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University of Illinois Golf Coach Mike Small is bidding for yet another trophy-in the Illinois PGA Section championship. Small with the Illinois Senior Open trophy at the Preserve at Oak Meadows-earlier this summer. Photo by Nick Novelli.
THE MIKE SMALL INVITATIONAL
Seems be on tap for for tomorrow at the Thunderhawk Golf Club.
Whether it’s 13, 14 or 15, Small’s resume in the section championship says one thing. “W”.
It’s hard to find any golfer and at any tournament that has won a certain golf tournament as many times as Small has won the the Illinois PGA Section title.
Because the weather has been a thorn in the side of the tournament, Day 1, which is really Day 2, didn’t start until 1:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday. But not to mention the 54-hole championship is down to 36 holes. Tuesdays format was a 99-player shotgun, that was necessary because of both Monday’s rains, and Tuesdays early rains that left the golf course unplayable.
“It was a good day,” said Small. ” I made seven birdies and one bogey. I birdied my first hole and was solid throughout the round and birdied my last three holes.”
Small’s six under par (66) gave him a 1-shot lead.
“With all the low scores bunched up at the top, you have go out and make some birdies,” Small said. “The course is soft and the greens are playing slow and comfortable after all the rain we got. So you just go and try to knock down some pins.”
Small had to climb his way back to the top, because 2021 champion Andy Mickelson of Mistwood had set the pace and had the lead much of the round. Mickelson’s 67 has him one shot back of Small. But should Mickelson win again, he would be the 20th player to win the championship two-times.
Jim Billiter (Ivanhoe Club) another past champion is also just one shot behind Small after a 67 (-5). Billiter with a win, would be the fifth player in section history to win both the section championship and the match play championship two times.
Chris French of Aldeen Golf Club, winner of the 2023 IPGA Match Play Championship and participant in this years PGA Championship at Oak Hill, is two shots behind Small after a 68 (-4).
Play concludes on Wednesday. because of the two-day format there was no-cut after the first 18 holes. IPGA.com