Head coach Harland Kilborn leads the Illinois State mens golf team to the Mission Inn Collegiate Classic Friday in Orlando, Fla., for his final tournament as a college coach. For 25 years, Kilborn has led the Redbirds on and off the bent grass fairways. His tireless dedication to Illinois State has produced some of the states best golf pros, head coaches, tour professionals and countless community leaders.
A four-time Valley Coach of the Year recipient, Kilborn will be retiring following this weekends tournament. Former ISU golf team member, and current head coach for ISUs womens golf team,
Ray Kralis will be taking over in the spring.
Kilborn is trying hard not to look too far ahead while preparing for this weekends tournament.
Lets not kid ourselves, the guys are well aware that this is my last tournament, said Kilborn. They would like to make this one special and go out with a win, but I dont want any extra pressure on them.
This weeks lineup returns following a solid performance in Louisville, Ky., including senior team leader Kyle Vasel. Other Birds include senior Denny Bull, junior Matt Maskel, and sophomore transfer students Matt Miller and Anthony Imburgia.
Last weeks fourth place finish is a great foundation to build off of according to Kilborn.
We have the same lineup this week that performed well last week, said Kilborn. Everybodys ball-striking is really solid. The guys are fired up for the last tournament of the fall season and finish off right.
Finishing off right will mark the end of the Kilborn era at Illinois State, the Redbirds longest current coaching career, with some emotion.
I kind of feel like I am walking down the final holes of my career, said Kilborn. I am anxious to get this tourney started. It brings back a lot of memories of past teams, and I am sure that I will have some mixed emotions at the end of it.
The Birds competition begins Friday morning at 7:30 EST at the Mission Inn Resorts 6,923 yard El Campeon Golf Course, a top-10 rated course in Florida.
