The Illinois men’s golf team won its 10th straight Tinervin Cup against Illinois State this past Saturday in Placida, Fla. The Illini defeated the Redbirds 8-1 at the event, held on the 7,038-yard, par-71 Coral Creek Golf Club. Illinois has traditionally dominated this competition, winning by a wide margin in every year except 2006 and 2007, when the Illini only won by one and two points, respectively.

The Tinervin Cup was hosted by supporters Jeff Tinervin and his wife, Madalyn, who also contributed to the development of the Demirjian Golf Practice Facility, where the Illini regularly practice in the winter.

The annual competition’s format resembles the prestigious Ryder Cup, a match-play tournament administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour. The tournament began with three two-on-two, head-to-head best ball morning matches. Each individual match was worth one point, and at the end of the morning, Illinois capitalized on all three.

Junior Thomas Pieters’ and freshman Charlie Danielson’s win over Wils Hawn and Matt Solis gave the Illini their first point of the morning. Illinois freshman Thomas Detry and sophomore Brian Campbell followed by defeating Ricky Hearden and Parker Freiburg, while senior Mason Jacobs and freshman David Kim beat Tyler Gentilella and Tyler Pope-Ferguson to give the Illini the sweep in doubles. 

Pieters, who last week announced his plans on turning professional after the season, continued his hot streak from the fall season in which he totaled 16 rounds under-par.

That afternoon, Illinois won all but one of its six individual head-to-head stroke-play matches.

“We got some competition under our belt and identified some things we need to work on before the Big Ten match-play tournament in two weeks,” Illinois head coach Mike Small said. 

This win will give the Illini momentum before they travel to Sarasota, Fla., on Feb. 8-9 for the Big Ten Match Play Championship. 

Claire can be reached at [email protected].