Staff Contact: Scott Tews | stews@cdga.org | (630) 685-2343

Registration for the 2026 Better Through Birdies Par-3 Challenge (formerly the CDGA Foundation Golf Marathon) is now open! On Saturday, May 16 at Zigfield Troy in Woodridge, individuals and two-person teams will raise vital funds for CDGA Sunshine Programs by playing as many par-three holes as possible in three hours. Golfers will encourage their networks to support their efforts by soliciting flat donations or per-birdie pledges.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

Staff Contact: Jodi Ciotti | jciotti@cdga.org | (630) 685-2323

The new Blue Coat University is a series of virtual lessons on a variety of topics that contain important information pertaining to your role as a CDGA Blue Coat. This new online experience launched on Monday, Feb. 9 and allows all Blue Coats to participate and complete the coursework at their own pace. The classes are designed to help Blue Coats build a stronger understanding of key volunteer areas within the CDGA, as well as topics where Blue Coats are encouraged to share information. Blue Coat University will focus on the following areas: Rules of Golf, Course Rating, CDGA Foundation, Sunshine Programs and Turfgrass. A Learning Management System (LMS) called Thinkific will track individual progress, and Blue Coats will receive participation-hour credit for each class completed. You were encouraged to complete these lessons by Wednesday, April 1, which was before golf begins in earnest locally. However, it is not too late to run through the education modules.

To date, we have had:

• 21 Blue Coats complete the lessons in their entirety
• 29 Blue Coats have started their educational journey

If you have not started (or completed) the lessons, do not delay. There is a lot of great information for both new and experienced Blue Coats.

CLICK HERE to begin your educational journey.

The In-Person Workshops have started and are open for registration within your My CDGA Caddie and supplement material online:

• Tuesday, April 14 - Rules; 301 Tournament Officiating Workshop
• Thursday, April 30 - Course Rating; 301 - Course Rating Workshop

Staff Contact: Kailey Pell | kpell@cdga.org | (630) 685-2350

As the golf season gets underway across the Chicago District, the CDGA has rolled out an updated CDGA Blue Coat Store. The Store provides official uniforms and exclusive merchandise for CDGA Blue Coats, including white polos from Greg Norman, accessories like hats and ties, as well as new Sun Mountain Rain Suits.

CLICK HERE to browse the Blue Coat Store ahead of your next volunteer opportunity.

Additionally, all Blue Coats can purchase CDGA-branded apparel (outside of their uniform) 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.

Volunteer assignments for both Championship and Social Events are complete for April/May. Please visit your My CDGA Caddie (My Events) to view your assignments.

If you can no longer officiate on a day you have been assigned or would like to officiate in April or May and have not signed up for a tournament, please contact the staff member conducting the event or Will Cawthon.

• Will Cawthon - wcawthon@cdga.org or 630-685-2405
• Colin Wadelin - cwadelin@cdga.org or 630-685-2315
• Killian Casson - kcasson@cdga.org or 630-685-2355
• Damian Rodriguez - drodriguez@cdga.org or 630-685-2316
• Patrick Shelak - phselak@cdga.org or 630-685-2328

If you have not signed up for tournaments in June – October, please do so immediately. If you can help at one of the below events, please notify Colin Wadelin or Will Cawthon that you signed up.

CLICK HERE to view the Blue Coat Officiating Criteria for Championships and recommendations on the number of volunteers at each event.

CLICK HERE to view the Blue Coat Officiating Criteria for Social Competitions and recommendations on number of volunteers at each event.

We need volunteers at all CDGA-conducted events to make the day run smoothly and create an enjoyable experience for our players!

