conor Dore in the 85th Illinois State Amateur to become the 15th player in history to win the event multiple times. At the Illinois State Mid-Amateur, it was Chadd Slutzky who needed a three-hole playoff to top defending champion Andrew Price. Ryan bucked the playoff trend with a five-shot victory at the Illinois State Senior, his record third triumph in that event.
On the education side, public golf officials were invited to attend the annual Public Golf Roundtable, with more than 70 individuals representing public member clubs. Private club officials came out in force for the Club Leadership Conference with approximately 200 attendees representing more than 50 member clubs. The CDGA and Illinois State series events had 2,051 entries in 2015, down slightly from 2014. The dip in entries could directly be attributed to the soggy early months of the season, which saw several events rescheduled with a high rate of withdrawals following the weather postponements. In addition, the total
On the course, University of Illinois redshirt senior Alex Burge claimed medalist honors at the 96th CDGA Amateur Championship, then stormed through the bracket to take the victory over Tee-K Kelly. John Ehrgott claimed the first CDGA Mid-Amateur played as a match play event, while Dave Ryan captured the CDGA Senior Am for the second consecutive year.
On the wings of making the cut at the U.S. Open and qualifying for the U.S. Amateur, Northbrook’s Nick Hardy captured the 2015 CDGA Player of the Year award. The University of Illinois sophomore edged out mid-amateur Glenn Przybylski by 55 points. On the senior side, Ryan, who in addition to his regional triumphs also made the cut at the U.S. Senior Open and made match play at the U.S. Mid-Am and U.S. Senior Am, coasted to a 795-point victory. The award was Ryan’s third straight and record sixth overall. No other golfer has won more than three Senior POY honors in the 21-year history of the award.
>> BY THE NUMBERS: CDGA MEMBERSHIP Individual Membership 78,932 Members
Club Membership 395 Member Clubs
IJGA 3%
Public 45%
CWORE 4%
Private 34%
Private 52%
78,932: Total number of individual CDGA members 41,398: Members of private clubs (52.4%) 35,406: Members of public courses (44.9%) 2,128: IJGA members with CDGA membership (2.7%) 15,351: Members of public courses who renewed online (43.4%) 34,697: CDGA gold members (44.0% of total membership) 33,386: Private CDGA gold members (96.2% of gold) 1,311: Public CDGA gold members (3.8% of gold) Chicago District Golf Association •
Semi-Private 4%
Public 58%
395: Total number of CDGA member clubs 230: Public course members of the CDGA (58.2%) 133: Private club members of the CDGA (33.6%) 16: Clubs without real estate members of the CDGA (4.1%) 16: Semi-private club members of the CDGA (4.1%) 375: Member clubs within the state of Illinois (94.9%) 20: Member clubs outside the state of Illinois (5.1%) 88: CDGA gold member clubs (22.3% of total membership)
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
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Membership and Competitions
2015 Score Posting CDGA members posted more than 1.8 million rounds in 2015
Approximately 1 million were posted by private club members
16.9
Average USGA Handicap Index of private club members
16.2
Approximately 800,000 were posted by public club members
15.3
Average USGA Handicap Index of public course members
Average CDGA member Handicap Index
Most common CDGA member Handicap Index
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Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
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• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
Membership and Competitions >> 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE DATE April 27 May 2 May 5 May 9 May 9 May 10 May 16 May 16-18 May 23 May 23 May 23-26 May 31 June 2 June 6 June 7 June 7 June 8 June 8 June 9 June 9 June 13 June 13 June 15 June 20 June 22 June 23 June 27-30 July 6 July 7 July 11 July 12 July 12 July 19-21 July 25 July 28 Aug. 1 Aug. 1-4 Aug. 8 Aug. 8-11 Aug. 10 Aug. 15 Aug. 15 Aug. 16 Aug. 18 Aug. 23 Aug. 24 Aug. 26 Aug. 30-31 Sept. 12 Sept. 12-14 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 11
