About Us
OUR HISTORY
Initially formed on Dec. 29, 1944 to assist war veterans coming back from World War II, the CDGA Foundation has undergone numerous name changes and shifts in its programming focus. What has remained constant, however, is the ability to translate the universal enjoyment of golf into a means of improving lives.
MIDWEST GOLF HOUSE
Home of the CDGA Foundation and Bob Berry Sunshine Course
Conceived in 1998 after a land donation from the Jemsek family and opened in 2001, Midwest Golf House is a 22,000 square foot facility located in Lemont, Ill. The building currently houses the offices of the CDGA, CDGA Foundation and Illinois Junior Golf Association, while also providing office space to allied associations such as Midwest Association of Golf Course Superintendents, USGA and First Tee.
BOARD & STAFF
2023 CDGA Foundation Officers and Board of Trustees
John Hammond - President
Tom Allison - Trustee
Matthew Pekarek - Trustee
Sheldon L. Solow - Trustee
Mike Nass - Vice President
Jack Childers - Trustee
Dennis Reed - Trustee
Ward Hamm* - Treasurer
Al Reid - Secretary
Bill Fates - Trustee
David Roberts - Trustee
David Rathgeber* - General Counsel
* designates non-Trustee officers
Robert Markionni
Executive Director
(630) 685-2303
rmarkionni@cdga.org
Rob Dauphinais
Senior Director of Development
(630) 685-231
rdauphinais@cdga.org
Scott Tews
Director of Development
(630) 685-2343
stews@cdga.org
Alex Nolly
Director of Youth Outreach Programs
(630) 685-2351
anolly@cdga.org
Kayla Fahrenbach
Director of Veterans Outreach Programs
(630) 685-2301
kfahrenbach@cdga.org
Casey Richards
Senior Managing Director, Communications and Marketing
(630) 685-2324
crichards@cdga.org
Tim Merrick
Senior Director of Communications
(630) 685-2302
tmerrick@cdga.org
Jacob Bomeli
Director of Communications
(630) 685-2345
jbomeli@cdga.org
The Bob Berry Sunshine Course at Midwest Golf House is designed to service the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) and all allied golf associations. The Bob Berry Sunshine Course is located next to the Midwest Golf House on eight acres of land across the street from Cog Hill Golf & Country Club. The land was donated to the CDGA by the Jemsek Family.
TourEdge is the Official Equipment Provider of the Bob Berry Sunshine Course at Midwest Golf House. The Batavia, Ill.-based club manufacturer has donated sets of clubs to be used by the various groups and individuals who play the course.
Bob Berry Sunshine Course
The Bob Berry Sunshine Course provides playing opportunities to the CDGA Foundation and affiliated groups. The groups playing the course include those dedicated to utilizing golf in an educational, therapeutic, recreational or rehabilitative manner (Illinois Junior Golf Association, The First Tee, RevelationGolf, Kids Golf Foundation, VA Lakeside Hospital and more.)
The course and related facilities are fully handicap accessible. Clinics, camps and/or seminars for affiliated community organizations or corporations may also take place on the course (e.g. Cog Hill's Head Golf Pro, Jeff Rimsnider's Junior Golf League and No Embarrassment Golf School).
Arboretum
The Midwest Golf House complex houses an arboretum of trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses and more. The land is more than golf turf, as the arboretum brings together many professions in an effort to help the green and golf industry.
The arboretum services CDGA member clubs and The Green Industry Associations (including nurseries, landscapers, etc.). The arboretum will implement an environmental plan including monitoring water quality, protecting/creating new wildlife habitats and educating club members and the public.
Turfgrass Research
The Midwest Golf House complex contains a greenhouse, research lab, research plots and experimental greens as well as the Bob Berry Sunshine Course - all used by the CDGA Turgrass Program.
With pest diagnostics/consulting, turfgrass research and educational programs, the CDGA is actively involved in efforts to help superintendents maintain or improve the health of the turf on area golf courses. The Bob Berry Sunshine Course is one of the largest living turfgrass facilities with playing capacity in the nation. Most university test plots do not receive course play like the unique Sunshine Course does.