University of Illinois
Briar's Creek Invitational
No. 19 Illinois Ready for Briar’s Creek Invitational
March 15, 2019 | Women's Golf
Marks the fifth time the Illini will participate in the event at The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek in Johns Island, S.C.
| Briar's Creek Invitational | |
|---|---|
| When | March 18-19, 2019 |
| Where | The Golf Club at Briar's Creek | Johns Island, S.C. |
| Live Links | Scoring | Updates |
| More Information | Media Guide | Pairings |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 19 Fighting Illini women's golf team travels to the Palmetto state for the sixth-annual Briar's Creek Invitational at The Golf Club at Briar's Creek in Johns Island, S.C. The course has a par-72, 6,101-yard set up. The two-day tournament will begin with two rounds of play on Monday, March 18 with an 8 a.m. CT shotgun start. Final round action will conclude on Tuesday with a 7:45 a.m. CT shotgun start.
"We are excited to return to competition and are looking forward to a fun and successful spring break trip," said head coach Renee Slone. "The team is eager to build on the momentum of their final round at the Westbrook Invitational."
The Briar's Creek Invitational has been hosted by the College of Charleston for six years with the Illini participating in four prior to this season. In 2017, the Illini recorded the fourth lowest team round at the tournament with 281 (-7). Last season, the Orange and Blue placed third overall to match their best finish at this tournament. Individually, junior Tristyn Nowlin finished seventh overall last season with a 215 (-1).
Slone will send out a lineup consisting of upperclassmen Bing Singhsumalee and Ali Morallos, along with freshmen trio Kornkamol Sukaree, Crystal Wang, and Katie Hallinan.
The Illini will be going against a strong field of 16 other teams that includes five teams ranked in Golfweek's top 50 including No. 21 Michigan State, No. 25 Furman, No. 27 Clemson, No. 29 Campbell, and No. 39 Old Dominion. Additionally, Illinois will face host College of Charleston, Boston College, Charleston Southern, East Carolina, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, Long Beach State, Middle Tennessee State, UNC Asheville, and Penn State.
Of the 16 teams, the Orange and Blue saw action against half of the field (8) during this season, including three times against East Carolina. A quarter of the field is represented from the Big Ten with Illinois being one of the four teams from the conference, including No. 21 Michigan State, Indiana, and Penn State.
An awards ceremony will follow directly after the final round on Tuesday, March 19.
The Tournament Venue
The Briar's Creek Invitational will be played at The Golf Club at Briar's Creek (Par 72, 6,120 yards) in Johns Island, S.C. Set on more than 900 acres on scenic Johns Island, this private retreat provides an unhurried lifestyle and world-class golf with no tee times.
Precisely designed by Rees Jones, the skillful masterpiece embraces the rich, low country landscape and vegetation of Johns Island and the Kiawah River.
Last Time Out
The Fighting Illini bounced back from a slow spring start to finish third at the Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Ariz. The 855 (-9) ranks fifth overall for the lowest 54-hole tournament in the Illinois record book. The finish marks the sixth top-three finish for the Illini this season. In the final round, the Illini posted a 280 (-8), tying the program's lowest round score.
Freshman Kornkamol Sukaree led the way finishing fifth overall with a 210 (-6), tying for the third lowest 54-hole tournament total in program history. In the final round, Sukaree's 66 (-6) tied the program's lowest single round score, putting her in the company of fellow teammate and lone senior Bing Singhsumalee.
Nowlin Looking to Make History at Augusta National Women's Amateur
Fighting Illini women's golf junior standout Tristyn Nowlin has been invited to compete in the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur, April 3-6 in Augusta, Ga. The Richmond, Ky. native is among the best 72 players in the world chosen to play at the prestigious event before the Masters Tournament.
The international field will compete over 54 holes of stroke play. A cut will take place after 36 holes, advancing the top 30 players to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.
The entire selection process for the field of 72 is detailed below. Nowlin qualified to receive the invitation by being ranked No. 78 in the final World Amateur Golf Ranking in 2018.
Nowlin garnered many accolades during an impressive fall season, winning her first individual career title with a career-best 6-under par 210 at the 2018 Cardinal Cup. Based off of her performance, Nowlin received her first conference weekly honor as Big Ten Golfer of the Week on October 24, 2018.
She helped contribute to the team's three wins during the fall season, which has not been done since 1975. Nowlin is also a WGCA All-American Scholar and two-time second team All-Big Ten selection, who is currently ranked 83rd in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
As announced in September, NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours (11 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT/Noon – 3 pm ET) of live final-round coverage of the event at Augusta National on April 6, 2019. Golf Channel will deliver on-site highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event.
Next Round
Following the Briar's Creek Invitational, the Illini will have a nice break to fine-tune their skills before heading back to the Palmetto state for the Clemson Invitational in Sunset, S.C. Marking the first time Illinois participates in the event, tournament play will begin on Sunday, April 7 and conclude on Tuesday, April 9.
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