LAKE GENEVA, WIS.—The Mid-American Junior Golf Tour made its return to Geneva National Golf Club this week and crowned two new first-time champions. After battling a difficult test of golf at the Players Course, Luke Armbrust (2018) and Gabrielle DeSombre (2017) ended their respective week with a victory.

The MAJGT Championship at Geneva National featured 107 junior golfers from Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The Boys Division played the Par 72 course from 6,774 yards and the Girls Division played the Par 71 course from 5,899 yards.

“The Gary Player-designed course really tested our entire field this week,” said senior director of programming, Matt Wennmaker. “There were some really great rounds and consistency proved to be key.”

First round leader Kevin Paek (2017) fired an impressive 3-under-par 69. The Glenview, IL native had a bogey-free front nine and six birdies on the day, which was good enough to have a two stroke lead over Lowell Weil (2018) who shot a 1-under-par 71. Weil, from Lake Forest, IL, tallied five birdies on the day.

Paek continued his lead through the second day, while Armbrust made a move up the leaderboard. Armbrust, a Wheaton, IL native, fired an even-par 72 which was good enough to move him into second. His round included an eagle on the 525 yard par 5 No. 8 and three birdies. Making a jump up the leaderboard was Naperville, IL resident Tyler Vincent. The 2016 graduate fired a second round low 1-under-par 71. Vincent’s steady round included four birdies.

The final round proved to be a battle between Paek and Armbrust. The front nine saw Armbrust pull even with Paek, after penciling a 1-over-par 37. Armbrust’s lead increased to three through No. 13, but an eagle on No. 14 by Paek cut his lead to two. Heading to No. 16 Armbrust’s lead had diminished to one, but a bogey on the par 3 No. 17 by Paek ensured his victory.

The Girls Division featured a similar scene, with DeSombre making a charge after the second round.

Nina Rutkowski (2018) fired an even-par 71 en route to a first round lead. The Park Ridge, IL native had a consistent round featuring 14 pars and back to back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6. Kira Wolf (2020) of Mattoon, IL recorded a first round 75 with 12 pars and two birdies.

DeSombre, from Park Ridge, IL, tallied three birdies en route to an even-par 71. Wolf’s round of 2-over-par 73 featured a hole-in-one on the 128 yard par 3 No. 4. Both DeSombre and Wolf ended the second round atop the leaderboard, with Rutkowski four strokes behind.

At the turn, DeSombre extended her lead over Wolf by one, Rutkowski by five, and never looked back. Her even par back nine was good enough to give her a five shot victory.

The MAJGT would like to thank the staff and membership at Geneva National Golf Club for hosting the event. The Tour’s next event returns to Stone Creek Golf Club in Urbana, IL June 23-24.

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