Joie Chitwood highlights regional impact of 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club

Even as tickets for the 2026 Presidents Cup golf tournament went on sale Tuesday morning, Executive Director Joie Chitwood III was already standing at the iconic Medinah Country Club speaking of the regional affect of the event.

Making a high-profile tournament worth the years of effort is dependent on it bringing a significant economic boost, charitable contributions and global visibility to its selected market, Chitwood told members of the Schaumburg Business Association.

“Your event has to stand for something more than just guys hitting golf balls to hold up a cup,” Chitwood added.

While the PGA Tour regularly schedules 43 tournaments around the world, Chitwood’s own personal efforts have become very specific. He’s just signed his third yearlong lease to reside in nearby Glen Ellyn.

“I’m now solely focused on the Presidents Cup because we have one year to go,” he said. “I love to be involved in huge sporting events, brands that mean something.”

Chitwood said the biennial tournament is a particularly prestigious one, bringing together 24 of the world’s best golfers to play on either the U.S. or international team as the event rotates between American and overseas venues.

“This event was named after presidents,” he added. “We anticipate we will see many former U.S. presidents here.”

Though the contract signed five years ago with Medinah Country Club didn’t require any renovations, the century-old property has undertaken them anyway in preparation, Chitwood said.

One of the goals of the Presidents Cup is to leave every market it utilizes a better place afterward than it was before. The announcement of a major charitable donation is anticipated for next week.

But such help isn’t possible without the corporate support that also accompanies each tournament, Chitwood said.

Approximately 1,800 volunteers, headquartered at the nearby Eaglewood Resort Golf Course in Itasca, are also needed to pull off the Presidents Cup. A registration link will open in October.

He also noted the economic effect regionally goes beyond hotel rooms.

Next year’s tournament — running from Sept. 22 to 27 — will be a crowning achievement of all that’s been learned over the past 30 years, Chitwood contends. Not only is the Chicago area more of an international destination than some prior U.S. venues, but Medinah itself is a unique site because of previous high-profile events held there.

“This is going to be the biggest Presidents Cup in history,” he said.