Clayton Andrews signs to compete at the collegiate level in 2023
By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Clayton Andrews will have the opportunity to continue his golf career this fall at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. Andrews signed a letter of intent to study at McKendree and compete for Bearcats Golf Team.
McKendree competes in the Great Lakes Valle Conference (GLVC) and the golf team is coached by Head Coach Mikal Guffy and Assistant Coach Will Postlethwaite. The GLVC is a Division II Conference in the NCAA.
McKendree had a team of 20 golfers last season. At each match or tournament the Bearcats field a team of five (5) main or starting golfers and five (5) individual golfers get to travel with the team.
Clayton Andrews is the son of Dean and Denise Andrews of Chester. Andrews graduated from Chester High School in May of 2023 and was a 3-year letter winner on the YellowJacket Golf Team.
The YellowJackets finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 50-28. The team ended up with a 9-hole team average of 165 and an 18-hole team average of 347.2.
Andrews was one of four (4) seniors on the 2022 YellowJacket squad. In the last three years, Clayton dropped over 14 points off of his scores as a freshman. He had the second-most birdies on the team with seven (7) as a senior.
Clayton’s 18-hole average for the year was 89.6. His 9-hole average was 40.8. His lowest round for 2022 was 37.
Clayton’s Head Coach, Chris Toledo said, “Clayton is a great ball striker. He is one of the few guys that believes in a short game. He has the best short game on the team. He has improved so much because he takes practice seriously.”
“I have enjoyed every minute as Clayton’s coach! He is an awesome young man. I wish him the best of luck in the future and I know he will be very successful.”
Clayton is looking very forward to the next chapter in his educational life and is most happy that he gets to continue his golfing career at the college level.
Educationally Andrews is still undecided regarding which career path he will take. His first year at McKendree he plans to take his general studies courses and concentrate o his responsibilities as a collegiate golfer.
Clayton Andrews is supported by his fellow Chester High School golfers at his signing event to play golf at the collegiate level for the Division II McKendree Bearcats this fall. Standing (left to right) are Chris Toledo, CHS Head Golf Coach, Noah Homan, Evan Dunning, Max Blechle, Gage Hasemeyer, Aidan Blechle, Chance Mott, Lucas Thompson, and Paul Zemlyn, CHS Assistant Golf Coach. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School YellowJacket golfer, Clayton Andrews, a Class of 2023 graduate, is pictured with his fellow senior golfers following his signing ceremony to play golf this fall at McKendree University. Pictured with Andrews (standing) are Gage Hasemeyer, Aidan Blechle, and Chance Mott. Jim Beers Photo
Chester’s Clayton Andrews a Chester High School graduate of the Class of 2023, has signed a letter of intent to continue his golf career at the collegiate level this fall at McKendree University. Andrews is a 3-yrear letter winner at CHS and was deemed the best short-game player on the 2-23 YellowJacket Team. Shown hre Andrews signs his letter of intent with family and coaches by his side. Pictured with Andrews standing (left to right) are Chris Toledo, CHS Head Coach, Dean Andrews, Father, Denise Andrews, Mother, Chett Andrews, Brother, Nicole Long, Sister, and Paul Zemlyn, CHS Assistant Coach. Jim Beers Photo