Full Schedule
CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini men's golf and head coach Mike Small completed the 2017-18 campaign with the announcement of the 2018 spring schedule on Thursday. Illinois is set to appear in several of the nation's top tournaments throughout the spring season, and will face some of the toughest competition in the country.
The Orange and Blue will once again open spring play in Placida, Florida, at the Illini Alumni Match. Hosted by Jeff Tinervin, the event will put the current Illini squad against several alumni in the professional ranks.
Illinois will head back to the state of Florida to open outside competition, taking part in Big Ten Match Play February 9-10 in Hammock Beach, Florida. In its 10th season, Big Ten Match Play is set to take place at the Hammock Beach Resort Conservatory, and will follow a single-elimination bracket format.
UI will then play in five consecutive stroke play events, prior to opening post season play at the Big Ten Championships April 27-29 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Five Farms East Golf Course at Baltimore Country Club will once again serve as the host site for Big Ten Men's Golf Championships. The club is listed by the USGA as one of the first 100 clubs established in the United States and is one of only seven clubs nationwide to operate two campuses.
The Illini will compete in the Louisiana Classics, February 26-27 in Lafayette, Louisiana, before heading to Las Vegas for the Southern Highlands Collegiate March 5-7. Traditionally regarded as one of the nation's top collegiate events, Illinois will face a field of highly ranked competition at the Southern Highlands Golf Club.
The Orange and Blue will then make their first appearance at the Big Horn Invitational March 23-24 in Palm Desert, California, before returning to the 3M Augusta Invitational March 31-April 1. The Illini took fourth at last year's 3M Augusta Invitational, while then-junior Dylan Meyer earned medalist honors with an 11-under par total score.
Regular season play will conclude at the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate, April 21-22. Hosted by Ohio State University, Illinois took home the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate title last season, before bringing home its third consecutive Big Ten Championship title to open postseason play.
NCAA Men's Golf Regionals are slated for May 14-16, and will be held at one of six sites around the country: Lonnie Poole Golf Course (Raleigh, N.C.), Traditions Club (Bryan, Texas), Scarlet Course/OSU Golf Course (Columbus, Ohio), Reunion Resort (Kissimmee, Florida), Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club (Norman, Oklahoma) and The Reserve at Spanos Park (Stockton, California). The NCAA National Championship will be held at Karsten Creek in Stillwater, Oklahoma, May 25-30.
The Illini are set to continue fall play next week at the East Lake Cup. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois men's golf.
