ELGIN, Ill – The Illinois Junior Golf Association’s 2020 Playing Member Division season came to a close Monday with the Player of the Year Championship. Jake Wiktor (2021) of River Forest, IL; Reese Clark (2022) of Geneva, IL; Ryan Banas (20213) of Winnetka, IL; and Mia Natividad (2023) of Yorkville, IL, each earned champion honors in their respective Divisions.
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 64 junior golfers who competed 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 6,783 yards, while the Girls Divisions played from 5,630 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.
In the Senior Boys Division, Wiktor finished the tournament with a 5-under-par 139 total. He carded 10 birdies and 21 pars during the tournament. Wiktor finished T7 at this year’s Chick Evans Junior Amateur Championship at Itasca CC.
Runner-up in the Senior Boys Division was Henry Quinn (2021) of Arlington Heights, IL, who carded a 4-under-par 140. In third was Ian Bouchard (2021) of Barrington, IL, with a 1-under-par 143. Rounding out the top five with a 1-over-par 145 total were: Jack DiTrani (2022) of Hinsdale, IL; Tyson Malak (2022) of Elgin, IL; Samuel Mortell (2021) of Chicago; and Samuel Dykema (2023) of West Chicago, IL.
Winning the season-long points race in the Senior Boys Division was Dykema with 12,283.33 points over seven events.
In the Senior Girls Division, Clark carded an even-par 72 during the opening round and held her lead during the final round to earn champion honors with a 6-over-par 150 tournament total. This is her second appearance at the Playing Member Player of the Year Championship, in 2019 Clark came in third.
Joanna James (2021) of Orland Park, IL, finished runner-up in the Senior Girls Division with a 36-hole total of 9-over-par 153. In third was Olivia Siebert (2021) of Glencoe, IL, who carded a 10-over-par 154.
Winning the season-long points race in the Senior Girls Divison was Catie Nekola (2022) of St. Charles, IL, who earned 3,125 points over seven events.
In the Junior Boys Division, Banas finished the tournament with a 2-under-par 142 total. He carded a 3-under-par 69 during the first round. This was his first appearance at the Playing Member Player of the Year Championship.
Coming in runner-up in Junior Boys Division was Gavin Newkirk (2023) of Batavia, IL, with an even-par 144 total. In third place was Noah Zyung (2024) of Glenview, IL, with a 1-over-par 145 tournament total.
Winning the Junior Boys Division season-long points race was Ryan Danneggar (2023) of Wheaton, IL, with a total of 11,003.33 points earned over 11 events.
In the Junior Girls Division, Natividad finished the tournament with an 8-over-par 152 total. She carded three birdies and 24 pars over the course of 36 holes.
Coming in runner-up in the Junior Girls Division was Bailey Bitbabo (2023) of Chicago, with a tournament total of 13-over-par 157. Rounding out the top three was Rebbecca Wu (2024) of Naperville, IL., with an 18-over-par 162 total.
Winning the points race in the Junior Girls Division was Elle Teglia (2023) of Hinsdale, IL, with a total of 3,314.17 points over 12 events.
The Player of the Year Championship concludes the Playing Member Division’s regular season. Congratulations to all the players on their accomplishments this year and we can’t wait for the 2021 season!
