JIM BILLITER WINS 64TH IPGA MATCHPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

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Jim Billiter of the Merit Club in Libertyville.

There is a new champion in the Illinois PGA Match Play Championship. Jim Billiter of the Merit Club in Libertyville won his first IPGA Major Championship on his 29th birthday. Happy Birthday Jim, you earned it.

Earn it he did on the 21st hole of his championship match with Brian Brodell now with Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville.

Billiter thought he had lost it on the par 3, 3rd hole when he put an 8-Iron in the drink off the tee. But Brodell hit the back of the green and watched his ball jump over the back and into the deep rough.

After Billiter hit from the drop zone to 6 feet, Brodell chunked his chip short of the green and had to hit again from the rough. The second time he left his shot 5 feet from the pin, but when Billiter made his six foot bogey putt, Brodell missed from five feet to end the match.

Hole+17

Par 3, 17th hole at Island hills Golf Club in Centreville Michigan, See Islandhills.com for information on golf and stay and play packages.

It was not exactly the way either player wanted to end. Billiter admitted he thought he had lost the match after hitting his tee shot in the water.

Billiter had it a little easier in the morning when he defeated Simon Allan of Prestwick Country Club 4 & 3. Brodell meanwhile had his first match extended to 19 holes with Kyle Bauer of The Glenview Club.

The biggest surprise of the tournament was the collapse of the top seven seeds who lost on Wednesday. Three time champion Curtis Malm headed the list of unexpected early departures. Malm was followed out of the tournament by 2010 Champion Travis Johns the No.2 seed. Garrett Chaussard #3, Matt Slowinski #4, Rich Dukelow #6 all lost matches as well.

The 64th Illinois PGA Match Play Championship was conducted at Kemper Lakes Country Club, that is still wrapping up some renovation work by Rick Jacobson. The second IPGA major of the 2015 season will be the Illinois Open in July, to be held for the first time at two courses. In the new format both Royal Melbourne in Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods Country Club in Hawthorn Woods will be used.

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About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.