Feb. 24, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
After a top-five finish at last week's Roadrunner Intercollegiate, Illinois State golf head coach Ray Kralis and the Redbird men's golf team have high expectations for the Lexus Naples Intercollegiate hosted by PGA Tour professional Peter Jacobsen at the Hammock Bay Golf and Country Club on February 27th -28th in Naples, Fla.
"Everyone's expectations are high heading into this tournament," said Kralis. "I feel that everyone is fired up and ready to put forth a great team effort and jumpstart things for the spring season."
Heading to Florida for the `Birds are three-time Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week Matt Miller, 2005 Missouri Valley Conference medalist Kris Wildenradt and 2005 All-Missouri Valley Conference team member Matt Maskel. Rounding out the lineup are senior Chris Eddy and freshman Ben Murphy.
The tournament includes some tough competition for the `Birds, with No. 19 Wake Forest and No. 20 Baylor heading the field. Defending champion St. Mary's will be in attendance as well as Florida State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Rhode Island, Portland, Florida Gulf Coast and Navy. Kralis believes that the "tradition rich" field will be a great chance for the `Birds to make an early season statement.
"The field in the tournament is rich in tradition," said Kralis. "It is a special experience for our team and I know the team will enjoy the opportunity to compete. It's an event everyone's excited about, and we want to be able to make a statement and use the setting to our advantage. "
Miller was named Valley Golfer of the Week for his performance at the Roadrunner Intercollegiate hosted by Texas-San Antonio on February 20th-21st. The Bloomington, Ill., native fired a first-round three-under-par 68 and finished the tournament in second-place with a three-round total of three-under-par 210 (68, 70, 72) at the Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas.
Kralis feels that Miller's work ethic is the main reason for his continued success.
"Matt hasn't taken a break since the end of the fall season," said Kralis. "Golf is something that isn't too far from his mind, and he has spent a lot of time working on his game in the off season. He has been swinging the club as well as he ever has, showing that the hard work has paid off for him."
The tournament tees off with a shotgun start at 8:00 am on Monday, with teams playing 36 holes. The tournament concludes on Tuesday with another shotgun start at 8:00 am and teams competing on the last 18 holes.
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