Golfers Swing Back Into Action at Seminole Intercollegiate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Illinois State men's golf team has had 10 days off of competition to prepare for one of the toughest fields it will face all season, as the Redbirds head to the 40th annual Seminole Intercollegiate, March 11-13, at SouthWood Golf Club.

Named one of the Top 35 New Courses in America by Golf Magazine and among America's Best New Courses by Golf Digest, SouthWood Golf Club is an upscale public facility nestled among rolling hills, pastureland, and ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss. SouthWood Golf Club was designed was designed by PGA Tour legend Fred Couples to provide enjoyable and challenging golf experience for players of all levels.

The 14-team field includes 10 teams ranked in the Golfstat Top 100 and four teams ranked in the Top 50, including Auburn (3), Florida State (4), Penn State (23) and Louisville (48). The other teams competing include East Tennessee State, Jacksonville, James Madison, Mercer, Ole Miss, Penn, Troy, VCU and West Virginia. The 14 teams have combined for 15 tournament victories in the 2015-16 year, headlined by three wins apiece from Auburn and James Madison.

"We had a productive few days of preparation at the start of break, and we are looking forward to the challenge in front of us," head coach Ray Kralis said. "We face another strong field from top to bottom, and we'll need contributions from everyone to be competitive. While we have a young line-up this week, no one here is an underclassman on the golf course, so I am looking for guys to step up and seize the opportunity. 

Trent Wallace, Zach Burry, Christian Crabill, Michael Mounce and Branden Mounce will comprise the Redbird lineup through the weekend, and Tyler Gentilella will be playing as an individual. 

First-round action will begin Friday at 8:40 a.m., with Branden Mounce leading off for the Redbirds.  Live stats throughout the tournament will be provided on Golfstat.com, with updates coming every three holes.

GoRedbirds.com:  Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.