The University of Illinois men’s golf team tied for sixth place at the Pauma Valley Invitational, according to a March 18 announcement. The event featured six teams ranked in the nation’s top 30 and was held in Pauma Valley, California.
The tournament is significant as it brought together some of the strongest collegiate golf programs, providing an opportunity for teams to compete against high-level opponents. The Illini finished with a total score of 846 (-6), tying with No. 2-ranked Virginia.
Junior Dane Huddleston led Illinois by shooting a final-round 67 (-4), moving up to tie for eighth individually with a three-round total of 208 (-5). Ethan Wilson, competing as an individual, finished one stroke ahead of Huddleston and tied for fifth at 207 (-6), marking his second career top-five finish. Freddie Turnell secured his third top-20 finish this season by tying for 16th with a score of 211 (-2). Ryan Voois ended even-par and tied for 29th after carding a final round of 69. Max Herendeen and Trey Marrion both tied for 60th at five-over par.
As a team, Illinois outperformed nine other programs, including three ranked in the top-30 nationally. Tennessee and Georgia Tech shared first place at sixteen-under par, while Florida and LSU tied for third. Oklahoma State rounded out the top five just ahead of Illinois. Lance Simpson from Tennessee and William Sides from Southern Methodist University shared medalist honors at ten-under par.
University of Illinois Fighting Illini Men’s Golf engages in fall and spring tournaments, including conference and national events to foster competitive experience, according to the official website. The program enhances the athletic heritage at the university while promoting values like team spirit and individual excellence, according to the official website. The team competes under NCAA Division I guidelines within the Big Ten Conference according to its official site.
The Fighting Illini are led by head coach Mike Small according to their official website. The program offers student-athletes avenues for competition, growth, and academic achievement according to its official site.
Looking ahead, Illinois will travel next week to compete in the Duck Invitational hosted by Oregon at Eugene Country Club. The Orange and Blue won this event in 2024.
