CHICAGO, Ill. – October 15, 2025 –David Paeglow (Kishwaukee Country Club) claimed his first career Illinois PGA Senior Match Play Championship title at Ridge Country Club on Wednesday, defeating Travis Hall (White Deer Run) 5 and 3 in the Championship Match.
“I came into this tournament just trying to relax and have fun. It was great to be out here at Ridge Country Club. I’m really fortunate to win,” said Paeglow.
Paeglow earned the No. 8 seed in this year’s event based on his play throughout the season and his standing on the season-long Errie Ball Senior Player of the Year Points List. His opening-round matchup on Monday morning saw him face Cantigny Golf’s Pat Hickey — a match he won decisively, 9 and 7.
In the Round of 16, Paeglow defeated ninth-seeded Kevin Rafferty (Golf Galaxy – Vernon Hills), 4 and 3. Rafferty had advanced through the first round due to a concession from Lance Olson (Champaign Country Club).
After two victories on Monday, Paeglow returned Tuesday to face 16th-seeded Don Morris (Roosevelt University) in the quarterfinals. Morris had advanced by defeating Mike Harrigan (PGA Life Member) and Mike Carbray (Butterfield Country Club). Carbray’s first-round upset over four-time defending champion Roy Biancalana (The Hawk Country Club) 3 and 1 was one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Paeglow maintained his dominant form, recording four birdies through 14 holes to defeat Morris, 5 and 4, and advance to the semifinals against John Varner (Beverly Country Club).
Much like Paeglow, Varner’s road to the semifinals was largely unchallenged. His closest match came against David Hannon (Play Better Golf Academy) in the quarterfinals, which went to the par-5 18th hole.
Paeglow got off to a hot start in the semifinal, birdieing the first hole to take a 1up lead — one he would not relinquish it. He extended his advantage to as much as 3up multiple times during the match and closed it out with a par on the 16th hole for a, 3 and 2, victory over Varner.
Hall earned his place in the Championship Match with wins over Danny Mulhearn (Glen Oak Country Club), Mike Camastro (Edgewood Valley Country Club), Scott Baines (Bryn Mawr Country Club), and Doug Bauman (Biltmore Country Club).
On Wednesday morning, both finalists were met with vastly different weather conditions than the previous two days. Despite a slightly later start, the players were ready to battle for the final Illinois PGA senior major title of the year.
A double bogey from Hall on the first hole, following trouble in the greenside bunker, gave Paeglow an early lead — marking the fifth consecutive match in which he won the opening hole. Another bogey from Hall on the par-5 second hole after finding the water pushed Paeglow’s lead to 2up, and he never looked back.
The pair matched scores on the next five holes before Hall’s bogey on the par-3 seventh extended Paeglow’s advantage to 3up. After matching scores again from holes eight through 13, Hall’s approach shot went out of bounds on the 14th, making the match dormie. Paeglow sealed the victory on the par-4 15th hole, winning 5 and 3.
Paeglow’s triumph marks his first Illinois PGA Senior Match Play Championship title and his third of the four Illinois PGA senior major titles. Only the Senior Illinois PGA Professional Championship remains for him to complete the career sweep.
“It feels great to hold this trophy in my hands. It’s heavy! I’m really fortunate to win. I’m going to bring it back to Kishwaukee Country Club, put it in the trophy case, and let the members enjoy it. It was a lot of fun,” said Paeglow.
With the conclusion of the Senior Match Play Championship, the Illinois PGA also crowned its 2025 Errie Ball Senior Player of the Year. For the fifth consecutive year, Roy Biancalana (The Hawk Country Club) earned the prestigious honor. Biancalana captured the 2025 Senior Masters Championship and the senior division at Stroke Play #5, building a 600-point lead to secure the award.
“I enjoy competing for this award every year. It’s always one of my goals,” said Biancalana. “This recognition rewards all the hard work I put into my game.”
The Illinois PGA Senior Match Play Championship marked the final point-earning event of the 2025 season. The Section now turns its attention to the Illinois PGA Pro-Superintendent Championship on Thursday at Twin Orchard Country Club before wrapping up the season at the Meyer-Brown-Miller Invitational in Pinehurst, N.C., next week.
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.