Senior Kyle Hosick and junior Frank Alafoginis have different mindsets heading into this weekend.

“We’re there to win,” Hosick said.

Alafoginis feels the same way, but said it’s better to only have golf on the mind and to let things take care of themselves Saturday at the 40th annual Fossum/Spartan Invitational.

“The best way to go into (it) is with no expectations and to just play and rely on your practice,” Alafoginis said.

Regardless, all athletes will be competing on the same challenging course. Seven Big Ten teams will participate in the athletic contest. The 7,013 yard course in East Lansing, Mich., is par 72 and undulate greens. With up and down slopes, the greens run fast, Hosick said.

“Personally, I think the tougher the golf course, the better for me and also for a few of my teammates,” Hosick said. “My course management skills are a lot better than the average college player’s. I like the tough conditions.”

Hosick said it is important to have good golf management skills, particularly when playing at the event hosted by the Spartans. Knowing this information, the Illini practiced accordingly.

“We practiced a lot of distance control shots, scoring shots,” Alafoginis said. “I personally have worked on a lot of putting, a lot of chipping, and I’ve been working on a few things in my swing.”

This week feels different for Alafoginis than the past few. For the last three contests, Alafoginis hasn’t been selected as one of the five golfers traveling to compete, though he has had plenty of experience earlier in the year and over his career.

“The last tournament I played in I didn’t quite do very well, and (I’m) trapping that out of my memory and trying to help the team out,” Alafoginis said. “I wouldn’t say that I’m nervous. I’m excited to help the team out and be back in the lineup.”

Over the weekend of the Boilermaker Invitational (which Alafoginis didn’t compete in), he went back to D.C., his hometown, to work with his swing and mechanics with Kirk Lucas, his golf instructor.

“Every once and a while when I’m not hitting it very well, I’ll go back and try to get back down the basics,” Alafoginis said. “It helps out.”

In the same invite last year, Alafoginis shot better than any Illini golfer, an even par score of 216. He tied for seventh place overall in the event.

“We’ve been struggling in the fifth spot, and Frank has had success (at the Fossum/Spartan Invitational) in the past,” head coach Mike Small said.

In last year’s performance, Illinois finished tied for third out of 12 teams. For the weekend, Alafoginis will be replacing sophomore Jon Krick.