Chicago District Golf Association

What Chicago District Golf Association does

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is a non-profit membership association founded in 1914 and headquartered at Midwest Golf House in Lemont, Illinois. It is authorized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) as the official governing body for amateur golf in the Chicago District and serves more than 119,000 individual golfers and approximately 400 member clubs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Its core product is the annual CDGA Membership, which provides a USGA-certified Handicap Index under the World Handicap System, access to competitive playing opportunities, and member benefits including the Chicago District Golfer magazine and the CDGA Member Golf Shop.

The CDGA's operating surface comprises nine annual championships (including the 106th CDGA Amateur and the Illinois State Amateur), a women's competitions slate launched in 2024, more than 40 social competitions, and the Chicago Adaptive Open, a three-year-old adaptive golf championship with a $30,000 purse across 15 Sports Classifications. Underlying technology consists of the My CDGA Caddie online member portal, the CDGA mobile app and Leaderboard app, GHIN integration for handicap tracking (added in 2025), USGA Course Handicap Calculator linkage, and Golf Genius for tournament scoring. Content distribution is handled through CDGATV (in-house video), live streaming via CGN, a radio presence on ESPN 1000, social channels, and the Chicago District Golfer magazine.

The CDGA generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues, per-event entry fees (e.g., $275 per qualifier), the member-only CDGA Member Golf Shop e-commerce storefront, and event sponsorships, including a five-year presenting-sponsor agreement with Illinois Bone & Joint Institute for the Chicago Adaptive Open. Distribution is digital-first via cdga.org and the mobile apps, with physical competition delivery across golf courses in the four-state region. The wholly-owned CDGA Foundation operates therapeutic and recreational outreach programs for individuals with disabilities, youth, and veterans, including the Sunshine Programs and adaptive golf instruction delivered in partnership with USAGA.

Name

Chicago District Golf Association

Legal name

Chicago District Golf Association

Website

https://cdga.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Chicago District Golf Association is a USGA-authorized non-profit founded in 1914 that serves 119,000+ amateur golfers and approximately 400 clubs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, providing official Handicap Index services, championships, social competitions, and adaptive golf programs through its member portal, mobile apps, and event infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Amateur Golf Association Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

Keywords

• Amateur golf association
• Handicap index services
• Golf championships management
• Member golf club services
• Course rating services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lemont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to individual golfers. Members receive a Handicap Index from the USGA, competitive playing opportunities, the Chicago District Golfer magazine, and access to the CDGA Member Golf Shop and other perks.
2. Event Registration Fees: Entry fees for championships, qualifiers, and social competitions (e.g., CDGA Amateur Championship, Illinois State Amateur Championship, CDGA Amateur Qualifier at $275.00).
3. CDGA Member Golf Shop: E-commerce storefront offering premium men's and women's golf apparel and accessories featuring the CDGA logo, sourced from preferred vendors. Revenue generated through merchandise sales to members.
4. Chicago Adaptive Open Purse: Prize purse for the Chicago Adaptive Open event ($30,000 in 2026), distributed across Sports Classifications. Revenue not directly generated but the event drives foundation donations and sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The CDGA is a non-profit regional amateur golf association authorized by the USGA to issue official Handicap Indexes and administer championship qualifiers. It sells individual and club memberships, organizes a calendar of amateur championships, social competitions, women's competitions, and the adaptive Chicago Adaptive Open, and provides course rating services and turfgrass diagnostics to member clubs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Product overview

