Blue Coat Bulletin
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Top Items for November 2026
2026 CDGA Annual Meeting and Holiday Party
Staff Contact: Robert Markionni| rmarkionni@cdga.org | (630) 685-2303
The CDGA Annual Meeting and Election will be held on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, at Midwest Golf House in Lemont. Immediately following the conclusion of the meeting, our Holiday Party will begin, and you and your spouse/guest are invited.
We are very pleased to announce that Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA and a Chicago-area native, will be our featured speaker. The Annual Meeting will start at 3 p.m., with the Holiday Party scheduled to begin at approximately 5 p.m. The dress code for the day is CDGA Business Attire.
If you plan to attend, please indicate your attendance as soon as possible in My CDGA Caddie at your earliest opportunity.
New Items Added to the CDGA Blue Coat Store
Staff Contact: Kailey Pell | kpell@cdga.org | (630) 685-2350
As the 2026 golf season concludes, now is a great time to check out the CDGA Blue Coat Store and shop the latest outerwear and apparel for the winter months ahead.
Explore the catalogue now, featuring preferred pricing, by clicking the "Blue Coat Store" icon under the "My Blue Coat Links" section in your My CDGA Caddie.
As a reminder, CDGA members receive 10% off any purchase in the CDGA Member Golf Shop when using code "Bluecoat."
Get Ready for 2027 With Blue Coat University
Staff Contact: Jodi Ciotti | jciotti@cdga.org | (630) 685-2323
As you look ahead to the 2027 golf season, now is a great time to complete your Blue Coat University lessons. Whether you are new to the Blue Coat program or an experienced volunteer, these self-paced virtual classes offer an opportunity to strengthen your understanding of the CDGA and the ways you can make a difference. Topics include Rules of Golf, Course Rating, CDGA Foundation, Sunshine Programs and Turfgrass. Complete the lessons at your own pace through Thinkific, which tracks your progress, and receive Blue Coat participation-hour credit for each class completed.
Most classes will remain unchanged for 2027. A few may be re-recorded, but their content will remain the same, so there is no need to wait to begin or finish your lessons.
To date, we have had:
- 37 Blue Coats complete the lessons in their entirety. The CDGA would like to congratulate the following Blue Coats on completing the entire series - Thomas Artz, Lawanda Brown, Mary Burgland, Bill Callahan, Kevin Camino, Ralph Chapman, John Childers, Scott Coldiron, Brad Crookshank, Mike Dickman, Lindy Edmund, Dwight Erskine, Bill Fates, Richard Fitzgerald, Bill Fraser, Mike Gamauf, Bill Green, Steven Green, Gregory Grygiel, John Hammond, Kirk Hosteng, Pat Keen, David Limardi, Matt Pekarek, Joseph Salierno, Rebecca Smith, Sheldon L. Solow, Jim Stonebridge, Brian Sullivan, Chris Sullivan, David Taylor, Ronald Testa, Robert Thies, Steven Toth, Ken Turek, Patrick Urich and Debbie Vansistine.
- 27 Blue Coats have started their educational journey
If you have not started, take the first step today. If you have already begun, keep the momentum going by completing your remaining lessons. Make Blue Coat University part of your preparation for 2027—one lesson at a time. Thank you for investing in your knowledge and your service to the CDGA.
CLICK HERE to start or continue your Blue Coat University lessons.
Looking for additional learning opportunities? Recordings of the Sunshine 301, Rules 301 and Course Rating 301 in-person workshops are available on the Blue Coat YouTube Channel.
CDGA Event Assignments
Volunteer Assignments/Sign-Ups - CDGA Championships & Social Competitions
STAFF CONTACT: Will Cawthon | wcawthon@cdga.org | (630) 685-2315
Thank you to all Blue Coats who volunteered their time in 2026 for any one of our CDGA Championships or Social Competitions. We could not have had a successful season without your help, and your dedication to the CDGA is greatly appreciated.
The CDGA Championship, Women's Competition and Social Competition schedules will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Volunteer sign-up will begin in March 2027.
Course Rating
Monthly Blue Coat Course Rating Chats
Upcoming Course Ratings
The Course Rating season is coming to an end, with Sept. 30 being the last rating of the season. Thank you to all who have participated in a Course Rating. Your time is greatly appreciated.
Foundation & Sunshine Programs
Announcing the CDGA Legacy Society
The CDGA Foundation proudly introduced the CDGA Legacy Society on June 5 during a special gathering in the Rich-Keiser Education Center, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Midwest Golf House. The Legacy Society recognizes and honors individuals and families who have chosen to include the CDGA Foundation in their estate or financial plans, ensuring the future of our mission for generations to come.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the CDGA Legacy Society.
Rules Education & Announcements
PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshops
The 2027 Rules of Golf Workshop Schedule has been released.
- Registration is now open for all workshops
- Refereeing Workshops have been expanded to three total offerings for those who have achieved a score of at least 90 on a 100-Question PGA/USGA Rules of Golf exam taken since 2023.
- CLICK HERE for Workshop Reimbursement information.
2026 Tournament Administration Workshop - Key Takeaways
CLICK HERE for the key takeaways from the 2026 CDGA Blue Coat Tournament Administration Workshop. This has also been added to your My CDGA Caddie under "My Events" for those who signed up to volunteer in 2026.
