The Illinois PGA Championship is a

golf tournament Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course in as few strokes as possible. Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not use a standardized playing area, and coping wi ...

that is conducted by the Illinois PGA (Professional Golfers' Association). The 54-hole, stroke play Championship conducted over three days is the premier member event on the Illinois PGA calendar. The tournament is open to all "Class A" Illinois PGA Professionals in good standing with the

PGA of America The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA of America) is an American organization of golf professionals that was founded in 1916. Consisting of nearly 29,000 men and women members, the PGA of America's undertaking is to establish ...

History

The first Illinois PGA Championship was held in 1922 and won by

Eddie Loos Edward Wallace Neal Loos (July 31, 1893 – July 9, 1950) was an American professional golfer who played in the early-to-mid 20th century. His best performance in a major golf championship was a T10 finish in the 1924 U.S. Open. He won the ...

. In addition to the first place

purse money A purse is a small bag that may refer to: * Coin purse, small pouch made for carrying coins * Handbag, in American English * Money bag * Wallet Purse may also refer to: * Purse (horse racing), the total amount of money paid out to the owners o ...

, the winner is awarded the Jim Kemper Cup, which was donated by Jim Kemper, the former president and chairman of the board of Kemper Insurance Company.

Method of play

The Illinois PGA Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play event. Following 36 holes of play, the field is cut to the low 50 scores plus ties. In the event of a tie for the Championship, there is a three-hole, total stroke playoff. If the contestants remain tied after three (3) holes, the playoff will continue on a sudden death basis.

PGA Professional National Championship (PPNC) qualifying

The Illinois PGA Champion, along with a pre-determined number of finishers (based on total entries received), receive an exemption to play in the

PGA Professional National Championship The PGA Professional Championship is a golf tournament for golf club professionals and teachers who are members of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. It has been held by the PGA of America since 1968, when touring professionals sp ...

the following year.

Patriot Golf Day

During the first round of the Illinois PGA Championship, all competitors are asked to make a voluntary donation at registration in support of Patriot Golf Day – a joint initiative of the

and the

United States Golf Association The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the United States national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the rules ...

(USGA) that supports the Folds of Honor Foundation which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation. Contributions are also accepted through subsequent rounds. At the conclusion of the Championship, the Illinois PGA matches all funds donated by its members.

Winners

*^PO = Won in playoff

Multiple winners

The following players have won the Illinois PGA Championship multiple times: *13 wins: **Mike Small – 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020 *6 wins **Johnny Revolta – 1936, 1937, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1947 *5 wins: **Bill Ogden – 1953, 1957, 1960, 1971, 1972 *4 wins: **Jim Foulis – 1929, 1933, 1943, 1946 **Gary Groh – 1983, 1986, 1989, 2002 *3 wins: **Errie Ball – 1949, 1955, 1965 **Steve Benson – 1982, 1984, 1994 **Al Espinosa – 1927, 1928, 1930 **Tony Holguin – 1954, 1962, 1970 **Jock Hutchinson – 1923, 1925, 1926 **Jim Sobb – 1995, 1999, 2000 **Bob Zender – 1976, 1977, 1978 *2 wins: **Bob Ackerman – 1988, 1993 **Doug Bauman – 1996, 1997 **Harry Cooper – 1932, 1934 **Rick Dalpos – 1990, 1991 **Bob Harris – 1959, 1961 **Dick Hart – 1963, 1966 **George Keyes - 1956, 1967 **Eddie Loos – 1922, 1924 **Chuck Malchaski – 1958, 1968

References

External links

*
PGA of America – Illinois Section
{{PGA Section Championships , state=autocollapse Golf in Illinois PGA of America sectional tournaments