GLENVIEW, Ill. – November 4, 2020 – Kyle English (Crestwicke Country Club) has won the 2020 Don Drasler Illinois PGA Assistant Player of the Year and the Central Illinois PGA Chapter (CIPGA) Player of the Year. This marks the first career Assistant Player of the Year honor and second Chapter Player of the Year honor for English.
"I’m honored to be accepting the awards this year for Illinois PGA Assistant and CIPGA Player of the Year,” said English. These accolades are extremely special to me largely in a year filled with so much uncertainty. I’m beyond thankful to the Illinois PGA staff for their efforts in making this season possible. It doesn’t seem like too long ago I was sitting here wondering if we would have the opportunity to compete this season. Although further challenges still present themselves, I want to acknowledge the hard work of the Tournament Staff in 2020 and dedicate these awards to their team."
Don Drasler Assistant Player of the Year points are awarded at the Assistant Stroke Play events, the Illinois PGA Assistant Championship, the Assistant Match Play, the Illinois PGA Players Championship and Illinois Open 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 a very competitive group of Assistants and Associates in the Illinois Section,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA Section. “Kyle showcased some fantastic golf throughout the season and played well at both Assistant and Chapter events. We congratulate him on his outstanding season and on winning both of these awards.”
English played in eight Illinois PGA events in the Assistants Division this season. He finished first in the Assistants Division at the Stroke Play at Onwentsia Club and the Stroke Play at the Hawk Country Club. English was the overall winner of the Stroke Play at the Hawk Country Club as well. He also won his second career Illinois Assistant PGA Professional Championship by six strokes in 2020.
English also won the season-long Illinois PGA Assistant Match Championship. New in 2020, competitors of the Assistant Match Championship were responsible for scheduling the date and time of their matches for each round within the time frame set by the committee. English defeated Jim Billiter (Glen View Club) Michael Pariso (Edgewood Valley Country Club) and Kyle Donovan (Oak Park Country Club), before defeating Adam Patronik (Old Elm Club) in the Championship Match at Conway Farms Golf Club.
In addition to his wins, English also finished second in the Assistant Division at the Illinois PGA Stroke Play at Riverside Golf Club, sixth at the Illinois PGA Stroke Play at Elgin Country Club and tied for eighth at the Illinois PGA Stroke Play at Ivanhoe Club. English also had a T15 finish at the 71st Illinois Open, making him the second-lowest Illinois PGA Professional finisher behind Mike Small (University of Illinois).
CIPGA Player of the Year points are awarded at the Chapter Championship, Chapter Stroke Play Events, the Illinois Open and Section Stroke Play events. Players earn points based on their finish against the entire field. Points are also weighted based on the strength and size of the field.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the CIPGA was forced to cancel the majority of its events and only held the CIPGA Championship. English won this event for the third straight year, defeating Small with an eagle on the second playoff hole. English’s performances at the 71st Illinois Open and Section Stroke Play events helped secure his second CIPGA Player of the Year honor (2016).
The Illinois PGA Assistant Player of the Year Award is named after Don Drasler. Drasler was a PGA Professional from 1965-2007 and served as the Assistant Professional at Old Elm Club for over 33 years. He was the consummate golf professional and a fixture at the Old Elm Club in Highland Park, Illinois. Don loved the game of golf and made it not only his life’s work but also his passion.
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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kbquinn@pgahq.com