EVENT CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship Qualifier U.S. Open Local Qualifier U.S. Open Local Qualifier CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship Qualifier U.S. Open Local Qualifier 2nd CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship CDGA Amateur Championship Qualifier U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship CDGA Amateur Championship Qualifier CDGA Amateur Championship Qualifier CDGA Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier 55th Radix Cup Matches Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier U.S. Senior Open Qualifier Illinois State Amateur Championship Qualifier 97th CDGA Amateur Championship U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifier CDGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship Qualifier U.S. Amateur Qualifier U.S. Amateur Qualifier CDGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship Qualifier 86th Illinois State Amateur Championship U.S. Amateur Qualifier Illinois State Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier CDGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship Illinois State Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier 15th CDGA Senior Amateur Championship U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifier Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifier 4th CDGA Super Senior Amateur Championship Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship Qualifier Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship Qualifier U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier 24th Illinois State Mid-Amateur Championship U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier 30th Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship 45th CDGA Mixed Championship U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Qualifier
Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
SITE (CITY) Wilmette GC (Wilmette) Village Greens of Woodridge (Woodridge) Blackberry Oaks GC (Bristol) Illini CC (Springfield) Village Links of Glen Ellyn (Glen Ellyn) Bartlett Hills GC (Bartlett) Exmoor CC (Highland Park) Lake Shore CC (Glencoe) Lincolnshire Fields CC (Champaign) Oak Park CC (River Grove) Crystal Tree G&CC (Orland Park) Kemper Lakes GC (Kildeer) Royal Fox CC (St. Charles) Innsbrook CC (Merrillville, Ind.) The Den at Fox Creek (Bloomington) Marengo Ridge G&CC (Marengo) Oak Park CC (River Grove) Red Tail Run GC (Decatur) PrairieView GC (Byron) The Links at Kokopelli (Marion) Senica’s Oak Ridge (LaSalle) Lake Bluff GC (Lake Bluff) Sanctuary GC (New Lenox) George W. Dunne National (Oak Forest) Northmoor CC (Highland Park) Palatine Hills GC (Palatine) Calumet CC (Homewood) Sportsman’s CC (Northbrook) Heritage Bluffs GC (Channahon) Mistwood GC (Romeoville) Weibring GC (Normal) Blackstone GC (Marengo) St. Charles CC (St. Charles) Naperville CC (Naperville) Willow Crest GC (Oak Brook) Cantigny Golf (Wheaton) Eagle Brook CC (Geneva) Coyote Creek GC (Bartonville) Wynstone GC (North Barrington) Ironwood GC (Normal) Ravinia Green CC (Riverwoods) Glencoe GC (Glencoe) Balmoral Woods CC (Crete) Biltmore CC (North Barrington) Silver Lake CC (Orland Park) WeaverRidge GC (Peoria) Fox Bend GC (Oswego) Flossmoor CC (Flossmoor) Glen Oak CC (Glenn Ellyn) Bloomington CC (Bloomington) Idlewild CC (Flossmoor) Bridges of Poplar Creek CC (Hoffman Estates) The Glen Club (Glenview)
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Communications/Corporate Partnerships Fully staffed for the first time since 2011, the Communications department made great strides forward in 2015, creating new communications and marketing avenues to members and expanding the reach of the Association digitally. While the CDGA’s magazine, Chicago District Golfer, celebrated its 25th year in print, the creation of a new, staff-constructed digital publication, Chicago District Golf Digital Extra, gave the Association a total of 10 different magazine-style publications throughout the calendar year. In its first year, the quarterly Digital Extra gave members offseason information, highlighted the CDGA Amateur Championship and much more.
layout yielding higher engagement from readers clicking through to articles, videos and information on their CDGA member benefits. The CDGA’s social media experienced further growth in 2015, with a 37% gain in followers of @CDGAGolf on Twitter. Much of the gains surrounded staff coverage of the CDGA’s major championships as well as major golf events in the Chicagoland area in 2015. The CDGA’s Facebook page saw an increase in likes by 20%. In addition, both platforms saw increased engagement by followers, strengthening the CDGA’s relationship with those constituents. The Association also started an Instagram page to highlight staff photography at events. Usage of the My CDGA smartphone app continued to increase, jumping 15% in 2015 to nearly 30% of the entire CDGA membership. The My CDGA app allows members to take their membership on the go, including their membership card, which can be utilized for member offers from the Scorecard and other member offer emails. While the Association’s television show on Comcast SportsNet Chicago did not return in 2015, several videos were produced online, ranging from major event previews and tips to CDGA championship highlights and interviews, many of which were produced in house by the CDGA communications staff. The communications staff also was active on Periscope, a live broadcasting tool, during the CDGA’s championships, giving viewers live feeds from key points during the CDGA Am, Illinois State Amateur and other premier amateur events in 2015.
