| Midwest Golf House | Contact: Casey Richards |
| 11855 Archer Avenue | (630) 685-2324 |
| Lemont, IL 60439 | crichards@cdga.org |
| Contact: Tim Merrick | |
| (630) 685-2302 | |
| tmerrick@cdga.org | |
| Contact: Jacob Bomeli | |
| (630) 685-2345 | |
| jbomeli@cdga.org |
| For Immediate Release | January 8, 2026 |
|---|---|
| CHICAGO ADAPTIVE OPEN RETURNS TO FOX BEND IN 2026 | |
| Thursday, January 8, 2026 - LEMONT, Ill. – The world-class Chicago Adaptive Open presented by Illinois Bone & Joint Institute will return to Oswego’s Fox Bend Golf Course for its third iteration, June 13-14. The event will feature an international field of top golfers with physical and intellectual disabilities vying for a purse of $30,000 during 36 holes of competition. Registration will open at CDGA.org/AdaptiveOpen on Tuesday, Feb. 3. “Last year’s Chicago Adaptive Open at Fox Bend was embraced by the competitors and the Oswego community,” said CDGA Senior Managing Director of Business Development Mike Gilligan. “We anticipate building off the success of the 2025 event to produce an elevated experience for everyone involved.” HOST FACILITY – FOX BEND GOLF COURSE Located 45 miles west of downtown Chicago, Fox Bend Golf Course is owned and operated by the Oswegoland Park District. In addition to last year’s Adaptive Open, the 6,900-yard, par-72 layout has hosted three Illinois Open Championships and multiple CDGA Social Competitions. “The Chicago Adaptive Open at Fox Bend Golf Course is more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of resilience, competition and community,” said Fox Bend General Manager Lou Ramadani, PGA. “The camaraderie among the players is unmatched. Fox Bend’s partnership with the CDGA has helped create one of the premier adaptive golf events in the country, where every athlete is welcomed, challenged and inspired.” The 2025 event was supported in numerous ways by the Oswego community, including sponsorships and volunteers. Local officials expect this relationship to continue. “The Chicago Adaptive Open at Fox Bend brings our community together in a powerful way,” said Oswegoland Park District Executive Director Chad Feldotto. “Our partnership with the CDGA reflects our commitment to inclusive recreation. We’re proud to support one of the premier adaptive golf events in the country.” RETURNING PRESENTING SPONSOR - ILLINOIS BONE & JOINT INSTITUTE After elevating the 2025 event with an infusion of support, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute (IBJI) returns as the presenting sponsor. This partnership carries on the natural synergy between IBJI’s mission of supporting athletes and the CDGA’s efforts to grow adaptive golf. “The Chicago Adaptive Open is a special event that showcases incredible athleticism, resilience and community,” said Andre Blom, CEO of Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. “After seeing the impact of last year’s championship, Illinois Bone & Joint Institute is honored to return as the presenting sponsor in 2026 and continue supporting adaptive athletes in Chicago and beyond.” EVENT FORMAT A field of 84 players will compete across 15 different Sports Classifications based on their disability. Categories include lower limb impairments, visual impairments, short in stature and intellectual disabilities. World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) points will also be awarded. Prizes will be awarded within each Sports Classification, with Overall, Overall Women’s and Overall Senior crowns also being awarded. The 2025 Overall Championship was decided in dramatic fashion, as Nashville, Tennessee native Ford Martin emerged victorious on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. He birdied the 490-yard par-5 18th, reaching the green in two thanks to a booming 340-yard drive. Ryanne Jackson of Madeira Beach, Florida repeated as the Overall Women’s winner, while Mark Sissom of Scott City, Missouri claimed Overall Senior honors. “Winning at Fox Bend was an unforgettable experience, and I’m fired up to return and defend my title at the Chicago Adaptive Open in 2026,” Martin said. “The CDGA truly puts on one of the best tournaments of the year. The fact that the event is live-streamed and we’re playing for a purse makes for an intense competition and provides incredible exposure for adaptive golf.” The Chicago Adaptive Open also will feature the second leg of the Click-Pearl Cup, a team competition featuring the University of Arizona adaptive golf team and a group of five adaptive golfers from Illinois. Named in honor of benefactors Jim Click and Steve Pearl, the Cup serves as a home-and-home series designed to spotlight the rapid growth of adaptive golf—particularly at the collegiate level. The University of Arizona team won the inaugural leg at the Arizona Adaptive Open in December. In addition to conducting competitive events, the CDGA is committed to growing the game and increasing access for all individuals with disabilities. In partnership with Lemont-based United States Adaptive Golf Alliance (USAGA), the CDGA provided approximately 6,700 free adaptive golf lessons in local middle schools and high schools in 2025. Registration for the 2026 Chicago Adaptive Open will go live at CDGA.org/AdaptiveOpen on Tuesday, Feb. 3. A variety of opportunities for individuals interested in supporting the event will also be available, including volunteer positions, sponsorship packages and the CDGA Foundation Nine & Dine Pro-Am at Fox Bend on Friday, June 12. For more information on these initiatives, please contact Tim Robinson at trobinson@cdga.org or (630) 685-2351. QUOTES OF NOTE Bob Kohlstedt, Fox Bend Golf Course Superintendent: “It’s incredibly meaningful to see Fox Bend host the Chicago Adaptive Open each year. The participants are so inspiring, and partnering with the CDGA allows us to prepare the course in a way that truly supports adaptive competition. Together, we’re proud to help create one of the best adaptive golf events in the country.” Angie Hibben, Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO: "We at the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce are excited to again be a part of the Chicago Adaptive Open for 2026 as a sponsor and welcome the participants and guests to Oswego. We are so excited to show them all that Oswego has to offer." Dennis Walters, World Golf Hall of Famer and Two-Time Chicago Adaptive Open Participant: "The CDGA runs one of the best adaptive open events in the nation. Gussie and I look forward to participating in this great event at Fox Bend. All adaptive golfers are grateful for the support." | |
| Chicago District Golf Association The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is authorized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) as the governing body for amateur golf in our region. The CDGA is a membership organization consisting of more than 119,000 individual golfers and 400 clubs in Illinois and parts of Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Golfers receive member offers, a Handicap Index® from the USGA® and competitive playing opportunities, while clubs receive Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™ measuring services, turfgrass diagnostics and educational seminars. The CDGA also creates opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits of the game through therapeutic and recreational Sunshine Programs, with an emphasis on serving individuals with disabilities, youth and veterans. For more information visit CDGA.org. | |
| ### | |
Chicago District Golf Association
11855 Archer Avenue
Lemont, IL 60439
Copyright © 2026 The Chicago District Golf Association. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
