Photo Caption: Grady Burrell tees off during the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship Midwest Qualifier at Red Tail Run, where he finished 7th with a strong, consistent performance..
Delavan Golfers Compete Against Midwest’s Best at Optimist Junior Golf Championship Qualifier
Three members of the Delavan High School golf team tested their skills against some of the Midwest’s top junior players June 8–10, 2026, at the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship Midwest Qualifier, held at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur, Illinois. Competing in the Boys 16–18 division, Grady Burrell, Caden Rassi and Trace Kight-Garlisch represented both their school and the Optimist Club of Delavan on a challenging stage designed to identify some of the region’s best young golfers.
The Midwest Qualifier is part of the broader Optimist Junior Golf program, one of the most prestigious youth golf circuits in the world. Each year, thousands of players compete in district-level tournaments, with top finishers earning a chance to advance to the international championship in Florida. The Illinois District event, hosted at Red Tail Run from June 8–10, featured multiple age groups for boys and girls ages 10 through 18, with participants from across the region vying for qualifying spots. The three-day experience included a practice round, skills competitions, and two official 18-hole rounds that ultimately determined final standings.
The host course, Red Tail Run Golf Club, provided a fitting test. Designed by PGA Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd, the course features wide fairways, large undulating greens and prairie-style elements that challenge golfers of all skill levels. With a championship layout stretching over 7,300 yards and a slope rating that emphasizes difficulty, players were required to combine accuracy, distance and mental composure to succeed.
Among the Delavan trio, Burrell led the way with an impressive 7th-place finish, carding a two-day total of 153 strokes. His consistent play—rounds of 77 and 76—kept him in contention throughout the tournament and placed him just 11 strokes behind the overall winner. Burrell’s ability to maintain steady scoring on a difficult course stood out in a competitive field. Reflecting on his performance, he noted that the course was “very difficult and it brought the best out of me,” highlighting both the challenge and the opportunity it presented.
Rassi also gained valuable experience at the qualifier, finishing 18th overall with a total score of 173. He opened with an 84 before posting an 89 in the final round. While the scores reflected the demanding nature of the course, Rassi remained upbeat about the experience, emphasizing the opportunity to compete at a high level. “A big thanks to the Optimist Club for sponsoring, it was a lot of fun,” he said, echoing a sentiment shared by his teammates.
Kight-Garlisch rounded out the Delavan contingent, placing 21st with a total of 176 strokes after rounds of 85 and 91. Despite the challenges, he found positives in the course conditions, remarking that “the greens rolled really nice,” a testament to the high-quality playing surface at Red Tail Run.
Beyond the scores, the experience represented an important step in the development of all three players. Competing against a strong field in a tournament setting that mirrors higher-level events allowed the golfers to sharpen their skills and gain confidence. Events like the Midwest Qualifier are designed not only to crown champions but also to foster growth, sportsmanship and exposure to elite competition.
That opportunity was made possible through the support of the Optimist Club of Delavan, whose sponsorship helped send the trio to Decatur. Head coach Zach Damm expressed his appreciation for that backing, emphasizing its impact on the program. “Can’t thank them enough for their support of getting our guys exposed to competition across the state,” he said.
The Optimist Junior Golf program prides itself on creating pathways for young athletes to pursue excellence while building character and camaraderie. For Burrell, Rassi and Kight-Garlisch, the 2026 Midwest Qualifier offered exactly that—a chance to compete, improve and represent their community on a larger stage.
With valuable experience gained and lessons learned from a demanding tournament, the Delavan golfers will carry that momentum into the remainder of their summer season and beyond, continuing to build on their performances against some of the Midwest’s best young talent.
