Kankakee, Ill. – Nestled off the banks of the Kankakee River, host club Kankakee Country Club proved a tough test for the 82-player field during the 57th Illinois State Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. 2025 winner Hui Chong Dofflemyer (CDGA Member’s Club) mirrored her performance from last year, repeating as champion with an impressive display of golf over three rounds.

Related Links: (Results) / (Photo Gallery)

Dofflemyer’s defense of the title began with an opening round of five-over 78, vaulting her to the top of the leaderboard. With a scorecard featuring two birdies, Dofflemyer earned a four-shot lead over Natalie Savich (Pine Meadow GC) after the opening round, crediting her ability to keep the ball in the short grass on a course she had never played before.

”I didn’t play a practice round, so I was surprised at how tight the course was,” said Dofflemyer after her win. “I just tried to hit the ball as straight as possible. Pick a spot to aim and play target golf.”

Rounds two and three were progressively better for Dofflemyer, carding a four-over 77 on Tuesday before finishing with the best round of the tournament on Wednesday, a one-over 74, to cap off her impressive victory. Dofflemyer held off charges from runner-up Mary Ellen Martin (Village Links of Glen Ellyn), Sonia Burgess (Royal Fox CC) and 2024 champion Deanne Stolarik (Bonnie Brook GC). The key for Dofflemyer on the final day was simple – keep the same strategy that was already working for her. On a heavily tree-lined course, that strategy proved worthwhile.

“One thing I made sure of was to not change my strategy at all. The one time I got too aggressive, I tried to cut the corner on No. 11 and sliced it 40 yards,” said Dofflemyer, reflecting on her lone blemish of the day. “Everything else was the same.”

Unlike 2025, Dofflemyer entered this year’s championship with few health concerns. Her ability to practice and play throughout the season was a major part of her preparation for the championship.

”My knee is in a much better place than last year. I’m finally swinging better now – it still bothers me a little, but it’s much better.”

Dofflemyer’s victory is another accolade in 2026 for not only Hui Chong, but the entire Dofflemyer family as well. Her son, Robert Dofflemyer, was crowned the 2026 CDGA Mid-Amateur Champion in May. Both Hui Chong and Robert have had a busy golf season, with Hui Chong qualifying for the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and Robert teeing off at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. Unfortunately, the timing made for a difficult choice – or, more accurately, no choice at all. With the championships taking place simultaneously in Wisconsin and Oregon, mother and son had to compete on opposite ends of the country.

“It was funny – we both wanted to watch each other, but we were almost on entirely opposite sides of the country.”

Dofflemyer’s repeat title caps a season to remember for her and the entire family.

Awards were presented to the top two low gross and net finishers in each of the five flights. Rika Buck (Schaumburg GC) was crowned the overall net champion with a net score of 5-over, while Bernie Hinrich (Aspen Ridge GC) was the inaugural overall net Super Senior champion.

FLIGHT WINNERS
  Overall Gross | Hui Chong Dofflemyer (CDGA Member’s Club)
  Overall Net | Rika Buck (Schaumburg GC)

Flight 1
  Low Gross | Hui Chong Dofflemyer (Belvidere)
  Low Net | Donna Peterson

Flight 2
  Low Gross | Rika Buck (Schaumburg GC)
  Low Net | Nancy Carter (Village Links of Glen Ellyn)

Flight 3
  Low Gross | Bernie Hinrich (Aspen Ridge GC)
  Low Net | Seiko Kawata (CDGA Member’s Club)

Flight 4
  Low Gross | Leslie Lavery (Arrowhead CC)
  Low Net | Nena Mayotte (Kankakee Elks CC)

Flight 5
  Low Gross | Barb Riesebeck (Kankakee Elks CC)
  Low Net | Teresa Lanie (Aspen Ridge GC)

Championship Information
The Illinois State Senior Women’s Amateur Championship was first contested in 1971 at Illini Country Club. The event is open to any Illinois women’s golfer aged 50 and up. Currently administered by the CDGA, the event is flighted into five groups with an overall gross and net winner awarded. In 2025, Hui Chong Dofflemyer of Belvidere was crowned overall gross champion.

Related Links: (2025 Recap / (Event History)