The Chicago District Golf Association, one of the nation’s oldest and largest golf associations, selected Thor Guard to provide real-time weather information to its 400 member facilities.

Thor Guard Weather – the company’s proprietary weather information service – delivers broadcast-quality local, regional and national radar images via the Internet in five-minute increments.   The service will be available to golfers and staff on computers located at each CDGA facility, according to Robert Markionni, the association’s executive director.

“Weather obviously plays a big part in the enjoyment of the game,” Markionni said. “Being able to provide our members the current weather conditions before they tee off is a service they will appreciate.”

Markionni said the CDGA evaluated several options, but decided Thor Guard Weather best met its needs for a product that seamlessly integrated with the association’s new Web-based information system.

The weather forecasting service also will interface with the Thor Guard Lightning Prediction system, which approximately 90 of the CDGA courses currently employ. Those courses will also have real-time access to the world’s largest lightning prediction network across the entire CDGA area, giving them more time to react to potentially dangerous weather situations.

Thor Guard Lightning Prediction evaluates the dynamics of electrical energy within the atmosphere and uses remote horns and strobe lights to warn golfers and course staff of potential strikes.

“We look forward to working with the CDGA and its member courses to bring this valuable new resource to the association for the enjoyment and protection of Chicagoland golfers,” said Robert Dugan, president of Sunrise, Fla.-based Thor Guard.