Another key touchpoint for the Association with its members is the bimonthly Scorecard E-Revision newsletter. The Scorecard was redesigned at the start of the golf season, with the new
Corporate partnership dollars declined slightly in 2015, but still produced the third-best year in the program’s history, bringing in nearly a dozen new partners at varying dollar amounts. Still one of the best ways to reach the golfing population in the Chicagoland market for its value, with new deals on the horizon for 2016, the program will provide members with new benefit options and more.
>> 2015 CDGA CORPORATE PARTNERS
>> 2015 CDGA MARKETING PARTNERS Constellation Destination Kohler Golfweek Lakeshore Beverage Lexus MB Financial Bank Pebble Beach
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Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
Communications/Corporate Partnerships >> CDGA COMMUNICATION VEHICLES
Chicago District Golfer
Internet
Official publication of the CDGA mailed to more than 60,000 households
CDGA.org, the hub for all 80,000 members, receives more than 12 million page views annually
More than 50,000 members receive regular CDGA e-communications
Mobile
Digital
Hospitality
More than 21,000 members have downloaded the My CDGA smartphone app
Chicago District Golfer Digital Extra debuted and video program expanded in 2015
Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
Sponsor entertainment events such as Sponsor Day at Cog Hill and Sponsor Trip to Kohler, WI
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Turfgrass Program/Course Rating >> CDGA TURFGRASS PROGRAM
>> COURSE RATING
The CDGA Turfgrass Program, consisting of Dr. Ed Nangle in his third season and Ron Townsend in his second, continued to establish itself as a wealth of resources and knowledge for both local superintendents and the far-reaching turfgrass community. Locally, a wet start to the golf season left some courses with native soil greens in a delicate situation with roots very short in anaerobic conditions. However, conditions dried out, and after some heat late in the summer, it was an excellent fall golf season with moderate temperatures and dry firm and fast courses. As a result of the relatively optimal conditions throughout the season, the number of visits made by the turfgrass staff to local courses decreased from 163 in 2014 to 100 in 2015. More than 40 disease samples were collected and investigated throughout the summer. Both Dr. Nangle and Townsend aided local superintendents at four of the prominent professional and amateur events that visited the District: the BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club, Encompass Championship at North Shore Country Club, U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club and Western Amateur at Rich Harvest Farms. The Chicago Fire also elicited the help of the program for research involving turf colorants. Attendance at the CDGA Turfgrass Field Day, hosted at Midwest Golf House, remained steady at 65 attendees. Researchers from the University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin and Purdue University, in addition to Dr. Nangle and Townsend, presented various projects to the local superintendents who attended. The CDGA Turfgrass Program is also beginning to make an impact internationally, as Dr. Nangle visited Ireland to initiate a research site at the Irish Sportsturf Institute. Numerous research projects are ongoing at the country’s first permitted turfgrass research site. Research papers and presentations continued to be an avenue through which Dr. Nangle and Townsend shared their work with interested constituents. A paper revolving around “turfgrass growth characteristics when exposed to elevated levels of UV-B light” was accepted by HortScience, while articles also were published
in On Course, the official publication of the Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, and Greenside in Ireland. Additionally, Nangle was named associate editor for Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management.
The CDGA visited a total of 44 clubs throughout the district in 2015 to provide a USGA Course Rating. Of the 44 clubs that received a new rating, 33 were in the Chicago area and 11 were in central Illinois. The Course Rating Committee continues to show its passion for providing this service to our clubs, as nearly all ratings were filled to capacity and a large percentage of ratings were oversubscribed. Along with the ratings, committee members and other Blue Coats continued their education by attending the annual Course Rating Seminar at Midwest Golf House in May.
Dr. Nangle and Townsend combined to make more than a dozen presentations at conferences throughout the country and took part in many others as invited guests. Townsend presented a research poster at the international agronomy meetings in Minneapolis, while Dr. Nangle served as a judge for other competition posters.
