The undefeated Illinois men’s golf team will look to stay perfect when it travels to Windermere, Florida, for the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational on Oct. 16-Oct. 18. The No. 1 Illini will face off against eight other ranked men’s golf programs.

Sophomore Edoardo Lipparelli, who is coming off a second place finish at the Northern Intercollegiate, said the team isn’t concerned with its competition.

“I think we always try to play our best and all of our players try to get their business done on the golf course,” Lipparelli said. “I wouldn’t say we are kind of setting the target for other teams, because obviously other teams are really good too. I think we are playing pretty good now and the team is feeling pretty confident so we are looking forward to playing in Florida this weekend.”

The Tavistock Collegiate Invitational will provide the Illini with tougher competition than last week. Freshman Bryan Baumgarten said the team is confident after having exceeded early expectations.

“Everyone is motivated, it gives us confidence that we know we can compete against the best players, best teams in the country rather,” Baumgarten said. “Three wins is cool, people didn’t think we’d be here, but it just shows that this team has the talent and potential so it will be fun to grow for the rest of the season and hopefully coming back in the spring we can pick up right where we left off and build toward a national championship.”

Baumgarten said the team has worked a lot on its short game this week in practice, calling it crucial to this upcoming tournament.

The team’s three tournaments so far this season have all taken place in the Midwest, with mild conditions, and with this event taking place in Florida, the Illini are preparing for different conditions of play.

“Different type of grass down in Florida than in here so that will be a change for us, but we have the same plan, same strategy,” Baumgarten said. “I don’t think the weather is going to affect it too much and the grass, we should get used to during our practice rounds.”

With the team set to face more high profile competition, Lipparelli said that the Illini are in a good mental state and are ready to play up to the best of their ability.

Freshman Giovanni Tadiotto, coming off of his first collegiate title, reflected the same confidence his teammates were feeling about the Illini’s prospects at Tavistock, and has no concerns about the travel or warmer conditions.

“I think for sure the grass is different, but it won’t affect our game because we practice every day,” Tadiotto said. “We try to practice every kind of shot, all of our weaknesses. We try to be ready for every kind of golf course and every kind of condition we face.”

[email protected]

@di_sports