TJ Barger Named CDGA Co-Player of the Year

LEMONT, Ill. – Illinois State redshirt sophomore TJ Barger has been named the 2023 Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) Co-Player of the Year for his performances during the summer season.

The award was determined by an accumulation of points based on performances in various local and national events, and Barger and Mac McClear received the Charles N. Eckstein Trophy by virtue of being named Player of the Year.

Barger thrust himself into contention at the State Amateur Tournament with a third-round 64 at Bloomington Country Club, before finishing as runner-up in the tournament. He also set the course record in a U.X. Amateur qualifier at Weibring Golf Club with a nine-under 62, advancing to the Quarterfinals of the 103rd CDGA Amateur Championship at Lake Shore Country Club. Barger and McClear each earned 550 Player of the Year points.

He is the third Redbird golfer to win the award, joining David Perkins who shared the honor in 2019 and Trent Wallace who was the 2018 honoree.

This season with the Redbirds, Barger is averaging 72.6 strokes per round in 15 total rounds in the fall. He has six rounds at or under par, with a season-low 69 coming in the first round of the Badger Invitational, which he finished in a tie of 19th overall with a three-round 215.

The Redbirds finished a stellar fall campaign, in which ISU finished under par in four of five tournaments, including finishing 25 strokes under par at the Island Resort Intercollegiate. ISU has 46 rounds at or under par this year, with two medalist finishes and eight individual top-10 finishes. Three times the Redbirds have finished as runner-up at a tournament, including at the Island Resort Intercollegiate, the Badger Invitational, and the Purdue Fall Invitational.

The spring season for Illinois State kicks off on February 19 at the two-day, 54-hole Border Olympics hosted by the University of Houston at the Laredo Country Club in Laredo, Texas.

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