Stone Creek is losing money. It has probably never turned a profit. That was ok with old man Atkins. The kids look at it differently. A 'home course' nomenclature is not really relevant because the team never plays at home. There was a quirk in the schedule this year and they did schedule Bradley at home at the last minute. Prior to that, it has been years since they played at 'home'.
2017-18 Illini Golf
Stone Creek is losing money. It has probably never turned a profit. That was ok with old man Atkins. The kids look at it differently. A 'home course' nomenclature is not really relevant because the team never plays at home. There was a quirk in the schedule this year and they did schedule Bradley at home at the last minute. Prior to that, it has been years since they played at 'home'.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
So does Grace Park qualify for nationals as an individual? I thought they took the top five from teams that didn't qualify. She is tied for 11th overall and I think there were 7 girls that were in the top 11 and ties that didn't have their team qualify.
Just found out that the top 3 individuals advance. Grace Park is not in that mix. Bummer
Just found out that the top 3 individuals advance. Grace Park is not in that mix. Bummer
Deleted member 645583
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I agree with BRucks. But Stone Creek is Illinois' home course in the sense that it's where the Illini practice, I assume.
Too bad about Illini women - a ranked team not making it out of the regional.
Could happen even to mighty Okla State. All the hoopla; Golf Channel Ricky Fowler-produced show glorifying them as if it's done deal. (I have no problem with Ricky or Okla State - perhaps the greatest all-time golf school). But there are no guarantees.
Questions: back in the old days did teams meet head-to-head on each other's home courses? I think Stone Creek was the site of Big 10 Championship back in Stricker/Small days.
When did the invitationals start?
Too bad about Illini women - a ranked team not making it out of the regional.
Could happen even to mighty Okla State. All the hoopla; Golf Channel Ricky Fowler-produced show glorifying them as if it's done deal. (I have no problem with Ricky or Okla State - perhaps the greatest all-time golf school). But there are no guarantees.
Questions: back in the old days did teams meet head-to-head on each other's home courses? I think Stone Creek was the site of Big 10 Championship back in Stricker/Small days.
When did the invitationals start?
I heard Mike Small say that a team's ranking is based on who you beat. Good golf teams - i.e. warm weather teams - won't come north to play especially when the weather might be iffy. Thus, he chooses to take his team to tournaments where they can face several top teams on a given weekend.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
To answer your bolded questions, teams did meet head to head more often in the old days. I don't think Stone Creek has ever held a B1G Championships, however. It's been around since 2000 or 2001, so Stricker and Small would have never played there when students. OUr home course used to be the Orange and Blue course in Savoy until sometime in the early 2000s.
Deleted member 645583
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Ignoramous me.
Thanks for the info.
By the way, I posted earlier that Okla St. is probably the greatest golf school of all time. Wait a minute:
All-time (since about 1897) national titles (NIGA? and NCAA), according to Wikipedia NCAA golf site:
Yale: 20 (last in 1943)
Houston 16 (1985)
Princeton 12 (1940)
OK St. 10 (2006)
P.S. 2017 Fighting Illini Invitational: Illini finished 5th. Texas A&M won, Ala and OK St. ahead of ILL. Illini only 3 shots behind OK ST.
Yes, the warm -weather teams will head north for such a field at Olympia in early Illinois autumn.
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And the reason they are able to get such a field is the opportunity to play at Olympia Fields, a course that has hosted multiple major championships, including the U.S. Open (2x). It is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Deleted member 645583
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Yes. Other reasons: Illini are a golf power and the city of Chicago. I only hope players get a glimpse of this beautiful city of my birth and its golf heritage, but I suppose they're in and out. They're not there for site-seeing.
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They probably do a little sight-seeing.
Deleted member 645583
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I meant "site-seeing" in the specific sense that you visit certain sites and don't just gawk at things. Maybe I've coined a new word.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Technically, "site-seeing" would be looking at construction sites or internet browsing
Deleted member 645583
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Emailed Coach Small to wish him and team well in the regional. I've chit-chatted with him and his players at Rich Harvest Farms where I was a volunteer during tournaments. He really doesn't know me from Adam, and he shouldn't, but guess what?
He responded promptly to say thanks for the support.
I'm impressed.
Illini may be peaking right now. Not saying they're gonna win the whole thing. Just get to the championshp round and let's see what happens.
He responded promptly to say thanks for the support.
I'm impressed.
Illini may be peaking right now. Not saying they're gonna win the whole thing. Just get to the championshp round and let's see what happens.
Deleted member 645583
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#11 Illini are paired with #1 OK St. and #13 Texas Tech in the regional starting 6:30 CT today.
Just play the course Illini - forget about Okla State or anyone else.
Live scoring on Golfstat.
Just play the course Illini - forget about Okla State or anyone else.
Live scoring on Golfstat.
illinifaninwi
- DeForest, Wisconsin
The Illini are known for their slower starts but so far at -3 in the very early stages.
How many teams advance from the men's regionals? Is it the same as the women, 6? TIA
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Pretty sure it is only 5 peer region for the men. Think there might be one more region for the men as well. Too lady to search all of that on my phone, sorry
Top 5 teams qualify, and right now Illinois is clear of the 6th-place team by 13 shots.
Michael Feagles shot the best round of the day (-3).
Either the Norman/Columbus regional sites are on harder courses than the other regional sites or the teams just aren't shooting as well. There's some pretty good team scores being put up at the other 4 sites today.
PostersLastStand
- Wayne County, IL
Mike Small is not paid enough, he is the University's best coach. Go Illini!!!
Here's the answer to your question:
"Because two other No. 1 seeds, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, were hosting regionals this year, top overall seed Oklahoma State, a nine-time winner this season, had to travel to Columbus, Ohio, for its regional. But Cowboys head coach Alan Bratton was excited to head north.
"The reason: He knew how difficult the Scarlet Course was and he knew it would separate the top teams more than an easier golf course."
https://golfweek.com/2018/05/14/columbus-regional-oklahoma-state-leads-as-top-3-separate-from-field/