As the 2024 Illinois men’s golf season gets underway, the No. 9 Illini will head to the American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Mich., to kick off their season.
They will participate in the anticipated Folds of Honor Collegiate. It will be the Illini’s second time attending the event, winning in 2022 with the aid of senior Jackson Buchanan, who tied for third place as a sophomore.
Now in its third year, the Folds of Honor Collegiate features a 54-hole stroke play format and will include 22 collegiate teams, including men’s and women’s. This par-72 course covers 7,213 yards of dunes, and the course’s unique terrain can be expected to test the skills of all participating teams and players, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament.
The Illini will try to repeat their stellar season last year, planning to build on their success as they enter this first tournament.
“Each season, we build a schedule to facilitate the physical and mental growth necessary to reach our standard,” said head coach Mike Small in an interview with Illinois Athletics. “Beginning next week, each event will offer unique challenges and opportunities to test ourselves in first-class tournaments against the top programs in the nation.”
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Illinois starts the 2024-25 season with a mix of returning players and newcomers. Buchanan was on fire last season and this summer as he competed in several professional tournaments. He is most definitely someone to watch this season.
Sophomore Max Herendeen is another player poised to do well this year. Herendeen made quite an impact his freshman season, being named Freshman of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team.
The Illini lineup further includes junior Ryan Voois, freshman Trey Marrion, freshman Joseph Buttress, freshman Jake Birdwell and sophomore Ethan Wilson.
As the tournament unfolds at American Dunes Golf Club, the Illini face a multitude of teams that will bring stout competition to Michigan. The Folds of Honor Collegiate tees off on Monday, Sept. 9, and will finish on Wednesday, Sept. 11. This tournament will include a live stream on the Golf Channel and Peacock.
@mattisonleskis
