GLENVIEW, Ill. – December 16, 2021 – Garrett Chaussard (Skokie Country Club) has won the 2021 Illinois PGA Bernardi Player of the Year Award. This marks the second career Player of the Year honor for Chaussard who has now won this award two of the last three seasons (2019).
“It was an odd year for me because I didn’t win anything, but I was close a lot,” said Chaussard. “I played well in all the majors, but don’t feel like I played great at any point this year. It just kind of worked out that way and I am honored to be the 2021 Player of the Year.”
Illinois PGA Professionals earn Bernardi Player of the Year points in Illinois PGA Stroke Play events, the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship, the Illinois PGA Section Championship and the Illinois PGA Players Championship. Bernardi points are also awarded for the Illinois Open Championship, PGA Professional Championship and PGA Championship. Players earn points based on their finish against the entire field. Points are also weighted based on the strength and size of the field.
“We have some very elite players in the Illinois Section,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section. “The Player of the Year race is always fun to watch as it unfolds throughout the course of the season. This year's race came down to the wire with so many of our Professionals playing well. Garrett performed well at major events this season and we congratulate him on this outstanding achievement.”
Chaussard played in nine Illinois PGA events this season and the Illinois Open Championship. He started the season with a runner-up finish at the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship at Bull Valley Golf Club, making his fourth consecutive appearance in the Championship Match. In the end, he would fall short to Jim Billiter (Ivanhoe Club), 2&1.
Chaussard appeared in all six Illinois PGA Stroke Plays in 2021. He finished inside the top 10 in three of the six events. His best finish came at the Stroke Play at Sunset Ridge Country Club (T6). He also finished T5 at the Stroke Play at the Metamora Fields Country Club and T10 at the Stroke Play at the Hawk Country Club.
In addition to the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship, Chaussard had strong showings at the Illinois PGA Major Championships. He finished T37 at the Illinois Open at Stonebridge Country Club. Entering the final round, Chaussard was T8. He also finished T2 at the Illinois PGA Professional Championship, where he was the 36-hole leader.
The Illinois PGA’s final major of the year was the Illinois PGA Players Championship at Knollwood Club. Slated as the end of the Year Championship, the top 36 players on the Player of the Year points list get invited to compete in this event. Chaussard’s T3 finish was good enough to push him into first place on the Bernardi Player of the Year list, surpassing Chris French (Aldeen Golf Club) and holding off Roy Bianaclana (Blackberry Oaks Golf Club).
“It was interesting going into the Players (Championship), knowing that I was only 36 points behind Chris (French),” said Chaussard. “I knew that I had to try and finish better than him and also dodge a few other guys. I’m glad I was able to pull it off in the end. There was definitely a little extra on the line at that event.”
​The Illinois PGA Player of the Year Award is named after Sam Bernardi. Bernardi was a member of the Illinois PGA from 1926-1972, holding positions at Briergate Country Club, Old Elm Club and Indian Hill Club, and was a tremendous player on the Illinois PGA circuit.
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.www.ipga.com and join us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
CONTACT:
Kevin Quinn
Illinois PGA Communications
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