NADLER GOLF CARS IPGA SENIOR PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD
LONG GROVE, Ill. – July 2, 2024 – Brandon Wessel (Sunset Ridge Country Club) clinched his first career Nadler Golf Cars Illinois PGA Professional Championship title on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at The Grove Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois. Wessel’s victory not only marks a personal milestone but also secures his spot among the eight Illinois PGA qualifiers for the 2025 National Senior PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for October 23–26 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. His performance over the two-day event showcased his dedication and skill, culminating in a well-deserved championship win.
“This was an amazing event,” said Wessel. “The course was in great shape, and it was a ton of fun to play. It’s really nice that The Grove Membership lets us play 36 holes and use their golf course for a couple of days.”
In addition to crowning the Illinois PGA Senior Champion, the championship also served as a qualifier for the 2025 National Senior PGA Professional Championship. The Illinois PGA was awarded eight qualifying spots into the national event, giving competitors an opportunity to advance to one of the most celebrated stages in senior professional golf.
Wessel began his championship bid with a solid 3-under-par 69 in the opening round, positioning himself just one stroke behind the co-leaders, David Paeglow of Kishwaukee Country Club and Mike Troy of Zigfield Troy Par 3 Golf Course.
In Tuesday’s final round, Wessel wasted no time making his move. After his playing partners, Paeglow and Troy, bogeyed the opening hole to slip back to 3-under-par, Wessel capitalized with a birdie on the par-4 second, seizing the outright lead at 4-under-par. He continued his steady play through the front nine, adding three more birdies to his card. Though he dropped shots with bogeys on the seventh and ninth holes, Wessel maintained his composure and turned to the back nine holding a one-stroke advantage over Troy, setting up a decisive final stretch.
Wessel never relinquished his lead over the final nine holes, starting the back nine with a pivotal birdie on the par-4 10th to extend his advantage to two strokes. Paeglow fought determinedly to keep the pressure on and entered the 14th hole still trailing by two. With the tee moved forward to play just 275 yards, the short par-4 presented a significant moment. Wessel missed the green left but executed a superb up-and-down to convert another birdie, moving to 8-under-par. Despite Paeglow driving the green and appearing poised to narrow the gap, he matched Wessel’s birdie, and the margin remained unchanged.
Over the next stretch, Wessel displayed remarkable composure, stringing together critical pars to protect his lead. He saved par with an up-and-down from the greenside bunker on 15, then again from just short of the green on 16. Arriving at the par-3 17th still two strokes clear, Wessel played conservatively, landing his tee shot safely over the green. Paeglow, forced to take an aggressive line, found the water hazard. Wessel then chipped his second shot off the front of the green and holed the putt from off the putting surface, giving himself a three-stroke cushion heading to the final hole.
After driving into the fairway bunker on 18, Wessel calmly reached the green in regulation. With room to spare, he three-putted the final green and sealed his first career Nadler Golf Cars Illinois PGA Professional Championship and Major title in fitting style.
“I think the biggest highlight of the week is that I didn’t overreact to anything,” said Wessel. “I have a habit of being tough of myself, but I was just relaxed out there for the two rounds.”
Joining Wessel at the 2025 National Senior PGA Professional Championship will be an accomplished group of Illinois PGA Professionals who earned their spots through stellar play at The Grove Country Club. Roy Biancalana of The Hawk Country Club delivered the low round of the final day with an impressive 6-under-par 66 to secure his qualification. Also advancing are David Paeglow (Kishwaukee Country Club), Mike Troy (Zigfield Troy Par 3 Golf Course), David Hannon (Play Better Golf Academy), John Varner (Beverly Country Club), Mike Small (University of Illinois), and Kyle Bauer (Glen View Club). Together, this group will represent the Illinois PGA among the nation’s top senior professionals when they compete October 23–26 at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
“This means a lot to me,” said Wessel. “I respect and appreciate all the guys out here. In my opinion, despite winning today, I can list 20 guys that I feel are a lot better than I am. So, it feels pretty good to get the win. I see their names on top of the leaderboard and on this trophy, and not mine, so it’s pretty cool to join them. The Illinois PGA runs fantastic events, and this is just really special. ”
The Illinois PGA would like to thank long-time Illinois PGA Partner Nadler Golf Cars for their support of the Section and the Illinois Senior PGA Professional Championship. This year marked the third consecutive year that Nadler Golf Cars supported the Illinois Senior PGA Professional Championship, in addition to supporting the Illinois PGA Professional Championship for decades.
The Illinois PGA circuit returns next week with the Illinois PGA Stroke Play #4 at Oak Park Country Club.
About the Illinois PGA/Illinois PGA Foundation
The Illinois Section of the PGA of America is a professional organization serving men and women golf professionals in northern and central Illinois who are 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 760 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, PGA HOPE (Helping our Patriots Everywhere), Illinois PGA Birdies for Charity, 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