More Than Golf: Why Coasties Keep Coming Back to the CGMA Open 

For U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Casey Rude, the first tee shot at the CGMA Open still comes with nerves. 

“There’s always that first-tee jitter,” he said with a laugh. “Everybody wants to play well. Everybody’s competitive. But pretty quickly, you realize it’s really about having fun.” 

That spirit — camaraderie, connection, and supporting fellow Coast Guard families — is exactly why Rude keeps coming back.

Now entering his fifth year with the tournament and serving as chairman of the CGMA Open volunteer golf committee, Rude has watched the event evolve from a traditional golf tournament into something much bigger: an annual reunion of the Coast Guard community built around CGMA’s mission of Helping Our Own. 

“It’s all about the camaraderie,” Rude said. “We know there’s one week every year where we’re going to get back together, reconnect, tell sea stories, laugh, make new memories, and support a good cause.” 

The 2026 CGMA Open will take place Nov. 10–12 at Reunion Resort & Golf Club in Kissimmee, Florida, bringing together Coast Guard members, retirees, Auxiliarists, civilian employees, veterans, families, and supporters from across the country. 

But unlike most golf tournaments, organizers say the CGMA Open is not really about golf. 

It is about Coasties taking care of Coasties. 

Built by Coasties, for Coasties 

Rude understands firsthand why CGMA matters. 

Over nearly two decades in the Coast Guard, including command tours in Hawaii and Astoria, Oregon, he has seen junior members struggle through PCS moves, vehicle breakdowns, financial emergencies, and government shutdowns. 

“I’ve seen what CGMA does for people,” Rude said. “If people aren’t okay at home, they’re not okay at work. CGMA helps make sure our people are taken care of.” 

That mission is personal for many participants. 

Established in 1924, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is the official relief society of the U.S. Coast Guard, providing grants and interest-free loans to Coast Guard members, civilian employees, retirees, Reservists, Auxiliarists, surviving spouses, and families facing financial hardship. 

In 2025 alone, CGMA delivered more than $12.1 million in direct assistance to more than 4,000 Coast Guard families. 

“The golf is great,” Rude said. “But ultimately, we all know why we’re there. We’re there to support fellow Coast Guard families.” 

More Than a Tournament 

For many participants, the CGMA Open has become an annual tradition. 

Rude attended his first tournament alone. By the following year, he brought a full foursome that included former shipmates and his younger brother, an MK2 in the Coast Guard. 

Last year, his wife Vanessa joined them. 

Now, the Rudes look forward to the CGMA Open as a family trip every year. 

“We’ve got 10 people in our group this year,” he said. “It’s become a family affair for us.” 

One memory still stands out. 

Last year, Vanessa — only seven months into playing golf regularly — scored her first-ever birdie during the tournament. 

“She shot a 125 that day,” Rude joked. “But she got her first birdie at CGMA Open, and we immediately went into Fireball birdie shots.” 

Moments like that are what keep people returning. 

“I’ve met hundreds of people through this tournament that I never would’ve met otherwise,” Rude said. “The friendships and relationships that come out of it are what make it special.” 

A Tournament Designed for Everyone 

While experienced golfers compete each year, organizers emphasize that the CGMA Open is intentionally beginner friendly. 

 

Expanding Access Through Sponsorships 

As the event has grown, CGMA leaders say maintaining participation opportunities for junior enlisted members remains a major priority. 

This year, Bollinger Shipyards committed $50,000 over five years to help fund participation opportunities for Coast Guard members attending the CGMA Open, including sponsorship support for junior enlisted personnel. 

“The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard protect our nation every day, and Bollinger Shipyards is proud to support opportunities that strengthen the Coast Guard community,” said Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. “The CGMA Open is about far more than golf. It’s about bringing people together in support of Coast Guard members and families.” 

CGMA leaders hope the sponsorship model will help expand access and ensure younger Coast Guard members continue participating in the event as it grows. 

“As the costs of participation have increased, sponsorships like Bollinger’s help ensure junior enlisted members can continue to take part in experiences like the CGMA Open that strengthen community, build camaraderie, and remind Coast Guard members they are supported,” said Brooke Millard, CEO of Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. 

Alena Howard, CGMA’s chief development officer, said the goal is to ensure Coast Guard members understand the event is ultimately about connection and support. 

“This isn’t simply about golf,” Howard said. “It’s about ensuring Coast Guard members — especially our junior enlisted — know they have a network of people and organizations invested in them and their success.” 

Helping Our Own