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Springfield native Jake Erickson, a seven-time Men’s City Golf Tournament winner, received a sponsor’s exemption to this year’s Korn Ferry Tour Memorial Health Championship presented by LRS at Panther Creek Country Club. 

Erickson is arguably Springfield’s top amateur golfer today. In July, he finished eighth in the 91st Illinois State Amateur Championship in Wilmette. He holds the record with his seven city titles. He won his last one in 2021 and finished a stroke behind winner Blaine Buente with a four-day total of 275 in August.  

It is Erickson’s second sponsor exemption into the tournament. He played his first professional golf event when he was granted entry into the 2018 Lincoln Land Championship at Panther Creek. Approximately 60 fans followed him on the course on the opening day as he shot an even-par 71. He missed the cut following the second round.

“It’s truly an honor for me to be a part of this great event,” Erickson said in a press release. “These are some of the best players in the world, and I’m thankful to Memorial Health and LRS for providing me this opportunity.” 

This year’s Memorial Health Championship runs from June 29-July 2.  

“Golf fans in central Illinois are very familiar with Jake’s talent,” tournament director Kate Peters said in the press release. “We’re happy to have a local player of his caliber join the field, and we encourage fans to come out and cheer him on during the tournament.” 

Paul Haley II won last year’s Memorial Health Championship for his first Korn Ferry victory since 2012. He went 7-under-par 64 on the final day and tied the tournament record with a 27-under.  

The Korn Ferry Tour provides professional golfers an opportunity to gain a PGA Tour card. Golfers who finish in the top-25 of the Korn Ferry’s money list receive a spot on the PGA Tour the following season. Amateurs, however, do not earn prize money in professional events.