Academically, Nangle served as an instructor at the Great Lakes Turf School and has been invited again for 2016. The program is an online collaboration between educators from the likes of the University of Nebraska, Michigan State University, Purdue University and University of Wisconsin teaching 50 students. Townsend began his master’s degree studies at the University of Wisconsin and is working on research projects both locally and in Madison, Wis. The Turfgrass Scouting Report continued to be a weekly resource for local superintendents. The email communication outlining conditions in the Chicago District and industry best practices was distributed to nearly 700 people weekly from late March to early December. The Turfgrass Program also elevated its electronic presence on Twitter, as Dr. Nangle’s @TurfResearch account grew to nearly 2,300 followers and Townsend’s @CDGAresearchmgr profile continued to grow after being established last year.
About 65 people attended Turfgrass Field Day at Midwest Golf House 8
Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
Sunshine Through Golf Foundation In its 71st year, the Sunshine Through Golf Foundation continued to utilize the game of golf as a therapeutic tool to better lives. Individuals with special needs and veterans were the main beneficiaries of the Foundation’s programming, which is made possible through its various fundraising efforts. Programming The Sunshine Camps maintained their position as the Foundation’s central programming focus. The number of camps and participants stayed steady in 2015, as 1,200 special needs athletes took part in 92 camps throughout the District. Local clubs, special recreation associations and roughly 30 Blue Coat
Shore Golf Course, Stony Creek Golf Course and Sugar Creek Golf Course. The events feature five- or ninehole rounds in an effort to prepare competitors for participation in the Special Olympics. Veterans were the main focus of Foundation-sponsored programming with RevelationGolf, another notfor-profit golf organization. With help from the Foundation, the number of RevelationGolf programs and participants increased in 2015. RevelationGolf’s most popular events continued to be the two Veterans Golf Days, which were held at Willow Glen Golf Club and a combination of Cog Hill Golf and Country Club and the Three-
>> 2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President: ...........................Sheldon Solow Vice President: ............C. Daniel Cochran Treasurer: ..............................Larry LaBoda General Counsel: .................. Jack Childers Ex-Officio: .............Michael J. Grandinetti Secretary: .............................Carolyn Nagle Trustee: ..................................... Tom Allison Trustee: ..........................................Tom Artz Trustee: ................................. Michael Bruni Trustee: ..........................Kevin Gratkowski Trustee: ...............................David Haverick Trustee: ................................. Matt Pekarek
>> LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE (LRP) Mike Bruni - Co-Chair Matt Pekarek - Co-Chair Michael J. Grandinetti • John Hammond David Haverick • Keith Frankland Larry LaBoda • Sheldon Solow Subcommittees of LRP Steering Committee Mike Bruni - Co-Chair Matt Pekarek - Co-Chair Michael J. Grandinetti • Keith Frankland David Haverick • Sheldon Solow Fundraising Committee Mike Bruni - Chair Tom Allison • C. Daniel Cochran Kevin Gratkowski • John Hammond Larry LaBoda
Member clubs hosted a total of 92 Sunshine Camps for 1,200 special needs athletes
volunteers combined to put on the 5-to8 week camps that feature customized golf instruction for individuals with special needs. The Foundation also continued to offer programming for more advanced special needs golfers in the form of the Sunshine Through Golf Foundation Tournament Series. Approximately 40 golfers participated in the four events hosted by Rob Roy Golf Course, South
Hole Sunshine Course at Midwest Golf House. The presence of both the Champions Tour’s Encompass Championship and PGA Tour’s BMW Championship at local courses in 2015 allowed for two Play With a Pro Days to occur. The first, hosted by Westmoreland Country Club in conjunction with the Encompass Championship, allowed Sunshine athletes to play with Chip Beck, Russ
Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
Governance Committee Keith Frankland - Chair Jack Childers • Michael J. Grandinetti David Haverick • Larry LaBoda Sheldon Solow Programming Committee Matt Pekarek - Chair Tom Artz • John Hammond Carolyn Nagle • Don Schwarz
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Sunshine Through Golf Foundation Cochran, Wayne Levi, John Riegger and Grant Waite. Later in the summer, Zac Blair, Brendon de Jonge, Tony Finau and William McGirt took time away from their BMW Championship preparations to impart golf wisdom upon Sunshine athletes at Knollwood Club. As is the case yearly, the Sunshine athletes were thrilled by the chance to meet the pros they look up to and were eager to show off their golf games while receiving instruction from some of the world’s best players. Fundraising The Foundation’s various fundraising efforts are integral in providing the resources necessary to implement the aforementioned programming for individuals with special needs and veterans. The 2014 holiday mailing and 2015 one-time gifts continued to serve as an important aspect of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, as income from those two programs increased to $130,000 in 2015. Now in its seventh year, the Par 3 100Hole Golf Marathon once again served
as one of the Foundation’s fundraising staples. A total of 16 golfers collected more than $74,000 of pledges, up from $60,000 in 2014, prior to playing 100 holes of golf each at Zigfield Troy Golf in Woodridge. The event will return to Zigfield Troy in 2016 on May 14. The Sunshine Through Golf Outing turned 15 in 2015, as 18 teams participating in the June 1 event at Briarwood Country Club resulted in a profit of more than $73,000. The 2016 Sunshine Through Golf Outing will take place June 13 at Knollwood Club in Lake Forest. For the eighth consecutive year, the Foundation was able to treat Sunshine athletes to a night at U.S. Cellular Field thanks to the generosity of supporters. A total of 100 tickets to the Aug. 12 game against the Angels were purchased and donated back to the Foundation for use by Sunshine athletes and their friends and family. Lastly, 36 local clubs were active in the Sunshine Club annual giving program. Idlewild Country Club and Itasca Country Club joined the program in 2015.
