CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini men's golf is set for its 11th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance this week, coming off of a second-place finish at the NCAA Columbus Regional. The 2018 NCAA Men's Golf Championship will be held at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma, May 25-30. This marks Illinois' 26th NCAA Championship appearance in program history, and the 13th under head coach Mike Small.
ILLINI AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
NCAA National Championship Appearances: 26
NCAA Top-5 Finishes: 9
Most Recent Finish: T-3rd (2017)
NCAA Individual Champions: 2 (Scott Langley: 2010, Thomas Pieters: 2012)
QUICK FACTS ON THE 2018 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Course: Karsten Creek Golf Club |Â Stillwater, Oklahoma
Par/Yardage: Par 72Â |Â 7,460 yards
Live Scoring: golfstat.com
Twitter: @IlliniMGolf
SCHEDULE/FORMAT
May 25-27, 2018Â - Stroke Play: 72 Holes
Friday, May 25: First Round (18)- 7 a.m. CT
Saturday, May 26: Second Round (18) - 7 a.m. CT
Sunday, May 27: Third Round (18) - 7 a.m. CT
Top 15 teams advance
Monday, May 28
Final Round (18) - 11:30 a.m. CT
Top 8 teams advance to match play and individual champion is crowned
May 29-30, 2018Â - Match Play
Tuesday, May 29: Match Play Quarterfinals - 7 a.m. CT
Tuesday, May 29: Match Play Semifinals - 1:30 p.m. CT
Wednesday, May 30: Championship Match - 2:25 p.m. CT
THE ROAD TO NATIONALS
Illinois is making its 11th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships and the 26th in program history this week. The Orange and Blue have advanced to the National Championship in 13 seasons under the direction of head coach Mike Small. Illinois owns the second-longest active streak in the nation, advancing to the NCAA Championship in each of the past 11 seasons. Texas has qualified in each of the last 12 seasons. The Illini have finished among the top five at the National Championship in six of the past seven years, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2013.Â
LAST TIME AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
After reaching the NCAA Men's Golf Championship semifinal match for the third consecutive season with a 3-1-1 victory over USC, the No. 3-seeded Fighting Illini concluded the 2016-17 season with a 3-1-1 loss to No. 2-seeded Oklahoma. Illinois appeared in the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years, tying Oregon for the most top-four showings since the NCAA switched to the match-play format for the top eight teams. Illinois earned its third consecutive third-place finish at the national championship, and their fifth consecutive finish among the top five.Â
NCAA COLUMBUS REGIONAL RECAP
Fighting Illini men's golf made its 11th consecutive appearance at the NCAA Columbus Regional this year, earning a runner-up finish on the Scarlet Course at The Ohio State University Golf Club. The Orange and Blue shot even par through three rounds of play, and finished 15-strokes ahead of third-place UNLV.Â
Four Illini finished among the top 10 individuals, led by senior Nick Hardy who tied for fourth overall with a total score 2-under par. No. 1-ranked Oklahoma State took the regional title with a total score 8-under par. Hardy was joined among the top 10 individuals by Bryan Baumgarten (9th, E), Michael Fealges (T-10th, +1) and Dylan Meyer (T-10th, +1).
REGIONAL HISTORY
The Illini won four consecutive NCAA Regionals from 2013-2016 and earned a runner-up finish at the 2018 NCAA Columbus Regional. UI is one of just two schools to have won four straight Regional Championships, and was the first school to do so since the early 1990s (Arizona, 1990-1993). Illinois is one of 14 schools to have won four or more regional titles overall. Oklahoma State leads the way, however, as the Cowboys have garnered 13 NCAA Regional titles in school history.
THE VENUE - KARSTEN CREEK GOLF CLUBÂ
Built for the Oklahoma State men's and women's golf programs, the course was designed by Tom Fazio and honored as the Best New Public Course for 1994 by Golf Digest Magazine. It stretches over 7,400 yards with SR1020 bent-grass greens and zoysia fairways. All of the holes were carved from the native oak trees surrounding Lake Louise. The course has hosted several championship events including three NCAA Golf Championships, an NCAA Regional, and the PING/Golfweek Preview.Â
GOLF CHANNEL COVERAGE
The Golf Channel will provide pre-tournament, live and post-round coverage of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships beginning on May 28 (3-7 p.m.) when the individual national champion is crowned. Golf Channel's coverage also will include all three rounds of the team match-play tournament on Tuesday, May 29 (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 3-7 p.m.) and Wednesday, May 30 (3-7 p.m.). In addition, Golf Central will feature combined pre-and post-event live news coverage produced on location, as well as daily news updates on Morning Drive and Golf Channel Digital. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
BIG TEN POSTSEASON HONORS
Fighting Illini men's golf was recognized by the Big Ten Conference this season as the league announced its postseason awards. Head Coach Mike Small was honored as Big Ten Men's Golf Coach of the Year for the fourth-straight season and the 10th time in his career, while senior Nick Hardy was named the league's Player of the Year. Hardy also earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team, as did senior Dylan Meyer and sophomore Michael Feagles. Sophomore Bryan Baumgarten earned Second Team All-Big Ten recognition. An Illini has been tabbed the league's Player of the Year in each of the last seven seasons and eight times in the last nine years.
