Coveted Red Jackets Await Winners of One of Golf’s Most Meaningful Events
CHICAGO (October 8, 2025) – Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Veteran Golfers Association (VGA) National Championship will bring the pageantry and emotion of one of golf’s most meaningful events to historic Olympia Fields Country Club in Chicago October 12-16. From the dramatic and patriotic opening ceremonies to the presentation of the iconic red jackets to its winners, the VGA National Championship is a tournament unlike any other.
This year, 106 VGA members from every corner of the United States, representing all branches of the Armed Services, will compete for national championship titles in four divisions: Male Veterans, Female Veterans, Combat Wounded Veterans, and Family Members.
Headquartered in Pinehurst, N.C., the VGA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of American military Veterans and their families through the sportsmanship and camaraderie of golf. With over 35,000 members nationwide, the VGA hosts more than 2,000 local VGA Tour events across the country throughout the year. Qualifiers from four VGA Regional Championships and the Senior VGA Championship compete to qualify for the VGA National Championship every fall, which is free for all participants.
The VGA was co-founded in 2014 by President and CEO Josh Peyton and Joe Caley, both former Army captains and Airborne Rangers. Josh and Joe found that golf offers a source of community and connection for Veterans that provides a profoundly positive psychological and social benefit for all that participate in the VGA.
“The growth, popularity and impact of the VGA and this special championship event has been truly phenomenal,” said Peyton. “We are excited to celebrate the tournament’s 10th anniversary, and I can’t think of a better place to host this talented group of competitors than Olympia Fields in Chicago, where Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Amateur in 2015.”
Founded in 1915 just outside downtown Chicago, Olympia Fields Country Club is regarded as “Chicagoland’s premier private retreat.” Recognized as a Top 100 course by Golf Digest, Olympia Fields has been the site of two U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, five Western Opens, one U.S. Amateur Championship and a U.S. Senior Open.
Since 2014, the VGA has hosted over 10,000 golf tournaments and more than 200,000 rounds of golf nationwide for veterans and their family members. Membership is open to all U.S. veterans – wounded, non-wounded, disabled, active duty and retired – and family members who are at least 18 years of age.
Video highlights from past VGA National Championships and details about the organization’s mission can be found at www.vgagolf.org.
About the VGA
Many Veterans face significant physical and emotional health issues, isolation, and loss of connection. The VGA helps veterans find belonging with each other, spend quality time with family members and engage with the community through the game of golf. VGA programs allow members to compete, socialize, and remain physically active through local league play, regional tournaments, and national championships, reinforcing values like integrity, respect, self-esteem and perseverance. To learn more, please visit www.vgagolf.org