>> SUNSHINE CLUB
The following clubs and their member ship suppor t the Sunshine Through Golf Foundation via an annual giving program and have earned the title of Sunshine Club in 2015. The Foundation is very grateful for their commitment to bringing joy to individuals with special needs through golf. Beverly Country Club Biltmore Country Club Bryn Mawr Country Club Butler National Golf Club Butterfield Country Club Calumet Country Club Cress Creek Country Club Crystal Lake Country Club Crystal Tree Golf & Country Club Edgewood Valley Country Club Evanston Golf Club Geneva Golf Club Glen Oak Country Club Hinsdale Golf Club Idlewild Country Club Inverness Golf Club Itasca Country Club Knollwood Club La Grange Country Club Lake Shore Country Club Midlothian Country Club Naperville Country Club North Shore Country Club Olympia Fields Country Club Park Ridge Country Club Prestwick Country Club Ridge Country Club Ridgemoor Country Club Riverside Country Club Rockford Country Club Ruth Lake Country Club St. Charles Country Club Twin Orchard Country Club Village Greens of Woodridge-Legends Wilmette Golf Club Winnetka Golf Club
Participants in the 7th Par 3 100-Hole Golf Marathon raised more than $74,000 10
Chicago District Golf Association •
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
2016 Nominating Committee Report OFFICERS
PRESIDENT Michael J. Grandinetti Calumet CC
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE Steven S. Birky Danville CC
TREASURER Laurence J. LaBoda Kemper Lakes GC
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Sheldon Solow Briarwood CC
VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE Mike Nass Cantigny Golf
GENERAL COUNSEL John A. Childers Elgin CC
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT C. Daniel Cochran Biltmore CC
SECRETARY Dennis A. Reed Pekin CC
EX-OFFICIO David Haverick The Club at Strawberry Creek
GOVERNORS Thomas R. Artz.............................................................................................................Sportsman’s CC William R. Buecking........................................................................................................... Biltmore CC Michael Camino....................................................................................................... Conway Farms GC Edward T. Clissold....................................................................................................Westmoreland CC Robert J. Cunningham..................................................................................................Indian Hill Club Thomas Gehr................................................................................................................Sportsman’s CC Kevin Gratkowski...........................................................................................................Lost Dunes GC Ronald Gray..................................................................................................................Twin Orchard CC Michael Griem........................................................................................................................ Exmoor CC
J. Loren Hall...................................................................................................................... Blackstone GC Karl Keller...................................................................................................................Kankakee Elks GC Jack Kieckhefer...............................................................................................Mauh-Nah-Tee-See CC Edward W. Mulcahy....................................................................................................... Midlothian CC Michael J. Scheer..............................................................................................................Oak Brook GC Don Schwarz......................................................................................................................Prestwick CC Richard J. Skrodzki............................................................................................................La Grange CC A. Glenn Stith.................................................................................................................. Arrowhead GC Mike Sullivan................................................................................................................ Bloomington CC
DIRECTORS David Allard.............................................................................................................Olympia Fields CC Louise Allard.............................................................................................................................. At Large Tom Allison............................................................................................................................Beverly CC Philip Angelini.................................................................................................... Edgewood Valley CC Robert Babcock.................................................................................................... Harborside Int’l GC Robert Bach................................................................................................................... Mt. Hawley CC Randall B. Becker............................................................................................................ Winnetka GC Pryce Boeye............................................................................................................ TPC at Deere Run Al Brown........................................................................................................................ East Bank Club Mike Bruni................................................................................................................Olympia Fields CC Bill Callahan......................................................................................................................Naperville CC Ralph Chapman........................................................................................................... At Large (SIGA) Frank Charhut...................................................................................................................Wilmette GC Stephen L. Cherveny.................................................................................................Foxford Hills GC Mike Clark.....................................................................................................................Eagle Brook CC William Clevenger..................................................................................................................Scovill GC Henry