The 2026 Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic will be held Monday, June 1, 2026
Information posted is from the 2025 Outing. Watch for 2026 Information in April.
Teeing Up Success at the Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic!
It was a perfect day on and off the course!
With blue skies overhead, a beautifully maintained course at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, and 184 enthusiastic golfers filling the fairways, the 2025 Charlie Long/WDSRA Golf Classic was a resounding success!
We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make Monday, June 2nd, an unforgettable celebration of community, inclusion, and support.
- To our Golfers – Thank you for choosing to spend the day with us. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to our participants and families were felt all day long!
- To our Sponsors – Your generous financial support is opening doors to meaningful, inclusive experiences for individuals with disabilities. We couldn’t do this without you!
- To our Volunteers – Your spirit and dedication brought the event to life. Thank you for going above and beyond!
And finally… thanks to everyone’s generosity, more than $60,000 was raised to support participants and families! Thank you!
Photos will be posted on our Facebook page.
Funds raised go directly to support the quality community-based programming on which our families & participants rely and may be used to support programming needs, purchase sensory materials, scholarships, and more.
Award Winners
1st Place Team – West 3A – 23 (49) – Brian Vasquez, Alex Willert, Jim Vasquez, Johnny Hoffa
1st Place Mixed Team – South 4B -17 (55) – Brian Brink, Travis Pearse, Marilyn Brink, Dick Brink, Trip Pearse
Closest to the Pin Women
• #5 West (W) – Sara Ladgenski
• #4 South (W) – Tricia Granato
• #12 East (W)– Sandy Gbur
Closest to the Pin Men
• #5 West (M) – Eric DeChenne
• #4 South (M) – George Van Denend
• #12 East (M)– Razzino (Bill or Rob)
Long Drive Women
• #8 West – Carrie Mattock
• #8 South – Lea Jackman
• #14 East– Kim Travis
Long Drive Men
• #8 West – Scott Illiff
• #8 South – Grant Kerr
• #14 East – Jeff Cole
Longest Putt
• #9 South – Tony Stefani
• #18 East – Mike Granquist
Marshmallow Drive
• #1 South – Dan Ulbrich
• #1 West – Jon Hayden
Congratulations to the 2025 Charlie Long Award recipients – Tom and Liz Fitzgerald!
Tom and Liz began their journey with a heartfelt mission: to honor their son Kerry, who passed away in December 2021. What started with their personal donation quickly grew into a powerful movement. They inspired family, friends, Liz’s 100 Women Who Care group, and even a middle school fundraiser to contribute—ultimately leading to the creation of the WDSRA Scholarship Endowment.
Thanks to their vision and determination, the endowment with a fund balance goal of $750,000 was established. With continued support from businesses, organizations, and individuals, the endowment is on track to be fully funded by 2026.
Tom and Liz were the spark that ignited a lasting legacy—one that will help meet the needs of WDSRA participants and families for generations to come.
Want to learn more or help ensure the endowment is fully funded by 2026, learn more or donate at https://www.wdsra.com/wdsra-foundation/wdsra-scholarship-endowment/.
Interested in Being a Sponsor?
Contact Lea Jackman at leaj@wdsra.com or 630-681-0962 ext580. View the 2025 Sponsorship Form here.
Event Date
Monday, June 2,2025
NEW START TIME!
8:30am Registration, breakfast wraps, and Bloody Mary/Mimosa bar!
10:00am Shotgun start
11:00am Lunch on the course – hot dog, chips, soda
3:00pm Charlie Long Award presentation, awards, raffles, and Happy Hour reception (includes 1 drink ticket and appetizers)
Event Location
Arrowhead Golf Club, Wheaton
26W151 Butterfield Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
Event Cost
$225 per golfer
$900 per foursome
Dinner Only option $50 per person
Add-Ons
IMPORTANT – Everyone is encouraged to register early and to purchase all your extras online at the same time. This will ensure a quicker, smoother registration for everyone. There will be a 2 putt maximum per hole; or no worse than a bogey.
All Access Survival Kit – Individual – includes 1 rope, 1 mulligan, and 1 grenade OR kickout
All Access Survival Kit – Foursome – includes 2 ropes, 2 mulligans, 1 grenade, 1 kickout
Split the Pot – 1 for $10, 3 for $25 OR 10 for $50
Raffles – 1 for $10, 3 for $25 OR 10 for $50
BE PREPARED – Available on the course – CASH ONLY!
Birdies for Bottles – putt for the chance to bring home a bottle – 1 for $10 or 3 for $20
Raffles Circle – putt for a chance to win extra raffle tickets – $10Available on the course – CASH ONLY!
Event Details
Includes the following:
- Driving range & putting green
- 18 holes with cart
- Scramble format
- Contest hole prizes
- Breakfast, Lunch & Happy Hour
- Golfer awards
- Cash bar
Charlie Long and the Charlie Long Award
Charlie Long was a shining example of someone who understood the meaning of community, philanthropy, support, and dedication. He was also an outstanding advocate for WDSRA. Charlie lived his life in an admirable way and as a result, left this world a better place than how he found it. We are proud to have been a part of Charlie’s family and he will always be a part of the WDSRA family. Charlie Long was a long time friend to WDSRA. His son Andy has been participating in WDSRA programs since 1977.
Because of the profound affect he had on the WDSRA family, in 2009 the Golf Classic was renamed in his honor and the Charlie Long Award was created to celebrate those individuals who continue to live their lives in the remarkable fashion that Charlie lived his.
We are proud to have been a part of Charlie’s family and he will always be a part of the WDSRA family.
Learn more about Charlie Long here.
