March 25, 2006

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. - The Illini are going to Disney World.

Illinois led throughout the two-day Plantation Inn Invitational and saw its 14-stroke lead grow to 24 strokes Saturday, because the four golfers who combined for the team score shot in the 70s on the tournament's second day.

"The team played so consistently. It was a decisive win and everybody stepped up," head coach Paula Smith said while driving to the Magic Kingdom before Sunday's trip home.

Seul Ki Park, Casey Burden and Meghan Naik each shared second place with Cincinnati's Hillery Wilson, one stroke behind UAB medalist Christina Wentworth. Wilson helped the host Bearcats surpass UAB and Wichita State to finish in second place.

"Yesterday and today were pretty similar," Naik said. "They were both windy, but on the whole, my ball-striking was pretty solid. Putting is something I can work on for our home tournament. Maybe I'll find a new putter, but it was a good tournament for me. It got my confidence back."

Stephanie Mory and Megan Godfrey tied for sixth with Friday's leader Jamie Raines (Wichita State). Raines struggled Saturday, needing nine more shots than her opening round.

For Illinois the team trophy was the first since the Orange and Blue claimed a 12-shot win in the Illini Spring Classic last April.

Up next is that Spring Classic but first a break until the April 14 two-day competition begins.

"We've been traveling a lot. It will be nice to go back home, settle in and catch up with our schoolwork," Park said. "At the same time, it gives us a little more time to work on what we need to get done in preparation for our tournament."

Plantation Inn Invitational Final Results
1. ILLINOIS      313-311=624
2.Cincinnati     329-319=648
3. UAB           327-324=651
4. Wichita State 327-330=657
5. Marshall      339-337=676

Illinois results T2. Casey Burden 78-79=157 T2. Seul Ki Park 81-76=157 T2. Meghan Naik 78-79=157 T6. Stephanie Mory 76-83=159 T6. Megan Godfrey 82-77=159 T13. Nancy Featherstone (ind.) 81-84=165 T15. Kristin Kallergis (ind.) 86-80=166 25. Megan O'Neal (ind.) 83-90=173 32. Kelsey O'Neal (ind.) 94-90=184