2020-21 Illini Men's Golf

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#576      
FeelYourPaign
illiniu said:
I just read in the April issue of Chicago District Golfer magazine that T.J. Barger, a Bloomington H.S. senior, accepted a preferred walk-on offer to play for the Illini this fall. He was state 2A champ in 2018 and finished fourth in 2019.
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Because of a long and consistent history of success, with no embarrassments or blemishes, Coach Small is much more able to stack talent than any other Illinois sports coach. Congrats to all on this commitment and welcome to C-U Mr. Barger
 
#577      
illiniu
More FYI: Mike Small is scheduled to tee off at 11:15 Friday at Stricker's AmFam in Madison. Good luck, coach.
 
#579      
illiniu
whatahack said:
I love that he still tees it up...
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Yes. If I were an Illini golfer, I would love that my coach was competing.

He's only 55, though. I bet he'll be playing in Illinois PGA events- Illinois opens this summer and maybe even receive an invite to other Champions Tour events or try to qualify. Time for coach to play himself some golf.
 
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#580      
Illinoise
illiniu said:
Yes. If I were an Illini golfer, I would love that my coach was competing.

He's only 55, though. I bet he'll be playing in Illinois PGA events- Illinois opens this summer and maybe even receive an invite to other Champions Tour events or try to qualify. Time for coach to play himself some golf.
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Could you imagine what the guy criticizing Underwood over his golfing comments in the other thread would think about this. I think he would have had a great chance of making more money playing golf than coaching. Seems like a great guy and the players all seem to really respect him.
 
#581      
BRucks
Illinoise said:
Could you imagine what the guy criticizing Underwood over his golfing comments in the other thread would think about this. I think he would have had a great chance of making more money playing golf than coaching. Seems like a great guy and the players all seem to really respect him.
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He played professionally on a full time basis for a decade after graduation - mostly on the predecessor to the Korn Ferry tour. Was able to move up to the pga for a short period of time based on his performance there. Then......kids. With the combination of mediocre professional results (he lost his pga card), kids and then a job offer by the AD at his alma mater he left the tour and came to Illinois while continuing to play some professional events in the off season. It has worked well for him. His professional resume helps with recruiting and his coaching has probably benefited his own game. He made $372,000 coaching this year. At one time he was the highest paid college golf coach in the country (not sure if he still is). There have been more than $20M worth of golf facilities added during his tenure and he has been the driving force behind the fundraising for all of those.
 
#582      
Illinoise
BRucks said:
He played professionally on a full time basis for a decade after graduation - mostly on the predecessor to the Korn Ferry tour. Was able to move up to the pga for a short period of time based on his performance there. Then......kids. With the combination of mediocre professional results (he lost his pga card), kids and then a job offer by the AD at his alma mater he left the tour and came to Illinois while continuing to play some professional events in the off season. It has worked well for him. His professional resume helps with recruiting and his coaching has probably benefited his own game. He made $372,000 coaching this year. At one time he was the highest paid college golf coach in the country (not sure if he still is). There have been more than $20M worth of golf facilities added during his tenure and he has been the driving force behind the fundraising for all of those.
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I should have specified that he possibly could have made more over the last 5 years (senior tour) playing than coaching. He seems to have aged well and I think he could have made some money out there. Glad he’s stuck with coaching and he’s building quite a legacy indeed.
 
#583      
illiniu
I think Coach Small shot par in AmFam first round. Not bad for someone who likely hasn't played a lot of golf lately.
 
#585      
BRucks
Illinoise said:
I should have specified that he possibly could have made more over the last 5 years (senior tour) playing than coaching. He seems to have aged well and I think he could have made some money out there. Glad he’s stuck with coaching and he’s building quite a legacy indeed.
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I heard him say in a recent interview that some of his options were lost this year because some professional event were moved up in the calendar and he was still coaching in the post season.
 
#586      
illiniu
So much free media promotion for Illini golf: Coach Small at AmFam; Hardy contending this weekend and announcers singing praises about the program in both cases. Great coverage of Nick at BMW. And his yardage book, whatever, had a big block orange "I" on it - and the camera showed it. Maybe these are feel-good moments for me, but it's for darned sure Illini golf is a powerhouse national program, according to Golf Channel, at least. And other great college golf programs know it, too.
 
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#587      
illiniu
You may call me an anti-American, Commie-pinko, subversive degenerate bed-wetting swine, but I say this:

May the Thomases play well for Belgium at the Olympics. As in Pieters and Detry.

GO ILLINI AND USA!

Note: Illinois PGA Open is next week: Coach Small and a couple of his players are in the field at Stonebridge CC in Aurora; NIU players, too, plus Kishwaukee CC pro and his son (Illinois State player).

Last time I was at Stonebridge, Michael Jordan and a golfer by the name of Arnold Daniel Palmer played a practice round together. Got Arnie's autograph. A genuine thrill that lasts a lifetime. Former thrill: walking east on Addison near Wrigley, chit-chatting with #14. You talk heroes - Ernie was mine.
 
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#588      
illiniu
Got to add: Illinois Open is open to spectators. Confirmation from GM's office. A beautiful course. I also got to banter (while he was playing) with Juan (CHI-CHI) Rodriguez way back. Yet another thrill. And I asked Dale Douglass (champion at Ameritech) what iron he hit on a great shot to a green. A six, he answered. Those were the days, my friend ...
 
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#593      
Boomauer
Illini not fairing well at the Olympia Fields tourney. Final round today and Illini are sitting in 11th place out of 15 teams...
tied with Purdue and 10 shots back of Indiana...the only other Big Ten teams competing. Slow out of the gate today as the guys have made only one birdie against 5 bogeys after just a few holes. This may be Small's toughest job yet in securing another Conference title. I noticed that former Illini Noah Gillard is competing for Indiana and performing well...shot better than any current Illini the
first 2 days. ☹
 
#594      
illiniu
Odd to see Illinois finish so far down the leaderboard - and behind two big 10 teams. Guess I'm spoiled because of illini success over the last 10 years.

FYI: they next play in blessings collegiate, Fayetteville, ak, men's and women's teams from 10 schools, 10/4-6. Will be on golf channel, according to Illinois golf website.
 
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#595      
illiniu
More FYI: Illini women host tournament at Medinah 10/11,12. Free admission. I volunteered twice as a spotter before covid; waiting to hear if they need me this time.

Go Illiniweks!

Anybody know what's up with Dylan Meyer? One of my favorite Illini. That colitis/whatever is debilitating.

Thanks.
 
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