Schedule
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini Women's Golf program has announced their 2018-19 tournament schedule. This year's campaign has a similar schedule as last year, but will feature four new tournaments from last season. Additionally, the Illini will be hosting the Illini Women's Invitational at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. This marks the first tournament the program has hosted since the 2008 Illinois Spring Classic in Urbana, Ill.
"We are excited about our 2018-19 tournament schedule as it combines a number of events we are returning to as well as several new tournaments for us," said Slone.
Illinois will begin its season returning to Knoxville, Tenn. for the fourth-consecutive appearance at the 22nd annual Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship at the Cherokee Country Club (hosted by Tennessee). Last year, the Illini recorded their lowest 54-hole tournament score vs. par (-12) in school history with a first-place finish.
Following the trip to Knoxville, the orange and blue will return to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho for the Coeur D'Alene Resort Collegiate Invitational from Sept. 24-25. This will mark the second year in a row that the Illini will participate in the Gonzaga hosted event. Last year, Illinois recorded the program's second lowest 54 hole score vs. par (-11) with a second-place finish.
The Illini will return to their home state to host the Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah outside of the Windy City at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. From west to east, the event features 15 participating teams including four from the Big Ten.
"A huge thank you to the members and staff of Medinah Country Club for hosting this event," noted Slone. "We appreciate their support of women's college golf and look forward to an outstanding tournament. We are grateful for Ed Malysiak's efforts in making the event a reality."
The Illini return on the road for the final two trips of the fall season including stops in Kentucky and Texas. UI will return to Simpsonville Ky. for the 16th annual Cardinal Cup held at the University of Louisville Golf Club. To conclude the fall season, Illinois will travel to the lone star state for the Trinity Forest Invitational held in Dallas, Texas. Hosted by SMU from Oct. 29-30, this will be the first time the Illini will participate in this tournament.
"The fall schedule will provide a tremendous test as we compete at venues hosting major championships and PGA Tour events as well as historic Donald Ross designs," said Slone.
The Illini will kick off the spring season with a trip to the sunshine state for the UCF Challenge held at the Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. The Illini will return to the desert to compete in the Westbrook Invitational held Feb. 24-25 at the Westbrook Village Golf Club in Peoria, Ariz. Hosted by Wisconsin, the event is a frequent stop for the Illini, as this season will mark the Illini's eighth-straight appearance at the event.
"Our trip to Westbrook is always a favorite as we stay with wonderful host families who are so supportive of the team," noted Slone. "We also are able to connect with many alumni and supporters in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area."
Following a two-week break, Illinois will travel down south to Johns Island, S.C. for the Briar Creek Invitational hosted by College of Charleston. The Illini will have several weeks to refine their skills before heading back to the Palmetto State for the Clemson Invitational held at The Reserve at Lake Keowee in Sunset, S.C. The Clemson hosted event will be the first time Illinois will participate in the tournament.
Illinois will conclude the regular season April 13-14 at the Lady Buckeye Invitational hosted by Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. Last April, the Illini earned its third win of the 2017-18 season, recording the program's lowest 36-hole tournament score vs. par (+3).
"Our regular season schedule will have us well prepared for the postseason as it will provide us with the opportunity to compete in various parts of the country in different climates on a variety of courses against teams from throughout the country," said Slone.
The Big Ten Championships will mark the start of postseason play for the Illini. The Championships will be held from April 19-21 at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio. In April, the program recorded their lowest team round vs. par (-7), tying for second in the conference.
NCAA Regionals are scheduled for May 6-8. Last season, the Illini posted its highest regional finish in program history with a seventh-place finish at the 2017 NCAA Madison Regional. The NCAA Championships will take place in Fayetteville, Ark. from May 17-22 at The Blessings Golf Club (hosted by Arkansas).
| 2018-19 Illinois Women's Golf Schedule |
| September 17-18 – Mercedes Benz Collegiate Championship (Knoxville, Tenn.) |
| September 24-25 – Coeur D'Alene Resort Collegiate (Coeur D'Alene, Idaho) |
| October 8-9 – Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah (Medinah, Ill.) |
| October 20-21 – Cardinal Cup (Simpsonville, Ky.) |
| October 29-30 – Trinity Forest Invitational (Dallas, Texas) |
| February 3-5 – UCF Challenge (Orlando, Fla.) |
| February 24-25 – Westbrook Spring Invitational (Peoria, Ariz.) |
| March 18-19 – Briar's Creek Invitational (Johns Island, S.C.) |
| April 7-9 – Clemson Invitational (Sunset, S.C.) |
| April 13-14 – Lady Buckeye Invitational (Columbus, Ohio) |
| April 19-21 – Big Ten Championships (Maineville, Ohio) |
| May 6-8 – NCAA Regionals (TBD) |
| May 17-22 – NCAA Championship (Fayetteville, Ark.) |
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