New golf teams to be established at Gwendolyn Brooks and Hyde Park High Schools with free course and range access at Harborside International as part of commitment to youth golf
NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS – KemperSports today announced that it will bring junior golf programming to two south side Chicago high schools. With support from Callaway Golf and the Illinois International Port District, KemperSports will sponsor a boys and girls high school golf team at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy High School and Hyde Park High School, both part of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. Equipment for the golf programs is being donated to the schools by KemperSports and Callaway, and each team will have free access to practice at Harborside International Golf Center, owned by the Illinois International Port District and managed by KemperSports.
KemperSports staffers, including PGA professionals across the Chicagoland area, will be available to the coaches of these teams to provide guidance and support as needed throughout the season. Additionally, KemperSports will host a coaching seminar for all CPS golf coaches city-wide this summer in preparation for the season.
“We are very excited to help make competitive golf available to CPS students at Brooks and Hyde Park High Schools and share our passion for the game with these deserving young people,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “As a company, we are committed to investing in our youth and breaking down barriers to help make the great game of golf and the life lessons it can teach more accessible to anyone who is interested in learning the game. We have seen firsthand the positive effects that golf can have on our youth, and we look forward to seeing that positive impact unfold at the Chicago Public Schools.”
Players from Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy High School and Hyde Park High School pose with their new Callaway golf clubs at Harborside International Golf Center
KemperSports has a long history of supporting youth golf and creating programming to teach important life lessons through the sport while investing in the communities in which it operates. The company has operated golf courses in and around the Chicago area for more than four decades and founded the First Tee – Greater Chicago chapter in 2000.
“Harborside International is a true community asset, and we could not be more excited to share our facility and courses with these CPS teams as we all work together to grow the game of golf in our great city,” said Erik Varela, executive director of the Illinois International Port District. “We are proud to be part of the ongoing mission to bring more youth to the game, and we hope that our property will be the start of many successful seasons of growth and fun for these student athletes.”
“We are proud to partner with KemperSports on this outstanding initiative that will bring new youth golf programs to the city of Chicago,” said Callaway Golf President & CEO, Chip Brewer. “We are dedicated to making golf more accessible for players who want to enjoy the game, and we look forward to supporting and following these two great teams at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy High School and Hyde Park High School!”
This will be the first-ever golf program at Hyde Park High School and 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,” said CPS Executive Director of Sports Administration, David Rosengard. “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.”
For updates on the CPS golf team and schedule, please visit www.cps.edu/academics/sports/.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses, private clubs, municipal courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF magazine; Streamsong Resort;The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Chambers Bay, host of the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit http://www.kempersports.com.
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About Chicago Public Schools
The Chicago Public Schools sports programs provide all students—regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity—opportunities to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally in controlled, safe activities outside of the traditional classroom. Learn more at www.cps.edu/academics/sports/.
About Children First Fund: The Chicago Public Schools Foundation
The Children First Fund is the philanthropic and partnership arm of Chicago Public School (CPS). It serves as a knowledge hub and liaison between CPS and its community of partners, securing and organizing resources that advance CPS’ mission to provide a high-quality public education that prepares every child in every neighborhood for success in college, career, and civic life. For more information, please visit https://www.childrenfirstfund.org or find us on social @ChiFirstFund.
Media Contact:
Taryn Parker, KemperLesnik
tarynparker@kemperlesnik.com | 847-380-0375
