Chicago State to Host Inaugural Windy City Classic at George W. Dunne National

September 30, 2026

Chicago State University will bring NCAA Division I golf to Chicago’s south suburbs this fall with the inaugural Windy City Classic, scheduled for October 5-6 at George W. Dunne National Golf Course in Oak Forest.

The new collegiate invitational is part of a partnership between Chicago State University and Forest Preserve Golf that will make Forest Preserve Golf the home of the Cougars’ men’s and women’s golf programs through the 2027 season.

The partnership gives Chicago State access to the Forest Preserve Golf system, which includes 10 golf courses and three driving ranges across Cook County.

For local golf fans, the centerpiece of the announcement is the Windy City Classic, which adds another competitive golf event to the Chicago-area calendar while showcasing one of the region’s most prominent public courses.

Windy City Classic Coming to George Dunne

The inaugural Windy City Classic will take place Monday and Tuesday, October 5-6, at George W. Dunne National Golf Course.

Located in Oak Forest, George Dunne is one of the flagship courses in the Forest Preserve Golf portfolio. The course recently underwent a comprehensive bunker renovation designed to improve both playing conditions and long-term sustainability.

The project included reshaping and reducing bunkers, improving drainage and reinforcing bunker foundations.

Before competition begins, Windy City Classic participants will gather for a kickoff event at GOLFZON Social in Oak Brook on Saturday, October 3, from 2-5 p.m. The event will give players, coaches and others associated with the tournament an opportunity to connect before heading to George Dunne for competition.

George W. Dunne National Golf Course

A New Home for Chicago State Golf

The tournament announcement coincides with a broader relationship between Chicago State and Forest Preserve Golf.

Chicago State’s men’s and women’s golf teams compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Northeast Conference. Under the new arrangement, Forest Preserve Golf will serve as the home of both programs through 2027.

“Partnering with Forest Preserve Golf provides our teams with exceptional facilities and resources, fostering an environment where our athletes can excel both academically and athletically,” Chicago State Director of Golf and Head Coach Jean Macon said in announcing the partnership.

Forest Preserve Golf Regional Manager Josh Geppi said the organization is looking forward to supporting the university’s student-athletes.

“We are excited to host the Chicago State University golf teams and look forward to a successful collaboration that benefits the student-athletes and the local community,” Geppi said.

Collegiate Golf Meets Chicago Public Golf

The partnership is notable because it connects a Chicago NCAA Division I program with one of the area’s largest public-golf systems.

Forest Preserve Golf operates facilities throughout Cook County, including George W. Dunne National, Billy Caldwell, Burnham Woods, Chick Evans, Edgebrook, Highland Woods, Indian Boundary, Joe Louis, Meadowlark and River Oaks.

Golf operations, agronomy, sales and marketing for the Forest Preserve Golf facilities are overseen by Indigo Sports, a Troon company.

For Chicago State, the arrangement provides the men’s and women’s programs with a network of local golf facilities. For Forest Preserve Golf, it brings NCAA competition and collegiate players into a public-golf system used by recreational golfers throughout the Chicago area.

The Windy City Classic provides an early showcase for that partnership — and potentially the foundation for a new recurring college golf event in the Chicago area.