Feb. 23, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The 2007 Fighting Illini men's golf team begins spring tournament play this weekend at the Puerto Rico Classic. The tournament will be held at the River Course at Rio Mar Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. It is a 54-hole tournament with 18 holes played each day from Sunday, Feb. 25th through the 27th. There are 18 teams competing in the tournament, which is hosted by Purdue. Besides the Illini and Purdue, participants include, Alabama, Clemson, Duke, East Tennessee State, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kent State, Michigan, Minnesota, N.C. State, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Texas, and Virginia Tech.

The Illini are excited to be back on the links after a 5 1/2 to 3 1/2 victory over Illinois State for their 4th consecutive Tinervin cup title last week. Mark Ogren and Patrick Nagle look to continue their solid play at the classic after they tied for eighth place a year ago.

Joining Nagle and Ogren in Puerto Rico will be senior Kyle Hosick, junior Frank Alafoginis, and sophomore Jon Krick.

Coach Mike Small is looking forward to this early season test. "The Puerto Rico Classic has become a staple of our schedule and gives us a good judge of where the team is at in February and should be in April and May," Small said. "The competition at this tournament is tough with the top five ranked teams in the country participating. Even though this is only our second time outside we need to relax and trust our abilities."