ILLINI IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Fighting Illini men's golf checks in as the No. 10 team in the country on the latest Golfstat rankings, and seniors Nick Hardy and Dylan Meyer rank among the top 25 individuals in the country as well. Hardy checks in at No. 17 according to Golfstat, while Meyer ranks 21st. Sophomore Michael Feagles is also among the top 100 as he sits at No. 97 in the nation.Â
Illinois was voted the No. 11 team in the country in the latest Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll, and the Illini rank 12th according to the latest Golfweek Sagarin rankings. Individually, Hardy checks in at No. 15 in the country according to Golfweek, while Meyer sits at No. 38.
Hardy and Meyer are both ranked among the top 15 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, as Meyer checks in at No. 6 and Hardy is ranked 11th.Â
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP FOUR PEAT
The Illini battled windy conditions at Baltimore Country Club (Par 70, 7,181-yards) on April 29 to win their fourth consecutive Big Ten Championship title. The only team to finish under par for the tournament, Illinois earned a 4-under par total tally to finish 15 strokes ahead of runner-up Ohio State (+11). The title marks the 16th Big Ten Men's Golf Championship in program history, and the ninth title in the last 10 seasons. Â
Illinois has won 16 Big Ten Men's Golf Championships in school history, with nine of those coming under head coach Mike Small. Small has the unique distinction of winning nine Big Ten titles as a coach and one as a player (1988). Illinois is the first school to win nine Big Ten titles in 10 years since Ohio State won 11 titles in 12 years from 1976-1987.
One of just two players to finish under par in the tournament, senior Nick Hardy closed the tournament at 6-under par to earn Big Ten Medalist honors. Hardy marks the eighth consecutive Big Ten Championship medalist from Illinois, and he is the fourth Illini to win multiple individual conference titles in his career. Hardy previously earned Big Ten Co-Medalist honors as a freshman in 2015. The Orange and Blue are the only team in Big Ten history to garner eight consecutive individual medalists.
DYNAMIC DUO
Illinois' senior duo of Dylan Meyer and Nick Hardy have had quite the career at Illinois. In their four seasons on campus the two have contributed to four Big Ten Championship titles and have combined for three Big Ten Individual medalist honors. Each has been named Big Ten Player of the Year, and they've put together eight All-Big Ten and three All-America laurels. The duo are the first pair to appear in the Illini lineup for four consecutive Big Ten Championship titles.
Both Meyer and Hardy are ranked among the top 25 collegiate golfers in the nation, and each sits among the top 15 players in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Meyer is ranked No. 6 in the world and Hardy checks in at No. 11.Â
RECORD-SETTING
Illini senior Nick Hardy is on pace for a record-setting season at Illinois. Hardy currently boasts a 70.32 stroke average this season, which, should he continue his consistent play, will rank at the top of Illinois' single-season stroke average list. Hardy has won four individual tournament titles in his career, including two Big Ten Championship titles and the NCAA West Lafayette Regional. His current career stroke average is 71.87, which would check in at No. 3 all-time on Illinois' career stroke average list. Four-time All-American Charlie Danielson holds the current career and season records with a four-year stroke average of 71.66. He held a 70.67 stroke average during the 2015-16 campaign.Â
Fellow senior, Dylan Meyer, currently boasts a 71.74 career stroke average and a 70.84 stroke average this season. At this point in time, Meyer would check in at No. 3 for his career numbers and at No. 4 for his single-season stroke average. Meyer is one of four players to hold Illinois' record for the lowest 18-hole score as he fired a course and tournament record 63 at the 2017 Big Ten Championships at Baltimore Country Club.Â
JACK NICKLAUS POY SEMIFINALISTS
Fighting Illini senior golfers Nick Hardy and Dylan Meyer were selected as semifinalists for the 2018 Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Barbasol, as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. The field of 30 semifinalists will be narrowed down on May 24, with Nicklaus Award recipients to be announced May 31. The honor will be presented by Jack Nicklaus at a ceremony during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club.
