April 9, 2005

Results

Urbana, Ill. - Behind the sensational play of medalist Kristine Cook, the Illini won the 11-team Illini Spring Classic today. This is the Illini's first team title of the season and first title since the 2003 Illini Spring Classic. The UI hosted the annual Illini Spring Classic at the par 72, 5,842-yard Stone Creek Golf Course.

The Illini entered today's competition tied for the lead with Bradley University, but with all five Illini golfers carding scores in the 70s, the UI posted a 36-hole total of 616 strokes, defeating runner-up Ferris State (628) by twelve shots. Bradley took third with a score of 631. The Illini's score of 302 in today's final round ties their lowest team score of the 2004-05 season. Illinois' 616 also ranks as the third lowest 36-hole tournament score in school history.

Freshman Kristine Cook captured medalist honors with a 6-over par total of 150. Cook's climbed the leaderboard today with an even-par 72, which ranked as the lowest round of the tournament. She finished the day with three birdies, three bogeys, and 12 pars. The individual title was the first of the young Cook's collegiate career. She finished in a tie with Ball State's Carmen Bodine but won the tiebreaker due to a better score in today's final round.

"I am really excited about the win, especially because it was at our home course and my friends and family were here to see it," Cook said following her victory.

The Illini had three golfers finish in the Top 10. Junior Megan Godfrey finished third with a total of 153. Godfrey carded a plus-four 76 today, highlighted by an eagle on the 451-yard fourth hole. The third Illini to finish in the top-10 was sophomore Meghan Naik (155) who tied for fifth. Naik's 4-over score of 76 today ties her career low round.

The Illini received strong performances from senior Lyndsey Milligan and freshman Casey Burden as well. Milligan's final round play helped her to finish tied for 13th (158), while Burden tied for 18th (162).

The Fighting Illini hope to build off the momentum created this weekend as they prepare for the Big Ten Championships, hosted by the University of Michigan on April 22-24.

Illini Spring Classic - Final Team Standings
1.   ILLINOIS             314-302=616
2.   Ferris State         320-308=628
3.   Bradley              314-317=631
4.   Northern Illinois    322-314=636
5.   Eastern Illinois     325-319=644
6.   Ball State           327-319=646
7.   IUPUI                348-314=662
8.   Southern Indiana     341-322=663
9.   Bowling Green State  336-336=672
10.  SIU-Edwardsville     348-332=680
11.  Indianapolis         338-344=682

Illinois Results 1. Kristine Cook 78-72=150 +6 3. Megan Godfrey 77-76=153 +9 T5. Meghan Naik 79-76=155 +11 T13. Lyndsey Milligan 80-78=158 +14 T18. Casey Burden 83-79=162 +18 T18. Seul Ki Park (ind.) 84-78=162 +18 T30. Stephanie Mory (ind.) 81-84=165 +21 40. Kristin Kallergis (ind.) 85-82=167 +23