2025 HARRIS GOLF CARS ILLINOIS PGA MATCH PLAY BRACKET
OAK BROOK, Ill – May 8, 2025 – Jim Billiter (Ivanhoe Club) added another chapter to his already impressive Illinois PGA legacy, winning his fourth career Harris Golf Cars Illinois PGA Match Play Championship title today at Butterfield Country Club, defeating David Krzepicki (North Shore Country Club), 5 & 3.
He becomes just the fourth player to win this event at least four times, joining Illinois PGA legends Bob Ackerman (6), Bill Ogden (5), and Bob Harris (5).
Entering the tournament as the 12th seed, Billiter demonstrated precision, patience, and perseverance throughout a grueling week of head-to-head competition.
The championship marks Billiter’s first Match Play title since 2021, and solidifies his place among the elite Match Play competitors in Illinois PGA history.
“It’s always special to win this event, especially against such a talented field,” said Billiter. “I’ve always thought that I was a better match play player than a stroke play player because you have to think differently. Butterfield is an amazing place, and I especially love it because there is almost no out-of-bounds to the right. To come through so many tough matches and lift the trophy again—it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Final Match Recap: A Gritty Battle at Butterfield
The Championship Match between Billiter and Krzepicki (North Shore Country Club) opened with fireworks and high-level golf, as both players looked to cap off their impressive runs with the Illinois PGA Match Play title.
Krzepicki set the tone early, birdieing the first hole to grab a quick 1up lead. But Billiter, showing the form that made him a three-time champion, responded with a stunning three-birdie run on holes four through six. He dialed in his approach shots, knocking them inside eight feet on both the fifth and sixth holes, converting each of them and forcing Krzepicki to press. Krzepicki narrowly missed birdie opportunities on those holes, with lip-outs on both five and six, allowing Billiter to seize control and take a 2-up lead.
Krzepicki showed resilience on the par-5 seventh, sticking a wedge from short range to about three feet for a birdie to cut the deficit. However, a miscue on the very next hole led to a bogey on the eighth hole, and Billiter quickly restored his 2up advantage.
On the par-4 ninth hole, Billiter capped a brilliant front nine with another precision approach to just five feet. The birdie putt was conceded, and he made the turn with a commanding 3-up lead, having carded an impressive 4-under-par 32 on the front nine.
“We were both playing great golf, said Billiter. “David had an incredible week of golf and was playing really well. I made the turn at 4-under-par, and he made the turn at even par. It was a really good match with a lot of great golf being played.”
While the front nine was filled with momentum swings and birdies, the back nine belonged firmly to Billiter, who calmly and confidently managed his way to victory.
Billiter extended his lead to 4up with a steady par on the 12th hole. Krzepicki showed signs of a potential comeback on the 13th, taking advantage of a rare miscue off the tee by Billiter to cut the lead to 3 down.
But any hopes of a rally were short-lived. Billiter responded with a clutch up-and-down par on the 14th hole to regain his 4up advantage, putting him dormie heading to the 15th hole.
On the par-3 15th hole, Billiter delivered the final blow, sticking his tee shot to within five feet. The birdie putt was conceded, securing a 5 & 3 victory and delivering Billiter his fourth career Illinois PGA Match Play Championship title in decisive fashion.
“It feels great to get the win,” said Billiter. “I’m dealing with a torn labrum, so I can swing, but I just can’t swing as fast. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play much this season, but it’s great to come out and get a win early on. We’ll keep pushing through the rest of the season and get it (labrum) fixed in the offseason.”
Road to the Championship
Receiving the 12th seed based on the previous season’s Bernardi Player of the Year points, Billiter earned a bye in the opening round. He kicked off his title run with a 3 & 2 victory over 16th-seeded Sean Kelly (Butler National Golf Club) in the Round of 64, showcasing sharp ball-striking and confident putting.
In the Round of 32, he faced 44th-seeded Chris Boyle (CB Golf Performance), edging out a 2up win in a tightly contested match. In the Round of 16 Billiter recorded a 1up triumph over fifth seed Jeff Kellen (North Shore Country Club).
The quarterfinals featured a familiar foe—David Paeglow (Kishwaukee Country Club) —in a rematch of their 2021 semifinal showdown. Billiter rallied from three down with eight holes to play to defeat Paeglow 2up, securing a spot in the final four.
He advanced to the Championship Match with a 2 & 1 semifinal victory over Frank Hohenadel (Mistwood Golf Club), a matchup that was featured in the third round of the 2024 Illinois PGA Match Play Championship, where Hohenadel bested Billiter in 20 holes. Billiter’s victory set the stage for a final clash against Krzepicki, where Billiter capped his run with another impressive win.
A Champion’s Resume
Billiter’s win at the 2025 Illinois PGA Match Play Championship marks his fourth title at this storied event, reaffirming his reputation as a formidable match play competitor. Since earning his Class-A membership in 2009, Billiter has appeared in 17 Harris Golf Cars Illinois PGA Match Play Championships. He advanced to the third round or farther 11 times, and made it past the Quarterfinals six times. Billiter has never lost a match in the Semi-Finals or the Championship Match, recording a perfect three-for-three record. He has also won the Nadler Golf Cars Illinois PGA Professional Championship (2015), bringing his Illinois PGA Major Championship count to five total victories.
About the Illinois PGA/Illinois PGA Foundation
The Illinois Section of the PGA of America is a professional organization serving the men and women golf professionals in northern and central Illinois who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf. The Illinois PGA is responsible for the administration of competitive golf tournaments, educational opportunities, support programs and growth of the game initiatives. With over 840 members and apprentices, the Illinois PGA is one of the 41 regional Sections that comprise the PGA of America. The Illinois PGA Foundation focuses its community efforts on promoting the goodwill and growth of the game with an emphasis on activities that benefit youth. Foundation initiatives include: GolfWorks Illinois, Youth-based Scholarship Funds and the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. For more information about the Illinois PGA and the Illinois PGA Foundation, please visit www.ipga.com and join us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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CONTACT:
Kevin Quinn
Illinois PGA Communications
708.336.1294 mobile
kbquinn@pgahq.com