Chip Shots: Choi runner-up at Players Challenge

SUMMER GOLF TOURNAMENTS

Northfield’s Justin Choi took second at the Players Challenge #4/Junior PGA Qualifier at the Highland Park Country Club on July 21-22. Choi, who will be a senior at New Trier, shot 70 on both rounds to finish four strokes behind Wheaton’s Luke Armbrust, who qualified to the Junior PGA Championship on Aug. 9-12 at Rumford, Rhode Island.

Michael Tanaka of Wilmette was third (76-67—143), while Winnetka’s Connor Prassas came in fifth (74-71—145). Other area golfers finishing in the top 20 included Wilmette’s Brian Joseph (146), Northfield’s Ben Scherman (148), Glenview’s John Kryscio (148), Lake Forest’s Jed Thomas (150), Winnetka’s William Nummy (150), Glenview’s Jack Grier (151), Lake Forest’s Billy Jack Bailes (152) and Wilmette’s Daniel Tanaka (152).

In Players Challenge #3 at Deerfield Golf Club on July 18-19, Lake Forest’s Jason Folker took medalist honors (70-68—138). Northbrook’s Evan Myers was fifth with a 151. Others in the top 10 included Highland Park’s Charlie Ezgur (152), Lake Forest’s Billy Jack Bailes (153), Northbrook’s Quinn McCarthy (153) and Wilmette’s Michael Tanaka (153).

Folker also won Players Challenge #2 at Pleasant Run Resort on June 16-17 with a 144 (71-73). Highland Park’s Ari Herzog shot a 149 to finish in a tie for seventh.

And, Glenview’s Kevin Paek was the winner of Players Challenge #1 at White Pine GC on May 1.

MAJGT Harborside Classic: Northbrook’s Charlie Van Cleave finished fourth (72-78—150) in the Mid-American Junior Golf Tour’s Harborside Classic on July 13-14 at Harborside International. Glenview’s Jarrett Prchal placed in a tie for 10^th (156), while Glenview’s Jack Grier and Winnetka’s Peter Miles shared 12^th place (157) with three other golfers.

MAJGT Classic at Notre Dame: Reb Banas of Winnetka was a top 10 finisher at the MAJGT Classic at Notre Dame on July 11-12 at The Warren Golf Course. He shot a 159 (82-77—159) to share 10^th place with two other players.

AJGA Wincraft/McArthur Towel & Sports Future Legends: New Trier grad Matt Murlick definitely was in the hunt for a title in this American Junior Golf Association tourney at The Legend at Merrill Hills in Waukesha, Wisconsin on July 12-15. He finished three strokes back with a 223 (74-77-72). Northfield’s Justin Choi and Winnetka’s Chip Savarie shot 228s to finish in a tie for 15^th. Lake Bluff’s Scott Frevert carded a 231 for 25^th place.

AJGA Coca-Cola Junior Championships at Boyne Highlands: Glenview’s Charlies Nikitas shot a 66 on the second round and wound placing third in the Coca-Cola Junior Championships at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan on July 4-7. He ended up with a 212 (75-66-71—212), three strokes behind Michigan’s Devin Deogun. Glenview’s Kevin Paek took fourth (72-69-73—214), while Winnetka’s Connor Prassas was fifth (71-72-72—215). Jed Thomas of Lake Forest finished in a tie for 24^th (223).

Girls

Players Challenge/Junior PGA Qualifier at Highland Park: Glenview’s Hanna Tanaka placed third (74-73—147) in the Players Challenge #4/Junior PGA Qualifier at Highland Park Country Club on July 21-22. Penelope Tir came in fifth (80-70—150), while Emily Young was seventh (77-77-154).

On July 18-19 at the Players Challenge #3 at Deerfield GC, Glencoe’s Rachel Rhee finished fifth (79-78—157). Glenview’s Sophia Lau was sixth (158), while Glenview’s Hanna Tanka was seventh (160).

MAJGT Harborside Classic: Glenview’s Nicole Wetoska finished one stroke in back of medalist Grace Curran (New Lenox) in the MAJGT Harborside Classic on July 13-14. Wetoska shot a 77 on the second round to end up with a 156. Hanna Tanaka of Glenview and Rachel Rhee of Glencoe finished in a tie for the fourth (167).

MAJGT Classic at Notre Dame: Nina Rutkowski, who will be a junior at Loyola Academy, was the clearcut winner at the MAJGT Classic at Notre Dame on July 11-12. Rutkowski shot a 74 on the first round and a 73 on the second round at The Warren Golf Course to win the tourney by six strokes over Wheaton’s Sarah Hauenstein (153). Lake Forest’s Emily Young came in fourth (78-82—160), while Winnetka’s Madison Banas took ninth (177).

This was Rutkowski’s first MAJGT victory of the summer. She took runner-up honors in the Championship at Geneva National (71-81-74—226) on June 14-16 and MAJGT-IJGA Championship at Royal Hawk (78-77-75—230) on June 27-29. She had a third-place finish at the Windmill Open on May 14-15.