The final two Illinois State Championships of the season were contested simultaneously this September, as the 38th Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship at Itasca Country Club and the 55th Illinois State Senior Women’s Amateur Championship at South Side Country Club each crowned champions on the 18th of the month following three days of competition.
The scheduling of the Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship could not have come at a more perfect time for Rick Stewart (Park Ridge). One week earlier, and the eventual victor of this year’s championship would have been ineligible, as he turned 55 just two days prior to the event. Stewart carded rounds of 71, 72 and 69 to win by two shots over John Wright (Oswego).
“I feel great,” Stewart said following the win. “It was an excellent experience. I had great playing partners for all three days and am really glad to finally get a win; I've had a couple close events, but this feels great.”
As steady as they came throughout the week, Stewart was one of three competitors to play all three rounds at even par or better. He opened his title quest with a 1-under 71 on Monday. The round included an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys. His second round was a near carbon copy of the day prior, with a closing bogey the only difference, to earn Stewart a spot in the penultimate group, as he sat four shots behind the then-leader Tim Sheppard (East Peoria).
Steering clear of glancing at the scoreboard throughout the day, Stewart remained unaware of the exact situation at hand and stuck to his game plan. It paid off in a big way, as he carded five birdies and two bogeys to post a 3-under 69 and win the event by two shots.
Meanwhile, nearly 200 miles southwest, Deanne Stolarik (Zion) was putting together an impressive week of her own in carding rounds of 81, 78 and 77 to win the State Senior Women’s Amateur by nine shots. The win was Stolarik’s first following six different runner-up finishes.
“I’ve been close so many times the last few years and just have been outplayed on the final day,” said Stolarik of her numerous close calls. “Today, I was finally able to pull it off. It means a lot.”
After the first two rounds, Stolarik held a four-shot lead over Sonia Burgess (Carol Stream) and defending champion Mary Ellen Martin (Winfield). Stolarik’s past experiences helped her finish strong on the final day.
“I just tried to keep the pedal to the medal,” she said. “Played really well on the front nine and had a ten-shot lead going into the back, so I just stayed focused and kept playing my game. It ended up working out all right.”
This year marked the first time that the Illinois State Senior Women’s Amateur was administered by the CDGA, as it was previously run by the Illinois Women’s Golf Association. Prizes were awarded to the three lowest gross and net finishers in each of the five flights. Mimi Boysen (Dixon) was crowned the overall net champion at +11.