Jan. 31, 2006

ROMEOVILLE - Wheaton Academy golfer Josh Butterfield of Oswego, who won the Private School League championship and earned all-state honors with a sixth-place finish at the state championship tournament this season, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Lewis University.

Butterfield also finished fifth at the sectional tournament, tied for third at the regional tournament and won the Michigan Invitational in his senior season. He averaged 36 for nine holes and 73.8 for 18 holes, earned a fourth varsity letter and led Wheaton Academy to fifth place in the state.

Butterfield's performance in the fall followed a very successful 2005 summer season. He finished third at the U.S. Junior qualifying tournament with rounds of 72-71, missing a spot in the U.S. Junior Nationals by just one stroke; placed fourth at the Illinois State Junior tournament with rounds of 71-76-70, only two strokes out of first; and won the Illinois State Junior qualifier with a 69.

Butterfield averaged 73 in 13 summer tournaments last year and finished fourth in the Illinois Player of the Year point standings.

Butterfield was all-state (eighth place), regional champion and all-conference as a junior, and 40th in the state, sectional runner-up, regional champion and all-conference as a sophomore. He also lettered one year in basketball and earned a place on the Wheaton Academy honor roll.

Butterfield is the son of William and Nora Butterfield.