ELGIN, Ill. – The Illinois Junior Golf Association’s regular season came to a close today for the Playing Member Division with the Player of the Year Championship. Four tournament champions were named after the conclusion of play. In the Senior Boys Division, William Marshall (2019) of Elburn, Ill., earned champion honors, while Sean Curran (2021) of New Lenox, Ill., was the champion for the Junior Boys Division. In the Senior Girls Division, Nicole Jordan (2018) of St. Charles, Ill., earned champion honors, while Stephanie Su (2021) of South Barrington, Ill., was the champion in the Junior Girls Division.
The IJGA PM Player of the Year Championship is a one-day, 36-hole stroke play competition that is contested at the Highlands of Elgin Golf Course in Elgin, Ill. There were 80 junior golfers who competed today after earning their spots in the field through their rankings in the Player of the Year points race. The Boys Divisions played the par 72 course from 6,784 yards, while the Girls Divisions played from 5,625 yards.
The Illinois Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing playing opportunities for its members ages 8-18, conducting educational clinics and events, and serving as a junior golf informational clearinghouse.
Marshall carded an opening round of 3-under-par 69 followed by a final round of even-par 72 for a 3-under-par 141 tournament total. His opening round included five birdies, while his second round included only three birdies. This was Marshall’s second POY appearance, and he took home back-to-back wins.
Coming in runner-up in the Senior Boys Division with an impressive 4-under-par 68 final round was Evan Myers (2019) of Northbrook, Ill., with a tournament total of 2-under-par 142. In a four way tie for third with a tournament total of 1-over-par 145 were: Zach Place (2019) of Roselle, Ill., Jacob LeHotay (2019) of North Aurora, Ill., Mark Noonan (2019) of Vernon Hills, Ill., and Alex Kim (2019) of Lincolnshire, Ill.
In the Junior Boys Division, Curran carded a final round of 5-under-par 67 to move his tournament total to 2-under-par 142. His final round score included seven birdies and nine pars. This was Curran’s first appearance at the PM POY Championship, but he does hold victories at the Youth Development Program’s POY.
In second place for the Junior Boys Division, was Jack Paeglow (2020) of DeKalb, Ill., with a tournament total of 3-over-par 147. Coming in third place was Pierce Grieve (2021) of Lake Forest, Ill., with a 36-hole total of 8-over-par 152. In fourth place was Jake Wiktor (2021) of River Forest, Ill., with a tournament total of 12-over-par 156. Rounding out the top five was Truman Keppy (2020) of Lakemoor, Ill., who finished the tournament at 13-over-par 157.
In the Senior Girls Division, Jordan carded a 9-over-par 153 tournament total, carding rounds of 6-over-par 78 and 3-over-par 75. Jordan came in runner-up at the 37th Chick Evans Jr Am Championship this year and her best finish at POY previously was third.
In a tie for second in the Senior Girls Division were Rosemarie Bundy (2017) of West Chicago, Ill., and Amanda Lee (2017) of Skokie, Ill., who each carded a 16-over-par 160 tournament total.
Special note in the Senior Girls Division, Riley Sullivan (2018) of St. Charles, Ill., carded a hole-in-one on her opening hole in the first round.
In the Junior Girls Division, Su carded a 15-over-par 159 tournament total. Her final round included two birdies and 10 pars. This season Su took first place three days in a row, June 6-8, at three different Playing Member Stroke Play events.
In a tie for second in the Junior Girls Division with a tournament total of 17-over-par 161 were Emma Lim (2020) of Naperville, Ill., and Kelly Kavanagh (2020) of Arlington Heights, Ill.
The Player of the Year Championship concludes the IJGA Playing Member Division’s regular season. Congratulations to all the players on their accomplishments this year and we can’t wait for the 2018 season!
