Case Study
Chicagoland
Inspired by a genuine love of the game and a passion to make every golf experience feel special, KemperSports was founded in Chicago in 1978. Since then, we have been guided by a commitment to make a meaningful impact in the communities in which we operate – especially in our hometown.
Bringing High School Golf to Chicago Public Schools
In May 2022, we proudly announced an exciting partnership with Chicago Public Schools at Harborside International Golf Center. With support from Callaway Golf and the Illinois International Port District, we are sponsoring boys and girls high school golf teams at two CPS High Schools – Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy and Hyde Park Academy. This will be the first-ever golf program at Hyde Park and it will mark the resumption of a golf program at Brooks for the first time in 20 years.
"Chicago Public Schools is proud to partner with KemperSports to develop golf programs at Hyde Park High School and Brooks College Prep. Through this partnership, our student-athletes will learn the fundamentals and love for the game, receive cutting-edge equipment and will help steward the growth of the sport in their communities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with KemperSports to equitably expand access to the sport of golf across all of our schools and communities.”
DAVID ROSENGARD
CPS Executive Director of Sports Administration
PGA HOPE CLINICS
After exceeding the $1 million milestone in collective fundraising efforts for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military men and women, we extended our support of U.S. military veterans living in Chicago. Throughout summer 2022, we co-hosted complimentary, six-week PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) golf instruction clinics with the Illinois PGA Foundation at Harborside (Chicago, IL) and Cantigny Golf (Wheaton, IL).
CDGA
For the second year in a row, we’ve teamed up with the Chicago District Golf Association to encourage golf participation and welcome new players to the game across Illinois through the CDGA KemperSports Two-Person Scramble Championship. Tabbed the Kemper Cup, the event was established in 2021 to create casual competition for players of all skill levels across Chicago. Following the success and popularity of the event series in year one, it was expanded in 2022 to visit six different KemperSports-managed properties between May and August.
Of 2022’s 461 participants,
311
are first-time participants
Female participation is up
150%
year-over-year
Participants range in age from
22-88
"Our partnership with KemperSports on this event has been very positive. We share many of the same goals when it comes to promoting the game and providing golfers with memorable experiences. The Kemper Cup is one of the more popular events on our Social Competition schedule due to the format’s appeal to a wide range of players, as well as the quality of the KemperSports courses that are hosting the event. We’re pleased to provide a unique and fun golf experience to more than 450 CDGA members.”
ROBERT MARKIONNI
Chicago District Golf Association Executive Director
FIRST TEE - GREATER CHICAGO
For more than two decades, we’ve worked with First Tee – Greater Chicago, an organization that our Founder and Chairman Steve Lesnik helped establish in 2000, to teach kids valuable life skills through the game of golf throughout the Chicagoland area. We recently made the single largest contribution in our history, and a long-term commitment, to First Tee – Greater Chicago to fund a new clubhouse for kids in the city that opened in June 2021.
"This new kids’ clubhouse will increase access to character-building educational programs for thousands of kids and teens for years to come. We are happy to make this long-term investment to help young people develop real-world skills, grow as individuals, and become responsible adults and leaders in their community.”
STEVE LESNIK
Founder and Chairman of KemperSports / Founding member of First Tee – Greater Chicago
PGA JR. LEAGUE
Harborside, Cantigny and Bolingbrook Golf Club have served as PGA Jr. League host sites for many years. The flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501 (c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH, PGA Jr. League provides kids a game-changing opportunity to learn and play golf in a fun, social and inclusive setting. PGA and LPGA Professionals deliver expert instruction while also teaching important life skills through the game of golf. Over the past two years, nearly 300 kids have participated in a PGA Jr. League across our three Chicagoland facilities.
"The PGA Jr. League has been such an amazing opportunity for our daughter. She has grown so much both athletically and personally. This program has taught her confidence, respect for the game and sportsmanship. I could not recommend a better program to teach her about the sport all while having fun with friends and an amazing instructor/coach. BJ makes the sport fun, and he really connects with his players. We are so fortunate to be a part of this wonderful program!”
Parent of a PGA Jr. League Participant
at Bolingbrook Golf Club
Western Golf Association & Evans Scholars Foundation
We’re proud to support the Evans Scholars Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving young golf caddies. Many of our properties employ caddies who have received the Evans Scholarship, including Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Sand Valley, Royal Melbourne Country Club and The Glen Club.
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