AURORA, Ill. – The Mid-American Junior Golf Tour’s Orchard Valley Open concluded Sunday after two rounds of competitive golf. In the Boys Division, Jack Paeglow (2020) of DeKalb, Ill., took top honors, while in the Girls Division, Alaina Bowie (2020) of Mahomet, Ill., finished atop the leaderboard.
The Orchard Valley Open was a 36 hole, Stroke Play competition. The field featured 75 junior golfers ages 12-18 from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The Boys Division played the par 72 Orchard Valley GC from 6,745 yards, while the Girls Division played the course as a par 73 from 5,861 yards.
The MAJGT is designed for exceptionally talented junior golfers throughout the Midwest ages 12-18 and is nationally recognized by the Junior Golf Scoreboard and American Junior Golf Association with all of its events providing national exposure.
Paeglow, who finished the tournament with a 1-under-par 143 tournament total, carded three birdies during the back nine of the final round to post a 1-under-par 71. Paeglow’s first round included six birdies, giving him an even-par 72 total. This is his second MAJGT victory, his first coming at the 2018 Northern Illinois Classic.
Coming in runner-up was Thomas Baker (2020) Rockford, Ill., who carded a 2-over-par 146 total. In third place was Max Barr (2021) of Winnetka, Ill., carded a 2-under-par 70 during the final round to move his tournament total to 5-over-par 149. Rounding out the top five, each carding a 6-over-par 150 total, were Brody McCarthy (2022) of Homer Glen, Ill., Park Mullen (2020) of Naperville, Ill., Cody Ganzon (2022) of Montgomery, Ill., Charlie Creamean (2021) of Winnetka, Ill., and John Lishchynsky (2020) of Crystal Lake, Ill.
In the Girls Division, Bowie carded a 4-over-par 150 tournament total. She opened the tournament with a 1-over-par 74 during the first round and carded a 3-over-par 76 during the final round. This was Bowie’s first MAJGT victory, her previous best finish was in 2018 where she came in second at the Twin Cities Classic.
Rounding out the top three in the Girls Division, each carding a 5-over-par 151, were Penelope Tir (2019) of Winnetka, Ill., Sarah Arnold (2019) of St. Charles, Ill., and Emily Chang (2021) of Chicago.
The MAJGT will head to Algonquin, Ill., for the Golf Club of Illinois Open April 27-28.