Ryder Cup skills contest challenges young golfers
On June 29, 36 young golfers gathered at Palatine Hills Golf Course to compete in the Illinois PGA Ryder Cup Youth Skills Challenge. Palatine Hills was host to one of many local skills challenges being held at Illinois golf courses throughout the summer.
Winners of these local competitions will advance to one of four regional competitions; the regional winners will advance to the Championship competition to be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Medinah Country Club, home of the 39th Ryder Cup.
The competition was free to all participants and was designed to showcase the driving, chipping and putting skills of each young player. Each player hit three balls at each station. Their two best balls counted toward their total score, based on distance and accuracy. Players were divided into several separate age groups for scoring purposes.
Palatine Hills challenge participants advancing to the regional level are: Mark Braun of Palatine, 6- to 8-year-old boys, first place; Trevor Brandon of Fox River Grove, 9- to 11-year-old boys, first place; Ryan McGee of Hawthorn Woods, 12- to 14-year-old boys, first place; Graham Lillibridge of Geneva, 12- to14-year-old boys, second place; Tom Broders of Palatine, 15- to 17-year-old boys, first place; Ryan Bailey of Elk Grove Village, 15- to 17-year-old boys, second place; Kaitlyn Parohinog of Streamwood, 9- to 11-year-old girls, first place; and Jenny Myslinski of Palatine, 12- to 14-year-old girls, first place.
The Palatine Hills winners will be advancing to the regional competition on Aug. 4, at Oak Brook Golf Club. The winners of the Oak Brook regional competition will compete against regional winners from Pine Meadow Golf Club in Mundelein, Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, and Cog Hill Golf and Country Club in Lemont for the opportunity to drive, chip and putt in the Ryder Cup Youth Skills Championship, held during the Ryder Cup, in September.
Palatine Hills Golf Course is Palatine Park District's 18-hole, 6,800-yard championship course. This par 72 course has four sets of tees that provide a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The course layout requires golfers to use all the clubs in the bag during a round. The par 4 holes range in distance from 335 to 456 yards and par 3 holes range from 165 to 228 yards. In addition, players must contend with 29 bunkers and water that comes into play on 10 holes.
For a free round of golf during your birthday month or for more information, visit www.palatinehills.org.
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