THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS will be played at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove from May 19th through the 31st. Come see Two Final Fours in two weeks, tickets on sale now at NCAA.com/Tickets Almost 20,000 tickets have been sold already _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GgoBlogGuy. and to Rich Havest Farms in May.

The #2 ranked Fighting Illini Men’s Golf Team did not start the srping golf season the way they or Head Coach Mike Small would have preferred them to.

The Illini had to settle for a 4th place finish in the 32nd annual Louisana Classics, held in Lafayette Louisana, and contested on the Oakbourne Country Club, 7,098 yards and a par of 72.

Illinois carded a total score of 873 (+9) for the championship, that was played in windy conditions. Kent State at -21 won the championship, with Texas A&M edging out LSU by a stroke at -2 and -1. Illinois then 10 shots back was 4th.

Afterwards Illinois coach Mike Small was less than pleased.

“This was not an inspiring effort,” said Small. “We pride ourselves in closing off tournaments better than this, but today the golf course and the conditions got the better of us.”

Nick Hardy who carried the Illini with a 3 under par score for the tournament, backed up in the final round with a 3 over par 75. Michael Feagles had the low final round for Illinois with a 1 over par 73, Dylan Meyer had a 74 and finished 1 over par for the tournament.

Illinois had four players finish in the Top 25 for the tournament. The Illini have a chance to put this championship behind them quickly, as they head to Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete in the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters, March 6-8.

You can stay tuned to FightingIllini.com and this website for more news on the Illinois men’s golf team.