Chester’s Jarrett James finishes 2nd at 2025 State Farm Youth Classic Golf Tournament

James shoots 144 (+2) for his 2-day total to place 2nd

By Jim Beers

CHESTER – Jarrett James, son of Tony and Christy James of Chester, competed again this year at the esteemed State Farm Youth Golf Classic. This event took place Sunday through Tuesday June through 22-24. The event has a mission of providing a competitive, professionally-conducted youth golf tournament, and to generate tourism to the Bloomington area.

 

The event began in 2002 and has strived to provide a positive, competitive environment for junior golfers who are age 3 through 22. The State Farm Youth Golf Classic has helped to assist theses young golfers to grow in their skill development and overall personal development by playing the sport of golf.

 

The tournament partners with local businesses and community leaders to create an event that brings golfers and their families to Bloomington from all over the world. This helps to generate tourism and positivity to the local economy.

 

It is quite impressive for Jarrett James to compete and compete very successfully in the annual State Farm Youth Golf Tournament. This event has a 25-member committee which governs the tournament.

 

Six local public golf courses help to make the event happen. Over the years more than 4,000 golfers have competed in this event. Some of the previous golfers in the State Farm event are now playing on the professional tour. Others are very successful collegiate golfers and more are now employed as golf professionals or golf coaches/instructor.

Jarret James competed in the 18-22 age Division which is the top level of golfers, most of which are collegiate golfers. Jarrett’s mother, Christy James, said, “It was really interesting seeing all of the golfers in Jarrett’s Division walk around with their golf bags from their respective colleges. Jarrett kept his bag from Illinois College and used it at the State Farm Youth Golf Classic.”

 

James, who is 22 years old, played in his final year of eligibility in the 2025 State Farm Youth Classic. He competed with 26 other golfers in his collegiate age group (18-22). He shot 69 (-2) on his first day, and 75 on his second day (+4), for a total score of 144 strokes (+2).

 

The Top-10 finishers included:

1st: E. Emig of Highland, IL.

2nd: J. James of Chester, IL.

3rd: Arian Atendido, Bensenville, IL.

4th: Arian Atendido, Bensenville, IL.

5th: L. Harwick, Dyersville, IA.

6th Tie: C. McCullough, Dewey, IL.

6th Tie: W. Ross, Monticello, IL.

8th: J, Brokaw, Dewitt, IA.

9th: T. Knoll, Wadsworth, IL.

10th: G. Gain, Bloomington, IL.

 

Jarrett had a great collegiate career playing golf at Illinois College. He played his final year of collegiate golf this past season during the 2024-25 school year. James played for Head Coach Jay Rowell at Illinois College.

 

This year James was the lead golfer for IC in 7-of-12 matches including:

 

9-1-24 at the Highlander Classic (143, Tie 8th);

9-16-24 at the Cougar Fall Classic (144, 6th)

9-20-24 at the Midwest Fall Classic (148, Tie 48th)

3-28-25 at the Cougar Spring Classic (77, 4th)

4-21-25 at the McNaughton Memorial (67, 1st)

4-25-25 at the Take Back the Night (142, Tie 5th)

5-4-25 at the 2025 SLIAC Championships (216, 9th)

 

For Illinois College James, a senior, competed in 9-of-9 matches. He was one of only three players on the team to win a match. He averaged 72.2 for the season and recorded eight Top-Finishes.

 

He played the final match of his collegiate career at the Timbergate Golf Course in Edinburg, Indiana May 4-6, at the SLIAC Championships. He finished 9th, earning 2nd Team All-Conference honors. He just missed making the 1st All-Conference Team by only one stroke.

 

During his four years at Illinois College James made 1st Team All-Conference his freshman and junior Years. His 72.2 average this senior was the lowest of any golfer in the SILAC.

 

Jarrett’s freshman year he won the “SLIAC Newcomer of the Year Award”. He is the only Illinois College golfer to ever win this award.

 

Jarrett’s sophomore season he was the “SLIAC Men’s Player of the Week” twice! He was also nominated for two 2023 Illinois College “True Blue Awards” and was also nominated a “Record Breaking Performance” nominee. He was further a “1st Year Male Student Athlete of the Year” nominee and set a SLIAC Men’s Record with an individual Low Score of 138 for two Rounds 4-14-23.

 

His junior year James was the first Illinois College golfer to win the “IC Downer Award”. He also had a “SLIAC Season individual Low Round of 66”, as well as several other low round recognitions. These exceptional performances helped him earn “1st Team All-Conference honors”

 

This year as a senior, he had the lowest overall average of any golfer in the SLIAC (72.2) and earned “2nd Team All-Conference” honors. James ended his career with four different wins as well as 32 top finishes.

 

Jarrett graduated from Illinois College May 11, 2025 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness Management with a minor in Business Administration.

 

He will continue his golfing career and will pursue a job in the agriculture field. He will also pursue a position as a golf superintendent.