GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Illinois State Redbirds men's golf team will travel outside of its region for the final time this weekend, as the team will compete in the Craft Farms Intercollegiate, hosted by Eastern Michigan and South Alabama in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Event: Craft Farms Intercollegiate
When:Â Sunday, March 28Â - Tuesday, March 30
Where: Cotton Creek Golf Course at Craft Farms Golf Resort // Gulf Shores, Alabama (Co-hosted by Eastern Michigan and South Alabama)
Par:Â 72
Yardage: 7,127
Live Scoring:Â Â Golfstat.com
Participants (GolfStat Ranking): Ball State (N/A), Cincinnati (104), Eastern Kentucky (205), Eastern Michigan (156), Illinois State (119), Lamar (127), Lipscomb (150), Louisiana (97), Seton Hall (176), South Alabama (107), Southern Illinois (166), Texas State (101), Western Kentucky (160).
Redbird Lineup: Dave Perkins, Dan Anfield, Felix van Dijk, Andrew O'Brien, Joe Hodgson, individual Will Troy.
Quote from Coach Ray Kralis: "The early part of our schedule has really helped us get ready for the stretch run that starts with the Craft Farms Invitational and builds into the MVC Championship. We have competed in very strong fields and shown things that have me very excited about what is to come. We have a strong lineup where everyone is capable of being the catalyst. The favorable weather here has been a positive for us in our preparation, so I look forward to pegging it and expect good things to happen.."
Last Time Out:Â Â For the first time this season the Redbirds recorded all three rounds in the 300's, and the team's 879 (the lowest team score of the year) gave Illinois State a ninth-place finish overall, as eventual MVC Golfer of the Week David Perkins led the team with a one-over tournament, tied for 16th overall.
About the Course: Featuring rolling fairways and large undulating greens, Cotton Creek at Craft Farms Golf Resort is very playable from the forward tees and a true championship challenge of over 7,000 yards from the tips. True to its Palmer design, this traditional 18-hole masterpiece was laid out to challenge rather than intimidate, with numerous risk/reward opportunities throughout. Golf Digest has consistently rated Cotton Creek as one of the Best Places to Play.! This 4-star course, located in Gulf Shores, Ala., features tree-lined, rolling fairways surrounded by lakes. The 6th hole is the most challenging on Cotton Creek. With a well-placed tee shot over water to the fairway, the second shot also requires a smart swing over more water to the green. A birdie on this hole delights anyone who rises to meet its challenge.
Next Time Out: The Redbirds return right back to action to compete in the Tiger Invitational on April 5 and 6, hosted by the University of Missouri, which is followed by the Boilermaker Invitational a week after that.
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