MUNDELEIN – Ill. – The Illinois Junior Golf Association hosted the first Players Challenge of the 2018 season on May 5-6, at Countryside Golf Club on the Prairie Course. In the Boys Division, Marcus Smith (2020) of Rockford, Ill., earned top honors after carding a 5-under-par 139 tournament total. In the Girls Division, Adrienne Rohwedder (2019) of Prospect Heights, Ill., finished 13 strokes ahead of the runner-up after carding an even-par 144 tournament total.
The Players Challenge #1 @ Countryside GC was a 36-hole, Stroke Play competition contested on May 5-6, at Countryside GC – the Prairie Course. The field featured junior golfers ages 14-18 from Illinois and Wisconsin. The Boys Division played the par 72 from 6,756 yards, while the Girls Division played the course from 5,717 yards. This is a Nationally Recognized event, meaning scores will be submitted to Junior Golf Scoreboard, and players have the opportunity to earn AJGA PBE Stars.
The Illinois Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing playing opportunities for its members ages 8-18, conducting educational clinics and events, and serving as a junior golf informational clearinghouse.
In the Boys Division, Smith carded rounds of 1-under-par 71 and 4-under-par 68, edging out the second place finisher by one stroke. His final-round included nine birdies and five pars. Smith lead the field in birdies and had the longest birdie streak – four, which came on Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, during the final round – of the Boys Division.
Coming in runner-up with a tournament total of 4-under-par 140, was Adam Bornstein (2020) of Deerfield, Ill. In a tie for third were Gabe Larson (2019) of Hinsdale, Ill., and Mark Noonan (2019) of Vernon Hills, Ill., who each carded a 3-under-par 141 tournament total. Rounding out the top five was Brian Joseph (2020) of Wilmette, Ill., who carded a 1-under-par 143 tournament total.
In the Girls Division, A. Rohwedder carded two consistent rounds of even-par 72 to maintain an even-par tournament total of 144. Her final round included four birdies and 10 pars, she lead the field with the largest number of birdies over the course of the tournament – 6.
Coming in runner-up was Symantha Rohwedder (2020) of Prospect Heights, Ill., who carded a 13-over-par 157 tournament total. Rounding out the top three were Audrey Tir (2021) of Winnetka, Ill., and Margherite Pettenuzzo (2018) of Arlington Heights, Ill., who each carded a tournament total of 14-over-par 158.
The next Players Challenge is scheduled for June 4-5, at the Links of Carillon in Plainfield, Ill.
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