Turfgrass Program
Green Committee Educational Communications
Staff Contact: Derek Settle | dsettle@cdga.org | (630) 685-2307
From the CDGA Green Committee asset library. May's focus is on out-of-play areas and how golf course superintendents are in many ways environmental stewards of this outdoor game we love and enjoy. See below for two educational offerings that provide golfers and Blue Coats alike an opportunity to learn more about the environmental aspects of out-of-play areas on their courses:
Native Forbs and Grasses - Learn native forbs like milkweeds, horsemint, aster, coneflower and liatris which support pollinators and wildlife (CDGATV, April 2025)
CLICK HERE to view a video as part of a series on Native Forbs and Grasses, featuring the CDGA Green Committee's Sheldon Solow in a candid interview with expert Dave Ward..
"Milkweed and Monarchs" (October 2023 Chicago District Golfer)
CLICK HERE to read an article by James Weisiger about how planting milkweed on golf courses can help mitigate the decline in monarch butterfly populations.
Invitation to See Newest Bob Berry Sunshine Course Additions
Ahead of the Midwest Golf House 25th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, June 5, all CDGA Blue Coats are invited to witness the newest additions to the Bob Berry Sunshine Course. Please consider arriving one hour earlier (3:30 p.m.) to the event to view the expansion of the native forbs and grasses area, the naturalized out-of-play area, and view our resident pollinators - six honey bee hives - from a distance.
Miscellaneous Blue Coat Resources & Information
2026 CDGA Event Schedules
Click the various links below for 2026 CDGA Event Schedules:
2026 CDGA Championships & Qualifiers:
2026 CDGA Social Competitions:
2026 CDGA Women's Competitions:
2026 USGA Qualifiers:
2026 CDGA Board Meeting Schedule
Click the link below to view a PDF listing of 2026 Board and Committee Meetings. Sign-up and registration will remain in your My CDGA Caddie.
Blue Coat YouTube Playlist
The Blue Coat YouTube playlist below features recordings of past CDGA board meetings, committee meetings, Rules chats, and more.
CLICK HERE to view the playlist.
CDGA Blue Coat Store
The CDGA has rolled out an updated CDGA Blue Coat Store, providing official uniform pieces and exclusive merchandise for Blue Coats to utilize at various CDGA events. The official uniform features a white Greg Norman polo and Navy blue outerwear pieces. Additionally, Sun Mountain Rain Suits with the CDGA crest can also be purchased.
CLICK HERE to browse the Blue Coat Store ahead of your next volunteer opportunity.
Free Trial to Global Golf Post's Second Wind
Through the CDGA's partnership with Global Golf Post, all Blue Coats have the opportunity to experience a 90-day free trial to Second Wind. Second Wind delivers timeless, long-form golf journalism for the discerning reader. With original reporting and elegant storytelling, Second Wind explores the game’s most compelling figures, places, and ideas. Second Wind is golf writing at its highest level.
To activate this offer, CLICK HERE and enter code '90-SECONDWIND'.
Recurring Blue Coat Discount in CDGA Member Golf Shop
CDGA Blue Coats have the opportunity to purchase CDGA-branded apparel from the CDGA Member Golf Shop at a discounted rate. When browsing the CDGA Member Golf Shop, Blue Coats can utilize the code "Bluecoat" at checkout to receive 10% off any purchase.
CLICK HERE to browse the CDGA Member Golf Shop.
CDGA Staff Spotlight
The CDGA Staff Spotlight is intended to help all Blue Coats familiarize themselves with the names and faces they may come across during their duties as a Blue Coat. This section will feature a different department each month to highlight all staff over the course of the year.
CDGA Accounting & Office Administration
Ravi Dutt
Director of Accounting
Joined the CDGA in 2021
(630) 685-2320
Linda O'Halloran
Manager of Accounting & Office Administration
Joined the CDGA in 2021
(630) 685-2325
Blue Coat Media Assets
See below for various assets to help promote the CDGA and CDGA Foundation at your club or to fellow golfers:
CDGA Annual Report
The CDGA Annual Report, a year-end compilation document, provides a bird's-eye view of the Association and Foundation and is a great starting point when asked the question - What is the CDGA?
Chicago District Golfer
The official publication of the CDGA, Chicago District Golfer magazine is distributed 10 times a year, including six print and four digital editions. The magazine features golf news and notes centered around the Chicago District.
The "CDGA Golf Show"
The "CDGA Golf Show" presented by Glenview Park Golf Club airs every Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m. on ESPN 1000. Hosted by the CDGA's Mike Gilligan and Tyler Aki, the show features listener-engaged segments and interviews.
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Social Media
Following the CDGA's accounts on various social media accounts is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings. From photo galleries to videos and tournament recaps, the CDGA is very active across all platforms.
CDGATV
The Association has continued to ramp up its video production capabilities, with CDGATV providing unique insight into various tournaments, interviews with golf personalities and so much more. View these videos in a YouTube playlist below.
CDGA.org
The CDGA's website, CDGA.org, houses all of the information pertinent to the Association. Members can access their My CDGA Caddie, learn about competitions, ask rules questions and read about news from across the Chicago District.