The Wednesday competition at Aldeen Golf course in Rockford Illinois for the championship of the 42^nd Annual Illinois Junior  Girls Golf Association heated up and turned into a real horserace.   Kendall Farm of Carol Stream recorded a two day total of 145 (72,73). This total was tied by Addie Dobson of Jacksonville with scores of 74,71 (+1)  The one hole playoff ended after a birdie by Kendall  Farm on the first playoff hole.  The level of competition was fun to watch with upsets everywhere. Riley Lewis of Edwardsville came in fourth behind  Katherine Lemke of Geneva.

The Thursday competition at Pekin Country Club in Pekin, Illinois for the championship of the 52nd Illinois State Senior Women’s Am Championship was the third day of beautiful weather and great golf.   Mary Ellen Martin from Winfield played another fabulous round of golf and is our 2021 champion with a three day total of 228.  Jan Bowers from Lincoln was 2nd with a three day total of 233.  Karen Ford from Oakbrook was third with a three day total of 245.   Clarita Reuer from Schaumburg was the low net winner with a three day total of 220. 

The Illinois Women’s Golf Association (IWGA) is pleased to announce the winners of their Julia H. Dodds and Helen Spencer Award for 2021. This year the IWGA recognizes two outstanding graduating high school seniors with $2000 awards in memory of Julia H Dodds and in honor of Helen Spencer.  Criteria for both awards include: Character, Scholarship, Leadership and Sportsmanship.  The 30th Julia Dodds Scholarship winner is Megan Thiravong, from Rochelle and a graduate of Rochelle Township High School.  The  Helen Spencer Scholarship winner is Isabella Peshek of Mount Prospect and a graduate of Prospect High School.

The IWGA has lost one of its most loved supporters.  Helen Spencer passed away on October 13, 2020 at the age of 95.  She was an avid golfer and played in the IWGA State Amateur and Senior Amateur Championships for 36 years running. When she was no longer able to play, she still attended championships when they were within travel distance and was always a welcome site to players and IWGA board members.

Welcome to another wonderful year of golf!  The IWGA mission is to support the game of golf for girls and women of Illinois.  Thanks to all elected officers, board members, and committee chairs for working diligently to ensure the IWGA continues to offer three State Championships, award scholarships to outstanding high school senior girls, award grants to college women’s golf teams, help the USGA state team qualifiers, and support veteran’s programs and medical research. The donations obtained from individuals and clubs to the IWGA Victory Fund enable the IWGA to continue this rewarding philanthropic work. 

The IWGA is pleased to announce the establishment of the Helen Spencer Junior Girls Award to annually honor an outstanding graduating high school senior with a financial contribution to her future education in the amount of $2000.  The first award will be announced in May of 2020.