B1G SUCCESS UNDER COACH SMALL
Head coach Mike Small has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year 10 times overall during his 18-year tenure as Illinois head coach, and earned Dave Williams National Coach of the Year honors in 2015. The Illini have taken home the last four league championship trophies, and have won the Big Ten Championship in nine of the last 10 years under Small's direction. Along with his streak of five consecutive Big Ten titles (2009-13), Illinois posted three consecutive runner-up finishes from 2002-04 and took third in 2008 with Small at the helm. His teams have finished among the top five at the conference championship in 15 of his 18 seasons at Illinois.Â
Under Small's direction the Illini won four consecutive NCAA Regional Championships (2013-16), and have made 11 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances. Small's squads have advanced to regionals 14 times and have made 13 appearances at the National Championships including each of the last 11 seasons (2008-18).
#B1G INDIVIDUAL HISTORY
Over the years, Illinois has seen 20 individuals win Big Ten Medalist honors, including one in each of the past eight years. Senior Dylan Meyer took the title in 2017, European Tour member Thomas Detry won the title in 2016, and senior Nick Hardy won 2015 honors during his freshman campaign and repeated as the individual champion in 2018. Charlie Danielson split the title in 2014 after Luke Guthrie took the honors in 2011 and 2012, and Thomas Pieters won the tournament in 2013. Illinois is the only school in Big Ten history to have produced seven consecutive medalists. Only Michigan (1932-36), Purdue (1956-60) and Ohio State (1976-79) join Illinois in having a streak of five consecutive medalists.
Illinois Big Ten Medalists (20)
Year Player (site)
2018 Nick Hardy (Baltimore, M.D.)
2017 Dylan Meyer (Baltimore, M.D.)
2016 Thomas Detry (Newburgh, Ind.)
2015 Nick Hardy (Newburgh, Ind.)
2014 Charlie Danielson (French Lick, Ind.)
2013 Thomas Pieters (French Lick, Ind.)
2012 Luke Guthrie (French Lick, Ind.)
2011 Luke Guthrie (West Lafayette, Ind.)
1999 Larry Nuger (West Lafayette, Ind.)
1993 Jamie Fairbanks (Bloomington, Ind.)
1989 Steve Stricker (Madison, Wis.)
1988 Steve Stricker (Savoy, Ill.)
1986 Steve Stricker (East Lansing, Mich.)
1982 Mike Chadwick (West Lafayette, Ind.)
1962 Mike Toliuszis (Savoy, Ill.)
1942 James McCarthy (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
1941 Alex Welsh (Lake Forest, Ill.)
1931 Richard Martin (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
1930 Richard Martin (Wilmette, Ill.)
1923 R.E. Rolfe (Evanston, Ill.)
B1G WEEKLY HONORS
For the 11th time in league history, the Fighting Illini lead the Big Ten in weekly honors. The Orange and Blue earned Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors four times this season, tying Purdue for the most for a team during the 2017-18 campaign. Illinois has earned four or more weekly Big Ten honors in each of the last nine seasons, taking home a program record nine during the 2014-15 campaign.Â
Illini senior Dylan Meyer was named Big Ten golfer of the week twice this year, marking the fourth and fifth honors in his career. Senior Nick Hardy has been recognized as Golfer of the Week four times during his time in Orange and Blue.Â
ILLINI MAKE NOISE IN PROFESSIONAL GOLF
Illinois boasts several former players among the professional ranks, as Steve Stricker, D.A. Points and Thomas Pieters hold PGA Tour cards. Pieters and Thomas Detry are also members of the European Tour. Luke Guthrie, Scott Langley and Brian Campbell currently play on the Web.com Tour, and Charlie Danielson is working to earn status on the Mackenzie Tour. Thomas Pieters has seen success in the national spotlight as of late, making his second appearance at The Masters. Last season he took fourth at the prestigious tournament after making his first appearance in the Ryder Cup and finishing fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Stricker, a 2017 Presidents Cup captain, has been making waves on the PGA TOUR Champions, winning both the Cologuard Classic and the Rapsican Systems Classic.
SMALL AND STRICKER TOGETHER AGAIN
Head coach Mike Small will join his former college teammate, Steve Stricker, on the course when the two play in the PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship. The championship will be held June 22-24 at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison. Small received a sponsor's exemption to the championship, which is hosted by Stricker, who has seen great success on the PGA TOUR Champions over the past year. Small will participate in the American Family Insurance Championship for the second year in a row as he was also awarded an exemption to the 2017 event.
