After winning the 2002 Missouri Valley Conference Mens Golf Championship and earning the first team bid to the NCAA Division I Regional since 1975, the Illinois State mens golf team expected a smooth drive down the fairway to Little Rock, Ark., but instead the chip shot hooked left as the NCAA Selection Committee sent the Redbirds to the West Regional in Albuquerque, N.M., at the Championship Golf Course, on May 16-18.
Head coach Harland Kilborn was glad to trade in his van keys for a plane ticket.
Im really excited about the opportunity, Kilborn said. We play in California, but we dont get to play in the Southwest very often. It will be a totally new experience for our team and probably the first trip to New Mexico for the majority of our players.
Even though the Redbirds will now face multiple teams for the first time this season in Albuquerque, Kilborn isnt concerned.
No matter where were at, we are going to be playing the top competition in the nation, Kilborn added. At this point we are just excited about the opportunity and we have to go out and play our game without worrying about the rest of the field.
The Redbirds are the No. 24 seed in the field with PAC-10 champion, Southern California, ranked first. In addition to USC, the Birds will face Texas, Minnesota, Fresno State, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Ohio State, UCLA, Washington State, Stanford, Arizona State and California.
