Eric Gilpin Assistant Coach & Director of Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Eric Gilpin Assistant Coach & Director of Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
No. 9 Illinois at OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational
The No. 9-ranked Fighting Illini men's golf team, following a runner-up finish at the Folds of Honor Collegiate, will host the 18th annual OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational at Olympia Fields Country Club from Friday to Sunday.
The tournament will take place on the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club, featuring a Par 70, 7,353-yard layout. The club has previously hosted several major events including the U.S. Amateur (2015), two U.S. Opens (1928, 2003), and two PGA Championships (1925, 1961).
The competition format consists of a 54-hole tournament played over three days with tee times for Rounds 1 and 2 starting at 8 a.m. CT on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Sunday's final round begins at 7:30 a.m. CT.
This year's field includes many of the nation's top collegiate golf programs: Alabama (16), Arizona State (2), Baylor (RV), Florida (10), Florida State (3), Georgia Tech (11), Michigan, North Carolina (5), Northwestern (RV), Oklahoma State (20), Stanford (23), Texas (8), Texas A&M (19), and Texas Tech (15). Notably, 14 out of these 15 teams are ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll.
Illinois' lineup for the event features Jackson Buchanan as No.1, followed by Max Herendeen, Trey Marrion, Ethan Wilson, and Ryan Voois. Individuals Jake Birdwell and Joseph Buttress will also compete.
The Illini have won the team title three times in this event's history: in 2008, 2014, and 2016. Jackson Buchanan is making his fourth appearance at this invitational; his previous finishes include T73 as a freshman in 2021 and T44 last season.
Other notable teams that have previously won this event include defending champion North Carolina and Stanford among others. Stanford golfers hold a record six medalist finishes from four different players.
Live scoring for the event will be available on Golfstat.com with daily recaps posted on FightingIllini.com.
Next up for Illinois is participation in the Windon Memorial Classic hosted by Northwestern at Conway Farms Golf Club from Sept. 29-30.
For more updates on Fighting Illini men's golf news follow @IlliniMGolf on social media platforms X, Instagram, and Facebook.
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