University of Illinois
Louisiana Classics
No. 1 @IlliniMGolf Set for Louisiana Classics
February 27, 2016 | Men's Golf
The Illini will compete at Oakbourne Country club on Monday, Feb. 29
Champaign, Ill. - No. 1-ranked Fighting Illini Men's Golf is set to compete in its first stroke play event of the spring season on Monday, as Illinois is slated for the 31st Annual Louisiana Classics. The two-day tournament will take place at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette, La. Feb 29-March 1.
"The guys are excited to get out and start our stroke play season," head coach Mike Small said. "I'm looking forward to a fun week and to seeing the state of our games. There are some good teams at the tournament, and it's the perfect opportunity for us to start building some momentum and establish the mindset that we want to take throughout the spring season."
The Louisiana Classics will follow a 54-hole format, with two rounds (36-holes) to be played on Monday, followed by the third round on Tuesday, March 1. Monday tee times will begin at 8 a.m., while Tuesday's round will start at 7:30 a.m.
"The golf course is a perfect test for us this time of year," Small said of Oakbourne Country Club's Par 72, 7,098-yard course. "You have to drive it straight and think your way around the course. If you miss your drives on certain parts of this golf course, you can't make pars; it's very difficult. There's a premium on driving the golf ball there, which is also very important to me this time of year."
The Illini will compete among a field of 12 teams including Illinois State, No. 45 Kansas, Kent State, Louisiana, Middle Tennessee, Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss, Texas State, UTSA, UT Arlington and No. 33 Texas A&M.
Last season, Illinois took the Lousiana Classics title by 22 strokes, and then-junior Thomas Detry earned medalist honors with a score 13-under par. Brian Campbell and Charlie Danielson also finished among the top-5 individuals.
Fans can follow live scores on GolfStat, and a recap will be posted on FIGHTINGILLINI.com following each day of play.
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest on Illinois Men's Golf.
