Oct. 6, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State women's golf team is set to compete in their last event of the fall season at the 2006 Shootout at The Legends in Franklin, Ind., on Oct. 9-10.
Head coach Ray Kralis is proud of the progress the team has made this year.
"We had some questions that had to be answered with so many new faces coming into the squad this year," Kralis said. "We are going in more confident in who we are, what we can do and what is going to make us successful as a team."
The Redbirds' line-up will consist of senior Hilary Anderson, junior Marci Hill, sophomore Tiffany Hockensmith and freshmen Britt Knutson and Stacey Miller.
Kralis is pleased with how cohesive the team has become.
"I am excited about the team effort we are getting from everybody," Kralis said. "Whether they are the five that are traveling, or the teammates that are pushing for them back at home."
The 18-team field will play at the par-72, 6,073 yard course at The Legends of Indiana Golf Club. Illinois State will be joining three other Missouri Valley Conference teams including Indiana State, Missouri State and Southern Illinois. Other competition includes Ball State, Campbell, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Georgetown, Illinois, Iowa, Northern Illinois, Ohio University, Old Dominion, Toledo, St. John's, Western Michigan and Wisconsin.
The `Birds are looking forward to the competitive field.
"We have the opportunity to see a nice mix of teams," Kralis said. "With the way that we have been playing, I like our chances."
Kralis hopes they can feed off the course familiarity. Hockensmith and Knutson played the Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournament at the course, while Anderson competed in the 2005 Shootout at The Legends tournament.
The tournament will begin Monday, Oct. 9 with a double shotgun start at 8 a.m., with teams competing on the first 36 holes. The final round will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 10 with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.