APRIL/MAY NOTES

The following Tournament days are in need of rules officials:

CHAMPIONSHIPS:

• April 22, U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Stonewall Orchard GC (need 2 more people)
• April 28, CDGA Mid-Amateur Qualifier at Briar Ridge CC (need 4 more people)
• May 5, CDGA Mid-Amateur Qualifier at Harborside International (need 5 more people)
• May 7, CDGA Senior Amateur Qualifier at Makray Memorial GC (need 4 more people)
• May 11, CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Glen Flora CC (need 3 more people)
• May 11, U.S. Women's Open Qualifier at Briar Ridge CC (need 2 more people)
• May 18, CDGA Amateur Qualifier at Inssbrook CC (need 2 more people)
• May 18, CDGA Senior Amateur Championship at Hawthorn Woods CC (need 2 more people)
• May 20, CDGA Senior Amateur Championship at Hawthorn Woods (need 1 more person)
• May 26, U.S. Junior & Girls' Junior at ThunderHawk GC (need 1 more person)

OVERSTAFFED EVENTS/DAYS:

• May 11, U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Flossmoor GC**

• May 12 & 13, CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Glen Flora CC (Match Play Days)
• May 19 & 21, CDGA Senior Amateur Championship at Hawthorn Woods CC (Match Play Days)

**Those receiving no assignment for May 11 at Flossmoor GC - please contact Will Cawthon if you can volunteer at Glen Flora or Briar Ridge on that date.

STAFF CONTACT: Will Cawthon | wcawthon@cdga.org | (630) 685-2315

Volunteer sign-ups for all CDGA/Illinois State Championships and Qualifiers, and all USGA Qualifiers, are now open.

• New this year: The sign-up form for the Illinois State Amateur Championship IS OPEN. Due to the detailed responses required, this form is in a separate location. To sign up, navigate to My CDGA Caddie and select “My Events.”
• To sign up for all other tournaments, navigate to My CDGA Caddie and select “Volunteer Sign Up.” Then, select the “Tournaments” icon at the bottom of the page.
• Volunteer sign-ups for outside events (college and IHSA) will open Monday, June 8.
• All Blue Coats are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. CLICK HERE to view the Blue Coat qualifications for 2026 Championships.
• More information can be found HERE.

STAFF CONTACT: Patrick Shelak | pshelak@cdga.org | (630) 685-2328

Volunteer sign-ups for all CDGA Social Competitions are now open.

• To sign up, navigate to My CDGA Caddie and select “Volunteer Sign Up.” Then, select the “Tournaments” icon at the bottom of the page.
• All Blue Coats are welcome and encouraged to volunteer. Social Competitions volunteers are not held to the same Rules of Golf qualifications that exist at CDGA Championships. CLICK HERE to view the Blue Coat qualifications for 2026 Social Competitions.

We are excited to kick off the 2026 Course Rating season with our upcoming Course Rating Seminar on Thursday, April 30th at 9:30 a.m. This session will include both an educational overview and a brief on-course demonstration to provide practical, hands-on insight into the Course Rating process.

We strongly encourage all current and prospective Course Raters to attend in person at Midwest Golf House for the full experience; however, a virtual Zoom option will be available for those unable to join in person. Registration is now available in your My CDGA Caddie.

The 2026 Course Rating season will officially begin on Wednesday, April 22 at Barrington Hills CC, ahead of the Seminar.

In preparation for the season, we encourage all Course Raters to utilize educational materials currently available through Blue Coat University, accessible via your My CDGA Caddie. These resources are a great way to review key concepts and ensure you are fully prepared for upcoming assignments.

April and May Course Rating opportunities are now available for sign-up, and we strongly encourage all Raters to get involved in as many Ratings as possible this season. A full list of upcoming Course Rating dates and locations can be seen below:

April Course Ratings

• April 22 - Barrington Hills CC

• April 23 - White Eagle GC (27 Holes)
• April 28 - Cantigny Golf (Lakeside 9)
• April 30 - Course Rating Seminar (Midwest Golf House & Zoom)

May Course Ratings

• May 4 - Phillips Park GC

• May 12 - Highlands Woods GC
• May 14 - Big Foot CC
• May 19 - Lockport GC
• May 21 - Merit Club
• May 26 - Buffalo Grove GC
• May 28 - Aldeen GC

Note: Any Blue Coats who do not currently see Course Ratings listed as an available volunteer opportunity in their My CDGA Caddie are encouraged to email the CDGA's Cullen Perron at cperron@cdga.org so you can be added to the appropriate list.

