After a week of solid practice in Phoenix, Arizona, the Illinois State mens golf team gets back in action when they travel to Stevinson, Cal. March 25-26 for the Stevinson Ranch Invitational, hosted by the University of Colorado.
This tournament marks the second competitive outing for the Redbirds in their spring season, and head coach Harland Kilborn is going in with high expectations, following what he calls a very beneficial week of practice.
Spring break in Arizona really got the team ready for competition, said Kilborn. The guys put forth a great effort, and have been working very hard. Hopefully what the team accomplished over spring break will carry over into this tournament.
Last year the Birds finished 7th out of 14 teams at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational. Nic Baker posted the top individual finish with a tie for 10th-place, and Adam Goldie posted the next highest placement in a tie for 30th. Kilborn hopes his golfers will improve their team finsh this time around, placing in the top 5.
A finish in the top 4 or 5 would be tremendous in this field, said Kilborn. If we could beat some of the teams in our district that are ahead of us right now like Colorado, Kansas, or Missouri, it would be great for our team.
Only 7 teams get to advance to the NCAAs at the end of the season, so if we could successfully compete with some of the other teams in district 5 right now, it would really give us confidence, and jump start our season, added Kiborn
Traveling to California for the Birds are senior golfers Baker, Goldie, and B.J. Brown, as well as sophomore Brian Anderson, and freshman Kyle Vasel. Golf action begins with a practice round on Sunday, 36 holes on Monday, and will finish up on Tuesday with the final 18 holes.
