ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State men's golf team earned nine of the ten first-place votes and earned 99 total poll points in being selected by the conference coaches as the favorites to win the 2023 MVC Championship.
The Redbirds' nine first-place votes and 99 total points out-distanced Valparaiso (91 points, one first-place vote), Southern Illinois (80), Belmont (69), Bradley (52), Northern Iowa (44), Missouri State (43), Murray State (34), Drake (28), and Evansville (10).
One tournament into the spring season, the Redbirds have a team Golfstat ranking of 94, ahead of Valparaiso (134), Southern Illinois (159), Belmont (190), Bradley (231), Northern Iowa (228), Missouri State (223), Murray State (237), Drake (249), and Evansville (264).
The Redbirds have been led this season by Valentin Peugnet, who is ranked 148th individually by Golfstat, and is one of two MVC golfers to be ranked by the site. Peugnet leads the team in scoring average at 71.6 strokes per round with 10 at or under par rounds in 17 total rounds on the year.
The team is coming off a spring-opening tournament at the Border Olympics where the squad placed 11th and was led by sophomore Alex McCulla whose three-round 224 saw him place in a tie of 34th.
The squad returns to the course on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday March 5 where the 'Birds will compete in the Desert Mountain Collegiate, hosted by the University of Michigan at the Desert Mountain-Renegade Golf Course in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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