This year The Challenge Cup will be hosted at
2021 Date TBA
The History
The Challenge Cup is a Ryder Cup format event which puts the Illinois Junior Golf Association against the Prep Tour. This event, which began in 2015, brings together some of the top junior golfers in the state of Illinois to compete for the Challenge Cup.
The Format
The first day features eight partner matches where holes 1-6 are played as best ball, this is when you play your own golf ball and take the best score on each hole; holes 7-12 are played as alternate shot, this is where each player will hit their tee shot, pick the best tee shot and play true alternate shot from there; and holes 13-18 are played as a scramble, where each player hits their tee shot and from there their pick the best shot and repeat the process. The final day of competition features 16 singles matches. The team with the most number of matches won at the end of the competition is declared the winner.
The Participants
The participants of this event include many players who have gone on to play collegiate golf.
2019: IJGA – 13.5 Prep Tour – 10.5
IJGA TEAM
Caroline Smith, Mara Janess, Nicole Ciskowski, Ella Greenberg, Ian Bouchard, Joshuah LaBounty, Stefan Ink,Dori Lee, Rendl Weaver, Brandon Dorans, Mac McGurn, Patrick Adler, Robert Beaubien, Matt James, Josh Lundmark, Mac McClear, and
Co-captians Matt Wennmaker & Brett Dreier
2018: IJGA – 8.5 Prep Tour – 15.5
IJGA TEAM
Trinity Corwin, Elyse Emerzian, Joanna James, Sarah Nacos, Scott Boyajian, Trevor Brandon, Ryan Cagan, Colin Chromy, Jake Dianovsky, Alex Green, Will Hulsey, Matthew James, John Lishchynsky, Sam Mortell, Justin Seymour, Jack Vercautren
2017: IJGA – 14.5 Prep Tour – 9.5
IJGA TEAM
Back Row (Left to Right): Co-Captain Brett Dreier, Anthony Scaletta, Jake Dianovsky, Alex Green,
Josh Lundmark, Jason Folker, Brendan O’Reilly, Devin Johnson, Gabe Larson, Nick Tenuta,
Co-Captain Matt Wennmaker
Front Row (Left to Right): Stephanie Mroz, Emma Carpenter, Amy Kucera, Emma Hayes
Not Pictured: Nicole Jordan, Kevin O’Regan, Pierce Grieve, Nate Kirberg
2016: IJGA – 12 Prep Tour – 12
IJGA TEAM
Back Row (Left to Right): Brendan O’Reilly, Tyler Vincent, Alex Bassetto, Joshua LaBounty,
Devin Johnson, Dylan Riley
Middle Row (Left to Right): Matt Wingren, Jack Neenan, EJ Reisinger, Aidan Devlin,
Mac McClear, Jack Vercautren
Front Row (Left to Right): Jennifer Capello, Trinity Corwin, Megan Sturonas, Hanna Tanaka
2015: IJGA – 13.5 Prep Tour – 7.5
IJGA TEAM
Front Row (Left to Right): Captain Brett Dreier, Sarah Hausenstein, Ryan Savarie, Stephanie Mroz,
Amy Hong, Will Troy, Nathan Ade Martahan, Captain Matt Wennmaker
Back Row (Left to Right): Andrew Huber, Matt Murlick, Reid Anderson, Jason Gohde,
Jack Neenan, Michael Wijas
Not Pictured: Eric Bagg, Alex Bassetto, Jacob LeHotay