Glenview, Ill. (August 16, 2018) – Pine Meadow Golf Club, Mundelein, Ill., will host the PGA Jr. League Illinois Section Championship Saturday, August 18, with four All-Star teams of junior golfers ages 13 and under and their families meeting for a fun, festival-like weekend of competition. The top two teams will advance to the Regional Championship September 15 and 16 at Walnut Creek Country Club in Lyon, Mich.
“PGA Jr. League is one of the key player development programs of the PGA of America, and a wonderful opportunity to introduce young players to the game,” said Carrie Williams, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA. “This year, nearly 2,500 youth golfers participated in the program throughout the Illinois Section and the post-season allows for the top players from each team to play in a more competitive format.”
The Illinois Section All-Star teams competing in the Section Championship include:
- Cog Hill/Ravines All-Stars (Lemont, Ill.), Kevin Weeks, PGA Professional, captain
- Central Illinois All-Stars (Pekin, Ill. and Peoria, Ill.), Paul Betteridge, PGA Professional, captain
- Rockford Area All-Stars (Rockford, Ill.), Lloyd McWilliams, PGA Professional, captain
- Village Links Brassie’s All-Stars (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Matt Smela, PGA Professional, captain
The Illinois Section Champion and Runner-Up will advance to the Regional Championship at Walnut Creek Country Club, where they will play for one of 12 spots in the 2018 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, November 16-19.
"This year, PGA and LPGA Professionals coached a record number of boys and girls through PGA Jr. League, connecting friends and families through golf," said Steve Tanner, Director of League Golf for the PGA of America. "Section Championships continue the spirit of the regular PGA Jr. League season by creating a fun and engaging atmosphere for our more experienced players to enjoy alongside teammates and family."
Following the regular Jr. League season, 10-player All-Star teams were formed from a combination of players in each local league. The PGA Jr. League postseason is designed to celebrate the regular recreational season held in April through July, as well as provide a fun and welcoming environment for the 20 percent of PGA Jr. League players who identify as competitive golfers.
PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together around fun, coed team golf experiences, all with expert coaching and instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals, who serve as Captains of the teams. Kids wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends, using a scramble format for competition that encourages mentorship and promotes sportsmanship. A record 50,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League this year, growing from 42,000 players in 2017.
For more information on PGA Jr. League, visit PGAJrLeague.com.
National Car Rental
As the Official Partner of PGA Jr. League, National Car Rental is committed to growing future business leaders by growing junior golf. National Car Rental helps provide fun, engaging and welcoming experiences for PGA Jr. League golfers and their families all season and postseason long.
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 associates, 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.
CONTACTS:
Palmer Moody Dana Gattone
Illinois PGA Communications Illinois PGA Communications
847.804.2721 mobile 847.729.5700 office
pmoody@pgahq.com dgattone@pgahq.com