 THE
61ST ILLINOIS PGA MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
By Tim Kraft
- Illinois PGA Staff
KILDEER, Ill. - The final four of the 61st
Illinois PGA Match Play Championship is set and
three of the field’s top six seeds have advanced
to the semifinals, along with one player who continued
his hot streak, winning his fifth match in three
days.
Kevin Marion, the 108-seeded professional of
Old Elm Club, defeated past Illinois PGA Match
Play Champion Bryan Luedtke 3 & 2 to join
an elite group in Thursday’s final four.
Marion knocked off the number 5 seed Brian Brown
earlier in the day and took down the 13-seeded
Luedtke to secure a coveted semifinal spot.
“In the early matches I ran into some guys
who weren't playing that well so I took advantage
of that, but I’m just making pars,”
said Marion. “If you make a lot of pars
on this course you put yourself in good shape."
Marion didn't know who his semifinal opponent
was before leaving the course, but he admitted
to being grateful for the chance to still be alive
in the tournament.
“Honestly it doesn't matter who I play
tomorrow, this is all just bonus from here on
in,” he said.
The number one overall seed, Rich Dukelow, continued
his tear through the bracket, defeating Jim Billiter
5 & 4 in the morning matches and edging Billy
Rosinia 2 Up in the quarterfinal match.
“Billy is a tough opponent and he’s
a crafty veteran so I’m fortunate to have
beaten him,” said Dukelow.
Despite coming up one victory shy of the Match
Play Championship trophy last year, Dukelow said
he’s not changing his attitude going into
tomorrow.
“I don’t feel a whole lot of pressure,
I just know I have to get better to get to the
finals and win it this year,” he said.
The lone left-handed player in the final four
is 2010 Illinois PGA Match Play Champion Travis
Johns, who locked in his semifinal spot with a
spectacular shot on the par-3 199-yard 17th hole.
Standing over his tee shot, Johns smacked his
4-iron over the water and dropped it within two
feet of the flag. With his tap-in birdie, he claimed
the hole and match 2 & 1 against David Paeglow
of Kishwaukee C.C.
“I feel fortunate to be here because I’ve
played some great players this week,” said
Johns. “The shot on 17 was about the best
shot of the week for me. The wind was coming in
from the left, so I punch-cut a 4-iron and it
worked out perfectly.”
The fourth and final semifinalist is Curtis Malm
who knocked off Matt Slowinski, a one-time Match
Play Champion.
“Matt’s a great player and every
time we get together it’s a good match,”
Malm said. “I’m looking forward to
playing Travis tomorrow and hopefully I can take
down the lefty.”
Dukelow and Marion will tee things up first Thursday
morning, followed by Johns and Malm.
The winners of the semifinal matches will play
at 12:30 p.m., where a new Illinois PGA Match
Play Champion will be crowned.
Harris Golf Cars, Mizuno, and Wittek Golf Supply
are supporting sponsors of the 61st Illinois PGA
Match Play Championship.
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