ITASCA, Ill. – The 42nd Chick Evans Junior Amateur Championship concluded Friday after five days of competitive golf. The final match in the Boys Division was between Charlie Kulwin (20122) of Chicago, Ill., and Cooper Watt (2023) of Rockford, Ill.
Kulwin took an early 2-up lead, winning the first two holes of the day. Watt got one back on No. 3, before Kulwin won Nos. 5 & 6 to to extend his lead to 3-up. An eagle on the ninth hole got Watt back to 2-down at the turn. Wins by Watt on Nos. 11 & 13 tied the match, and a par from Watt on No. 14 gave him his first lead of the day. Kulwin tied the match again with a birdie on the fifteenth hole, before Watt won Nos. 16 & 17 to finish the match and win 2&1.
This was Watt’s third CEJA appearance, his best finish coming in 2022 when he made it to the Round of 16.