The 2025 IHSA Golf State Finals: A Showcase of Rising Stars and Regional Dominance
The Illinois High School Association's golf state finals concluded with a thrilling display of talent and regional pride. In a series of intense competitions held across Bloomington-Normal and Decatur, young golfers from various schools and backgrounds vied for the ultimate recognition—state trophies and medalist titles.
Peoria Area's Strong Showing:
Peoria's representation at the finals was remarkable, with 24 individuals and four teams making it to the final rounds. Among them, Nolan Eccles from Dunlap and Wyatt Novotny from Bureau Valley emerged as individual state champions, solidifying their status as rising stars in the golfing world.
A Tie and a Technicality:
In the boys' Class 2A state finals, Washington and Normal U-High tied with an impressive total of 596 strokes. But here's where it gets interesting: the title was decided by a tiebreaker based on the score of the fifth lowest-scoring golfer on each team. Normal U-High claimed the victory, showcasing the importance of every team member's performance.
State Trophies and Medals:
The IHSA awarded trophies to the top three teams in each class and gender category, with the exception of the girls' Class 3A, which was not mentioned in the original report. The top 10 golfers in each event were also honored with state medals, recognizing their outstanding skills.
Class 1A Boys:
At Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Teutopolis, Fulton, and Port Byron Riverdale secured the trophy team spots. Wyatt Novotny from Bureau Valley claimed the top medalist position, with Coen Pennington from Teutopolis and Nolan Murphy from Illini West tying for second. The competition was fierce, with several golfers finishing within a few strokes of each other.
Class 2A Boys:
Weibring Golf Club in Normal hosted the Class 2A boys' finals, where Normal U High, Washington, and West Chicago Wheaton Academy took the trophy team honors. Nolan Eccles from Dunlap dominated the individual competition, with Carson Tribout from Belleville Althoff and Brody Allen from Normal U-High tying for second. This class showcased some of the most promising young golfers in the state.
Class 3A Boys:
The Den at Fox Creek Golf Course in Bloomington saw Winnetka New Trier and Evanston tie for first place in the team competition, with Elmhurst York taking third. Lester Low from Evanston and Isaac Rumler from Moline claimed the top two medalist spots, respectively. This class featured a tight race for the top positions.
Class 1A Girls:
At Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Mount Carmel, Quincy Notre Dame, and Breese Central secured the trophy team spots. Sarah Hyten from Glen Carbon Father McGivney took the top medalist position, with Avery Arendell from Coulumbia and a three-way tie for third place among Zeme Moore, Natalie Druffel, and Miley Kennard from Mount Carmel, and Merryn Elliott from Carterville. The girls' competition was just as intense as the boys'.
Class 2A Girls:
Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth hosted the Class 2A girls' finals, where Northbrook Glenbrook North, Lincolnshire Stevenson, and Winnetka New Trier claimed the trophy team honors. Alli Wiertel from Oswego East took the top medalist spot, with Martha Kuwahara from Glenbrook North and Miah Wanserski from Downers Grove South tying for second. This class showcased the rising talent in girls' golf.
And this is the part most people miss—the IHSA golf state finals are more than just a sporting event. They are a celebration of youth, skill, and regional pride. These young athletes represent the future of golf, and their performances inspire the next generation of players. But what do you think? Are these tournaments a true reflection of the best high school golfers in the state, or is there room for improvement in the selection process? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going!
