Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 2026) –
The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 24th Annual Golf Fundraiser brought collision industry professionals together for a day of networking, camaraderie and giving back to the next generation of collision repairers.
Co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, the July 21 event was held at Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge, IL where 125 golfers and a strong contingent of industry sponsors came together to support CREF’s efforts to strengthen collision repair education and provide schools, students and instructors with the resources they need to prepare the next generation of industry professionals. The event raised over $145,000 for CREF’s programs and initiatives.
“We are incredibly grateful for the enthusiastic support our industry partners continue to show for CREF and the students and schools we serve,” shared Kayla Williams Clark, Vice Chair of CREF’s Board of Trustees. “Our annual golf fundraiser is about much more than a day on the course; it is an opportunity for our industry to come together around a shared commitment to education, workforce development and the future of collision repair. The tremendous participation from sponsors and golfers this year reflects how strongly our industry believes in investing in this mission.”
The day’s competition culminated with a winning team from Hertz. John Edmison, Ryan Koenig, Dave Wetterlind and Justin Brietzke captured the top spot and earned bragging rights for the year.
Participants also had opportunities to compete in individual hole contests. Joe Jamrozik of Patrick Hyundai took home the prize for Longest Drive, while Joel Myers of Snapsheet was the Closest to the Pin winner. Additionally, the event featured CREF’s popular Helicopter Ball Drop, sponsored by Colours Inc., giving participants the chance to purchase a numbered golf ball and watch as the balls were dropped from a helicopter toward a designated pin. The three balls landing closest to the pin earned cash prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250, adding another element of excitement – and fundraising – to the day.
Following the day on the course, attendees gathered for a dinner reception featuring remarks from Clark as well as CREF Board Chair Brenda Hogen, new CREF Board of Trustees member Amanda Valmonte and Jorge Navarrete of Thornton Fractional High School (Calumet City, IL). Navarrete shared the perspective of a collision instructor, highlighting the direct impact of CREF’s support on collision education programs and the students they serve, while CREF Board members reinforced the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting schools, instructors and students and emphasized the importance of industry involvement in building a strong pipeline of future collision repair professionals.
“Seeing the impact of CREF’s work firsthand is what makes events like this so meaningful,” CREF Program Chair Tiffany Bulak expressed. “The support raised through the golf fundraiser helps us turn industry generosity into real resources for schools and students – from equipment and educational opportunities to scholarships and other programs that help students prepare for successful careers in collision repair. We are grateful to everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered and helped make this event possible.”
CREF’s Annual Golf Fundraiser continues to provide the industry with an opportunity to connect while making a tangible difference in collision education. Every sponsorship, registration and contribution helps CREF advance its mission of supporting collision repair schools, programs, instructors and students across the country.
“CREF extends its sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the 24th Annual Golf Fundraiser a success,” said Clark. “We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to bring the industry together in support of the future of collision repair.”
CREF is grateful to the following 2026 golf fundraiser sponsors and supporters: Allstate, Axalta, BASF, Caliber Collision, CAPA Certified Parts, CollisionRight, Colours Inc., CDE Collision Group, Classic Collision, Colours Inc, Columbus Collision Education Group, Copart, Crash Champions, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Garmat USA, Gerber, Hertz, Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA), INDASA, Kent Automotive, LKQ, National Coatings & Supplies | Single Source, Patrick Auto Body & Collision Center, PPG, Refinish Distributors Alliance (RDA), Santint USA, Sunmight, and Superior Collision | Custom.
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online, or sign up for The Donation Exchange to easily provide in-kind resources that collision repair schools and students desperately need.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.