The CDGA Foundation will again host a variety of unique fundraising events in 2026. All proceeds benefit CDGA Sunshine Programs, which create opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits of the game through adaptive, therapeutic and youth programming. The 2026 Fundraiser Schedule includes:

• CDGA Longest Putt at the Chicago Golf Show® - Friday, Feb. 27 - Sunday, March 1 @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont)

• Better Through Birdies Par-3 Challenge - Saturday, May 16 @ Zigfield Troy Golf (Woodridge)

• CDGA Foundation Online Auction - June 15-21
• CDGA Foundation Nine & Dine Pro-Am at the Chicago Adaptive Open - Friday, June 12 @ Fox Bend Golf Course (Oswego)
• Fore Our Veterans Golf Outing - Monday, July 20 @ Oak Park Country Club (River Grove)
• 10th On the Tee for Autism Golf Outing - Monday, Aug. 17 @ Chicago Highlands (Westchester)
• Youth on Course 100 Hole Hike - Date TBA @ The Evans at Canal Shores

One of the best ways to see the impact of CDGA Sunshine Programs is to volunteer at one of more than 60 Sunshine Through Golf Camps held for individuals with disabilities throughout the Chicago District. Volunteer registration is now open for a select number of camps in your My CDGA Caddie under "Volunteer Sign Up," with the rest of the schedule being added periodically.

The 2026 Tournament Administration Workshop will be held tomorrow Tuesday, April 14. This workshop is open to all Blue Coats, and in-person attendance is strongly encouraged for all those who intend to volunteer at CDGA-administered events.

• • This year's reimagined workshop will include an information/teaching session from 9-10:30 a.m. for both in-person and virtual attendees.
  • Those attending in person at Midwest Golf House will then receive practical, outdoor instruction on the Bob Berry Sunshine Course from 10:30 a.m. - Noon.
  • Registration is now open in your My CDGA Caddie under "My Events."

Monthly Blue Coat Rules Chats are back for the 2026 season. These informal chats are a great place to ask questions about the Rules and discuss recent scenarios from both televised and CDGA events. Registration is now open in My CDGA Caddie for all dates.

The first Monthly Blue Coat Rules Chat of 2026 will take place on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m.

CLICK HERE for Workshop Reimbursement information.

Staff Contact: Derek Settle | dsettle@cdga.org | (630) 685-2307

As the active golf season approaches, the CDGA Green Committee will begin providing various educational communications as part of the monthly Blue Coat Bulletin email. April's focus is on the role of a Green Committee and how they are responsible for planning for change (ie. a Master Plan). See below for two educational offerings that provide golfers and Blue Coats alike an opportunity to learn more about Green Committees on their courses:

CDGA The Role of a Green Committee- Duties of a Committee Chairman (CDGATV, March 2026)

CLICK HERE to view a video as part of a series on the role of the Green Committee, featuring the CDGA Green Committee's Robert Thies in a candid interview with expert Sheldon L. Solow.

"Plan for Success or Don't Succeed" (February 2025 Chicago District Golfer)

CLICK HERE to read an article by Doug Myslinski on how master plans are paramount in the process of overhauling a golf facility.

Click the various links below for 2026 CDGA Event Schedules:

2026 CDGA Championships & Qualifiers:

• Online Listing
• Printable PDF

2026 CDGA Social Competitions:

• Online Listing
• Printable PDF

2026 CDGA Women's Competitions:

• Online Listing
• Printable PDF

2026 USGA Qualifiers:

• Online Listing
• Printable PDF

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.

2026 CDGA Board & Committee Meeting Schedule

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.

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.

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.