Cantigny Golf wins player development award

Cantigny Golf in Wheaton has been awarded the Player Development Award by the National Golf Course Owners Association.

Cantigny Golf remains at the forefront of player development with their Youth Links (youth-only, 9-hole golf course) as well as robust programming, including youth clinics that reached more than 1,500 young golfers in 2017 and Young Executive Program that introduces golf to millennials and has accounted for more than 700 rounds since starting in 2016.

Cantigny Golf is also a leading participant in KemperSports annual #PDWeek celebration in which KemperSports properties from across the country deliver free 15-minutes lessons to new golfers. The 4th annual program introduced the game to more than 10,000 new and returning golfers in 2017.

"This award is about doing what you can with what you have to grow the game," says Jay Karen, chief executive officer of NGCOA. "Cantigny Golf's commitment to introducing golf to youth, veterans, adults and anyone under the sun who should pick up a club with their homegrown and industry-supported programs is beyond impressive. They are a model facility."

"We are extremely proud of our team at Cantigny Golf for this tremendous honor," says KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. "Their commitment to the future of the game and the best interest of their community is a reminder of the outstanding benefits that the game of golf instills."

Each year, the NGCOA honors the most outstanding members of the past year. These individuals and organizations have helped preserve the tradition of the game while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the golf business.

Award winners will be recognized at the Celebration and Awards Dinner on Thursday, February 8, the final event of the Golf Business Conference.

KemperSports in Northbrook has managed Cantigny Golf on behalf of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation since 2014.

The honor comes on the heels of two of Cantigny's leaders being honored by the Illinois PGA for their role in delivering an innovative and expanding player development program at the club. Head Golf Professional Patrick Lynch received the Section Player Development Award and Instructor Greg Baresel received the Section Youth Player Development Award.