Back in the Game

Director of communications Casey Richards, executive director Robert Markionni and manager of communications Tim Merrick

Photo by Dick Morton

Back in the game

Chicago District Golf Association welcomes military veterans, individuals with special needs

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA), through its charitable arm, Sunshine Through Golf Foundation (STGF), conducts therapeutic golf programs for people with special needs, such as disabled military veterans. It also facilitates fundraising efforts that involve charity golf events throughout the Chicago area.

According to Casey Richards, director of communications for the CDGA, the non-profit organization also has a close link to Hinsdale. Francis Peabody of the Peabody coal fortune was a longtime member and president of Hinsdale Golf Club in the early 1900s. On March 18, 1914, under his direction, the CDGA was formed as a local governing body that was focused on caddy welfare and conducting amateur golf tournaments throughout the Midwest. Hinsdale Magazine sat down with Richards who gave an historical perspective. “We were founded in 1914 at Hinsdale Golf Club, dating back to World War I, when people dropped dimes in a bucket on the first tee which would go to the American Red Cross to help relief efforts,” Richards said. “CDGA Foundation was officially formalized in 1944 to help war veterans return.”

The Sunshine Through Golf Foundation, which the CDGA started in 1999, is recognized by the USGA as the largest grassroots golf program designed specifically for individuals with disabilities in the country. Recently, it conducted over 90 golf camps reaching more than 1,200 individuals, and the program has expanded beyond veterans to others with physical and mental challenges, including juniors and the economically disadvantaged.

Earlier efforts to help those with disabilities started after World War II, when several short-hole golf courses were established near veteran’s hospitals so those with disabilities could return to a sport they enjoyed before their injuries. An important feature of STGF is the Sunshine Course. Laid out on the grounds of the Midwest Golf House in Lemont, across from famous Cog Hill, Sunshine is a par-3 course designed specifically to serve individuals with disabilities.

Hinsdale Magazine met with CDGA executive director Robert Markionni at CDGA Foundation and Midwest Golf House in Lemont.

“The biggest thing is having a positive

LEFT TO RIGHT BACK ROW: TYLER OLSON, PETE SCHULTZ AND BILLY FABIAN LEFT TO RIGHT FRONT ROW: MR. FAULKNER, TOMMY BLACK, MASON KALNINS, BRETT SCANLAN, JASMINE DANIELS AND MS. GREENBERG

Photo by Dick Morton

The biggest thing is having a positive influence in somebody’s life, and you can see how the program on the golf course gets the person to smile.

—ROBERT MARKIONNI

influence in somebody’s life, and you can see how the program on the golf course gets the person to smile,” Markionni said. “The parents thank you, because you’re helping the youngster, whether it’s an individual that is in a wheelchair, or when the person hits a golf ball 25 feet for the first time. When you see how it influences someone, it literally can help change their lives.”

Markionni recalled the organization’s effects on others. “[At] Pro-Am national tournaments at Cog Hill, pros have come over to Sunshine and played with disabled veterans on several occasions,” he said. “I remember Tim Clark was having such a good time, and we were looking at our watches, because if he misses his Pro-Am time, he’s disqualified from the championship. He kept saying, ‘I’ve got time, I’ve got time.’ He’s having such a good time over here with these youngsters, but he made it back over there. Steve Stricker has been over here—Adam Scott too. They said this was one of the more enjoyable days of being able to come out here for 45 minutes.”

Markionni said the golf program can help persons with disabilities through their rehabilitation.

“The game of golf requires coordination, muscle movement, flexibility and focused concentration,” he said. “Golf helps with hand-eye coordination; it helps with muscle movement and focus; but it also helps them get back into society. We’ve seen several veterans come back. They will tell us that this is [what] got [them] back into the world.”

CDGA also works with individuals with disabilities through its foundation, which serves as a facilitator for charity golf tournaments that raise money for people with disabilities. Recently, Clarendon Hills resident Brian Sullivan partnered with CDGA Foundation to host his annual fundraising golf event for autistic children. The third annual On The Tee for Autism golf tournament was held on Sept. 8 at Chicago Highlands Country Club in Westchester, which saw about 150 guests attend, according to Alex Nolly, director of the foundation’s administration.

“I’m hoping we can do 75 more [events] like Brian Sullivan, who does so much for the organization and their community,” Nolly said. “Brian just got a bunch of his friends [for his first event], and when the event became bigger, he came to us [for assistance], and we put it into our computer system, so people could do everything online and streamline the process.” ■

We were founded in 1914 at Hinsdale Golf Club, dating back to World War I, when people dropped dimes in a bucket on the first tee, which would go to the American Red Cross to help relief efforts. CDGA Foundation was officially formalized in 1944 to help war veterans return.

—CASEY RICHARDS

Photo by Dick Morton