'A big opportunity': Peoria golfer chooses a college and gets the invite of a lifetime
PEORIA — Weston Walker is headed to the biggest tournament of his golf career.
The former Peoria Christian School and 2019 IHSA Class 1A state champion has won a place in the USGA's 74th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
The 18-year-old — who recently committed to Indiana Wesleyan — will be among a field of 264 from around the nation in the prestigious tournament July 25-30 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore.
"I just found out this morning," Walker said on Monday afternoon. "It was a simple text message on my phone. I went through the Purdue-area qualifier, and I finished as first alternate.
"Well someone dropped out Monday, and I got that spot."
Johnny Miller, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and many more are among the PGA veterans who once won the U.S. Junior Amateur.
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Walker knows the history of the tournament and how important it is on his path through the game.
"I definitely think it's a big opportunity for me to show everyone what I'm worth," Weston said. "I've had injuries in the last year and gone through lots of failure. Hurt my wrist twice, my lower back and my knee. I've dealt with those, tried to keep playing, improving.
"I'm super pumped for this tournament. I'm not nervous at all, just really excited. I just found out this morning, so I haven't even had time to research the course and I leave Wednesday."
Bandon Dunes is a par-71, 7,202-yard course that sits alongside the Pacific Ocean and was designed by Scotland native David McLay Kidd, opening in 1999. The No. 9 hole is a 585-yard, par-5 test, and No. 18 brings 'em home over 560 yards, par 5.
College golf on horizon for Walker
Walker had no shortage of college golf options, but his decision came down to Bradley or Indiana Wesleyan. He committed to Indiana Wesleyan about two weeks ago.
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"It was going to be one of those two, and both were great offers," Walker said. "(BU coach) Jeff Roche means a lot to me and has helped me. I felt a connection with Wesleyan, too.
"They gave me a full ride, and I wanted to be at a Christian school. I've really grown in my faith the past year, and I've been surrounded by great coaches and friends and family."
USGA's 74th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
Here is the schedule for the 2022 event, scheduled to begin July 25 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon.
July 25: 18 holes, stroke play
July 26: 18 holes, stroke play.
July 27: Round of 64, match play, with top 64 scores from stroke play
July 28: Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches.
July 29: Quarterfinal and semifinal matches. (Semifinals on Golf Channel, 5-7 p.m.)
July 30: 36-hole championship match (Golf Channel, 5 -7 p.m.)
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria golfer part of field at 74th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship
