ITASCA, Ill. – The first round of the Illinois Junior Golf Association’s Chick Evans Jr Am Championship came to a close Monday after a day of competitive golf. Paul DiFranco III (2016) of Park Ridge, Ill., leads the Boys Division after carding an opening round of 3-under-par 69. In the Girls Division, Brianne Bolden (2019) of Mokena, Ill., Caroline Smith (2020) of Inverness, Ill., and Amy Kucera (2017) of Riverside, Ill., are co-leaders after carding a 1-over-par 73 during the first round.
This is the 36th Annual Chick Evans Jr Am Championship features 195 junior golfers from throughout the state of Illinois ages 12 to 18. This event is a 36-hole, stroke play event where players are attempting to qualify for the match play rounds. The Boys Division will be cut to the low 32 boys for up to five rounds of match play, while the Girls Division will be cut to the low 16 for up to four rounds of match play. The Boys Division is playing the par 72 Itasca CC from 6,467 yards, while the Girls Division played the course from 5,518.
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, DiFranco carded five birdies and 11 pars during the first round. This is DiFranco’s third appearance at CEJA, in 2015 he made it to the Round of 16 before falling to Jackson Wetherbee 4&3.
Currently tied for second are William Marshalll (2019) of Elburn, Ill., and Evan Myers (2019) of Northbrook, Ill., who each carded a 1-under-par 71 opening round. In a four way tie for fourth at even-par 72 are Jack Hoiberg (2017) of Burr Ridge, Ill., Ricky Leme (2016) of Lake Villa, Ill., Nicholas Huggins (2017) of Aurora, Ill., and Charlie Van Cleave (2017) of Northbrook, Ill. Currently sitting in eighth place are Cameron Karney (2018) of Crystal Lake, Ill., Brian Joseph (2020) of Wilmette, Ill., Sam Stapleton (2018) of Clarendon Hills, Ill., and Jake Wright (2016) of Naperville, Ill., who each carded a first round total of 1-over-par 73.
In the Girls Division, Bolden carded one birdie and 15 pars during the first round. This is Bolden’s third appearance at CEJA, in 2015 she came in third after falling 2&1 in the Semi-Finals of match play.
Smith carded four birdies and nine pars during the first round. This is Smith’s first appearance at CEJA, she was the medalist at her qualifier – the Maggie Rogers/Girls CEJA Qualifier hosted earlier this month at Inverness GC.
This is also Kucera’s first appearance at CEJA. She carded three birdies and 12 pars during the opening round.
Currently in fourth is Haeri Lee (2018) of Buffalo Grove, Ill., who carded a 3-over-par 75. Rounding out the top-5 were Grace Curran (2019) of New Lenox, Ill., and Stephanie Mroz (2018) of Wood Dale, Ill., who each carded a 4-over-par 76.
Tee times for the second round will run from 7:30 – 9:38 am and 12:30 to 2:30pm off of No. 1 and No. 10 at Itasca CC in Itasca, Ill.
