Mike Small Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Mike Small Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Fighting Illini men's golf team, ranked 12th, commenced their spring schedule with a match play exhibition against Florida State at Watersound Club's Camp Creek Golf Course in Inlet Beach, Florida. The competition ended in a 3-3 draw, but the Seminoles secured victory through a tie-breaker by winning more total holes.
This head-to-head contest was designed as preparation for both teams as they enter the second half of the 2024-25 season. Both Illinois and Florida State have reached match play at the NCAA Championship three times in the last four years. Illinois leads with nine appearances since the format change in 2008-09.
Senior Jackson Buchanan achieved a notable win for Illinois with a 5&4 victory over Florida State's junior Jack Bigham. Junior Ryan Voois also claimed victory with a 3&2 win against senior Michael Mays, while freshman Jake Birdwell narrowly defeated senior Patrick McCann, finishing 1up.
In other matches, Ethan Wilson narrowly lost to Carson Brewer by 1down. Max Herendeen was defeated by Tyler Weaver, 4&3, and freshman Joseph Buttress fell to Wilmer Edero, 5&3.
The Illini will next compete from February 13-15 at the John A. Burns Intercollegiate hosted by Hawai'i at The Ocean Course at Hokuala in Lihue, Kaua'i. This will be their first return to the islands since achieving fourth place in this event in 2020.
For updates on Fighting Illini men's golf, visit FightingIllini.com or follow @IlliniMGolf on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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