ALUMNI IN THE NCAA
Some of the top NCAA DI collegiate golfers flocked to Rich Harvest Farms for the 2017 NCAA DI Golf Championship. Rich Harvest Farms has a rich history of hosting prestigious events, from the 2009 Solheim Cup to the 2015 Palmer Cup, the Western Amateur, among others. Rich Harvest Farms has a special connection with the IJGA as it plays host to the IJGA’ s premiere season-ending event, The Rog.
The Rog is played in memory of the IJGA’ s first paid Executive Director, Roger Ulseth. Ulseth and Mr. Jerry Rich, the founder and owner of Rich Harvest Farms, became friends during their high school days. The two started a“ Regional Round-Up” event to promote the game of golf in 1994. During the 1997 season, Roger Ulseth passed away and this event was renamed to honor him.
For the Women’ s Championship, 24 teams and 12 individuals competed to earn a national title. While the weather was not ideal, the women were able to play a weather-shortened stroke play event before the top teams advanced to the match play rounds. Three IJGA / MAJGT alumni competed for the Women’ s National Title: Jessica Porvasnik( Ohio State), Allyson Geer( Michigan State), and Lexi Harkins( North Carolina).
The Men’ s Championship consisted of 30 teams and 6 individuals. There were six IJGA / MAJGT alumni competing on the men’ s side for the National Title. Nick Hardy( Illinois) made the cut to the two days of match play with the help of his team. The other alumni playing in the field included: Doug Ghim( Texas), Timmy Hildebrand( Purdue), Trent Wallace( Illinois State), Tripp Kinney( Iowa State), and Ian Holt( Kent State).
From Left: Nick Hardy on No. 3 during the second round. The view from the Women’ s tee on the par 3, No. 12. Nick Hardy tees off. Crowds watch as players take on this iconic par 3. Doug Ghim on the tee. The NCAA logo adorns the hill on No. 18.
4 Illinois Junior Golf Association