CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION

This marks the second Player of the Year crown for Slutzky, 48, following up his triumph in 2022. He earned Player of the Year points in six total events, four at the local level and two on the national stage. The biggest windfall for Slutzky was the Illinois State Amateur Championship (250 points), an event he had not competed in since 2016. Slutzky placed fourth in the event’s 94th iteration at Stonebridge Country Club in July. He also made the Quarterfinals of the 105th CDGA Amateur Championship at Briarwood Country Club in June, another event open to players of all ages, which netted him 150 points.

Additionally, Slutzky continued to excel in the mid-amateur (age 25 and up) ranks. He finished fourth in the 33rd Illinois State Mid-Amateur Championship (175 points) at Inverness Golf Club in August, an event he’s won thrice, and advanced to the Semifinals of the 10th CDGA Mid-Amateur Championship (150 points) in May at Kemper Lakes Golf Club. Nationally, Slutzky made the Round of 16 alongside partner John Ramsey in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship (125 points) at Plainfield Country Club in New Jersey and qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship (75 points) Troon Country Club in Arizona.

In total, Slutzky earned 925 Player of the Year points, the highest amount since 2016. State Am and CDGA Mid-Am winner Jordan Less (Elmhurst / Oak Brook GC) finished in second, 75 points behind Slutzky. Brandon Holtz (Bloomington / Crestwicke CC), 2024 Player of the Year Daniel Stringfellow (Roselle / Medinah CC) and Alexander Creamean (Winnetka / CDGA Member’s Club) comprised the rest of the top five.

The 56-year-old Stewart thrived in his first full season of senior competition, earning 870 points from a whopping nine events. Stewart’s biggest windfall came in the 39th Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship in September at Bloomington Country Club. While his title defense came up short, a third-place finish was good for 200 points. Another close miss came in the 23rd CDGA Senior Amateur Championship at Briar Ridge Country Club in June, where he finished runner up. Solid performances in the CDGA Mid-Am, State Am, State Mid-Am, CDGA Senior Four-Ball and Illinois Senior Open rounded out his local campaign.

Stewart also made waves nationally, advancing to match play in the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas and making it to Final Qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open.

Stewart’s closest competitor was State Senior Am champ and seven-time Senior Player of the Year winner Dave Ryan (Taylorville / Illini CC) who finished second with 425 points. The rest of the top five consisted of Tim Sheppard (East Peoria / Pekin CC), Dave Esler (St. Charles / Black Sheep GC) and Curt Minkel (Pekin / Pekin CC).

In total, the 2025 CDGA Championship calendar featured 50 events, including eight multi-day Illinois State or CDGA Championships, 28 Illinois State or CDGA qualifiers, 13 USGA qualifiers and the Radix Cup Matches. The 2025 schedule will be released on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

CDGA Player of the Year – Recent Winners
2025 – Chadd Slutzky
2024 – Daniel Stringfellow
2023 – T.J. Barger and Mac McClear
2022 – Chadd Slutzky
2021 – Nick Tenuta
2020 – N/A (COVID-19)
2019 – Jordan Less and David Perkins

CDGA Senior Player of the Year – Recent Winners
2025 – Rick Stewart
2024 – Glenn Przybylski
2023 – Mike Henry
2022 – Tim Sheppard
2021 – Mark Small
2020 – N/A (COVID-19)
2019 – Tim Sheppard