ITASCA, Ill. – The Illinois Junior Golf Association’s 40th Chick Evans Junior Amateur Championship began Monday at Itasca Country Club. Thomas Baker (2020) of Rockford, Ill., currently leads the Boys Division, while Elyssa Abdullah (2025) of Hinsdale, Ill., leads the Girls Division.

The Chick Evans Junior Amateur (CEJA) is the highest level of IJGA competition and is intended to highlight the best players in the state while giving players the opportunity to earn national recognition. This championship is open to boys and girls ages 12-18 who have earned exempt status. The field will play 36 holes of Stroke Play before a cut is made for Match Play. The low 16 boys and eight (8) girls will advance to Match Play.

Baker finished the first round with a 6-under-par 66, which included seven birdies and just one bogey. This is Baker’s third appearance at CEJA, he finished the tournament T17 in 2019. He has committed to play collegiate golf at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.

Currently in second is Will Stewart (2021) of Lake in the Hills, Ill., who carded a 3-under-par 69 during the first round. In third is Dominic Scaletta (2021) of Inverness, Ill., with a 2-under-par 70 and rounding out the top five after the first round are John Wild (2022) of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Jason Gordon (2023) of Northbrook, Ill., who each carded a 1-under-par 71.

In the Girls Division, Abdullah carded a 1-over-par 73, which included five birdies. This is Abdullah’s first appearance at CEJA, but she has already earned four titles in 2020.

Currently in second is Maria Perakis (2021) of Glenview, Ill., who carded a 3-over-par 75 during the opening round. In third is Katie Steinman (2021) of Bloomington, Ill., who finished the round with a 4-over-par 76. Rounding out the top five are Katherine Lemke (2021) of Geneva, Ill., and Morgan Anderson (2021) of Joliet, Ill., who each carded a 5-over-par 77.

The second round will begin Tuesday, July 21, at 7:30 AM CST at Itasca Country Club.

Second Round Tee Times              Leaderboard