Coming off two strong performances – one in Arizona two weeks ago and one last week in Ohio – the Illini men’s golf team really came together this week as they tied for third place in the 39th annual Fossum Invitational. The tournament was hosted by Michigan State at the par 72, 7,013-yard Forest Akers West Golf Course. Illinois shot rounds of 284-295-296 to card a team score of 875. That score tied the Illini’s second lowest 54-hole score of the season.

The Illini also placed third among the eight Big Ten teams, and 10 Midwest District teams participating in the Fossum Invite. Indiana took first place with an overall score of 870, beating Minnesota by four shots. Illinois and Xavier finished five strokes back.

For the second time this season, two golfers placed in the top 10 for Illinois, as sophomore Frank Alafoginis and junior Kyle Hosick took seventh and 10th place, respectively.

Alafoginis’ weekend score was the best of his collegiate career and his first top-10 finish at this level. He shot a 216, which secured him the seventh spot out of 66 individual competitors in the tournament. Alafoginis said his short game was the key to his first ever top finish among Illinois players in a tournament.

“I putted and chipped better (this weekend),” Alafoginis said. “I normally hit it pretty good and get a lot of birdie opportunities, putting and chipping well is really what made the difference.”

Hosick finished just one stroke behind Alafoginis earning his second top-10 finish of the season. Following Alafoginis and Hosick in the final rankings, sophomore Danny Zimmerman tied for 31st with a 225, senior Blair Harkins tied for 36th with a 227 and sophomore Mark Ogren shot a 230 and finished 51st.

Illinois has been effective each of the last two weeks without their standout player Patrick Nagle, who is still sidelined because of a sprained hand. Coach Mike Small commented that Nagle should be back out on the course for the Big Ten Championships next week at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Ill.

The players seem to be ready to take on their Big Ten rivals, and they are going into the tournament with more confidence than they have had all season.

“We feel good about the Big Ten, although there is a little confusion on what the lineup is going to be,” Alafoginis said. “We have really worked on our mental game and saving little shots here and there, we still are not perfect, but we are starting to gel together. We have a lot more confidence, and I am excited because this weekend made me realize that there is no doubt we can win the tournament especially with Nagle.”