Close........................................................................................................................... Aldeen GC Scott Coldiron.......................................................................................... Village Links of Glen Ellyn David P. Crockett...................................................................................................................... At Large Robert L. Cunningham................................................................................................... Turnberry CC Timothy Daw...................................................................................................................Flossmoor CC Robert Dewey....................................................................................................................CC of Peoria Michael J. Dickman............................................................................................................ Calumet CC Anthony Dobush.......................................................................................................Randall Oaks GC John Drennan................................................................................................................... Ivanhoe Club Keith Dunkelbarger....................................................................................................Sunset Hills GC Martin Durkin................................................................................................................. Butterfield CC John Dushney.............................................................................................................Bowes Creek CC Dwight Erskine............................................................................................................... Effingham CC Bill Fates....................................................................................................................................Itasca CC William Finn.......................................................................................................................Riverside GC Buzz Frank...............................................................................................................................Skokie CC Dennis Freund.............................................................................................................. Blackstone GC Jim Fruin..........................................................................................................................Crestwicke CC Bill Gebhardt....................................................................................................................Prestwick CC Geary D. Glaum.................................................................................. Village Greens of Woodridge Michael Gozdecki..........................................................................................................Briar Ridge CC Bill Green....................................................................................................................... Lake Carroll GC Greg Grygiel............................................................................................................Heritage Bluffs GC Howard Haberkorn.......................................................................................................Terrace Hill CC John L. Hammond, II........................................................................................................Evanston GC Robert Hinton..........................................................................................................Panther Creek CC Ronald C. Hobbs..........................................................................................................River Forest CC Bill Inglese............................................................................................................................. Exmoor CC Jack Ingold........................................................................................................................ Lake Bluff GC Preston Irwin............................................................................................................. Schaumburg GC
Chicago District Golf Association •
George Jameson.......................................................................................................... Glen View Club Deborah Taylor Johnson.................................................................................... Harborside Int’l GC Will Kadel....................................................................................................................Sunset Ridge CC Betty Kaufmann......................................................................................................... Knollwood Club Peter A. Keffer...................................................................................................................... Aldeen GC Tom Kierna....................................................................................................................Crystal Lake CC Donald Kohlbacher................................................................................................. Sandy Hollow GC Frank LaFranco........................................................................................................... Knollwood Club Josh Lesnik.......................................................................................................................The Glen Club John Lyons................................................................................................................................. At Large R. Scott Malmgren............................................................................................................Glen Oak CC Bob Malpasuto................................................................................................................ Kankakee CC David Matasar..................................................................................................................... Idlewild CC John Mattson...................................................................................................................... Big Foot CC Jack Miller......................................................................................................................White Eagle GC Michael Millhouse......................................................................................................River Forest CC Thomas E. Mott.................................................................................................................Rockford CC Carolyn Nagle...............................................................................................................White Eagle GC Kevin