THE LATE JIM MCWETHY stands outside of the Mistwood Clubhouse. Mistwood Golf teaching professional Nicole Jeray finished T-15 at this past weeks Senior LPGA Championship in Kansas. Jeray is back competing in this weeks Illinois Women’s Open
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn and Facebook.
BOONCHANT WINS 2022 PHIL KOSIN ILLINOIS WOMEN”S OPEN.
IN THE END, it wasn’t even close.
Jeravee Boonchant had the second largest margin of victory in tournament history.
Because it was a tournament at the turn, and then suddenly it wasn’t. As Boonchant of Mundelein, started making birdies around the water holes of Kelpie’s Corner of all places, and coasted to a 7-shot win. Finishing at 7 under par. Addison Klonowski of Naples Florida was second finishing at even par and the low-amateur.
Elayna Bowser of Dearborn Michigan finished in third place, but was the second place professional.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR the interview with 2022 Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open Champion Jaravee Boonchant.
But by winning the IWO, Boonchant received a trophy and the first place $5,000 first place check. Boonchant plays on the Epson Tour and now heads to the French Lick Resort for the Epson Tournament there this week.
Once Boonchant got it going on the back-nine, the rest of the field had no-chance to catch her. With other prominent women’s tournaments happening last week, several top players arrived at Mistwood tired and running on little sleep.
Grace Curran of New Lenox and Sarah Arnold of Geneva, played in the Women’s Western Amateur at Sunset Ridge Country Club last week. Both players advanced to the match play part of the tournament, after two days of stroke play. Curran was 10th and Arnold 11th at the IWO.
Mistwood teaching professional Nicole Jeray ended up 25th, in a tournament she has won multiple times, or finishes most years near the top of the leaderboard. Jeray played outstanding golf in the Senior LPGA Championship last week in Kansas. But then had to fly home Sunday night, and go right to Mistwood for Round 1 on Monday morning.
Attending the awards presentation were members of the McWethy family, and Phil Kosin’s brother, Greg Kosin.
This year the starting field consisted of 63 players. But in the end 60 played completed all 36 holes. Tournament officials did not say if the 2023 IWO will go back to a 54-hole format.
A full list of scores is found on the Mistwood Golf Club’s website at Mistwoodgc.com.