HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. – The Illinois Junior Golf Association’s Players Challenge at Highland Park came to a close Friday after two days of competitive golf in the extreme heat. This event also served as a local qualifier for the Jr PGA Championship. Luke Armbrust (2018) of Wheaton, Ill., took the top spot on the leaderboard in the Boys Division as well as the Jr PGA Qualifier. In the Girls Division, Lauren Beaudreau (2019) of Lemont, Ill., took a commanding lead during the final round to capture both the Players Challenge title and the Jr PGA Qualifying spot.
The Players Challenge #4 at Highland Park is a 36-hole stroke play competition which was played at the Highland Park Country Club in Highland Park, Ill. The Boys Division played the par 71 course from 6,402 yards, while the Girls Division played the course from 5,506 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 Boys Division, Armbrust carded a two-day total of 6-under-par 136. He played the front nine 3-under, carding five birdies and 11 pars en route to his final round 2-under-par 60.
Four shots back, with a tournament total of 2-under-par 140 was Justin Choi (2017) of Northfield, Ill. In third was Michael Tanaka (2018) of Wilmette, Ill., with a tournament total of 1-over-par 143. Taking fourth was Waitin Lee (2019) of Bangkok., with a two-day total of 2-over-par 144. Rounding out the top-5 was Connor Prassas (2017) of Winnetka, Ill., with a tournament total of 3-over-par.
In the Girls Division, Beaudreau carded an impressive 5-under-par 66 final round score, moving her tournament total to 7-under-par 135.
Coming in runner-up was Reena Sulkar (2017) of Barrington Hills, Ill., with a two-day total of 1-under-par 141. Rounding out the top-3 was Hanna Tanaka (2019) of Glenview, Ill., who finished the tournament at 5-over-par 147.
Armbrust and Beaudreau each earned a spot in the Jr PGA Championship which will be played at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island, on August 9-12, 2016.
