Illinois Golfers Punched Tickets to State Tournament
Local golfers competed in sectional tournaments across Illinois to secure spots in upcoming state championships.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Golf
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Illinois athletes navigated competitive sectional golf tournaments on Oct. 5, 2026, to determine who qualifies for the state finals. While some golfers advanced, others fell just short of the required scores to continue their seasons.
Why it matters
The sectional rounds represent the final hurdle for individual golfers aiming to compete for the state title. These results determine the final field for the state tournaments scheduled later this month.
Boden Rives qualified with a 6-over 78, and Sydney Hill posted a 13-over 85. Meanwhile, the playoff qualifying score was set at 7-over 79.
The players
Boden Rives
Boden Rives is a competitive golfer who successfully qualified for the Class 1A individual state golf tournament.
Brayden Kerns
Brayden Kerns is an individual golfer who participated in the Class 2A Quincy Notre Dame Sectional tournament.
Sydney Hill
Sydney Hill is a golfer who represented her school at the Class 1A girls sectional tournament in Roxana.
The details
Golfers at the sectional level vied for spots based on the top three team finishes or the top 10 individual scores among non-advancing teams. Scores across the state included 17-over 89 for Micah David and 23-over 95 for Jack Stirnaman.
Timeline
Sectional golf tournaments occurred on Oct. 5, 2026.
State golf tournaments are scheduled for Oct. 9-10, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The results from the Oct. 5 sectional meets finalize the field for the upcoming state championship tournaments. Qualifying athletes now shift their focus to the state finals at Weibring, Prairie Vista, and Red Tail Run.
Athletes who failed to meet the 7-over 79 playoff qualifying score have concluded their individual tournament seasons. Conversely, qualifiers will now prepare for the state meets held in Normal, Bloomington, and Decatur.
The takeaway
Advancing through sectional play requires consistent performance under high-pressure conditions where a single stroke can determine eligibility for the next stage. Golfers missing the cut must now pivot their focus toward offseason training and preparation for the following school year.
What happens next
The Class 1A, 2A, and girls state golf tournaments are scheduled to take place on Oct. 9-10, 2026, across three different Illinois venues.
Further reading
For more updates on local tournament results and state qualifiers, visit our Golf section.
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