Sept. 13, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's golf will be traveling to the Arbor Links Golf Club in Nebraska City, Neb., to compete in the Fairway Club Invitational Monday and Tuesday. Head coach Ray Kralis will look to seniors Jeff Kellen and Will Cullen and junior Eric Meier to open the season on a strong note.
"We're excited to get going," coach Kralis said. "We have some strong student-athletes back. Kellen, Cullen and Meier have been key components of our program for the past few years, and their leadership is going to be valuable. We're going to need them to be there for us each week and they're capable of doing that."
Joining the three veteran Redbirds will be freshman Wils Hawn and redshirt senior Drew North.
"North is ready to go, he has put in his time and is prepared to compete against the top players we have faced in the past," Kralis said. "He's ready to step up and will be a key guy for us, and he has shown that in the early qualifying stages. Hawn has been impressive in the early qualifying rounds as well and has shown that he is not a freshman on the golf course."
The Redbirds finished in fourth place during the 2009 Fairway Club Invitational after firing an 8-over-par 872 (291-287-294). Drake won the event last year with a score of 12-under-par.
Meier finished in a tie for 37th place with a 224 (75-78-71) and Kellen finished the tournament tied for 33rd place with a 223 (73-71-79).
"It's going to be a very competitive field and it is one of those tournaments where we're going to have to come to play," Kralis said. "Our student-athletes understand the importance of mental toughness, you need to be tough with your head and good with your short game and scoring clubs. Right now the team is driving it well and we have some experienced golfers that know their way around the golf course, so we're excited to get going."
Live stats can be found on GolfStat.com.
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