ITASCA, Ill. – The Illinois Junior Golf Association’s 42nd Chick Evans Junior Amateur Championship began Monday at Itasca Country Club. Dylan Drogemuller (2023) of Frankfort, Ill., currently leads the Boys Division, while Carter Sichol (2022) of Winnetka, 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 or qualified via a CEJA Qualifier. The field will play 36 holes of Stroke Play before a cut is made for Match Play. The low thirty-two (32) boys and sixteen (16) girls will advance to Match Play.
Drogemuller finished the first round with a 5-under-par 67, which included an eagle & five birdies, and just one bogey. This is Drogemuller’s second appearance at CEJA.
Currently in a tie for second are Charlie Kulwin (2022) of Chicago, Ill., Jack Marshall (2022) of Lake Forest, Ill., Pablo Castro (2024) of Palatine, Ill., and Robert Politza (2024) of Lemont, Ill., who each carded a 2-under-par 70.
In the Girls Division, Sichol carded a 5-under-par 67, which included six birdies. This is Sichol’s first appearance at CEJA, and is coming off of a recent runner-up finish at the IJGA-CDGA Junior Amateur.
Currently in second is Katharine Marshall (2023) of Elburn, Ill., who carded a 1-under-par 71 during the opening round. In a tie for third are 2020 CEJA Champion Catie Nekola (2022) of St. Charles, Ill., and Courtney Beerheide (2026) of Arlington Height, Ill., who each finished at even-par 72. Rounding out the top-5 is Emily Charles (2023) of St. Charles, Ill., who posted a 1-over-par 73.
The second round will begin Tuesday, July 18, at 7:30 AM CST at Itasca Country Club.