Congrats. Have we had a player go this far before?
Illini Golf 2024-2025
Yes, I was looking for some. But there was a block I on Jackson's shirt and bag.
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Don't think so. Gotta research.
Last thing about US Amateur: 36 holes stroke play just to get to match play. Jackson's got to be physically and mentally pooped. Really a grueling ordeal. But I bet Jackson will want to play a few more holes very soon. Ah, youth. (I'm pooped at age 73 after changing into my golf shoes for nine holes, but I somehow summon the strength to carry on.) I predict Jackson will be really strong for Illini this season. Max and Ryan, too. Way too early to tell, but I see yet another really strong 24-25 Illinois golf team. Predictions are really easy when we have Mike Small as coach. Really.
Go Illini!
Go Illini!
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I almost hate to say it, but I'm rooting for Seve Ballester. Sorry, Clark Kent. But play well and good luck to both.Final 2 get invite to Masters. JB just missed it...that would've been fantastic. Lost to a Hawkeye.
honestly I don't think playing in that format helps that much. They all know how to do it. Match play is so round and opponent dependent that it is nearly impossible to practice really. Its all about having your mental side prepared.
I will say the schedule looks a little different this, not familiar with a couple of those tourneys. Wonder how the fields will be. The folds wwe did two years ago and the field was decent but this time around it is absolutely stacked. Huge early season test there.
No argument from me. But the only strategy in stroke play is to "go out there and shoot a really low score; the golf course is your enemy". Match play is a somewhat different animal; mind games now and then between players. Different strategery.
But In Mike Small I Trust.
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FlyNavy
- Los Angeles
Top 25 (notables):
1. Auburn (defending NC)
2. Arizona St
3. Florida St
4. Vanderbilt
5. UNC
6. Virginia
7. Tennessee
8. Texas
9. Illinois
10. Florida
18. Washington
22. Ohio State
25. UCLA
Others receiving votes: Oregon, USC, Northwestern
The new additions definitely improve the conference, as all four are now in the top 6 of the B10.
Link to the poll: https://collegiategolf.com/coaches-poll/division-i
1. Auburn (defending NC)
2. Arizona St
3. Florida St
4. Vanderbilt
5. UNC
6. Virginia
7. Tennessee
8. Texas
9. Illinois
10. Florida
18. Washington
22. Ohio State
25. UCLA
Others receiving votes: Oregon, USC, Northwestern
The new additions definitely improve the conference, as all four are now in the top 6 of the B10.
Link to the poll: https://collegiategolf.com/coaches-poll/division-i
It wouldnāt shock me if lineup looks like this: JB, max, voois, Marrion, and butteress. Bardwell is a stud too. Probably smallās best freshman class since Dylan Meyer and Hardyās year.
The lineup is gonna be interesting to figure out. Last year felt like the rebuild year, with the two 5th year transfers to supplement the team, and low and behold they finish in the top 10 on the year and had a wildly successful season.
I would be shocked if JB/Max/Voois trio aren't in the top 5 but the rest is tough to figure. Butteress comes with huge credentials and Marrion is a top 20 junior right now, is he our highest ranked recruit ever?
I would be shocked if JB/Max/Voois trio aren't in the top 5 but the rest is tough to figure. Butteress comes with huge credentials and Marrion is a top 20 junior right now, is he our highest ranked recruit ever?
No wonder Coach Small didn't add an experienced college transfer (Could he have? College rules confuse me as I get older). It appears Illinois has some real new great talent to add to veterans. Can't wait to see Folds of Honor team. Nothing like serious competition at one of the greatest college golf programs. Play well, all Illini.
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Marion is the real deal, he won the North South Jr and the eastern am this year. Both highly rated and the Eastern is not quite one of the elite junior tourneys but is filled with college players already and he won as a senior in high school. He is 13th in the class of '24 and recruited by all the big boys, getting him out of the south is a massive victory for Illinois. Buttress is one of the, if not the, top ranked juniors in Australia. I don't know much about him but he is the type of guy that Small can get and really seem to flourish at Illinois. 2 massive recruits. Can't wait to see this team in action.