LEMONT – The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour hosted the Cog Hill Junior Championship this past weekend from July 15-16 at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club. Boys and girls traveled from all over the globe to participate in the 36-hole tournament. The event had six divisions; Boys 16-18, Boys 14-15, Boys 11-13, Boys U10, Girls 14-18 and Girls U13.
Leading the boys 16-18 division was Forrest Benson from Mahomet, IL. Benson brought in an exceptional scorecard for the weekend. With nine birdies on the weekend, he shot two under bringing in scores of 70 for both days. He took home the champion title with a total of 140 strokes. This was Forrest’s fourth event of 2023 and his first win. The runner up honors went to newcomer Bennett Dolter from Peosta, IA. His scores of 74 in round 1 and 69 in round 2 gave him a combined score of 143. Finishing up top three honros was Charlie Pettrone from Cyrstal Lake, IL with scores of 75 and 69 totaling 144 strokes.
In the boys 14-15 division, Gabriel Althoff from Wilmette, IL finished the weekend in first place. In round 1 he brought in a score of 82 and an 87 in round 2. Althoff brought in his best score so far this year and ended the tournament with a toal of 169 strokes. Rishi Kompala from Palatine, IL and Pasha Zabadneh from Evanston, IL tied for the runner up honors on the weekend. Both players were able to bring in scores of 84 and 86 for a combined score of 170 strokes.
In the boys 11-13 division, Griffin Michalak from Wood Dale, IL finished the weekend as our champion. Michalak is new to the HJGT, this is his second event of the year and his first win. With seven birdies and scores of 77 and 72, he finished the weekend with a score of 149. Hunter Benson from Mahoment, IL took home the runner up honors with a final score of 157. This follows an outstanding first place win at the College Prep Series at Iowa. Joshua Coniaris from Downers Grove, IL finishes up the top three honors with scores of 78 and 81 totaling 159.
Trey Bunner from Fort Wayne, IN was our first place winner in the boys under 10 division. This was his first event of 2023. His scores of 106 in round 1 and 103 in round 2 gave him a total of 209 strokes. We applaud his efforts in his first tournament and hope to see another win at his next.
Newcomer Zoie Chan from Hong Kong, China was the first place winner in the girls 14-18 division. Chan brought in a great scorecard for her first tournament. With two birdies on the weekend, she brought in scores of 74 in round 1 and 78 in round 2. Zoie secured the win with a total of 152 strokes. The runner up honors went to Keira Brazeau from Palatine, IL. Brazeau put up scores of 77 and 80 totaling 157, her best score so far this year. Finishing up the top three honors with a final score of 169 was Lauren Schwing from Effingham, IL.
To finish off a great weekend, Wakana Hill from Flossmoor, IL was crowned champion of the girls under 13 division. She was able to bring in her best score so far this year. With a round 1 score of 92 and a 91 in round 2, she finished the tournament with a total of 183 strokes.