Meet the 2023 Peoria Journal Star boys golfer of the year and the all-area team

High school boys golf in the Peoria area is headed for a bright future.

Several underclassmen made their mark throughout this season, leaving lots of anticipation for the 2024 season. Those freshmen, sophomores and juniors will all likely be back for a reprise of this year's campaign.

Here is the 2023 Journal Star boys golfer of the year, who leads the six-player JS all-area team. The POY is listed first, followed by the five all-area picks in alphabetical order:

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Connor Watson, East Peoria

Winning became synonymous with Watson in 2023, earning him Journal Star boys golfer of the year honors. In a span of three weeks during August and September, he won seven events including three invitationals at Limestone, Monmouth-Roseville and Metamora. He also took third at the Mid-Illini Conference tournament. The junior then made a big leap at the Class 2A state meet with a tied for 24th place finish to improve by 20 places from last season. His final-round 8-over 79 came with two birdies on Weibring Golf Club in Normal.

Owen Adams, Morton

Adams came up big in less-than-ideal conditions at the Mid-Illini tournament. The sophomore claimed medalist honors by one stroke with a 1-over 73 at Quail Meadows, while leading the Potters to a rain-soaked league championship. He helped Morton's runner-up regional team finish, before missing the cut for state.

Nolan Eccles, Dunlap

Eccles made a big splash in his first varsity season. The freshman was the runner-up at the Mid-Illini tournament. He was then the 2A Monmouth-Roseville Regional medalist. He shot 1-over 72 at Gibson Woods thanks to four birdies on the fifth, ninth, 11th and 13th holes. Eccles missed the state finals by just two strokes.

Tanner Wake, Elmwood

Wake took home medalist honors at the Class 1A Cambridge Regional. The senior used a 6-over 78 with four birdies at Valley View Club to outdistance himself from the field by four strokes. He then made it through to the state finals. In his last two prep rounds, Wake tied for 31st place, shooting a final-round 4-over 76.

Crew Fortin, Illini Bluffs

Fortin made a run to a top-40 finish at the 1A state finals. He wrapped up a solid freshman season by shooting a final round 10-over 82 at Prairie Vista Golf Course. He carded 10 pars during those 18 holes. Fortin made it through to state with regionals and sectionals finishes of 15th and tied for 10th place, respectively.

Jack Coulter, Peoria Notre Dame

Coulter's postseason started by helping the Irish win the Class 2A Metamora Regional. His third-place individual finish included five birdies for a 2-over 73 at Metamora Fields. He followed up that up with a tied for 11th place at sectional. Coulter completed his season at the state finals, tying for 27th place with a 4-over 75.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

Journal Star boys golfers of the year

• 2023 — Connor Watson, East Peoria

• 2022 — Carter Stevenson, Pekin

• 2021 — Connor Hamm, Macomb

• 2020 — Mason Minkel, Pekin

• 2019 — Weston Walker, Peoria Christian

• 2018 — Matt Leist, Dunlap

• 2017 — Tommy Kuhl, Morton

• 2016 — Tommy Kuhl, Morton

• 2015 — Pete Kuhl, Morton

• 2014 — Tommy Kuhl, Morton

• 2013 — Trevor Gold, Eureka

• 2012 — Matt Lavery, Dunlap

• 2011 — Trevor Gold, Eureka

• 2010 — Jordan Fahel, Notre Dame

• 2009 — Jordan Fahel, Notre Dame

• 2008 — Travis Kreiter, Brimfield

• 2007 — Jonathan Hauter, Peoria Christian

• 2006 — Jonathan Hauter, Peoria Christian

• 2005 — Zach Zobrist, Peoria Christian

• 2004 — Jonathon Krick, Notre Dame

• 2003 — Kyle Shay, Richwoods

• 2002 — Tyler Fitch, Peoria Christian

• 2001 — Kris Wildenradt, Delavan

• 2000 — Scott Phegley, Morton

• 1999 — Dustin Edwards, Havana

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 2023 Peoria Journal Star boys golfer of the year and all-area team