April 24, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's golf team has been picked to win the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship at Dalhousie Golf Club Sunday and Monday in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Redbirds have finished in the top-10 in 11 tournaments this season, including nine top-five finishes, while holding a 22-0-1 record against MVC foes.
The Redbirds are coming off a fifth-place finish after posting an 880 (293-291-296) in the ASU Red Wolf Classic at Sage Meadows Golf Club in Jonesboro, Ark. The `Birds were led by Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich, both of whom finished tied for 12th after carding a 2-over-par 218 on the par-72 course.
"We have played solid golf the entire season, but still haven't had the one tournament where everything clicks," said head coach Ray Kralis. "We will need a team effort for all 54 holes to come out of the tournament with a win, but I think our squad is capable and ready to do just that."
The Redbird lineup will include Bliefnick, Emerich, Kyle Bragg, Will Cullen and Jeff Kellen.
Valley teams competing in the event will be Bradley, Creighton, Drake, Evansville, Illinois State, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois and Wichita State.
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