O’Connor......................................................................................................Heritage Bluffs GC Ronnie Oakes............................................................................................................. Bartlett Hills GC John J. Paladino.............................................................................................................Forest Hills GC Arthur W. Peters.............................................................................................................Ruth Lake CC Robin Rash.............................................................................. American Singles Golf Association Al B. Reid..........................................................................................................................The Glen Club John Reid............................................................................................................................ Deerfield GC Jim Rolfe..........................................................................................................................Northmoor CC Michael Rooney.................................................................................................... Butler National GC James F. Rudwall............................................................................................................. Ivanhoe Club Tim Sack...........................................................................................................................Prairie Isle GC Joe Salierno.................................................................................................................Bowes Creek CC Martin Salzman.............................................................................................................Lake Shore CC Lawrence Schweik.................................................................................................... Bartlett Hills GC Lorraine Scodro............................................................................................................. Midlothian CC Cathi A. Scott...................................................................................... Village Greens of Woodridge Howard Sharfman........................................................................................................Bryn Mawr CC James Siemers........................................................................................................ Steeple Chase GC Laura Spring....................................................................................................................St. Charles CC Robert Stracks...............................................................................................................Northmoor CC John Sylwestrak............................................................................................................. Wynstone CC James Troy............................................................................................................ Crystal Tree G & CC Kenneth Urbaszewski.................................................................................................... Deerfield GC Debbie VanSistine......................................................................................... Mauh Nah Tee See CC James E. Winslow...........................................................................................................Inverness GC Dale Wong.................................................................................................................. Willow Crest GC James J. Zawaski..................................................................................................................... Ridge CC
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation
11
Association Information >> CDGA/STGF STAFF MATT BAYLOR
ANDREW LOUTHAIN
Sr. Managing Director, Marketing & Communications
Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships
KEVIN BLUMENTHAL
ROBERT MARKIONNI
Director of Information Technology
JOHN PETRARCA
Senior Managing Director, Field Services
SHEILA PETRARCA
Executive Director
LYNN BOYD
Director of Association Administration
NIKI MUNROE
Senior Director of Handicapping
CASEY RICHARDS
Asst. Facility Mgr. & Asst. Green Superintendent
JODI CIOTTI
Manager of Communications
DR. ED NANGLE
Senior Managing Director, Member Services
NICKOLAS SCILLIA
Senior Director of Turfgrass Programs
MARGIE LAWLOR
Director of Rules & Competitions
ALEX NOLLY
Senior Managing Director, CFO
MICHAEL SULLIVAN
Director of Foundation Administration
RICK LeHEW
Manager of Membership
BRITTANY OTTOLINI
Director of Field Services
RON TOWNSEND
Sr. Managing Director, Foundation & Administration
Manager of Turfgrass Research
CHRISTOPHER PAINTER
Director of Facility Management & Green Superintendent
>> INTERNS AND PART-TIME STAFF THOMAS BYRNE
DENNY DAVENPORT
USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern
MADELINE GOSZ
Foundation Consultant
Foundation Camp Intern
>> AWARD RECIPIENTS 2015 Past Presidents Award Recipients Recognizing 20 years of volunteer service to the CDGA
Henry Close • David Haverick • Gary Koch • Nick Mokelke • Lorraine Scodro • Rebecca Smith 1989 Charles N. Eckstein Joe Jemsek Carol McCue Arnold Palmer
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
2001 Joel Hirsch
1991 James O’Keefe William J. Pailey, Jr.
2003 Carl Hopphan Brent Wadsworth
1994 Raymond B. Anderson Marlene Miller Ken Venturi
2004 Frank Jemsek & Family 2009 Michael J. Maykut
1996 Gordon “Joe” Ewen
2014 Bob Berry Don Gardner
>> IN REMEMBRANCE
Jack Bowles Mr. Jack Bowles, a CDGA Alumni Director from Bloomington Country Club, passed away in January. Mr. Bowles joined the CDGA Board in 1988 and served as a vice president from 1995-2000. After completing his term, he continued to be active with the Association as an Alumni Director. Don Gardner Mr. Donald F. Gardner, a CDGA Alumni Director from Exmoor Country Club, passed away in July. Mr. Gardner joined the CDGA Board in 1988 and served as vice president from 1993-1999. In recent years, he was active as a participant at the Sunshine Through Golf Foundation Golf Marathon and received the CDGA’s highest honor--the Distinguished Service Award--at the 2014 Annual Meeting. 12
2000 John Kenny
Chicago District Golf Association •
Frank Hianik Mr. Frank Hianik, a CDGA Alumni Director from Park Ridge Country Club, passed away in October. Mr. Hianik became a CDGA Director in 1998 and served until 2008. Jerome T. Murphy Mr. Jerome T. Murphy, a CDGA Alumni Director from Olympia Fields Country Club, passed away in July. Mr. Murphy joined the CDGA Board of Directors in 1980 and served as legal counsel from 1985-1991.
2015 Annual Report
• Sunshine Through Golf Foundation