Feb. 16, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
For the fourth consecutive season, senior Matt Miller and the Illinois State men's golf team will open up the spring season with match play against in-state rival Illinois at the Tinervin Cup, Saturday at the Coral Creek Golf Country Club in Placida, Fla. After the `Birds try to avenge last year's setback to the IIlini, they will head to San Antonio, Texas, for the 12th Annual UTSA Intercollegiate on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 19-20, at the Oak Hills Country Club.
Head coach Ray Kralis believes the men's golfers are set to begin the spring season, as the Redbird mentor feels the time spent preparing in the off-season will show immediate dividends.
"Certainly the guys are fired up to get started at the Tinervin Cup," said Kralis. "I have been pleased with the work ethic and motivation the guys have exhibited in off-season training sessions. I think that everyone is fresh and ready to go, and I am ready to see how they implement the things we focused on in preparing for the spring season, including short game situations and mind management."
"Playing at the Tinervin Cup is a wonderful opportunity," added associate head coach Pina Gentile. "I also believe that everyone is ready to compete, and playing at two great courses in Coral Creek and Oak Hills is a phenomenal way to start out the year."
Miller leads the young group of `Birds into competition, as the Bloomington, Ill., native was the lone Redbird named Missouri Conference Player of the Week in the fall slate. Joining Miller will be fellow senior Ryan Brown, sophomores Ben Murphy and Joe Emerich, and freshmen Tommy Bliefnick and Drew Miller.
Gentile, who will also be traveling with the team, has high expectations for Miller as he heads into his final season of competition, believing that the extra time the 2006 All-MVC Selection spent working on his swing will pay off.
"I think that Matt has high expectations for himself going into the spring season," said Gentile. "I know he is more prepared and playing at an even higher level than he did during the fall. I also know that he feels a lot better about his swing, having spent a lot of time making some changes. I think that he has a great mentality and that he will continue to be successful this spring."
Last year at the Tinervin Cup, the Redbirds fell short to the Illini, 5-4, in the singles match play and two player best-ball format at the 7,038-yard, par-71, Tom Fazio designed golf course. This year's edition of the rivalry will follow the same format, beginning with three two-player best-ball matches in the morning, each worth one point. The afternoon will feature six singles matches, each also worth one point.
The 6,691-yard, par-71, Oak Hills Country Club will play host to the Redbirds and 15 other schools at the UTSA Intercollegiate on Monday and Tuesday in San Antonio. Other participating schools include host UTSA, Air Force, Arkansas State, defending champion Baylor, DePaul, Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall, McNeese State, Miami (Ohio), New Orleans, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Texas State, Texas-Pan American and fellow Missouri Valley Conference member Northern Iowa.
The tournament will begin with an 8 a.m. shotgun start on Monday, with 36-holes of play scheduled. Tuesday's day of competition will feature the final round of 18-holes.
