ZION, Ill. – The Mid-American Junior Golf Tour’s Shepherd’s Crook Open came to a close Sunday after two days of competitive golf. Connor Prassas (2017) of Winnetka, Ill., finished the tournament with a 5-over-par 147 tournament total to take champion honors in the Boys Division. In the Girls Division, Megan Furtney (2019) of South Elgin, Ill., carded a tournament total of 1-over-par 143 to take home top honors.
The 2016 Shepherd’s Crook Open is a 36-hole stroke play competition featuring 91 junior golfers from Illinois and Wisconsin. The Boys Division played the par-71 Shepherd’s Crook GC from 6,576 yards, while the Girls Division played from 5,519 yards.
The MAJGT is designed for exceptionally talented junior golfers throughout the Midwest ages 12-18 and is nationally recognized by the Junior Golf Scoreboard and American Junior Golf Association with all of its events providing national exposure.
“The weather during the first round was something players do not see often. The consistent 40 mph winds contributed to higher than normal scores,” said Matt Wennmaker, senior director of programming. “For Mother’s Day, it turned out to be absolutely beautiful and most golfers took advantage of the conditions with several players shooting under par. Shepherd’s Crook was in great shape and we would like to thank all of their staff for continuing to host us year after year.”
In the Boys Division, Prassas carded five birdies in the final round, playing the back nine 3-under-par, for a final round score of 3-under-par 68. Previously, Prassas’ best finish in a MAJGT tournament was T9 at the 2015 Championship at the Den.
Coming in runner-up was Justin Choi (2017) of Northfield, Ill., who carded a tournament total of 9-over-par 151. In third was Matthew Wingren (2017) of Hinsdale, Ill., who carded a 1-under-par 70 final round for a tournament total of 10-over-par 152. Coming in fourth was Matthew Trimberger (2016) of Barrington, Ill., who finished the tournament at 11-over-par 153. Rounding out the top five with a tournament total of 12-over-par 154 were Kevin Meehan (2017) of Lincolnshire, Ill., Patrick Akaniroj (2018) of Willow Springs, Ill., Spencer Crowe (2018) of Lake Forest, Ill., Bradley Goldstein (2019) of Highland Park, Ill., and Marus Smith (2020) of Rockford, Ill.
In the Girls Division, Furtney took home her fourth MAJGT title Sunday. Carding six birdies and one eagle during the course of the tournament, Furtney had a five stroke lead over runner-up Kate Lillie (2017) of St. Charles, Ill., who carded a final round 3-under-par 68 to move her tournament total to 6-over-par 148. Coming in third was Abigail Bitto (2017) of Naperville, Ill., who carded a tournament total of 11-over-par 153.
The next stop for the MAJGT is set for May 14-15 at Mill Creek GC in Geneva, Ill.
