Julie Hovland Director of Operations/ Assistant Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Julie Hovland Director of Operations/ Assistant Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois women's golf program commenced its 2024-25 season with the ninth annual Illini Women's Golf Classic at the Atkins Golf Club at the University of Illinois in Urbana on Monday, August 26. The event featured 26 teams and raised funds to support the Fighting Illini.
Sponsors for the event included Sullivan-Parkhill Automotive, UpClose Printing, Ronald and Paula Filler, Ed and Doncy Beard, Janet and Steve Bowsher, among others.
"Such an exciting start to the year," head coach Renee Slone remarked. "We added a live auction to this year's Classic which was a huge hit! Shout-out to Big Mike and his Mega Events team for bringing the energy and their assistance in providing a special experience for our supporters. Numbers are still being finalized but this will be our most successful Classic to date. We continue to have a strong alumnae showing, including this year's overall champion team of Nora Lucas Klein, Maureen Liddy Strup, Hailey Koschmann Pearson and Crystal Smith Gantner."
"A big thank you to Jim Buyze, Kathy Hug and Jennifer Tuttle, and the staffs at Atkins Golf Club and Oskee's for their efforts in making the event a success. We are so grateful for all the volunteers, sponsors and participants in this year's Classic and their support of Illinois Women's Golf!"
Participants engaged in various on-course challenges such as longest drive, closest second shot, and longest putt. Off-course activities included a silent auction.
Post-tournament festivities included dinner provided by Oskee's followed by awards presentations. Members of the 2024-25 Illini Women's Golf Team were introduced to supporters before concluding with silent auction winner announcements.
Overall Tournament Winners:
- FIRST FLIGHT – FIRST PLACE: Nora Klein, Maureen Strup, Hailey Pearson, Crystal Gantner (RRKY) - 55
- FIRST FLIGHT – SECOND PLACE: Mark Wisniewski, Chris Shroyer, Jason Holdren, Spencer Fields (Busey Bank) - 58
- SECOND FLIGHT – FIRST PLACE: Ed McVey, Pete Piet, John Williamson, Gary Vidal (Constellation) - 63
- SECOND FLIGHT – SECOND PLACE: Janice Kimpel, Beth Ayotte, Jane Santogrossi, Becky Beach - 63
- THIRD FLIGHT – FIRST PLACE: Kim Zahrn, Ellie Tracy,Yvonne Redmon,Judy Nowak (Kim Zahrn) -66
- THIRD FLIGHT – SECOND PLACE: Jeff Dunlap,Gabe Chavez ,Jason Ruzic ,Chris Demetriou (Constellation)-66
Special Awards:
- MEN'S LONGEST DRIVE: Matt Ehrhart
- WOMEN'S LONGEST DRIVE: Nora Klein
- CLOSEST SECOND SHOT – HOLE #10: Rob Walls / Beth Ayotte
- LONGEST PUTT – HOLE #8: Gary Vidal
- LONGEST PUTT – HOLE #18: Paul Vallina
Live Auction Winners:
- Chicago Blackhawks Experience: Rick Slone
- French Lick Resort Stay & Play Package: Rusty Ernst
- Illini Basketball Experience: Lisa Joley
- Illini Football Experience: Steve Bowsher
- Round for Three at TPC Sawgrass with D.A. Points: Jeffrey Taylor
-All Inclusive Mexico/Caribbean Getaway:Jill Flessner/Rob Walls
Silent Auction Winners:
-Bahamas Package :Joseph Barnes
-Bourbon Trail in Kentucky :Jake Tucker
-Hola Y Aloha Package :Paula Filler
-Round for Four at Atkins Golf Club :Bob Cusick
-Round for Four at Lincolnshire Fields :Rusty Ernst
-Round for Four at Waterlefe :Ron Filler
Club Champion Driver Fitting:Nancy Walther
Club Champion Full Bag Fitting Debra Cohen
Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max Driver Lee Smith University of Illinois Official Team Golf Bag Tom Greer St.Louis Cardinals Ticket Package Rick Slone Colonnades Club Experience Claudia Richards Cooper's Hawk Wine Gift Basket Mark Wisniewski Yeti Tundra35 Cooler Jeff Dunlap Shoulder Bag Ellie Tracy Decorative Pillows Jim Sheehan
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