Bedford, New York – Fighting Illini men's golf head coach Mike Small has been named this year's honoree for the Traditions of Golf Tournament, as announced by GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, New York. Created nine years ago, the Traditions of Golf event was put in place to honor and thank the distinguished members of the golf community that have helped to shape and celebrate the sport. Each year, honors are bestowed upon an honoree who has made outstanding contributions to the game.

Small will join a list of distinguished honorees at the Traditions of Golf event, including Gary Player, Dennis Walters, Dave Anderson, Jay Mottola, Jimmie Roberts, Dottie Pepper and Major Dan Rooney. The Traditions of Golf event is held annually on the Tuesday following Memorial day, and features a lunch and ceremony followed by a better-ball tournament.

Small has not only made contributions to the sport of golf as head coach at the University of Illinois, but he has a long list of accolades from his playing days past and present. Small has led the Fighting Illini to seven Big Ten Championship titles while also earning one as a player at Illinois. His teams have qualified for the NCAA National Championships 11 times, and he has coached his squad to four consecutive NCAA Regional Championship titles. Small is an eight-time Big Ten Coach of the Year honoree and was named the 2015 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year. Small has coached nine All-Americans to 18 honors and his teams have won 41 Academic All-Big Ten honors.

In conjunction with Small's honor, GlenArbor Golf Club will debut a new program, helping to provide year-round instruction to local middle and high school students who are preparing to play at the collegiate level.

Fighting Illini men's golf will begin play at the 2016 NCAA Men's Golf National Championships on Friday, May 27. Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.COM for all the latest on Illinois men's golf.