Trico’s Heins is Medalist. James & Eggemeyer of Chester, Miles of Sparta, and Demsar of Marisa earn “Top-5” honors
BY JIM BEERS
The 2026 Chester High School Invitational Golf Tournament was scheduled to take place last Thursday September 17, but extreme heat and dangerous humidity caused it to be re-scheduled for Monday September 21.
On Thursday temperatures were in the upper 90’s with very high humidity. Monday the temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 70’s with mostly cloudy skies and even an occasional light sprinkle of rain. Conditions were greatly appreciated by golfers, coachers, and fans throughout 18-hole, 5-hour match.
Campbell Hill (Trico), Chester 1 (Varsity), Chester 2 (JV), Marissa, Sparta, and Tamms (Egyptian) competed in the event. Two other teams, Murphysboro and Steeleville, were supposed to compete but had to drop out due to the change in date. Chester’s JV filled-in to complete a field of seven teams.
The event was hosted at the Chester Country Club. Chester High School Head Golf Coach, Clayton Andrews was the Meet Manager. He did as great job of organizing and managing the event. Chester Country Club Staff were also very helpful in cooking a post-match meal, providing beverages, golf carts and assisting in other areas. Kathy Brown was the chef and Mitch Eggemeyer managed the dining area.
Numerous Chester parents donated deserts and assisted with the serving of the post-match meal which included a taco bar, chips, nachos, and assorted tasty treats. Parents also stayed and helped clean up after the event.
The match teed-off at 1:00 p.m. and did not conclude until shortly after 6:00 p.m. Conditions were good on the course and golfers seemed to enjoy the event throughout the afternoon. Clayton Andrews, CHS Head Coach, handled the scoring and presented results and awards following the conclusion of the meal.
The first awards to be presented were the plaques for finishing in the Top-5. The following golfers earned Top-5 honors.
1st (Medalist): Brock Heins, a senior, of Trico, 73
2nd Tallen James, a senior, of Chester, 74
3rd Trevin Eggemeyer, a senior, of Chester, 79
4th Kyler Demsar, a sophomore, of Marissa, 80 (Tie)
4th Jaxon Miles, a sophomore, of Sparta, 80 (Tie)
Each Top-5 honoree received a plaque for his accomplishment.
Coach Clayton Andrews then announced the team results for the 18-hole match. This year’s winner was Campbell Hill (Trico) with their score of 327 strokes. The Next closest team was Chester with a score just nine points behind Trico, 336. Team scores include:
1st, Trico Pioneers, Class 1A, of the Black Diamond Conference 327
2nd, Chester YellowJackets (Varsity), Class 1A, of the Cahokia Conference 336
3rd, Sparta Bulldogs, Class 1A, of the Cahokia Conference 343
4th, New Athens Yellowjackets, Class 1A, of the Cahokia Conference 373
5th, Marissa Meteors, Class 1A, of the Cahokia Conference 383
6th, Chester (JV) YellowJackets, Class 1A, Cahokia Conference 401
7th, Tamms (Egyptian), Class 1A, South Egyptian Conference 436
The 2026 Chester Invitational Golf Tournament Championship Trophy was presented to the Campbell Hill (Trico) Pioneers. This group included Wade Rees, Maddax Rees, Brock Heins, Wyatt Stroud, Eli Schaber, and Embry Jones.
Scores for the Chester YellowJacket Varsity Team include:
2nd, Tallen James, a senior, 74
3rd, Trevin Eggemeyer, a senior, 79
15th, Alden Davitz, a junior, 91
17th (Tie), Kross Jany, a senior, 92
17th (Tie), Carter Kennedy, a freshman, 92
20th Jack Luthy, a sophomore, 95
Scores for the Chester YellowJacket Junior Varsity Team include:
19th Logan Springston, a junior, 94
24th Jake Dunn, a freshman, 99
25th, Preston Liefer, a sophomore, 100
34th, Logan Brace, a senior, 108
37th (Tie), Logan McDonald, a senior, 116
37th (Tie), Kendall Krieg, a junior, 116
Following the presentation of awards, Coach Clayton Andrews held a “Senior Night” ceremony recognizing the five YellowJacket Senior Golfers. Each senior received a gift bag and fresh flowers. Seniors included Logan McDonald, Tallen James, Logan Brace, Kross Jany, and Trevin Eggemeyer. These young men will also be recognized at the Fall Sports Senior Night event during pre-game festivities at the Chester vs Red Bud Football Game Friday October 9.
Next up for the YellowJackets will be the 2026 Cahokia Conference Match. This event is hosted by Wesclin High School at Governors Run Golf Course on Wednesday September 23. Tee-off is 9 a.m. This is Week 6 of the 2026 golf season and the Jackets will close out the week Thursday September 24 at Gibault High School. Tee-off is 3:45 p.m.
Top-5 finishers were presented with plaques for their efforts. (Left to right) are Brock Heins, Trico; Tallen James, Chester; Trevin Ehhemeyer, Chester, Kyler Demsar, Marissa and Jaxon Miles, Sparta. Jim Beers Photo
Carter Kennedy, a Chester High School freshman, tee’s-off to start the second round of golf at the 2026 Chester Invitational Golf Invitational. Kennedy finished tied for 17th overall with a score of 92. Jim Beers Photo
CHS Head Golf Coach, Clayton Andrews looks at the scoreboard of the 2026 CHS Golf Invite as he announces a wide variety of results. Jim Beers Photo
The Trico Pioneers won the 2026 Chester Invitational Golf Tournament Monday September 21. The team score was 327. Chester was the next closest with a score of 336 strokes. The Pioneers (left to right) are Wade Rees, Maddax Rees. Brock Heins (Medalist, 73 strokes), Wyatt Stroud, Eli Schaber, and Embry Jones. Jim Beers Photo