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is a membership organization and regional golf governing body operating since 1914. The core product is the CDGA Membership providing Handicap Index services, competitive championships, and member benefits. Key products include: Championship suite of 9 annual competitions (CDGA Amateur, Illinois State Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Senior Amateur, Four-Ball events); Women's Competitions slate launched in 2024; CDGA Social Competitions offering 40+ casually-competitive events; My CDGA Caddie member portal with GHIN integration for handicap tracking; CDGA Member Golf Shop e-commerce benefit; Chicago Adaptive Open for golfers with disabilities; and CDGATV streaming. The CDGA Foundation operates Sunshine Programs for outreach. The association serves over 119,000 members across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CDGA Individual Membership Annual membership for individual amateur golfers providing a USGA-certified Handicap Index, access to CDGA championships and social competitions, the CDGA Member Golf Shop, member tee time booking, and the Chicago District Golfer magazine. Open to amateur golfers in Illinois and parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, with a reduced-rate youth tier for ages 6-18.
• CDGA Club Membership & Course Ratings Membership program for golf clubs providing official USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating measurements, turfgrass diagnostics, member club rules education, and club championship support. Used by approximately 400 member clubs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
• CDGA Championships Nine annual amateur championships including the CDGA Amateur Championship (106th edition in 2026), Illinois State Amateur Championship, CDGA Mid-Amateur, CDGA Senior Amateur, CDGA Amateur Four-Ball, CDGA Senior Amateur Four-Ball, Illinois State Mid-Amateur, Illinois State Senior Amateur, and Illinois State Senior Women's Amateur. Open to qualified CDGA members with per-event entry fees.
• CDGA Women's Competitions Competitive women's golf events anchored by the Illinois State Women's Amateur and Senior Women's Amateur Championships, four net Women's Tour Edge Trifecta events, and seven women's/girls USGA qualifiers. Open to female amateur golfers in the Chicago District.
• CDGA Social Competitions Casually-competitive golf events for CDGA members of all skill levels, genders and ages, including the Four-Person Scramble Championship, Two-Person Scramble Championship, Net Series, and Tullymore Trifecta Series. More than 40 events are conducted annually with pay-as-you-go entry fees.
• Chicago Adaptive Open Annual adaptive golf championship for golfers with physical and intellectual disabilities featuring 15 Sports Classifications, a $30,000 prize purse, and an international field. Third edition to be held June 2026 at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego, Illinois.
• CDGA Member Golf Shop Exclusive online retail benefit for CDGA members featuring premium men's and women's golf apparel and accessories with CDGA branding, sourced from preferred vendors including Callaway, Titleist, and Tour Edge at member-discounted prices. Operates as an e-commerce storefront with free shipping on all orders.
• My CDGA Caddie Member Portal & Mobile App Online member portal and mobile application providing account access, tournament registration, score posting, handicap tracking via GHIN integration, tee time booking, and access to the CDGA Member Golf Shop. Available as My CDGA app, Leaderboard app, and GHIN app for personalized member experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 119,000+ members served across the Chicago District
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 January 2025IBJI serves as the presenting sponsor of the Chicago Adaptive Open for a five-year commitment (through 2030). As CEO André Blom stated, there is a natural fit between IBJI's mission of supporting athletes and the CDGA's efforts to grow the adaptive golf movement. IBJI's sponsorship elevates the event's purse and provides significant marketing exposure for the healthcare organization within the golf community.
• Fox Bend Golf Course / Oswegoland Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2025Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego, Illinois serves as the host venue for the Chicago Adaptive Open under a five-year agreement through 2030. The Oswegoland Park District also supports the event through community engagement, sponsorships, and volunteer coordination. The 6,900-yard par-72 layout has also hosted three Illinois Open Championships.
• United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDGA partners with Lemont-based USAGA to provide free adaptive golf lessons in local middle schools and high schools. In 2025, approximately 6,700 free adaptive golf lessons were delivered through this partnership. USAGA certification also enables the CDGA to classify and register adaptive golfers for competitive events.
• Wadsworth Golf CharitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWadsworth Golf Charities serves as the presenting sponsor of the CDGA Foundation Nine & Dine Pro-Am, held the Friday before the Chicago Adaptive Open. The Pro-Am is part of the weekend entertainment lineup supporting the adaptive golf event.
• Jim Click and Steve Pearl (Click-Pearl Cup)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJim Click (Arizona) and Steve Pearl (Chicago) are avid adaptive golf supporters who co-founded the Click-Pearl Cup, a team competition featuring adaptive golf athletes from Illinois, Arizona, Indiana, and Michigan. The cup debuted at the Arizona Adaptive Open in December and expanded to the Chicago Adaptive Open, creating a regional multi-state team competition format.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Golf Genius Software: Tournament management software provider used by CDGA for championship scoring and results. Adjacent technology enabler rather than a direct competitor, but relevant as a digital partner shaping the operational technology stack for amateur golf associations.

Broad incumbents

• United States Golf Association (USGA): The national governing body for amateur golf that authorizes CDGA to issue Handicap Indexes in the region. Comparable as a golf association providing handicap services, rules education, and championship administration, though operating at a national rather than regional scale.
• PGA of America: National association for golf professionals with extensive member services, championships, and industry governance. Comparable in its association/governance role for golf, though focused on professionals rather than amateurs and operating at national scale.

Direct peers

• Michigan Golf Association (MGA): State golf association serving Michigan—a state partially within CDGA's footprint—with handicap services, championships, and member benefits. Comparable as a neighboring regional association with similar governance and event structure.
• Indiana Golf Association (IGA): State golf association serving Indiana golfers with USGA handicap services, amateur championships, and club memberships. Operates in a state partially within CDGA's territory, with a closely aligned membership and event model.
• Florida State Golf Association (FSGA): USGA-authorized state golf association serving Florida golfers with handicap administration, championships, and member benefits. Closely comparable in structure, services, and USGA affiliation to CDGA, though serving a golf-rich Florida market.
• Wisconsin State Golf Association (WSGA): State golf association governing amateur golf in Wisconsin with handicap administration, championships, and member benefits. Overlaps with CDGA's partial Wisconsin territory and shares the USGA-authorized regional association structure.
• Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA): Regional golf association offering USGA handicap services, competitive events, and club support across Georgia. Mirrors CDGA's role in Illinois and surrounding states as a USGA-authorized governing body with membership and championship programs.
• Southern California Golf Association (SCGA): One of the largest regional golf associations in the U.S. offering handicap services, member benefits, championships, and club services across Southern California. Directly comparable business model to CDGA, operating a similar membership-and-events framework at a different regional scale.

Emerging players

• United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA): National adaptive golf organization that partners with CDGA on adaptive golf certification and school-based lessons. Comparable in its adaptive golf classification and outreach mission, with partial overlap in events like the Chicago Adaptive Open.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cdgagolf
• Facebookfacebook.com/cdgagolf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicago-district-golf-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago District Golf Association