March 23, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Fresh off a victory last week at the 7th Annual Kauai Collegiate Cup in Princeville, Hawai'i, the Illinois State men's golf team looks to score another victory as they travel to compete in the Colorado/Stevinson Ranch Invitational on March 27th-28th at the Stevinson Ranch Golf Club hosted by Colorado in Stevinson, Calif.
Head coach Ray Kralis is excited about the team's opportunity heading into next week's tournament.
"This tournament is a big point in our season," said Kralis. "I feel really good going into the tournament with the way the team has been progressing throughout the spring. The hard work the team put in the winter is starting to pay off, and we have a wonderful opportunity to solidify ourselves in the district rankings."
Heading to California 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.
Kralis feels that low scores from Miller, Maskel and Wildenradt have lifted the team's play this season.
"Miller, Maskel and Wildenradt have been playing well," said Kralis. "Their good play has put us in this position to go out and win. This is the position we put our sights on a few months ago. Our team needs to keep doing the things that we do well and we will have a chance to win."
Host Colorado heads the 13-team field and includes Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State, Cal-State Monterrey Bay, Cal-State Stanislaus and Boise State as well as Missouri Valley Conference members Wichita State and Drake. Kralis feels that the field will serve as great competition for the `Birds.
"The tournament has a great all-around field," said Kralis. "All of those schools can play. It should be a competitive tournament, from top to bottom. It gives us a chance to play against some warm-weather teams that have been competing since the winter."
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.
