The Illinois State mens golf team travels to Jonesboro, Ark., to compete in the Indian Classic Monday and Tuesday, in hopes of building its momentum and continuing to taste success on the course as Valley tournament time approaches.
Last year, the Redbirds finished in seventh place out of 13 teams, but head coach Harland Kilborn hopes the Birds can enter the tournament this year and feed off of the momentum created from the third-place finish at their last tournament in Branson, Mo.
Were just looking to keep going, said Kilborn. Were just trying to keep improving, if we can do that then we should have a nice high finish [at the Indian Classic] and continue to make improvements until it comes Valley tournament time.
While team goals for the Indian Classic are clear, one thing that remains hazy is who will be traveling to compete.
Weve had numerous line-up changes to try and find out whos working, and Im not 100% sure who will compete, said Kilborn. Theyve still got some qualifying to do for the four and five spots, and Im just going to let them play their way onto the team.
Junior Brian Anderson, who is coming off of his first tournament victory at Branson Creek, as well as two Valley Golfer of the Week honors, will travel. Sophomore Kyle Vasel owns the teams low stroke average with a 73.96 and will join Anderson in the five-man travel squad. Freshman Kurt Sroka will jump into the line-up as well, after a break out performance at Branson Creek where he finished 14th, but the fourth and fifth spots are open.
The Indian Classic will be held at the par 72, 6,539 yard RidgePointe Country Club, and will be hosted by Arkansas State. Action gets underway Monday, April 14, with two rounds, and concludes Tuesday, April 15 with the final 18 holes.
