July 30, 2008
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -
Illinois State junior men's golfer Joe Emerich shot a two-under par 69 in the third and final round of the Illinois Open Championship Wednesday, capturing medalist honors in the 54-hole event at Hawthorn Woods Country Club in Lake Forest, Ill. Emerich finished the event with a five-under par 208, winning the tournament by two strokes.
Emerich started the tournament with a three-under par 68 Monday, and shot an even par 71 in Tuesday's second round. The Palatine, Ill., native entered Wednesday's third-round two strokes behind Illinois head coach and former Professional Golf Association (PGA) member Mike Small, in a three-way tie. Emerich outlasted Small and Justin Fetcho, who finished tied for second at three-under par.
"It was an exciting day, that's all I can say at this point," said Emerich. "I was very honored and proud to be playing with Mike Small, who is a three-time defending champion of this event. To have that opportunity and actually come out with a win was pretty cool.
"I learned about myself this week, both mentally and in what my capabilities are out there on the course. It sounds cliché, but I really felt like my entire game was solid all week, and I really putted well today. That was my entire focus, to give myself a birdie putt on every hole, especially the par fives. What the pros say is definitely true; to win an event, you have to putt well."
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59TH ILLINOIS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP |
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Emerich carded 17 birdies over the three-day event, with just seven combined bogies in the first and third rounds. He was two-under on par-three holes, and shot six-under par on the par 5's.
"This is a big time win for Joe," said Illinois State head coach Ray Kralis. "The Illinois Open is the major championship in the state of the Illinois, and for Joe to come out on top is a great feather in his cap. Mentally, I am confident this is going to take his game to an entire different level.
"Joe had a great year for us last season, and he was in contention in a lot of tournaments; he just never came out on top. For him to play like he did this week is just another step in the evolution of developing a great mental game. Joe has the ability to be a great player, and he obviously showed that at Hawthorn over the last three days. This is an unbelievable springboard for the upcoming two seasons, and beyond. It's a phenomenal day for Joe and for Redbird golf."
Administered by the Illinois Professional Golf Association (PGA) since 1950, the Illinois Open has historical roots dating back to 1922. The "state championship of golf" is a 54-hole championship contested over three days to determine the finest player in the state of Illinois.
The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside within the state of Illinois. Qualifying events conducted throughout the month of June finalized the championship field to the top 156 players.
