THE US OPEN makes a rare Midwest visit next June of 2017 at the Erin Hills Golf Club in Erin Wisconsin, for tickets see USGA.org/tickets. Eric Johnson is the new teaching professional at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, for more on golf see Nemacolin.com.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. Shirt from the Carnoustie Sportswear men’s line.

The Illini continue to win. Which is just the way Coach Mike Small planned it, when he drew up the schedule and recruited the players that he did.

His best player on the team this past week at the Northern Intercollegiate, wasn’t even on the team. Playing as an Independent, Fr. Giovanni Tadiotto from the nation of Belgium was 5 under Par over three rounds at Beverly Country Club 72-68-68 on the Par 71 course. It was the first tournament title in his college career.

The Northern Intercollegiate that is normally played Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove was moved for one year, because of the NCAA National Championships being played there next May. All NCAA players have not been allowed at RHF since August 1st. Northern Illinois University served as tournament host.

Illinois at -7 under par defeated Indiana by 53 shots (+46) and Marquette (+50) by 57 shots.

“This was a solid outing for our team,” said Small. ” I’m proud of the way that they played. I am excited that Giovanni had a great outing, and winning the tournament while playing as an individual, he showed his true potential for a solid future.”

Tadiotto was two under par headed into the third and final round, and then carded five birdies on the final nine holes. Right behind him was teammate Edoardo Lipparelli who took second place with a three under par score. Juniors Dylan Meyer and Nick Hardy were able to finish third and fourth. Meyer shot 69 in both the second and the third round to finish 2 under par for the championship.

The tournament had a field of 12 teams in which six of them were from Illinois. The next tournament for Illinois will be held at the Isleworth Golf and Country Club for the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational, on October 16-18. The tournament is hosted by North Texas and UC-Florida, and will have the country’s top 15 teams in the field.

For more information on University of Illinois Golf, please keep it here or visit Fightingillini.com. Illinois remains the #1 team in the national polls.